Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-08-26

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But l cannot dwell on this thought. Yet
does one ask me whether do not overstep
the bounds of proprioty,-whether | do not
trench on the prerogatives Of the civil tri-
bunas, when | even infer concerning our
departed brother that his was death Of vio-
lence by another's hand do not accuse,
here, any man of the wilful murder of this
my friend. ] have my own opinion as to
the probable agency that Immediately caus-
ed his death But as Gods messenger l
cite to answer at Cons tribunal every man
who, knowing the weaknesses Of the depart
cd. acted other than brothers part to-
wards him
Beloved friends,-it would be false
Charity tenderness which would indeed
be weakness not to say chargeable with
unfaithGullness to God and to man. were
to seek to cover up the past. Had the his
tory of the deceased during the past few
months been hitherto concealed, it would
not be my part to give it publicity. Glad
ly would |, if dared, initiate those rever-
ent loving sons, who with garment laid on
both their shoulders, walked backwards, and
covered up their fathers shame. No man
in this community,-(save, possibly, those
nearest of kin,) loved E. 7. Sterling more
than loved him. None admired more his
noble qualities. None, perhaps, wero I'M
der greater obligations to his generosity
than myself When death, once and again,
entered my household, his brotherly sympa-
thy offered me not only consolation but a
resting place, for the remains of my own
loved dead. By the graves of my own chill
dren, in his own burial place, stood on
Thursday last, to deposit his remains. Can
speak otherwise than tenderly concerning
him? | will speak as he (for | knew well
his heart) would have me speak. God give
me grace to be faithful.
+. r. Sterling was one Of the founders of
this Church. He was, peeuniarily its larg-
est bencfactor He gave not only his mon
ey, but his time, his thoughts, his watchful
caro- to its well-bsing. Twelve years ago,
under the ministry of the first Rector Of St.
Paul's, he professed, in Holy Baptism, to be
Christ's disciple; and the tongue would de-
serve to be forever palsied which should
charge him with having made that profess
sion in wilful hypocrisy. When first knew
him, almost seven years ago, | thought !
had seldom seen his equal in all that makes
the high-minded, liberal, Christian gentle
man. He was Warden of this Church q
regular and faithful teacher in the Sabbatt
School; an exceedingly punctual attendant
on all the services of the Sanctuary. His
hand was ever open to the cause of Christ,
and to the relief of His poor.
| found him Just what the venerable
Bishop of this Diocese, who had known him
for twenty years, described him to be
-"a most perfectly confidential and large
hearted, energetic man; as staunch a friend
ms ever was" "a man." wrote the Bishop
"whose mind is one of great influence
And on Friday last | received from this
eminent Christian minister a lament from
which | must read few worls:-"I have
no heart to write-but to be dumb-except
to say 'It is the Lord, in reference to this
most awful death of our poor friend. What
blow to you as his pastor. For nearly
twenty-seven years has his house been nv
kind and affectionate home, and never any
thing but the most generous and affection
ate hospitality did receive from him, and
never did l see anything in him inconsist-
ent with his profession as a Christian" /
need say no more in his praise. Many OF
you knew him well; if any knew him bet
ter than myself he knew more of the no
bleness of his character. Yet this is the
man whose name has for a week past been
IN every mouth; whose sad, sad end we can
never cease to deplore.
More than two years ago as his Pastor, /
could not but see and lament the begin
ming of a change in the aspect of his Chris
tian character. Business troubles annoyed
him, and called him often from his home
| feared that he was forming new and nju-
rous associations. Soon his attendance at
the Communion Table became irregular,
and ere long it ceased. AT last, the fearful
truth was made too apparent that there
were tempters about bis steps Turing him
to his ruin. | shall not reciie what took
place in the repeated interviews between
the Pastor, and this, his erring brother He
ever took kindly my admonitions and my
counsels. He ingenuously, and with self
loathing acknowledged his faults. He wept,
he prayed, he struggled, he resolved, he
promised, he tried. But the Arch Tempter
had many willing helpers, watching, laying
snares for the destruction Of body and soul
Where were the men who ought to have
been this, our brothers keeperl
God only knows how far he was respons-
ible; God only knows whether by miracle
of grace, in the last hours, when, perhaps
seemingly unconscious, he so sought God.
mercy in Chrst-so belieyed-aud the
work of Gods Spirit was so wrought as tC
rescue his precious soul That soul is now
in the hands Of the Judge of all the earth
who willsurely "do right" Happy isit thai
MAN is not the final Judge of his fellow-mor
tai. But here aTaign as guilty Of hi.
death, every man who, knowing his weak
ness mnistered to him Misunderstanding cup
Here ] arraign as guilty Of his death every
man who, knowing his weakness, partool
with him in that most debasing Of vices
in which only when reason was dethroneC
by alcoholic drinks he could stoop to in
dulgel Those men-druggists, salooI
keepers, hotel keepers-who, knowing thu
first glass would open the flood, gates o
evil supplied him with the maddening pois
on must answer to God when He maketl
inquisition for blood; and WOO TO them i
I