The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-03-15

OBITUARY.
We noticed some time ago in q few
lines only, the death of several persons
lately prominent in American history.
We give this week fuller sketches of the
lives of some of them; and add others
not before mentioned.
The Hon. Judge Chambers entered
General Convention in the year 1929 as
a lay Deputy from Maryland, and, ever
since the death of Robert II. Gardiner.
Of Maine-was the Father Of the Lower
House. Always at his post, always
ready to take prominent part in de-
bate, with entire confidence in himself
and i'll the Willingness of the House to
listen to him, with all the parliamenta-
ry knowledge and skill derived from
his long career in public life, with the
high-toned courtesy that characterized
the Senate Of the United States in the
days when its members were gentle
men of the old school, and with pow
cr of keen repartee which sometimes
cut to the quick yet never left a ragged
edge to the wound; he was one of the
most powerful members of the House,
and one of the most formidable to an
opponent. a staunch High Churchman
of the old sort, firmly grounded in his
| principles by extensive reading and
thorough conviction, strengthened by
all the dearest associations of long
| |; u n INr n NtroN-nrg1 n
their defence. His conservatism was
so intense, and had become so complete
ly habit Of his mind and heart, that
sometimes III his latter years it prevent
ed the recognition of the changes which
changing circumstances require. The
Church, such rs he had known it in
early and mature life, was his standard
of excellence, and he would not see
aught else. This, together with his deep
love for his Bishop, induced him some
years ago to oppose the division of the
Diocese of Maryland; and his opposi-
tion alone defeated it with the laity,
when the Bishop and the great majority
of the clergy were in favor of the meas
ure. Thissame feeling was most strong
ly exhibited in his devotion to his Pray
cr Book, every line and word of which
he loved with all the fervcr Of his con.
stant nature, so that he never could bC
brought to listen 10 any project foi
changing it even in the most unimpor.
tant rubric. Faithful and true, from
first to last, his thirtysiX years to the
Church in General Convention will long
be remembered with the deepest graft
tudc.
/ The Hon. Washington Hunt was wei
5 worthy to stand side by side with Judgi
Chambers, whether in life or death
: Having filled the highest office of tn,
3 State of New York, and served severa
terms in Congress, his name also was
national possession. OF political in
teglity so pure, 50 delicate, and so un
yielding that it became the subject o
~ sneers from politicians BY trade, he wa
: left, in the storny times of our latte
:. national troubles, TO seek the true bon,
!, of national peace and brotherhood il
= the Church. a worthy representativ
of the sound and solid Guardianship
of Western New York, his chief servic
= was rendered in the General Convcn
e tons of 1862 and 1865. His gentlenes'
5 his firmne-s, the pcrsuasiveness Of hi
4 voice, the inficXiblc determination o
q his whole soul to prevent such an intru
sion of politics into the Church as shOul
g imperil her perfect union in her prope
, spiritual work-these features of his ca
is reer, added to his national reputatio
and his parliamentary eXperience-dt
p servedly gave him great weight in tn
5, Lower House; and some scenes in tn
+ General Convention Of 1868, at the crit
Ie ical turns of the debate. when he rOs
e triumphantly to the full dimensions
r the great cause he had in hand, wi
g. never be forgotten by any who wer
present.
Together these two noble layme
struggled, with the same principles, /
the same cause, with the same pure an
- earnest love of the Church. TogethC
they rejoiced in the victory of Low
Together-thc battle being over, an
our perfect ecclesiastical union restore
Ill they have laid down their arms, an
lie are gathered into the rest that remain
eth for the people of God. The Churc
that can train, and knows how to II
- properly, such laymen rs these, has
reason to fear when she "Speaketh wit
her enemies at the gate"
ALEXANDER SMITH.
7o- ON January fifth, at his residence me-
'r- Z, 1...l..,, li,1 NlavonIar Sp1itb oof