The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-14
REV. DAVID T. STUART.

REV. DAVID T. STUART.
A brief mention was made last week of the
death of this excellent man and minister of
the gospel, at his home In Shelbyville, KY,
on the 26th of September A more extended
notice is due to the memory of one whose
eminent goodness was acknowledged wherever
he was known Not having access at present
TO such facts and dates as can be supplied by
his family only, We must rely upon what
memory supplies from general information.
David Todd Stuart was the son of the Rev.
Robert Stuart, of Kentucky. The family name
of his mother was Todd, one we'll known and
highly esteemed in that State. His father
was a native Of Walkers Creek. in the county
of ROckbridge, Va, but removed to Kentucky
in the beginning Of his ministry about the
close of the last century His pastoral charge
was the Walnut Hill church, few miles from
Lexington There he ministered, faithful and
beloved, till extreme age made it necessary to
retire. The memory Of this venerable man is
among the cherished treasures of the Synod of
Kentucky He lived, If We remember rightly,
till he was not far from ninety years of age,
and departed this life within the last ten or
fifteen years, full of peace, honored and be-
loved by all men. He had an intimate knowl.
edge of the history of the Church in Kentucky
during some of its most exciting times, and
the interest with which we listened to some Of
his "reminiscences during days. ride together,
upon one of his last visits to Virginia, is still
wildly remembered. He lived to see the
sons. one of whom is the Rev. Samuel d.
Stuart, of Abingdon, Va.
The other son, whose lamented death the
Church is called to mourn, was born in 1910.
Under the training of piOus parents, he was
carefully brought up Sin the nurture and ad-
mouition of the Lord" In early manhood
and our impression is while at Centre College,
Danville Kyle made a profession of reli-
gion, and upon completing his course there,
the determination was formed to devote him
self to the work of the ministry. He entered
the Theological Seminary at Princeton in the
fall of 1882 1t was here our acquaintance
with him began-our fathers before us having
been intimate friends. Without going into
details It may be enough to say that brother
Stuart had decidedly good standing in all his
studies, and had the respect and love of his
fellow-students in high degree. By intimate
friends he was cherished with tender affection
While his character and spirit had no tame
ness-while no man was more firm and true
to his own convictions and conscience, yet he
was ever gentle and sweet in disposition as an
humble, little child. He was often subject to
despondency-an it was hard for him to shake
it off. At such times, aud indeed at all times,
the communion and cheering words of his
chosen friends were like precious balm
Days and years of delightful intercourse are
recalled, never to return again upon earth.
After completing the full course in the Sem
mary. he returned to Kentucky and became
pastor of the church of Shiloh and Olivet,
where he remained, beloved and useful, till
his removal many years ago to take charge of
the Shelbyrille Female Seminary Here he
remained for, we suppose, about fifteen years,
in a sphere of great usefulness, and which he
filed with unusual success, till the summons
came TO call him to another world.
A letter concerning the intelligence of his
death and written by member of the family
Of Mr.. Richard Sterling, who had recently be
come associated with Mr.. Stuart in the Semi
nary. contains the following particulars:
Mr.. Stuart went to Elizabethtown and
preached on the Sabbath previous to his death.
He came home on Monday somewhat com.
planning but rose as usual on Tuesday morn
ing, attended prayers, but had to leave the
breakfast table sick, and went 10 his bed, from
which he never was to rise again. He con
tinued sick, but not, as we thought, dan.
gerously, until his physicians announced to US
Oh Friday that there was no hope of his re-
covery. tie was not surprised at the intelli-
geuce, and had from the first spoken hope
lesSly of his own condition. But we only
thought him Respondent. The summons found
him with his armor on. Quietly and calmly
he arranged his worldly business, telling Mrs.
Stuart that he had been deeply impressed for
some months with the thought that his time
was short. He constantly expressed to those
around him his entire dependence on divine
grace. My peace is perfect he said, |
have never remembered time that did not
love my Saviour He rejoiced that even from
childhood grace had been bestowed upon him.
He exhorted his family not to sin against
God in their grief He preached as he lay
dying-his last breath was spent in admonish-
ing all to watch and be ready His death
was quiet, like an infant falling asleep; and
as our pastor, the Rev. j. S. Grasty, closed
his eyes saying, Our brother is gone; let us
pray, we all knelt in deep and solemn silence
his wife, children and all-while he thanked
God for the triumphant death which through
grace had been vouchsated to our dear Chris
tian brother
While writing this memorial of brother
whom We knew and loved so well, the Free
Christian Commonwealth of the Sth inst, is
received, containing a very interesting com
municatiOn from the Rev. Mr. Grasty, for
which we regret there is, at this late hour,
no room, Blessed is such death, and thrice
precious such memory!
Concert Of. Prayer.-The suggestion Of the
Or y ~