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The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Henry Lee expresses his condolences to Dudley Chase on the loss of his father Philander Chase
Date
10-25-1852
Keywords
Henry W. Lee, Henry Lee, Philander Chase, Dudley Chase, death of Philander Chase, death, tombstone, funeral, inscription, verse
Recommended Citation
Lee, Henry, "Letter to Dudley Chase II" (1852). Philander Chase Letters. 1392.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1392
Rights Statement
Transcript
Rochester, Oct. 25, 1852.
My dear Brother,
Yours of the 21st is just received. I thank you for your assurances [of] Christian friendship and affection. I yesterday had the melancholy satisfaction of paying a public tribute of respect and affection to the memory of your lamented father, preaching all day from Gen. 5:24. “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not: for God took him.” My congratulations were large, and the people seemed deeply interested in the considerations brought before them. I quoted from your letter to Dr. Cutler with reference to the last moments of the good man. I closed with these words:
“He was a true Christian, a sound Churchman, a faithful Bishop; and I can only add that if I were to suggest an inscription for the monument that shall mark the place of his rest, amid the quiet shades of his own loved Jubilee it would be simply this:
Philander Chase,
Born December 14, 1775,
Died September 20, 1852;
‘His Office, a Bishoprick,
His Character, Fidelity,
His Reward, a Crown of Life.’”
This sad event is almost constantly in my mind. I feel that I have lost a true friend, and that the Church is deprived of one of its strongest pillars. But he has gone in God’s own time, and that is always the best time. You must indeed have deeply regretted your absence from the death-bed, & the funeral scene; but then God does all things well; and blessed be his name! We can say of the venerable departed,
“Servant of God, well done!
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master’s joy.
The pains of death are past,
Labor and sorrow cease;
And life’s long warfare closed at last,
His soul is found in peace.
Soldier of Christ, well done!
Praise be thy new employ;
And while eternal ages run,
Rest in thy Saviour’s joy.”
I hardly know why I write you again so soon, but I must give utterance to the emotions of a full heart. May God bless the affliction to the whole Church!
I am glad to hear what you say of brother Reighly. I sincerely hope he may be [secured] for Jubilee. Please give him my love. Remember me kindly to your good wife, and also to Dr. Kelly, and all friends, not omitting the Elys.
Praying God to be with you and to bless you, I remain
Your affectionate
Friend & Brother
Henry W. Lee
Rev. D. Chase.