Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-17

- OF the evidences that he
-;TTT1 - was. She herself was
y not only known to
wide circle Of acquaint-
ances as person Of
religious convictions, but she is not a little
famed for her work in the field of practical
religion. She confessed her ignorance Of what
assured her, to wit: That Daniel
Webster was throughout all his life
not only a religious man" in the ordinary
meaning Of the words. but a man Of profound
religious convictions in the higher sense. /
told her also that Mr.. Webster was a daily
reader OF the Bible. firm believer in its teach
Psalms and the writings of the apostles being to
him an unfsiling source of instruction and
wisdom.
SURPRISED AT THE INFORMATION.
My female friend was all the more surprised at
this, and when assured her that Mr.. Webster
on all proper occasions never failed to refer to
the Bible as the book of all books and the
Christians reliance the grandest Of all codes Of
morals and the only right rule Of personal con-
duct she insisted all the more earnestly on be-
ing furnished with some of the proofs from
which spoke. She did not doubt what had
said. only she did not know it, her age and ways
in life, although both had been among rei-
gious people, not having brought her into con-
tact with what could enighten her on the sub
ject. Mr.. Websters religious character and
views had never been brought to her attention,
although in II general way she and her family
had always been admirers of Daniel Webster,
and also themselves strictly religious, as the
word goes. Acting on the suggestion of the
conversation l determined to become mission
airy In the sense of enlghtening my friend. the
presumption being that there are MANY more
10 hnr lodi a1 4, L. - ~&xl
that, at this distance of time from the period
in which Mr.. Webster was an actor on the stage
of affairs, the majority of intelligent persons
are as ignorant as my friend, who would not be
satisfied until l had promised to give her the
light. There could be no better medium for
sending it forth than The STAR.
TESTIMONY OF CLERGYMAN.
A New England clergyman of rcnown, who at
an early age was a student in Mr.. Webster's law
Office, says of him about the time he first went
to Congress- that he was not only a commune
cant of the Presbyterian Church. but ''Mr Web
ster was man of deep religious feeling" toler-
ant of the views of those who differed from his,
land believed in the Scriptures divine rev.
citation to instruct our ignorance and enlighten
our darkness" The came writer says: "Abstruse
reasoning in the pulpit always gave him I'M
easiness. but plain, pungent preaching, which
arraigned tho sinners before God" always
gained his commentator. 1t is added when
about to die 'he first disposed of his official
business, then infinitely dictated his will and
then fell back on his religious hopes. giving his
last hours to religion as familiar subject long
cherished
HIS BEARING IN CHURCH.
Mr.. Webster's bearing in church and the con-
spicuous traits Of his religious character are
described By one who knew him well: "His APP
pearance at church was striking. He entered
ftal a,TS 4. cI, h
erence which is quite uncommon. He walked up
the aisle to his pew in the church at NIarshfeld
as il he trod hallowed place. As he sat his
mind seemed impressed with the sacredness of
the lav and place and the spiritual themes that
pre- 'sed upon him." 1t is added that ..he fire.
quently joined in the singing with his deep bass
voice." 1t is related that on occasion he
was nll attention to the discourse the text being
the words Of Plate to Jesus: what is .rlth?'
Not only did he pay strict attention to the tenor
OF the sermon, but kept his great black eyes
fixed upon the speaker until he closed. such
piercing eyes," it is added were seldom. if
ever, fixed upon preacher in ancient or mod
ern times. and one having felt their power can
readilv lken the anecdote which was told by
the late DIR. Goldman of Dorchester of a Young
minister fresh from Andover, who under the
influence of those same ewes was struck dumb
in the midst of his discourse and sank into his
seat, leaving tho doctor. who more accus-
toned to that distinguished presence. to finish
the discourse"
THE MOST IMPORTANT THOUGHT.
Mr.. Webster was asked By friend what WAS
the most important though. that ever occur led
his mind 1t was asked at repast where there
were number of gentlemen. Blu. not one of all
of them together coulG draw M. Webs.nr out
OF the moody reveric into which something had
plunged him. Attempt after attempt was
made to draw him INFO conversation and finally
Ono mi ataI tha 4f;n ~
Webster. ! want you to tell me what was the
most important thought that ever occupied
your minG2" Mr.. Webster SLOWLY pa ,sed his
hand over his forehead and in IA low tone said
to a friend hear him. rs there any one near
who docs not know me?' He was told there
one. Then he looked over the table.
SAYS the narrator of the incident. and you NAV
well imagine how the tones OF his voice would
sound upon such an occasion. giving answer to
such a question The most important thought
that ever occurred to my mind said he. was
that o. my individual responsibility to Godr'
And then for twenty minutes he spoke on the
theme. and when he had fini shed he rose from
the table and retired from the room. The rest
OF the company retired toan adjoining room
When they had gathered thers some one ex-
claimed: Who ever heard anything like thas?'
What Mr.. Webster said no one ever attempted
to repeat. 1t WAS impossible to do SO.
IN COUNTRY CHURCH
Mr.. Webster once attended divine worship in
quiet country villag where sim pie hearted
pious old man preached. After tho simple
opening services he named his text and began
his discourse by saying with simple earne ,tness:
my friends, we can die but once" "Frigid and
weak rs these words Nigh. seem at frat" said
Mr.. Webster, "thcv were to me among the most
impressive and awakening ever heard l never
felt so sensibiy that must die at ali as when
that devout old man told me that l could die
but once"
Mr.. Webster always believed in a reverential
keeping OF the Sabbath. aud on that subject he
is reported as speaking with great earnes. ness.
The longer live faid he, 1.-THE more highly
do estimste the importance OF u proper OBJ
servance of the Christian Sabbath and the more
grateful do feel toward those who take pains
to impress u sense of this importance on the
community. The Lord day is the day ON
which the gospel is preached. 1t il the day of
public worship throughout the Christian world,
and although we live in u reading community.
yet the preaching Of the gospel is the human
agency which has been and still is most ell
caciously emplo;ed for the spiritual good OF
men. That the poor had the gospel preached
to them wal an evidence Of the mission which
the author Of Christianity him ,elf proclaimed,
and to the public worship OF tho Deity and to
the preaching Of the gospel the Observance Of
the Sabbath Is obviously essential
TRAINED BY HIS MOTHER.
Mr.. Webster trained by his mother to
read the Scriptures and put in practice this
teaching In early boyhood. He used to relate