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union , by whom he had one child , which died an infant . His second wife was Miss Silver , of Havant . In the year 1810 , it seemed good to unerring Providence to remove her also from the present scene . While she lived she was an inestimable blessing- to him and her family . Her early religious sentiments underwent a change
similar to those of her conjugal partner s and , like him , slie always retained an operative conviction of the obligations and benefits of devotion and of practical religion . ( The Fifth Volume of the Monthly Repository , pp . 412 and following ? recoB'ds a narrative of this valuable woman . ) What he has written in his diary on the
subject of this bereavement , is strongly expressire of poignant grief , of a just appreciation of her excellent character , of the irreparable loss to himself and family ; but , at the same time , of his conviction of the righteousness and mercy of the Supreme
Disposer even in this visitation ^ , in some respects inscrutable , and of his continued trust forhitn , founded on the belief of his unerring wjsdom s of fiis unalterable lov-Ingkindoess , and of his inviolable truth aud faithfulness . This excellent woman
was the mother of his surviving offspring , Messrs . Ebenezer and William Johnston , and of Mary , the wife of Daniel Whittle Harvey s Esq . His just-named beloved daughter was a constant and solacing attendant on him for months , with little interruption , till Ms final release .
In his diary he records the successive events of his life , whether they were comforts or crosses , and expresses a solicitude to improve them as meaais of promoting his piety * and as excitements to labour in his sphere ^ to advauce those causes with the success of whiclh he judged the best interests of mankind were
connected . As long as he could speak , his religions , devotional ,, benevolent spirit discovered itself In lively thankfulness to Heaven , when he felt , or tliougtat he felt , himself rather better ; in supplications for patience , fortitude and submission ; in solicitude for the comfort of his friends , and in earnest applications to the Father
of lights and mercies , to be more and more fitted for the pure , sublime and unmixed enjoyments of God ' s heavenly king dom * His lojig experience of severe and increasing pain made him apprehensive of yet augmented sufferings l > efore dissolution . Such an augmentation it was hardly in tinman nature not to dread . But he
was not afraid of death as the introduction to a future state , meeting it with humble pekce in his conscience , and with the comfort of the hope of that salvation which is secured to the faithful by the Christian covenant . He was graciously spared augmented sUtferiBig ^ Hiis priiH
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cipal medical attendant , who watched his disorder with unceasing assiduity , expressed Ms surprise that he felt no * more acute pain from it the last week or ten days of his life . He at length expired iu a manner remarkably calm and gentl e
It is the principal consolation of his friends to be persuaded , that with respect to hinij , death and pain and sorrow are for ever at an end , and ahat nothing is before him but the precious , inconceivable delights in the future world , of the approved of God and his Christ .
Mr . Johnston was distinguished , in no small degree , by strength of intellect , by promptitude of thought , and facility of expression , and by a long series of pious , benevolent and useful exertions ,, The remembrance of his excellent qualities of the head and heart will be respectfully cherished by his mourning family , and by those with whom he associated and co-operated in schemes and
endeavours to procure relief for the oppressed , whatever their nation or colour ^ and to promote the cause of peace , of liberty , civil an 4 religious , and of Christian trutho He was never backward to promote such causes "by his purse , advice and influence . It is regretted that a more ample account of what might be called his more public life cannot now be given .
He was admitted a member of the Unitarian [ Book ] Society in London , March 9 , 1797 ., March 12 , 1801 , Mr , Kettle resigned the office of treasurer from ill health ; and Apria 9 , 1801 , Mr . Johnston was chosen to succeed liiino
ApnJ 4 , 1811 , he gave notice that he should resign at Midsummer following . Upon this notice the following resolution , moved by his highly-esteemed friend Mr . Belsham , was unanimously passed : " Tin at the best thanks of this Society be returned to Ebeaiezer Johnston , Esq .,
foa * his long and very able services as treasurer to this Society and for his zeal and activity , which have so eminently contributed to its prosperity ; that the Society feel great regret at his resignation , and the necessity they are under of accepting it . "
At the next meeting , June 6 , 1811 , Mr . H . Hinckley was chosem treasurer in his stead * The communication of the above facts is thankfully acknowledged to have been made -by Mr . Aspland und Dr . Thomas llees . Of similar connexions and
exertions of . Mr . Johnston , while residing in London or its vicinity , there is not at this time opportunity to obtain infonnatioii . His fc-einoval " ta Lewes occasioned the just-uU'Htrotietf "' resignation . JHfte earned with him thither tlie sanfre ' public-spirited
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298 ' Obituary . — -Ebenezer Johnston , Esq 0
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1826, page 298, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2548/page/46/
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