The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-03-04
FoR THE CENTRAL PNEspYrrRIAN.
Rev Lewis W. Green, D. y.
HIS REMOVAL FROM VIRGINIA; AND HIS
DEATH.

u6 pNuuCIiNO lAOLAA
and the visit of DR.. Matthews, the ac-
credited agent of the State, were success
full in re wakening, in the breast OF DR.
Green an enthusiasm for his native State,
and for her institutions. To give vitality
to the University of Kentucky, and the
Normal School connected with it, and
realize the anticipations of all classes of
the State, was a work that attracted his
soul, The friends of Hampdell Sidney
looked on in respectful silence, having
presented to his mind all the inducements
to remain III his position, and with anxl-
ETY. awaited the result DR.. Green felt
the delicacy Of his position, IN making
choice between the institutions. And
whatever might have been the wishes OF
his numerous friends, no one was sur
prised when he accepted the invitation to
return to Kentucky. Hampden Sidney
had Aourished greatly under his superin-
tendence; entire concord existed in the
Faculty; and the confidence of the Board
of Trustees was complete. Believing as
he did that the moral and mental philos-
ply that prevailed in the education of
youth, would have powerful, yea, con-
trolling influence III deciding the ultimate
condition of human society, DR.. Green
desired to have that philosophy of the
right spirit, flowing from the fountain of
eternal truth, the throne of God, and
coming TO man through the channel of
accredited revelation, the written Word.
Aud he knew not how to refuse the offer
made TO him by men who knew his prin-
ciples of philosophy and religion and
personal and social action, to take an ac-
tive part in regulating the moral and men
tai influences to be set at work on so
large scale in Kentucky. He had seen,
in his youth, the sad effects of false phil
osophy, in perverting the youth and citi-
zens of his native State, under the man
agement of President Haley; and felt a
Christian and patriotic anxiety that the
fountain to be re-opened should send
forth pure waters, and was glad to con-
tribute all in his power for so desirable
an object, as the welfare of the coming
generations.
DIR. Green removed to Lexington in
1858, and entered at once upon the du-'
ties of presiding officer or'the State Uni-
versity, and the normal school. For a
time there was most cheering prospect
that the highest anticipations of the
friends of education were about to be re-
allied The Institutions were properly
organized, students came in numbers to
take advantage of the means of instruc-
tion, in both departments The current
of events, running rapidly to success, was
suddenly checked by the influence of
party movements in the Legislature. In
the struggle for prominence, every re-
source was appealed to by the partisans,
and the University was unhappily brought
in among other subjects, and on the pre-
text of financial economy it's resources
were ruinously crippled. DIR. Green re-
tired from the Presidency; the disap-
pointment of his high hopes for his ma
tive State were not concealed, neither
were they expressed with bitterness.
The Presidency of Centre College be-
ing vacant by the death of DR.. Young,
DIR. Green found himself in due time fill
ing the vacant chair, and presiding over
his Alma Mater. Danville was his home,
and became the place of his burial. This
College of the Presbyterians had -four
ished under the labors of Dr. Young and
his able co-laborers, and presented to DR..
Green field of labor becoming his best
efforts. Undiscouraged in his hopes of
difusing Christian education, he was hap
PLY employed in the duties of his Office,
when the terrible scenes foreshadowed in
his inaugural address, in 1858, began to
be realized. and he found himself in the
midst of a revolution he had so much
dreaded, and had powerfully portrayed
His distress was unspeakable as the
bloody scenes were thickening in his ma
tive State A man that knew not what
the feeling of timidity was, he tremblec
at the rapine and murders that were fill
ing the country with lamentations anC
woe. When the efforts for Peace Con
gress of the Middle States came to naught
the last ray of hope of an escape from
the fearful scenes of civil war, vanished
from his view. With many qualities nat
ural and acquired to fit him for popular
leader in an army, his heart shrunk in
stinctively from the cOncomitants of war
He saw clearly the errors of the Soutl
and the North. He Sympathized will
the heroic defences of Southern homes
The echoes of the battles in Virgini'
sickened his heart He judged right.
that his place was marked by Providence
and he remained in the performance o
his duty in the instruction of youth AM
the proclamation of the doctrines of kind
ness and forbearance and hope as taugh
IN the Gnsnel nf Christ. The distress O