Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

Brief Character of the Right Hon. senator's memoirs has said, "that in R. B. SHERIDAN.

(From the British Review.)

THUS set the political glory of this eminent man. And in the little twilight that remained to him nothing about him had a tinge of his departed lustre. The morning and the meridian of his life had passed in a perpetual exclusion from the objects of his wishes-from wealth, from dignity, from power; and the evening, alas! brought him no repose. He had lived long to little purpose,-applauded, but not trusted by his own party; feared, but not respected by his opponents. And, at the last, ejected from the precincts which the rays of his own eloquence had helped to warm and illumine, he sunk at once, in a manner discarded and disowned, into the shade and frost of penury, neglect, and sorrow. It appears, according to his biographer, that he was continually tormented by the clamorous importunities of creditors, and harassed by the process of the law. We are told by the same authority, that his resource, amidst these trials and vexations, was continual inebriety; and the effect of this miserable practice was soon visible in his frame, which sunk under a complication of disorders. His digestive powers entirely failed, his extremities began to swell, and the symptoms of approaching dissolution were observed rapidly to increase. In this situation, thus languishing on the bed of death, an officer, says Dr. Watkins, (his biographer) forced his way into his room to arrest him; and, after staying some days in the house, was with difficulty induced to relinquish his prey, on being told by the physician that to move the patient from his house, in his then weak and exhausted state, would probably prove fatal, in which case he should feel it his duty to prosecute the officer for murder.

We pass over, as rapidly as possible, this very painful part of the narrative, to come to the period, the last affecting period, of this interesting life. And here he left Mr. Fox far behind him. A worthy writer of that

[ocr errors]

describing the departing scene of his existence, his memorialist should borrow for him the words of Addison to the young Lord Warwick: See how a Christian can die !' and declare that "if the beautiful Scripture expression, Lord, let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,' was ever more strongly exemplified in one instance than another, it was in the last moments of Mr. Fox." The British Review is a very old-fashioned work, and we profess not to see in the death-bed scene of that eminent person, one tittle more of Christian faith than was evinced in the departure of Hume or Helvetius.

"As far as sympathetic solicitude," remarks his biographer, (Dr. Watkins)" could administer relief or comfort, Mr. Sheridan received every consolation from the kind attention of a numerous acquaintance and an affectionate family. But there is abundant reason to hope that his last moments were cheered by the more abundant consolation that alone springs from faith and repentance. Some days before his death, the Bishop of London, who is a near relation of Mrs. Sheridan, desired Dr. Baine to ask if it would be agreeable to his patient to have prayers offered up by his bed-side. his bed-side. When the commission was imparted to the sick, he assented with such an expression of fervent de sire, that the bishop was instantly sent for, who lost no time in attending to the solemn call, and, accompanied by the physician, read several offices of devotion suited to the awful occasion. In these prayers Mr. Sheridan appeared to join with humility and aspiration, clasping his hands, bending his head, and lifting up his eyes, significant of that penitential frame of mind which becomes every human spirit in its passage out of time into eternity. After this he seemed to possess much internal tranquillity until life ebbed gradually away, and he departed, without any apparent struggle or agony, in the arms of his affectionate consort, on Sunday, at noon, July the seventh, 1816, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.”

Of such a character as that of Mr. Sheridan it is not easy to put together the incongruous parts. He was a soldier of fortune, and formed only by the loose discipline of worldly tactics. His thoughts, words, and actions, appear to have had no higher scope than to charm the festive hour, to multiply his means of unprofitable pleasure, and to inhale the incense of popular applause. Nature had bestowed upon him the elements of greatness; and capacities, that, under a right cultivation, might have made him the ornament, the boast, and the blessing of these eventful times. But the total absence of every thing systematic, or regular, or restraining, in the first formation of his habits, left him at large, the creature of accidental impressions, the pupil of his own passions, and vanities, and wants. Good-nature, a tendency to friendship, and a general kindness of disposition, are among the wild flowers that often grow up in this moral wilderness, and these qualities appear throughout the life of Mr. Sheridan; they shed a fragrance over his character, and still decorate his tomb; but they often covered the path of error, and dishonour, and assisted the fascinations of a ruinous example. Even his good qualities stood in each other's way, for want of that order and subordination which can only be the fruit of Christian government; thus his kindness towards some made him unfair and even malignant towards others; his liberality, by inducing distress, sometimes drove him to meanness; his wit, which was unrivalled, found often an indulgence in malicious sarcasm; and his honour was too high for the duties of simple justice. Something of the generous, the noble, and the lofty, was often visible in his deportment and in his sentiments, in the matter and in the manner of his procedure; but while the eye regarded it with rapture, and welcomed it as the harbinger of a happy change, the fleeting form relapsed into confusion, like the cloud of a summer evening, when the parting ray that gilded it is gone.

Of his eloquence it is impossible,

with any feeling for the beauties of the art, not to entertain a very high estimation. Considering the little cultivation it could have received in his youth, it was next to miraculous. What renders it the more a subject of astonishment, is its peculiarity of character. The property one would have expected to have seen in it most prominent and distinguishing, is that voluble and easy flow which is often the mysterious and genuine gift of nature; but Mr. Sheridan's eloquence was any thing rather than natural. It was studied, adorned, and artificial; and often consisted of a string of witticisms, having all the appearance of premeditation and contrivance. It was this character of his eloquence which laid him open to the following observations of Mr. Pitt. "He seldom condescends to favour ùs with his extraordinary powers of imagination and fancy; but when he does come forward, we are prepared for a grand performance. No subject comes amiss to him, however remote from the question before the house. All that his fancy suggests at the time, or that he has collected from others; all that he can utter in the ebullition of the moment; all that he has slept on or matured, are combined and produced for our entertainment. All his hoarded repartees, all his matured jests, the full contents of his commonplace book, all his severe invectives, all his bold and hardy assertions, all that he has been treasuring up for days and months, he collects into one mass, which he kindles into a blaze of eloquence, and out it comes all together. whether it has any relation to the subject or not." Making some allowance for the exaggerations of resentment which undoubtedly dictated some part of this description, it cannot be deemed very far from a true portraiture of the style and manner of Mr. Sheridan.

The speeches, however, of Mr. Sheridan in parliament are, with many defects, undoubtedly worthy to be ranked among the fairest specimens of British oratory: they are pithy, sententious, antithetical, corruscat ing, neat, popular, ingenious, witty,

playful, and, for the most part, correct and clear. But they are not of that pure, spontaneous, and natural kind which have proceeded from the mouth of Mr. Fox; neither have they his senatorial wisdom: they had less of variety, less of genuine warmth, less of living pathos; were less rich in parallels drawn from history and common life, less logical, and less comprehensive. The deep tones, the solemn swell, the rotundity and continuity of expression, the moral ele vation, the sedate utterance, the lofty declamation, the commanding manner, the perspicuity of detail and arrangement, the sober lustre, and the mild effulgence of Mr. Pitt, were Mr. Pitt's alone; to him belonged that plenitude of information, that practicable, clear, and solid good sense, which neither habit, education, or genius, had permitted to Mr. Sheridan: still less was he gifted with Mr. Burke's endowments: he was greatly below him in obɛervation, and mellowness of knowledge; below him greatly in profundity of thought, power of generalizing, philosophy of views, and all that goes into the constitution of wisdom. He was also far inferior to that great man in richness, variety, and fecundity of intellect; his inferior, also, far his inferior, in compass of expression, controul of imagery, and classic elegance; in all that constitutes the faculty of convincing and securing the moral mind, greatly inferior indeed to that prince over the provinces of literature and

[blocks in formation]

self-denial, to bring my body into subjection, and to punish all those excesses which I have been guilty of in the abuse of thy creatures. Let my retirement from the world make me perceive its vanity and emptiness, and teach me to relish the pleasure of spiritual enjoyments. Let me spend those solitary hours in the improvement of Christian knowledge, and do thou open mine eyes that I may see the wondrous things of thy law. Make me heartily to bewail my sins, and do thou work in me that godly sorrow not to be repented of. Grant that I may sincerely examine the state of mine own mind; and do thou search and try my ways, and lead me into the path of everlasting life. And perceiving how bitter a thing it is to depart from the living God, grant that I may no longer continue estranged from the Fountain of all joy and happiness; but that, by confessing and forsaking my sins, I may be entirely converted unto thee, and that they may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; through Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

O Almighty God, who hast sent me into this world as a state of trial and probation, that I might be a candidate for eternity; teach me frequently to retire from the occasions and temptations to sin, to mortify mine affections for this world, the dangerous enemy to my salvation, that my flesh may be subdued to the spirit, and my mind left free to approach thee with ardour, and with fervency of affection. Inare me, by

Against Worldly-Mindedness.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast endowed me with a soul capable of immortality, be merciful unto me for mine immoderate love of earthly things, bridle this unruly and misguided passion, and suppress those tormenting and corroding cares by which mine affections are so closely united to the things of this life. Open mine eyes, that I may clearly see the true nature of that which I so much desire; what an hindrance it is to the good of my soul; and what an impediment in the way that leadeth unto everlasting life. Make me to feel the pleasure of, and to set mine affections on, those things which are above; enlighten mine understanding, that I may know what is the hope of my calling, the riches of thy glory, and the heavenly crown which is reserved for thy faithful servants. Incline my heart to a steadfast faith in thy promises, and to a

firm persuasion of the certainty which thy word hath testified, that if I delight myself in thee thou wilt give me my heart's desire; and then shall I be more studious to grow in grace than to increase in riches, and more earnest for spiritual blessings than for the things of this world. Deny me not, then, O God, this request, nor send me away empty from thy throne of grace. I ask not for mine own deserts: I renounce myself: I fly to thy promises, and look for nothing but for the sake of thy word, and through the merits of Jesus Christ, in whom my soul is well pleased, and to whom, with thine eternal Spirit, I yield all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

In the following our readers will find an account of the organization of the Church in the state of Ohio.

JOURNAL of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of Ohio, held in Columbus, January 5th, 1818. With the CONSTITUTION by them then and there adopted.

Columbus, Ohio, January 5th, 1818. Tais being the day and place for the meeting of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of Ohio, the Convention, pursuant to notice duly given in the public prints, and otherwise, met at the house of Dr. Goodale.

After Divine Service, prayers being read by the Rev. Roger Searle, the Rev. Philander Chase was elected President, and David Prince, Secretary.

The following gentlemen, as Lay Delegates, were duly recognized, and took their seats; viz. Messrs. Benjamin Gardiner, and Joel Buttles, from Trinity Church, Columbus; Ezra Griswold, and Chester Griswold, St. John's Church, Worthington; Joseph Platt, St. James's Church, Boardman; Solomon Griswold, Christ Church, Windsor; David Prince, Grace Church, Berkshire.

On motion, Resolved, That Edward King, Esq. from St. Paul's Church, Chillicothe, be admitted as a member of this Convention. He appeared and took his seat.

On motion, Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to inquire into the state of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of Ohio, and report to this Convention. The Rev. Roger Searle, the Rev. Philander Chase, and Joseph Platt, Esq. were appointed.

Resolved, unanimously, that we, the

members of this Convention, are in communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America; and also, that we do unanimously adopt the General Constitution and Canons of said Church; whereupon the following gentlemen were appointed a Committee to draft a Constitution for the diocess of S. Griswold, and Gardiner. Ohio; viz. Messrs. Searle, Chase, King,

On motion, Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to suggest some measures for the support of a Bishop in the state of Ohio; and, for this purpose, Benjamin

Gardiner be added to "the Committee on the state of the Church;" and that

they, and he, be requested to attend to the subject of this resolution.

Resolved, That this Convention adjourn until 2 o'clock to-morrow.

January 6th. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. The Rev. Mr. Searle, from the Committee to form rules of order for this Convention, made report of the same; which were unanimously adopted.

The Rev. Mr. Chase, from the Committee appointed to draft a Constitution for the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of Ohio, reported; the draft was read and ordered to lie on the table.

On motion, this Convention adjourned till six o'clock this evening.

The Convention met agreeable to adjournment. Mr. John Matthews, from St. James's Church, Zanesville, appeared and took his seat.

Resolved, that Alfred Mack, Esq. from Christ Church, Cincinnati, be admitted as a member of this Convention.

On motion, the draft of a Constitution for the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the state of Ohio, was read a second time. The several Articles having been duly considered, the whole was read a third time, and adopted unanimously.

On motion, Resolved, That this Conof a Standing Committee: in pursuance vention now proceed to the appointment of which the following persons were duly appointed; viz. The Rev. P. Chase, the Rev. R. Searle, B. Gardiner, and C. Gris

wold.

Messrs. Searle and Chase, from the Committee to report 66 on the state of the Church in the state of Ohio," made report, which, being read, was accepted, and

ordered to be inserted on the minutes of the Convention.

REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE CHURCH.

The Committee appointed by the Con. vention, to give a view of the state of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocess of Ohio, beg leave respectfully to report:

That there being present but two Clergymen residing in this state, and offici

ating therein, the most satisfactory way of bringing the state of the Church fully to view, will be by recounting what they have, during the short time of their ministrations, done towards the establishment and prosperity of our Infant Zion.

The Rev. Mr. Searle observes, that he came into this state in the month of February, 1817; in which month, and in March and April following, several pa rishes were formed in the state of Ohio, as members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. A parish in Ashtabula, county of Ashtabula, by the name of St. Peter's Church, was formed in February last, with considerable promise. TrinityChurch, in Cleveland, was formed soon after. St. Mark's Church, in Columbia; St. John's Church, in Liverpool; St. Paul's Church, in Medina; St. Luke's Church, in Ravenna; and St. James's Church, in Boardman; were duly organized in March and April. Grace Church, in Berkshire, and St. Paul's Church, in Chillicothe, took form also in April last. A general spirit of suitable zeal seemed every where to prevail, and an ardent wish was expressed for the ordinances of our holy religion.

During the very laborious services rendered by the subscriber last spring, two hundred and eighty-four persons and children were baptized, and eighty-three persons admitted to the Holy Communion.

On his return to the state of Ohio, in November last, the subscriber has visited many parts of the state. Some of the parishes formed last spring, are found to be prospering; increasing in numbers and proper zeal for the interests of religion generally, and for the primitive doctrines and usages of the Church. In Steubenville, in St. Clairsville, in Morristown, and in Cambridge, there are parishes formed, which are under the care of the Rev. Dr. Dodridge of Virginia; all of which are understood to be prospering

The subscriber has now devoted nearly one year in unremitting services and labours for the promotion of those interests justly deemed sacred by the members of the Church, and the friends of religion generally. And while he views, with great pleasure, every opening prospect pointing to the future prosperity of primitive piety, he earnestly prays the great Head of the Church to direct the measures leading us to our contemplated organization.

R. SEARLE. The Rev. Mr. Chase observes, that he came into this state in the month of March last; that he organized a parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the town of Windsor, county of Ashtabula, by the name of Christ Church; that he baptized rising of sixty persons therein, and administered the Holy Communion to twenty-four persons; that the members of this infant parish appear to be pious, and ar

dently attached to our primitive communion.

Besides officiating in various interme diate places, where Prayer Books and Tracts were earnestly wished for, the Rev. Mr. Chase held divine service, and regularly incorporated a parish, of our Communion, at the Iron Works, in the township of Talmage and vicinity, by the name of St. Stephen's Church. This parish is but small, but of considerable promise; the baptisms were a few.

Mr. Chase held service and preached in several places on his way to Zanesville. In Coshocton he partially organized a parish. There being several persons in that place and neighbourhood belonging to our communion, much is hoped from the exertions of some future labourer in the vineyard.

In Zanesville he found a very respectable congregation of Episcopalians, duly organized, under the pious and praiseworthy exertions of the Rev Dr. Dodridge, of Virginia. Mr. Chase baptized several persons, both adults and infants, in this parish, and thinks they bid fair soon to become a distinguished part of the Church, in this state.

In Lancaster Mr. Chase officiated. The members of our communion in that place, though not numerous, yet expressed their hopes that a parish might soon be organized, so as to require the services of a Clergyman, at least a part of the time. The same observations may be applied to the people of our Church in Circleville..

In Chillicothe Mr. Chase officiated several times. As the respectable parish in this town was duly organized by the Rev. Mr. Searle, and as he has mentioned its state and prospects in the part of this report assigned to him, Mr. Chase passes it over. He understands, however, that they intend soon to erect a Church for public worship. Mr. Chase officiated in Springfield and Dayton; in both of which places, the attempts to organize parishes in our communion have not been totally without success.

In Cincinnati Mr. Chase was peculiarly blessed in the formation of a numerous and wealthy parish, by the name of Christ Church. The persons belonging to this parish, have, since their recent establishment, manifested a zeal and ardour in the cause of Zion, worthy of better days; They regularly meet and hold divine service on Sunday. Notwithstanding their exertions to procure a Clergyman, they have hitherto been unsuccessful.

Mr. Chase succeeded in organizing a parish in Columbus, by the name of Trinity Church; and another in Delaware, by the name of St. Peter's Church. These, together with a small parish at Norton and Radner, formed last summer by Col. James Kilbourn; a very respectable parish

« ПредишнаНапред »