The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-01-04
Fer the Register.
Ohituarx.

Fer the Register.
Obituary.
Dea. Samuel james Sen, was one of
those men who never die--living. but
not dying, ont. Born in Weybridgc in
1871, he was the last of a large family
of children who scattered widely over our
country, and number of his brothers
were men of eminent ability and useful
ness in their professions He always
lived upon the old homestead, living
a life packed full duties performed, and
opportunities secured. With unwcaried
industry he labored upon his farm, and
gradually accumulated an ample estate.
He was a studious and thoughtful man.
The leisure moments of his long life were
not suffered to run to waste. His mind
was not pinioncd to the instruments with
which he labored but in his working
hours he was accustomed to Gull treasures
of rich thought from the works of nature
and wide range Of reading and while
his acres widened, his mind expanded
more. To those who knew him well it
was pleasure to converse with him, nor
, could they fail to utter words Of admira-
ton as they marked the stride with which
he kept pace with the great and truthful
ideas of the ages. He judged wisely and
carefully, and his opinions were not mere
assertions, but showed the compacted
strength resulting from patient invcstiga-
ton. Perhaps no one trait was more strong
ly marked in his character than that of an
untiring perseverance, no matter wheth-
er it was some improvement on his farm,
or some public interest he would accom-
plish, blow after blow succeeded each
other with an unialtering repetition until
q result was reached.
He was long identified with the church
in his native town, and its honored officer,
he loved it, was familiar with its history
and prayed and planned earnestly for its
prosperity and continuance amid times
of Encouragement and doubt he proved a
tower Of strength. From its commence
ment he was steady supporter Of the
, Sabbath school he not only believed in
the Bible but he loved to study it, and
many will remember the sparkle of his
eye, as he was wont to vindicate the
character of God as unfolded in its
doctrines. Through all the years of hi.
old age he continued teacher. As a
religious man he explored among the
deep things of,the Creator, and caught nc
/ faint of skepticism, but acquired a stron.
ger faith, brighter hope, and a warmer
| loya H. et,,1,aI tborouoII,- tho ,,,o.
tions of national policy, appreciated and
sympathized with our public men who
loved the right, while with a puritan''
, faith he saw the hand of God guiding al
of the events of our history. He hat
, faith in God, faith in the church of Christ
faith in our government, and his life as ;
citizen, as a christian and as man wa
the out-goings Of such faith.
He was not exempt from affiction; 18th,
, pillows rolled over him." one son stricken
by disease languished almost into man
hood and died, another in the strength ant
beauty of an intelligent and christian
manliness, passed under mental cloud
and went down to the grave, and anothc
still, the youngest the pet and pride o
the family, after graduating at Middle
bury College, with bright hopes sale,
for South America, and speedily sickenet
4 with the yellow fever and died in tn,
hospital at Bahia, Brazil.
Q He had comfort in their death, and hi
7 faith as christian man held him to hi
. God and his duties. Himself for year
! graphing with disease resolutely pushe,
on and with an untiring will demonstra
ted the power Of a living soul over its frai
; tenement.
8 The Sabbath before his death, he wa
in his place in the brick church on "Wey
bridge hill" he was always there "sun
shine or Storm" and on Monday cvenin,
: following he attended the meeting of tn
e Farmers Club and read an essay, an,
Y spoke earnest words of his own experienc
I in farming. A cold brought on by tn
exposure of that evening swiftly brough
him down, and in six days he ceased hi
struggling with disease. Thus Dea. Sam
, uel James, Sen, carried his work and re
sponsibilities to the brink of the grave
ready to assume those beyond, 80 ther
r will be no break in his life for he still
lives.