Another Laborer Departed!

Il has become our painful duty toTinnounce to our ieadersthe death of Rev. Gt Becklet, formerly associate Edilor of this paper. He died at his residence in this villngp, on Stirdny, ïlie 2Cih instant, of nfiarnrra'ion of the bowds, agcd 42 years. A brief notice of his life will be of interest to multitudes who hnve known and esteemed him. He was bom in Weathersfjeld, Vt., nnd enjoyed only ordinary advantages of educalion. At nn enrly oge, he became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and when only 19, he commenced his labors as a preacher of the Gospel. During nine years ho officiated as a travelling preacher of the Methodist Church, and his excellent constiUition was unremittingly taxed in the incessant labcirs incident to that calling. He then located, and shortly after entered the service of the American Anti-Slavery Society, as a lecturer in behalf of the downtrodden millions of our countiy. In this service, in which tie continued for three years, he visited most of the New England States, and New York, and formed an acquaintance with nearly all the noble and self-devoted spirits who were then prominent in the anti-slavery work. In tliis causp, his whole soul became deeply inlerested, and he was a most successful champion of it till the day of hi.i death. In 1810, he removed with his family from Vermont to Michigan, and setlled in this village, as a partner vviih his brother in the mercantile and manufacturing business. But his labors as a lecturer in the nnti-slavery cause did not cease with his connection with other business. But the lhousands who liave heard him in all parta of the Sta'e are witnesses to his zeal and ability in this deparlment of labor. In 1841, ihe Signal of Liberty was commenced in Ann Arbor, in the miJst of the pecuniary emburrassments and depressions of thnt peiiod, and niainlv by his e.Torts and energies, through difficult'es and sacrifices vrhich none cnn know but those vho participatpd in ihem, it was sustained and regularly issued during the four years he was consected wilh it ns an Editor. Whatever of gooá, to the Slave or to the communily generally, has been accomplished by the Signal, is to be credited primari'y to the energy and untiring perseveranceof Mr. Beckley, without which it would not have been sustained. For a few years past, he has been extensively known in this community, as one of our most public spirited a"nd enterprising business men. For this sphere of aciion he was remarkably weli fitted hy an accuracy and sobriety of judgement which rarely allowed him to be mistaken in deciding upon matter of moment which he hai "seriously considered, and a knowledge of human character and motives, which seemed to be mainly intuitive, nnd wry far surpassing the perceptions of the genorality of men. During a free nnd unreserved intimacy of six years, we have often had occasion to admiro these traits of character. His attachment to his friends wasstrong nnd ardent, and was founded not on mere caprice, but on a clear apprcciation of thoii ntellectual nnd moral endowments. It will be consoling to his numerous Christian friends to learn that he died as he had hved, in the full enjoymerit of the foith of tho Gospel, and met the approaches of deaih with that calmness and confidence which sincere piety, in n vigorous and well balanced mind, never fails to impart. He was twice married, and Ins left n widow and eight children, (he eldem but fifieen) to lament the loss af a husband and falher, cut off in the prime of his s!rengthand manhood. The funeral services were attended on Tuesday lasl, by n verv large congregalon, at th Methodist Church. The dis(Gum was pronounced hy Rev. Mr. 1 tpp, fnm Ihe words of the Savior, "Bo e f.ho ready,:' &e, and thedepp interest nd sy npnthy mnnifested on the occasion Btjuned i.ow l.-,rgea plrce one exceüpnl and worthy man may occupy in the feelings and afl'ections of a Wiiole communily.