The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-01

Southern Synods in 1861 and the Synods OF Ken
lucky and Missouri in 1857, was from the same mo
tive of Northern Radicasm, and to the same end,
VIZ. the reunion with the more advanced radical
ism of 1888; and perceivng clearly, also, that the
Synods of Kentucky and Missouri and the Southern
Synods were alike standing upon the ancient plat
form of Presbyterian doctrine and order, MIR. WICK
life was among the most earnest in advising the Or
ganic union of all these Synods in the one true old
School General Assembly. His Presbyterianism
was OF that type which yearns for the visible mani
fesation of the unity of all who hold e1 amino the
true Presbyterian faith and ORDER Never will some
of US forget the tone and manner of the venerable
elder, when Immediately upon the reference by
Synod of the question of union with our Southern
brethren to the Presbyteries, he in his Presby
terry, and, while his voice faltered with deep emo
ton, remarked: Moderator, have very few days
longer to live, and death will be far less unwecome
to me if l can feel l am dying in full communion
with the true Old School General Assembly. Will
the brethren crafty me by taking the action now,
which we all know will be taken any how in the
spring, and declare our organic connection with the
Southern Assembly? l am very old, Moderator,
and can hardly expect to live till spring"
Aud when he found his life prolonged even be-
yond the meeting of the Mobile Assembly, which
was too distant TO be reached in his crippled and
blind condition, his desire to be spared little
longer, as he frequently declared chiefly from
his wish to take advantage of the meeting at Louis
ville that he might sit once more in true General
Assembly of the Church on earth.
Noble old champion of the constitution and the
covenant! The prayer was not granted in its terms
But answered earlier, in the far higher honor and
joy of an admission "to the General Assembly and
Church of the first born"
l shall attempt no formal eulogy and analysis of
the character of elder Charles A. Wicklife. BE has
written his own eulogy first in the history of the
nation, and then in the most remarkable pages Of
the history of the church in Kentucky. And far
eloquent eulogy than either has he written in
the hearts and memories of those who knew him in
the relations of private life. No one that ever en-
joyed the social communion of that home of his,
that remembers the lovely and sanity wife and
mother that presided in it, until called to precede
him few years to heaven that has the cluster
of noble daughters, who, in the prime of woman
hood and the beauty of their accomplishments, hung
around him in his old age with such ial piety, and
with all the aectionate of little children
or that has gazed with reverent pleasure upon the
truly family while the younger daughters
of another generation as it emulous of the honor,
sat all day long at the feet of the blind old states
man to supply by their exquisite reading the old
mans lack of vision-no one that has witnessed,
as have, that beautiful family scene, will need any
other eulogy or argument. To those who have not
can convey no adequate impression of it. The
man who was the center and lifespring of such
of social joy and peace, needs further tes
tmony to his greatness as man and Christian.
STUART ROBINSON