صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

NOTICES

OF THE

CHARACTER OF CHARLES ELIOT.

OBITUARY;

From the Columbian Centinel, for Saturday, October 2, 1813. Written by Mr. (now Rev.) Edward Everett.

THE death of Mr. ELIOT, who was yesterday interred, is an event of uncommon distress. It has blighted many fair hopes, and dissolved many affectionate attachments. It has removed from the family circle an object of peculiar interest and congratulation; from society a rising and valuable member; from the university an accomplished son; and has deprived the christian church of one who promised to serve and adorn it.-Mr Eliot was graduated at Cambridge, in 1809, and continued there as a resident graduate, pursuing the study of divinity. On taking his Master's degree in 1812, he pronounced the valedictory oration of his class. His diligence in the pursuit of his studies was exemplary, if not excessive; for there is too much reason to fear that the disease which terminated his life, was contracted by severe application. Having acquainted himself extensively with the scriptures, with sacred criticism, and with the other parts of sacred

learning, and disciplined his mind and heart by faithful preparation, he was approved in January last, by the Boston Association, as a candidate for the christian ministry. The few sermons he preached, before he was arrested by the symptoms of disease, were distinguished for soundness of doctrine, for rational views of religion, for richness of thought, and great propriety and chasteness of expression. He preached however but a few Sabbaths before his health began to fail, which continued to decline, notwithstanding the most prudent and skilful attentions. By a re, markable coincidence, he preached in the pulpit of the late Dr. ELIOT a part of the last Sabbath which that lamented divine spent in the house of GOD; and now he is called to follow his venera ble kinsman, as we humbly trust, to higher and purer services. In the course of a long and gradual decay, he found his support in that religion to which he had consecrated his life. He was upholden by it in those trying hours, and they were not a few, which passed after the hope of his recovery was lost. It is no common share of faith and piety, which will sustain the heart in that period of awful anticipation, when the world around us has lost its interest, and we are beyond the reach of human aid. Through this solitude of the soul, Mr. Eliot displayed a christian composure and collection of spirits, and found in the

promises of religion the comfort and support which time and sense could no longer afford. Many hearts have followed him to his long home; and many will affectionately cherish his memory. It is scarce a year since he pronounced, in his valedictory oration, an affectionate eulogium on one who can never be recalled without a fresh emotion of sorrow. And now he has gone himself; and another breach is made in the circle of friendship, literature, and religion.While to us it is left to apply to him, with a feeling of no common solemnity, the sentiments which he uttered himself at the remembrance of his departed friend. "To us remains," said he, "his memo. ry and example, and to us it is left, since he is called away, to unite the closer, in friendship and counsel, and supply, as we can, the place of departed worth."

« السابقةمتابعة »