The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-12-11

animation, or a more rapid improvement
where it was relievable, generally bore testi-
mony in favor of his opinion.
The nice shades of difference which exist
between, and serve to distinguish the dincr.
ent affections of the skin, are so minute III
many instances. as 70 escape the notice Of in
ferior perceptions but the well practiced eye
and matured judgment of him whom we la.
ment detected at single glance the most
delicate touches of difference, and applied, at
once, with success almost unparalleled, the
appropriate remedy.
In the midst of his brilliant career of pro-
fessional usefulness, he was again called on,
in the Winter Of 1921 to serve the public in
the high political station OF representative to
the U. s. Congress, which trust he had not
long held, before he gave unequivocal testi-
mony to his constituents that he was equally
qualified for distinction on the floor of Con-
gress, as to administer to their relief when
assailed by accident or disease
| have lately heard it asserted by a colleague
of his, that the representation by DR.. Hol
combe was one of the most enlightened that
New Jersey has sent for many years !" and
1t is only necessary to refer to the result of
the last election, to show that this was the
general impression on the minds Of the people
of his native State. The cause of Justice and
humanity always found a warm and able ad-
vocate in this excellent man, and though UNI
accustomed to public speaking, yet we believe
the claims of Mrs. Decatur, as presented to
Congress, were urged by DR.. Holcombe with
an eloquence and pathos that might challenge
a comparison with the best specimens Of elo-
cution exhibited there during the session.
! The last painful duty let us perform toward
this great and good man, is to trace the pro-
gress of that disease which deprived New
Jersey of one of its brightest ornaments, and
the district in which he resided of its best
friend. On his return from Washington city,
after the adjournment of the last Congress, it
was evident to his friends that his health had
suffered since he last left them. though he did
not himself seem conscious of the existence
of any particular indisposition. About the
middle of the following Summer, however, he
became sensible that he was laboring under
disease which he believed to be situated in
the liver, and commenced course of reme-
dies FOR its relief but still continued to pur-
sne his professional labors until the month of
October. towards the close of which, he found
il necessary to confine himself to his ROOM
He now complained of extreme debility and
total want of appetite. He was greatly emac-
lated and harrassed with alternate constipa-
ton of the bowels and dianhea. | am unac-
quanted with the plan of treatment he had
pursued in the management of his case, but
believe that no regular one was adhered to-
He had taken mercury in small doses as a part
of the system and, in conversation I had
with him, relative to his complaints, on the
7th of December, | suggested to him the pos
sibility of his laboring under "phthiss, " IA
suggestion was led to make more from the
expression of popular opinion than from any
knowledge possessed of his symptoms he
explicitly declared that he never had symp-
tom that could justify such an opinion. did
not see him again until the I'd of January at
which time there was no evident alteration in
his symptoms, except that the paroxysms of
coughing were more frequent. and the powers
of life were gradually yielding to forces which
they could no longer successfully oppose. The
dressings which advised had not been reap
piled, nor any others in their stead and his
debility was SO extreme, that did not think
proper to recommend anything further in his
case. Without any conversation with him,
took my leave, and received for the last time.
that hand, which now lies cold and poweress
as the clods that cover it, and which was new
er withheld from the needy, when, by stretch.
ing it forth, he could relieve their distresses
To show that his death was as triumphant
as his life had been useful l beg leave to in
sert the following, from g brief sketch of
his life, appended to the funeral sermon of
DIR. Holcombe, preached by the Rev. Henry
Perkins, A. NJ, pastor of the Presbyterian
Church at Allentown, which was published at
the request Of his friends.
"For three or four weeks before his death,
he appeared to be calmly resigned to the Di-
vine will, whatever it might be. The precious
truths of Gods Word, in his own language,
were his meat and drink To read, to hear
and to mediate upon these, brought relief
and happiness, which the kind offices Of
friends could not afford. Such Scriptures 40
these, that Christ died for our offences. and
rose dputu iOi Jul bh@b iiO
bore our sins in His body on the tree ; that
by his stripes we are healed filed his
mind with adoring gratitude. There were a
few reasons, he said, which made him wish
if it were Gods will, to be restored to health !,
that he might be made blessing TO his fam
lily that he might have opportunity to prove
the reality of bis faith and that he might
do something for the cause Of Christ in the
world
" His desires, in these respects, were not
realized, hut lie was supported, and did not
complain. Shortly after this, when he found
his strength rapidly declining, and death very
near, he spoke also of greater peace, and OF
brighter hopes than he had before enjoyed
On being asked how he felt in the near view
of eternity, he answered, happy and added,
/ 'Oh what should / non do if my peace were
. not made with God = 1t now becoming ap
/ parent to him that he should not live to re.
ceiye the sacraments of the church in the pub
lie, ordinary way, as he had anticipated, and
atui f.aliuu a deaiin III have the benefit OF