Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-08-05
Obituary Discourse on the late President
Wheeler.

Obituary Discourse on the late President
Wheeler.
BT REV. JOSEPH TRACY. %. D.. OF BOSTON
The audience on Tuesday afternoon, was an
excellent one, though Grain continued without
cessation. Pres. Torrey presided, and prayer
was offered by Rev. Or. vermilys Of East Wind
scr, Conn.
DR.. Tracy's paper followed. In a clear and
condensed style he narrated the leading incidents
Of Dr.. Wheeler's liie-his birth and childhood in
Grafton, VT his early studies a; New Ipswich.
Nh; his entrance into Dartmouth College al
the age Of a; h.s conversion in his Junior year.
and union with the Dartmouth Church, Aug 6.
1915, in company with his classmates, Pres. March
and Pres. Torrey and So members Of the College,
his choice Of the profession Of the ministry; his
travels South on horseback. and his religious
labors At Edgefeli sud Cambridge S C.. ~ the
latter Of which places church wa organized
under his efforts, and in both Of which be insu-
guratei system Of rel gious services AMI teach
ing for the slaves, which grew into an extensive
effort in behalf of that class Those who parti-
cipated in this effort, said Mr. Tracy, assumed
that slavery existed and must exist fora long
period, that owners ought 70 care for the CONVEX
sion Of their slaves and when converted TO regard
them IS christian brethren, and that ir-,his way
slavery would become a mere form and eyentu-
ally pass away. Whoever, " said Mr.. T., "slys
that they only laugh; the precept. Servants
obey your masters Is a calumniator Of good
men" The effort, however, was not followed up
as il should have been, and 70 its failure the
speaker attributed the " breaking cut Of the bad
passions, both North and South. 80 which has re-
suited in the present war
lie proceeded 10 mention Mr.. whseler's orl.n-
alton TO the ministry, and settlement in Windsor,
Vt; his popularity AMI influence as a preacher;
his first election TO the presidency Of the Univer-
sity, which he declined, three years after his or
dination; his style of preaching-really clear,
though sometimes called misty by men Of myopic
minds; his interest IN and contributions to the
Tsrmonf Chronicle from its establishment in
1926 to his death; bis voyage to Europe; a call .
(Which he declined) to the Cedar St Presbyteri- .
an Church, Of New York; his labors in the
Church and in the cause Of Temperance aud /
Sabbath Observance; his unanimous election to F.
the presidency Of this University in 1898; his .
important aid in the completion Of the sub .
.criptions in behalf Of the University; the i'm
proved financial condition Of the College, under .
his management; his endeayors to secure union .
# the Middlebury and Burlington Colleges; his .
executive officer Of the Uuiyer-
.ty; his resignation IN 1919; his subsequent
lists to Florida and Georgia, and his deep
ceiling at the opening Of the war, some Of the
irst outbreaks Of which he witnessed in North ?
-arolina. "For his course in opposing the
influences Of reciprocal hate in both sections
yhich led to the war;" said his biographer,
some blamed him If any do SO still, let ii
wills he spprehended, the blood. the woe, the
ears, the loss Of life, the waste of property and
he loss Of souls involved in this dreadful war,
dead in his defence With brief all uscn to
lis final illness and death, April 10th 1852,
he discourse closed. DR.. Tracy wen; into no
1tended analysis Of Pre-. Wheeler's character
r eulogy Of his talents and virtues, though such
ierhars were contained in the considerable POI
ions Of bis paper which he omitted in reading.
Is read it was a simple biographical sketch, and
5 such was exceedingly interesting to all who
new and respected DR.. Wheeler. We trust it
ill be completed aul published.
After appropriate music by the Menielssohn
.lub, and prayer by Rev., c. I. Perrin Of Hines
urgh, followed the
obituary Discourse on the late Pres.
Pease.
BY Rev. ". G. T SHEDD, Of New York.
Professor sheid commenced by saying that ,
be famous funeral Grafton Of Pericles over the
Ireeks who fell in the Peloponnesian War, is +
lrgely occupied with a description Of the glory q
Athens. which the orator. connects with his /
inject by saying .'in the defence Of such J.
tate as this, these heroes nobly fell and died.
# this Mr. Shedd said he had been reminded l
the consideration Of his present task, snd
lille not intending 50 to lose the individual in 4
lie commonwealth, he would approach his theme 4