Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1859 — William Wirt. [ARTICLE]

William Wirt.

“Tlrnre is a better world, of which I have' thought too little.” So wrote Wm. Wirt to Judge Carr in 1831. On the death of one of his daughters, Mr. Wirt wrote to Judge Carr: 5 [“I owe you several letters, my dear friend; i but you are good and kind, and can sllow! for my situation. I have had such a winter as I never had before. Heavy causes to argue, with a broken heart and exhausted strength—when, at every.step, I felt far better disposed to lie down in the grave. Even now lam unfit to write. For me the heavens are hung in mourning, and the earth covered with heaviness. The charm of life is: gone. I look at my beloved wife and my I still remaining ciicle of affectionate children, I and my heart reproaches me with ingratitude | to Heaven. I have been too blessed for my deserts. The selection of the victim is too striking to be misunderstood. “There is a better world, of which I have! thought too little. To that world she has gone, and thither thy affections have followed j her. This was Heuven’s design. I see and! feel it as distinctly as if an angel had re-; vealed it. 1 often imagine that I can see! her beckoning me to the happy world to! which she has gone. She was my companion, my office cam panion,'my librarian, my j clerk. My papers now beur her indorsement. Soe pursued her studies in my office’ by jiny side—sat with me, walked with me—was my inexpressibly sweet and inseparable companion—never left me but to go and sit with her mother. We knew all her intelligence, all her j ure and delicate sensibility, the quickness .Did power of her perceptions, her seraphic love. She was all love, and loved all God’s ?ution, even the animals, trees, and plan: She loved her God and Savior wi h ai: angel's love, and died like a * saint.” About the same time he wrote to his wife: “My sweet angel v sits me, by faith, m ny times in the course of the day and night. 1 want only my blessed Savior’s assurance o’ pirdon and acceptance to be at peace. I wish to find no rest short of rest in Ilim.” Dearest heart, let,us both look up to that Heaven where our, angel is, and from winch she is still permitted to observe us with interest — up to that Heaven where our Savior dwells, und from which He is showing the attractive face of our blessed und harpy chi Id, and bidding us prepare to come to her, since she can no longer come to us.” I have no taste now for worldly business. I go to it reluctantly. I W'ould keep company only with my Savior and his holy book. I dread the world—the strife and contention and umulation of the bar; yet I will do my duty—this is part of my religion.” In December, 1833, another daughter died; but he was armed with Christian patience | i and resignation,’"and writes Judge Cabell: “I look upon life as bearing the ! same sort, though not tlie same degree, ol j relation to eternity as an hour spent at the; theatre, and the fictions there exhibited for ; our instruction, do to the whole of real life. Nor is there a nything in this passing pageant j worth the sorrow we lavish on it. Now, when my children or friends leave me, or when I shall be called to leave them. I con- j sider it as merely parting for the present j visit, to meet under happier circumstances,! where we shall part no more.”