We append some extracts from the sources referred to, which will abundantly confirm the truth of our remarks: "At a special meeting of the Board of Officers and Managers of the American Sunday-School Union, held at their house. Philadelphia, August 16, 1847, the following minute in reference to the decease of Alexander Henry, late President of the Society, was unanimously adopted: "It having pleased our heavenly Father to remove from the scene of his labor and usefulness Alexander Henry, the revered and much-loved president of our society, the Board of Managers would record their sense of this afflicting dispensation. "When the project was adopted to organize a society to supervise and aid in the work of supplying our whole country with the blessings of Sabbath-school instruction, it was an important object to place at the head of the institution a man of high personal piety, of sound judgment, and of commanding influence. Such a man was found in Alexander Henry. Enjoying, in an eminent degree, the respect of this community, with a wide-spread reputation as a Christian and a philanthropist, the friends of the cause sought his co-operation. It was an experiment involving no small pecuniary hazard, and one in which failure would bring upon its leaders mortification and reproaches. These, however, were considerations not to deter a man like Mr. Henry from entering with all his heart on a scheme of benevolence which promised such vast benefits to our country, to the cause of humanity, and, above all, tending to the advancement of our Redeemer's kingdom. "With a sagacity and prudence well suited to such a station, the result of a strong mind, acute observation, and great experience, he entered on the duties of the office twenty-three years since; and although of late desiring to be discharged, when the infirmities of age disabled him from taking an active part in the business of the society, he has been re-elected by the unanimous voice of his associates, at each returning year. During this long period, with the excep tion of the past few years, he has presided at our meetings, and taken an active part in all our operations. His whole course has manifested the enterprise, the judgment, and the prudence of a wise and good man. 66 Combining expanded views with a judicious execution of well-selected plans, he spared neither the ardor of his mind nor his great personal influence, nor free and large supplies of pecuniary aid. "The enterprise has succeeded. The cause of Christian instruction has been extended, and at the present time there are more than two hundred thousand teachers associated with this society, engaged in the effort to impart religious instruction on the Lord's day;' and, to a great extent, the fundamental design of the society has been executed, in planting a Sunday-school wherever there is a population.' "We have cause of gratitude to God, in behalf of our country, that he has given us such a man, and has continued his services to a period so far beyond the ordinary term of a man's life. Now that he is removed, we feel sensibly how severe is our loss. We mourn a great and good man, taken from a post of eminent usefulness: for his very name, which was so intimately blended with our own, carried weight and influence wherever it went. Therefore, "Resolved, That while we thank God for the blessing bestowed in the gift of his servant, now departed from us, we cannot but deplore the severe loss to the society, to our country, and to the cause of truth in the world. We reverently bow to the will of the All-wise Disposer of all things, praying that he will raise up those who may manfully and successfully bear the banners of his people, in their conflict with the powers of darkness, causing truth and holiness to triumph over ignorance and sin. "Resolved, That the officers and managers, with all persons in the service of the society, will attend the funeral of our deceased president. "Resolved, That the sympathies of the Board be expressed to the family of Mr. Henry, on this their great bereavement, with our prayers that they may enjoy the consolation which God so freely gives to his children, and of which they may assuredly partake who can confidently trust in the happiness of a faithful, humble follower of the Lord." Extract from the remarks of Dr. Stephen H. Tyng, of New York, at the Twenty-fourth Anniversary of the American Sunday-school Union: "But, sir, since last I saw you at this anniversary, I cannot but remark that I miss a form which I have been long accustomed to see. Reading, the other day, the life of Robert Housman, of Lancaster, it was remarked, that when his family obtained a painter from London, in order to secure a permanent likeness of the beloved and venerable man, the painter declared it was impossible for him to pursue his art with any success, because when he looked upon his countenance it seemed as if he was looking at heaven itself. Sir, may I not be allowed to say, without extravagance, that on previous occasions there has been the face of one among us, occupying the place which you occupy to-night, the sight of which brought to our remembrance the idea of a better, a higher, a calmer, and a holier world than shall ever be found on earth, till Jesus shall come again, to make the leopard, and the wolf, and the lamb, and the kid, and the young lion lie down together. To say we miss him, is to speak the sentiments, the universal feelings which have been diffused throughout the entire religious community; for where such a character is found, it will bring unlimited respect and honor, and reverence and love. As long as superior benevolence, exalted faith, and spotless virtue-as long as Christianity shall command the confidence of mankind, the name of Alexander Henry will be cherished with respect, and admiration, and delight. Distinguished alike by all the accomplishments which adorn the Christian character, he has gone to be recompensed for his unlimited benevolence, his honorable labors, his undisputable faith, his Christian walk and conversation, and his holy life. Oh! sir, that his mantle may fall upon his successor, giving him not only his dignity in office, but the uniform greatness of character displayed to such an eminent degree by our departed and lamented brother in Christ." From the minutes of the Board of Education of the Presbyterian Church: "At a meeting of the Board of Education of the Presbyterian Church, held at the Education Rooms, Philadelphia, August 23, 1847, the following minute was unanimously adopted : "God having been pleased in his all-wise Providence to remove from this life Alexander Henry, our distinguished and beloved president, the Board, whilst mourning over their great loss, feel it a duty they owe to the Church, as well as to their own sympathies, to record their testimony to the eminent worth and public services of their departed associate. "Alexander Henry has been for more than forty years an active promoter of the cause of ministerial education in the Presbyterian Church. Long before the Board of Education was organized, the sagacious mind and benevolent heart of this elder in our Zion realized the importance of assisting pious and indigent young men in preparing for the gospel ministry. When the Philadelphia Education Society came into existence, he was a leading executive officer in conducting its affairs; often corresponding with the young men, cultivating their personal intercourse, keeping the accounts, and exerting a prominent influence in the management of educational affairs. His sound and enlightened judgment, as well as his extensive experience, enabled him to render the most valuable aid at all times, particularly when the Board of Education was organized by the General Assembly in 1819, and reorganized on a larger basis in 1831. He had the head to devise salutary measures for the education of our candidates, the heart to sympathize with them in their poverty, the hand to carry into execution, and the purse to furnish supplies. Many a preacher of the gospel in the Presbyterian Church has received his education through the counsels, the prayers, and the liberality of Alexander Henry. "At the reorganization of the Board in 1831, he was unanimously elected president, which office he held until his death. All the operations of the Board, until the recent period of the sickness of our revered president, have been so intimately connected with his personal influence and agency, that we feel sensibly indeed his departure. But while we mourn, far be it from us to murmur. 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.' He 'rests from his labors, and his works do follow him.' "The Board adopt the following resolutions as expressive, in a more official manner, of their sentiments on the occasion of their bereavement: "1. Resolved, That in the death of Alexander Henry, the Board of Education of the Presbyterian Church has lost an early, steadfast, and efficient friend, a sympathizing and wise counselor, an enterprising and judicious executive officer, a liberal patron, and an honored president. "2. Resolved, That we adore the Divine goodness which gave and preserved, for so long a time, so faithful a public servant to the Church, while we acknowledge with resignation the severity of the dispensation which has taken him away. Amid the sorrows of his death, we find a solace in his past life, as well as in his hopeful translation to a better world, through the merits of Jesus Christ." Extract from the Twenty-fourth Annual Report of the Provident Society of Philadelphia for the Employment of the Poor : "Since our last report, we have with sorrow to record the decease of the venerable and excellent president of the association, Alexander Henry, who has been long among us a bright and shining light, whose benevolence has called forth the blessing of those who were ready to faint, and caused the heart of the widow to sing for joy; having endeavored faithfully to discharge the duties of the stewardship committed to him, he has, we humbly believe, entered into rest, with the welcome salutation of 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' May his example stimulate us to go and do likewise." From the minutes of the Board of Managers of the House of Refuge of Philadelphia :— "Whereas, it hath pleased the Supreme Director of all things, in his wise providence, to remove our venerable and beloved president; and whereas, we are desirous of expressing the high regard we entertain for his great worth; therefore, "Resolved, That in the death of Alexander Henry, the House of Refuge has lost one of its earliest, most steadfast, and generous friends, the community a valued, useful, and upright citizen, and the poor a liberal benefactor. "The Board of Managers respectfully report:- "At a later period, the demise of their honored and respected president, Alexander Henry, Esq., deprived the Board of the services of one who, from the establishment of the institution, had been among its ablest and warmest friends. Eulogy is unnecessary for one whose name is embalmed in the memory of all who knew him; whose benevolence-that delighted in doing good by stealth-and whose Christian graces had long made him pre-eminent as a faithful follower of his Master." From the minutes of the Magdalen Society of Philadelphia : "Whereas, it has pleased God, in his Divine Providence, to remove from the scene of his earthly labors our venerable and venerated president, Alexander Henry, Esq., who for the space of forty years has taken an active part in the management of this institution, and labored with distinguished zeal for the advancement of its welfare and usefulness; therefore, "Resolved, That the society record their sense of the wisdom, fidelity, and benevolence, with which their late president discharged the duties of his office, and which rendered his services so peculiarly adapted to promote and secure the objects for which our institution was founded. "Resolved, That the society do express their affectionate respect for the many virtues which adorned the character of the deceased, and made his life an example of unvarying Christian consistency and eminent usefulness." From The Presbyterian : "He was president of the Board of Education of the Presbyterian Church, and also of the American Sunday-school Union, at the time of his death. He was for many years the oldest member, and the last of the sixty gentlemen who founded the Hibernian Society of Philadelphia. Mr. Henry was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he was ever characterized for his integrity and uprightness, united to sound judgment and great liberality of character. He retired from active business many years since, with an ample fortune, and for the last ten years had been much confined from his gradually declining health. His long life had been a continued exercise of benevolence, and the sanctity of a bright religious faith ennobled his motives, whilst it gave a wise direction to his actions. The various institutions which have derived benefit from his counsels, or aid from his generosity, will feel that they have lost much in the departure of one whose willing zeal for usefulness made him respected and valued wherever he was called to act. "His funeral took place on Tuesday morning last, 17th instant, and was attended in a body by several of the institutions to which he belonged, and a large concourse of friends and citizens." From a New York periodical: "You will be pained to hear of the decease of Alexander Henry, Esq., of Philadelphia, who died on Friday morning last, full of years, and ripe for the inheritance of the sanctified in glory. A long life of consistent piety and active benevolence is crowned with the reward of the faithful, Unlike most men of wealth, he consecrated his ample fortune to the glory of God, and employed it in those acts of beneficence which promote the best interests of mankind. In all the benevolent efforts of the age he took a lively interest, and aided them by his influence and by liberal benefactions. He adopted the wise course of being, to a great extent, his own executor, and dispensed his charities with a view of witnessing and enjoying the good they accomplished while he lived. We cannot but feel that many wealthy Christians fall into serious error in determining to hold on to their possessions till they are obliged to relinquish them by the summons of death. How far liberality under such circumstances is accounted true benevolence by Him who sees with a perfect vision, we shall not presume to decide. Certain it is that the gospel method for every man to distribute 'as God hath prospered him,' is wiser and better. Such a use of property will not foster a grasping, avaricious spirit, and will promote and perfect all the Christian graces. It is not the mere possession of wealth that endangers the spiritual welfare of good men, but the temptation to use it in a way that piety forbids. It is unfaithfulness, as the stewards of God's bounty, that so often renders riches a snare and a curse. Mr. Henry was happily exempt from that propensity so com mon, to hold on to his possessions till they were wrested from him by death. Almost every benevolent enterprise shared in his liberality, and the blessings of many who were aided by his more private charities will shed a hallowed influence around his grave. Religion, with him, was not a matter of heartlessness and formality, but a living, vital principle, purifying his heart, and exerting a controlling influence over his life. "It was our privilege a short time since to see this good man, and hear from his own lips his joyful testimony to the preciousness of that Saviour in whom he believed. He viewed himself as standing on the verge of the grave, and looked beyond it with exulting hope to the glory which shall be revealed. Death was disarmed of his terrors, and the grave of its gloom. He spoke not of righteousness of his own, but was full of ecstacy in contemplating the merits of his atoning and exalted Redeemer. One such example of the power of faith puts the seal of eternal condemnation upon all the schemes of human device to obtain pardon and salvation. "In Christ there is a foundation broad enough and deep enough for every possible emergency. The soul rests there without a fear or a doubt. The storms that beat upon us only make our refuge the more secure, and enable us triumphantly to exclaim-Oh, death, where is thy sting? Oh, grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' 66 Among the objects of benevolence, the American Sunday-school Union shared largely in the sympathies and benefactions of Mr. Henry. He had long been the president of this institution, and contributed to a wide extent by his influence and his means to its prosperity and usefulness. The Presbyterian Church, of which he was a valued member, has sustained a great loss. Every good enterprise will feel that one of its pillars has been removed. gone. He rests from his labors, and his works do follow him.' "Along the gentle slope of life's decline He bent his gradual way, till, full of years, From the North American : But he is "We regret deeply to announce that this venerable man expired yesterday morning, in the 82d year of his age. Mr. Henry's long and useful life was passed in Philadelphia, and the mercantile profession, in which he amassed his large and well-earned fortune, was dignified by his unfaltering integrity, his large and liberal views, and his practical illustration of the duties of a merchant. He grew old in the midst of a community which honored him for his worth, and his latter years were passed in the ease his early labors justly entitled him to. But the peculiar excellence of his life was the philanthropy which distinguished him, and the zeal with which he entered into plans for the diffusion of religion, and labored to give those plans the effectiveness which produces desired results. The various institutions in this and other cities which have derived benefit from his counsels or aid from his generosity, will feel that they have lost much in the departure of one whose zeal for usefulness made him respected and valued wherever he was called to act. "Mr. Henry's loss will be deeply felt, for he had created the quiet feeling of respect which springs from the judgment, not from impulse, in the minds of many to whom he was personally unknown; and in the minds of those who knew him well, respect was mingled with veneration." From the Pennsylvania Inquirer : "We announce with sincere regret the death of Alexander Henry, Esq., an old, cherished, and truly estimable citizen of Philadelphia. He died at his residence in this city at an early hour yesterday morning, in the 82d year of his Mr. Henry was for years prominently connected with many of our most valuable benevolent institutions. His name was as a tower of strength in every good cause in which he was associated, and his memory will live in the grateful hearts of thousands." age. From the sermon preached at his funeral, by the Reverend John McDowell, D. D. : "As a Christian and an officer in the Church, he was active in his Master's service. And when his feeble health and the infirmities of age forbade active services, he was still engaged, by his wise counsels and liberal contributions, in promoting the cause of Christ, and the temporal and spiritual good of his fellowIn him every good object in Philadelphia for the promotion of its prosperity, the instruction of the rising generation, the reformation of the vicious, and the relief of the poor and distressed, found a liberal and efficient patron. And men. |