Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-10-08
Obituary of Deacon Eli Bushnell.
}. b. GROVER
Secretary,

Obituary of Deacon Eli Bushnell.
The subject of this notice was born in
Hartford, in the year 1906, and continued
10 reside there till the time of his death.
His life was distinguished for probity, up
rightness and honor. In all the relations
of life, as a father, husband, citizen,
friend, religion shone. He was known as
a reformer; an advocate of humanity,
emancipation, temperance, and the entire
separation OF the church from all popular
and organic iuiquities.' In advocating
his views he was mild, yet firm-a profess
or of that meek and quiet spirit, in the
sight of God Of great price" lie was q
decided and liberal friend to the Mission
ary cause. and when this bloody war
should close, was praying for, and expect
ing n great outpouring of the spirit and
revival of religion in our land. lie de-
sired TO recover and earn something to
aid the cause of the missions, neglected
during the war: so he said TO h writer
three weeks before his death. For long
years a sufferer, it was greatly blessed for
his growth in grace. He re-read the BIZ
bic, drinking with renewed delight from
its well of living waters ;" and the Joys
of faith" the hopes of glory increased (;
the fear of death vanished; and by his
holy life and peaceful death, king OF
terrors" lost his crown. Weeks before
| that event, he remarked at a friends
house, 'that death seemed no more to
him than a passing from one chGm6er to an
other" He prayed for a peaceful death,
free from pain and it was granted after
great previous agony. His latter end
0as peace" The writer was there.at first
alone. To witness such a death, was not
a pain, but a profit and a pleasure. God
was there; and his life went out in tight
in sweet, serene and sunset glory
! Long a member and a Deacon Of the
| Hartford Congressional church, his life
and death were consistent and as we
watched beside him in his dying hour YER
ilv we felt, that
THAT the chamber where the good man meets
l. priyiIeged beyond the common walks
of yiruous life, quite on the verge OF heaven.
He was ripe for glory. He had enough
of sthis vain world of sin, its tolls and
tears "enough for LIES sorrow, quite
enough for its cheer" A few hours be-
fore his end, he said to his dear daughter,
sswhat sweet music is that ! hear?'-
! She replied, it might be that of a neigh
boring piano. NO" said he, sit is sweet
er than that" And who can doubt it
was angel music. Is it not analogous to
believe, that angels, our diminishing splr-
Its in life's temptations and trials.
could not desert us in death, but would
attend TO bear US on their o~ut-spread
wings, and guide us 70 the shining
shores So We feel, at least.
1t was a bright Autumnal day; he
funeral was large and the sermon was
preached by Rev. R. Burgess, his pastor
in former years, from the sweet gospel
scene-Christ walking on the water-'lt
is !. be not afraid" And so, dust to
dust. earth to earth, in the appearance OF
a glorious resurrection" we committed
him to the silent grave. God bless the
mourners; and may they all meet him
above. One by one, with gushing tears,
they said TO the writer, w could not
wish him back to earth. :" So we all
felt: and SO we close with the sweet lines
which for months before had been the
sentiment of his heart:
Il would not live alWaysl no, welcome the tomb;
Since Jesus has died, / welcome its gloom!
There sweet be my rest, till he bud me arise,
To hail him in triumph descending the skies