Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-28

isteadiaSt ana intelligent system OF charI
ty and benevolence to which he faithfully
adhered, always deyoting SO much of his
substance, in due proportion, to the vari
Gus causes of the Christian enterprises ol
the present day. | shall not soon lose
the impression made upon my mind 10y q
simple incident, which so clearly illus
trates his character in this respect
From the daily record which he kept
and from which 1 am permitted to re-
fresh my memory, it appears, TO use his
own language, that about ]! o'clock on
the morning of the Sabbath, December
IA. 1862, he was taken with vertigo, and
thought himself dying. 1t is affecting
to peruse his own account of it, for he
had yet, as the sequel shows, few more
days of his earthly pilgrimage. | saw
him a few moments at about l04 in the
morning of that Sabbath, and immedi-
ately repaired to the church for our ac-
customed services While in the pulpit
received note directed by him, through
his son, containing his contribution for
Home Missions, for having been in the
church the Sabbath previous, he remem-
bered the notice that such would be the
time of our church missionary collection.
The note informed me that early in the
morning, but few hours from his attack,
and, as he supposed, in the immediate
prospect of death, he had called his sons
attention to the matter, and charged him
to see that his amount be sent, though
he should not be present. 1t was always
so. Many instances are now in mind of
his particularly and faithfulness in all
respects, and in every relation he bore to
others. Knowing how far advanced he
was in life, and sensible of its approach
ing termination, it seems that so far
back as the month of April of last year,
he reduced to writing communication
| to his family which was to be their direc-
ton in the case of his sudden disability
or death. This paper was found in an
official envelope of the Department, upon
which was written the superscription,
Ny Children" 1t is so characteristic
that feel it can now be no..impropriety
to read it here, not only for its own ex-
pressions, but as showing in part the rea-
sons also for the tone and method of the
services in which we are now engaged.
WASHINGTON, April 90, 1862
My DEAR CHILDREN: At my advanced
age, l cannot reasonably expect to live
much longer on earth, and / deem it
proper to leave instructions in regard. to
my funeral in the event of death, and to
the disposal of my person in the event of
disability.
If decease in Washington my wish is,
that this tabernacle of clay be removed
to Garfield, and deposited north of the
monument erected to the memory of
your dear mother,-my birth and death to
be inscribed on the monument. Having
lived an unostentatious life, my desire is
that the funeral ceremonies and all the
proceedings comport Herewith.
If l should be sick when in office, and
incapacitated for transacting business,
from the happening of either event,
wish the President of the United States
to be informed of it, and that this is my
of the Office of Comptroller,
that he conferred by the advice of the |
Senate.
As our family is widely separated, if l
should die here, suggest to you whether |
it would not be expedient to embalm my
body.
You will judge of having any other re-
ligious exercises here than prayer and |
singing.
know that those with whom ! have
lived so many years in Ohio IN unterrup-
ted peace and harmony, will desire to pay
the same respect to my memory that
have to their deceased relatives and
friends, and it is proper that religious
services be observed at Garfield.
If in Office, and from any cause unable
to attend to its duties, it will be best to
take me to Garfield Immediately.
My dear children, grandchildren, and
gr eat-grand-children, my prayer Is that
we be prepared through the mediation
and atonement of Christ, to appear at
the Judgment seat at the last day.
Affectionately,
tSignedl ELISHA WHITTLESEY.
We cannot but respect the wishes of the
and beloved man, now that he
can speak to us no more on earth, and yet
It would be difficult TO dwell without eu-
Iogy on his life and services, because he
was in every way a man to be described
BY no language more fitting than that
which l have already quoted from the
volume of Inspiration, aud which, not
the imperfections of human
nature, the Bible warrants US to apply to
.he true and faithful servants of the liv-
ng God. Mark the perfect man, and
oehold the upright !; for the end of that
nan is peace." Notfor long time have
We been called to pay our last duties to
! departed fellow being of whom it could
more justly be said that he has realized
n all its parts in SO eminent a degree
his inspired encomium.
From the date of the paper l have
cad to you till the Sabbath of his attack
n December, he continued assiduously
the duties of his Office, being,
Is we see, in the eightieth year of his
ife. On the 18th of December, his mind
vas made up that he should not long
survive, although his friends could see
nothing peculiar or extraordinary in his
lttaek, other than the natural exhaustion
If great duties and the infirmities of
yreat age. In few days he was able to
'eceiye his friends,-to go out, and in a
measure take partial direction of his
public duties; but the impression that
lis work was done on earth remained.-l
lie was permitted TO see the old year
lose and the new begin, and to exchange
greetings with many friends who called
o pay him respect on the New Years
Day. Thus gently, without pain or the
'bscurity of any of his faculties, the days
Yore on. On the Tth inst, Wednesday
# the present week, after writing a page
n his diary, describing in full the oecu-
'ations of the day, at about ten o'clock
lie requested his attendant to leaYe the
DOM few moments while he should re-
ire, Listening outside the door, in
hort time he was heard to moan, and on
ntering the room and approaching his
he was found to have passed
wayl He had lain down naturally, as
o nights repose, and 10, the morning
# eternal glory burst upon him. His
nd is peace.
How blest the righteous when they die
When holy souls retire to rest,
How mildly beams the closing eye,
How gently heayes the expiring breast!
So fades summer cloud away,
So sinks the gale when storms are Ger;
So gently shuts the eye of day,
a So dies wave along the shore.
Farewell conflicting hopes and fears,
Where lights and shades alternate dwell;
How bright the unchanging morn appears
D. all n,.eNo -orl1