Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-06-01
OBITUARY.


Esq, in the 6lstyear Of his age. We sub
join from the Charlottesville Advocate, an
Interesting account Of his character and Of
he exercises Of his mind during his last ILL
hess.
Mr.. Woods, from his first settlement in
Me, had been indus;riously and successfully
Engaged an agricultural pursuits /: and had in
THE w'y amassed an ample fortune. He
possessed vigorous and discriminating
mind . kind and benevolent heart. Few
men have enjoyed larger share of the conf
denSe and love OF their associates aud &C.
quantsnces. He Ind long and ably filled
several OF the mos, responsible offices and OF
The leriod OF his death, was the High Sheriff
of tbs county
DEEPLY must we regret that go much ac-
knoMedged excellence of character, should
have been accompanied with radically de-
iectl\e views Of religious truth. He had
Rendered himself familiar with many of the
oP]etlions usually urged against the claims
OF Divine Revelation and having unfortu
nateiY failed 10 pay due attention 10 the rea-
sons by which these objections have beer so
irequeAIy and so clearly refuted, he became
the ayowed advocate OF Iniideity. Still he
always manifested the most profound respect
ior The opinions aud the feelings OF these who
differed with him on this important subject.
He always exhibited an openness to convic-
lion, which excited among his friends, the
hope, that he would not always hold these
sentiments. Nor were these expectations
groundless. Long before the illness ofwhich
lac died, he manifested no little uneasiness
WIN regard 10 the soundness of his religious
views. He listened to religious conversa.
non and the reading of The sacred scriptures
with The most respectful attention. This
soon led TO thorough conviction OF the uner-
ring truth, and of the infinite worth of the
word of God
Ten days before his death, was called 10
visit him. No opprebensons were at this
time felt ola speedy dissolution-He had no
lever, and his mind was unusually clear and
vigorous.
When entered his sick room, scena Of
moral sublimity was presented which can
never ierget.-A venerable old black man
-one OF his own slaves-stood at his bed side
srasping his masters hand, and pointing him
TO the Saviour. "There, SIR" said the sick
man, "you see faithful old servant, ~ ho has
answered .he end OF his being, far better
than have mine-Re is Christian, / am q
lost sinner. would rather cow be, what he
is, than what am, though possessed the
wealth Of the East ladies' have been a
wresched disciple Of Tom Paine and what
IS worse, | have endeavored TO make others
as bad as myself. viii you pray for me 20
With this affecting request complied, sur
rounded by his weeping family and friends
During the afternoon and evening, he made
many such remarks as the following
" What have gained 10y all the DeisIical
works of which was once so fond? Moth
ing but the horror and distress of mind which
now suffer-They, they are the cause OF
my misery--NotD they seem to me as the
poison OF the serpent. despise-I renounce
Them all. On the next morning he said
80 When am cold in dust, tell the people
from the pulpit, oil have said TO you- Give
them full history of my case-Tell them
made full proof OF infidelity-nnd that found
it, when came to die, as a basket ,cith0ut a
bottom. II may do in life, but now know
full we'll, that il will not do in death
Two Of his old friends and associates called
10 see him, who, he supposed, still entertain
ed the sentiments he had just renounced. He
was much affected at seeing then-Addres>
sing himself 20 them, he said, ''I hope you
will not think that am intruding-that you
Will not be displease4-We once held the
same opinions--I hold them no longer-I re-
nounce that creed-I cannot die an in6del-
beg you to Eenounce it alss." He coniin-
~,
and with great per!inenCy and force When
they left the room he asked me il he had done
wrong-il he had said any thing amiss-ad-
ding 81 could not let so good an opportunity
pass Of trying TO do them good. Ipray they
may never forget it,"
This open and unqualified PRONUNCIATION Of
infidelity, was accompanied by symptoms oi
unaffected repentance. lie was not over
whelmed with fear-indeed he very seldom
alluded TO tue consequences Of sin--but seem.
cd 10 be wholly engrossed with thoughts OF
ns intrinsic vileness a very common ex-
preston OF his was call can say is, God
have mercy on me, poor, mean, vile SIN
ner." At another time he spoke substan-
TALLY as follows: ''l am aware that my &C
quainIances have always cons Tered me We,
~ upright, moral mana good citizen -anG
they love me great deal more than | de.
serye-But had they known what heart
had, they would have thought very different
ly. With all my outward morality, have
been at heart vile sinner" Shifting or
his breast he exclaimed, "here have beet
thousands, and tens of thousands Of sins
which no eye has ever seen but the eye O
Cod"
! told him Of Gods ability and willingness
to pardon the repeniing sinner for Christ
sake. lie replied, "of Gods ability, bav
no doubt nor have ! any OF his general vii
Engness TO pardon sin; bui cannot, dar
! not believe that lie will pardon me. has
gone too far. Every man has his day, hi
Opportunity have had mine, and an am
pie one il has been---but have misinprove
1 II. That day isgont and am lost" This las
remark brought TO my recollection the pes
sage: Tho son Of man is come, to seek
TO save that which was lost +" To this groun
Of encouragement and hope pointed bin
remsrking, as you are really lost sinner,
you are truly sensible Of The melancholy fac