EBENEZER CLEAVELAND

Description

ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE REVEREND EBENEZER CLEAVELAND, A.M., WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JULY 4, 1805, IN THE 79TH YEAR OF HIS AGE. HE WAS BORN IN CANTERBURY, CONNECTICUT, JAN. 5, 1725, ORDAINED TO THE PASTORAL CHARGE OF THIS CHURCH AND CONGREGATION, DECEMBER 1755, AND REMAINED THEIR FAITHFUL AND MUCH BELOVED PASTOR TILL THE EVENTS OF THE AMERICAN WAR OPENED THE WAY FOR HIS REMOVAL TO A DISTANCE; BUT SOON AFTER HE RETURNED AND SPENT THE REMAINDER OF HIS DAYS IN THIS PLACE. HE WAS A SINCERE FRIEND OF HIS COUNTRY, A FIRM SUPPORTER OF THE DOCTRINES OF FREE GRACE, AND DECLARED IN HIS LAST MOMENTS THAT THEY WERE THE GROUND OF HIS HOPE OF IMMORTAL GLORY.

FAREWELL, THOU MAN OF GOD, WE SAW THY GRIEF

NOR YOUTH, NOR HOURS PRODUCED RELIEF,

BY PAINFUL CROSSES TRY'D, BY SORROW PROV'D

BY GOOD MEN HONOR'D AND BY JESUS LOV'D

THY MANY YEARS ONE HALLOW'D CURRENT RAN

A FAITHFUL PASTOR, AND A GODLY MAN.