his grandson following his steps in the sacred ordinance, administered by him at whose hands he had received it four years before. He was an earnest, consistent member, laboring with cheerful zeal in the Sunday Schools, attending the public and devotional meetings, sometimes at great sacrifice of personal comfort, always ready with his word of testimony, full of the missionary spirit, devoted to the prosperity of the church, making its interests paramount to all other considerations. Such a life, of necessity, exercises an almost controlling influence over those in contact with it. Mr. Kendall had attained his eightieth year; his increasing infirmities admonished him and his friends that his time was short. After a confinement to the house of about four months, during which his strength was perceptibly failing, though his mind continued perfectly clear, apparently gaining in vigor, as his physical weakness increased, on the 12th of November, 1869, his spirit took its flight. A few hours before his death he called Will to his bedside and gave him the following words of admonition: Christian influence. Words from the dying Christian. Do good everywhere. Moral duties. Christian faith. MR. KENDALL'S DYING WORDS TO HIS GRAND- "You have been a good child; be faithful. Do all God enables you to in his cause, not only in the Calvary Baptist Church, but everywhere; for this religion is not confined to persons or individuals; but whatever your duty is, I hope you may ever be able to perform it. "In the first place, comply with all your moral duties in the Old and New Testaments; fulfil your duties to your fellow-men; do not deceive them for any purpose, but go through life an honest man as your grandfather has endeavored to do. What I would add to that is christian faith, which is the only assurance we can have for any immortality at all. Be true. Be useful and honest with your fellow men. Be true and faithful to your christian profession. Do all you can in every proper way to promote Christ's kingdom here on earth while you live. Be honest; go straight forward. There is one point upon which you cannot deviate: whatever you have belongs to your creditors, if you get in debt, rather than to yourself. First satisfy them; conceal nothing; be direct and honest. If we "Be honest-honest first and last. No man can be a true christian who is not in all his transactions truthful and honest. cannot get along according to the principles of the Bible, we cannot get along at all." The solemn and impressive circumstances under which these words were spoken by the dying saint of eighty years, were well calculated to impress the heart of the christian boy of seventeen. That scene and those words he never forgot. His profound respect and reverence for the character of his grandfather gave them additional force. He had witnessed his daily walk as it illustrated and confirmed his profession, and his young heart was impressed with the conviction that there was an intense reality in a truly christian life. Whatever resolutions he made, or prayers he offered then and there, were never known; but his life, with all its energies and possibilities, was unreservedly and joyfully consecrated to the triumphs of the gospel. Every thought, purpose, and plan were subordinate to this great, absorbing consideration. In Honest first and last. Solemn impressions pro duced. Returns home. Admitted to college. study and pleasure, at home and abroad. with friends or strangers, wherever he was, and whatever his circumstances, the great purpose of his life was ever kept prominently in view-to honor the name of his Master and promote the triumphs of his cause. The school in Philadelphia was closed on account of ill health of the principal. Will returned home, and in the autumn of 1869 entered the private school of Mr. Young on Fourteenth street. Here he applied himself to study, entering with zest upon his duties, keeping along in music, taking an active part in church and Sunday School work, until June, 1871, when he was admitted to the Freshman class of the University of Rochester, as he tells us in the following letter: Osborn House, Rochester, June 26, 1871. DEAR FATHER I have just returned from the University, having passed the examination without a condition. Will probably leave here next Thursday for Hartford and Rockville. If not too much trouble, please tell Mr. Young of my success. From Rochester he went to visit friends at Southport, Conn., whose acquaintance he made abroad. From there he writes: DEAR FATHER Southport, July 10, 1871. My sojourn here has been very pleasant. Mr. M. and Miss J. do all they can to make it pleasant for me. I expect to leave next Wednesday, the 12th instant, for Rockville. Uncle John and Aunt Mary want me to make a visit there, so I will go Wednesday. Yesterday I attended service at the Congregational church. The preacher gave us a moral discourse, prefacing it by the affirmation, "I am a Republican," and taking for his subject-"Take care of No. 1." His text was the 4th verse of the 2d chapter of Phillippians. After church I stayed to Sunday School. After singing from the "Happy Voices," prayer was offered, but it was impossible to understand more than half that was said. The Asst. Supt. gave me a class of two boys, but they only distinguished themselves by their remarkable dullness. I asked "What happened 1871 years ago?" Quite a pause Visits Southport Conn. Comments on Sunday services. Teaches a class in Sabbath School. |