CHAPTER XIII.

Conclusion.

SHORTLY after the decease of the Doctor, the Rev. James E. Welch, of Burlington, N. J. formerly a pupil, wrote to his son, Dr. James M. Staughton, to know whether it would be agreeable to the feelings of the children, that a monument should be erected over the grave, by the theological students of the deceased.

The family cheerfully gave their consent, and the Rev. Messrs. Ashton and Welch, wrote letters, bearing the names of Sharp, Ashton, Welch and others, to all the students, from most of whom answers were received, expressing the gratification it would afford them to forward an object, honorable to themselves, and grateful to the feelings of the numerous friends of Dr. Staughton.

Subsequently to this determination, and while the monument was preparing, his friends in Philadelphia expressed the desire, that his body might be removed to that city, to repose by the side of his former wife. This desire was acceded to on the part of the family, and preparations were made for its removal.

On the 17th of November, 1832, the following publication appeared in "The World," a religious paper, issued weekly, in the city of Philadelphia.

"The remains of the late Dr. Staughton have been removed, under the superintendence of Dr. J. S. Wheeler, from the Episcopal burying-ground in Washington city,

where they had rested for nearly three years, to this city; and the 7th instant were re-interred, in the Sansom-street cemetery, by the side of his first wife. Many of his former friends, and those in particular who had heard, during his ministry in this city, the word of life from his lips, a number of his students, and also many brethren of the ministry, were present. At the grave, an appropriate and well received address was delivered by brother Perry, pastor of the first Baptist church; which was followed by an impressive prayer to the throne of grace, offered by brother Dagg, pastor of the fifth church. The benediction was pronounced by brother H. G. Jones, of Lower Merion church.

"The scene was one of solemn interest. Many eyes were filled with tears of sympathy, and the bosoms of many vibrated to the memory of by-gone days, as they could say of the dear departed, in the heart's own silent language, 'We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company.'

Address of the Rev. Mr. Perry, at the re-interment.

"In detailing the history of man, it is customary to speak of his birth, life and adventures; his sickness, death and burial; it is not common to have occasion to describe his re-appearing upon the earth, and his recommitment to the tomb. But such is the case to day. The history of the noble personage, whose endeared remains lie before us, would be one of importance and value under any circumstances; because he lived not so much for himself as he did for man-for the church-for the mental cultivation of others. But it strikes me, that the providence of God intends a very important lesson of admonition and instruction by this occurrence. The sight of the broken

remains of even a stranger, cannot be indulged without emotion, and some serious thought-to see the noble structure torn down, its walls demolished and laid apart, the damps and rusts of death dissolving and eating up the bones, and turning the flesh to dust, is a lesson, the force of which cannot be well repelled but by the cold-hearted sceptic. But when we can look down and say, that this now shapeless heap of earth was once my dear, intimate, and valued friend, my neighbor, my instructer, the guide of my youth, my pastor, from whose lips I heard the words of life, by whom I was baptized, from whose hands I have received the Supper of the Lord,'-who stood by the couch of sickness, and the pillow of death, who often came to this very cemetery, to console the living over the dead—I say, in such reflections, we find a group of circumstances which most painfully quickens the memory, excites sympathy, and draws out the heart-touching exclamation- My father, my father!'—and because you see him no more as you have seen him, you may feel as the lamenting prophet did, who took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in pieces.' (2 Kings ii. 12.) "But what are we told by this event? was first interred, he was recognized as bearing the same general features as when living. True, his heart was still, his voice was silent, but he was known. He lay wrapped in linen clean and white, enclosed in a small, but highly finished and decorated house. He was carried to the grave, formed and fitted with care and expense, and he was laid down with a cautious, gentle, solemn hand. When his coffin was lodged upon its bed, the sleeping occupant seemed to say, 'here, friends, most quietly and sweetly I shall rest-I am out of time, and therefore, out of trouble, having hope in the mercy of God.' His place looked enviable, and had it not been for this day's events,

When this man

your last thoughts of him would always have been such as were created by the circumstances just detailed. You could not have followed on, and watched the gathering damps, and pale, cold mould of the grave, which forms the riot of the guileful worm, which lives to be buried with the dead, and lives the longer for being buried. Imagination could hardly have painted or art have drawn, the silent, sure, and ever steady work of wasting carried on by death, even where we supposed death had lost its power. But now we shall go from this place under the most solemn, humble, and affecting impressions and convictions of what is done by the destroyer in the grave. Look, what do we behold! let the sceptic acknowledge that in one instance certainly, the Scripture is fulfilled, 'Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.'

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'But, my friends, let us derive instruction from what we here witness. By one man sin entered the world, and death by sin. Death has passed upon all, for all have sinned. There is, therefore, no discharge in this war. Death is a solemn event: it disconcerts the schemes our busy minds had formed; it sunders all the endearments of life; it changeth the countenance, and sendeth man away; it makes the laborer turn from his employ, and the author from his task; it divorces from this life, and marries us to eternity; it does so, by tearing down the house of this tabernacle, and turning it to corruption.

"But death is much more solemn, when we consider our relations to another world. Death is not the extinction of existence, it is only the conclusion of one mode of it. We close our eyes on sense and matter, but immediately open them, where it is all around inscribed-here there is no death; but he that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is

holy, let him be holy still.' 'It is appointed unto man, once to die, but after that the judgment.' Death, beyond all comparison, is the most momentous event that can possibly befall us.

"Over the ashes of one whose memory is so dear to us, let us, my brethren of the ministry, learn the value of time, and the importance of discharging the duties of our responsible and holy calling, with zeal, faithfulness, and piety. The shafts, flying on every side, hurled by one whose aim is sure, though they have passed on our right hand and on our left, have struck down lover and friend, and consigned them to the land of silence, will soon be levelled at our hearts; for we too are earthen vessels, liable daily to be broken, and laid aside as unfit longer for the master's use. May our language then be—' It is better to depart and be with Christ.' To die is gain.' 'I am ready to be offered.'

"These remains have been removed by these gentlemen to this place, with the intent, here to erect a memento of their departed instructer; and in doing it they place side by side the husband and the wife of his youth. They have been for many years separated, but finally have come to enjoy together their long, silent, and last slumber. We suppose, never again is this tomb to be opened until the heaving earth shall yield to the voice of the judgment trump. Peace to these ashes, and let it be here written, The memory of the just is blessed.'

"But while the marble slab shall tell who lies beneath it, and who caused it to be thus placed and inscribed, let those who do it consider that there is another, a better, and more desirable method of preserving the memory' they love. You are all ministers, preach the doctrine your instructer preached, endure hardships as he endured, be zealous and indefatigable as he was, forgive enemies as