The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-12-18

Died.
Died, at the residence Of bis father,
in Findlay, December lst, 1853, after
q painful and protracted illness, Rob
ert j. Il. Henderson, in the 25th year
Of his age.
In the death Of this noble young
man, not only have the family, but
also the community sustained an ir.
reparable loss. In the family rela-
tions he seemed to be all that could
be desired he truly loved the family
and they all loved him. They loved
him, not only with parental and fra
ternal love, as a son and brother, but
they loved him with the love of esteem
for his real worth, his prudence, his
sound judgment, his unaffected kind
ness, his love of truth, and his high
toned sense of honor. And hence,
to him, though comparatively a.
youth, as their counselor and friend,
they all would turn with more readi-
ness than to any other This high
regard for him, however, was not
limited to the family circle to which
he belonged. He was loved and es-
teemed by all who knew him; and
hence, his influence for good, not
only in his fathers household, but
also in the community, and in the
church, was perhaps greater than that
of any other young man who has lived
amongst us. 1t was more especially
as Christian; as Christian gentle
man that his light shined. He was
one of the few who seemed as anxious
to live the life of Christian, as to
die the Christians death; and by the
grace of God which bringeth saliva
ton, he was enabled to live that life,
and by that same precious grace, he
was permitted to die that death.
From his childhood his conscience
appeared to be always wakeful, as
was made manifest by his habitual
adherence of sin. Even in those ear
ly years the Spirit of God was evil
dently preparing him for these fuller
manifestations of the Saviour's love
which he subsequently enjoyed. He
made public profession of religion
in the 10Th years of his age and
while he gave to the elders of the
church and the minister who received
him as a communicate, undoubted
evidence of change OF heart and fit
ness for church membership; and
while he did not doubt the genuine
ness of the work which the Spirit of
God had commenced within him; yet
he was never satisfied with any pres
ent attainment, but always desired
and sought after stronger faith,
brighter and more fervent love, and
this accounts for the interest which
he felt and manifested in the exer-
cises of the house of God, and for his
love for the closet of prayer and pious
reading and meditation. His favorite
book, as is true of all true Christians,
was the Bible, ana with this he asso-
ciated in his reading, for h is personal
improvement, such books as the biog-
raphies Of the Tennents, and of David
Brainard and Brainard Taylor
These books he not only read but
studied, both with pleasure and prelit.
When he had bid final adieu to
his business in Mt. Blanchard, where
he had established himself as mer-
chant, with bright prospects of com
plete success; and where he had by
his worthy department endeared him
self to the community, and especially
to the little church there which he
loved, and which he had served, as Il
ruling elder, with great acceptance;
and came home to die in the midst
and in the embrace of the family, his
thoughts and conversation, turned
much upon the future state, to which
he felt himself to be so rapidly tend
ing, and upon the necessary and prop
er fitness for the enjoyment of its hap
piness. AS the time of his departure
drew near, God was manifestly pre-
pairing him for that unspeakable hap
piness and when the last hour came
and the paleness and GOODNESS of
death were upon him, he was gra-
ciously sustained in his faith, hope
and love; and his weeping kindred
and friends were assured that as he
passed through the valley of the
shadow of death the preciousShepherd
was with him-his end was peace
Thus has God, in his mysterious
providence, taken from the family,
and community, and church one of
the best young men He ever gave us;
and while we bow in submission to
his righteous will, we pray that he
may speedily, for His Sons sake, give
to us many more such young men.
A.