;again




MEMORIAL
OF
HON. THOMAS SCOTT WILLIAMS,
LATE CHIEF-JUSTICE OF CONNECTICUT, AND PRESIDENT OF THE
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY:
C O  PRISING
REV. DR. HAWES' SERMON,
PREACHED IN THE FIRST CHURCH IN HARTFORD,
SABBATH MORNING, DECEMBEit 22, 1861;
PROCEEDINGS
OF
THE HARTFORD COUNTY BAR;
JUDGE WVILLIAMS' ADDRESS
ON TAKING THE CHAIR AT THE SOCIETY'S ANNIVERSARY, 1552;
AND
SUNDRY BRIEF TESTIMONIALS.
PUBLISHED BY THE
AMIERICAN TRACT SOCIETY,
150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW YORK.








SERMON,
BY REV. JOEL HAWES, D. D.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall
grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the
house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat
and flourishing; to show that the Lord is upright: he is my
rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. PSA. 92:12-15.
MANY of my hearers, I presume, on
the reading of these words, felt at once
that they are strikingly applicable to the
loved and venerated man who has just
been taken from us, and that his character and life furnish a happy illustration
of their spirit and meaning. It is this
their suggestive fitness which has led me
to the choice of them as the theme of
present discourse.




4         JUDGE WILLIAMS.
Under the beautiful and instructive
imagery of the text, I propose to illustrate the origin, growth, and fruitfulness
of a true religious life, as exemplified in
the experience and character of a righteous man.
The term " righteous" as used in the
text, denotes not merely a man of a correct moral character, but a man of true
inward piety, one who is animated with
the love of God, and whose character is
formed after the spirit and precepts of
his word. Such a character is not of
self growth; it does not come of nature,
fallen and ruined as it is in sin; it is
the product of divine grace, the planting
of the Lord, and is nurtured, matured,
and made fruitful under the culture of
his word and providence and Spirit.
Hence believers are styled by Isaiah,
Trees of righteousness, the planting of
the Lord, that he may be glorified. No




DR. HAWES' SERMON.          5
character grows and thrives so as to
bring forth fruit unto God, as represented in the text, which is not of his planting and of his cultivation. Without this,
however fair and promising it may be
for a time, it will ere long begin to wither and dry up, and like the seed sown in
stony places, bring forth no. fruit unto
perfection.
To indicate the durable felicity and
fruitfulness of the persons spoken of in
the text, they are likened, you perceive,
to the lasting strength and beauty of
palm-trees and cedars. These emblems,
striking and expressive as they are in
our view, must have been much more so
in the view of those residing in Palestine
and the East, where palms and cedars
abounded, and where all their useful
properties, whether for beauty, for fruit,
for shade, or building material, were familiar to the people. To show the pro



6         JUDGE WILLIAMS.
priety and expressiveness of these emblems, I would just remark, in passing,
that the palm is one of the mlost beautiful and productive trees of the vegetable
kingdom. It rises to a great height; retains, even in heat and drought, its fresh
foliage; and its crown of broad expanded
leaves glittering in the sun, and covering
its rich clusters, presents a delightful
appearance to the eye of the traveller.
It is of slow growth, but lives to a great
age, and continues for scores of years to
increase in productiveness.  The fruit of
the palm, in the various forms in which
it is used, constitutes a large part of the
food of the people where it grows; and
it is said by Mr. Gibbon, that the natives
have celebrated no less than three hundred and sixty different uses to which
the trunk, the branches, the sap, the
leaves, and the fruit have been applied.
The cedar also, like the palm, is an




DR. HAWES' SERMON.          M
evergreen, and much celebrated in the
Scriptures. It is a tree of majestic height
and size; spreading out its lofty and
graceful branches, and affording a refreshing shade; it thrives even in the
most unfavorable situations, and continues to grow for ages; and from the great
strength and tenacity of its wide-spread
roots, striking deep into the earth, it can
withstand the most furious winds and
storms that sweep over the mountains of
Lebanon, where anciently it grew in extended forests, though very few are found
there now.
The palm-tree and cedar, then, -are
beautiful and expressive emblems to represent the growth, stability, and fruitfulness of those who are properly called
the righteous. Those to whom this character belongs, are not of ephemeral, transient growth, appearing well for a time,
and then falling away or becoming dry




8        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
and fruitless. Planted of the Lord, and
therefore trees of righteousness, they are
rooted and grounded in the deep, rich
soil of his grace and truth, and so they
continue to grow and bring forth fruit
year after year, even to old age. Like
the palm-tree and cedar, they may be
slow in reaching the period of their full
growth and strength: but after that, there
is no blight or decay by change of circumstances; they retain their freshness,
and flourish on amid heat and drought,
abounding more and more in fruits of
righteousness to the glory of God and
the good of mankind, till he who planted
them in his vineyard here below, comes
to transfer them to flourish for ever' in
the paradise above.
Let us pass to the next clause of our
text: " Those that be planted in the house
of the Lord shall flourish in the courts
of our God." This language, we see at




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         9
once, is highly figurative. I shall not
stop to examine the different interpretations that have been put upon it, nor
attempt to fix its precise meaning. It
relates no doubt to the same class of persons as are mentioned in the preceding
verse, the righteous, the true friends of
God; and when they are spoken of as
planted in the house of the Lord, and
flourishing in the courts of our God, the
language, I think, is not to be understood
as referring to any particular time or
place, but as denoting the whole combined system of means and influences,
wherever and however employed, by
which God renews and sanctifies the
hearts of men, places them in his spiritual vineyard, and trains them up for his
service and glory.  The planting and
flourishing point to the beginning and
progress of religion in the soul; and the
meaning is very similar to that expressed




10       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
in the words, "first the blade, then the
ear, after that the full corn in the ear."
The means and influences used to secure
this planting and flourishingg of the trees
of righteousness are many and various;
and they operate to produce their effect
in very different circumstances and places.
The planting intended may take place in
the warm, rich soil of a well-conducted
Christian family, and many are the plants
that spring up and grow there, to flourish afterwards in the courts of God. Or
the planting may take place in a Sabbath-school-that too is an admirable
vineyard, and well adapted to secure the
same result. Or it may take place in
the house of God, the sanctuary of the
Lord, where his word is preached, his
ordinances administered, and the Holy
Spirit is given to render the means of
grace there enjoyed effectual in bringing
souls to God, and fitting them to serve




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         11
and glorify him  in his kingdom. But
wherever the planting takes place, whether in the family, the Sabbath-school, or
church, there in the spirit, if not in the
intent of our text, is the house of the
Lord, and there is implanted the principle, the germ of a new life in the soul.
And being of God's planting, the work
of his Spirit in the inner man, it has in
it the vital element, and is sure to grow
and brine forth fruits of holiness in the
life. Those who are thus planted of God
have within them a new divine life; and
durability, permanence, are its essential
characteristics; and it goes on to thrive
and grow in all the graces of the Spirit,
till it blooms and flourishes in all the
beauties of holiness, in the courts of the
Lord, or in those higher and purer attainments of piety which banish doubt,
brighten hope, and perfect love in the
soul, just, as it were, on the confines of




12       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
heaven. The flourishing intended in our
text is a progressive process. Like the
palm-tree, it may be long in reaching its
full period of blossom and fruit. But it
grows and advances from year to year,
till it may truly be said to flourish in the
courts of God here below, ready to be
transferred to flourish for ever in his
courts above.
We must notice another striking expression in our text, "They shall still
bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be
fat and flourishing." Planted by the living waters of grace, and nourished by the
sunshine and rain of heaven, the righteous grow and flourish in hope of glory;
their verdure and their fruit are'constant, whether in the summer of prosperity or in the winter of adversity; "yea,
their very leaf exhales a delightful perfume, by a holy example and conversation; their affections and desires are




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        13
warm and active, ascending towards the
purest and noblest objects-the things
of God and heaven." Happy the man
whose religion is always progressive, and
whose virtues increase with years; who
loses not, in the multiplicity of worldly cares and pursuits, the holy fervors
of his love, or his living interest in divine things, but goes on burning and
shining more and more to the end of his
days. A more beautiful sight than this
is never seen in our xvorld-a man bringing forth fruit in old age; vigorous and
flourishing under the weight of years;
buoyant, cheerful, happy, when his sun
is just ready to go down; still alive and
active in his sphere, interested in the
welfare of all around him, and using his
last remains of strength to promote their
good and the cause of his Saviour. A
more beautiful sight than this, I repeat,
is not seen upon earth. What a triumph




14        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
is this of grace; what a testimony to the
reality and worth of religion; what an
encouragement to others traversing the
same way, and what honor does it reflect
on the Saviour's name.. Ah, these spiritual trees, these trees of God's planting,
they flourish in his house or under the
means of his appointment, as the natural
trees when they are planted in a rich
soil, or by rivers of water. They retain
their sap and their freshness, and continue to blossom and bring forth fruit
even in old age. They may not be as
active as they once were, nor fill the
offices they once did, nor mingle so freely in public affairs; still, they continue
to bring forth fruit, more fruit and better, it may be, than at an earlier period
of life-fruit in an increase of tenderness
in the sensibilities-fruit in the exercise of more constant and lively spiritual
affections-fruit in a visible ripening of




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         15
all the Christian graces and virtues; in
growing humility, and faith, and love; in
a warmer interest in the kingdom and
glory of Christ; in a growing liberality
and readiness to contribute to the benevolent objects of the day; in an increasing love for all the duties of religion, for
the Sabbath, for worship, and the ordinances of God's house: fruit, in a word,
in a silent yet speaking Christian example; standing forth in the view of the
world, as a consistent, devoted, loving
follower of the Saviour, clad in the robe
of his righteousness, and ripe for heaven. Such is the fruit which those bring
forth in old age who have been planted
in the house of the Lord, and trained
up to flourish in the courts of our God.
Their rich clusters hang upon them
fresh and abundant as ever, and even
when they pass away from us, their ft'uit
still remains to refresh and bless those




16       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
who survive, even for generations to
come.
And now, what is the end, the summing up, the result of all this?  The
text answers, "To show that the Lord is
upright; he is my rock, and there is no
iinrighteousness in him." The planting
of the righteous and their flourishing and
bringing forth fruit are not for their sake
alone, or principally: they share indeed
in the good results, and are made objects
of God's everlasting friendship and love;
but the ultimate end in view rises infinitely higher than this: it is to show forth
the faithfulness of God, his truth, his
grace, his unchangeable uprightness in
all his dealings with his friends; and this
they are constrained gratefully to acknowledge, as from the close of their
course they look back upon the way in
which the Lord their God has led them,
and in the fulness of their hearts they




DR. HAWES' SERMON.          17
are ready to exclaim, He is my rock, and
there is no unrighteousness in him.
I have thus briefly set before you the
lessons taught us in the deeply interesting portion of Scriptu're under consideration. And now, before I proceed to the
principal design of this discourse, I can
not forbear to suggest a few of the reflections which the subject seems adapted
to impress on the mind. And,
1. Observe the beautiful consistency
which'runs through a true religious life.
Such a life has its beginning in the grace
of God; it is of his planting; and having
this as its origin, it continues to grow
and thrive like the palm-tree and cedar,
gathering strength and comeliness from
year to year, till it is fitted to flourish in
the courts of the Lord, or in those' higher
attainments in truth and holiness which
adorn the mature and fully developed
Christian character; and then, retaining
Judge Williams   2




18       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
its vital freshness and vigor, it continues
to bring forth fruit unto God even down
to old age, when it is translated from
this world to flourish for ever in heaven.
This is a true Christian life. A beautiful consistency marks every stage of its
development and growth. There is nothing transient, nothing impulsive, nothing merely emotional or ephemeral about
it. It is based on principle; rooted and
grounded in the truth; nurtured and
strengthened by it; and watered by the
dews of the Spirit, it expands and grows
into fruitfulness in all the Christian graces to the glory of God and the honor of
religion. This is the type of Christian
character and life contemplated in the
gospel-the type which all should aspire
to attain, and which many have attained,
some in the midst of ourselves, to the
joy and comfort of their own hearts and
the honor of the Christian name. And




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         19
of whom can this be said more truly than
of our deceased friend? Consistency was
indeed a bright gem in his character, and
it shone with increasing lustre till the
last.
2. No earthly blessing is so great as
to be descended from a pious ancestry,
to be nurtured and trained in the house
of the Lord, or amid the means and influences of a true Christian parentage.
I am no believer in the transmission of
Christian character, or that piety is inherited bv children from their parents;
but I have strong faith in the covenant
promises of God made to them that love
and fear his name. These promises relate not to parents alone, but to their
children and their posterity in coming
years, down to many generations.  I
have not time to develop this thought,
or to follow it out in illustration and
proof. I must content myself here with




20       1 JUDGE WILLIAMIS.
simply referring you to the unquestionable fact that religion, true piety, does, to
a remarkable and most encouraging extent, run in the line of a Christian ancestry, of a pious, godly parentage.  This I
have observed, with growing interest,
during the whole course of my ministry;
and from year to year I have seen more
and more truth, as well as poetic beauty,
in the lines of Cowper, penned by him
on the receipt of his mother's picture.
"My boast is, not that I deduce my birth
From loins enthroned and rulers of the earth;
But higher far my proud pretensions rise,
The son of parents passed into the skies."
Ah, this being planted in the house of
the Lord finds its true spiritual meaning
in being born of Christian parents; in
being surrounded in childhood and youth
by the means of grace and salvation enjoyed in a well-regulated Christian household, over which praying parents pre



DR. HAWES' SERMON.        21
side, going before their offspring in the
way to heaven, and winning them to follow by wise instruction, true prayer, and
holy example. Where this is the case,
children are very likely to grow up in
the nurture and training thus afforded
them, till they flourish in the courts of
God, and finally ascend to meet their
parents and other ancestors who have
gone before them to heaven.
3. Another reflection suggested by our
subject is the inestimable value of an
early established, right character. Such
a character is not inherited; it does not
come by chance, nor grow up without
toil and effort. It is the combined result
of right feelings, right purposes, and right
habits, carried out in a life of integrity,
honor, and usefulness; of devotion to the
service of God and the good of mankind.
Such a character planted in the house of
the Lord is sure to flourish in the courts




22       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
of our God. It will grow like the palmtree and cedar; its ripest and most precious fruits are found in advancing age.
Then it is seen bearing rich clustersfreshness of health, cheerfulness, contentment, happiness; intelligence, piety,
all bright in the clear sunshine of faith
and hope, ready to be translated and
consummated in heaven. A character
like this is of more value than all the
treasures of earth. Mere talents, learning, genius, social position, and wealth
are worth nothing in comparison with it.
As a means of success in life, of securing
the confidence and respect of mankind,
and opening sources of usefulness and
happiness in this world, a character like
that just indicated, or even one approximating to it, throws into distance and
shade all other means of earthly enjoyment and influence. To a young man, a
young lawyer for example, just setting




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        23
out in the world, a character for integrity, for fidelity, honor, and honesty, is the
best possible passport he can have for
success in his calling. It will set him
forward in business, draw around him
clients, give him an influence with the
jury and the court and the community at
large, which nothing else can secure to
him. As proof of this I might refer you
to the example of the venerated and honored man who has just departed from us.
Character was the great secret of his success and influence in life. He was known
to be a man of high integrity; an honest,
reliable, faithful man: he showed this
clharacter in the commencement of his
professional career; he maintained it untarnished, nay, with growing lustre
through the whole of his course. Hence
the confidence, the respect, the esteem,
and great influence which all who knew
him, indeed the whole community, were




24       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
ever ready to accord to him. I shall
have occasion to refer to this again.
It may seem a digression from the
train of remark I have been pursuing,
but I can not forbear to observe,
4. That real Christians may be expected, as they advance in age and draw
near the time of their departure, to discover in themselves and show to others
a growing spirituality and meetness for
heaven. So it was in a marked degree
with our deceased friend.  As he advanced in life he continued to grow in
grace, and bring forth fruit unto God,
preparing for his exit and ripening for
heaven. And when the summons came
he was ready. And so, I believe, it
always is with true Christians, such as
in any measure answer to the description given in our text. I can not better
illustrate this than in the language of
the great Dr. Owen.  "There are two




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         25
things," he says, "which those who, after
a long profession of the gospel, are entering into the conifines of eternity, do
long for and desire. The one is, that all
their breaches may be repaired, their
decays recovered, and their backslidings
healed.  The other is, that they may
have fresh springs of spiritual life, and
vigorous actings of divine grace in spiritual mindedness, holiness, and faithfulness, unto the praise of God, the honor
of the gospel, and the increase of their
own peace and joy. These things they
value more than all the world and all
that is in it; about these things are their
thoughts and contrivances exercised night
and day. Those with whom it is otherwise, whatever they may pretend, are in
the dark unto themselves and their condition; for it is in the nature of this
grace to grow and increase unto the end.
As rivers, the nearer they come unto the




26       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
ocean, whither they tend, the more they
increase their waters and speed their
course, so will grace grow more freely
and fully in its near approach to the
ocean of glory. That is not saving," he
says, "which doth not so." He adds in
another place, "If a man hath made a
great appearance of religion in his former or younger days, and when, he is
growing into age becomes dead, cold,
worldly, selfish-if he have no fresh
springs of spiritual life in him, it is an
evidence that he hath in him a barren
heart, and that he was never really
fruitful unto God." These are weighty
thoughts; I commend them to the serious consideration of all who hear me.
How far our deceased friend was removed from blight and barrenness need not
be stated to those who have observed
his course since he made a profession of
religion, and connected with this church




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        27
twenty-seven years ago.  That course
was steadily progressive, more and more
marked with spirituality and faithfulness
unto God till it was finished, and. he was
called home to the presence of his Saviour in heaven.
5. Another remark is suggested by our
subject: How interesting and beautiful a
sight is an "old disciple of Christ," one
who during a long life has been faithful
in duty, still fresh in his age, flourishing
like the palm-tree, bearing fruit unto
God, ripe to be removed to the paradise
above. And this naturally brings me
back to the words placed at the head of
this discourse; and as I remarked at the
beginning, all who hear me, I presume,
feel that they are strikingly applicable
to the departed friend to whom both duty
and affection demand that we should render our public tribute of honor and respect. I shall not pronounce his eulogy.




28       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
He needs not that from me; and any
thing of the kind would be an offence to
the whole spirit and character of the man.
But I may speak of the grace of God
that made him what he was, and of the
providence of God that employed him as
an instrument of accomplishing so much
good in his day and generation.
I know of no man of whom it may be
more truly said than of Thomas Scott
Williams, that he was planted in the
house of the Lord, and he surely did
flourish in the courts of our God. He
was born at Wethersfield, June 26th,
1777, of highly respectable and devotedly Christian parents, and his ancestors
in long succession were distinguished as
among the friends and followers of Christ.
He was the youngest but one of eleven
children, all of whom are now gone; and
all were hopefully Christians and members of the church. And this shows the




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         29
truth of what I have before said, that no
earthly blessing is so great as to be descended from pious ancestors, born of
parents devoted to the service and kingdom of God. I have often said of him
of whom I here speak, that he was from
the first a favored child of Providence.
Nursed in the bosom of piety, and trained in his earliest days in the midst of
kindly Christian influences, he grew up
with those elements of character germinating and flourishing within, which made
him what he was in subsequenft life. An
incident may be mentioned here, interesting as an element in his early training.
A Scotch lady of high intelligence and
of warm, devoted piety, resided in the
family of Sheriff Williams, the father of
Thomas. It was so that he was commit.
ted almost to the entire care of this lady
for the first nine years of his life. Judge




30       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
Williams often spoke of the instruction,
example, and prayers of this estimable
Christian woman as having been a great
blessing to him in moulding his character and directing his course in life. The
child, in his case, was eminently the father of the man. He was graduated at
Yale college in 1794, when he was but
little past seventeen years old, too young,
as he often remarked, to have reaped the
full advantage of a college course. But
always correct as he was in his morals
and diligeht in his studies, he laid the
foundation of those habits of application
and persevering effort which subsequently raised him to such eminence in his
profession. After pursuing the study of
law, first at Litchfield under Judge Reeve,
and then at Windham under Chief-Justice Swift, he was admitted to the bar in
1798, and commenced practice in Mansfield. In 1803 he removed to this city,




32       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
ing, of his reputation before the public,
and of the impression he left on my mind
after an acquaintance with him of more
than forty years.
His mind was of a high order, clear,
discriminating, and powerful in argumentation, distinguished more for strong
common-sense, than for fine-spun abstraction, or nice metaphysical acumen.
He had a sound practical judgment, and
a ready retentive memory, in which were
treasured the results of his study and
observation.  He was an indefatigable
student, and a great worker in his profession. Thoroughly versed in the principles of law, he was able to develop and
apply them with great success. He carefully studied and prepared his cases, and
when he appeared in court he knew just
what to do with them-what strong points
he had to make, and what lesser ones
might be passed over. In speaking at




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        33
the bar, he showed great earnestness and
sincerity, as if he really believed what
he said, and meant to make others believe it. His conceded knowledge of the
law, his clear intelligence, and his downright integrity and honesty of purpose
gave him great influence both with the
jury and the bench; and the remark has
been made by one of his profession, that
so great was the confidence reposed in
his judgment, that his opinion would be
taken for law, even if there were no law.
As a judge, he was eminently upright,
impartial, and just; and hence his judicial decisions, wherever known-and they
are widely known-are held of great authority. Every thing that savored of
finesse, of artful management to carry a
purpose, whether at the bar or on the
bench, he held in utter abhorrence, and
no one trait of his character was more
manifest and all-pervading than open,
Judge W11ams.   3




34       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
frank, decided integrity, and a genial
kindness of nature, which won for him
the confidence of his clients, and the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
His manners, dignified and self-respectful, presented a beautiful combination of
ease, simplicity, and benevolence; and
these, beaming forth from the eye and
from the whole aspect of the man, made
him, together with his rich and instructive conversation, one of the most agreeable of companions, and could hardly fail
to secure for him the love as well as the
respect of all who were much in his society. His transparent purity of character
and simplicity of manners, his entire freedom from all ostentation and show-and
these he carried with him  into all the
relations and intercourse of life-made
him in this respect a model man, a most
useful and instructive example to all
around him.




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        35
I pass over the numerous and various
civil offices which he was called to fill
during the long life he spent with us, as
too well known to need being noticed
here, remarking only that the duties connected with them he always discharged
with great fidelity and promptness, so as
to secure the approbation and confidence
of the entire community. As a citizen,
a civilian, a statesman, a patriot, he was
firm and decided in his views and sentiments, adhering inflexibly to what he
believed to be true and right; but he
was no partisan, no wily politician, or
bigoted opposer of all who differed from
him in opinion. At every subject bearing on the welfare, whether of the city,
the state, or the country at large, he
looked with a careful, discriminating eye;
and in forming his judgment, he took
counsel, "not of prejudice, not of party,
not of personal self-interest, nor yet of




36       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
the wishes of friends, nor of the opposition of enemies, but of an honest devotion to the public good, under the guidance of conscience and of God." I never
knew a man more entirely decided in
adhering to what he believed to be right
and duty than Judge Williams; yet there
was so much integrity and kindness mingled with his decision and firmness, that
he made very few if any enemies, and
those who differed from him were constrained to concede to him the credit of
great conscientiousness, and of a sincere
desire to do what he believed to be pleasing to God and promotive of the best interests of his fellow-men.
But I dwell on this part of my subject
too long. I pass to that which comes
more appropriately within my sphere,
the moral and religious character of our
departed friend.
Trained up by Christian parents, and




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         37
surrounded in all his early years by
Christian influences, he came forward
into life with a fair moral character, with
much respect for religion, and a general
belief in its doctrines. But like many
other young men similarly situated, religion was not allowed to have any saving place in his heart, or any decided
influence over his life, as a supreme governing principle.  Pressed as he was
incessantly, after he came to this city,
by a large and continually increasing
business, he gave himself but little time,
it is believed, to think on his relations to
God and the concerns of salvation. He
admitted the great truths of the gospel
in his understanding; but to their renewing power, to the necessity of a living,
indwelling piety as a condition of pardon
and acceptance with God, he was, in his
own view, a stranger. So it was when
I first knew him, and so it was essential



38       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
ly till 1834. In the winter and spring
of that year, it pleased God to shed down
upon the congregation the gracious influences of his Spirit, and a general attention was awakened to the concerns of the
soul.  Among the number-and they
were largely persons of mature age —who
were moved to take up the subject of religion as a direct personal concern, were
Judge Williams and his first wife, a woman of very estimable character, but not
then, as she believed, a Christian. The
result was, that after long earnest and
anxious inquiry, they both came to a
calm and settled hope in Christ, accepted
him by faith as their Saviour, and in the
course of the summer, they, with about
sixty others, united with the church by
a public profession of religion. From
that time his path was like that of the
shining light that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day. His religion was




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        39
more of principle than of emotion, more
of a steady, set purpose to do what is
right and pleasing to God, and useful to
his fellow-men, than of mere impulse and
feeling. He had indeed a heart of great
tenderness and sympathy, and often his
affections would be moved even to tears,
when the touching themes of the gospel
were brought home to his bosom, or he
was appealed to by some object of sorrow and suffering.
In 1836 he was elected a deacon in
the church. His natural modesty and
self-distrust made him hesitate long before he accepted the appointment. But
with what propriety, dignity, and conscientious fidelity he performed the duties of his office, to the honor of religion
and the prosperity of this church, need
not be stated here. Besides officiating
at the table of the Lord with his brethren, his ministries of kindness, of coun



40       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
sel and charity in private, were many
and frequent; and long will he be remembered by the poor and needy as a
kind and generous benefactor. And it
is an affecting fact, that the last service
he ever performed in the church was, to
assist in bearing the symbols of the Saviour's love to his fellow-worshippers.
Shortly after he united with the church
he entered the Sabbath-school as a teacher, and there for more than a quarter of
a century, he was from Sabbath to Sabbath at the head of his Bible-class, thoroughly prepared by previous study to
impart to its members the rich treasures
of God's word, and of his own wellstored mind. Never absent except by
necessity, and always in his place in time,
he instructed large numbers of young
men in the elements of God's truth and
salvation, who will cherish his memory
with grateful affection as long as they




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         41
live, and many of them for ever. The
good he accomplished in this humble
office,, as many esteem it, by his example
and instructions, can never be known till
it is revealed at the last day.
And here, I can not forbear to speak
of Judge Williams' respect for the Sabbath. He was early taught by his parents to reverence the Lord's day. This
grew up with him as a habit, and during
all his professional life, before he became
a member of the church, it was his custom, as I am told, to lay aside all professional and secular books, with newspapers and the like, as not suited to Sabbath-day reading, and to take up some
religious work, such for example as the
Christian Observer, to occupy his time in
the interim of public worship. After he
professed religion, the Sabbath assumed
a still more sacred character in his view,
and was kept in a more conscientious,




42       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
Christian manner.  He loved the Sabbath; he esteemed it the holy of the
Lord, honorable, and a delight.  "To
his eye, it bore the King's image and superscription. It was a day set apart for
holy uses; and accepting, in its just import, the saying of our Saviour,'The Sabbath was made for man,' he studiously
consecrated it to the purposes prescribed
by its beneficent Donor, to the concerns
of the soul, and the sublime realities of
the life which awaits us beyond the
grave." He loved the house of God and
its worship, and was always in his place,
morning and afternoon, in serious and
devout attendance on divine service.
And to these well-spent Sabbaths we
must look for many of the influences
which contributed to mould, as well his
intellectual and social, as his elevated
moral and religious character. Let not
his example in this respect be forgotten.




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        43
In a conversation I had with him not
long before his death, he expressed his
deep concern at the growing neglect of
the Sabbath and of public worship, even
by too many who profess to be Christians. He viewed it as a fact portentous
of evil, and so it is; and I would here
hold up the example of our venerated
friend and servant of Christ, now gone
from the midst of us to the rest and worship of heaven, to stay a practice fraught
only with evil, and to engage all who
hear me to do as he did during a long
life, to remember the Sabbath-day to
keep it holy.
Judge Williams was an admirable model of industry. He lived by rule. Every
hour had its duty, and every duty its
hour, and it was in no small part this
habit of punctuality and order, entering
as it did into all his plans and pursuits
of life, which enabled him to accomplish




44       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
so great an amount of work in his day,
both as a lawyer and as a Christian man.
Though long retired from public life, he
was scarcely less busy or less occupied
than he was before. His circle of active
duty was changed, but not forsaken.
Age came upon him more by adding to
his years than by any change it wrought
in his bodily or mental powers. He retained the freshness, cheerfulness, and
vigor of earlier years in a remarkable
manner. He kept his own heart warm
and active by keeping it in contact with
the living, moving world around him.
He did not retire into himself as age
came on, nor become misanthropic and
selfish and complaining because things
did not go just as he wished, or just as
they did when he was younger and bore
a part in them.  He looked out upon
the church and the world with a hopeful
eye, and continued to the last to take a




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        45
lively interest in all that related to the
kingdom of Christ and the good of his
fellow-men. And this I doubt not was
a principal cause of the green and happy
old age which he so eminently enjoyed.
As years came on, each added to the
treasures of his well-spent life. And I
here may be permitted to repeat what I
said of him in a sermon I preached at
Saratoga, a little more than a year since,
as it expresses what I am sure you will
all admit to be true. I was speaking of
him as an example of the happy effects
of a well-spent life. HIe is now, I said, in
his eighty-fourth year, cheerful. healthy,
active; found at the head of his Bibleclass every Sabbath-morning; always in
his place in the sanctuary, and at our
occasional religious meetings, ready to
bear a part in them; his heart warm and
sympathizing as ever in all good objects,
and his hand ready to help them for



46        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
ward; his influence, though less public
than formerly, is hardly less effective
and beneficent in the noiseless teachings
of a consistent ripened Christian character: he stands forth a fine example of
the rich treasures which a well-spent life
gathers around itself in its close, ready
to be transferred to enrich and adorn the
life which is to come.
I may not omit to remark here, that
such were the social affections of our
deceased friend, and such his domestic
habits, that his home could not fail to be
a happy one. And so it was. Marked
with an easy, generous hospitality, a
large circle of relatives and friends were
attracted to it, to enjoy the society and
kindly attentions of the family, and among
them none were more welcome or treated with greater kindness than the minister -and the missionary.
That Judge Williams had a large, gen



DR. HAWES' SERMON.        47
erous, outflowing heart will readily be
inferred from what has already been
said.  This was indeed a shining trait
in his character, and it brought him into
close communion with the various benevolent associations of our age and country. Blessed with an abundance of this
world's goods, he felt himself to be a
steward of God, bound to use all that
was entrusted to him in obedience to his
will, and for the glory of his name. And
he was, in an eminent degree, a faithful
steward.  It is known that, for many
years, he has acted on the principle, not
of accumulating, but expending, the whole
of his income, and often he went beyond
it in charitable benefactions.  He was
one of the most generous and cheerful of
givers. I have often said of him, that I
never knew a man whom it cost so little
to do good. Doing good seemed to be a
kind of instinct, a natural impulse, not a




48       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
self-denial, but a happiness to him. He
never frowned, nor fretted, nor uttered
untrue excuses, as is too common, when
a charity or a contribution was asked of
him. He received every applicant with
kindness, heard his statement with patience, and if he approved he gave, otherwise he dismissed him in good nature.
To all the benevolent operations of the
day he was a large and a constant contributor. Besides his private charities,
which were many, and constantly dropping as the rain and the dew to relieve
the needy and the suffering, he was always ready to bear a generous part in
founding and sustaining the humane, the
benevolent, and educational institutions
of the city, and all other enterprises
adapted and designed to promote its material prosperity.
Hie felt a deep interest in the Redeemer's kingdom, and he gave largely of his




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        49
substance to aid in spreading the gospel
through the world. The cause of home
and foreign missions ever lay near his
heart, as indeed did all the kindred institutions of the day, having in view the
common object of extending the knowledge of Christ over the earth; and his
yearly contributions to these societies
will be greatly missed, unless others
come forward with a largely increased
generosity, to make up the deficiency.
Who among us will do this?
And now, if he were present of whom
I have been speaking, or could he make
his voice heard from the spirit-world
whither he is gone, there is no sentiment
I have uttered which he would so readily
approve and apply to himself, as that
with which our text closes: To show that
the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and
there is no unrighteousness in him. My
good deeds, my virtues and privileges
Judge Williams.  4




50       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
and blessings, what are they all but the
fruit of the goodness and mercy of God
bestowed on me, a poor unworthy sinner? All I was and did on earth that
was right, and all I am and enjoy now
in the presence of my Saviour, I ascribe
to his rich grace; I claim no part of it
as a matter of merit; all was and is of
grace, and to God my rock be all the
praise.
This leads me to a closing remark,
that among the virtues which adorned
the character of our deceased friend, humility held a prominent place. He seldom spoke of himself, and never in terms
of self-praise or commendation. He had
a deep and an abiding sense of his personal unworthiness and guilt in the sight
of God, and rested all his hope of salvation-not confident, but sustaining and
comforting-on the mercy and grace of
Christ his Redeemer. He held in firm




DR. HAWES' SERMON.         51
faith the great distinguishing doctrines
of the gospel, but without the least mixture of bigotry or exclusiveness.  He
was much stricter and more unsparing
in judging of himself than of others, and
a most amiable trait it was in his character, that he was much more inclined to
extenuate and apologize for the failings
of others than to exaggerate and condemn them with too great severity. He
rarely spoke disparagingly of any one,
and never with a fault-finding, ill temper. His religion, as I have before said,
was with him an indwelling principle.
It pervaded his heart, his character, his
life. It led him daily to his closet, there
to pray unto his Father in secret; and to
the family altar, there to offer the morning and evening sacrifice; and to the
church on the Sabbath, there to worship
God with his people. In a word, it went
with him into all the relations and walks




52       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
of life, and had much, very much, to do
in forming him to that symmetry, that
harmony of all the susceptibilities and
powers of his nature, which made him so
complete, or I would say, in the language
of the Bible, so perfect a man. It revealed itself, not so much by any specific, movable, or transient form, as by
its influence upon the whole man; "like
a light behind a beautiful transparency,
which, unseen itself, illuminates every
line of the artist's handiwork." "It might
be seen in his temper, his conduct, his
manners, in all that he did, and in all
that he said. No trumpet, nor phylactery was needed to announce its presence; his serene and venerable aspect,
his suavity, his cheerfulness, his overflowing kindness, his prompt and generous interest in others' wants and sorrows, and the whole tone of his conversation, whether on public affairs or mat



DR. HAWES' SERMON.                 53
ters of personal concern, all betrayed the
intercourse of his soul with heaven, and
awakened the feeling, Thou also wast
with Jesus of Nazareth."
This great and good man has gone to
his reward. The summons came unexpectedly to his friends, though not to
himself,* and it found him all ready to
* One of the first papers found in Judge Williams'
private desk in his office after his death, was the following memorandum, which had been so placed in a
manuscript-book that it could not fail to be noticed at
once by Mrs. Williams. Itt evidently had been recently written, doubtless on Monday or Tuesday, the 2d or
3d of December, 1861, on each of which days —having
been confined to his house by an apparently slight
cold for several days the previous week-he spent an
hour in his office, never entering it again after Tuesday, December 3d.
"I know that your memory will bring to your mind
many passages of Scripture full of consolation for the
loss you have sustained. But from uninspired writings, none has occurred to me more appropriate than
the following:
"' Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee,
Since God was thy refuge, thy ransom, thy guide;
He gave thee, he took thee, and he will restore thee,
And death hath no sting, since the Saviour hath died."'




54           JUDGE WILLIAMS.
go, his loins girded about, and his lamp
trimmed and burning. His sickness was
brief, and not painful. The powers of
life were exhausted, the vital spark flickered for a time where it had burnt so
long and so brightly; then like an expir.
ing taper, it went out, and he passed
away. His sun went down full-orbed
and bright, without a spot or a shade
The opening paragraphs of Judge Williams' last will
also exhibit his calm anticipation of death, and seem
peculiarly touching to those who appreciate the circumstances under which they were written. Hon.
Francis Parsons, a nephew whom Judge Williams had
long loved and relied on as a son, died after a brief illness, ten days before the date of the will.
"I, Thomas S. Williams, of Hartford, at present, by
the blessing of God, being in good health and of sound
and disposing mind, but reminded by the death of all
my brothers and sisters, and now by a more unexpected stroke, as well as by my age and infirmities, that
my time is short-do make this my last will and testament.
"I commit my soul to God who gave it, and my body
to the earth, hoping for a glorious resurrection with
the just, through the merits of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ."




DR. HAWES' SERMON.        55
upon it, and has risen, we doubt not, to
shine for ever amid the splendors of an
eternal day. Oh, rise some other light,
to fill the place of that which has just
left its orbit here below, to shine in a
higher and nobler sphere above.
I have thus endeavored to pay an
humble tribute to the memory of one
whom we all respected, whom we all
loved. The death of Judge Williams has
brought upon us a great bereavement and
sorrow. The pastor feels it; this church
and congregation feel it; the whole community feels it. Yet has he left us much
for which we are called to render thanksgiving and praise to God-his high integrity as a man, his bright example as
a Christian, his prayers and the influence
of his wide-spread and beneficent deeds,
continued through so long a life, closed
by so peaceful and happy a death. Let
us all profit by the treasure thus be



56       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
queathed to us, and follow him as he followed Christ. Sad and frequent of late
have been the notes sounded through this
congregation, calling us all to prepare
for the time of our departure. Parsons,
Trumbull, Storrs,Warburton, Fitch, not to
mention honored and loved names among
the female members of this church-all
these and others, within a few months,
have been called away; and now Williams is numbered with them. Surely
God must have a meaning in these striking dispensations of his providence towards us. And what is that meaning, if
it be not that we hear the voice of his
warning, speed our work while it is day,
and prepare for the night of death when
we can no more work? Especially does
it become him who utters these words to
take the full meaning of them to himself,
seeing that to-day he finishes the seventy-second year of his life, and as he looks




DR. HAWES' SERMON.       57
round on his congregation, scarcely recognizes more than two or three who bore
any part in his call and ordination, and
very few who were present on that occasion. The flight of years, and the departure of dear and loved ones, once the
members of my flock, admonish me that
my sun hastens to its going down, and
will soon sink beneath the horizon. Let
me notice these signals, and be ready to
meet the event of which they forewarn
me. Cheered may I be, as I go on to
finish the brief remainder of my course,
with the blessed hope of meeting in heaven the many, many dear friends who
have ascended to that world before me.








PROCEEDINGS
OF
THE HARTFORD COUNTY BAR.
AT a meeting of the members of the Hartford county bar, held in the court-room on
Wednesday noon, Dec. 18, 1861, for the purpose of expressing their respect for the late
Chief-Justice Williams, R. D. Hubbard, Esq.,
presiding, Winm. Hungerford, Esq., offered the
following resolutions:
"WHEREAS, after a life of untiring and successful industry, of eminent purity, of great
excellence and religious consistency, the IIon.
THOMAS S. WILLLAMS, late Chief-Justice of this
state, has, at a mature and ripe old age, been
gathered to his rest; therefore,
"Resolved, That few men have left behind
them higher claims to public respect and esteem, and none a stronger hold upon the
grateful remembrance of the legal profession,
of which he was so long an honored and distinguished member. His industry, untiring




60        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
zeal, and professional ability and integrity;
his learning, wisdom, and conscientiousness
in the administration of the laws; the purity
and excellence of his public and private life,
afford alike an imperishable example to the
living, to guide them in the sure paths to
success, honor, happiness, and a useful, wellspent life.
"Resolved, That in his death this bar has
lost one of its most esteemed members; the
commlmity in which he lived, one ever ready
to cooperate and bear his share to promote
its interests and advance its prosperity; the
young, a faithful friend, counsellor, and guide;
the charities of the day and the great benevolent institutions of the age, a systematic,
cheerful, and liberal supporter; the religious
community and the church, an earnest, sincere, and devoted Christian; and the world,
an excellent and good man.
"Resolved, That in respect for his memory,
we will attend his funeral in a body.
"Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions
be entered upon the records of this bar; and
a copy thereof, signed by the chairman and
countersigned by the secretary, be transmit



HARTFORD COUNTY BAR.          61
ted to the family of the deceased, in assurance of our sincere condolence and sympathy
on account of the great loss they have sustained."
Mr. Hungerford then spoke as follows:
JUDGE WILLIAM entered and was graduated
at Yale college at a much earlier period of
his life than most young men who receive the
honors of that institution. He took his degree in 1794. He afterwards commenced,
and for some time pursued his studies preparatory for admission to the bar, under the
tuition of Judge Reeve of Litchfield, and completed them under that of Judge Swift of
Windham. For a few years after his admission to the bar, he resided in the town of
Mansfield, in the county of Tolland, and then
removed to and permanently located himself
in this city, where he ever after resided until
the time of his death.
After he came to this city, he pursued his
profession with great industry, and rose very
rapidly to distinction. At my first acquaintance with him, about forty years since, he
had attained to and stood in the first rank
His reputation was then well established and




62        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
known throughout the state. He early acquired a very high standing, not only for
learning and talents, but for integrity and
candor. As a counsellor, his advice was much
and extensively sought for, and confided in
when obtained. In giving his legal opinions
he was exceedingly careful. If doubts existed in his own mind as to the law, he industriously examined the authorities which he
supposed to be applicable to the case in reference to which he was consulted, until the
doubt was removed; or, if after such investigation it still remained, he so informed his
client. No one who obtained his opinion,
whether coinciding with his own views or
wishes or not, entertained a doubt but that
he was honestly advised. As a prudent and
safe counsellor, no one in the state enjoyed
or possessed a higher reputation.
In the preparation of his cases for trial he
was remarkably thorough and faithful, and
much distinguished for his attainments in
legal science. As an advocate he was ardent.
Feeling a deep interest in the cause of his
client, he argued his cause with much zealnever, however, suffering himself to exceed




HARTFORD COUNTY BAR.          63
the rules of propriety or decorum, or to transgress those of the court. To his clients he
was always accessible, ready and patient to
hear them, and anxious to ascertain as far as
possible the real facts in the cause in which
he was engaged.
Among his contemporaries and competitors
were men of much eminence for their attainments and talents in the legal profession;
and it may well be doubted, whether, at any
period of the history of this state, the bar
could command a greater array of learning
or ability than while Judge Williams was a
member of it, and in practice. To stand side
by side with the most prominent men of the
profession at that time, was no small honor.
By his unflinching integrity, his extensive
legal attainments, and great ability, Judge
Williams acquired the confidence of the court
and jury in an uncommon degree, and was a
most successful advocate.
In 1829 he was appointed Judge, and in
1834, Chief-Justice of the Supreme court of
this state. The Legislature could not have
made a more judicious or popular choice.
He brought to the bench a very unusual com



64       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
bination of qualifications peculiarly fitting
him for the station. He had accumulated an
ample fund of legal science; had become very
familiar with authorities, and especially with
the decisions, laws, and practice of our own
state; and with these he united a most conscientious regard to the faithful discharge of
his duty, and an uncommon share of good
common-sense. He well understood that "the
law as a practical science" could "not take
notice of melting lines, nice discriminations,
and evanescent quantities."  He correctly
supposed the laws to be made up of rules
designed to regulate the conduct of those
who were shubject to them, and that they
should, as far as possible, be plain, intelligible, and capable of being reduced to practice;
and he did much himself to produce this result. By the aid of a strong, clear, and discriminating mind, he was enabled to make,
and did make a very just and proper application of authorities. Metaphysical refinements
and hair-splitting distinctions had little influence with him. He ever paid strict attention to testimony in the cases brought before
him for decision, and unusual skill in weigh



HARTFORD COUNTY BAR.          65
ing it and eliciting the truth when different
portions of it came in conflict. He listened
with'patience to the arguments of counsel,
and was not only ready, but anxious to hear
whatever could be urged upon either side, so
long as any reasonable doubt existed as to
the law, or any light' could be reflected upon
the subject of discussion. The difference between argument and sophistry he readily detected. In court he presided with much dignity and propriety, uniformly courteous to his
associates upon the bench, to the jury, the
bar, and all in any wise connected with him
in the administration of justice, and thereby
not only secured to himself the respect and
good-will of all, but strict order and regard
to the rules of propriety and decorum in the
court in which he presided. In his decisions
he was exceedingly impartial. He ever looked at the case, and not at the parties. It
may, I think, with great truth be asserted,
that he had no "respect of persons in judgment." He heard "the small as well as the
great." He brought to the bench the same
habits of industry which he had at the bar,
and in his decisions rarely erred. Those
Judge Wiiliams.  5




66        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
made by him upon the circuit were, in a few
instances only, reversed or overruled upon
a review in the higher court. He had, in an
almost unexampled degree, the confidence of
the community in which he lived, and may
justly be deemed to have been a model judge.
The decisions of the Supreme court, made
while he was a member of it, and contained
in the Connecticut Reports, commencing in
the seventh, terminating in the eighteenth,
and extending through the intermediate volumes, will furnish a lasting memorial of his
judicial qualifications. In 1847, Judge Williams, having arrived at the age of seventy
years, became, under the Constitution of this
state, incapable of retaining his seat any longer upon the bench. He then retired from
his official labors, but not from his labors of
love and good-will to his fellow-men.
A most prominent trait in the character of
Judge Williams, and which gave lustre to all
his others, was that deep religious sentiment
which seemed to pervade his whole soul, and
control all his actions. In 1834, the year in
which he was appointed Chief-Justice, he
made a public profession of religion; but he




HARTFORD COUNTY BAR.         67
did not suppose that he had, by making an
open avowal of his faith, performed his whole
duty. Religion was not with him a mere
matter of theory or speculation. He reduced
the duties which it enjoined to practice, and
exhibited its influence in all the walks and
relations of life. He was a most liberal patron of the great benevolent institutions of
the day, at the same time abounding in more
private charities. In performing these acts
of benevolence and charity, he sounded no
trumpet before him. They were all done in
the spirit of the scriptural injunction, not to
let his left hand know what his right hand
did. As was said of one in ancient times, he
had always rather be good than to seem so.
He was utterly devoid of every thing like
ostentation or pride. Meekness and humility marked all his conduct. His purse and
his heart were alike open to every good object. To most liberal contributions of his
property for benevolent purposes, he added
his own unremitted personal efforts, and these
he continued until his last sickness. No station was too exalted or too humble for him,
if it presented a sphere in which he could do




68          JUDGE WILLIAMS.
good to his fellow-men. And now, after most
faithfully performing the duties of the various stations to which he has been called, and
in all the relations of life eminently illustrating the excellency of the religion which he
professed, greatly revered, beloved, and respected, he has closed his earthly career. He
has left the world a character without a stain,
and, as I think I may safely assert, not an
enemy behind.
William R. Cone, Esq., said substantially:
I approve most heartily of every sentiment
contained in the resolutions offered. These
links which connect us with the past are being so rapidly severed, one after another, that
I find myself here to-day standing almost in
the very foremost ranks of the living members of this bar.
Five of the number once connected with
this bar-I might indeed count six*' —have
* The five referred to are Francis Parsons, Lucius
F. Robinson, Winm. L. Storrs, Joseph Trumbull, and
Thomas S. Williams.
The sixth referred to is Charles J. Russ; and since
this meeting of the Hartford county bar, Henry L. Miller, another of their number, has died.




HARTFORD COUNTY BAR.          69
been taken away within these nine months.
So our ranks are being thinned, as one and
another of our number fall out by the way;
and to-day we are met to pay our tribute of
respect, and bear our testimony to the eminence, excellence, and spotless character of
the eldest of them  all, one who has lived
eighty-five years-a long life-and who, during that long and eventful period in the history of the past, and in this age of wonderful
progress, has exerted an influence as widespread, and filled a space in the affections
and esteem of those who knew him, and the
community in which he dwelt, as large as
was ever exerted and ever filled by any other
man in this state. First as a thorough, industrious, astute, and safe lawyer and counsellor; then as an upright, influential, and
reliable statesman; after that as a conscientious judge and the Chief-Justice of the state;
always as a prominent citizen, devoted to
every interest, and ready to engage in every
enterprise calculated to advance and promote
the prosperity of the community and city in
which he so long had his home; and during
these latter years' as a devoted Christian, ear



70        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
nest and zealous in every good word and
work in his Master's cause.
When I came to this city as a school-boy
in 1826, Thomas S. Williams, as he was then
familiarly called here, was without a rival at
this bar, and I might almost say in the state.
And when, in 1832, I returned again to commence my profession here, the ermine had
fallen upon his shoulders; and as a judge,
none ever brought to the bench a greater
store of available learning, and none ever
administered the law with greater wisdom,
integrity, impartiality, and conscientiousness
than did he.
And then, when at the age of seventy he
became legally disqualified from longer occupying his place upon the bench, he entered
with the same earnestness, devotion, and zeal
upon the work of doing good; and I have no
man in mind that has done more, no man
that has done as much by his influence, his
counsels, his labors, and his contributions to
forward the great religious charities and other great benevolent enterprises of the age in
which he lived, as has Judge Williams. His
influence as a good man has been felt every



HARTFORD COUNTY BAR.    71
where as no other man's has, always in favor
of progress, and always on the right side.
No undertaking in the way of doing good too
stupendous, no labor too arduous or too humble, no station too exalted or place too small
or too low, for him to undertake or for him
to occupy in his Master's work.
The liberality of his charities when any
great and good work needed his aid, was
never restricted. He wrote his thousands as
some do their tens, twenties, and fifties, when
the magnitude of the enterprise required it;
and I could point to other evidences, if there
was time, that the magnitude of any good
work did not deter him from undertaking it.
His earnest devotion to the duties of instructing a Bible-class of young men; where
Sabbath after Sabbath for these many last
years he has been regularly found at his post,
attests his readiness to occupy any place
where he could be the instrument of doing
good; and multitudes there are of young men
in this city and elsewhere, who will rise up
and bless his memory because of the good
influences they have enjoyed under his teachings.




72        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
A good man, yes, my friends, a good man
has been gathered home to his rest, like a
shock of corn fully ripe for the harvest. His
memory will live, and his influence will be
felt through all time; for the influence of a
good man, such a man, as an example for us
and others to imitate, lives always, and will
live for ever.
Messrs. Seth Terry, Ex-Judge Ellsworth,
Charles Whittlesey, J. H. Holcomb, and R.
R. Phelps, each in brief terms spoke of the
high and well-deserved reputation of Judge
Williams. The resolutions were unanimously adopted.




SUMMARY FACTS.             73
SIUMMARY FACTS
OF JUDGE WILLIAMS' LIFE, FROM THE REPORT OF
THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, MAY, 1862.
CHIEF-JUSTICE THOMAS SCOTT WnTLLIAS,
LL. D., was born at Wethersfield, Connecticut, June 26, 1777, and was the son of EzekielWilliams, high-sheriff of the county. At
17 he graduated at Yale college, and after
attending the lectures of Judge Reeves at
Litchfield, studied law with Chief-Justice
Swift of Windham county.  Removing to
Hartford in 1803, he commenced his long
career of usefulness and honor. He was seven times elected to the state legislature, of
which he was six years the clerk; from 1817
to 1819 he was a member of Congress, and
from 1831 to 1835 was Mayor of Hartford.
In 1829 he was appointed Associate Judge of
the Supreme Court of Errors, and in 1834
was appointed Chief-Justice, which office he
filled with high acceptance till his resignation in 1847; his decisions being quoted by
our most eminent jurists. In 1812 he mar



74        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
ried Delia, daughter of Oliver Ellsworth,
Chief-Justice of the United States. She died
in 1840, and he afterwards married Martha
M. Coit, daughter of the late Elisha Coit of
New York. He departed this life on Sabbath
morning, December 15, 1861, at the advanced
age of eighty-four.
From 1848, for more than thirteen years
till his death, he was the esteemed President
of the American Tract Society, of which from
its formation he had been a firm friend. He
gave the Society not only his wise counsels
and active cooperation, but his constant and
liberal contributions; leaving it a legacy of
$5,000 at his death.  He also bequeathed
$5,000 to the American Board of Foreign
Missions, of which he was long the cherished
Vice-president; $5,000 to the Home Missionary Society, $3,000 to the Bible Society, and
legacies to the cause of education, colonization, Sabbath-schools, seamen, temperance,
the widow, the orphan, and other benevolent
objects.
It has been well said that he was "every
way an eminent man. His character was uncommonly consistent and symmetrical. He




SUMMARY FACTS.            75
moved among his fellow-men as a humble
follower of his Saviour, and sunk to rest at
the close of his long and useful life, with his
hopes stayed alone on the righteousness of
the Redeemer." Long a deacon of the Central church, of which the Rev. Dr. Hawes is
pastor, he officiated at the communion two
weeks before his death.
At a meeting of the bar, after some of the
oldest members had borne their testimony to
his worth, a younger member stated that he
was a teacher in the Sabbath-school for twenty-seven years, and was always at his post
prepared and ready to impart instruction, as
eminent for his biblical as his legal knowledge.




76        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
FROM
REV.- DR. DE WITT'S STATEMENT,
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF
THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, AT ITS ANNIVERSARY, MAY, 1862.
During the past year death has removed
two of the most devoted friends of the Society, who have successfully filled its presidency, who have occupied the highest places in
civil life, and have found it their chief honor
and greatest privilege to serve the Redeemer
in his church, Chief-Justice Williams and
HIon. Theodore Frelinghuysen. The chairman has paid a well-deserved and appropriate tribute to the character of our President
recently deceased. In the Christian spirit
and character, beautifully harmonizing the
graces of the Spirit, and displaying always
and in every thing the virtues of the life,
there was a close affinity between him and
Mr. Frelinghuysen. Meekness, kindness, and
humility, never shaken and lost, ever invested them; while in all that respected Chris



DR. DE WITT'S STATEMENT.   77
tian truth and duty, there was an intelligent
firmness under the control of love. With
Judge Williams my intercourse was but occasional and brief; the impressions left upon
me ever reminded me of Mr. Frelinghuysen,
with whom it was- my privilege to enjoy an
extended and intimate friendship which leaves
his memory deeply engraved on my heart.
Both these venerable men fulfilled the high
trusts in civil life to which they were called
with distinguished honor; but they felt it
their highest privilege and crowning glory to
lie low at the foot of the Cross, and to be
found in the communion and service of the
church. Such was the beautiful simplicity
and transparent loveliness and consistency
of their Christian spirit and course, that an
ordinarily gainsaying world stood admiring
and approving. As they were assimilated in
life, so were they in their death, occurring
within a few months of each other. Their
end was perfect peace.




78        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
FROM
HON. ROB'T C. WINTHROP'S ADDRESS
AT BOSTON.
I cannot forget, in entering on the discharge of my duties, (as chairman of the anniversary at Boston,) that the year which has
elapsed since your last anniversary meeting
has witnessed not a few changes in your official roll. The late venerable President of the
association has been called from these earthly scenes within a few months past to enter,
as we trust, upon the rich rewards of a long
and useful life. His place has already been
filled, at the late meeting of the Society at
New York, where tributes of the most enviable character have been paid to his memory.
But it becomes us here also to give at least
some passing expression to our sense of the
loss which we have sustained by the death of
so distinguished a son of New England.
Few men, of our age and generation certainly, have left a more precious memory il




HON. R. C. WINTHROP'S ADDRESS. 79
the hearts of good men throughout the country, than the late Chief-Justice Williams of
Connecticut. The eminent places which he
had held, in so many different spheres of
public duty, form but the slightest part of
his claim to the remembrance of posterity.
I will not attempt to recount them; for official position, alas, has ceased to furnish any
safe criterion of private virtue or personal
merit. But his pure and spotless character,
his noble illustration of Christian principle,
his untiring activity in every good work of
philanthropy and benevolence, and the signal liberality of his contributions, both living
and dying, to so many of our greatest and
best institutions for the promotion of moral
and religious improvement, will secure an
honored place for his name among the benefactors of our land.




PRESIDENT
OF THE
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.
JUDGE WILLIAMS was elected President of
this Society, May, 1848. On taking the chair
at the twenty-seventh anniversary, May, 1852,
he presented the following admirable summary view of the Society's history, principles, and operations.
Under the smiles of a beneficent Providence, we are met once more upon an anniversary of the American Tract Society.
Grateful for the success which has crowned
the labors of the past, we commence the duties of another year with devout supplications that wisdom may be imparted to those
who direct the concerns of the Society, so
that all that they do may be done with a
simple desire to please God and do good to
men.
It will not, I trust, be deemed inappropri



PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.   81
ate to the occasion to look back to the formation of this Society, and glance at some of
its prominent measures, its progress, and its
prospects.
Little more than a quarter of a century
since, a few pious gentlemen of this city observing how the increase of our population
exceeded the increase of religious instruction,
and how many of our people seldom or never
heard the living preacher, met to consult as
to the best mode of meeting this state of
things.
They could devise no better way than by
the distribution of Tracts through our extended country.. Something of this kind had
been adopted at the time of the Reformation,
and infidel philosophers had made use of
similar means to effect that great revolution
in France which has since had such a prodigious effect upon the world. There were indeed Tract Societies at that time in some of
our own states, but having no bond of union,
with few exceptions their influence could not
be extensive.
It was thought therefore desirable that an
institution should be formed in some cornJudge Williams.   6




82        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
mercial city, which should unite the whole
Christian community who professed evangelical sentiments in one common effort for the
diffusion of those great religious truths in
which they agreed; and that the commercial
metropolis of our country should be the place
of its location, that from this great centre of
business a circulation might easily be diffused
through every part of our country and perhaps the world itself.
After consulting with some of like sentiments from other places, and particularly
with those who were connected with other
societies then existing, a public meeting was
held at the City Hotel in this city, on Wednesday, the 11th of MIay, 1825, where the
American Tract Society was organized, and
a constitution formed, under which with some
slight alterations the Society now acts-no
act of incorporation having been obtained
until sixteen years after.
The object of the Society, as expressed in
the constitution, was "to diffuse a knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of
sinners, and to promote the interests of vital
godliness and sound morality by the circula



PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.  83
tion of religious tracts calculated to receive
the approbation of all evangelical Christians;"
and to secure this end, the officers and directors were to be chosen from different denominations of Christians, and the Publishing
Committee was to contain no two members
of the same ecclesiastical connection. And
more completely to guard a point so delicate,
it was provided that no tract should be published that any one member of this committee objected to. Upon this Publishing Committee and the Corresponding Secretary the
labor and responsibility of the publications
rest.
At the head of this committee was first
placed the venerable Dr. Milnor, whose memory will be ever dear to the friends of the
Society for his sound judgment, his comprehensive views, his ardent zeal, and his untiring labors in the Tract cause, to which, as
chairman of this committee for twenty years,
he contributed his inestimable services.
Last named on that committee at the organization was the Rev. John Summerfield,
a youth of high hopes and splendid endowrments, whose eloquent effusions will never be




84        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
forgotten by those who heard him-when on
seraph wings he seemed to soar, as if to join
those who already surround the throne where
he so soon was called.
"Early, bright, transient, chaste as morning dew,
He sparkled, was exhaled, and went to heaven."
The other members of that committee, with
the Corresponding Secretary, still live revered and honored, to testify for God and this
cause. The part they have borne in this
great work remains to be told when their
work is ended: long may it be before that
time shall come.
The object of the Society thus formed, was
extensively approved by the friends of evangelical religion; but the doubts felt by good
men as to the permanency of such a union,
caused fear and trembling to many hearts.
Some Christian men ventured to predict that
it could not succeed; but as the Committee in
one of their reports say, "the object was undertaken not without humble confidence in
God that it originated in his Spirit, and that
by his almighty power he would carry it forward;" and much prayer went up to heaven
for its prosperity.




PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.  85
The danger anticipated was, that there
would arise conflicting opinions among the
members of the various denominations of
which the officers were to be composed, which
would interrupt the harmony of their counsels and terminate the union so happily formed. It was indeed an experiment of no ordinary character, and much more doubtful as
to the result than that of the Bible Society,
as it required much more constant care and
watchfulness. Success could not be expected
without great candor, ardent piety, and heavenly wisdom in those who were to take the
lead. But such was the object to be attained, and such the confidence of the religious
community in the character of the persons
chosen to accomplish it, that the institution
has acquired a strength and importance which
its advocates dared not anticipate.
By the liberality of friends, principally in
this city, the Society were provided with a
convenient house and grounds to commence
their operations. Several of the most important local Tract Societies consented to unite
with and become branches of this Society;
so that during the first year this institution




86         JUDGE WILLIAMS.
received into their treasury above $10,000,
and printed about 8,000,000 pages, of which
about 3,600,000 were circulated, by sales to
existing societies at reduced prices, or as delivered to subscribers and distributed gratuitously.
Soon, however, a deep interest was excited
for the 4,000,000 of inhabitants west of the
Alleghanies, where the Society had scarcely
commenced its operations. This increased
the donations of the next succeeding year.
Early calls were also made from missionaries
for tract distribution in foreign lands, particularly from Ceylon, Burmah, and the Sandwich Islands, affording new evidence of the
value of tracts as auxiliary to the living
preacher. Thus was attention turned to the
circulation of tracts in foreign languages, as
well as in foreign countries.
By the liberality of individual friends, the
Society were invited and enabled to stereotype some more extended works, such as
Doddrige's Rise and Progress, and Baxter's
Shints' Rest. The good effects following these
and other similar works, led to what has been
called the volume enterprise.




PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.  87
A resolution was early passed for a systematic visitation and distribution of tracts
to every family of the entire population, who
were willing to receive them. The plan of
dividing into small districts, and making distribution monthly by members of churches
designated for that purpose, was adopted in
many places in our country, and has been
continued with more or less fidelity to the
present time. It was a plan devised with
much wisdom, sanctioned by the best spiritual counsellors, and accompanied with many
prayers, and no plan could have been better
adapted to the object in view.
An army of voluntary agents was thus raised, going about to spread the truth among
persons of all classes and all conditions, accompanied frequently by kind attentions, by
pious conversation, and prayer. The seed
sown in this way has borne much fruit, and
many who were ready to say, No one careth
for my soul, have been convinced that there
was sympathy for them in the heart of the
Christian, and to feel it in their own. How
many in this way have found the Saviour, is
known only to Him who knoweth all hearts.




88        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
Very few of those who have heartily engaged
in this work, but can testify to the good
effects they themselves have witnessed, and
we have reason to believe that a great cloud
of witnesses will attest to the same before
the universe.
The blessing, however, has not been confined to those who received the tracts. The
distributer often was quite as greatly blessed.
It gave him a deeper interest in the institution in whose behalf he labored, when he saw
its results; it made him feel greater responsibility as a member of the church; it led
him to sympathize with the poor and afflicted, as well as with the impenitent; and to be
more grateful to God for the superior privileges granted to him.
The catholic principle which distinguished
the Society opened the way to a more ready
and extensive reception of its tracts and
books, than would have otherwise existed;
and made them welcome to many by whom
they would have been rejected, had they
come from any single denomination. And
while this mode of distribution was found so
highly useful in our cities and villages, some



PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.  89
thing of the kind was still more necessary in
the great western country, where, from the
sparseness of the population and the inability of the people, the living preacher was seldom seen; especially in the valley of the Ml~ississippi, where, after two years' labor, it was
said that not one-fourth of the inhabitants
were supplied with tracts, and where the
population was rapidly increasing. It was
thought necessary, therefore, that more should
be done for this purpose.
The subject'of tracts for foreign countries
continued to be powerfully pressed, and the
claims of France, Russia, the Mediterranean,
Bombay, Ceylon, Burmah, China, and the
Sandwich Islands were earnestly presented;
so that as early as 1832 the sum of $10,000
was remitted to aid this great work abroad,
it being a larger sum than had been devoted
to that purpose during the whole period of
the existence of the Society. These remittances, however, instead of weakening the
resources of the Society, served greatly to increase the receipts of the institution; so that
they were enabled, the succeeding year, to
double that amount; and in the year next to




90        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
that, to add one-third more, making $60,000
in three years; and of the last, $5,000 was
sent for China, and $5,000 for Burmah.
The volume enterprise, as it was called,
now began to assume a more important place
in the operations of the Society.
While a short simple story written with
the pen of truth, or a few words of exhortation with the spirit of the gospel, might be
best adapted to a considerable class of the
community, it was believed that larger standard works of great and good men now no
more, would better meet the wants of another portion of our people, as they would not
only greatly tend to elevate the standard of
piety among those now pious, and lead those
who were thoughtless to consideration and
repentance, but might in a good measure
supersede those light and superficial works
under the name of literary, which, when not
immoral, often tended to false ideas of life,
thus producing dissipation of thought and
discontent with the dispensations of Providence.
After much consultation with well-informed
clergymen and laymen of various denomina



PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.  91
tions, it was determined to republish works
of standard religious authors in a form which
would attract the attention of those who
would not open a book clothed in the homely
garb which alone was known here when Edwards gave to the world his life of Brainerd
a century ago.
The blessing attending this effort in the
cause of truth, called forth loud commendations from the most judicious. "The success of the volume enterprise," says the late
lamented Dr. Archibald Alexander, "gladdens my heart every time I think of it, and I
sincerely wish, instead of twenty volumes,
you had a hundred in circulation;" and every
Report teemed with accounts of its multiplied
blessings.
Such was the favor with which these books
were received, that it became necessary to
find some more effectual mode for their extensive circulation. Letters from distinguished clergymen abroad, and information from
officers of the institution and others who had
been in foreign lands, showing the result of
Colportage, together with its peculiar adaptation to the scattered settlements-of our




92       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
country, all combined to recommend a trial
of that system to the directors of this institution.
The experiment was made. A few men of
devoted piety and ardent zeal were employed, at a very small compensation, to go to
destitute portions of the country to sell these
volumes to those who could purchase them,
and to distribute to those who could not
where they were like to do good, to accompany them by their conversation and prayers, and by their Christian demeanor as well
as their books to leave an influence which
would be felt wherever they went. The effect
of the measure was soon visible. The numbers were increased from time to time. These
men, with knowledge derived mainly from the
word of God, persevered, often with great
labor and sufferings, to perform the service
they had undertaken, and left impressions
upon the hearts, as well as books in the
hands, of many who at first rejected them.
The friends of the Society were highly gratified by the reports of the labors of these
humble messengers, and have encouraged the
work by liberal donations for that express




PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.  93
purpose, until the number of persons employ.
ed for a longer or shorter time were, for the
last year, six hundred and forty-three, visiting more than half a million of families, and
supplying them with more than six hundred
thousand volumes.
The blessed effects of the labors of these
men are to be found in many scattered papers of the annual reports of the Society, and
in a condensed form in the last annual report, where a history of ten years of Colportage in America may be found, highly interesting to the mere philanthropist as well as
the Christian. Those who have read that
report need no further evidence of the value
and importance of this system, and those
who wish for information will there find it.
Much has been done from time to time
through this Society, by the liberality of individuals, in stereotyping volumes of standard works, and in premiums for tracts on various subjects, of which that offered for the
best treatise upon systematic beneficence has
been productive of most marked beneficial
effects. It was the means of calling forth
more than one hundred and seventy tracts,




94        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
many of which were highly deserving, and
several of which have been published by the
Society, calling the attention of the Christian
community to a higher standard and more
systematic course of beneficence, and already
have been productive of much good.
Much valuable instruction has been given
by means of annual and other periodical publications, such as the Christian Almanac,
which commenced with a moderate circulation and now requires more than 300,000
copies. The Messenger, though in form a
newspaper and published monthly, has reached a circulation of about 200,000; and The
Child's Paper, yet in the infancy of its existence, has more than 100,000 subscribers. So
pure are the thoughts, so wise the sentiments, and so judicious the counsels emanating from these sources, that we may hope for
them a still more extended circulation.
The beneficial effects of the labors of the
Society have been felt not only in our land,
but extensively in foreign countries. Their
tracts have taken as it were the wings of the
dove and flown to the ends of the earth. All
quarters of the globe have become their ben



PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.   95
eficiaries. And it may be said, that wherever
the foot of civilized man has trod, there has
been left the impress of this Society. The
English language is but one of more than a
hundred languages and dialects in which
they have, directly or indirectly, proclaimed
the news of salvation to lost man. Verily it
may be said, their sound has gone forth to
all the world.
The review made at the close of a quarter
century will afford a fair test of its progress.
In the first year of its existence, the donations were about $7,000, sales about $3,000;
total, $10,158 78. In the twenty-fifth, the
donations were about $106,000, the sales
$202,000; total, $308,266 72.  In the first
year, 8,053,500 pages were printed; 148,000
pages granted; and there were no foreign
grants in cash. In the twenty-fifth year,
307,636,200 pages were printed, 58,138,820
pages granted, and $15,000 were remitted to
foreign lands.
That these publications were of the character originally contemplated, is proved by
the fact that there has been no division of
opinion in the committee, consisting of mem



96        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
bers of different denominations, as well as by
the general voice of the public.
The aim of this brief history of the formation and progress of this Society, is to show
that the purpose for which it was formed has
been steadily kept in view in what had been
contemplated. That object we have seen
was, to promote the interests of vital godliness and sound morality by means of tracts,
and to diffuse a knowledge of the Saviour.
To this great object it is believed all their
publications have been adapted, whether the
broad-sheet, the American Messenger, The
Child's Paper, the Christian Almanac, the
little duodecimo, or the larger volume; and
this object has been pursued with unremitting industry, and with great economy, the
Committee rendering their services gratuitously.
Some may even say that the Society is
doing too much. Will any true Christian say
that too much can be done in such a cause?
Is there danger that the great truths of religion will be circulated too far, or reach too
many hearts; or that too much light will be
shed upon the darkness of the world? Let




PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.  97
it be remembered, that though some in many
countries have been reached, yet but a small
part of the population of the globe have as
yet heard of the Saviour. The masses, as
yet, are ignorant and unenlightened. And
how many are there in Christian lands that
know not these truths, and how many among
professors that need to have their minds
stirred up by way of remembrance.
Will it be said you interfere with the occupation qf those who are publishing religious books?
Such an objection would apply to the whole
plan of making religious books cheap, the
Bible as well as others. It is setting up the
interest of individuals against bringing the
gospel to the doors of the poor. But a great
object of this association is to bring the gospel to the poor as well as the ignorant. For
such Christ came; and it will ever be matter
of joy to his followers, to bring these glad
tidings to those who have not the means, as
well as those who have not the heart to seek
them. Besides, the funds which have been
placed in the hands of the Society, were given for this very purpose. They are but the
trustees of the donors, and woe be to them
Judge Williams.  7




98        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
if they do not faithfully execute that trust.
And what good man would refrain from giving to this pious object, even if it should
interfere with the business or diminish the
profits of a friend?  Nor would a benevolent
heart ever wish that one mind less should be
instructed, or one soul less converted, that
his own gains might be increased.
Some have feared that the distribution of
tracts and books by agents or colporteurs,
might interfere with the rights or duties of
the living preacher. Such agencies are indeed
a substitute, and a most important one, for
the living preacher, where such cannot be
had. But it is intended for his aid-to draw
attention to him, and a desire for him; and
there is abundant evidence from the testimonies of missionaries, as well as pastors, that
such has been the effect. It has been said
by some, that the instruction given by such
persons might differ from that of the minister, and in this way produce ill consequences.
There can be little danger of this, if these
are truly pious persons, and great pains are
taken to select none other; and no greater
danger is to be feared from this source, than




PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.  99
from such advice as is constantly given by
pious friends or neighbors to those around
them. Such advice or exhortations may not
always be as sound or judicious as the pastor
himself might give, but who for that reason
would object to such communications?
Is it objected, that the Society does not
send forth its instructions upon every subject
connected with vital religion and morality?
It must be recollected, that it never proposed
to publish all truths, but those truths alone
in which evangelical Christians are agreed.
Of course by the terms of union nothing of
a sectional or party character could be circulated. Will any one of the several denominations engaged in this work acknowledge
that his own sect cannot endure these great
truths, or that their prosperity would be injured by their extensive diffusion? Such an
avowal would excite a suspicion that they
were conscious that the essential doctrines
of the Bible were not in accordance with their
views, or that they were more desirous of
giving prominence to their own particular
sentiments, than to the great truths of the
gospel. The Tract Society do not by their




100        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
publications preclude the circulation of the
writings of the best men of their respective
denominations, nor do they interfere with
them except as the leading doctrines of the
gospel will naturally take the first attention
of those who are seeking an interest in the
great salvation, rather than those minor speculations which divide the Christian community. The great saving truths of the gospel
are those which the Society are principally
anxious to teach, with the morality connected
with them; and while they do not discard all
else as wood, hay, and stubble, they regard
it as less essential to salvation, and leave it
for others.
Is it said that this Society interferes with
other benevolent institutions?  So far from it,
it is the friend of all, and may be said to be
auxiliary to all. By its lesser tracts it infuses into the youthful mind a thirst for more
extensive information, and leads him to wish
to drink deeper from the well of life, and thus
sends him to education societies to seek their
aid. It is an efficient helper to the Bible
Society by its commendation of that fountain
from which its own streams are derived, and




PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY. 101
by scattering abroad its leaves with its own
publications. The heart of the home and
domestic missionary is cheered in his solitary wanderings by such companions as Baxter and Bunyan and Payson, and he often
leaves them to preach to congregations he
cannot meet. The foreign missionary has
often spoken by such men in languages which
he very imperfectly understood, and in places
to which he could not gain access. The Seamen's Friend Society, and the Bethel Society, and the Home, have all drawn largely
upon the Tract Society, and freely acknowledged its assistance.
Wherever it has scattered its leaves it has
been for the healing of the nations, and though
much may have been lost on the rock or by
the way-side, multitudes of living witnesses
will testify that much has been sown on good
ground, and is bringing forth fruit sixty and
a hundred fold.
During the year that is past the prosperity
and usefulness of the Society has been greater than ever. The receipts, the number of
colporteurs, the circulation, and grants have
been increased. Every day brings fresh to



102       JUDGE WILLIAMS.
kens of the beneficial results from the labors
of the Society, and we have abundant evidence that the hand of God has been over us
for good. Thousands in this and other lands
are praising him for the blessings conferred
by this instrumentality. We have indeed
been called to lament, during the year past,
the death of two of our venerated Vice-presidents, full of years and of honor, and one of
the Publishing Committee, whose age and
talents gave hope of much longer usefulness.
But we knqw that lIe who lent them to us
can raise up other Alexanders and Morrows
and MIasons, or he can work by feebler instruments, if it please him.
Confident we are, that though friends die
and enemies arise, our course is onward, and
He that is mighty is with us. The work will
go on, the gospel will be preached to every
creature, the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of Christ. To him every
knee shall bow, and every tongue confess
him to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father.




IION. THOMAS S. WILLIAMS,
LATE CHIEF-JUSTICE OF CONNECTICUT, DIED AT
HARTFORD, ON SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER
15TH, 1861, AGED 84.'T is -not for pen and ink,
Or the weak measures of the muse, to give
Fit transcript of his virtues who hath risen
Up from our midst this day.
And yet't were sad
If such example were allowed to fleet
Without abiding trace for those behind.
To stand on earth's high places in the garb
Of Christian meekness, yet to comprehend
And track the tortuous policies of guile
With upright aim and heart immaculate;
To pass just sentence on the wiles of fraud
And deeds of wickedness, yet freshly keep
The fountain of good-will to all mankind;
To mark for more than fourscore years a line
Of light without a mist, are victories
Not oft achieved by frail humanity,
Yet were they his.
Of charities, that knew
No stint or boundary save the woes of man,
He wished no mention made. But doubt ye not
Their record is above.
Without the tax
That age doth levy on the eye or ear,
Movement of limbs, or social sympathies,




104        JUDGE WILLIAMS.
In sweet retirement of domestic joy
His calm, unshadowed pilgrimage was closed
By an unsighing transit.
Our first wintry morn
Lifted its Sabbath face, and saw him sit
All reverent at the table of his Lord,
And heard that kindly modulated voice
Teaching heaven's precepts to a youthful class,
Which erst with statesman's eloquence controlled
A different audience. The next holy day
Wondering, beheld his place at church unfilled,
And found him drooping in his peaceful home,
Guarded by tenderest love.
But on the third,
While the faint dawn was struggling to o'ercome
The lingering splendors of a full-orbed moon,
The curtains of his tent were gently raised,
And he had gone-gone, mourned by every heart
Among the people. They had seen in him
The truth personified, and felt the worth
Of such a mentor.'T were impiety
To let the harp of praise in silence lie,
We who beheld so beautiful a life
Complete its perfect circle. Praise to Him
Who gave him power in Christ's dear name to pass
Unharmed the dangerous citadel of time,
Unsullied o'er its countless snares to rise
From earthly care to rest-from war to peaceFrom chance and change, to everlasting bliss.
Give praise to God.      L. H. SIGOURNEY.