Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/392

 356 THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

Bingham family. "Fear God and keep his commandments," was an ever abiding maxim therein.

The first ancestor who settled in this country, as also some of his descend- ants in a direct line to Elijah Bingham were, and so known and called, " Dea- con " Bingham ; and at that period the title with the respect and influence and responsibility carried with it to the recipient were markedly significant; and as to the qualities above mentioned, Elijah Bingham was a worthy representa- tive of his ancestors and contemporaneous relations. Mr. Bingham's religious convictions were strong in early life, and grew and strengthened to the day of his death. Daily reading of the Scriptures was a favorite occupation of his. He became a member of the Congregational church at Alstead, when yet a young man ; and after arriving in Cleveland he joined the First Presbyterian church, in 1835, which, becoming so increased in numbers, in course of time, in that growing city, as to cause an overflow, he, with others, organized the Second Presbyterian church, in 1844, of which he remained a member until his death. Mr. Bingham was ever highly respected in the community where he lived, and it is safe to say that he died at peace with all mankind.

The Rev. Charles S. Pomeroy, D. D., pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Cleveland, in his anniversary sermon on June 25, 1882, paid the following tribute to Mr. Bingham :

"The first to go was one of that narrowing circle of honored veterans who originally formed the Second Church, in 1844, — Elijah Bingham. He was born with the century in 1800, and at the age of thirty-five came to Cleveland, then a village of 4000, to build up a reputanon for business integrity, mental culture, geniality, and Christian character, which will be an heir-loom in his surviving . family for many a day. His love for music was a passion, and the grand old composers, Handel and Haydn, his delight. It i-s blessed to think how he must enjoy the song of " Moses and the Lamb." It was well worth one's while, overcoming the difficulty of his deafness, to enjoy the pleasure of his conversation at any time, mellowed by the richness of his Christian faith, full of God's word — intelligent and happy enjoyment of a life that he knew was leading him to a better. We helped to celebrate his golden wedding a few years since. The matron who stood by his side then, with children and grand-children about them, sits now in the same home in cheerful expectation, waiting for their diamond wedding in the better land. Mr. Bingham was spared to the age of eighty-one, dying on the Lord's day, July 10, and went to his grave ripe for heaven, his hoary head a ' crown of glory,' for it was ' found in the way of righteousness.' His last illness was brief. As with his great namesake of the fiery chariot, we felt it was translation when he passed away."

Mr. Bingham received the degrees in St. Paul's Lodge, at Alstead, being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, November 13, 1823 ; was mas- ter in the same lodge in 1824-25-28-29. He was District Deputy Grand Master, 1831-32.

Such is life ! How briefly may the long period of human life be summa- rized !

Born amid the rugged granite hills of Dempster, New Hampshire, in the year 1800. Died in the beautifiil lake- washed city of Cleveland, Ohio, in Ihe year 1 88 1. An inscription on an appropriate monument, of Quincy granite, in Erie Street cemetery, at Cleveland, records the facts last above written, with the usual

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