Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

have gone through greater variety of trials, few have subsisted upon a smaller annual stipend, and few have ever manifested a stronger attachment to a people, or sought more earnestly the good of souls committed to their care, than mr. Baldwin. His greatest ambition was to live to the glory of God. He strenuously maintained and defended the system of faith once delivered to the saints in simplicity and purity. His preaching was impressive, for Christ and his cross were all his theme. His powers of elocution were respectable, and he had the happy talent of gaining the attention of his auditors to an uncommon degree. He was punctual in the discharge of all duties, publick and private. As a husband and parent he was tender and affectionate, beloved and respected.

BROOKFIELD, MASS.

506. Note. Mrs. MARY REED, daughter of the rev. Eliab Stone of Reading, and consort of major Cheney Reed of Brookfield, departed this life, suddenly, labore parturiendi, 1 December, 1804, in the 30 year of her age. The following passage in form of an epitaph was written by an intimate female friend and was published in the Boston Weekly Magazine.

"In the death of this much esteemed woman her relatives and acquaintance have lost an endeared friend and companion; society a highly valued member. Those virtues and accomplishments, which make lovely, were hers, in an eminent degree. Poɛ

sessing an elevated mind, enriched by a creative fancy and sprightly wit, she was justly acknowledg ed the life of the circles, in which she moved. A sensibility, perhaps too refined, made her happy in the happiness of others, and first to commiserate and relieve the unfortunate. The muses have lost a favourite, and musick, chanting her requiem, will pay a tributary tear. The character of mrs. Reed will command respect, while virtue is held in estimation."

The subjoined apposite lines were selected for a part of the monumental inscription.

Lo, where this silent marble weeps,
A friend, a wife, a mother sleeps ;
A heart within whose sacred cell
The peaceful virtues lov'd to dwell.
Affection warm, and faith sincere,
And soft humanity were there,
And cheerfulness, with thought refined,
And modesty with meekness joined.
Sudden her death, with many a groan;
In giving life, she lost her own!

WALTHAM, MASS.

507. Note. The rev. WARHAM WILLIAMS of Waltham was a son of the rev. John Williams of Deerfield. He was graduated at Harvard college, in 1719, and was ordained, 11 June, 1723. He closed a well spent life in June, 1751. In Loring's manuscript Journal is the following sentence, in

reference to him. "He was a good minister of Josus Christ, one well qualified for the work of the ministry, and faithful in the discharge of it."

SCITUATE, MASS.

508. Note.-The rev. NATHANIEL EELLES of Scituate died, suddenly, in August, 1750. He was a pious man, sound in his principles, a good preacher, and faithful minister of Jesus Christ. He was often invited to sit in ecclesiastical councils. Many pupils were prepared, under his tuition, for admission into college. A considerable number of his sermons, written in a correct and neat manner, is still preserved.

LAGUNA, S. A.

509. Note.-GEORGE WARNER, an enterprising young man, much endeared to his relatives and friends, after suffering great hardships, died at Laguna, on the Spanish main, 25 October, 1809. He was a son of major Jonathan Warner of Medford in Massachusetts. The following lines were written by an affectionate sister, whose anonymous, poetick productions have often enriched the pages of several periodical publications.

[ocr errors]

"The genial sun new life bestows

E'en on the meanest flow'r, that blows;

But vainly, vainly, may he pour

His rays on dark Laguna's shore,

And vainly strive that gloom to burst,

Which shrouds, dear George, thy hallow'd dust!

Nor genial sun, nor blooming flower,
Nor summer's breeze shall charm thee more
Yet shall that breeze, as o'er thy grave

It softly sweeps at dewy eve,

Still waft affection's deepest sigh;
Still shall memory linger nigh

And weep, forever weep, the sever'd tie ;
Still hover on that distant shore

Where now thou sleep'st to wake no more!

510.

WILMINGTON, MASS.

Note-The rev. ISAAC MORRILL, a worthy minister of the gospel, left the sorrows and trials of this life for the joys of a better, on the 17 of August, 1793, at the age of 75 years. The rev. Eliab Stone of Reading preached his funeral sermon, from which the following paragraphs are here preserved.

"He was descended from a reputable family in the town of Salisbury. He was born, 20 May, 1718. The God of nature furnished him with many excellent mental talents. These he improved by the common course of academick education, and received the honours of the university in July, 1737. After the usual studies in theology, he was ordained to the pastoral office, on his birth day, 20 May, 1741.

"As a minister, he was able, diligent, and faithful. His sermons were evangelical, rational, plain, and practical; and delivered with such animation and propriety, as gained the general attention and approbation of his hearers. He was eminent in

prayer, both for the fervour of devotion, and pertinency of thought and expression on all occasions.

"As a man, he was sensible and judicious, social and benevolent. Averse to every kind of deception, he spoke, without disguise, the sentiments of his heart. The plainness and uprightness of his dealings distinguished him as an honest man. And his hospitable reception of the stranger and friend was no less remarkable. He was a cheerful and agreeable companion, a firm friend, a kind husband, a tender parent, and above all, if we determine the goodness of his heart from the exemplary virtue and piety, with which his life was adorned, a real christian. A few weeks before his death, when daily expecting it, he told me, that he had not ob tained full assurance, but that he was labouring after it; and that he had a good hope, through grace, of eternal life. He laboured for more than half a century in the vineyard of the Lord. And after a long and painful illness, he exchanged the afflictions of earth for the joys of heaven."

MARBLEHEÁD, MASS.

511. Hoc caespite velantur dom. SAM ELIS CHEEVER ecclesiæ primæ Dom. nost. Jesu Christi apud Marblehead pastoris reverendi reliquiæ. Neque ex humanis demigravit annis eatenus gravatus fuit cumque obiit, licet annum octogesimum quintum a geret, viribus tantum non juvenilibus floruit

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »