The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-08-16
DANIEL WEBSTER'S FAITH.
Meeting the Husband OF His Dead Sister.
A Visit Passed in Prayer.

Meeting the Husband OF His Dead Sisters
A Visit Passed I'm Prayer.
The death of the Hon. Peter Harvey,
Webster's most intimate and confidential
friend, recalls a conversation held with
him by the writer some time since, re-
lating to the character of the great states
man, wherein many Of his excellent
qualities were mentioned, and aniot1g the
rest his deep religious feeling, which,
Notwithstanding the numerous claims
upon him-many divertit1g his attention
from serious rehections-never wholly
lost it's hold, though dulled perhaps, for
a season. He was educated in the old
Presbyterian faith, strengthened by his
training at Dartmouth College, and the
religious sentiment held a prominent
place in his mind Mr.. Harvey dwelt
with especial interest ON this trait in the
character of his distinguished friend,
and gave as an illustration what he con-
sidered to be one of the grandest in
cidents of his career.
Webster left his home early for busy
life, and returned there only on periodi-
cal occasions. There were sisters who
grew up after he left, and one of these
was married to a man whom he did not
know-I write from memory-named
John Colby, and removed to his home in
another part of New Hampshire, or in
Vermont, and he never saw her again.
Her husband was a violent and profane
man, but her gentleness subdued him;
he became a Christian, and when she
died he was left in the deepest grief.
On visit with Mr.. Harvey to the old
homestead, at a late period of his life,
an old man then, but vigorous in body
and intellect, he proposed to his friend
that they should go in pursuit of John
Colby, whom he never had seen, and the
description of this journey, as given by
Mr.. Harvey, was charming to listen to.
AS they rode along, every scene had its
history or tradition. "Reminiscences
crowded upon reminiscence, and Web
sters memory seemed exhaustless, as
scene followed scene in the panoramic
display. And where the memory was
not called into action the grandest rehec-
tions were introduced, which made every
step of the way replete with the sub
limest interest. Here was a spot where
he had played as boy, there pond in
which he had swan or shot waterfowl;
there a withered tree which had served
as target for the young sportsman, and
there mountain whose lofty peak had
drawn his aspirations heavenward in his
earlier days. All were as fresh in his
feelings as things of yesterday, and he
was boy again, with all the abandon of
the boy-a delightful companion and his
friend delighted listener.
Thus they went ON in the full enjoy
mcnt of everything until they came to
their destination. This was neat white
house upon a gentle elevation, with a
veranda about the structure, upon which,
in the shadow, commanding a view of
the beautiful landscape, sat an old
white-haired man reading. He looked
up from his book as they entered the
yard leading to the house, and came to
meet them. Mr.. Webster abruptly ac-
costed him:
"Are you John Colby ?"
81 am, was the reply.
"1yhen," said his interlocutor, with a
trembling voice, 81 am Daniel Web
ster."
The greeting that followed was of the
most hearty description; both wept as
they embraced again and again.
"And are you," said Colby, holding
the statesman at arms length, "the
Daniel Webster whose name has been
SO long and so conspicuously before the
public-of whose fame have been SC
proud? Oh, that your sister had lived
to see this day Brother Daniel" con-
tinued the old man, "are you Chris
tian ?"
81 trust I am," was the emphatic
reply;
"Then let us pray"
They all three kneeled in the open air,
the Bible open between them, and Web
ster prayed. "And such a prayer, u
said Mr.. Harvey, with tears in his eyes,
as he recalled the scene, so long after.
ward, 81 never listened to, as came from
his lips. Such power, such fervency
such reverence, such tenderness seemed
never before blended with such intel
lectual grace and beauty. All were
melted by the effort, as with claspet
hands and bowed heads the brothers
poured out their souls in praise and sup
plications.
Then they arose, and in that sweet
communion of spirit talked of the past
and the future, the light of heaven rest
ing upon them as they walked arm il
arm across the veranda, and oftener by
expressive silence saying more thar
words could convey. Their parting was
very tender. They knew it was final
parting, and deep solemnity rested
upon the ceremony. But the farewell
was at last said, and as they looked bacl
the hands of the old man were raised il
benediction.