"There stood once where now I stand, a father,--I knew him not, but to some of you he was known,--who, ere his children were twined up for life, was called to leave them, but whose fair example and fervent prayer visited them, and dwelt among them, and helped, with much kindly nurture, to form them to learning, virtue, honor, and to present them to the world a goodly band of brothers. And say not, because one and another has fallen on the threshold of life,--fallen amidst the brightest visions and most brilliant promises of youth,--that it is all in vain; that parental toils and cares and prayers are all in vain. There is another life, where every exalted power trained here shall find expansion, improvement, and felicity. [Those sons of the morning, who stand for a moment upon the verge of this earthly horizon amidst the first splendors of day, and then vanish away into heaven, as if translated, not deceased, seem to teach us, almost by a sensible manifestation, how short is the step and how natural is the passage from earth to heaven.]{15} They almost open heaven to us, and they help our languid efforts to reach it, by the most powerful of all earthly aids,--the memory of admired and loved virtues. Yes, the mingled sorrow and affection which have swelled many hearts among us within the last week, tell me that the excellence we have lost has not lived in vain. Precious memory of early [156] virtue and piety! and such memories, and more than one such, there are among you. Hold these bright companions ever dear, my young friends; embalm their memory in the fragrant breath of your love; follow them with the generous emulation of virtue; let the seal which death has set upon excellence stamp it with a character of new sanctity and authority; let not virtue die and friendship mourn in vain!" {FN 14: The church formerly ministered to by the Rev. William Emerson, the father of these rare sons.} {FN 15: This letter is taken from a copy, not the original; and the meaning of the brackets is uncertain. Probably, however, the passage which they enclose is a quotation.} Remember me with most affectionate sympathy to your mother, and Aunt Mary, and to Dr. Ripley. With my kind regards to your wife, I am, dear Waldo, in love and prayer, yours, O. DEWEY. Everybody mourns with you. Dr. Channing said yesterday, "I think Massachusetts could not have met with a greater loss than of that young man." Mr. Emerson's letter in reply is beautiful in itself, and has the added interest attaching now to every word of his:-- CONCORD, May 23, 1836, MY DEAR SIR,--I received the last week your kind letter, and the copy of your affectionate notice of Charles A Chauncey Place. I remember how little while ago you consoled us by your sympathy at Edward's departure,--a kind, elevating letter, which I have never acknowledged. I feel as if it was kind, even compassionate, to remember me now that these my claims of remembrance are gone.