The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-06-30

/ ,
Whittier, in his tribute to Sophia Surge, en-
titled, "To My Friend, on the Death OF His
| Sister," uttered consolatory words that may,
with equal propriety, be applied to the friends
of her brother Joseph on the occasion OF their
| great bereavement:
| mot upon thee or thine the solemn angel
| II. IN evil wrought
! His funeral anthem is glad evangel-
God calls our loved ones home but lose not wholly
They live on earth in thoup hi and deed, as truly
AS in His Heaven"
Mr.. Surge was too much of a Christian to
be sectarian, and too conscientious not to
speak the truth fearlessly even of his own de-
nomination. After returning from the United
States, he said, publicly:
9" feel bound to say, [ returned with grief,
under the conviction that the Society Of Friends,
in its corporate capacity could not be consid-
cred as advocating total and immediate eman-
cipation."
How unlike the testimony an American would
feel bound to bear towards the Quakers of
England Mr.. Surge associated freely with
men of other denominations; and wherever he
recognised lover of freedom, peace, temper
ance, or Christianity, he grasped his hand with
the cordaity of brother. He was popular
with every denomination AS an evidence Of
it, he at one time was invited to preside over
a convention of Baptists and on another oc
casion, when he was about to address a multi
tude assembled at Liverpool to receive the tenn
perance pledge from Father Mathew, was in
troduced 10y a Catholic priest. Wherever he
arose to address meeting, he was rapturously
cheered as friend of the people and a cham
pion of human rights. He was extensively
known throughout the kingdom personally, or
from the fame of his good deeds. And his
reputation was not confined to his own coun-
try, for it extended to other countries. 1t had
circumnavigated the globe.
His motto might have BEEN Be just and
| fear not. OF course, he dared to be singular.
His fearlessness brought upon him, as it ever
does upon true reformers, the opposition OF men,
and even the displeasure of kindred and friends.
"There," once said he to the writer, in Birm-
| ingham, there goes a member of our society /;
he is going to the same meeting with us he is
good man, but he is so opposed to my politi
cal sentiments and course, that he avoids me,
and manfests his dislike" At another time he
mentioned the case of distinguished woman,
who had regarded him with much affection,
and who had annually visited his family, but
who had intimated to him that she could not
consistently continue her visits, owing to the
stand he had taken before the public. Mr..
Sturge's gentle nature and acute sense of wrong
made him feel such conduct very keenly; but
he forgave the misguided persons, and did not
swerve a har's breadth from the line of duty
for, as he once said, If we are right in prin-
ciple, we should leave the consequences to
God"
AS manager Of public meetings, and as a
presiding officer Mr.. Surge had a happy talent.
Though naturally averse to public speaking,
and ditident of his ability to entertain or in
struct an audience, he acquired easy and
impressive mode of speech, which, with his tact
in adapting his thoughts to the occasion, made
him popular and interesting speaker. Thus,
his love to good cause, and his disintereSted-
ness, overcame his timidity and inspired him
with sef-control, and gave him readiness of ut
terance. He was in this matter, as in all others,
contented with his natural endowments and ac-
QUESTIONS, while he was continually aspiring
after higher attainments.
Mr.. Surge was true Christian, albeit such
men as he were prohibited uniting with the
Evangelical Alliance. He believed in the Di.
vine inspiration and authority of the Holy
Scriptures He made the Redeemer his model.
He relied on the mercy of God and the atoning
sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, and not on
any worthiness of his own, for forgiveness and
acceptance at the bar of God. He had conse-
Grated his life, his possessions, his influence,
his all, to God and humanity. What had he
then to fear? In concluding this sketch of
beloved friend, genuine philanthropist, an un-
pretending yet consistent Christian, who is not
struck with the appropriateness of the applica-
ton to him of the following description Of the
man of Uz?
When the ear heard me, Then it blessed me;
And when the eye me, il gave witness 10 me;
Because delivered the poor that cred,
A nd the fatheress and him that had help him.
The blessing of him thai ready perish upon
And caused the widows heart sing for Joy
put on Tghte business, and il clothed me
My judgment was a robe and diadem.
| was eyes To the blind,
And feet 10 the lame
| was father 10 The door;
And The cause which knew not searched out