Carlisle Patriot, 22 May 1824 - Memoir of Archdeacon JEFFERSON (3)
Petra Mitchinson
Saturday 22 May 1824 (p. 4, col. 1-3)
MEMOIR OF
THE LATE ARCHDEACON JEFFERSON.
[continued]
Too much zeal in opposing, or too much forbearance in neglecting to suppress any incipient encroachments which may occasionally spring up, either upon the ecclesiastical, civil, or religious rights of mankind, are, perhaps, equally culpable. A temperate zeal, however, in religious matters, such as is consistent with the principles of pure Christianity,—such as even the apostles themselves, though divinely inspired, were sometimes induced to use, in order to restrain the many dissentions, heresies, and schisms, which, even in the first ages of the gospel dispensation, had already broke out amongst those who all professed themselves to be disciples of the same crucified master—"such zeal, combined with sound judgment, and firm determination, was never, perhaps, more necessary than in the present day to defend the pure doctrines of the church of England" from the open, avowed, and even indecent attacks of infidelity, the more subttle [sic] and secret insinuations of some who pretend to be her best friends, and, under that pretence, seduce thousands to forsake her: and from the ridiculous substitutes which are but too frequently used to supply the place of true religion by the followers of fanaticism and error. "To be firm and decisive in the support of every ecclesiastical right—to be reluctant in interference, but positively determined in duty—to be sound and unrelaxing in her doctrines, and faithful but discreet in zeal, and comprehensive in charity to all," who may perhaps differ from them in matters of no very material import, seem to be the imperative duty of every minister of the Church of England. By such conduct as this, in those who are set over them, we might have, perhaps, more true and loyal subjects,—less disaffection to subsisting laws;—many, by observing this unanimity, might be led to join us; and, finally, to form "one fold under one shepherd." That such were the sentiments, and such the uniform conduct of the late very reverend Archdeacon JEFFERSON, may be collected from nearly the last transaction of his life. He closed his earthly career on the 28th of December, 1821, after an illness of a few hours. On the Christmas day preceding, a large proportion of the numerous dissenters resident in and about Witham, attended his church, and expressed themselves much gratified by the able and impressive discourse which he delivered on that occasion. So much had Mr. J., by his conscientious discharge of his important duties, by his conciliatory manners, and by his active perseverance in every thing which he deemed advantageous to all around him, secured the good will and good wishes not only of his own immediate parishioners, but of all those who came within the sphere of his more extensive benevolence.
He died in the vicarage house at Witham, in which, with a disinterested liberality, he had lately begun, and was still carrying on, extensive improvements. He was interred in a vault, at King's Langley, in the county of Herts; where before him had been deposited the mortal remains of his brother, the before-named John JEFFERSON, Vicar of that parish; and also those of a beloved nephew, a young man of excellent promise, who died a few years before in London. A handsome, but simple monumental tablet, executed by Mr. J. SOWARD, of Tottenham Court Road, was, in September 1822, erected to his memory, in his parish church at Witham, inscribed with the following just and appropriate epitaph, from the pen of the Rev. G. PRESTON, Rector of Lenden; and to whom the author of this memoir cannot help publicly acknowledging his grateful thanks for a considerable portion of the matter contained in this account, as well as for his ardent wish to render every assistance in his power to forward any measure which might contribute to the honour and respect due to the memory and worth of their common deceased friend:—
"In Memory of
the Venerable and Reverend
JOSEPH JEFFERSON, M. A. and F. A. S.
Archdeacon of Colchester,
Rector of Weeley, and Vicar of this parish,
Who departed this life December 28, 1821,
Aged 61 years,
And was buried at King's Langley,
In the county of Hertford."
"His public virtues let his work attest:
Lo! yonder schools for village youth design'd;
Lo! too, yon hospital dispensing rest
To the diseas'd and maim'd, the halt and blind!
His private virtues need no record here,
For long shall mourning memory proclaim
His fervent piety, his faith sincere,
His deeds of mercy that endear his name."
It has frequently been observed, "that letters written from the heart, and on real occasions, though not always decorated with the flowers of eloquence, must be far more useful and interesting than the studied paragraphs of Pliny," or the seducing, immoral, destructive, though certainly elegant sentences of Chesterfield; "as they contain just pictures of life and manners, and are the genuine emanations from nature." The same remark may, perhaps, also be extended to the language of wills. These testamentary documents (though, probably, generally drawn up by professional gentlemen, and therefore cannot be supposed to breathe any other sentiments or language than those which are dictated by the stern command of law), when issuing from the mouth of a dying testator, may be presumed, in some degree, to shew the complexion of his mind at that awful period, when every thing earthly is about, as far as regards himself, to cease; and when he stands, as it were, upon the brink of eternity. The will of Archdeacon JEFFERSON, which is dated only a few days previous to his dissolution, is so short, and at the same time expresses so truly the real spirit of religion and kindness, that it may well be recommended, as a pattern of sentiment, to every person who stands in the same awful situation, shortly expecting to appear before the final tribunal of an omniscient judge. See a copy of it at p. 182, Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 92.
[Here follows a lengthy list of sayings and writings of the Archdeacon – not transcribed.]