36. Concluding Remarks.

Concluding Remarks

We have aimed in this sketch so to exhibit the man and minister that his points of character would be at once recognized without special analysis.

We have seen him as the precocious child, a good reader and thinker at four years of age ; as the penitent boy, weeping under the preaching of the Gospel when only three years old ; as the ardent youth, pursuing his studies with untiring diligence and success ; as the Bible student, attaching to the divine records an infinite pre-eminence over all other books, and seeking, with corresponding reverence and zeal, to enrich his heart and mind with its treasures, and leaning upon the promises like a pilgrim upon his staff, and grasping with a giant faith the perfections of Jehovah, and the plan of redemption as therein revealed. We have seen him as the conscientious Christian, with a nature as sensitive to sin in every form as the tender flower to the breath of winter.

We have seen him battling with the rage, and power, and insidious schemes of the tempter to destroy his confidence in God and revealed religion, and in these terrible conflicts foiling his mighty adversary. We have seen him, in his zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of men, devoting himself with intent of mind, and ardor of soul, and effort of body, seldom if ever equaled in the history of the ministry. And blending, as he did, a deep and intense Christian experience, integrity of principle, and simplicity of spirit with dignity of manners, his influence was irresistible in his day. And his gifted intellect and fertile imagination have given to the world those sublime thoughts and splendid imagery which have contributed to perpetuate that influence. We have seen him in death strong in faith, giving glory to God, with the language of victory upon his lips, and the fires of hope blazing in his eye, and the joy of heaven filling his soul.