The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-02-10
Rev. Cyrus Byington.

Our brief notice Of the death of this venerable
brother was made before we had any particulars
of his last hours. A correspondent of the South.
ern Presbyterian gives an interesting sketch of his
history and character, from which we make seve.
raj extracts
Seldom have We been called upon to record
the death of any one whose memory is more fra
grant among our people than that of the Rev.
Cyrus Byington, who departed this life in Belpre,
Ohio, on the 3st of December 1868. We do not
propose to give even brief outline of the history
of this honored servant of Christ; but simply to
collect some facts and incidents of his life and to
allude to some of the distinguishing traits of his
private and public character, so that we may have
something like just conception of him.
He was born and educated in New England; and
at first devoted himself to the profession of the
law No doubt he would have attained an envia
Bile distinction in this profession; for his talents
we're of that character which would have secured
success. But God designed him for another. field
of usefulness Soon after he made profession
OF religion he devoted himSalf to God in the work
of the ministry and entered upon the study of
theology in Andover Theological Seminary. A
deep and strong missionary spirit pervaded the
minds of the students in the Seminary during the
time he was there SeVeytc{ them became dis.
tinguished missionaries among the heather. And
his whole ministerial life vas spent as missionary
among the Choctaw Indians. During his long
and eventfu life, he never had occasion to regret
abandoning the profession of the law for the work
of the ministry.
God greatly blessed him and honored him as
missionary of the cross He commenced his la
bors among the Red Men more than forty-fve
years ago. when they were living in Mississippi.
The Choctaws under God are more indebted to
Rev. A. Wright and Rev. G. Byington for the
blessings they now enjoy than they are to any one
else These two men were united in labors and in
love on earth and no doubt they are now united
in the joys of heaven above. They studied the
Choctaw language so as to understand it thorough
w. They constructed an alphabet and reduced the
language to a regular form. They prepared school
books and hymn books for the people. They
translated the Sacred Scriptures which have been
published in the Cboctaw Mr. h. prepared
critical grammar of the language, which Professor
Henry of the Smithsonian Institute desired to
publish for the advancement OF knowledge.
No man ever enjoyed more fully the confidence
and affection of the people among whom he lived
than Mr.. B. did of the Red Men. Many of them
loved him as their spiritual father; while all re.
garded him as their personal friend. He was
deeply attached to his people, and always spoke of
them in terms of great affection. Few men have
been more beloved. He obtained power for
good over the minds of the Choctaws, which
makes his name watchword still among them,
full of divine inspiration, of strength and efficacy.
His deep respect and tender love for his people
induced him to labor day and night for their good.
He was pure.minded, honest, and truthful, and
very Nathaniel for his guilelessuess He was pos
sessed of an eminently catholic spirit ne free
from bigotry and exclusveness; he had warm
Christian heart that was full Of love for all God
dear children.
Mr.. B, was great and emnently good man,
remarkable for his natural gifts, and especially for
the graces Of the Holy Spirit so richly bestowed
upon him. He possessed great power over the
feelings of his hearers, especially when he was de
scribing the workings of the human heart, or al
luding to incidents of religious experience that
came under his own observation, He was truly
an eloquent talker He was distinguished for his
simplicity and his humility.
In all the relations of lite as husband, father,
brother, friend neighbour ne was greatly beloved,
and faithfully discharged the duties devolving
upon him. He YES punctual in attending all &c
clesiastcal meetings, and greatly enjoyed the fel.
owship Of the brethren. The life and labor of
such man is rich heritage for the Church; and
it is but meet when he is called away for his name
q
people which will stimulate them to the perform
auce of every duty.
Our deceased brother had been confined to his
room for some time before his death; and during
all his sickness it was his chief delight to talk of
the love and grace of the precious Saviour. His
brother, DR.. Byington, was with him for some
weeks but left for his home before the summons
came to call him to his reward We learn that he
rested well the night before he died. In the morn
ing he spoke Of Gods goodness in sparing him
through the night, but said if it had been his will
to take him, he was prepared. He ate nothing
for his breakfast The family after breakfast went
to his room for prayers. He asked his wife to
read the last chapter of Luke, which she did
commenced singing My God how endless is thy
one of his fervent prayers. After an hour or
more he said to his wife, Il feel strangely" He
soon became dizzy, and sick at his stomach as
terrible pain struck him in the head. He had
ruptured the tissue Of the right side of the brain,
which so paralysed it that he soon became uncon.
scious and spoke 10 more. His aged companion,
in communicating these facts to friend, we'll says:
"Oh, my dear brother that was sad moment
for me. | did want him to speak TO me once
more, but deaths work had commenced, and in
an hour the angels came and took him across the
river into the better land | am sure he was
prepared to enter into rest. He was such sweet
Christian. My Saviour he would say is near
to me- oh, precious Saviour, he would often
repeat He would say, want to go home, and
now he is there. feel that almost the last tie
that bound me to the earth is broken. He was
more than all the world to me- May God bless
her abundantly with the consultations OF the Cos
pel." T. r. w.