Page:Biographical Memoir of John C Otto MD.djvu/20

 which pervaded his conversation. He rarely mixed in convivial parties, as they interfered with those habits of life which he had marked out for himself. He generally retired at ten o'clock, and rose before six o'clock in the morning—spending an hour before breakfast in serious reading and meditation, to fit him for the responsible duties of the day. He read the Scriptures morning and evening, and rarely passed a day without perusing a portion of Thomas à Kempis' admirable work, the Imitation of Christ

He was of a truly catholic spirit, and remarkably free from bigotry and prejudice towards any nation or sect. Although warmly attached to the doctrines and forms of the Presbyterians, he was disposed to form his estimate of men more by their daily practice than by their opinions, and never indulged in denunciation against those who differed from him in religious belief. His own religion was eminently practical and vital. By it, his passions were kept in subordination, and his desires circumscribed. In trouble and in sickness, he was patient and uncomplaining; in health and prosperity, humble and thankful; and in all the situations of life, full of kindness and benevolence towards his fellow beings. His scrupulous honesty as a medical teacher has before been alluded to; this same probity followed him in all the transactions of life, so that his integrity and uprightness were proverbial.

The life of this excellent man terminated about six o'clock P. M., on the 26th of the Sixth month, (June,) 1844, in the 71st year of his age. He had, for many years, been subject to frequent attacks of general gout, which were often of a most severe character, but which seldom confined him long to the house. For five or six months previous to his death, his strength had been gradually failing, without any acute or painful symptoms. There was