Original Memorials; Or, Brief Sketches of Real Characters (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1822. Excerpt: ... ORIGINAL MEMORIALS. The Walking Bible. At the residence of one of the earliest and best instructors of my youth, the aged P--was a frequent-and most welcome visitor. He was a short, slender man, yet of venerable aspect, and when I last saw him, age had left but few locks upon his head, and they were grey. His hoary head, however, was a crown of glory, for it was found in the way of righteousness. His manners were saintly, at the same time that they were distinguished by simplicity and cheerfulness. His presence inspired awe, but it was the affectionate reverence which was excited by eminent, yet meek and gentle piety. I often in vain have wished, that a memorial of his sterling virtues and of the more remarkable occurrences of his life had been recorded. These occurrences indeed and these virtues were not of a description that would awaken the curiosity or procure the admiration of a world, which is generally taken only with splendid events, and with qualities B which are often more ostentatious and dazzling, than beneficial to their possessor or to mankind. "The short and simple annals of the poor," especially when those annals tell of principles drawn from heavenly sources, and of actions conducted upon such principles, are commonly scorned and overlooked as unworthy of attention and perusal. A few, however, esteem what the many despise. There are those who are more highly delighted by a bright exhibition of Christian graces in " the poor of this world, whom God hath chosen, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him;" than by contemplating the elevated attainments of the sons of science, the schemes of statesmen, or the achievements of warriors. By persons of this class, narratives like that which I now commit ...