Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-05-23

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1t proved to be the last official act of
his long, laboyious, faithful and fruitful
ministry-an act, to him, of great and
varied interest and Importance. 1t ele-
waited to the episcopate the son of valued
friend and fellow-laborer in the success
full enterprise of resuscitating the Church
in Virginia. it provided an active, and
earnest, and capable Bishop to supply the
vacancy in the Diocese of Alabama, oc-
casloned by the death of the lamented
Bishop Cobbs---an it Enthusiastically .le-
clared the conviction Of the Church in
the several Confederate States, that the
disruption Of the civil government, rem
dered necessary the cessation of the gem
eral ecclesiastical system, under which,
by conventional arrangement, the differ
ent Dioceses had been united, and con-
sequently devolYed on US the RESPONSE
bility of perpetuating evangelical truth
and order in our churches by indepen-
dent ecclesiastical action 1t was its sig
nifcanoy in this respect that gave the
conservation of DR.. Wilmer its peculiar
interest to Bishop Meade, and decided
him to encounter the exposure and ia
tigue of the journey to Richmond-leav-
ing the issue in the hands of Gods
The important object has been accom-
plished, but to US at cost which no one
can compute. The mental and corpore-
al effort required, produced and prolong-
ed an unnatural excitement in the Bish-
ops system, which at tho time seemed
like genuine strength returning, and as
he mingled so genially during the after
noon in social intercourse with his breth-
rem and friends, under the roof where he
had been received and cherished with
Christian hospitality and lilial devotion,
we were ready to interpret the whole
transaction of the memorable day as a
token for good-full Of promise. But our
exposition of the scene and the sequences
was sadly mistaken. The apparent glow
which gladdened us was not the ANNA
ton of returning health, but of the ma
ture Of those unaccountable transient re-
kindlings which precede and indicate APP
preaching dissolution. The inspiriting
influence of the impre ssive occasion de-
clined as the interval increased, and was
not renewed. An accession &c disease,
an increasing embarrassment of vital or
gans soon became apparent. The chron.
ic affection of the heart, Of which for
years he was conscious, and from which
he long expected sudden death, now de-
veloped itself in fearful action. For Sc
veral days and nights his manly frame
bore the assault with extraordinary pow
ers Of endurance, and his Christian spir-
it, strengthened by the Word of God,
sustained his great bodily suffering with
exemplary patience. Read me-" he
said to a friend, ga portion of the sacred
Scriptures" What shall / read?7
The history of the crucifxion. And
when this was done he observed, " Yes,
six hours did our Lord suffer the intense
agony Of the cross, and that for us--for
our sins-and shall we complain Of our
sufierings. The cup which my Father
hath given me, shall / not drink it,
Throughout the severe struggle Of nature
his mind was clear, his faith strong, and
his hope steadfast.
Few things impressed me more, during
the last days of his life, than his perfect
naturalness. Afeetation, in every form
and degree, was always disgusting to
him; what are termed scenes in connec-
ton with religious character and expert
ence, especially on the supposed nearness
of death, ho regarded with no 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 ofgrace.
that they were not kept separate and
apart, as if incompatible, but intermin-
The residence Of Bishop Meade was in
Clark county. near Wildwood at the Western
base of The Blue kidge-a county Of remarka-
bic fertility ana beauty, and endeared to him
by The associations Of his youth, and as the
happy home where his children and children
children had grown up around him.
The unduladng ground about the house
covered with its rich turf, he had adorned
with every variety OF the fir and cedar, inter
sperscd with the most beautiful shade trees
which the nurseries could. furnish. The adj
/ ltt'tlib EstFNtil hHuuHAcu III iuVift EIhIta huA
other fruits Of which the Bishop was very
fond, and which he was qratiGed to gather
with his own hand, for the refreshmcnt Of hisl
visitors as he conducted them about the
grounds.
No one could be his companion in these
walks without perceiving his strong attach I
rnont TO Mountain View" When he left
this loved home he expected 10 be back in a
few days, and carried with him but n single /
change Of raiment How mercifuly IL was
hidden from him that the cherished spot was
soon to pass under the control Of the invaders |
Of our soil, aud could no longer be home for
him
God who yelled the coming sad event from
his vision, prepared better things for his
faithful servant--lcd him by a way he had
not anticipated, 70 another Mountain View"
showed him the Celestial Hills in their at
tractyeness-kindled to greater ardor his
heavenly longings--and then translated him
to his Fathers house and is incSrruptible in
heritance--its blessed company Of loved ones,
and TO Jesus his icdeemer.
His journey from his earthly to bis heaven
~ home was short The single change Of
rairnent was sufficient. The vestmcnis Of the
way were needed but few days--and then