Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1862-07-31
Written for the "Smyrna Times.
MEMOIR,

hGN4O4nI
DIED. AT THE RESIDENCE HIS MOTHER NEAR FELToS
DELAWARE, AT NOON, JUNE 9th, Nh. SAMUEL G.
HOPKINS, AGED PC YEARS, III MONTHS AND 10 DAYS
If it be sad to mark the board with age
onR IN the halls Of the remOrscless tomb
Eiosing the changes of LIES pilgrimage
IN tlle SUI darkness of its mOuldcring gloom,
": what shadow DER the heart is flung
HAth PealS the requium ofthe loved and young"
0ac, indeed, is the task, and gloomy, indeed, arc
II" hearts c: those whose duty it is made to record
INC ceah OF enc so young, greatly beloved and so
iat1 Q. promise. OF a TRUTH the judgments of the
Lord arc unscarchable, and his ways past finding
OUT II 1t was not that we are assured that he is
too good to be unkind and too wise too err, lnight
we not conclude that he has smitten us in his anger?
Entertaining, however, the most unhestating and
implicit confidence in the goodness and wisdom of
the Loro' though the stroke be heavy, the incison
deep, yet VIII we endeayor to acquicsce unmurmur-
Ingy IN the Divine dispensation, comforted by the
TACT that, though he cannot come to us we Gun 90 to
him.
The subject of this memoir, in early life, evinccd
en- aptness to learn-a thirst for knowlcdrc-wbich
was was not to be satisfied short of u thorough col
ieglatt course In thishis fond parents gratifcd him,
tough FEARFUL all the WHILE that it would be injurious
TO ms physical constitution, knowing how frail he
was. He accordingly entered Dickinson Colleoe in
September, 1854, and graduated in July, 1858
Touching his superior intellectual attachments, his
high moral and social qualities, we will make an cx
tract from letter Of condolcncc which is from his
most intimate college friend, l. G. b.:
The very circumstances which make vour he
fca'cment more severe contain in themselves an Gle.
ment OF comfort. refer to his many excclencies of
character, the high esteem in which he was held by
all who knew him, and the fine promise which his
talents and superior culture gave Of future usefulness
and distinction
There was, perhaps, no ono who knew Sam.
more Intimately-knew more of his inmost thoughts
and aspirations than did. enjoyed his confidence
fully, and there was fact thus revealed to me which
Scrvdd to alter my high opinion of his character
Though exposed in his college course, as every
one must be, to corruptlng Influences he yet prcser
we'd his purity. tie was kind of heart generous and
open in his cealings with his fellows, and ever hon
orable and manly in his bearing
Notwithstanding his superior mental culture, such
was his unobtruslveness of character and such the
Fepugnance that he felt at any attempt to show off,"
or to impress others of his real mental endow.
mcnts, that 1t was necessary TO become personally
acquainted with him to appreciate him. and the more
intimately he was known, the more hi. hly he was es.
termed.
lie was also Of that class of young men whose ed
ucatlonal advantages did not spoil him. He did not
conceive himself to be superior TO those who had
borne him, above those with whom he had been rails
cd or disqualified for the ordinary duties of life
In fact, such, in judgment, was his Intellectual
moral and social worth, that Dickinson College might
well have baYe been proud Of him, and have referred
to him as her son, with safety and pleasure; for he
a credit to her.
Brother Samuel having been blessed with Chris
tan parents, was the subject Of religious training
and influence from very early in life And when he
went out from them in quest of knowledge, their
Cody admonitons and prayers attended him, for
they felt as all Christian parents shoud-decply con-
cerned for his moral and religious wcll.bcing. On
his intelligent mind these efforts rnade an abiding
IMPRESSION for he had not been from under the ma.
rental roof long the wish of his parents was re-
azcd, and the fruit of their labors brought forth in
his conversion TO God and connection with tho Nc,b
odist Episcopal Church.
But then every fond hope, every hattcrinr pros.
pect ard every well.grounded expectation have per-
lShcd. For he is no more. Disease and death have
done their work, and fond hands have placed his re-
mains ~ the SIDE Of his Sainted fat e. there in COM
Pany 10 r"oo:s, until, by the voice of the Son of God
they shan De called forth unto the resurrection of
eternal lie
S.eeP on, Toned one, and take thy rest. Though
all that is mortal of thee has faded from our sight,
yet thine image and thy traits of character are nec
laceable and the wounds made by they removal are
incurable. Soon will others of us lay down by they
side, and we trust it shall be in bssu anticipation
OF reIoining thee in that bright world above,
"Where the shadows of this lower world
Can never cloud the eve
When the mortal hath put brightly on
Its Immortality"
w. NJ. WARNER
Greensboro July 23d, 1862.