St. Mary's beacon., 1862-06-12

illness In health, he habi,ually thought
and acted as if there was but step be-
twc~n him and death. judgment and eter-
nifty. anu when he knew and said that the
ensuing night and following day would
end lii. connexion with earth, the welfare
sufs Siountry and the interest of bis
fFehds were as near his heart, and as en-
phatically on his lips, as if he expected to
share their portion here for esarty Years<
To one of his respected preshyters, who
was at his bedside taking leave OF him, he
thus closed his solemn couns"l-"Spcak k
boldly 30 yonr people. Tell them to per-
severe IN sustaining their country in this
struggle. The war against Us is iniqiIi-
tous. ann persuaded that God is with US,
and will give us success
He knew that the courageous spirit of q
living General would not &c hindercd, but
helped. by the presence and power of the
constrainlng love Of Christ, and lie had no
fear that the faith and purity of dying
Bishop would be impaired by the glow of
genuine patriotism. Htwas on his death :
bed precisely what we all saw him 10 be in
life, cxccp; fis suGerings.
On Thitsday morning, the day before
his death he requested others who were
present to retire, that he might communi-
cate something to me in private. When
We were alone he said
Il wish to bear my testimony on some
things Of importance.
The views of evangelical truth and or
der which | have held and advocated for
fifty years, | approve; and cxhort my
brethren, North aud South, to >promote
more than ever.
My course in civil affairs I also ap.
prove---rcsistance to secession at first
till circumstances made it unavoidable /
trust the South will persevcre in scpara-
ton.
81 believe there are thousands in the
North who condemn the course of their
administration toward US and in time will
express themselves openly.
"'The prospect of rest frcm sin and suf-
fcring is attractive, though | am willing
to remain AMI take my part in the labors
and trials which may before us.
My hope is in Christ, the Rock
of Ages have no fear Of death, and
this not rr'Jn my couragi5, bat= s.olf Ht;
faith.
The present seems proper time for
my departure. am at pcaceawith God
through Jesus Christ my Lord, and in
charity with all men, even our b;ttcrcst
enemies.
'.All that has been sail in commcnda-
ton Of me, loathc and abhor, as utter
ly inconsistent with my consciousness Ct
sin.
Il commend you. and all my brethren,
to the tender mercies OF Christ, and pray
for his blessicg on the Chtuch in Eirg
ia"
When he ceased I withdrew to the ad-
joining room, and i'll conformity with his
suggestion, Immediately committed the
testimony in writing, and availed myscl.
Of the earliest opportunity TO read il to
him. and receive his Affirmation Of lis ac-
curacy.
Such, beloved brethren, was the special
commission TO which | referred. aud from
the painful execution of which | could not
shrink.
The message is duly delivered. The
wci.hty words OF the wise itaIcr-his leg
acy of !ovc-arc with YOU.
Death has since sealed his Fps in silence
He has fought good fight finished his
coursc--kept the faith-rcceived the
crown OF righteousness, and entered in his
glorious rest Ii the gift which | cove,
for you and myself, "a double portion of
his spirit" depended on the condition
named to Elisha, that blessing would be
ours, for l witnessed his departure, aud
cried from my hcart-"Aly father, ms
father, the chariot of Israel aud the horse
men thereof"
Our bcreaycmcnt--th bereavement OF
our Church and country--Aow incxprcssi-
bly, afiicing.
What can we do-to whom can wc 60
in our sorrow and wildcrment, but to
Jesus, who was annvirted to bind up the
broken-tcarted, to appoint to those who
mourn, beauty for ashes, the oil Of JOY for
mourning, and TIE garment Of praise for
the spirir of hcavincss.
What can we tell Him, but that We can
have no compensation for our great loss,
but bis own self by TIE special gift of the
Comforter, aud 50 pray husnLly. anl earn
c>tly, and pcrscvrringly. Tome, Lord
jesus, manifest Thysclf to US with greater
vivilncsa and power; draw u> into more
intimate and transforming fellowship with
Thee. Come, perfect Thy strength in Is,
and possess our hearts more and more with
Thy lore-enliglten our understanding
with the illumination of the holy Ghost,
that all cur wishes and desires Ray centre
in the advancement of Thy glory, and the
salvation of Thy people,
So. dear brethren, the prayer of cur de-
parted father in God f9r Us all. will be
soon and fully answered The tender
iusrcies ot Cit.ist viii be uyon US. and his
blessing uPOa the Church Uf Virginia.
Have you read my last speech" said
a pr"Sy orator The otAer day IL a friend.
i hope So" WAS the satisfactory reply