The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-23
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Documents of Abingdon Presbytery.

INNATE of abingdon Pres6ytey IN relation to the
death of Rev. James McChaia. adopted April
10th, 1869, an session at abingdon.
The committee appointed to prepare minute
in relation to the death of Rev. James McChain,
beg leave to report the following. This Presbytery
while recording with sorrow the death of our be-
loved brother, the Rev. James McChain, and
deeply feeling the bereavement of this sad dispen
sation, would bear their united testimony to his
exalted worth and great usefulness. Consecrating
himself to God in the days of his youth, he formed
his plans to honor that name which is above every
name When eleven years of age he united with
the Presbyterian church at Ithaca, in the State of
New York. In October, 1881, he entered Yale
College and graduated in August 1885, He began
his Theological course in Union Seminary, New
York city, October, 1885, and graduated May,
lS4l. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by
the Bird Presbytery of New York city, in March,
l64l. On the lst Sabbath of October lS43, he
took charge of the church in Abingdon, where he
continued to labor till called to his reward
Deeply impressed with the solemnity and impor-
lance of his vocation, he devoted all his time with
work of winning souls During some periods of
his ministry, his field of labor presented many and
peculiar difficulties. But he was seldom discour-
aged generally hopeful and always intent upon
doing his duty leaving the results in the hands of
that God whose he was and whom he served As
preacher he was practical and instructive striv.
ing rather to make truth plain than to indulge in
Improbable speculations. But it was as a pastor
he was prominently useful Here was the secret
of his power. In this department of his labor he
seemed never to grow weary. No sooner had sor.
row and suffering entered the abodes of any of his
flock, than he was there with the words of sympa-
thy and love, and not only among his own flock,
but wherever there was widows burden to be
ightened, or an orphan tear to be dried, or some
bleeding wound to be staunched, he was there
Neither winters cold nor summers heat kept him
at home. He went, feeling in some humble mea-
sure like his adorable Redeemer, that it was his
meat and drink to do his Fathers will. He was
man of good practical sense In carrying out the
enterprises of the Church, he evinced great wis
dom, as well as strong desires to promote the glory
OF OOu III Tic SaIVaIiOn VI sOulS. ne was ueepy
interested in the duties assigned him as Chairman
of the Committee of Missions His heart seemed
to yearn over the surrounding moral desolations,
and not only was constantly suggesting plans for
sending the gospel to the waste places within our
bounds but went himself at all seasons of the year,
and performed labors greatly disproportioned to
his strength In the relations Of husband, father,
friend, he was kind tender, faithful and true-was
all that could be expected from Christian minis
ter and Christian gentleman.
Last summer and fall his strength began to fail
and it became evident that the great Destroyer had
marked him as his victim Still from Sabbath to
Sabbath he continued to wend his way with tot
tering steps to his pulpit, and with wasting ener.
ges and faltering accents proclaimed the truth as
it is in Jesus. Hi I'D until he could preach
no more, and then went home to die, or rather he
went home to fall asleep in Jesus. Mark the
perfect man and behold the upright, for the end Of
that man is peace" And now that he is gone
and we shall see his face no more, till the resur
rection of the just, we would be reminded of the
shortness of time and the uncertainty of life; VIC
would strive to realize the necessity Of greater dill
igence and fidelity in the solemn work in which
we are engaged
TH e N, Brown COMMITTEE.
j. Lyons,
trro oony-DAN1rr p EWING s Clerk