New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-16
Death Of. Isaac Post.

We learn with deep regret the death OF
Isaac Post, which occurred at his residence,
No. Sc Sophia street, at twenty minutes be-
fore four o'clock, on Thursday morning, May
9th. We have had only time to prepare
brief sketch.
Mr.. Post was born on Long Island, Feb
ruary 2G, 1913, and was consequently IN the
18th year of his age. He moved in 1898 to
the town of Scipio, Cayuga county, and about
this time was married to Hannah Kirby, who
died five years thereafter, leaving two small
children. In the year following he married
Amy Kirby, sister of his first wife, who
survives him. In 1886 Mr.. Post removed
from Cayuga county to Rochester, and has
been a resident of this city ever since that
time, and one Of the most widely known and
universally esteemed of its citizens. During
many years he was a pioneer in the anti
slavery reform, taking leading part in all
the efforts for the abolition OF slavery and
the good of the colored race. In the excite
ment consequent ON the passage OF the inta-
nous fugitive slave law his house was the
refuge of the oppressed and recognized and
well-knOwn station on the underground rail-
road. On one occasion he had under his
roof twelve fugitives from slavery, on their
way to Canada, and it is probable that hun
dreds OF colored men are indebted to him and
his wife for their escape to freedom. In all
these as in other reformatory movements he
was seconded by his wife. Mr.. Post was
born and educated in the Society Of Friends,
but about twenty-five years ago finding the
society interfered with his liberty as an abo-
litionist and promoter of practical emancipa-
ton, he and wife sent in their withdrawal OF
membership, which was never after resumed,
though both always maintained the dignified
and plain simplicity of language and life
1xhich nhor ,;ofio Of hn 10
Shortly after leaving the Sociestv; of Friends
Mr.. POST became az Investigator of Spiritual
ism, and the result was that he warmly and
heartily embraced that belief, a fact he was
never afraid nor ashamed to affirm. His life
was, in all respects, brave and irreproach-
able. With him to see the truth was to UNI
hesitatingly acknowledge it, regardless OF
consequences. And he was one of the most
ready to receive and see new truths. His
quickness of perception was remarkable.
Even in advanced years, as we best knew
him, nothing escaped his observation. lie
had an active vigorous mind, and this with
his bravery in defending unpopular ideas gave
him the natural leadership in pioneering re-
forms. His peculiar ideas were so obviously
honest that even his enemies respected him,
and they could hardly be said to make him
unpopular.
MIR. Post leaves four children. Mary, wife
of William r. Hallowell, Joseph W., Jacob
X, and Willet, all living in this city on Ply
mouth avenue or Sophia street. His bereaved
family sorrow for the loss of guide, prOtec-
tor, and friend; but they sorrow with hope
of reunion with him in the better land to
which he has gone.
Mr.. Post was sick only few days, having
been taken down with disease on Friday af-
ternoon last, the result of slight cold. His
death will be deeply regretted by all our citi-
zens who knew him best, and to many who
have known him for his advocacy and chan-
pionship of unpopular ideas and reforms.
We heartily join in the high tribute thus
paid by the editor of the Rochester Express to
the memory of the late ISAAC Posi-. A
thirty years. acquaintance with him, and fire.
quent association with him enables us to say
that the noble qualities ascribed to him do
not exceed the simple truth. He was one OF
the kindest, truest, and best men we ever
knew. He combined with gentleness Of
manner the moral and intellectual courage Of
a hero. Naturally of a religious turn of mind
an early disciple of the advanced teachings Of
ELIAS HICKS, Zone of the deepest and boldest
thinkers of his times,) believer in the in.
ward light as the highest authority, a repudi.
ator of outward shows, forms, and ceremonies
of religion, given to meditation and self-eX.
animation, a friend of peace, a lover of man
a defender of woman as mans equal, temper
ate in all things, occupied with the serious
side of life, graphing honestly with its most
perplexing problems ISAAC Posi- was YET
among the most cheerful and happy of men
His very presence was rebuke to petulance
and an invitation to patience and resignation
In the darkest hours of pro-slavery persecu
ton, when the community frOwned and the
mob threatened, he always saw less the clout
than its silvery lining. More than he ever
knew, he was a source of strength and cour.
age to the writer of this poor expression o
appreciation. He was not only courageous
man, but he was thoroughly consistent man
He practiced just what he preached. Wher
he saw the hungry, he fed them, the suffering
he succored them, when the poor, whethe
black, white, or Indian cried in his ear hi
heard them, when all other doors were shut
his were open. Pure an exact in his own life
he was yet full of tender compassion for thu
erring. Where others dealt in the terrors o
the law, he employed the persuasions of love
Freely he gave his time, his money, hi
hospitality to the cause of the slave. Indus
trious, self-denying, devoted to good works
though he reached good old age-his los
will be deeply felt, and sincerely mourned b.
wide circle of friends. Quietly talking t.
us a few years ago about his departure from
life, he said, " FREDERICK want thee whel
1 die, to speak at my funeral" and much wa
it our regret that the condition of our health
and our distance from Rochester at the TIM
it occurred made it impossible for us to fulfi
this wish of our dear departed friend. HI
had no gloomy views of the great hereafter
He had fully Invested himself of that terrific
network of wrath and fire, with which theolog.
has surrounded the entrance to the world in
visible. He could and did look calmly towar'
the silent continent Of eternity, and show tn
living how to die in peace. To those of u
who knew him, his triumphant exit will CLOTH
the sunset of life, with more cheerful hue
while the memory of his example will teacl
us the noble qualities which make life itsel
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