ionship to him is apparent in all
that surrounds him on earth. Step by step it comes up to him, and all
is for his use. At this point, all stops except himself. What was his
design as manifested in his nature? Surely, not solely to control and
appropriate all created matter surrounding him--not simply to probate
for a period, and pass away. It must be, that he is the link perfected
in this probation for a higher creation, as a part of a more
consummate perfection revealed through death. It cannot be, that the
mind given to him, alone, was only given to learn in this combination
of elements--earth, air, fire, and water--the startling and omnipotent
wisdom of the all-wise Creator, and then to perish with knowing no
more of that God, which this knowledge has created so consummate a
desire to know.

The cycle of man's destiny is not in time, that of all else is; and
that destiny centres in his use, and is complete. If for him there is
not a future, why were the instincts of his nature given? Why the
power to learn so much? To trace in the planetary system divine
wisdom, and divine power; to see and know the same in the mite which
floats in the sunbeam? If this is all he is ever to know, does this
complete a destiny for use? if so, for what? Can it be, simply to
propagate his species, and perish? and was all this grand creation of
the earth, and all things therein, made to subserve him for so mean a
purpose? It cannot be. Life is a probation, death the key which
unlocks the portal through which we pass to the perfection of the
design of God.

In these views and opinions Dr. Clapp lived and died. When worn out
with labor and the ravages of time, he sought to renovate his
exhausted energies, by removing to a higher latitude, and selected
Louisville, Kentucky, for his future home. He had seen most of his
early friends pass into eternity, in the fruition of time, and felt
and knew it was only a day that his departure for eternity was
delayed; yet how calmly and contentedly he awaited the mandate which
should bid him home!

His belief in the universal destiny of man made him universally
tolerant. His intimates were of every creed, and the harmony existing
with these and himself made his life beautiful as exemplary. With the
ministers of every creed he was affectionately social: he had no
prejudices, cultivated no animosities, and was universally charitable.
He inculcated his principles by example, encouraged social communion