Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-03-17
OBiTI AIRY.

We love everything connected with our treas
ured dead. The faintest recollection OF the
dear face we have so long known aWakens the
tenderest emotions and, Us we dwell upon the
happy past, can but grove to think 1t Will be
ours no moro. We listen to hear again that
we'll known voice. but all around II painful
stiffness reigns. The home So long Frightened
by his presence is now lone and drcary. We
look to meet him again; but days come and
co. and he returns not. tie IS yo"s ana but
Thus many hearts to-day arc lnmentIng the
death of our beloved friend, the late JOl1
BRIGHT, who departed this life st bis resi-
dence, in West End Sunday morning, FGDru-
airy lG, 1868 AS to the manner in which he
lived, it is only necessary TO say that all who
knew him loved him. In early manhood nc
embraced the Saviour; and through all his al
ter ife.proved the reality or his picty by a
faithful discharge of his duties to God and an
honest walk among his feow-mcn During
the last years Of his life he was called to bear
tho usual infrmitics Of old age. But especial
ly during the last eight months he Was great
sufferer, but bore this tria! with that lorttude
and resignation which sets forth the beauty Of
holiness and fully attest2 the strength Of christ
ian faith On Monday, February ~, he was
fever and intense pain about tho chest and al
so u constant cough and much difficulty III
breathing Kind friends ut once gathered
around to minister to his comfort; but despite
their closest attention he continued TO grow
worse. On Tuesday afternoon the writer called
to see him. On entering the sick room l. found
him in great pain, but perfectly rationa and
| Us calm as one could be amid such suffering. -
On being asked if he felt resigned to death, nc
said ooh yes my Saviour, in whom l have
trusted so long, has not iorsaken me- am
ready and anxious to 60" The only dcSire he
mill the Summons shoulh cou1e On Wclncs
day he WAS sleeping under the influence Of HI
opiatc, and talked very little. On Thursday
and Friday he preserved the same triumphant
fuith but almost worn oct under such protra"t-
ed suffering. On Saturday found him cndur-
ing all the agony which it seemed possible for
human nature To bear but still resting sWcctiy
on the bosom Of his Saviour, and only awaiting
the hour when He would call him to his rest
A ltcr reading the closing verses from the 1Lh
chap. Of St. Peters lsL Erlstlc, (Which seemed
10 give him much cOmfOrtl we knott III prayer
the last prayer he ever hcard--Nnd amid
these dcvOtions he seemed TO be armed with
forLitudo anew spoke Of heaven a3 his
sure reward, and rejoiced that Jesus had re-
deemed him from the curse, and that he was
accounted worthy, for th&t RcdGcmer sake,
of such rich inheritance. Through AL this
time Faith was his chief comfort and support.
IL seemed to be all his departing spirit needed
TO brighten these last hours, and to bear him
safely through the gloomy vale Of death. Ills
pains were somewhat allcViated during the
night, which enabled him TO enjoy the more
the presence Of his Saviour, But with early
dawn on that holy Sabbath, he fell calmly
asleep; and the angels came and bore his spirit
to that iairer world, where happiness is made
perfect by the glorious presence Of our God,
and where we may tondly nope TO meet our
not as those who have no hope, but read IN
Gods own word (kcv: wiz the blossedness Of
those who die in the Lord, and feel ASSURE. that
such will be his happy portion forever. -