In Hopkinton, R. I., August 16th, of complicated chronic disease, Dr. Daniel Lewis, son of Dea. Christopher C. Lewis, aged 38 years. Dr. Lewis was born in Hopkinton, R. I., Feb. 4, 1821. He early manifested a desire for an education, and a disposition to study; which, his parents being interested in the cause of education, provided means to gratify. And having used the educational advantages offered at home, he went to DeRuyter, N. Y., and entered the institution in the autumn of 1838. It was while here at school that he decided on the study of medicine. He commenced the study of his profession with Dr. Joseph D. Kenyon, of Hopkinton in the spring of 1840, and graduated with honors at the Medical College in Albany, N. Y., March 23, 1844. He was married May 24, 1846, to Miss Ann Frances Kenyon, daughter of his early mentor. Shortly after, he settled in the business of his profession in the village of Westerly, R. I., under flattering circumstances, and with, at least, fair prospects of success. Indeed, but few are more favorably settled - connected with worthy and influential families, surrounded by a large circle of acquaintances and friends, whose confidence and esteem he had won by his consistent manner of life. And, as a reward of his untiring industry and perseverance as a student, he had just received his diploma from one of the best medical institutions in the country, signed by each member of the faculty. And although these circumstances promised success, and were gratifying to his commendable ambition to excel in his profession, yet his personal capability promised more. He was not only thoroughly studied in his profession, but of a clear intellect, sound mind, and mature, accurate judgment. So that though modest and unassuming, as is true worth always, his skill and success opened before him the highway to usefulness and fame. But alas! how often the brightest hopes and fairest prospects in the business of life, in the course of human events, are suddenly disappointed. He had not been long in business, before he was confined for some time by a severe attack of acute disease, from the effects of which he probably never entirely recovered. and which, together with over-exertion to meet the increasing demand of a growing business, and perhaps to close and laborious application to study while a student, probably laid the foundation for the complication of disease, which ever after was the occasion of so much physical suffering, and which terminated his life so early.
Dr. Lewis professed religion Sept. 1, 1848, and united with the 1st Seventh-day Baptist Church in Hopkinton, of which he remained a worthy member until death. He was an undoubting believer in the doctrines of the Christian religion. He loved the church, and until a few weeks before his decease, was almost constant in his attendance upon the solemn feasts and convocations. Nor can those soon forget, who were accustomed to attend the social meeting of the church, his oft-recorded testimony in favor of religion. Indeed, it was his favorite topic. And although of an active mind, and if not an age when men are most likely to speculate, he lived in a speculating age; yet he held to the word of the Lord that endureth forever, with unshaken confidence; and because he was logical in his reasoning, and clear and accurate in his deductions, and tried all questions in morals and religion, by the infallible test, the word of God, he was saved from the meshes of the net of error, in which the unwary, putting sophistry for philosophy, false conclusion for sound deduction, are entangled. And although he lived to see the glory of prospective success and fame fade, wither, and die, as the beauty of the rose from a single evening’s frost, he also lived to prove the enduring and sustaining power of Christian hope under affliction. So he passed over to the brighter land, where there is no sickness, sorrow, pain nor death, having gained the victory through the blood of the Lamb.
By this providence, a faithful wife has been bereft of a good husband, over whose bed of suffering she had watched as an angel of mercy, and a promising little boy of about nine years, written fatherless. And also an aged father has been bereft of a dutiful son, to whom he had proven parental love to be strong and enduring as life, and a large circle of relatives and friends of one they fondly loved and esteemed. And the church, so often called to part with its members of late, is again afflicted with the loss of a godly man. May these afflictions be sanctified to her good, and if in accordance with the will of God, may the angel of death pass us by for a little season. J. C.
