DEATH IN THE PULPIT.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 848, 10 August 1871, Page 3

DEATH IN THE PULPIT.

The Rev. Benjamin Eaton, first and only rector 6f Trinity Episcopal Church, Galveston, America, was stricken with death while standing in the pulpit, on April 2. The " G-alves-ton News" thus describes the affecting scene: —He ascended the pulpit. Announcing his text," There is yet room," all trembling beneath the weight of his last message, he referred to one after another of the friends of his youth and the communicants of his church that had gone before. Then, as if the thin veil that hides the spiritual from mortal vision had been rent, and his eye could see such scenes as noue could see and live, his fine descriptive powers bent themselves to their task. He painted Death entering the church door, passing up the broad aisle, laying his bony hand to the right and to the left, breathing his cold, clammy breath on the cheek of beauty, and wafting the silver hairs of age —now touching the father, then the son, then the mother, then the daughter. As the spectre,, so plain to his entranced vision, advanced to the chancel door, and as he saw that his time had come, his words struggled for utteranee. He faltered—his weakening limbs staggered. A gentleman who advanced to his assistance was waved back. For ten minutes he spoke—his words only audible to those next to him. The excitement of the audience was fearful. The silence of death was only broken by the words he strove to speak. Three times he struggled to continue, saying : " I am very sick but I must say." Again he staggered; he fell into the hands of Mr C. R. Hughes, as he raised his hands to pronounce the ascription. Like Moses, that other servant of G-od, he was too weak to hold up his hands, which was done by Mr Hughes, as he said his last pulpit words, "To G-od the Father." The hand of death lay on his shoulder, was too heavy—for himself, for his friends. His tongue refused to speak; his hand dropped. He was carried to his rectory, where he died.

General Dombrowsky, the renowned leader of the Parisian army of insurrection, is described as a little, unimposing man, with a common face, thin, light hair, and wearing gold spectacles. He resembles a German student more than a ganeral. General Clusert, to whom the organisation of the Commune was due in a great measure, is described by the " New York World " as follows : —" In appearance Cluseret is rather above the middle of erect, muscular build, and very soldierly appearance. His complexion is swarthy, with dnit eyebrows, and a squareness- of the lower jaw that imparts to his features an expression of stern determination.

A Dark Steak.—A young gentleman complained yesterday, at Duraud's that his " bif teek de cheval " was very dark, and the waiter explained that the animal had been purchased from a neighbouring undertaker.—" Journal of the Siege of Paris." By the Hon. Captain Burham.