Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-06-15

VINO uieu Oh SUNDAY last, III hlHR w ullam
county, after an illness Of only a week. Mr..
Points, whilst the church on Church Hill
was closed for repairs, had visited his Old
parish in King William, and preached there
on Sunday, the Sd instant. On his return
from church to the residence Of his kinsn1an
Mr.. Robert f. Hill, he was attacked with
dysentery, and on Sunday hast. ABOUT l O.
clock, breathed Ills last.
We have never seen deeper feeling than
this event has produced among all who knew
him. 1t is but little more than six months
since Mr.. Points was called to St. Johns
Church, and the revival of all its interests
has been almost miraculous The congre-
cation increased with rapidity unprece-
denied in its annals; the Sunday School was
filed to overhowing. It soon became obvl-
Gus that a new church mast be built to &C.
commodate the increasing wants of the par
ish or that important additions and altera-
lions must be made in the old Neither the
pastor nor the congregation were willing to
destroy one timber Of that venerable edifce
hallowed by so many patriotic and sacred
associations New pews were, therefore,
added, and such extensive repairs and inn
provements determined upon that it became
necessary to close the Church for month.
The last public service that Mr.. Points held
in the Church was the administration of the
Lords Supper. How few who received the
consecrated elements from his hands realis-
cd that it was, indeed, with him, the Last
Supper. ard that they should no more drink
with him Of this sacred wine till they drink
it new in the kingdom Of God.
The repairs of the Church were approach
ing their completion, the parsonage house
had been improved and made ready to re-
ceive its occupants, and all were looking for
ward with bright hopes Of a new era in the
history Of St. J ohm 5, when the old Church
should rise like a phoenix from its ashes,
and the burning and shining light upon its
altar should send its rays far and wide upon
the city set upon hill. Over this bright
vista of anticipation, Death has suddenly
cast shadow, sombre as the wing of tenn
pest, and alas, a shadow that viii be long
lifting and upon whose lark borders there
lis no light save that which comes from Him
who has said, 81 am the Resurrection and
the Life.'
The writer of this has long known Mr.
Points, has watched with interest the rare
promise CT his youth, and feels in his death
almost the keenness ola family bereavement
This sentiment had become universal in his
congregation. 1t was not alone the decided
ability Of his public ministrations, that a.
chieyed his popularity, but his systematic
aud untrng devotion to the poor, the sick
and the afflicted, aud the remarkable though
unobtrusive energy which made everything
that he touched move, and live and prosper.
Probably few American clergymen have
been as thoroughly educated, aud certainly
few scholars have combined with the learn
ing of the schools such admirable tact, com
mon sense ana knowledge of mankind. 1t
is among the E.ost mysterious ways of Prov
iaence, when, in the bloom of his DAYS, such
a man, with such capacities fer usefulness,
and so rich in qualities which command both
aspect and love. is cut off But the world
Of matter is to the world Of spirits but an
atom amid innumera5lo stars, grain of
sand upon the shores Of bouudlcss sea and
lit may be that in the vast, in, isible world
there are wider and worther spheres of ac-
ton, to which Death transfers "our early
flowed and lost" It may be, that this faith .
ful priest, who has fallen at our earthly al
tars, with the inspired Ets Deuns upon his
lips, has taken up the sacred song at the
head CT some heavenly congregation in
grander Temple, end, in tie sublime words
OF the Eucharistic service. almost the last
he uttered in those old walls which this e.
vening will witness his funeral rites, -"with
angels and archang gels and the whole COM
pany of Heaven, he lauds and magniGes the
glorious name OF God"
According to his last request the late be-
loved pastor will be buried from St. Johns
| Church, this afternoon, at clock. Rich
Dispatch.
FUNERAL OF Rev. JOHN T. PoINTs. -
The funeral sermon over the remains of the
much loved pastor Of St. Johns Church was
preached at that Church Oate the scene OF
his labors) at 4 o'clock yesterday evening
| His body was afterwards committed to the
silent tomb sin the city Of the dead" which
surrounds the ancient edihce, which so Of
ten resounded with the tones of his familia,
and welcome voice. Gentleness. iberality
and kindness united with christian forbear-
anee, marked his department in his whole
walk through life. He was Of that manner
of men that strew flowers along the pathway
of life, and brighten it with their smiles -
1t is not ouly his relatives and immediate
friends who have occasion for grief, but his
congregation, and indeed every one who ap-
preciatcs and loves those rare virtues and
graces of the heart and mind that constitute
excellence of character, and make our exis
tenc6 here something more than an unceas-
! ing round of turmoil and strife. May the
recorded virtues Of the dead be an ever pres
ent example to the living.
The impressive ritual Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church on the occasion of this flu
neral was rendered more solemn by the i'm
posing ceremonies attendant on the burial
of Knight Templar and Masonic the
latter of which order the deceased was at
tached. and both Of which assembled in
large numbers to witness over their dead
comrade ''the last scene of ALL" The flu
neral ceremonies were conducted by Rev
Messrs. Minnegerode, Wilmer. Deshiel and
Baker-the sermon being preached by the
latter. -Eramimer, Of Wednesday.
/ For the indicator.
/ 10 s'Pax.'
The call for a Convention over your signature
md fyJtl x-