Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-02-03

/ port Lycoming county Pa, kty. Thomas
y. gotwalt, (mcmhcr of the East p1lti
more Conlorcnccl In the 3lth year Of bic
age, and 18th Of his christian ministry
lie was born in \ cv Bloomfield Perry
co., Pa. Al an early period Of his life, he
sought and obtained the pearl OF great
price, and with propriety II may bo said
That from his youth up, he observed the
preccptq of the divine law, Ia the morn
ing Of his life he entered the holy minis
ter IA an itinerNnt preacher in the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, and filed the va
rious stations TO which no was assigned
with ability and iaithlunels. lie received
his last appointment at Williamsport
Mulberry Street Church, where in his
zeal for the temporal and spiritual inter
ests Of the church, "he died at his post !"
lie possessed meek and humble spirit
/ As man he was amiablc and ingenious.
| The circle in which he moved was always
impressed with the presence and iniu-
cnce Of o christian minister His intel
lect was active his perceptions clear
lie possessed the rare combination OF q
ch0sto Imagination, and close, logical
power lie was eminently = man of God,
tAlllNlllllE III lllN NV Nv I'lNNNI'N AiA "a
ample, the purity and power of that gos-
pel he so faithfully preached to others
He was gentle and 'easy to be entreated"
in all questions which involve no violation
of.moral or religious principle, but in his
convictions of truth and duty, he was te-
uatious firm, and inhexible. He never
yielded TO wrong bias, nor wavered
when duty was clear. In the house Of
God or out Of it; in the pulpit or in the
street; in the transaction of business, or
in the social circle he always manifested
a communication with God. His cheer
full countenance, and the honest simple
ity with which he spake of Gods dealings
towards him, indicated a heart replete
with a sense Of the divine presence The
diligence displayed in his pulpit prepara-
tiOns, that he might "edfy and profit"
tho people of his congregation, is highly
credtable to his memory as a christian
minister. He drew his divinity from the
sacred Volume. and preached under the
inspiration Of its truth. His views of the
gospel we're clear and distinct, and so fully
was he baptized with the spirit OF his mis-
sion, that, with the great apostle, he
counted all things but loss for the excel
lency of the knowledge of Christ jesus,
his Lord"
Hence, his preaching was not with Ten
ticing words of mans wisdom, but in the
| demonstration of the spirit, and with pow
err" His sermons were plain, clear, prac-
tical expositions ofthe text. They exhib-
tied thought any SYSTEM in preparation
and with ready utteraDce, were aGlea
impressive. His preaching was never dry.
cold, and uned;fying; but invested with a
spirit of earnestness, underthe divine unc-
ton, be felt the power of the truth him
self, which he impressed on the minds Of
others. Repentance, faith, holiness Of
heart and life, were the frequent subject
. of his discourses,. lie was correct in doc
trine sound in Judgment forciby in
) style, and multitudeS have heard him
= with pressure and profit. His life as a
, christian minister, was practical com
= mentary on the doctrines he preached
r In word, such was the devotion with
which he discharged every duty arising
from the relations he sustained, as hus-
band, parent citizen, christian and minis.
ter, that he was admired, esteemed and
loved by all who knew him. He contin.
D ued his pulpit labors, with zeal, in apar.
{ ent health, up to the time OF his last i'll
! ness, His last discourse was delivered on
e Sabbath evening, November 22d from,
= Isaiih, 3Sth chapter and llth verse 81
= shal! behold man no more with inhabitants
). of the world" How peculiar the passage
4 How appropriate the text from a minis
+ ter, as he is about to leave the pulpit foI
y the last time. Was there not Providence
=. -F
J. that evening, was TO show the mercy o
God in the redeemiDg scheme, in furnish
=, ing men one probation Oub. His argu
!. ments wore leyeled at the skeptical ob
lection Of some men, who insists that
b! plurality OF pro6ations would multiply th,
= chances Of mans salvation. Against thi
, theory, he argued with great logic anC
power, showing most conCusively tina
however plausibly such theory NIGH
lie, yet it was false and delusive, and tn
oonverse only was true. Those who heart
g him on that occasion, will not soon forge
10 tllepathos and power with which it was ut
e tered. His discourse ended, his work ol
arth was done. A glory glided the las
= hours Of his toll, and yet fingers where h
! assed. The following Wednesday, Nov
i. Cmber 25th, he was attacked by disease
= (9reumonia) and. on Thursday mornn
p Is o'clock December Sd, the "wcar
i wheels of lie stood still" and his spin
o TOT ok its flight to the world Of Glory. Dui
= ing his illness he suffered with that fol
o ii Jude, patience, calmness and resignatio
y Which characterizes the christian. E1
I pressions of praise and joy frequently fe
r from his lips during his last hours. Tn
r purity of life warranted happy and tr
ulnpLant death. And thus he died, o
T. rather, sweetly fell asleep. in Jesus. Thus
+ in the freshness of morning life, "he rest
=, from his labors."
q "Of all thy hearts desire
Q Tjiumphantty possessed;
n Lodged By the minis tcrial choir
= j., a., p