The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-03-26
LORENZO DOW.
Fact Recalled That Grave of Famous
Exhorter is in Washington,

Exhorter is in Washington,
Few readers are probably acquainted
with the fact that the bones of the ia
nous Lorenzo Dow rest in Oak Hill
cemetery, says the Washington %. CD
Post. Under a simple sandstone slab
rests the dust of the eccentric preacher.
The respect shown the remains Is one of
the many things for which we are call
ed to remember with gratitude the gen7
| crosby of our philanthropist w. w.
Corcoran.
Lorenzo Dow was born in Coventry,
Conn, october 49, 1777, and was the son
of Humphrey Dow and Tabitha Parker
He tells us in his journal how from
| tenderest childhood he was very sensi-
| tive and his mind was much troubled
with the most serious questions OF re-
| ligion. Hearing of the people called
| "Methodists, who were lately come in
to the western part of New England, he
attended their meetings.
He gives an account of the first ser
mon heard by him, and how the preach
er, pointing his finger toward him, ex-
| claimed: Sinner there is a frowning
providence above your head and burn
| ing hell beneath your feet and nothing
| but the brittle thread of life prevents
your soul from falling into endless per-
dition." He was thrown into great dis
tress, but finally, after many struggles,
found peace in Christ, and Immediately
| felt call to preach when seventeen
years of age. He began at once his
journeyings, preaching wherever he
could get hearers The first eight
months he Travelled more than 1000
miles. Twice he crossed the ocean and
preached in England and Ireland. AL
most every town from Connecticut to
| Georgia was visited by him. Tours
were made through Ohio, Kentucky,
| Tennessee and Louisiana. Great multi
| tudes listened to him.
h. BOWS marriage was an original one
He stopped with brother who kept
Methodist tavern, namely, a house for
preachers" The gentleman had one
daughter. He stayed one night, but not
a word passed between him and the
young lady He went to his appoint
ment in the morning, and in the eve
ming, before returning to the house,
asked the gentleman if he could speak
to his daughter concerning matrimony.
The gentleman's wife told him that
| Peggy, their daughter, was resolved
never to marry unless it were to a
preacher and one who would continue
| travelling. Dow asked her If it were
so. Yes" she said. DO you think
you could accept of such an object as
me?" This was his first word to her,
| OH r,r,a
it during Lorenzo's years alb
sence, and concluded to accept his pro-
posal. Dow returned September /, 1904,
was married that evening and started
early the next morning for the west.
My Lorenzo was gone about seven
months before he returned to me-" she
pathetically tells us.
In 1884, while on a visit to Washing
ton. Dow was stricken with his last
illness. He fell asleep at the home Of
his friend, George Halter. now 1887
Thirty street, Georgetown. He
was fifty-six years of age. 1t was his
dying request that the great coat which
had covered and comforted him in so
many weary journeys might be his
winding sheet His wish was met and
above his remains, which were deposit
ed in Holmead's burylng ground, was
placed a plain slab on which was in
scribed this epitaph, written by him.
self
A Christian is the highest style OF man,
He is a slave to no sect; takes no pri-
Vate road. t~'
But looks through nature up to ma
lures God.
Some years ago the old Holmead
cemetery was abolished, and Mr.. Cor
coran purchased a lot in Oak Hill and
had the bones of Lorenzo Dow rein
tered on Georgetown Heights. The
same slab marks the spot.