xt76125q8c82 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt76125q8c82/data/mets.xml Bishop, Robert H. (Robert Hamilton), 1777-1855. 1824  books b92-155-29771876 English Printed by Thomas T. Skillman, : Lexington, Ky. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Breckenridge, Joseph Cabell, 1788-1824. Another voice from the tomb  : being a funeral sermon, occasionedby the death of Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Esq. Secretary of State. Delivered in M'Chord's Church, Lexington, Ky., sabbath afternoon, February 8th, 1824 / by the Rev. Robert H. Bishop. text Another voice from the tomb  : being a funeral sermon, occasionedby the death of Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Esq. Secretary of State. Delivered in M'Chord's Church, Lexington, Ky., sabbath afternoon, February 8th, 1824 / by the Rev. Robert H. Bishop. 1824 2002 true xt76125q8c82 section xt76125q8c82 
               ANOTHER





                 BEING A





         OCCAS1ONED BY THE DEATH OF


JOSEPH CABELL BRECKINRIDGE, Esq


          SECRETARY OF STATE:


               VELIVER!IFI iN


  I'CHORD'S CHURCH, LEXINGTON, KY.


      Sabbath Afternoon, February 8th, 1824.



    BY THE REV. ROBERT H. BISHOP.


       "lHe being dead-yet speaketh."
       "How many fall as sudden, not as safej"







            LEXINGTON, KY.
       PRINTED BY THOMAS T. SKILLMAN.
                   1824.

 This page in the original text is blank.


 




V VOICE FROMI THE TOMB!



                PSALM C11. 15, 16, 17.

 -Yfsfor nAn, his days are as grass; as ajiower of the
   field, so heflourisheth: For the windpasseth over it,
   and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it
   no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from ever-
   lasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and
   his righteousness unto children's children."

     MY FRIENDS,
   WE are met here this afternoon under circumj
stances peculiarly solemn. A friend-a father-a
husband-a brother-and the son of an aged moth-
er-has been called into Eternity. To the friend of
sinners, and of the distressed-to the Eternal Father
and to his Eternal and well beloved Son-and to the
Eternal Spirit, the sanctifier and the comforter, let
us lift up our eyes and our hearts, that he would be
pleased to bless aburdantly to Lis and to ours this
severe and afflicting dispensation of his holy prov-.
iidence.
  We are called upon to remember that we our-
selves also are mortal, and are passing on with in-
conceivable rapidity to the eternal world-and that
soon, very soon, all the relations in which we stand
to one another shall be dissolved.
  "-Brethren the time is short: it renaineth. that
';oth thex that have Nvives be as tholigh they 11haId

 

                      [ 4 i

nonle; and they that weep, as though they wept
not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced
not; and they that buy, as though they possessed
not; and they that use this world, as not abusing
it: for the fashion of this world passeth away." 1
Cor. vii. 29-31.
  My friends, it is no delusion-the time is it hand,
when our wives shall be widows-and our children
shall be fatherless-and our friends shall be, as far
as we shall have it in our power to assist them, with-
out a friend; and when all our enjoyments, and all our
prospects, and all our sorrows, and all our fears and
anticipations, so far as this world is concerned, shall
be at an end-they shall be gone, and gone forever.
  "As for man, his day are as the grass, as a flower
of the field, so he flourisheth; For the wind passeth
over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof
shall know it no more." Fair and flourishing, and
strong and lasting, to appearance, is that son-
that daughter-that husband-that wife-that coin-
panion and friend.-But these are not the strength
and the beauty of the cedar of Lebanon, nor of the
oaks of Bashan; but the strength and the beauty
of the grass, and of the flower of the field-only an
hour hence, and the wind passeth over it, and it is
"one; and the placeX thereof shall know it no inorec
      Few are thy days, and full of woe,
      o man of woman born.
      Thy doom is written, "Dust thou art,
      And shalt to dust return."
      Behold the emblem of flii) state
      In flowvers that bloom and die;
      Or in the shadow's fleeting fortyi.
      That viocks thc gazer's eve.

 

                      [ :) ]
  Yet still the grave and eternity are not gloomy
things. Nor shall we be forgotten, nor shall we cease
from enjoyment, when our place shall not be known
on earth.
  We are immortal as well as mortal beings, and
the very same principles in our nature by which we
are connected with one another, and endeared tc
one another here, are used to connect us with Eter-
nity, and with the Father of Eternity, and with one
another as his children.
  "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to
everlasting upon them that fear him, and his right-
eousness unto children's children."
  Our earthly friends are continually, daily, and
hourly, disappearing: but if they are the friends of
our Lord Jesus Christ, they are not lost-their rela-
tion to the Everlasting Father, and their interest
in his everlasting mercy, continues unchanged. And
if we also are the friends of our Lord Jesus, they
are not lost to us, nor are we lost to them. Our con-
nection with them, in all that is valuable, continues
also as it was. We are still children of the same
covenant, heirs and enjoyers of the same mercy, and
our new-covenant God is the common centre of
our mutual interests and mutual enjoy ments. Now,
while there may be an infinite variety of ways in
which this connection is maintained betwixt heav-
en and earth-betwixt eternity and time-betwixt the
spirits of just men inade perfect, and spirits yet
dwelling in clay tabernacles-there is one which is
very clearly revealed in the Bible, and revealed as
one of the ebhif sources of consolation i  hen we

 

                         6 3
  are dedrived of our earthly friends. It is this, that
  God himself condescends to sustain to us while on
  earth the very same relation which our departed
  friends sustained to us; and by a parity of reasoning,
  he sustains to our friends in glory the very same
  relation which we on earth sustained to them.
    Thus, while all other things connected with the
 history of man, as an inhabitant of earth, are con-
 tinually changing-the mercy of the Lord is from
 everlasting to everlasting, c.
   We shall illustrate this fact by a reference to a
 few a particular cases.
   1. "For thy Maker is thine husband: The Lord
 of hosts is his namte: and thy Redeemer the Holy
 One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he
 be called." Isaiah 54. 5.
   Instead of a creature, weak and dependant and
changeable in his condition, and in his plans and
purposes, you have here the Creator of all, and the
preserver and the governor of all, the Almighty, as
thy husband. And whatever the earthly husband
had a heart to do, the God of the whole earth, the
maker, and the preserver of all, is ready to do for
thee and for thine. He is the father of the father-
less and a judge of the widows, in his holy habita-
tion. (Psalm 68. 5.) The God of Israel has pledged
his unsullied veracity to (lo all this.
  And shallthesethingsbe known onearth, and shall
they nol be known in heaven and in glory also
The departed husband in heaven will have his hap-
piness increased, and will have his song of triumph
ant of victory excited with a new and a more vigor-

 

                      [ 7 ]

aus impulse from the knowledge of the fact-that his
destitute and bereaved widow-that his helpless and
orphan family, are taken anew under the special
protection of the arm of the Almighty. That from
the single fact that she is a widow, and that they
are fatherless, they have a new claim to the protec-
tion of the God of the whole earth.
  2. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the
Lord pitieth them that fear him. For lie knoweth
our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." Ps.
ciii. 13, 14.
  And again.-A father of the fatherless, as well
as a judge of the widow, is our God in his holy hab-
itation.
  Here again.-Instead of an earthly, and weak and
mortal father, a father who, however strong his affec-
tion might have been, had only limited means, we
have a heavenly Father, an Eternal Almighty Father
-and a Father who, while he knows our frame and
the frame of our helpless and exposed and destitute
infants, has compassion and care and attention, and
power to relieve, as extensive as the universe, as
extensive, and as durable as eternity. Man of vio-
lence and deceit, beware of oppressing the widow
and the fatherless! Their judge is just and terri.
ble!
  And while the Father of mercies is watching over
the bereaved children on earth, and while those chil-
dren with all their infirmities shall know that their
heavenly father cares for them, and enters into all
their delicate feelings-while these things are known
and felt on earth, will not the glorified father in,

 

                      L 8 I
 heaven know also, and know in a for irorw extrn.
 dive and perfect manner, that his child-an are the
 watched over-thus provided for-thus chtrleed and
 comforted.
 Will he not know that, while all other schemes
 of speculation have failed, and while his cstildren
 are thrown upon the wide world without an inherit-
 ance-one charter-the charter of the everlasting
 Covenant, has continued unbroken. Will it Hct
 be known in heaven as well as upon earth, that the
 "mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlast-
 ting upon them that fear him, and his righteoasness
 unto children's children"-
 And will not the knowledge of these facts in heav-
 en cheer the heart, and animate the devotion of the
 glorified father in heavtn, as well as the bereaveil
 and helpless children on earth They will. Un
 doubtedly they will.
 One class of factss more.
 3. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondagt
 again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
 adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spir-
 it itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are
 the children of God: And if children, then heirs;
 heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ: if so be
 that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorifi-
 ed together. For I reckon, that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us." Rom. viii. 15
-18. "For it became him, for whom are all thigs,
and by whom are all things, in bringin!c many song
unto glory, to make the Captain of therr saivatibo

 
                      t 9 j
perfect through sufferings. For both he that sant-
tifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one:
for which cause he is not ashamed to call them
brt'ahren, saying, I will declare thy nanme unto my
bre'.hren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise
unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him.
And again, Behold, I and the children which God
hath-given me. Forasmuch then as the children
are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself
liken ise took part of the same; that through death
he might destroy him that had the posicr of death,
that is, the devil; 1ud deliver them who through
fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bond-
age. For verily he took not on him the nature of
aBgeis; but he took on. him the seed of lbraham.
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made
like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful
and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,
to make reconciliation for the sins of the people:
For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted,
he is aile to succour them that are tempted." Heb.
ii. 10-trend.
  rhe general principle in both these passages, is
the same, and it is clear and decisive, bearing upon
our present subject. It is-that the union which
takes place on earth, betwixt an individual on one
Part--anl the head of the new covenant, and all
the children of the new covenant, on the other-is
n indissoluble or everlasting union: and that
through our Lord Jesus Christ, as the living Head,
by meanl of the one eternal, regenerating, sancti-
                        2

 
                     j710 3

fying and comforting Spirit, this union is a. union of"
social intercourse as well as of social interest.
  As children and heirs,. even heirs of God, afi4
joint-heirs with Christ, we sqfer with him here, that
we may also be glorified together. The stifferioig
and the glory then, are connected, and will contin-
ie to be connected till glory has swallowed up all
suffering.
  H-e who sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified,
are all of one. One, and eternally one with the Son
of God's love and with one another. The Son of
God condescended to assume and wear our nature;
wear that nature, both in earth and in heaven-both
in time and through eternity-for the express pur-
pose that he Light be able to enter into all our feel-
ings, both in our mortal and immortal state; be one
with us in all our sorrows, and finally make us on e
with him in his joys. These then may serve as spe-
cimens of the genera. principle.
  Man, as an inhabitant of this earth, is of but very
short duration-and all our relations which have
this earth only for their object, are soon, very soon,
to be dissolved; but the Father of mercies has been
pleased to connect man with himself-and by means
of this connection to connect man with a large por-
tion of his fellowv men in such a way, that though our
earthly friends may disappear, they are not lost ei-
ther to themselves or to us.
  Now the practical improvement which we ought
to make of this great and leading fact, is vety plain.
We love our earthly friends, and they love us, and we
cannot think of parting with our friends and relatienru

 


                     i it1]
without a pang. And if our social relations are re-
ally useful and agreeable, we wish that they should
continue forever. Now the gospel of God's Son
presents the only rational hope of our realizing
these our wishes. It is this gospel alone which gives
at once elevation and permancency to our most
agreeably earthly feelings. You, my friend, look to
your husband-you look to your wife-you look to
your son-you look to your daughter-you look to
your bosom friend-to your second self-and Ohs
you cannot, even in anticipation, bear the thought of
the hours of separation!
  By all that is tender then in human nature, as
well as by all that is awful in eternity, let me in
God's name this evening beseech you to secure an
interest in the head of the pew covenant, first for
yourself, and then so far as your influence, and your
prayersand entreaties,and example, and admonition
can extend-from this hour hence, let them bear
upon this one point-that husband-that wife-
that son-that daughter-that bosom friend, may
also with you be an heir of that God, and an joint-
heir with Christ.
  Our departed friend was every thing which a
friend, and a husband, and- a father, and a son
could be. And he was in most cases consider-
a1bly more than what we expected of himn. That
is, in all these varied relations he generallv antici-
pated out expectations. Now, ought we not to be
grateful-that the Father of mercies did bestow
-upon us and upon our friends such a gift; and did in
his good providence continue him with us. (while hl

 


                     [ 12 ]

was with us) in all his usefulness. This was no
.common mercy.
   He was taken from us suddenly. In the prime
 and vigour of life. In the very midst of most ex-
 tensive and important public and private business.
 Ali, my friends, let us be admionished--to have our
 loins girded and our lamps burning, for at such an
 hour as we think not our Lord may come.
   But though he is gone, he is not we trust lost.
And though he was taken away suddenly and un-
expectedly, he was not unprepared. Nor did the
evidence of his having been an heir of God, and a
a joint-heir with Christ, depend on an interview with
him upon his death lsed.
   He is not lost. He is only gone a little way in
advance. ILis relation with the living Head, and
with the household of God, remains unbroken. His
cares and anxieties onlv are gone, and his enjoy-
ments are Inade complete and permanent.
  JOSEPH CABELL BRECKINRIDGE was the son of the
Hon. John Breckenridge, the framer of our state
constitution, and for sone time Attorney General of
the United States, and Ma ry IfopkinsCabell, both of
Virginia. Ile was their second child, and first son,
born in AlbIemarle co;unty, Virginia, on the 24th of
July, 1788. After a short residence there his par-
ents removed to the state of Kentucky, and estab-
1-shed themselves in 1792, in the 5th year of his age,
in the town of Lexington. Shortly afterwards the
family lecamc permanently settled on a farm near
the town, and Mr. Breclkinridrge was at once and
fullh identified with the interests of tcre state of

 

                     [13 1

Kentucky. About the age of 14 he placed his so)
Joseph in a Grammar School in his native state, with
the object of preparing his young mind for fuiture and
extensive usefulness. It was in this school, while
sitting under the powerful preaching of the Rev. Dr.
Archibald Alexander, now a distinguished professor
in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, New-Jer.
sey, that he received his first religious impressions.
Here his convictions, though quite a boy, were deep,
and continued for some time to affect his feelings
and life. But by the providence of God lie was
soon afterwards removed from the ministerial instruc-
tions of this great and good man, to a school in the
west, in which the budd ing hope of the gospel in
his heart was withered by the pestilent breath of in-
fidelity. [See Note A.]
  After the necessary acqnirements were made, he
was taken by his father to the College of New-Jer-
sey, at Princeton, in the autumn of 1804. He was
here received into one of the lowver classes of the in-
stitution, and coatinued his connection with it in his
progress through the course of study ordinarily pur-
sued there, until the sudden death of his father cal-
ed hin home to his bereaved family, in the winter of
t8f06-7. Thle solemn responsibilities connected
with beconing, almost in his boyhood, the head of a
large family, and the principal agent in adjusting the
concerns of an extensive and complicated estate,
deeply affected his nind, and suddenly impressed
a gravity, a prudence, a decision and maturity upon
his character, which were beyond his years. Be-
fore fullv entering on. these important and trying

 

                      [ 4 ]

services, lie returned, in 1808, to the Callegi. X,
New-Jersey, and graduated with distinguished hop-
our in 1810.
  It Buas during the latter stay at PrIncetonu that
he became attached to the daughter of the Rev.
President, Mary Clay Smith, whom he afterwArdv
married and brought with him to his native state.
Here in retirement we find him directing the ed-
ucation of the rising family of which he had be-
come a foster father, and preparing himself, in
the intervals which were spared from the variouR
duties arising out of this relation, for the practice
of the law. It was while thus engaged that he
was called, by an appointment from General Sam-
uel Hopkins, to the office of his aid-de-camp, to en-
gage in an expedition against the western Indians.
He was now the head and hope of two families, and
it was not without a convulsive struggle that they
could surrender him to a service of exposure and
peril-or he leave, perhaps forever, his weeping
and dependant kindred. But it was the call of
his country. He obeyed-and after two campaigns,
occupying together several months, he was restpor-
ed by a kind providence to the bosom of his friends.
  After his return lie finished his preparatory sth-
dies. and was admitted to the bar of Kentucky.
Hie soon after settled himself in Lexington, and en-
tered upon the regular practice of his pression.
It need rot be told his fellow citizens how rapidly
lie grew upon public notice, regard, and patronage.
Vcry s-oon after his establishment in Lexington he
was literally compelled by his friends, against his

 
                     [ 15 ]

ewh views, to enter into political life. He was e-
lected repeatedly to the state legislature from Fay-.
ette county, find soon rose to the speaker's chair,
almost in his political and personal boy hood. This
office he filled with great dignity, firmness, aind pib-
lic approbation, during his continuance in that hon-
ourable body.
  On the accession of General Adair to the guber-
natoral chair of the state, he was designs ted by pub-
lic opinion as well as by the governor himself, for
the office of Secretary of State. This fact, connect-
ed with the professional inducements of the place,
determined him in the choice of Franklfort as a place
of residence. He accordingly removed weith his fam-
ily to it in the spring of 1621. Here he continued, dis-
charging the various and responsible duties which
devolved upon him, and growing daily in the affec-
tions and gratitude of his country, till he was called
to a better country and a better home.
  But what is especially interesting in this imper-
fect sketch, is, his relation to the church of the Lord
Jesus Christ. The convictions which so deeply af-
fected his soul at: the age of fourteen were never ell-
tirely effaced, but continued in unequal degress, a-
midst the changes of opinion, and habit, and so-
'ciety, to which his circumstances and natural char-
acter exposed him. At College, while studying the
Evidences of Christianity, under the instruction of
Dr. Smith, his principles became firmly and finally
fixed in favour of the divine authority of the Bi-
ble, and though still a stranger to the sanctifying
influieneo of the doctrines of revelation, he took his

 
                      [16 ]

stand, and became an advocate for their being
taught and studied in connew1on with every thing
else. And. follosking tip this tFsst principle, it was
by his faithful hand (though before he had became
a practical follower of the Saviour) that those seeds
were first suwn, which, under God, have grown up
for the service of the church in the person of a
younger brother.
  Under the same general principle, while he stu-
died the history of the world, and particularly the
history of the laws and politics of his own country,
with a view of devoting himself to her service, he
read and studied his Bible-the history of the church,
and of the providence of God-the statement of the
general principles tunder which God has from the be-
ginning governed the world-the history of the first
nations of the earth, as given by the Spirit of God,
andI the charter of the heavenlV inheritance,-and
while he read and studi d this sacred volume, the
Spirit of God breathed upon his understanding and
his heart, and he was more and more attached to the
truth as it was in Jesus.
  These impressions were still farther cherished by
his lot being cast under the ministry of the lanment-
ed James M'Chord. Under the faithful ministry of
this servant of the Redeenmer, amidst the pressing
cares of public life and professional business, and
amidst innumerable other temptations, lhe became
convinced of his lost condition as a sinner, and ob--
tained also some clear views of the onIly method of
qalvation. He endeavotired for himself to accept

 

                       [ 17 J
 of the tender of mercy, and to resolve in God's
 strength to be for the Lord and not for another.
   Being convinced of the truth as it is revealed
in the Bible, he was not ashamed to confess his
Lord and Master before men. Very soon after his
appearance at the bar, he made, in the house where
we are now assembled, a public profession of his
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He solemnly devo-
ted himself, and his all, to him who loved the sonls
of men, and who washed them in his blood. He
was the first Lawyer in Lexington who did so, ci-
ther in this, or in any other hotisf of worship-and
he was also probably the first Lawyer, (and the. first
representative from Fayette co rnty, who regularly
carried his Bible with hinm from Lexington to Frank-
fort, whether he was attending to his duties in
the courts of Law, or in the hall of Legislation.
  Having set his face heaven-wvard, he pursued a
steady course. In the public assemblies of the
saints-in his family-in his social intercourse with
his friends-in all his intercourse with men, he gave
decisive evidence that he considered it at once his
privilege, his honour, and his safety, to have his
destiny, and the destiny of his family, connected
with the destiny of that kingdom which shall en-
dure forever. And it was here, and here cnly,
my friends and fellow mortals, that he was never
disappointed. It was here, and here only, that
his enjoyments exceeded his most sanguine expec-
tations. In all his other plans and pursuits and
prospects, there were many heavy and unexpected
disappointments-here he enjoyed real, solid, and in.
                        3.

 



creasing satisfaction. Here his enjoyment, eveb tp-
on earth exceeded his hopes.
   His Christian profession was as the path of the
just, which shineth more and more unto the perfect
day. His views of the leading articles of the chris-
tian faith were from the beginning clear, extensive
and accurate; but his knoledge of the practical
influence of these doctrines upon the heart, and upon.
the life, and upon the interests of civil and religious
societywas at the c(tnimienucment of his course ve-
ry imperfect. His knowx ledge of the doctrines of
Christianity, was acquired by the calmi and patient
investigations of the closet, previously to his having
much intercourse with christian men, or his being
much iin(ler the influence of Christian institutions.
His knowledge of Christian practice was the result
of his own experience and personal observation, af-
ter he was publickla connected with the church.
His religion, was, first intelligence and then feel-
ing. His character as a religious wan was con-
sequently somewhat different (though essentially
the same) from those whose feelings take the
lead of their understanding. Hence, while there
was in his short Christian course, perhaps, little
addition to his stock of what is usually called the-
ological knowledge, his intimate friends marked with
pleasure his rapid advances in humnility-in pa-
tience and resignation to the divine will-in confi-
dence in the l)ronuises, and in love toward God and
man.
  The difficulties with which he had to contend is
mnaintaining his Christian profession, were some what

 

                     E 19 j
different from those of the most of his fellow pro
febsors. He had fronm early life, perhaps from child-
hood, formed the resolution of being a public char-
acter. And no son of the west ever had more en-
couraging prospects. His acquirements in classicial
and scientifick literature, were considerable. His
knowledge of history, and of the principles of gener-
al policy, extensive. He was blest with that kind of
mind, and with that kind of talents, which render-
ed his company always desirable, whether reliaxa-
tion, or innocent andi cheerful amusement, or seri-
ous and interesting information, was the object of
social ivt-rcourse-and his connection with men
and with families of respectability and influence,
was extensive. Now, ou his assuming a christian
profession, and upon his feeling the weight and the
extent of Christian responsibility, he was placed,
fromn these circumnstances alone, in a situation which
few, very few indeed, either of the men of the world,
or of his fellower professors, fully understood. And
if ever a harsh thought was cherished against him,
by either friend or foe, it was because his situation
at the time was not understood.
  He was not a hypocrite, who had assumed the
christian profession, and ws'ho had cultivated chris-
tian acquaintances, merely to make all subservient to
some political project. He had connected himself
vith the church of the fiving God, for the purpose
more specially of promnoting his own personal salva-
won, and the salvation of his ftnimil)y. His political!
principles were also decidedly oppose( to ally, the
most distant,alliance b)etwixt church anD state. Ilenor

 

                      [ 20 j
 he was equally opposed to his making his civil or pox
 litical connections subservient in the least to his re-
 ligious character, or subservient to the views or par-
 ty namnes of his religious friends.
   Nor was he a religious enthusiast, who supposed
 that upon his becon.ing a Christian he was to re-
 nounce at once and forever all intercourse and con-
 nection with the world, or with the nmen of the world.
 He had devoted himself, soul and body, to his Maker
 and his Saviour, but he was to serve his God and
 his Saviour by attending to the duties of his pro.
 fession, and by his having, while doing his own bu-
 siness, and while transacting the business of others
 anal of the commonwealth, extensive and frequent,
 and in some cases intimate, connection with men
 who were not only strangers to religion, but with
 Len who were hostile to the very forms of Christi-
 anity. And to maintain a christian profession, and
 to live a life of piety, under such circumstances, was
 no ensy task. That he succeded in acting out the
 christian life, in all its extent, under these circuin-
 stances, we affirm not. "If we say we have no sin,
 we deceive ourselves. and the truth is not in us.",
 But this mutch we say, that under all circumstances,
 and in every situation, there was a something about
 Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, which at once distin-
 guished him from the men of the world, and also
 from theim who have only 'a name to live while dead.
 His principles of action were generally correct-but,
 like all other men, he sometimes failed in applying
these general principles to particular cases; vet eved

 

                     [r2 ]
in his failures, he gave evidence of the influence of
christian principle apd ardent piety.
  He became a citizen of Lexington, and begun the
world, when speculation of every kind, was in Lex-
ington at its zenith. His plans were extensive and
his hopes high, and he partook considerably of the
spirit of the times, and the spirit of the place.
Inexperience, a sanguine temper, and too much con-
fidence in men, exposed him at this tine to miscal-
culation -unfortunate pecuniary ventures, and con-
sequent pecuniary losses.-It will be. well for our
town, and for our country at large, if the spirit of
speculation-producing sudden and artificial gain,
or deep and intolerable loss-affect them as they
did our departed friend, towards heaven.-It will
be well, if it only give, with sudden wealth. more
mearls of serving God-or, with sudden losses here,
more love to that kingdom where "moth and rust
cannot corrupt" possession, and to that God "with
whom there is no variableness, nor shadow of turn-
ing." It wifl be well indeed, if it do not unsettle
the foundation-principles of society, and mingle with
the causes not only of personal, but national corrup-
tion, and -national ruin.
  The commencement of his public life was as flat-
tering as could have been desired. The largest
vote which ever had been given in Fayette county,
marked at once the respect which the community
paid to the talents and to the services of the de.
ceased father, and the hopes and confidence which
they cherished towards thew son. Nor amidst the ev-
er-changing opinions and changing political parties,

 

                     [ 22 j
which are inherent in the very nature of popular
governments, did he in the course of his life lose ei,-
ther his independence of mind, or in any degree
his honours or his influence. It is believed that he
enjoyed, at his death, the public confidence to as
great an extent as any other individual in the state
did, and was, both as a statesman and a lawyer, on
the high road to the first honours and emoluments
which his country had to bestow. But he is gone.
His days were as the grass; as a flower of the field
so he flourished: the wind passed over him, and he is
gone; and his place in his family, among his nunmer-
ous friends, in the courts of law, in the councils of
the nation, shall no more be occupied by him.
  And, Oh, my friends and fellow mortals! this
would be a day of gloom and of sorrow indeed,
could we not add-'"But the mercy of the Lord is
from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear
him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
to such as keep his covenant, and to those that re-
member his comrnandinents to do them."
  Nor was he cult off alone. Another very tender,
but fair anad pro miisin,-.