On Wednesday, the 30th of December, died Townsend Sharpless, one of the
Vice-Presidents of this Society.
There are men who seem formed to discharge a certain class of duties,
beyond which they lack zeal and fail of efficiency. But Townsend
Sharpless seemed to fulfil the injunction of Scripture, “Whatsoever thy
hand findeth to do, do with thy might.” In business or rational
recreation, in works of general benevolence, in the councils and labor
of this Society, he was constant, zealous and successful. No half-way
measures satisfied his plans, or gratified his wishes. He satisfied
himself first that the work was one of benevolence, and then he made it
a duty, and discharged it. In the walks of business there was no man who
seemed better to understand the whole routine of trade, and few were
ever more devoted, or more successful. As a philanthropist the same
zeal, the same method secured equal success to his labors. And
warm-hearted in his friendship, his social relations were of the most
pleasing and gratifying kind.
The Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons, then, in
referring to the death of such a member, feel that they have lost in the
demise of Townsend Sharpless, a valued member, a respected
Vice-President, an exemplary merchant, a useful citizen, and a practical
philanthropist.
As the Scriptures inform us that it is “well with the righteous,” we
have only to mourn in the death of our several valued colleagues, our
personal deprivations, and the loss which the cause of humanity sustains
in the withdrawal from its labors of men whose experience gave weight to
their counsel, and efficiency to their labors. The starred names of our
muster-roll show how much of purity, piety, zeal and judgment have been
vouchsafed to this Society. The cause in which they labored is
transmitted to our hands. In addition to their motive to stimulate us,
we have their bright examples by which to direct our course and regulate
our conduct.
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