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

Vafied interest ard Importance. 1t eic-
waited TO the epiNcopate the son of val
ucd friend and fellow-laborer in the sue
cessful enterprise Of rcsuscitating the
Charch in Virginia. II provided a1'Isc-
tive, and earnest. and capable Bishop to
supply the vacancy in the Diocese Of
Alahasaa, occasioned by the death of the
lamented Bishop Cobbs-and it unmisra-
kably declared the conviction of the
Church in the several Confederate States.
that the disruption of the civil govern
ment, rendered necessary the cessation of
the general ecclesiastical system, under
which, by conventional arrangement, tue
different Dioccscs had been united, and
consequently devolved on US the respcn-
sibllity of perpetuating evangelical truth
and order in our churches by independent
ecclesiastical action. 1t was its signifcan-
cy in this respect that gave the consecra-
zion of DIR. Wilmer its peculiar interest to
Bishop Meade, and decided him to en-
counter the exposure and fatigue of the
journey to Richmond leaving the issue
in the hands of God*
The important object has been accom-
plishe0, but to us at a cost which no
one can compute. The mental and cor
porcal effort required, produced and pro-
lcnged an unnatural excitement in the
Bishops system, which, at the time seemed
like genuine strength returning, and as he
mingled SO genially during tho afternoon in
social intercourse with his brethren and
friends. under the roof where he had
been received and cherished with Chris
tian hospitality and flial devotion, We
were ready to interpret the whole trans
action of the memorable day as a token
for good-full of promise. But our sex
position of the scene and the sequences
was sadly mistaken. The apparent glow
which gladdcned us was not the animation
of returning health, but of the nature of
those unaccountalle transient rekiudinrs
which preecde ard indicate approaching
dissolution. The Inspiring influence OF
the Impressive occasion declined as the
interval Increased and was not renewed.
An accession of disease, an increasing en-
barrassment of vital organs soon became
apparent. The chronic affection OF ;IIe
heart, Of which FOR years he was con-
scious, and from which he long expect
ell sudden death, now developed itself in
fearful action. For several days and
nights his manly frame bore the. assault
with extraordinary powers of endurance,
and his Christian spirit, strengthened by
the Word of God, sustained his great
bodily suffering with exemplary paticnc,
Read me-" he said TO friend, "a ror-
tior of the sacred Scriptures" "What
shall | read :" ''The history Of the cru
cifxion.' And when this was done he
observed, "Yes, six hours did our Lord
suffer the intense agony of the cross, and
that 70, us-for our sins-and shall we
complain of our suferings The cup
which my Father hath given me, shall |
not drink it." Throughout the severe
struggle o: nature his mind was clear,
his faith strong, and his hope steadfast.
Few things impressed me more, during
the last days of Isis life, than his perfect
naturalness. AfEectationL in every form
and degree, was always disgusting to
him; what are termed scenes in eonnec-
tion with religious character and expert
ence, especially on the supposed ncarness
Of death, he regarded with nc favor. He
was SO accustomed to bear his religion
about with him in all his intercourse with
men, and all his secular business, and so
in the habit of bearing both with him in
his hours of devotion at throne Of grace,
they they were not kept separate and
apart, as if incompatible, but intermi1-
gled continually in his thoughts and
sympathics, and came out in close
relation in his speech. 1t was stri-
kingly and instructivcly SO during bis
Clark county, near Milw ood. at the Western
base of the Blue Ridse--a county ofremarkabIc
fertility and beauty, and endeared to him by
the associations o: hIs youth and the hap,
py home where his children and children s ci.i--
dren had grown up around hlm.
The unduatin. ground about the house, COW
cred with IFS rich turt, he had adorned with ev-
cry variety of the fir and cedar, interspersed
with tire most beauiiiI! shade trees which The
nurseries could furnish. The adjacent garden
abounded in choice grapes ard other fruits Of
which tie Bishop was very fond, and which he
was sra,liied 10 gather with his own hand, for
The refrexhment of his visitors ;,s he conducted
them about his grounds.
No one could be his companion in ,hese walks
without perceIyin. las strong attachment TO
IN ountain View When he left this loy Ell
home he eNpt6 ted 10 lie back IN :, few days, and
carried with HIM hut single change of ralment.
How merc'ully 1t was hidden from i'm thai The
cherished spot vas soon TO pass ansier the con-
troll Of the in vadess of our soil, and could no
longer be home foI him ILL.,
t,God who yeiled thAe coming sad event frnnl