Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-04-06
Last Honrs Of Senator Foot.

Rey. Df. SunCerland, IN ms remarks at
the funeral exercises in the capitol, over
the remains of Senator Foot, on Thurs
day, gave detailed account Of the closing
scenes Of his life. Some passages of it
convey good idea of the character of the
late Senator as a man and Christian.
On Monday, 10Th, in private CONVEX
sation with DIR. Sunderland, Mr.. Foot
said; -
i know it is but poor time for a man
to pay attention to the concerns of his soul
when he is brought face to face with death,
aud ! can say that, having always assent
ed, Intellectually at least, TO the truth of
the Christian doctrines, have only been
too prone TO postpone the practical ques-
ton for so long time TO find at last, what
now have 10 lament, that life has been
wasted in not having been devoted to life's
greatest end. This thought indeed has
more deeply impressed me for he last two
years, and at the commencement OF this
illness | was about preparing to assume a
duty long neglected, but which have felt
that / would take up in hope Of receiving
some further light and strength from the
only source of our help, that is, from our
Maker and Coo. The duty refer to is
that Of family worship, morning and even
ing, day by day. For years have daily
read the Bible in the presence of my wife,
but when | have seen her seeking her God
in prayer, SO habitually and earnestly,
have felt that we ought TO be united in it,
and have purposed, if ever permitted TO do
so, that this privilege as well as duty shall
no longer be neglected. feel that ! can
never be thankful enough to God for Civ
ing me pious ancestry. My father and
mother were both devoted Christians, and
| was fully instructed in early childhood in
the lessons of the gospel Of Jesus Christ.
have never doubted from that day to this
the truth of those teachings. | know and
feel that am a sinner. / believe that
Christ made an atonement sufficient for all
men, and this atonement is the only ground
OF salvation 10 human beings. am even
convinced that none will ever be saved by
The works Of righteousness which they
have done. have strong desire TO ac-
cept these terms Of mercy, if only might
have an assurance that God will not now
reject me after my long rejection Of Him.
That is the point to Which have come.
Is there anything for me TO do that have
not done, and viii you point out the way,
that ] may 60 onward in ii p
A few days after he said to Dr. Sunder-
land -
81 have been thinking much of these
two lines, repeated the other day -
Here Lord, give myself away,
Ills all that can do
/ begin to understand that this compre-
henda all, and am beginning to lean alone
on Jesus Christ, as my Saviour and friend"
/ On Tuesday, 9th, many Senators AID
others visited him, and DIR. Sunderland
gives this account of some Of his CONVEX
sations -
{" And to the suggestion that he might
be wearied by SO many visits, so much ex-
ciiement and talking, he said, No, it does
not hurt me, j rather desire it. | am
u0Tue up Us UU aDSVi-S mtzs5s. = SO
effort for me TO converse or hear you speak
ing" On the renewal of his wish to have
singing, we were obliged TO change the
words he had repeated for that beautiful and
now familiar hymn, just as | am, without
one plea &c. AS we sang this he lay as
if entranced by it, and suddenly perceiv-
| ing all present in tears, and his wife sob
bing, her head bowed upon his hands in
the grief of her affection, he said, looking
round upon the circle, Why these tears?
There is no occasion for weeping. This is
heaven below. l am only going home
little sooner, that is ALL At the eoncIu-
sion of the hymn, as if repeating the senti-
nent OF The last stanza, he said, | do trust
in my Savior
When Secretary Stanton entered the
room, some time about midnight, he SEEM
ed very much gratified, and said, You
are kind to visit me, Mr.. Stanton. am
here yet, living and dying. / have no
acute pain, no severe distress, but gene
raj sinking Of the system the constitution
breaking up; but l am surrounded by so
many kind friends, they seem to bear me
up as on angels wings The Secretary
said to the Senator, The President in
tended to come with me, bat was unaroid
ably prevented by the pressure of bust
ness. If he could get off he would call
during the day. and directed me to express