Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-03-23
Obituaries.
Tribute to the Memory Of Mrs Elizabeth
McClunr


Tribute to the Memory of Mrs. Elizabeth
! McClung
Mrs. McClung, of Staunton, Va, has been call
ell to her rest having departed to be with Christ
on Thursday, the 18th inst, in the 87th year of
her age.
1t is but expressing the feelings of thousands to
say that the departure of one so widely known
| so much respected and loved calls for something
more than the usual brief obituary notice.
| For nearly three-fourths of a century has her
life been testimony to the power of divine
| grace Without, however, any special notice OF
its earlier portion its closing period affords topic
| of most pleasing contemplation, and an illustra-
ton Of the display of the grace of God, most edi-
flying and encouraging For nearly thirty years
! she might have been regarded old Chris
tan. This has been the period in which, from
| her peculiar temper of mind and the position she
| occupied she became personally acquainted with
| the best people Of the land to extent probably
never surpassed, if equalled, by any living wo-
man in our Commonwealth impressing all who
| knew her with the highest estimate OF her mental
| and Christian character
| She was the youngest sister of DR.. A. Alexan-
der, whom she remarkably resembled in features
and in mental constitution. Clear in her percep-
proper curiosity in seeking, and proverbaly apt
in communicating information, her conversation
was the charm of the delightful circle of which
she was so long the centre and the bond.
She saw much of the goodness of the Lord in
the land of the living and often, too, couldsay
'all thy waves and thy pillows are gone over
me.' But she was not elated by prosperity nor
respondent in adversely. Her faith operated
| out to her. Ever thankfully recognizing His
gracious providence. she felt assured, even when
others were anxious for her welfare, that He
would provide Tor her, And when it might
| blows that ordinarily fall on any, her anguish of
heart would break forth in repining, she pos
sessed her soul in patience and acquiescingly
kissed the rod and Him who had appointed it. y
| She made no professions of pungent convic-
tions, of eestatic raptures, but most eminently
illustrated the great cardinal doctrine of practical
| divinity. "Trust in the Lord and do good
| While presiding in two hotels successfully, in
/ Staunton she ever won the esteem even of pass
| ing strangers, by her eminent Christian courtesy
| and bound old friends in new and frmer ties, by
her delightful conversation and dligent regard
| for their comfort.
| She allowed no worldly duties to interfere with
| her Christian privileges, and though not in very
robust health, was seldom absent from her seat in
| Gods house. on Sabbath morning. Hers was
| truly minister's home.
| A most extensive acquaintance with two past
| generations of Presbyterian clergymen, and lead
| ing men and women, made her conversation
most interesting and instructive to that generation
with which her old age was contemporary.
| She resided, for several years past in the Au-
| gusta Female Seminary in Stauntcn, conducted
| by Miss. Baldwin and one of her daughters
| Here she was the venerated and beloved friend
and guardian of the large household Of young la
| dies attending school. Her room was their home,
her society their coveted privilege and her love
and counsels the best substitute ever provided in
| such Institution for that of "mother at home"
| Her last day evinced the power of lifelong
| faith. She rather resembled one about setting
out on a desired journey and anxious to be gone.
| Not only had death no terrors, not only was she
| calmly resigned to Gods WILL but she welcomed
her release as ordered by His wisdom, who never
| erred and moved by His love who never failed.
She passed away more as if translated than as one
passing through dark yallies and deep rivers
| Those who remember the manner of her brother
Dr. Alexander s..death may understand how she
left US. She sleeps in jesus
The writer of this tribute to her memory, re-
CARDS it as one ofthe highest honors and pleas
relation OF a beloved pastor to such child Of
God More, far more could be said, and the
mind would not tire in recalling pleasing recol-
| lections, nor the hand in recording them. But
truth which her life constantly held forth, that
an abiding intelligent faith in Christ, and flial
| confidence in gracious Father in Heaven ever
| seeking and finding the guidance Of the Spirit,
| affords the only sure means of happy life and
peaceful, hopeful death and that with such
Christian principles in exercise outward estate,
whatever it may be, will obstruct. our Christain'
course, but that any whatever will become subor-
| dinate tOits Advancement.
Blessed be God for the life and death OF dear
| Mrs. McClung. b. M. D.
Lyttelton Waddell. !
This venerable and beloved man departed this
| life at Churchvile, Augusta county, Virginia, on
Thursday, 18th instant; aged 70 years:
Mr.. Waddell was the Youngest and II last sur
viving child of the Rey James Waddel D. d.
bred to the profession of law, but finding the
work of instructing youth in classical and math
ematical studies more congenial to his tastes,
most of his life was devoted to that useful occu-
patton.
No one could be with him. even casually, with
out feeling at once that he was in the presence Of
a thorough gentleman whose combined dignity
kindness and courtesy inspired respect and conf
dence The polite society in which he had been
brought up was reflected in his whole bearing
through life.
In the civil Office of magistrate in Augusta
county, and in the ecclesiastical office of ruling
elder in the Presbyterian church of Staunton-
both held through long succession of years-the
value of his counsel, integrity, and fidelity was
acknowledged by the whole community.
The more private relations of domestic life and
of personal friendship he filled and adorned with
degree of tenderness and delicacy that made
him the charm of his home.
The intelligence of Mr.. Waddell on the subject
of religion was such that he would have been re-
garded in any company of ministers of the Cos
pei, as a we'll read theologan.
His health had been feeble for many years, and
| the loss of vision had become almost entire. But
his spirits were cheerful and indeed almost bouy-
ant. This was chiefly the effect of his religious
| faith, which seemed to brighten more and more
as he was gradually shut out by old age, i'll
health ana DlndnesS from MS FORMER aSsOclatlOns
with the world. In letter announcing his
death, a correspondent remarks: THE last time
he was at my house his mind seemed filled with
the great subject of the atonement of Christ. and
he talked about it with kind Of enthusiasm
love of God in devsing the plan, and the love of
| Christ in executing it. L have not, yet learned
the particulars of his religious experience in his
| last sickness know he felt no fear for the fu-
| ture'
Soaps.