The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-10-30
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
William c Preston.

if such records were made of their loss, as
those whom they have left desolate, feel to
be their simple due, the printed column
would be one continuous "Ia memoriam."
Each heart knows its own bitteruess-aches
over its own terrible void-rCalizes the pre-
ciousness Of its own buried treasure and it
is hard to understand that the world around
has little interest in its peculiar sorrows.
and is more than content with the brief an
nouucemeut-''he IS dcad" But there are
many eyes that will rest on the name of
WILLIE PRESTON with mourDful tenderness.
and many hearts will linger over it as
"A name they wOuld not Willingly let die"
For these We gather up u few reminis
cences which may serve to indicate how
beautiful, how rare. how much above the
ordinary in all that goes to make up q fault
less character, was the life Of this beloved
boy.
Those who can recall his face as a child,
will remember it as ons of indeacribable
sweetness. His smile had that radiant, haunt,
ing charm about it which Rafale has made
familiar to Us in the cOuntenauce Of bis St.
John: and the bright, winning, sympathe.
tic face vas but an index to those inner
lineaments which SO remarkably endeared
him to all who knew him. His father loves
to recall his conscientiousness, as a child of
four or five years old, when about to cor
rect him for the first and almost only tine
in his life. as looking up in his face with that
beamiug, truthful expression peculiar to
him. the little fellow said Iii you link
have done wrong, father, it is right for you
to punish me-" Here is the key to the boys
whole character: To do right-to obey God
and bis parents we're requirements to which
his nature seemed to offer no resistance
Some who read this meagre record, will re-
member the scene at his blessed mothers
dying pillow, when with that ready alacrity
to do whatever was required, he said with
CArist-like doeility-'I can say it, mother
WUcfthe Lord be dOner r"
Never was there anything more beautiful
than the woman-like tenderness with which
this boy of twelve henceforth devoted him
self to the father whose every wish it was
his study to anticipate, and to the little
motherless brother who chung to him with pc
culiar fondness. 1t had in it, all the deli
cate, inexpressible, suggestive considerable
ness and Undergraduates that one only
looks for on the part of wife or mother. His
looks, bis words, his tones, his movements
how full of refined feeling and gentleness
they were Yet with this, there was com.
bined self asserting manliness of bear
ing,-a strength of decision and of purpose
an energy of action-a buoyancy of ma
ture, and fine, chiyalrous bravery Of spir-
it, which in keeping with his noble physical
proportions, would have made him --Ah
We viii nos conjecture God will carry on
the process OF his development in that thigh
er and holier sphere where now ''he lives
whom We call dead"
Willie (ior those who knew and loved him,
can think Of him by no other name) was
only about fifteen when he made public
profession of his faith in Christ. He did not
then for the first time become religious
Those who were familiar with his daily life,
were not called on to mark any special
change in the genial. cheerful-tempered boy.
IL was just what might be expected Of hin
i5 was only the outward acknowledgment Of
what had been the growing and governing
principle of his life. There was no sudden
emerging from darkness to light; it was the
calm, gradual Frightening of the rising
morning into the perfect day.
Thenceforth there was perhaps, even an
added buoyaucy Of spirit, and an intenser
enjoyment Of the innocent delights of life.
Religion never repressed any Of his cheer
lul heartedness, or dampeued in the slightest
degree his boyish gaiety. lie never shrank
from assuming any Of the responsibilities
his profession Of religion imposed: and it
was beautiful sight to see this boy, in the
absence of tae older members of the family,
conducting the morning aud evening deyo-
tions, and Offering prayers that for compre-
hensjyeness, appropriateness and JUNCTION
might serve as models to experienced Chris
tiaDs.
But it was not only as a son and brother
that Willie sbone so conspicuously. Every
servant about his fathers house felt the
power Of his apprOachabe kindlness. As a
College student toe. he was most faithful,
conscientious and diligent in the discharge
Of every duty-earnest in his studies-eyer
present to assist at the College prayer
meetings, and a model for Christian con-
duet. At the breaking out of the war, he
plead to be allowed to accompany the Liber-
ty Hall Volunteers into active service; and
while every dictate of his nature prompted
his going, yetia acquiescence with the wish
of his father, VINO felt him to be too young
for military duty, he remained behind. Some
Of his class mates fell on the fatal 21sl July
at Manassas, and wildly are the regretful
tones recalled in which he then exclaimed,
Il shall never get over not being at Ma
nassas!' Little did he imagine that be too
was to perish there
Having entered the Virginia Military In
stitute, to be the better fitted for service,
be marched with the corps of Cadets to
Mcdowell, and had fer 3 short time, some
experience, Of active military duty. By the
advice of his fathers and his own warmly
attached friend, General Jackson, he pre-
pared himself carefully for q particular
branch of service indicated, and then with a
deliberate sense of duty, not under the slim
illus of youthful heroism merely, he took
his place among the companions who still
survived in the devoted college Company"
Were this the proper place, We might tell of
his galiantry at toe battle of Cedar Run,