Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-03-21

:, ~ "A'o|ehper 100. Inc war OF the
: revolution put Temporary stop to hi.
ciassicai pursuits, which he readily a.
oanaoned, to become a citizen Soldie,
I'D 'he cause of liberty aud the rights of
, man. With many of his neighbors and
some OF his classmates he marched "a
the aid OF General Greene, who was then
concentrating an army in The South, 10
retrieve the sinking fortunes of the con
iederacy IN that region; and he succee
ded IN joining the main army in time to
participate IN the mem orable and bloody
battle OF GuILFoRD. Mr.. III. was at
tached TO an infantry corpse, and his
f'rmness and intrepidity in Keeping his
position on that occasion, Tor the pur.
pose Of getting last and sure shot at
the advancing foe, after the main BODY
mad retired, was near being the OCCASION
OF his being cut off by an advanced COL
umn OF the enemy's cavalry. Mr.. TT.
was at that time a pious young man
and he has often been heard to relate
with lively emotions of piety and pat
riotIsm, that on the morning of the bat
Tie. and but short time before the ar
my -Tas ordered TO advance to the con-
fiict, he retired 10 spot secluded from
the view Of his comrades in arms by
the protrudiug branches of fallen tree.
and there earnestly poured ont his sonI
TO the GOD of Battles. Never" oh.
served this venerable and pious patriot
did enjoy more liberty in PRAYER, or
higher manifestations of the presence
and appreciation of GOD" He rose
from his devo,ions with ALI internal con.
seriousness of the favour and protection
OF his Heavenly Father, and with .
GOODNESS and flrmness, that forsook hin,
not 'or single moment during that e.
ventiul day, joined his companions in
arms, and marched to the conflict. The
southern campaign formed the princi-
pie interruption TO Mr.. Houston's stud
les which he pursued with great dill
gence throughout the whole of that e.
venttul period, which terminated in our
nations independence.
He was literally nurtured in the adj
monition of the Lord his parents being
devotedly pious; and he. at the age Of
y or I'D years, having been hopefully
converted to God, united himself to the
Presbyterian Church, and for upwards
OF II years lived under its holy ordi-
nances and precepts, without censure
and without reproach; evidencine in all
his life and conversation the sayinq and
abiding influence which, the RELIGION of
his early choice had exerted upon him.
ne was licensed to preach the Gospel in
1893 or "a. A writer in the Lexington
Gazette, speaking ofthis devoted Chris
tian and Patriot, says-"Few men have
ever lived who performed the relative
duties with more exactuess, purctuality
and taithfulness. Whatever he under.
took he performed with remarkable
punctuality and fidelity. 1t is well
known to many Of the readers of this
paper, that several years ago his eve
sight began to fail. AS this infirmitv
grew upon him, his ministerial zeal
seemed 10 increase. He often, to fulfil
MS appointments tor preaching, crossed
the Short hill, steep and rugged noun
tam; and this too at great hazard as
the path was narrow, and to him scarce.
ly visible. He continued this practice
however, until he could no longer dis
Germ the path. After his evesieht en-
tIreIy failed, he continued TO preach as
often as occasion offered III submitted
to the loss of sight, not only with pa
tience, but cbeer(ulress not the slight
est murmur or expression of impatience
was ever known to escape his lips
his was the more remarkable, as much
OF his enjoyment through lie had been
derived from reading. lie took deep
interest in every plan or effort to pro-
mote The temporal or spiritual interest of
his neighborhood his country, or of the
world. He preached frequently durino
the last year of his life s; and on the day
on which be died, he had an appoints
ment to preach and distribute tracts at
High Bridge NJ Getting House." He had
selected and prepared himself for preach,
ing sermon that day on the following
text, "He being dead yet spcakeih -
in two days thereafter, his own fune-
raj sermon was preached from The same
text. Throughout his life Mr.. Houston
was man of great industry and homes
ty of purpose, exhibiting under every
circumstance consistency and harmony
between bis professions and practice,
which constituted the principal features
in his character, and rendered him truly
a bright and burning light in the world
At one period Of Mr.. Houston's life he
attended 10 the instruction of youth
and his school which was conducted on
his own farm, was resorted to by Young
persons OF both sexes from various paris
OF the State. Some of his students at
l. Il.