Smyrna times., 1859-05-05
Death and Character of DR.. Johns.
New CASTLE, Del, April %, 1859.

New CASTLE, Del, April %, 1859.
This community has been deeply affected by
the intelligence, just received, that DR.. Henry
Van Dyke Johns, native of this place, has Just
deceased. The movements of this gentleman
IN the Episcopal community, 10 which he be-
longed, were somewhat peculiar, at least they
SO appeared to the Z" high church" portion of it,
which prevails in Marya But he was en-
phatIcally "low church" man, and was con-
tlnually extending the right hand of fellowship
to other evang ellcal denominations lie never
passed one of their churches without bidding
them God speed. No place was pleasanter to
hun than platform, on which were assembled
ministers and laymen of various denominations.
Last year he went on to Philadelphia to attend
the annual meeting of the American Tract So
cIety, TO Vlndlcate its honor against the assaults
of the fanatics, and to share the decisive VIC
tory then and there gained over the enemies of
the institution and of the South. DIR. Johns
was the youngest son of Hon. Kensey Johns,
formerly Chief Justice Of Delaware, who lived
TO very great age. His silver locks were
seen in our streets until he had long passed his
octogenerian period, and was approaching near
his ninetieth year. The Judge married Miss
Van Dyke, sister of Hon. Nicholas Van Dyke,
U. ). Senator from this State, a man of ability,
urbanlty, and great success as a lawyer, and
legislator. Mrs. Johns was a noble woman,
possessing great natural dignity, at the same
time distinguished for the sweetness of her
manners. She was an American mother in the
highest style OF woman, as woman was in our
revolutionary period, for she was in close proxi-
unity to it, If the law Of kindness was in her
tongue 1t never prevailed to the sacrifice Of pa
rental authority. She had three sons; the ell
dest, Kensey Johns, Jr., Chancellor Of Della
ware, died about a year ago in that sudden
manner which seems so frequent in gentlemen
of the bar.
He was a Presbyterian elder of this church,
and as delegate to the ecclesiastical bodies, the
synod and general assembly, frequently took
part in their deliberations. He had slow speech,
but weighty thoughts. He served in Congress
one term, and became disgusted with congress
slonal life, too frequent occurrence with the
most esimable and useful members. Another
brother is Right Rev. John Johns, Assistant
Bishop of Virginia, an eloquent and popular
preacher, and in full harmony with the Low
Church party. His home is near the theogical
seminary in the vicinity of Alexandria. All the
brothers graduated at Nassau Hall. Dr. II. V.
Johns, the deceased, succeeded his brother as
rector of Christ Church, Baltimore, when he
removed to Virginia.
A new ediice, called Emmanuel Church, was
erected on Madison Avenue, and large crowd
followed the rector thither. But DR.. Johns met
with unpleasant things. The diocess of Mary
land, unlike that of Virginia, is semi Puseyite,
with Bishop Wilmington at its head whereas
Johns was for the largest freedom, untrammelled
by forms, for eXtemporaneCus prayer, active
union with all evangelical denOm:nat atlOns,
preaching as above "pruyers," or certainly not
beneath them, and progress generally. He fer.
vently contended also for supremacy in his own
parish as against preatical intrusion, and he
even preached for the Methodsts. Hence his
troubles, but he was always firm, though gen.
tie; invincble by error, though convincible by
truth. He would yield much in charity, moth
ing in principle. He had great influence in
Baltimore, and is deeply lamented. He did not
sufficiently attend to his health, and would take
no adequate vacation to recruit his exhausted
energies, as his vestry wished him TO do, offer
ing TO supply the pul pit. To previous private
competence, a relative at his death bequathed
him not long ago an estate worth $SO.OO0.-
Wealth did not allure him from his great du-
ties, for he was bent on being useful in the
sphere which Providence assigned him. He
was fifty.six years old, and may be said to have
died prematurely, for he belonged TO long
lived family. The chancellor lived to sixty
six. The bishop is in good health at nearly
the same age. All evangelical Christians will
mourn the loss of this good man.
No more interesting name has been added to
the mortuary list Of 1859. lie was of the Mil
ner stamp, and that is praise enough.-COr.
PhiLa. Journal.