In this blessedness we have reason to believe the respected and beloved friend, whose remains were yesterday committed to the tomb, is gone to partake. Her acquisitions and her virtues, the devotion of her time and faculties to the great purpose of her being, that constant and extreme veneration of God, which pervaded her soul, that impressive sense of her responsibility to him, which led her to connect the motives and the actions of her life with the solemnities of a future judgement and the retributions of eternity, while they raised her in the estimation of all, who were favoured with a knowledge of her character, must also have recommended her to the approbation of Him to whom she has given her account. Madam Adams possessed a mind elevated in its views, and capable of attainments above the common order of intellects. Her discernment was quick, her judgment solid, and all her faculties so happily adjusted as to form at once the intelligent, discreet, and captivating mind. In the dispositions of providence her lot was cast in a period of time and on a theatre of duties and events favourable to the developement and exercise of her powers. Her opportunities for improvement were not lost. An habitual intercourse with some of the most enlightened characters at home, and in her travels abroad an acquaintance with some of high rank and attainments in other countries, and a subsequent correspondence with them, united with a taste for reading and reflection, had enriched her intellectual treasures, and stored her mind with a fund of rare and useful knowledge. Her acquaintance with men and with events, with the civil and political interests of her own country was deep and extensive. Conversant with the circumstances, that led to the dismemberment of this from the parent country, and partaking in the feelings of the leading characters in the mighty struggle, she had early formed an attachment to the liberties of her country, which was strengthened by her connection, and sympathy, and co-operation with the bereaved companion of her life in the exalted stations he has filled. But though her attainments were great, though she had moved in the higher walks of life, and was fitted for the lofty departments, in which she acted, her elevation had never filled her soul with pride, nor led her for a moment to forget the feelings and the claims of others. She was always the same meek, and humble, and obliging christian; nor will one voice be heard, uncommon as it is, but in commendation of her worth. Her conversation was adapted to improve and endear those, who were favored with the privilege of her acquaintance. She was easy of access, communicative in her intercourse, and all, who were admitted to her presence, were both entertained and made happy. In her domestic character, in the oversight and management of her family concerns, in her discretion and prudence, and in all the qualities that could contribute to the comfort and well-being of her household she stood almost without a rival. Among the members of this society, who had long known her excellencies, she was beloved and respected without a solitary exception. The tidings of her illness were heard with grief in every house, and her death is felt as a common loss. To the afflicted she had consolations to impart, and to the destitute her charities were timely and unremitted. Multitudes in sickness and in want have been the subjects of her liberal distributions, and have occasion to rank her among the first of earthly benefactors. Often has she wiped the tear from the cheek of sorrow, and carried relief and comfort to the mansions of cold, and hunger, and nakedness. Her deeds of kindness, her sympathy in the sufferings of those, who in the allotments of providence were strug gling with poverty, are inscribed on the imperishable records of eternity; and will, we doubt not, be a source of happiness to her, when the treasures of the unfeeling and the merciless are no more. In her religious faith and character she was among the disciples, whom Jesus loved. Early initiated into the belief of the christian doctrine, its heavenly influences had diffused a lustre over all the faculties of her soul, and formed her to the mild and hunble, to the amiable and engaging temper, which all beheld and admired. Her faith in the gospel was built on rational and solid grounds. The conversation and the writings of infidels, which she had heard and read, were unable to shake the firmness of her hold on that system of light and comfort, of purity and hope, which the christian revelation presents. In the religion of Jesus, she saw the character of God in all its holiness and perfection, in all its adorable and endearing excellencies. She viewed it as a system of benevolence and love, as designed to enlighten and purify the soul of man, to exalt his views and pursuits, and to train him up for a nobler existence, for an endless career of improvement and happiness. Having deeply imbibed the benevolent spirit of her master she had nothing of the bigotry and exclusiveness of sects and parties; but could see the followers of Christ, the destined subjects of eternal salvation, no less in this than in that denomination of christians. In her estimation the creeds of erring mortals were less than nothing, and doctrines of no further importance than as they contributed to the growth of virtuous dispositions and the moral improvement of the character. Her religion was the religion of the heart and the affections. was that religion, which we cannot but think will abide the trial of the last day, and continue with the soul, when the "hay and the stubble," the follies and the distinctions of flaming partizans shall be consumed. It But we are drawing to a scene, where the christian's faith and hopes are felt in all their unutterable importance, in all their sublime and consoling effects. The approaches of the last enemy were rapid, but not overwhelming to her mind. A constitution, which for thirty years had suffered without any long intermissions the most violent attacks of disease, was unable to sustain with the strength of youth the final shock. Madam Adams sunk under the debilitating weight of her malady, and that mind, which had been so clear and vigorous, was occasionally bewildered. Life, for several days, seemed to be suspended on a thread, which the motion of a leaf might rend asunder. But while reason was spared religion cheered and supported her soul. She expressed her perfect submission to God's will, and her readiness at his call to resign herself to his merciful disposal. Death came to her as the messenger of peace, to add another to the countless multitudes of pure, and happy, and immortal spirits. "Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord; for they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." THE Editor of this work had not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with Mrs. Adams; but, relying on the testimony of others, he believes that she was a person of distinguished worth. After assigning the preceding testimony a place in the Disciple, the following was received, we presume from another intimate friend of the deceased. By inserting it we shall doubtless gratify many readers : Obituary notice of the late Mrs. Adams, Lady of President Adams. IN the death of Mrs. Adams, her friends and society lament no ordinary loss. The grave has closed over the mortal remains of one, whose character combined as much practical wisdom and substantial virtue as have ever been possessed by any individual. Society is not adorned with a purer example; virtue had not a firmer prop; religion cannot number among its friends a more rational, intelligent, consistent, serious advocate and disciple. Mrs. Adams was endowed by nature with strong intellectual powers. These were improved by a good education, and by the best use of the advantages afforded by the distinguished station in society which, in mature life, she' was called to occupy, and by that extensive intercourse with mankind to which she was introduced, from her connexion with that great and good man, who was destined by Providence to perform a most important part in the affairs of human life; and who, by a faithful and magnanimous discharge of the highest duties of patriotism and philanthropy, is privileged to be enrolled among the most distinguished benefac tors of his country and of mankind. She might not, perhaps, be called an accomplished woman, as we now use the term, for female education, at the period of her youth, was very different from what it now is; but she was a truly enlightened woman, and adorned with the most valuable accomplishments of the understanding and heart. Her mind was richly stored from various reading, and her taste in polite literature highly cultivated and refined. Her observation of mankind was exact, and her acquaintance with men and things extensive. Her perceptions were quick and penetrating; her judgment sound and mature; her imagination brilliant; and the flashes of her wit, which contined to burst forth even amidst the snows of old age, rendered her the delight of those who were honored with her society. Her conversation was intelligent, frank and independent, and her manners remarkably kind and condescending, combining the greatest sim plicity with a dignity and propriety which always command respect. In her domestic character she shone preeminent. Never was there a more affectionate and faithful mother, and never was a woman more attentive to the ap-` propriate duties of the head of a family. Ordinary minds, when placed in situations such as she occupied, dazzled by the glare of distinction, or inflated by the pride of rank and power, deem the common, yet most important duties and cares of domestic life beneath their regard; but her strength of mind, her excellent principles, her good sense and a high sentiment of duty, preserved her from even the shadow of a reproach of any neglect of this kind. On the contrary, they led her to be most assiduous and punctual in the performance of her family duties and attentive to every arrangement of domestic economy; and her servants and dependants experienced her maternal care and kindness. As a friend and neighbor she evinced a cordial sympathy in the prosperity and adversity of all around her; administering to the relief of the distressed whenever an opportunity was presented, and exhibiting a tender concern in sorrows which it was beyond her power to remove or assuage. The poor of her vicinity have lost in her a discreet and generous benefactor. The excellencies of her character were consummated by religion; this formed its basis; this was the origin of her virtues; and her eminent virtues did honor to the holy source from which they arose. She was a serious and humble Christian. Her religious sentiments were of the most enlightened and enlarged nature, truly worthy of herself; and were of that practical character which gave them an habitual influence over her conduct: they afforded to her direction and support amidst the various trials of a long life;—and, we humbly trust, she has departed to enter upon the rewards of her faith and hopes. The evening of her life was marked by a cheerful serenity, and her virtues, reflecting the mellow tints and the rich lustre of mature age, exhibiting rather the beautiful scenery of autumn than the desolation of winter, imparted delight and instruction to all whose privilege it was to observe her in this interesting and venerable period. Greatness and goodness, intellectual superiority, and a correspondent eminence in virtue, are not always found united ;—in her the combination was consistent and complete; and human nature has seldom, if ever, more fully or more beautifully displayed its noblest attributes. By those persons who knew her, her memory will ever be cherished with the highest veneration. To the young, emulous of the best distinctions which this life affords, her conduct may be held up as one of the purest models for imitation; wisdom and virtue claim her as a favorite daughter; and, those who are capable of estimating the highest order of moral excellence, mourn in her death the removal of one of the richest ornaments of her sex and species. The light and life, long quivering in its socket, has We all have a spark of the imaginative in our system. All experience something of REVERIE When the sun is going down, and in the twilight of a Sabbath eve, how refreshing to view the rosy clouds of the west; and while they flow along the expanse like waves, to pause and listen, as if we might actually receive some breath of their murmuring.But more often, like the enthusiast of nature so finely portrayed by Wordsworth, we contemplate their motion as silent and dream-like: The clouds were touched, And in their silent faces did he read Unutterable love! Sound needed none, Nor any voice of joy: his spirit drank The spectacle! sensation, soul, and form, All melted into him. How many associations, hopes, and remembrances awake in the mind! Some emotions of this nature, produced by a remarkably brilliant sunset, the author of the following Hymn attempted to embody, at the very time of enjoyment. SABBATH EVE, Jan. 1, 1815. We welcome thee, thou HoLY EVÉ: To God and nature dear. But lo! the rainbow waves along Whose beauteous footsteps glow? Who spreads that soft material robe Round Herrick's mount of snow? JEHOVAH's rich effusive smile Illumes the billowy sky, Would HE the blight of wo remove? Still bless our little number, Lord, With mild composure's charm ; Bright faith bestow, celestial beam, Untrembling at alarm. While we implore this light of life, To every friendly heart: And as they view yon new-year throne, Where living glories dwell; Let them, in sweet communion's dream, With warm emotion swell. All hallowed Eve! beloved and pure But ah! thy hues in wayward lapse Pursue their parent sphere ! Farewell to thee, thou Holy Eve, To God and nature dear. 47 |