921.73 W589w.pdf - Mesa FamilySearch Library

Sixl/z Generalion. 233
dition. He made no allusion to his worldly
affairs, but used the opportunity to review his
life, and give his last testimony as to what appeared
most valuable in it. He referred to his
early connection with the lodge of Freemasons
in Concord, and attributed to its influence on
his habits and principles much of the moral
progress of his later years. He rejoiced in
having given his whole influence in favor oI
total abstinence, by an example whose peculiar
significance was in the fact that he signed a
pledge to himsdf years before a temperance
society was thought of, while yet a young
man, making it known to no one but his wife,
and _ever violating it by tasting a drop even of
beer or cider, although the general ideas of hos-
pitality required him to keep wines and spirits,
and offer them to guests.
"' When about forty years old, he joined the
Unitarian Church, and took part for many
years in the Sunday school, which he greatly
enjoyed. He loved [i3era! Christianity, he
said, because it seemed to him to include the
idea of progress. He often repeated, in the
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