45 



had a more accurate and discriminating mind, better able to weigh 

 and compare the facts narrated by Moses, or placed upon the 

 more recondite leaves or layers which compose the book of na-* 

 ture, which so many Naturalists and Geologists read with skeptie 

 eyes. 



" I could but reflect as I passed by the humble dwelling- of his 

 earthly abode on the following morning, under what different cir- 

 cumstances the leap of worlds is made by mortals when the sunn 

 mons comes, and how little influence this world's pomp will have 

 in determining their welcome and distinction in the celestial 

 courts. The rich who live only for ease or enjoyment in the 

 fashions and follies of life, leave sumptuous dwellings and a few 

 dollars, which through prodigal heirs, often perish almost with 

 the pomp of their funeral, while the man we yesterday bore from 

 the unpretending tenement where a lone widow weeps, has be- 

 queathed to the world that which has a value above the wealth of the 

 State to purchase. 



"Mr. Thompson has received small aids as Geological Sur- 

 veyor appointed by the State, and for his services in the Col- 

 lege ; but not enough to prevent his dying poor the fate of too 

 many men, who are starved to death by the same public eco- 

 nomy which praises them when dead, and erects monuments over 

 their graves ! 



"But science, sanctified by religion, is a precious jewel, which 

 however despised and neglected in the hands of the poor and un- 

 assuming in life, is never lost to the world ; and it is of little mat^ 

 ter from what unpretending hands or hovels it descends to man- 

 kind, and goes up to sparkle in the crown of a Christian student, 

 when this re-constructed tabernacle shall be what talent not 

 money makes it." 



After these eloquent and deserved tributes, little remains for- 

 our partial pen to add. We have known him well since 1834, 

 in his various relations, as a teacher, as a clergyman, as a Pro-- 

 fessor, as a correspondent, and as a friend. During the quarter- 

 of a century that he devoted hirr.self to the instruction of youth, 

 to the labors of authorship, and to scientific research, he exhibited 

 himself as an unselfis)i and unambitious man. He loved his pu-. 

 pils, his friends, his church, his associates, his State, his town,, 

 and. above all, his home. As a teacher, he was kind and tho-- 



