Another warm admirer of this Great Lover of humanity, in a letter to
George W. Stone thus alludes to his life and death:
TAUNTON, MASS., June 25th, 1871.
DEAR STONE:--Your telegram announcing the death of that old
soldier and saint, and my good friend, Thos. Garrett, reached me
last evening at ten o'clock.
My first impulse was to start for Wilmington, and be present at
his funeral; but when I considered my work here, and my
engagements for the next four days, I found it impossible to go.
I will be there in spirit, and bow my inmost soul before the All
Loving One, his Father and ours, in humble thankfulness, that I
ever knew him, and had the privilege of enjoying his friendship
and witnessing his devotion, to the interest of every good cause
of benevolence and Reform.
I could write you many things of interest which I heard from
him, and which I have noted on my memory and heart; but I cannot
now. I think he was one of the remarkable men of the times, in
faith, in holy boldness, in fearless devotion to the right, in
uncompromising integrity, in unselfish benevolence, in love to
God and man, and in unceasing, life-long efforts to do justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. We shall not soon
look upon his like again.
If I was present at his funeral, I should take it as a privilege
to pronounce his name, and say, as I never said before, "Blessed
are the dead that die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit; for
they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."
Do, at once, see his children and Clarkson Taylor, and give them
my condolence, no, my _congratulation_, and assure them that
they have a rich legacy in his noble life, and he has a glorious
reward in the bosom of God.
Peace to his memory! Noble old man, so pure and peaceful, and
yet so strong, firm, and fearless, so gentle, tender, and
truthful, afraid and ashamed of nothing but sin, and in love and
labor with every good work.
I could write on and fill many pages. But he desired no eulogy,
and needs none. He lives, and will live for ever in many hearts
and in the heaven of heavens above.