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DISCOURSE ^ 
 
 \dwm(> at t^u ^,nmui of 
 
 HON. WILLIAM M. RICHARDSON, 
 
 ON THE 2Gth DAY OF MARCH, A. D.. 1838. 
 
 BY REV. JONATHAN CLEMENT, 
 
 y 
 
 PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH IN CHESTER, N H. 
 
 PI'BMSHEI) BY REQUEST OF THE CmZENS OF CHESTER, 
 
 CONCORD, N. H. 
 
 PRINTED RY ASA m'f ARf. AND, OPPOSITE TH F "iTATK HOUSE. 
 
 1838. 
 

 • * • • t 
 
 • « • • •** •• * 
 
DISCOURSE. 
 
 ECCLESIASTES xn. . 7. 
 
 THEN SHALL THE DUST RETURN TO THE EARTH AS IT WAS ; AND 
 THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN UNTO GOD WHO GAVE IT. 
 
 It needs not the announcement of these words of Holy 
 Writ, at the present time, to convince us that all flesh is grass, 
 and the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field. We 
 have before us the affecting memorials of human frailty. 
 The deep solemnity on the minds of all around us ; the tears 
 and sighs of the mourners ; the sympathy of surviving 
 friends ; these are the voice of God, saying to every one of 
 us, " dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." 
 
 We take our journey through life in far different ways. 
 Some keep the lowly vales of life, and are known only to 
 a few friends and acquaintances ; others fill a large space in 
 the knowledge and estimation of their fellow-men ; yet all 
 alike follow the same destination, every one in his turn say- 
 ing " to corruption, thou art my father, and to the worm, 
 thou art my mother and my sister." We are always in- 
 structed by death ; and he who quits this earthly stage, for 
 one of far other magnitude, has a lesson in his departure for 
 his respective circle of acquaintances. 
 
 The death of Judge Richardson, which now arrests our 
 attention, is felt severely by an extensive circle of endeared 
 
 15^091 
 
tVieudK. -Pel haps it may be profitable to direct the serious 
 attention of this numerous assembly to the life and character 
 of the deceased, and to turn the Providence to such account 
 as may be suited to the present feelings of the mourners, 
 and of the community. 
 
 The circumstance which gave to our departed friend a 
 public education, and a public course of hfe, was touchingly 
 referred to by him on a former occasion of illness. Shewing 
 on his hand the scar of a wound which was received in his 
 boyhood — " it was this (said he) which gave me my educa- 
 tion, and it has led me to think much on a particular Provi- 
 dence." Disabled by this accident, he devoted to study that 
 time which would otherwise have been devoted to labor on 
 a farm. He soon discovered such a relish, and made such 
 proficiency in learning, as induced him to select that course 
 of life which led to his eminent public services. 
 
 He was born at Pelham, N. H., January 4, 1774, At the 
 age of twenty-three he was graduated at Cambridge, the 
 seat of our oldest university, with high honors. After leav- 
 ing College, he was employed in the instruction of the 
 Academy at Leicester, Mass. Here his health declined in 
 consequence of that severe industry for which he was always 
 distinguished. A partial relaxation from his literary labors 
 so far restored his health, that he was not long after employed 
 as preceptor of the Academy in Groton, Mass. In this situ- 
 ation, he was as ever, exceedingly industrious, but his studies 
 were, at first, altogether of a literary kind. He was fond of 
 writing poetry, and of the early productions of his muse, 
 there are still some remains. He was at this period doing 
 much to cultivate that delicate taste in composition which 
 marked his subsequent career of literature. It is believed 
 
he had not fixed upon his juolession. until he was invited 
 into the office of Judge Dana. Of this gentleman, he was 
 so happy as to secure the entire confidence, and with him lie 
 was associated in business, in the early part of his profes- 
 sional labors. In 1811, he was elected to Congress, as suc- 
 cessor to General Varnum, then chosen to a seat in the 
 Senate of the United States. He was reelected, but re- 
 signed his seat in Congress in 1814, for the purpose of remov- 
 ing to Portsmouth, N. H. 
 
 In his new situation he immediately entered into extensive 
 practise. His credit at the bar is sufficiently shewn from 
 the fact that within two years after his removal into the 
 State, he was appointed Chief Justice, an office which he 
 held to the time of his decease — being about twenty-two 
 years. He removed to this town abotit nineteen years since, 
 where of course he has been well known, and as every one 
 will add, as much esteemed for his excellencies of character, 
 both public and private. But his acquaintance was familiar 
 over the whole State, and greatly beyond its bounds. He 
 has died in office and in honor ; and many, and honored are 
 they, who mourn his loss, and revere his memory. Such a 
 character is public property, and ought not to be consigned 
 to oblivion, even if there were any disposition so to do. 
 The indulgence of my hearers is asked, and especially of 
 the relations and particular friends of the deceased, if in a 
 brief analysis of his character the limits of propriety shall 
 be in any respect exceeded. 
 
 Unquestionably he was endowed by nature with a mind 
 of the first order. Its perceptions were quick, and its move- 
 ments rapid. Whatever subject he examined he seized upon 
 the main points of it with wonderful acumen. Such was 
 
6 
 
 the ardor of his intellect, that it flashed, as it were, in a mo- 
 ment, into the darkest intricacies, and brought to plain view 
 what was before hidden in obscurity. He was, in the strictest 
 sense, a genius, and the creations of his fancy were such, 
 that, had he given his attention to poetry, he would doubtless 
 have excelled in that department of writing. His produc- 
 tions in prose, when the nature of the subject would allow, 
 were filled with original turns of thought, and oftentimes, 
 with expressions in the highest degree striking and impres- 
 sive. In his conversation he was continually throwing out 
 both thoughts and expressions that made the hearer feel that 
 he was in the presence of no common man. Had he never 
 received a public education, the force of his genius would 
 yet have been such as to be felt by all who are capable of 
 appreciating the characteristics of a noble mind. Many of 
 his observations on works of genius, and on the incidents of 
 common life, were worthy of being treasured up, and regis- 
 tered, not only for the gratification of his friends, but for the 
 benefit of strangers and posterity. There was a brilliancy 
 about his mind that rendered it truly captivating. The 
 strokes of his wit, it is believed, were never excelled in 
 originality and point ; and however caustic, they were almost 
 universally levelled against folly and vice. It was not in 
 his heart, for the sake of brilliant repartee, to wound the 
 feelings of innocence, or obstruct the ways of virtue. It 
 has been noticed that where the penetration of the mind is 
 at once so deep and searching, and its motions so rapid, de- 
 cisions are often formed on a sudden, which are less accurate ; 
 and this was the case with our deceased friend. But the ill 
 effects of this hasty decision were in him prevented by a 
 careful revision, and a prompt and honest avowal of any 
 
change in opinion suggested by full examination. His mind, 
 which had been formed for the boldest flights of imagination, 
 was chastened by severe and careful reasoning, and ])y a 
 long discipline attained that balance of its powers, whirh 
 approaches intellectual perfection. 
 
 While the character of Judge Richardson's mind was 
 thus marked and peculiar, no less so was that of his natural 
 feelings. In generosity and nobleness of disposition, no one 
 was before him. He held in utter abhorrence every thing 
 that is crooked in policy, and mean in practice. His feelings 
 were kind toward his family and friends. He was beloved 
 as a neighbor. He repaid with attention and gratitude every 
 act of kindness performed toward himself. He cherished 
 no implacable resentments. The poor and distressed he 
 would succour to the utmost extent of his ability. None 
 ever went to him in sorrow, who did not find a sympathising 
 heart. Holding as he has a conspicuous office in the State, 
 he has of course been very extensively a subject of conver- 
 sation ; and it is believed that whatever admiration of his 
 talents and integrity has been expressed, even greater has 
 been the afiection uniformly expressed and felt towards him 
 as a man. 
 
 There was nothing more remarkable in the life of Judge 
 Richardson than his untiring industry. With limited 
 early advantages, and somewhat late in the commencement 
 of his liberal studies ; indebted almost entirely to his own 
 exertions for support, as he passed from the Academy to the 
 University, and from that to the bar, he yet ranked high as 
 a scholar in a large class, enrolling on its catalogue such 
 names as Binney of Philadelphia. A destructive impression 
 sometimes infests the minds of the young, that genius, un- 
 
8 
 
 improved by culture, leads on to high usefulness and honor 
 in the learned professions. But there is not a solitary ex- 
 ample among the eminent living, or the eminent dead, to 
 sanction this opinion. During the last eight years, the 
 speaker has had much opportunity to know the mental habits 
 of tlie deceased ; and no hesitation is felt in saying, that of 
 all the hard working men in the town, he was literally at 
 the head. There is probably not a farmer in the place, or a 
 mechanic, who has performed so much severe labor — so ex- 
 hausting to the constitution ; and this in the midst of almost 
 constant bodily suffering from illness. Blessed orignally 
 with one of the finest constitutions, he early brought into it 
 the seeds of indestructible disease, and has been a great suf- 
 ferer all his remaining days. Occasionally he would yield 
 for a short time to the severity of his pain, but even then, 
 if not confined to his bed, he would be employed in some 
 manual exercise, of the fruit of which there are now, and 
 long will be, numerous mementos. But his great and ex- 
 hausting labor was hard study. Hour after hour, and fre- 
 quently to the amomitof twelve and fourteen hours in a day, 
 has he applied his mind to his professional studies. And 
 besides this, he extended his researches into almost every 
 branch of learning. With the ancient and modern lan- 
 guages, and with the best English productions, he was ex- 
 ceedingly familiar. To these rigid habits of industry he 
 was indebted for the credit with which he so long performed 
 the duties of Chief Justice. His knowledge of law was 
 rendered such by his studious habits, that few men in our 
 country have excelled him in this qualification of a Judge. 
 His tact of discovering and presenting to a Jury the principal 
 points in a case, was in a great measure the result of rigid 
 
mental discipline ; and his constant attention to the best 
 models of style in the ancient and modern classics, gave to 
 his law reports a simplicity and perspicuity which were much 
 admired at home and abroad. In ha])py condensation, in 
 hicid arrangement, in clear and interesting language, his 
 writings bear a close resemblance to the best works of the 
 Augustan age of English literature. Such are the effects of 
 industrious habits, early formed, and continued for a length 
 of years. In this particular his life is worthy of the special 
 study of every young man. Nothing can be well done, in 
 any business, without severe toil ; and with this, faithfully 
 and wisely applied, almost any thing desirable can be ac- 
 complished. 
 
 So important is the office which Judge Richardson has 
 sustained in this State, and so general the favor with which 
 his discharge of official duties has been regarded, that un- 
 doubtedly his public character will be drawn by some one 
 better qualified than myself for the task. On this point, 
 therefore, I shall not enlarge. Of his literary dispositions 
 and accomplishments I have spoken with greater confidence 
 — not because they are more certain, but because to me 
 they are better known. 
 
 As a specimen of his industry in literary pursuits, it may 
 be observed, that he twice read Dante, in the original, during 
 the last five years of his life, besides reading much in Span- 
 ish and French, and looking often into the Latin writers, 
 such as Juvenal and Sallust. He was very fond of the natu- 
 ral sciences, and in Botany he made a collection of plants 
 which displays both his industry and his acquaintance with 
 the subject. In short, there was nothing within the circle 
 of knowledge to which he did not devote his attention, and 
 
10 
 
 with success proportioned to the degree of time he could 
 bestow. The works of nature he often mentioned, and fre- 
 quently with much warmth, as displaying the power and 
 goodness of the Almighty. Testimony to his literary, sci- 
 entific and professional attainments has been rendered from 
 various quarters, and among the rest the degree of LL. D. 
 was conferred on him by Dartmouth College. Such honors, 
 as was observed of "Watts by Johnson, would be of more 
 value if always as judiciously bestowed. 
 
 In all respects his removal to this town was a great bless- 
 ing to the place ; but in nothing more so than in the influ- 
 ence he exerted in improving the literary character of the 
 citizens. He interested himself greatly in the formation of 
 an Athenaium, which has been, and will continue to be, an 
 advantage to the place, of no inconsiderable magnitude. Be- 
 sides this, he was continually obtaining the newest and best 
 books, and was never so much gratified as when they were 
 well used by his neighbors. Even if books and reviews 
 were not read by others, if read by himself they were made 
 the subjects of remark in conversation, calculated to improve 
 the taste and enlarge the knowledge of an extended circle 
 of occasional hearers. In his conversation, as well as in his 
 writings, he was one of the purest examples of the use of 
 our language ; entirely free from atfectation, never verbose, 
 never obscure, always exerting the best influence on the 
 style of every one who enjoyed his friendship. In this re- 
 spect alone his loss to the community is great — for not very 
 common are such models of pure English in men of rank. 
 The eff'orts used by him for the literary benefit of society 
 were continually put forth, — and the influence thence re- 
 sulting, though silent like the dew or the light, was like 
 
11 
 
 them preparing the way for the harvest of after time. The 
 constant elevation of mind in a commnnity, through the 
 diffusion of wholesome learning, is adapted to banish vice 
 and promote virtue ; and though it may be left to coming 
 years to record the benefits of such influences, the record is 
 sure. 
 
 The most miportant question that can be asked concerning 
 any one who has lived and died, relates to the influence he 
 has exerted on the momentous subjects of morals and reli- 
 gion. As to public morality, it was a subject undeniably of 
 deep interest with the deceased. His maxim was, that no 
 community can be happy without being moral. For the 
 promotion of this cause he labored. Strictly temperate, and 
 even at times abstemious himself, he early advocated the 
 Temperance Reform. A published address of his to the 
 Grand Jury, was one of the first movements of the great 
 cause in this State. Strict honesty in the dealings of man 
 with man, truth, candor, private benevolence, public spirit, 
 good citizenship, in all its relations, he both inculcated on 
 others, and practised himself. 
 
 It has never been my privilege to hear any one express 
 more emphatically than he, the conviction that the Christian 
 Religion is the only foundation on which public morals can 
 safely rest. ''Without this," said he, " there would be no 
 ' validity in an oath, and our courts of justice would be de- 
 ' stroyed. I would not live in a place where the gospel was 
 ' not regularly preached." Of course he was the liberal 
 supporter and tried friend of our religious Society. In any 
 difficulty we might go to him with the utmost freedom and 
 confidence. His influence, great as it was, and whatever of 
 
12 
 
 pecuniary contribution might be needed, he never with- 
 held. In his death our parish has sustained a great loss. 
 He was so cordial in his attachment to its interests, that 
 many others were made its friends through his example ; 
 and he was so constant and so delicate in his numerous little, 
 and sometimes not little attentions to his own minister, as 
 afforded that encouragement and support which the arduous 
 duties of his calling render of indispensable importance. 
 
 He subscribed freely to that construction of the gospel 
 which is termed evangelical ; none other did he consider as 
 reaching the spirituality of its sense. To an old friend, an 
 aged and much respected minister of the gospel, he once 
 remarked, " that he could usually determine, by the conduct 
 of jurors and witnesses, whether or not they had come from 
 places where an evangelical ministry was enjoyed." 
 
 It is true, the assent of the judgment to the discriminating 
 truths of the gospel is a very different thing from that sm- 
 render of the heart to Christ, which is saving faith. We 
 are bound to credit his own confessions, made during his 
 late illnesses, that in the multiplicity of his labors he at- 
 tended less to the cultivation of his own heart, than the 
 gospel requires. " I have over-worked myself," said he, in 
 one of his latest conversations ; "it was an error — yet it was 
 an honest endeavor to do my duty : but it was not my only 
 error : the poet was right — 
 
 'Too low they build who build beneath the stars/ 
 
 Every confidence now escapes me except the atonement of 
 Jesus Christ." His views on some points of theology, and 
 on some matters of practice, would have been modified, had 
 the grace of God been operative in his heart during the 
 active years of his life. But malice was not in his heart. 
 
13 
 
 He read the Bible much. On some parts of its history he 
 frequently made remarks which were useful to the well read 
 theologian. The New Testament he has perused frequently 
 of late years, chiefly in the modern languages of Europe. 
 He comprehended fully, and expressed forcibly the spirit of 
 simplicity, meekness and humility, therein enjoined upon 
 the Christian. He was not in the habit of speaking of his 
 own feelings v/ith freedom ; his private troubles he did not 
 communicate ; he bore them with fortitude and alone. This 
 trait in his character induces the belief that his religious 
 feelings were much deeper than was known even to his most 
 intimate friends. If he was reluctant to express to his own 
 family his private feelings on other subjects, when they 
 were undoubtedly exquisite, there is scarce a doubt that the 
 inmost soul was seldom seen when agitated by the thoughts 
 of eternity ; and this opinion is confirmed by the occasional 
 remarks that fell from him during his last few months or 
 weeks. 
 
 In respect to the use of money, that rock on which so 
 many make shipwreck of faith, he was certainly a much 
 better example of the spirit of Christianity than is exhibited 
 by most professors of religion. The love of hoarding was 
 an utter stranger to his bosom. Money was no more to him 
 than the dust under his feet, except so far as it could be 
 made the means of doing good. He often made animated 
 and excellent remarks on the good moral influence of the 
 slow accumulation of property, by constant industry and 
 honest dealing ; and the spirit of speculation he exposed in 
 a masterly manner, at the very time when it was most rife 
 in our country. Had his judgments in this particular been 
 seasonably regarded, some of the grossest immoralities in 
 
14 
 
 our history would have been j)revented, and hundreds of 
 men, and even of professed christians, would have been 
 saved from embarrassment and dishonor. 
 
 The prospect of death did not in the least discompose him. 
 He was perfectly resigned to his closing mortal scene ; and 
 the composure he felt he ascribed, in the most emphatical 
 manner, to the sacrifice of the Son of God. When his 
 reason was perfectly clear, which was the case at intervals 
 till almost the moment of his death, he spoke of the Sufferer 
 of Calvary as the only medium of approach to the tree of 
 life. His own language was, " I know in whom I have 
 believed, and where alone is my trust." In respect to the 
 unequivocal and emphatic testimony to faith in the Cross as 
 the dying man's anchor, nothing could be more sublime than 
 the spectacle of his departure. And to the connection of 
 this faith in the central truth of the gospel, with his own 
 feelings in view of life, and in view of death, we ascribe the 
 almost unparalleled composure of his closing scene. 
 
 The Cross of Christ — the Rock of Ages — faith in his 
 name who came from Heaven to save us — these then are the 
 themes which I commend to the consideration of the mourn- 
 ing family, in this time of God's visitation. Trusting in 
 this name, standing on this Rock, adhering to this Cross, 
 you will find the solace and support which you now need in 
 affliction, and which you will soon need in the hour of your 
 own dissolution. The relatives near and remote will find 
 consolation in reflecting on a life of uncommon usefulness, 
 and in the assurance that the sorrow they feel is participated 
 in by all who knew their departed friend. 
 
 The members of the Bar present on this melancholy oc- 
 casion, in which they are interested deeply from personal 
 
15 
 
 acquaintance, and identity of calling, will, I trust, return 
 from this solemn scene impressed with a sense of their own 
 mortality, the necessity of always being in a state of prepa- 
 ration for the approach of death, and the importance of doing 
 with their might whatsoever their hand findeth to do in the 
 service of God their Saviour. Faith in the atonement of 
 Jesus Christ, working by love and [)urifying the heart, will 
 be to you the only safe confidence in the hour which cannot 
 be distant, when you will follow your departed friend to the 
 tribunal above. 
 
 There are those in this assembly who may be expected 
 to feel the death of Judge Richardson with peculiar sensi- 
 bility, though not connected with him by the ties of blood ; 
 the aged men, who have long been his neighbors and ac- 
 quaintances, and some of them associated with him formerly 
 in office, and long familiar with his professional course. He 
 has gone before you but a few days. Death is making yearly 
 incursions into your little diminishing circle. You feel that 
 your time is short. You feel too that the faith of the Cross, 
 so warmly recommended by your friend in the arms of death, 
 must be your anchor in the same dread hour, if you would 
 die in peace. We beseech you to give all diligence, the 
 short remnant of your days, to make your calling and elec- 
 tion sure. Do all you can, by every scriptural testimony in 
 favor of the Cross, to recommend its expiating influences to 
 the faith and life of your fellow-creatures. 
 
 To the whole community the death of Judge Richardson 
 is full of instruction. We all feel that a great man has fallen. 
 Though it is not in my power to assign the exact place, his 
 name is undoubtedly on the list with the Parsonses, the 
 Livingstons, and the Marshalls of our country. In the 
 
16 
 
 character of his mind, he was wonderful ; in the resources 
 of his knowledge, scarcely less so ; in his official services in 
 the most important and responsible station in the State, labo- 
 rious, able and faithful ; in literature, one of the brightest 
 stars in our hemisphere ; in social dispositions, generous, 
 kindly and humane ; the courteous gentleman ; the sympa- 
 thizing friend ; the benefactor of the poor ; the counsellor 
 in difficulties ; the efficient patron of all our literary and 
 religious institutions. His name will be kept in cherished 
 remembrance, embalmed in the tears of gratitude and affec- 
 tion ; and no marble monument will be needed to tell the 
 coming age, that he lived and died in the heart of this 
 community. 
 
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