'^^^iy *Ja^/t^ M Jf^an^;^. 
 
 
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 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINI5RY 
 
 BY THE HEIRS OK THE LATE 
 
 Iprotessor Ibenrg Carrinflton aiejanOer, S).2)., XIL.D. 
 BX 9225 .A24 16 1853 
 
 In memoriam [William Adger] 
 
Charleston Coukiek, Dec. 15, 1853. 
 
 DEATH OF WILLIAM AD GEE, Esq. 
 
 It is our melaDcholy duty this morniug, 
 to announce the death of William Adger, 
 Esq., fourth son of James Adger, Esq., 
 and one of the most esteemed merchants 
 of this city, which occurred, as the Tele- 
 graph informs us, at New-York yesterday. 
 
 Mr. Adger had left us some two or 
 three weeks since, on an excursion, partly 
 for business purposes and partly for recrea- 
 tion, in the full enjoyment of health, and 
 the intelligence of his death, after a brief 
 illness, has plunged his family and friends 
 into the deepest distress, for which they 
 have the heartfelt sympathies of our whole 
 community, in which the deceased stood 
 deservedly high. He was in the prime of 
 
^ 
 
 life — being in his thirty-sixth year — and 
 treading in the footsteps of his venerable 
 and excellent father, now, although at a 
 very advanced age, holding the most pro- 
 minent rank among the active and ener- 
 getic of our resident merchants, was iden- 
 tified with every thing connected with the 
 business and prosperity of our city. 
 
 Quiet and unobtrusive in his deport- 
 ment, Mr. Adger was ever most assiduously 
 engaged in the active duties of life. He 
 was a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
 of which he was an Elder at the time of 
 his death, and as President for many years 
 of the Eagle Fire Company, rendered dis- 
 tinguished services in the fire department 
 of our city — a department to which we are 
 all so much indebted for our safety and 
 security. He was, also, characterized for 
 his liberal and unostentatious charities, 
 and was most emphatically a true friend to 
 the deserving; and, although naturally, 
 this sad bereavement will more severely 
 afflict the immediate family circle, who 
 best know how to appreciate the extent of 
 
tlie calamity that has befallen them, yet 
 there are many others who will long re- 
 member his numerous acts of pure and 
 disinterested friendship. 
 
Charleston Evening News, Dec. 15, 1853. 
 
 DEATH OF WILLIAM ADGER, Esq. 
 
 It is witli painful feelings that we have 
 to record the death of "William Adgee, 
 Esq., fourth son of James Adger, Esq., of 
 this city. The deceased was in his thirty- 
 sixth year, and was engaged in the mer- 
 cantile profession, of which he was a very 
 useful member. Having visited New- York 
 about six weeks since, his death has been 
 as unexpected as it has been afflicting and 
 sorrowful, to a large circle of friends and 
 connections. To his immediate relatives, 
 on whom this calamity has fallen with re- 
 doubled force, a sympathising community 
 offers that silent condolence which is the 
 best evidence of general feeling, and a 
 just tribute to the virtues of the deceased. 
 
By his aged parents particularly, this 
 bereavement will be felt most keenly. As 
 a sou, Mr. Adger was all that parental love 
 could desire or picture. In the relations 
 of husband, father and friend, his affec- 
 tions were warm and unrelaxed, while his 
 kindly disposition was felt in all the de- 
 partments of his household. 
 
 Mr. Adgee was, at the time of his death, 
 an Elder of the Second Presbyterian 
 Church, where his religious services were 
 gratefully recognized ; while, as President 
 for many years of the Eagle Fire Com- 
 pany, of this city, his duties were per- 
 formed with that zeal which manifested a 
 lively sense of the duties of the citizen. 
 
 As a testimonial of respect to the me- 
 mory of the deceased, the different Fire 
 Companies, which assembled for annual 
 inspection this morning, after meeting on 
 the ground were dismissed, and retired to 
 their liomes with muffled drums. 
 
Charleston Courier, Dec. 19, 1853. 
 
 FUNERAL OF THE LATE WM. ADGER, Esq. 
 
 The remains of this estimable gentle- 
 man and useful citizen, reached this place 
 yesterday morning, in the steamer Union, 
 from New- York, and were interred, in the 
 evening, in the cemetery of the Second 
 Presbyterian Church, (of which Mr. A. 
 was a Ruling Elder,) amidst a large num- 
 ber of weejDing relatives and sorrowing 
 citizens. 
 
 The spacious church, in which the fune- 
 ral services were performed, was filled to 
 overflowing ; and, among those who thus 
 paid the last tribute to departed worth, 
 were the Mayor and other officers of the 
 city government, and the members of the 
 fii-e department, of which the deceased 
 was a most active and efficient officer. 
 
9 
 
 The funeral discourse was pronounced 
 by the Rev. Mr. Buttolph, assistant minis- 
 ter of the churcli, who, in the course of 
 his remarks, gave a strong and vivid por- 
 traiture of the character and career of the 
 deceased, as an intelligent and successful 
 merchant, an active public officer, a true 
 Christian, and an unostentatious philan- 
 thropist. 
 
 The discourse was followed by a solemn, 
 affecting and most eloquent address, from 
 the Eeverend Thomas Smyth, D.D., (the 
 brother-in-law of the deceased,) for more 
 than twenty years the learned, laborious 
 and zealous Pastor of the consresfation, 
 but who, for some months j^ast, has been 
 suffering from the effects of a paralytic at- 
 tack, and been thereby disabled from offi- 
 ciating in the services of the sanctuary. 
 On this occasion, however, the reverend 
 gentleman seemed borne away by his feel- 
 ings of brotherly affection, and to be in- 
 spired with a power and kindled with a 
 fervor of eloquence, rarely surpassed in his 
 palmiest days of health and strength. 
 
10 
 
 The ceremonial, in the church, was closed 
 with a most fervent and affecting prayer, 
 by the same clergyman, and a suitable 
 hymn by the choir ; after which the body 
 of the deceased was committed to the 
 grave, with every testimonial of respect 
 and sorrow from surrounding relatives and 
 friends. 
 
Southern Presbytekian, Charleston, Dec. 22, 1853. 
 
 DEATH OF WILLIAM ADGER, Esq. 
 
 The wholly unexpected deatli of this 
 gentleman, whicli occurred on Wednesday 
 of last week in New-York, has plunged 
 his family and friends into the deepest dis- 
 tress, and spread a gloom over our com- 
 munity. Mr. Adger was the fourth son of 
 James Adger, Esq., a prominent and well 
 known merchant of this city. In the full 
 enjoyment of health, he left us but re- 
 cently for New- York, accompanied by 
 Mrs. Adger. There he was taken ill and 
 died. 
 
 The death of such a man is a public 
 calamity. In the prime of his life — before 
 he had completed his thirty-sixth year — 
 
12 
 
 and in the midst of a higli career of useful- 
 ness, the summons came ! 
 
 At a very early age he made a profes- 
 sion of religion, and to the day of his 
 death adorned that profession by a godly 
 walk and conversation. He was an Elder 
 in the Second Presbyterian Church, was 
 Superintendent also of the Sabbath School, 
 and an active and liberal supporter of all 
 the benevolent operations in which that 
 church is engaged. He was prominent also 
 as a merchant ; and, for several years, had 
 been President of the Eagle Fire Company, 
 to whose distinguished services, in the pro- 
 tection of life and property, our citizens 
 are so much indebted. He was also, at the 
 time of his death, Treasurer of the Bible 
 Society of this city, and connected with 
 various other organizations for useful and 
 benevolent purposes. Truly a great loss 
 has been sustained, a wide void has been 
 made. 
 
 By this decree of His Providence, God 
 proclaims at once the inscrutable nature of 
 
his designs, and solemnly warns—" Be ye 
 also ready. ^^ 
 
 Our deepest sympathies are with his 
 bereaved family, his aged parents and 
 other sorrowing friends. And may there 
 be speedily reared up others, on whom his 
 mantle of piety and usefulness may fall. 
 
 THE BEREAVED SABBATH SCHOOL. 
 
 The following preamble and resolutions 
 were unanimously adopted at a meeting 
 of the teachers of the Sabbath School, 
 connected with the Second Presbyterian 
 Church, in this city, at the close of the ex- 
 ercises on Sabbath morning last : 
 
 We are called together, this morning, to 
 give expression to the deep and painful 
 feelings of our hearts, caused by the sud- 
 den death of our able and beloved Super- 
 intendent, Mr. William Adger, while 
 away from us and his family, on a visit to 
 New-York. Not a month ago, he left us 
 
14 
 
 in the prime of life and the full enjoyment 
 of health, expecting before this to have 
 returned and engaged again in the work of 
 his Divine Master, in which his soul de- 
 lighted. Our Heavenly Father willed it 
 otherwise ; but we confidently trust that 
 our loss has been his eternal gain — that 
 having left this world of sorrow, he has 
 entered into the joy of our Lord, in the 
 house not made with hands, eternal in the 
 heavens. 
 
 It is a loud call to us to be up and 
 doing, not knowing the day or the hour 
 when the Son of Man cometh. It tells us, 
 man appoints, but God controls ; but, as a 
 Sabbath School, we feel deeply this trying 
 dispensation of God's overruling provi- 
 dence. Therefore, be it 
 
 Resolved^ That in the death of our able, 
 energetic and beloved Superintendent, Mr. 
 William Adgee, our school has lost an 
 efficient guide, a judicious adviser, a tried 
 friend and advocate, a cheerful benefactor, 
 and a zealous co-worker. 
 
15 
 
 Resolved, That as teachers, we in an 
 especial manner deplore his loss, for, en- 
 couraged as we were by his Christian ad- 
 monitions, and incited by his consistent 
 example in the discharge of our duty, we 
 truly know not where to find one to fill 
 his place with like satisfaction and edifica- 
 tion to all. 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of William 
 Adger, the children of this school have 
 lost a sincere and sympathizing friend, 
 and a judicious counsellor. 
 
 Resolved, That we deeply sympathize 
 with our beloved Pastor, and the Session 
 of the Church, in this afilictive dispensa- 
 tion, by which they are deprived of a most 
 efficient supporter, and a most useful mem- 
 ber. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender our warmest 
 sympathy to the afflicted widow and be- 
 reaved children, and the sorrowing family 
 of our lamented brother, and earnestly 
 commend them to Him who alone can pour 
 the oil of consolation into their wounded 
 spirits. 
 
16 
 
 Mesolved^ That this preamble and these 
 resolutions be entered on our minutes, and 
 a blank page be inscribed to his memory — 
 and that a copy be sent to his parents and 
 widow, and a copy be furnished the Ses- 
 sion of the Church. 
 
 Resolved^ That the above proceedings 
 be published in the Southern Presbyterian. 
 
Southern Presbyterian, Dec. 29, 1853. 
 
 At a meeting of tlie Session of tlie 
 Second Presbyterian Churcli, held on the 
 25th instant, William C. Dukes, Esq., after 
 paying a very touching and appropriate 
 tribute to the memory of the late William 
 Adger, introduced the following pre- 
 amble and resolutions, which were unani- 
 mously adopted : 
 
 The afflictive dispensation of Provi- 
 dence, which has so recently visited this 
 congregation, in the death of William 
 Adgee, calls upon us, the members 
 of the Session of this Church, to humble 
 ourselves before Almighty God, and to 
 lament the stroke which has removed from 
 this body one whose Christian character 
 and counsels endeared him to our hearts, 
 
18 
 
 and made him eminently useful to this 
 church. 
 
 While we mourn his loss, we mourn not 
 without hope, feeling confident that al- 
 though no longer a member of the church 
 militant on earth, he is a member of the 
 church triumphant in heaven, and that he 
 has left these lower courts and this earthly 
 sanctuary to join "the general assembly 
 and church of the first born, which are 
 written in heaven." 
 
 It does not become us, in this present 
 affliction, to attempt to fathom the pur- 
 poses of Him whose "judgments are un- 
 searchable, and his ways past finding out." 
 
 We are assured that though " clouds and 
 darkness are round about Him, righteous- 
 ness and judgment are the habitation of 
 His throne." 
 
 While we, therefore, bow in humble 
 resignation to the will of God, we desire, 
 at the same time, as the Session of this 
 Church, to bear our testimony to the worth 
 and Christian character of our departed 
 brother. 
 
19 
 
 As a member of this Session, he was 
 wise in counsel, consistent in life, and de- 
 votedly attached to the interests of this 
 church. 
 
 In his death, the Session has lost an 
 efficient member, the church a pious Elder, 
 and the Sabbath School a faithful Superin- 
 tendent and friend. Be it, therefore, 
 
 Resolved^ That this Session mourns, 
 with unaffected grief, the death of Wil- 
 liam Adger, as a loss to the Session 
 and Church, of which he was an active 
 member. 
 
 Resolved^ That we will long hold in 
 grateful remembrance his labors in be- 
 half of this Church, and his fidelity to the 
 cause of Christ. 
 
 Resolved^ That in the character of our 
 lamented brother we behold the power of 
 the Holy Spirit to mould and fashion the 
 human heart for his own abode, and that 
 in his death, we see the strength of faith 
 to overcome every difficulty, and the con- 
 
20 
 
 solations of the gospel to support the soul 
 in the dying hour. 
 
 Resolved^ That we sympathize deeply 
 with the bereaved family and relatives of 
 the deceased, and assure them that in their 
 af&ictiou we also are afflicted, in their sor- 
 row we share a part. 
 
 Hesolmd^ That these resolutions be in- 
 scribed upon the records of this Church. 
 
 Resolved^ That a copy of these resolu- 
 tions be sent to the afflicted family and 
 parents of the deceased, and that they be 
 published in the Southern Presbyterian of 
 this city. 
 
Charleston Daily Papers, Dec. 27, 18o3. 
 
 TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. 
 
 At a meeting of tlie Board of Mana- 
 gers of the Bible Society of Charleston, 
 held at the Depository on Friday after- 
 noon, the 23rd instant, the following pre- 
 amble and resolutions were unanimously 
 passed : 
 
 Since we last assembled, one who, for 
 the past ten years, has faithfully and zeal- 
 ously served this Society as Treasurer, has 
 labored to extend its usefulness, and has 
 devoted his time, means and influence 
 to the dissemination of the sacred scrip- 
 tures, has, by the decree of an all-w^ise and 
 gracious God, been summoned to his ser- 
 vice above, where he will realize the 
 promises so plainly recorded in the pre- 
 
22 
 
 cious gospel, whicli it was his^ ardent de- 
 sire to impart to his fellow-creatures. 
 
 It is our sad privilege to dwell upon 
 that generous and benevolent feeling 
 which always actuated him, that mild, pa- 
 tient and obliging deportment which was 
 his characteristic, that sincere and true 
 piety which guided his actions and words, 
 and mourn over the departure of him in 
 the midst of his active usefulness. 
 
 But while we mourn, it is not without 
 an assured belief that he has exchanged 
 the trials of a mortal life for a hapjDy and 
 immortal one in heaven. 
 
 Resolved^ That in the death of our late 
 Treasurer, Mr. William Adgee, our Soci- 
 ety has been deprived of the services of a 
 faithful, zealous and efficient officer, the 
 church of a sincerely j^ious Christian, and 
 our community of a virtuous, useful and 
 good man. 
 
 Resolved^ That we deeply sympathize 
 with his bereaved and respected widow, 
 and his afflicted and aged parents, and 
 
23 
 
 earnestly pray that God will pour into 
 their wounded hearts the oil of consola- 
 tion. 
 
 Resolved^ That a copy of these proceed- 
 ings be sent, by the President, to his wid- 
 ow and parents, and that they be pub- 
 lished in the daily papers of this city. 
 
 DANL. RAVENEL, President. 
 GrEo. M. Coffin, Recording Secretary. 
 
Charleston Daily Papers, Dec. 20, 1853. 
 
 TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. 
 
 Planters' and Mechanics' Bank, ) 
 Charleston, Dec. I7th, 1853 . j 
 
 At a meeting of tlie Directors, held 
 this day, 
 
 The President, on taking the chair, an- 
 nounced to them as a Board, the event 
 which they had all, as individuals, learnt 
 with so much pain, since their last meet- 
 ing, the death of a highly valued friend 
 and colleague, William Adger. Where- 
 upon it was 
 
 Resolved^ unanimously^ That the mem- 
 bers of this Board have received with 
 sorrow the intelligence of the death of 
 William Adgee. 
 
 This mournful event took place in a dis- 
 
25 
 
 tant city, during an absence from home, 
 whicli he intended to be short. He has 
 passed away in the prime of life and in 
 the midst of usefulness ; fulfilling the ex- 
 pectations and possessing the love of a 
 large circle of relatives and friends, to 
 most of whom, in the wise providence of 
 God, the sad, yet mutually gratifying 
 offices of the dying hour, were not per- 
 mitted. 
 
 Mr. Adger had been upwards of twelve 
 years a member of this Board. He be- 
 came associated with us at an early age, 
 and our esteem and regard for him had 
 increased with lensrth of intercourse. He 
 brought to the business and duties of life 
 a strong and well informed mind ; modest 
 in deportment, mild in manners, sincere in 
 disposition, and cautious in judgment, his 
 worth gave value to his experience and 
 soundness to his counsels. 
 
 We sympathize deeply with his bereaved 
 family and relatives — with them we rejoice 
 in the belief that his character and hopes 
 were formed upon an early and humble 
 
26 
 
 piety ; and with them we trust that his 
 earthly relations, so unexpectedly and 
 painfully sundered, have been exchanged 
 for the higher and happier relations of a 
 better life. 
 
 Resolved^ That the President be re- 
 quested to enclose to the respected widow, 
 and the venerable father of the deceased, 
 a copy of the foregoing resolution. 
 
 Resolved^ also, That these resolutions 
 be published. 
 
 Extract from the minutes. 
 
 DANL. RAVENEL, President. 
 
Charleston Daily Papers, Dec. 19, 1853. 
 
 TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. 
 
 At an extra meeting of the Eagle Fire 
 Engine Company, held on Friday evening, 
 the 16th inst., the following preamble and 
 resolutions were unanimously adopted : 
 
 Never have we been called to make a 
 more melancholy record than that which 
 now devolves upon us. The intelligence 
 has reached us, that our fellow-member, 
 and late President, William Adger, has 
 departed this life. 
 
 The death of scarcely any other citizen 
 would have been so deeply felt in the va- 
 rious relations of the community, commer- 
 cial, social and religious. 
 
 Although he had just attained the meri- 
 dian of his days, he had yet, by his intelli- 
 
28 
 
 gence, his integrity, his energy of character, 
 his purity of morals, his fervent piety, and 
 his generous devotion to all enterprises of 
 general good, acquired an influence, and 
 won for himself a position which few, 
 even the more gifted and successful among 
 men, are able to achieve by a long and la- 
 borious life. 
 
 But while we deplore his untimely death, 
 as a calamity to the public, we can but 
 feel that upon our body the blow has fallen 
 with esj)ecial severity. Born and reared 
 among us, identified for sixteen years with 
 all our interests, perils and enjoyments, 
 always prompt in duty, affable in his man- 
 ners, sincere in his professions, uniting in 
 rare harmony and beauty the courtesy of 
 the gentleman, the genial warmth of a 
 faithful friend, and the bland dignity of 
 the devout Christian, it is not strange that 
 we mourn his loss as a personal bereave- 
 ment to each member of our company, and 
 as a link broken in the bonds of our 
 brotherhood, which we know not how or 
 when is ever to be re-placed. 
 
29 
 
 We forbear to say more. He needs no eu- 
 logy,and words avail not to soothe the griefs 
 of many hearts. We will endeavor to bow 
 in resignation to the will of Almighty God, 
 who has appointed this affliction ; at the 
 same time we would pledge ourselves to 
 renewed exertions and endeavors to follow 
 in the footsteps of our departed brother, 
 whose name and virtues shall long remain 
 imbedded among the most cherished recol- 
 lections of our souls, so that the career of 
 each of us may be, like his, one of useful- 
 ness and honor, and ours too a glorious re- 
 ward in heaven. Therefore — 
 
 Resolved^ That we deeply sympathize 
 with the wife and family, and the aged 
 parents of our deceased brother, in this 
 their sore affliction, and trust that they 
 will cherish, as a healing balm to their 
 hearts, the glorious reality, that he is not 
 " dead," but only " asleep " in Jesus. 
 
 Resolved^ That a blank page in our 
 minute book be inscribed with his name, 
 age, and date of his death, in testimonial 
 
30 
 
 of the high esteem in which we held him 
 while living and the respect we cherish for 
 his memory. 
 
 He-solved^ That a copy of these proceed- 
 ings be furnished the family of the de- 
 ceased, and be published in the various 
 gazettes of this city. 
 
 CHAS. H. BECKMANN, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
Charleston Daily Papers, Dec. 23, 1853. 
 
 TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. 
 
 At a meeting of the Board of Fire Mas- 
 ters, held on the 21st instant, the following 
 preamble and resolutions were unanimously 
 adopted : 
 
 But a few days has elapsed since we 
 were overwhelmed by the mournful intel- 
 ligence that our friend and associate, Wm. 
 Adger, was no more. 
 
 But a few weeks ago he left us in the 
 prime of his manhood, in the enjoyment 
 of health, and with a reasonable hope of 
 a long, active and useful life. 
 
 Possessing, in an eminent degree, great 
 practical talents, united with an amiable 
 disposition and a generous and noble heart, 
 illustrating in a living example, the con- 
 
32 
 
 sistency and power of a true Christian 
 character, he won the confidence and es- 
 teem of all who knew hiro. 
 
 The death of Mr. Adger is a great pub- 
 lic calamity ; his activity and energy as a 
 citizen, his intelligence and integrity as a 
 merchant, his fidelity and constancy as a 
 friend, and his self-denying devotion as a 
 Christian, was not surpassed by any in our 
 community, and his loss will be mournfully 
 felt in every department of life. 
 
 But while we may not murmur at the 
 Providence whose wisdom cannot err and 
 whose goodness precludes all possibility of 
 unkindness, we may be permitted to bear 
 our testimony to the ennobling virtues of 
 our deceased associate and friend, and 
 mourn in the bitterness of grief for our 
 irreparable loss. Be it, therefore, 
 
 Resol/ved^ That the members of this 
 Board deplore with unaffected and heart- 
 felt sorrow, the untimely death of their 
 late friend and associate, William Adger. 
 
33 
 
 JRe-solved^ That for liis fidelity in friend- 
 * . . • 
 ship, his amiable, generous and Christian 
 
 character, and for the exhibition of all 
 those virtues which adorn and ennoble hu- 
 manity, we admired him as a man and 
 loved him as a brother. 
 
 Resolved^ That a page of our record 
 book be inscribed with his name, as a last- 
 ing memorial of our regard while living, 
 and profound respect for his memory. 
 
 Resolved^ That although we may not 
 intrude upon the sorrows of his family and 
 relatives, yet we deeply sympathize with 
 them in this sudden and heavy bereave- 
 ment. 
 
 Resolved^ That a copy of these proceed- 
 ings be sent to the afflicted widow and 
 venerable father of the deceased, and that 
 they be published in the daily journals of 
 the city. 
 
 From the minutes. 
 
 F. N. BONNEAU, 
 Clerk and Sup'dt of Engines, 
 
 Board Fire Masters. 
 
EXTKACTS FROM FuNERAL SeRMON OF ReV. D. L. BuTTOLFH, 
 
 Sunday, Dec. 18, 1853. 
 
 A GOOD man is taken out of the world. 
 While lie lived, lie was the centre of influ- 
 ence ; he was righteous in the sight of God 
 and merciful in the sight of man ; he was 
 pious, beneficent and wise ; he was a bless- 
 ing to his family, to the church, to the 
 community, to the world. In the fulness 
 of his strength he is stricken down — in 
 the midst of his usefulness he is taken 
 away. While his heart is devising liberal 
 things, the Spoiler comes and lays his icy 
 hand upon him, and changes his counten- 
 ance, and sends him away. An arrest is 
 put upon his influence — a sudden stop is 
 put to enterprises of great pith and mo- 
 ment. The streams of mercy and benefi- 
 cence are dried up at the fountain. A 
 
35 
 
 blank is created in the community, and 
 for a time the world looks desolate and 
 lonely. 
 
 No wonder that the prophet felt sad at 
 the spectacle of the death of a good man, 
 and poured forth his thoughts in the mea- 
 sured cadence of a funeral dirge — " The 
 righteous perisheth and no man layeth it 
 to heart, and merciful men are taken 
 away ; none considering that the righteous 
 is taken from the evil to come." 
 
 And well may we, my brethren, ex- 
 change our garments for sack-cloth and sit 
 in the dust, and pour forth wailing lamen- 
 tation and bitter cries, if the sad bereave- 
 ment which, within the last week, has 
 afflicted this community, this church, this 
 people, and touched all hearts, and caused 
 eyes unused to weep, to fill with tears — if, 
 I say, this bereavement, in which so many 
 hearts sympathize, is suffered to pass with- 
 out improvement and deep consideration. 
 I speak the language of truth and sober- 
 ness, I cast no disparagement upon any, 
 when I say that no one could have been 
 
36 
 
 taken from this community, whose loss 
 would have been more generally and 
 deeply felt than that of him whose death 
 we now deplore. In the walks of active 
 business, where Mr. Adger moved with 
 energy, promptness and despatch, where 
 he acquired wealth, honor and the esteem 
 of all who knew him, where his influence 
 was felt, his counsel prized and his business 
 talents fully known and appreciated, there 
 he will be missed. 
 
 Few men possess that combination of 
 business talents and qualities which Mr. 
 AdgePw possessed. To soundness of judg- 
 ment, coolness, prudence and forethought, 
 were joined energy, activity and persever- 
 ance in a remarkable degree. In addition 
 to these qualities which placed him in the 
 front rank of business men, he possessed 
 other and nobler virtues, which elevated 
 him ftxr above the mere routine of active 
 life, and won for him a reputation more 
 valuable than the wealth of the Indies. 
 For integrity, honor, consistency and a 
 strict regard for truth and justice, who in 
 
37 
 
 this commuuity stood higher than the sub- 
 ject of these remarks ! But it is not only 
 in the walks of business and the marts of 
 trade that Mr. Adger's death will be la- 
 mented. The safety and security of life 
 and property are affected by the decease 
 of one who held a responsible post and 
 rendered important services in the Fire 
 Department of this city. The gloom that 
 settled over the different fire companies in 
 this city, when the intelligence arrived 
 that he who had inspired them with cool- 
 ness and courage in the hour of danger, in 
 the battle with the elements, was no more, 
 proves how highly his services in that de- 
 partment were valued, and what a loss his 
 death has been to this city. And need I 
 say to any here present that, in the death 
 of Mr. Adgee, the needy and the distressed 
 have lost an invaluable friend and helper. 
 Unostentatious in his charities, the world 
 knows not the extent or the frequency of 
 his alms-deeds. But they are recorded in 
 heaven ; they are held in grateful remem- 
 brance by those whose wants he has re- 
 
38 
 
 lieved, and from many a bended knee and 
 secret closet lias gone up the petition that 
 tlie richest of heaven's blessings might 
 rest upon him. In his charities, as in 
 every thing else, Mr. Adger was governed 
 by principle and not by blind impulse, and 
 the streams of his beneficence and charity 
 were directed where, in his judgment, 
 they would relieve the most distress and 
 accomplish the most good. 
 
 But to the church, to this church, more 
 particularly, the death of Mr. Adger is an 
 irreparable loss. Here his affections were 
 garnered. He loved these gates of Zion. 
 He gave to this church the dew of his 
 youth and the mature strength of his riper 
 years. At the time of his death he was 
 holding the office of Ruling Elder of this 
 church and Superintendent of the Sabbath 
 School. You who were associated with 
 him in the o^overnment of this church, and 
 you who were associated with him in the 
 Sabbath school, know well how faithfully 
 and assiduously and conscientiously he dis- 
 charged the duties of these separate 
 
39 
 
 spheres of usefulness. -But in that large 
 family circle in which he was a most be- 
 loved and dearly cherished object of affec- 
 tion, what a chasm ! what a void ! has his 
 death produced. This is too sacred ground 
 for me to tread. These wounds are too 
 tender to be touched. May the God of 
 mercy apply balm to those crushed and 
 bruised hearts. May he assuage the bit- 
 terness of the parent's grief! May he 
 support the widow in her loneliness and 
 desolation ! May he be the Father of 
 those fatherless children ! And from the 
 inexhaustible fulness of his infinite love, 
 may he supply all these afEicted and be- 
 reaved relatives and friends with such sup- 
 port and comfort, that they may bear up 
 with Christian resignation, under this se- 
 vere trial, and say, with one of old — ■ 
 " Though he slay me, yet will I trust in 
 him." 
 
 Our departed brother knew what afflic- 
 tion was. Not long ago — it was only a 
 few months since — he sat in that seat over- 
 whelmed with grief for the loss of a be- 
 
40 
 
 loved cliild. You who then beheld him, 
 saw that his heart was well nigh broken 
 by the blow, and you who saw him after 
 time had somewhat assuaged the bitter- 
 ness of his grief, knew by his changed 
 countenance and subdued voice, that the 
 iron had entered his soul, and that it 
 needed but little to open those wounds 
 again and awaken fresh anguish in the 
 depths of that loving heart. 
 
 From all such evils and sorrows, and 
 from many more, the righteous are deliv- 
 ered at death. They are taken, says the 
 prophet, in the text, "from the evil to 
 come." No more conflict with sin. No 
 more sights of wrong and oppression. No 
 more trials and bereavements. " God 
 shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, 
 and the days of their mourning shall be 
 ended." The furnace of affliction has been 
 passed through, the dross is removed, the 
 gold is refined. " O ! that I had the wings 
 of a dove ! then would I fly away and be 
 at rest ! " There is a rest for the people 
 of God — there is a heaven of unutterable 
 
41 
 
 joy and glory. Sometimes heaven seems 
 to US not far off. Tlie eternal mansions 
 seem very near ns — just above us. Espe- 
 cially is this so when one whom we loved, 
 and with whom we had taken sweet coun- 
 sel, suddenly leaves our sight and steps 
 into the kingdom of glory. At such a 
 time our affections are loosened from earth, 
 and if we had wings we would stay here 
 no longer. Our hearts are in heaven with 
 that sainted spirit whom we loved. We 
 almost instinctively turn our eyes heaven- 
 wards to catch a view of his radiant form. 
 We dwell on the wonder and the joy that 
 must fill his soul as the glories of heaven 
 burst on his view. We listen for his notes 
 of praise as he strikes his harp in unison 
 with the angelic choirs. At such a 'time, 
 death is the gate to endless joy, and the 
 language of our hearts is : " Come, Lord 
 Jesus ! come quickly ! " 
 
 To this church, of which the deceased was 
 a member and a Ruling Elder, God speaks, 
 in this severe and sad dispensation, most 
 solemnly and loudly. My brethren, ought 
 
42 
 
 we not seriously to inquire why it is tliat 
 God has visited this church so severely ? 
 Why is it that he has reached forth his 
 hand and plucked away almost the very 
 cap-stone from this spiritual edifice ? May 
 it not be that God has a controversy with 
 this people ? There are some things in 
 this Providence which seem dark and mys- 
 terious ; but dark and mysterious though 
 they appear, we know that all the circum- 
 stances of this dispensation, so sad and 
 distressing, were ordered by infinite wis- 
 dom, and that they are all just and right. 
 Mr. Adgek left this city a few weeks 
 since, accompanied by his wife, for a short 
 northern excursion. Their tour had been 
 a pleasant one. The day for their depar- 
 ture from the North had been decided 
 upon, and their family and friends were 
 looking forward to a speedy and joyful 
 reunion. Just before the time fixed ujDon 
 for their return, he was taken ill. The in- 
 telligence from them, however, was far 
 from being alarming, and not until the last 
 was he thought to be in imminent peril. All 
 
43 
 
 that the skill of the physician, and the 
 sleepless attention of a faithful and devo- 
 ted wife could do, were done to avert the 
 stroke of death ; but God had determined 
 otherwise. He was to die, and to die away 
 from home. This seems hard and per- 
 plexing. There were many who would 
 gladly have hung over his bed-side and 
 helped to alleviate his sufferings ; and if 
 prayers could have availed, they would 
 have gone up like incense to the throne of 
 God that his life might be spared. But in 
 that lonely chamber, in the hour of his 
 extremity, there was an arm stretched out 
 for his support stronger than any earthly 
 arm — there was a friend near him dearer 
 than any earthly friend. Vv^ith the full 
 knowledge of his critical condition, he was 
 calm and undismayed, and expressed his 
 hope and confidence in the Redeemer, and 
 his entire readiness to die, if such was the 
 will of God. His feet were planted upon 
 the Rock of Ages. He passed not away 
 from earth until he had given to those near 
 
44 
 
 him the fullest assurance that he was ripe 
 for heaven. 
 
 " Oh, God ! if thy decree and purpose 
 be that I am to die away from home, and 
 even in a strange land, let it be so. Let 
 none but strangers stand around my dying 
 bed ; let none but strangers hear my dying 
 words ; let none but strangers prepare my 
 body for its burial ; but give me, O give 
 me, the consolations of that religion which 
 supported him in his last hours, and I ask 
 no more." 
 
Obituary published in the Charleston Papers, Jan. 12, 1854. 
 
 OBITUARY. 
 
 Died, of small pox, after a very brief 
 illness, in the city of New-York, on the 
 14th December, 1853, William Adgee, 
 of Charleston, S. C. 
 
 His remains were interred on Sunday, 
 18th December, 1853, in the family vault, 
 in the ground of the Second Presbyterian 
 Church, in Chai^leston, of which church 
 he was a member and a Ruling iilder. 
 
 The circumstances of his death were 
 heart-rending to the surviving relatives. 
 May God enable them to submit to the 
 will of his inscrutable Providence, in de- 
 nying to all but two of them the sad com- 
 fort of ministering to him in his last ex- 
 tremity, with that intensity of love which 
 would have died that he might live. He 
 
46 
 
 died in the prime of life, and in the mid 
 career of his usefulness, and his death has 
 sent a wave of sorrow over our entire 
 community. "How is the mighty fallen 
 in the midst of the battle." 
 
 In the strife and bustle of the business 
 world, and in those labors for the public 
 good of which he cheerfully bore his full 
 measure, he went side by side with others 
 in the same race. His brow was adorned 
 with the wreath of success, and his ac- 
 knowledged rank was that of a master 
 spirit ; yet such was the wisdom and judg- 
 ment given him, such the blandness of his 
 manners, the warmth of his social feelings, 
 the modesty of his deportment, and the 
 kindness of his heart, that "none knew 
 him but to love him, none name him but 
 to praise." 
 
 In his death the church of God, and all 
 benevolent and useful associations, have 
 lost a wise head and a warm heart ; the 
 poor and friendless a kind benefactor ; and 
 obscure and struggling merit an efficient, 
 generous friend. 
 
47 
 
 The character of his mind was eminently 
 practical, and his intellectual endowments 
 of that order rarely surpassed. He had 
 all his powers of mind at his command. 
 Possessed of self-reliance, and of almost 
 unerring judgment, he was prudent yet 
 persevering, wise in counsel, cool and col- 
 lected in the hour of danger, and of the 
 most unbounded energy and enthusiasm in 
 action. Of unbending integrity and up- 
 rightness of purpose, he was, perhaps, as 
 free as is given to man from passion and 
 prejudice, and was capable of the sublim- 
 est of all the virtues — justice and impar- 
 tiality. 
 
 We are at a loss whether to admire 
 most his energy of will and massive 
 strength of character, or the sweetness 
 and gentleness of his aflPections : 
 
 " His life was gentle, and the elements 
 
 So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up 
 
 And say to all the world, this is a Man !" 
 
 If he was a model which all may emu- 
 late and few surpass, as a man of business, 
 a public-spirited citizen, a large-hearted 
 
48 
 
 and laborious man, lie was also a briglit 
 example in the exercise of the benevolent 
 and kind aflections. That enthusiasm which 
 like an element encircled him, and with 
 which he stimulated and bore along with 
 him all with whom he was associated in 
 active life, was softened into tenderness as 
 that kind heart diffused itself in all the 
 varied scenes of social and domestic life. 
 Around his early tomb, we take up the 
 lamentation of David over Jonathan : " I 
 am distressed for thee, my brother ; very 
 pleasant hast thou been unto me. Thy 
 love was wonderful, passing the love of 
 women." Very pleasant hast thou been 
 in the walks of business, in the duties of 
 a citizen and public benefactor, in thy 
 place at the house of God, but, more than 
 all, hast thou been pleasant, gentle and 
 affectionate, at the fireside, in the charmed 
 circle of Home, in those arms of Love in 
 which parents, brothers, wife and children, 
 held thee clasped, but from which, in an 
 unexpected hour, God has severed the en- 
 dearing bands — and pleasant and mourn- 
 
49 
 
 fill to the soul in the sweet memory of 
 Love which thou hast left behind thee. 
 That deep river of Love has now emptied 
 itself into the ocean of Eternity ; and none 
 but the hand of God, which dealt the 
 heavy blow, can heal those broken hearts, 
 or wipe away those burning tears. Nothing 
 can enable them to drink their bitter cup 
 but the submissive spirit of the Man of 
 Sorrows, who cried out in anguish : " Fa- 
 ther, not my will but thine be done." 
 
 Nevertheless, our loss is his eternal gain. 
 He died as he had lived, strong in faith, 
 meek and trusting to the last. He knew 
 that the hand of God had smitten him, but 
 not a murmuring word escaped his lips. 
 His very aspect was peace and resignation, 
 and all those lovely graces which had ever 
 set their seal upon his brow — submission 
 to God's will, thoughtfulness, unselfishness, 
 patience, love and childlike gentleness — 
 were now refined and perfected in the fiery 
 trial, and gave shining evidence of all-sus- 
 taining grace. 
 
50 
 
 His beloved wife having sj3oken of bis 
 situation as a calamity — "Call it not a 
 calamity," said be, " it is just vvbat I need, 
 and was all arranged long ago." At ano- 
 tber time be said — " I wisb you to know 
 that my mind is turned to tbe subject of 
 death, and I am perfectly calm. I tell you 
 this to calm and comfort you." Again, 
 being asked if time was tedious to him, he 
 said — " Ob no ! my mind is fully and con- 
 stantly occupied, and I feel very calm." 
 " Can you say you feel happy ?" '' Yes, per- 
 fectly happy ! ray trust is in my Redeem- 
 er." God in mercy gave him a clear un- 
 clouded mind up to tbe veiy moment when 
 the "spii'it quit its mortal frame." "To 
 abide in tbe flesh," said Paul, " is more 
 needful for you," but " to depart and be 
 with Christ is far better." And a greater 
 than Paul has said — " In my Father's house 
 are many mansions ; I go to prepare a 
 place for you" — "that where I am, there 
 ye may be also." 
 
51 
 
 What if Death, with icy fingers, 
 All the fount of life congeals, 
 
 'Tis not there thy Brother lingers, 
 'Tis not Death his spirit feels. 
 
 Though for him thy soul is mourning. 
 Though with grief thy heart is riven, 
 
 While his flesh to dust is turning 
 All his soul is filled with heaven. 
 
 Spheres above of Love and Glory 
 Here forbid his longer stay ; 
 
 Angel-Heralds bright and holy, 
 Show his willing feet the way. 
 
 Hark ! the golden harps are ringing, 
 Sounds unearthly fill his ear, 
 
 Countless ranks of Seraphs shining 
 Hail his joyful entrance there.