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being of the Lord, and whatever he did was right, marvellous as it might appear; of one thing they were certain, that was, inasmuch as there was no misunderstanding between Mr. Gardner and them, they considered that his motive was pure for making the request of Presbytery, and his reasons, not based upon any disposition to injure the church, from all we could understand, it was simply some points of doctrine to which, for the present, not fully understanding so that he could conscientiously subscribe to them, he required time for reflection and decision; this was worthy of him, and Presbytery so considered it.
MR. CLARKSON'S DEATH.
There are times in the history of a church, as there are in the life of individuals, when afflictions and discouragements enter into all their arrangements, prostrating their energies, and often filling the soul with anguish and despair. True, it sometimes happens that they are as dark clouds that flit across the Christian's sky, and hide for a time the brightness of his sun. This is so common in every relation of life, whether as men or as communities, that I need say no more upon it, for observation, if not experience, must concede its truthfulness. This was particularly the case with the church at this time. It was not quite three months from the time of Mr. Gardner's withdrawal from the church, when the death of Mr. Clarkson was announced. On July 2d, 1830, he closed his eyes in death, aged 65 years. It is true the people knew that from his failing health he could not long survive, but expecting, as they did, that he would shortly be called away from earth, yet they were
