forming his
associations, kind and dutiful as a son and brother. He ever proved a
help and solace to his mother in the family circle, where he was the
oldest child. In pursuing his course of studies he evinced industry of
application, and sustained an excellent standing in his classes. His
regular and interested attendance on the exercises of the
Sabbath-school, as well as the services of the sanctuary; his conduct in
the family circle, and the developments of the closing scenes of his
life, all tend to form the conviction that divine truth had obtained a
lodgment in his mind by the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. At
the interesting period of nineteen years, full of hope and promise, the
seeds of pulmonary disease sprang forth within him. In the fall of 1850,
he began to cough, and since then, with variations as to its severity,
it continued with him, and his friends marked that it became deeply
seated, and apprehended its probable termination. He, however, retained
his active habits and course of study till last fall. His earnest
attention to sermons, his occasional remarks on their evangelical and
practical character as profitable, and his prayerful reading of the
Bible, showed the influence divine truth was exerting upon him. The
sickness and rapid decline of his brother Joseph was to him most
affecting, as they had grown up from childhood together in uninterrupted
intercourse and love. In his feeble state of health, he saw his beloved
brother hastening to death and the grave, while their dear mother was
yearning over both in view of their spiritual welfare. While everything
indicated a deep interest in the matter of the soul's salvation, doubts
and difficulties prevented him from finding joy and peace in believing.
About ten days before his death, and just before the death of Joseph, he
received the remarkable letter from his Uncle Scudder which wrought
powerfully on his mind, and followed by Joseph's death, was doubtless
instrumental, under the divine blessing, in leading him to the decision
of giving himself to the Savior by the profession of his faith. The
Sabbath, January 11, on the morning of which Joseph died, was indeed a
memorable and impressive one in many of its associations. De Witt had
just made profession of his faith, and was admitted into the communion
of the Presbyterian Church in Canal street, of which the Rev. Mr.
Carpenter is pastor, and was carried into the church to unite with God's
pe