The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-09-30
LOCAL DEPARTM EN- T.


IN CHURCH SERVICES YESTERDAY. The
chSrchss Of Washington wore we'll filed with
hearers yesterday, and the Sabbath schools were
we'll attended. The day was . beautiful one,
and Just such an one a. would cause ono 10 feel
comfortable in doors. Therefore none had tho
excuse that sitting In church would DO uncom.
Portable. .... ..
Below ws append synopsss Of ssvsrai sermons
which we had the pleasure Of listening to-:
WESTERN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Services were held In this church at II q. m.
and ~ p. N, BY the pastor, Rev. j. N. Coombs
Rev. DR.. Samson, president Of Columbian Col
lego, assisting at the morning service.
The foundation Of the morning discourse was
the Circumstance Of the recent death Of Colonel
James L. Edwards, who was On old citizen, q
member Of the Western Presbyterian church, and
~ member Of the Oldest Inhabitants Association.
The text embraced the seventh and eighth
verses Of the fourth chapter Of Pauls second
|. epistie to Timothy, to wit; III have fought
good fight I have hniihed my courssi I have
kept the faith; henosforth there Is laid up for
mo crown Of righteousneu, which the Lord,
tht righteous Judge, shall give ne at that day;
and mot to me only, but unto all them also that
love his appearing"
The speaker delivered deeply impressive and
solemn sermon founded upon the words Of the
text viewing tho life and labors Of tho apostle In
thrss.fold aspeot--namely; that Of Q soldier
who had fought good fight; that Of racer who
had finished his course with joy; and that Of .
steward who had kept sacred and inviolate the
faith committed to his trust. After which he
Pprocssdsd to give the following sketch Of the life
and character Of the late Colonel James L. Ed
wards, who was upwards Of fifty ysars resident
Of this city: ...
He Wa born at Petersburg, in the State Of
Virginia, on the 2Sth Of May, 1876. His boy
| hood was passed with near relatives In the city
Of New York, where he pursued his usual scade-
milo course Of studies. At the early age Of nine
teen years. he edited and publishsd 9 Newspaper
| In the State Of North Carolina.
In June, 1911, he was commissioned lsutsn-
ant in the Marine corps. and (among other tours
| Of ssrvics) was engaged on board the frigats
. United States under Commodore Decatur) In her
successful encounter with the British frigate
Macedonian, and, for his conduct on that oooa-
sion, he was honorably mentioned, and received,
| IN eonnsction with others, tho thanks Of Con-
As then sought and obtained an appointment
as lieutenant Of artillery, and thsrsupon resigned
his position In the Marine cops During the
swar Of Great Britain he was actively engaged,
from time to time, at different stations among
which was that Of Fort Washington, on tho Po-
MAJ river, which he was, By special detail, d.
rsoted TO blow up TO prevent Its falling into the
hands Of The enemy, and which he accomplished
on the 9Th Of August, 1914. In 1916 he 70.
signed his commission and left Boston harbc
for Washington city, whore his father was the.
residing. to take an appointment In the War OF.
He was placed at the head Of the pension bust.
ness, and at the organization Of that bureau no
became Its commissioner. devoting to its duties
for many years all his energies, both mental and
lis civil service embraced period Of thirty.
four years. He was also for thirty-f years
. member Of the board Of trustees for Columbia
md far I'd nj
Of . century president Of the board, during
all which time he was never absent from q
single commencement Of the College or meeting
Of tho board until prevented BY the recent adiie.
tion which resulted In his death.
Hswas one Of the early founder. Of the young
Mons Bible Society,"" and was also warm and
active friend Of the Temperance cause, and .
worthy member Of the Masonic fraternity, and
Ia, ever. In his dealings with his fellow.men,
acted upon the square.
In the year 1919 he became deeply concerned
about the salvation Of his soul. During the Au
gust Of that year he listened to several excellent
sermons, which induced him to investigate tn,
evidences Of the Christian revelation with more
candor than formerly, and In the month Of No
yembsr, while reading St. Paul's speech before
King Agrippa, no says II had such an effect
upon him that for the hrst time in his life, no wa
IAlmost persuaded to DO Christian"
In letter, June Q, 1890, addressed to bill
uncle, Hon. John Bacon, stockbridge, Mass, hi
thus speaks Of his conversion: ION Sunday, thu
asa Of April, II pleased God to reveal Himself II
me; for, in o manner which passeth all under
standing, I became, as 1t were. insensible =
animal life. Ny soul was elevated beyond thi
world. I can say that, with me, all thing
passed-all things became new. Thought, soo
After nv conversion, that should sail down tn
current Of this life with gentle brssIssi but
and that must work out my salvation wit
fear and trembling. ! know, however. that tn
Saaw Of the spirit Of life In Christ Jesus hat
made free from the law Of sin and death:
Soon after his conversion hs eonneeted himse
with the Episcopal church, Of which no was
consistent and worthy member for many year
For some time hs was superintendent Of Christ
Church Sabbath school In Georgetown, and ais
of 81 Johns Church Sabbath school In this city
OF the latter church he was for many sucoessiy
years vestrymsn. He was, also, one Of tn
original members and vestrymen Of the churc
Of the Epiphany. In the spring Of 1855, b
withdrew from the Episcopal church and unite
with the Western Presbyterian church Of thl
CITY He was immediately elected and ordaine
axuling elder, the office Of which he filled durin
tho entire period Of his connection with tn
church, from whose ranks he has gone up fall
years, full Of Christian experience, full OF faitl
> and Of the Holy Ghost to take part In the so
vioss Of that Upper Sanctuary, where all demon
ustioaAl distinctions are done away.
Al Christian no was true to the dictates
nj. sun conscience, When Q sense Of duty IN
I'm, ,rs inclination oonHicted with each other,
lnsw not what II was 10 finch from the forme
IA wa one Of those who recognized respons
h,iity, and who were not afraid to face 1t NJ
t.La ia consequences. He was Conscientious
little things, punetual and regular In his atte
dance upon all the means Of grace In oonnectlC
Hith the sanctuary, regardless Of mere fran
and feelings leaving US an example In this r
snsct worthy Of our imitation.
q Be had clear and reaiiEing sense Of u
.,s.t truths Of the Christian religion. II
Bible was his daily companion. To him \ "
1hsad and shoulders above them" It's promis
xsrs precious to him, more to DO desired tn
gold ',ysa, than much hns gold ,wsstsr a. a.
snoke With great force and imprsssivsness abo
tSs exceeding sinfulnsss Of sin, the solemnit
Of d..ih Of judgment and eternity .t pSsT 70
in imprsssinx these subjects deeply upon
a.sind, such ~ "QHsn on Indwsllins bin