The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-10-20

Church at Belleville, in this State. He
was very happy and successful in his
pastorate at Belleville. He won the re-
spect, the admiration and the love Of
his people, and parted from them with
great regret. But the call from this
Church, when his honored father was
taken to his reward, was so clear and
imperative, that he could not hesitate, at
whatever expense offeeling. The change
was made, and on August 18th, 1866,
he came among you and wrought in his
Masters service and in yours, how wisely,
how faithfully, how tenderly, your hearts
bear witness, until on Monday last the
wearied worker found his release. He
was thus permitted to complete his
twenty years of service here, which, with
the longer pastorate of his father of
forty-fve years, completes the whole
life and history of this Church. In 1874
the College of New Jersey honored Mr.
Studdiford with the degree of Doctor
of Divinity, an honor well deserved and
fifty bestowed, and in 1882 he was
elected a Trustee of the Theological
Seminary in Princeton.
During his ministry in this Church,
besides its regular and steady growth in
numbers and grace, DIR. Studdiford re-
joiced in three marked visitations of
Divine grace, each perhaps more extern
sive and more blessed than that which
preceded it, in which the Church re-
ceived large accessions to its member
ship and large increase in Spiritual
power and influence. No one could
rejoice more gratefully than he did in
these priceless blessings. But l turn
from any details here, to bring you for
a moment around the dying bed of your
pastor and friend.
There are few men, if any, who would
speak with greater caution and restraint
of their own experiences than Dr. Stud
diford. He knew well how little reli-
ance can be placed upon death-bed ut
terances, especially if disassociated from
life corresponding to them. 1t is rare
indeed that any words which may fall
from the lips at such a time, and under
the circumstances which attend the sick
and dying, can safely be taken as giving
an index of character, or as justifying a
hope as to the spiritual condition and
prospects of those who speak them, I'M
less they have been preceded by life
of faith and goodness. And yet death
often serves as a text; often opens the
mind to clearer views Of truth often
brings with fuller expression the, real
inward state. We justly credit the dy-
ing with sincerity. Hence, the believ-
ers expression of his faith and love,
great at such moments, are cherished in
our memories, and then personal mes
sages to us are embalmed and kept as
sacred treasures.
DIR. Studdiford, on the Wednesday
before he died, seemed to reach the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the hopes
Of those who SO tenderly watched over
him-that he would not recover. Then
going calmly through with all that con-
cerned those nearest to him those
sacred condolences into which it would
be almost sacrilege to intrude he said,
"This does not try me. ! am ready to
go, or ready to remain, as the Lord
wills" Then, again, al have been
storing my mind with passages from the
Word of God, and now they come to
me with such clearness and fullness and
comfort. have never had such views
of the incanate God, nor such a sense
of His presence with me- Then or
waking from gentle sleep with a smile
when asked what it was, he said, "Oh
l was just floating on to Jesus" Or
the Sabbath, only day before his de
parture, and as if anticipating his ap
preaching entrance upon the heavenl,
worship, he said, g 1t would be HEAVIER
on earth if l could be with them.
could not preach, but could be list
ener" And then as the strains of tn,
hymn we have sung was caught, he join
ed in heart, saying, How precious
how full of comfort . Then, again
his mind apparently filled with solici
tude for his people, 80 the Elders o
my Church, give my love- | thank
them for their hearty cooperation with
me in everything for the good of the
Church, and hope they will continue to
have the Churchs welfare at heart. My
relations with them have been most
pleasant" ITO the Trustees and Dea-
cons, / send my love. l think they
have tried to do their duty and the best
they could for the Church's interest.
"To my congregation as if embracing
in one all and every one who had SO
long held warm place in his heart
"to my congregation, my dying love,
with the earnest prayer that they may
all grow in grace and in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ" And SO,
resting in the arms Of the incarnate God
and Saviour, and breathing out his
prayers for the Church he so loved, at
the fttest moment of his ministry,
the trembling songs Of those just saved
breaking upon his ears, he went from
the purest joys which fill the pastors
heart here, to the purer joys Of Heaven.
DIR. Studdiford was man of fine
personal presence; polished and courtly
in his manners; dignihed, affable and
full Of honor; rejoicing in the society OF
his friends, to whom he was ever faith
full; of keen and questioning intellect,
subtle in its analysis and broad in its
culture and acquisitions. He held his
convictions sharply defined and on in
telligent grounds. He was sincere, fair,
candid, loving the truth and ready tc
defend it, while exercising the broadcast
charity towards those who differed from
him. The crowning perfection of his
character was his sincere and fervent
piety. Though sometimes giving way to
what seemed needless and groundles'
depression, he was not greatly troubled
with doubts as to his spiritual state, and
his life left no doubts in the minds O