His profession of religion, extended as it was, to nearly half a
century, was remarkable for its uniform consistency and unfailing
constancy. As the disciple of Jesus, he was spiritual, humble, and
zealous. In his official capacity in the church, he was watchful,
diligent, and active; condescending, affectionate, and kind to the
poorest of the flock; loving to all his brethren, and much beloved by
them. In all the relations of life he sustained, whether as a husband,
parent, friend, or neighbour, the excellencies of his religion were
developed with more than common lustre; and secured to him a
well-deserved reputation, a most profound respect. That he had his
imperfections we readily admit; and if, as astronomers inform us, there
are dark spots even on the sun in the heavens, no wonder that feeble
creatures, dwelling in dust, should present some shades of infirmity.
But yet as the sun of nature, in spite of his spots, pours a constant
flood of refulgent light upon surrounding worlds, so our esteemed
friend, notwithstanding some manifest imperfections, presented to all
who encircled him the light of an eminent example of religion, in the
unyielding integrity of its principles, and in all the amiable
loveliness of its practice. Through the grace of God which was bestowed
upon him, his path was truly as the shining light, which shineth more
and more to the perfect day.
Here, however, he had no continuing city, and at length the time of his
departure hence drew near. A paralytic stroke, in 1824, had admonished
him of his approaching change. Though from that seizure he was soon, in
part, mercifully recovered, and was still in a good degree active and
useful; yet his mental powers then received a shock, in consequence of
which they gradually became still more and more impaired; so that for
the three or four last years of his life, his intellect resembled a
magnificent structure, fallen and in ruins. As long, however, as any
capability remained, he continued to attend the house of God with the
liveliest interest; and for a long time was conveyed to it, when much
enfeebled, in a Bath chair. He had the happiness of seeing the last of
his children received into the church, on profession of repentance
towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The last time he ever
attended on the public means of grace, was with much difficulty, in
October, 1833, when his youngest son was baptized; and it was to him a
most sacred season of unspeakable delight and joy. From this time he
continued in a very feeble state, both of mind and body, though without
much suffering; till Monday, 28th July last, when he was assailed with
the illness, that quickly manifested itself to be the harbinger of
death. The conflict, however, was short, for on the following Sabbath
evening, Aug. 3rd, 1834, he was released, and his emancipated spirit
took its soaring flight to his long desired and eternal rest. "Precious
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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