Illustrious Example

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 27, 1875

Illustrious Example.

TWENTY-SEVEN years ago this present spring, that most wonderful man of the age, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, having lived out his fourscore years, peacefully fell asleep, to rest in hope of the better life. This great and truly good man, though in feeble health and trembling with age, has left an example of punctuality in attendance at the house of worship, and constant perusal of the Scriptures, which is worthy of imitation by all. The following account of visits to this old veteran of the cross is by E. Chadwick, Principal of Starkey Seminary, published in the Christian Palladium:—

“My first visit to the venerable patriot was on a pleasant morning in August, in company with a spirited Teacher’s Convention, numbering about one hundred gentlemen and ladies, from various States who went in a body to pay their respects to Mr. Adams. He gave us a simple, hearty welcome to his mansion, the same plain, ancient, two-story house which was occupied by his distinguished father. The feeble old man, in plain dress, met us at the door, shook hands with all, invited us into his spacious parlor, kindly said he was glad to see us, wished he had seats for us all to sit down, &c.

“After a few moments spent in conversation, singing, looking at the busts and portraits of Washington and other worthies, adorning the entry and parlors, we partook of a refreshing draught of pure GOLD WATER—the simple beverage which has given him strength for so many years—and commending him, in our hearts, to God, we took our leave, thankful for the privilege we had enjoyed.

“I spent the succeeding Sabbath at Quincy, and observed that this fervent octogenarian, with a small and feeble frame, walked twice to meeting. His house stands about a Sabbath day’s journey from the synagogue. He walked without a cane, looked out all the hymns, without glasses, and stood during all the singing, and during all the prayers. So constant is he, that his neighbors remark, ‘If the President is not at meeting, when in town, we know he must be sick.’ His father, John Adams, belonged to the same church—that planted by the pilgrims—and he was equally punctual. Mr. Charles Francis Adams, son of J. Q. A., and originator of the popular law for protecting fugitive slaves, is also a communicant of the same church, and seems to be walking in the same steps. Rare spectacle! three generations of men, walking in the same moral, ‘steady habits.’ All witnessed by the same town and the same church!

“The day was unpleasant, and yet the large church was well filled, both forenoon and afternoon. Doubtless the punctuality is greatly owing to the example of such leading men.

“Second Visit.—Mr. Adams keeps (apparently) no servants. He delights not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Call at his house, and you find he is himself as one that serves. Ring or knock, and he comes himself to the door, extends his hand, and without the least ceremony conducts you to a chair in the sitting-room or parlor, and treats the humblest caller as an equal. Being thus seated by him, after he had kindly made some remarks upon his health, &c., I observed to him that he was reputed to be a diligent reader of the Bible, but that, while his other opinions had been made so public, I had seen very little notice of his religious sentiments—the result of his long continued Bible-reading. I added, that if I was not indulging an unreasonable curiosity, and proposing an unwelcome request, I should be gratified to know what opinions he had formed upon a few points, particularly upon the character of Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

“He replied, ‘I have never obtruded my religious views upon others;’ but I have no views to conceal.’ He said, ‘My practice, since I was thirty years of age, has been to read in the Bible the first thing I do, every morning.’ (He has been always a very early riser.) ‘This practice I have followed with but few interruptions [for fifty years]. The versions which I have read, are (1) our common English Bible; (2) Thompson’s translation of the Septuagint, a very literal translation [he remarked]; (3) the Latin Vulgate; (4) Calvin’s translation in French; (5) the Catholic translation in French; (6) Luther’s translation in German; (7) the New Testament in Greek.’ Upon naming each of the above versions, he made interesting remarks on their character, and the slight discrepancies between them; spoke of the different chronology of the Septuagint, &c.

“He continued, ‘These are the versions I have used. My habit has been to read each morning two chapters in one of these, and then the same in one of the others, comparing them together. In this way I have read them all through twice or more. Commentaries I have read not much, controversies not much. But I have read the Bible.’ This last sentence he repeated with emphasis. He not only ‘reads the Bible,’ but endeavors to understand it; receives it as a revelation from God, and believes it. He compares not only scripture with scripture, but version with version, Protestant with Catholic, ancient with modern.

“Thus he has ‘read the Bible.’ What views on the great theme of revelation has it given him?

“He says: ‘I do not find in the Bible a Deity of three persons. Nor do I find Christ to be the Supreme God.’ Says he does not conceive of the Father as strictly a person, but a vast Being, incomprehensible and glorious, far transcending all our thoughts of a person. He is revealed as our Creator, &c., referring to such passages of Scripture as Ps. 19: 1: ‘The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.’

“He mentioned the three angels who came to Abraham’s tent. Said he had no idea that they were the three persons of the Godhead! I remarked that I apprehended the word ‘person’ was used by many in the sense of the Latin word persona, from which comes our word personate. But with great readiness, Mr. Adams replied that he ‘did not let the Catholics off so,’ that their word ‘persona’ meant ‘person’—a human being, or one like a human being. In proof of this, he referred to the use of the word in Latin plays, by Terence, Plautus, &c., and quoted from Cicero’s letters: ‘Contra ejus personam multa fecit,’—‘did many things against his person.’

“Mr. A. believes strongly in the pre-existence of Christ. Says he was certainly with the Father before men were made, and before the world was. If not, Paul was mistaken!”

“He thinks ‘the Spirit is pure spirit.’ God, in love, moves upon the hearts of his children. The means or influence by which he does it is called his Spirit.

“Mr. A. evidently has thought much on these great subjects. He has thought for himself. He is strongly opposed to ‘creeds.’ Says that, although an Arian, he can subscribe to no human creed, whether Arian, Athanasian, Socinian, Unitarian, or Trinitarian. He takes the Bible for his creed, and tries to believe that. Says there is more in that than he can comprehend; trusts he shall know more hereafter; speaks like one who now sees through a glass darkly and dimly, but earnestly desires more clear and glorious light; trusts and believes that it is in reserve for him. On the verge of the grave, he is evidently sincere and earnest. No one could listen to him without being impressed that he is honest. He laments his littleness of knowledge; confesses it; but longs to know more of God, and of Heaven.

“Amid all his busy cares in life, he has studied God’s word in many languages; has read it through in Latin, French, and German, more times than most persons have in English; and has himself made an entire metrical version of the psalms! God be thanked for the strength that word has given to his servant, making him the fearless champion of truth and of right.”