The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-21
Rev. Thomas Walker Gilmer.
MINUTES ADOPTED BY THE PREsBYTERY OF EA'
HANOVER.

MINUTES ADOPTED BY THE PREsBYTERY OF EAST
HANOVER.
Under deep sense OF their bereavement, the
Presbytery make record of the sudden departure
from this life OF the Rev. Thomas Walker Gilmer,
on Monday, April 4th, 1869, in the thirty-sixth
year of his age
The home of his early life was in Charlottesville,
where he enjoyed the advantages OF excellent
schools, preparing him to enter the University OF
Va After completing at this institution his lite
rary and professional course of study, he removed
to st. Louis, Mo-, and engaged tor few years in
the practice of the law. 1t was during his resi-.
dence there. and under the ministrations Of his
pastor, the Rev. James e. Brookes, D. D., that he
was effectualy awakened to sense OF eternal
things and converted to God.
Under constraining conviction OF duty to preach
the gospel, he entered Union Theological Semina-
ry in 1853 During the late war he rendered faith
full service to his country and to the churchto the
first in the capacity Of private soldier, and after
wards to both as chaplain in the Confederate
army.
In the summer of 1865, he accepted an invita-
ton to visit the Presbyterian church OF Freder-
icksburg, where he was not long after settled as
its pastor. Here during this briet period Of life
allotted upon earth, he made full proof OF his
ter gave him to do.
When he entered upon his labors he found a
dismantled house of worship, community ex,
ceedingly wasted by the ravageS of the war, and
the members of the church, numbering in former
times about two hundred, now reduced to about
fifty. Under the wise and jealous lead OF this
brother means were soon obtained for repairing
the church, the spirit of gallant but deeply dis
tressed people was rallied the institutions of re
! :.
prospering aud every aspect OF their affairs
showed that they thanked God and took cour
age" The beloved young pastor was diligent, and
faithful growing in grace, In every kind OF use
fulness and in the affections of all classes of peo-
pie, not only in his own congregation, but IN the
whole community also The members Of the
church, during his brief ministry was doubled and
his enterprisng spirit was felt as healthful inhu-
ence at every point In the surrounding country
where it could be extended. A happy marriage
and recent removal to a sweet home in the 'Manse"
seemed to complete the picture of pastors joy,
and to give promise of a long and prosperous life,
"full of mercy and good fruits.
How suddenly was this scene of joy darkened
Early on Monday morning, while apparently In
usual health, the summons came, and within the
short space of ten minutes our dear brother de-
parted within the vail, never again to meet
with his people or with us, till eve shall stand
| before the judgment seat OF Christ
From the moment he was pierced by mortal
arrow, the agony of the dying strife was too great
to allow those free expressions of personal faith
and hope which might have been expected under
other circumstances. Only two sentences are re-
membered to have been spoken. Soon after he
was so suddenly taken, he remarked, "We are
all in the hands of God;" and just before his eyes
closed in death he uttered the words, "My Re.
deemer!"
The Presbytery would hereby express its sense
of bereavement in the loss of one of its most val
ued members, and would convey to the church of
Fredericksburg and to the widow of our departed
brother their sympathy and coincidence in time
when they are thus sorey stricken, smitten of God
and afflicted We commend them both to the love
and the care Of Him, whose ways and thoughts are
high above ours, and which are all mercy and
truth to them that fear him.
We give thanks to the Father of mercies for all
that grace which made this departed pastor our
,hono.ed aud hsoxed - sapinietet of d.
tinguished usefulness in the Church below, and
which made even his sudden death a safe passage
to the Church above We would pray that the
voice of this solemn event may be so felt in quick
ening our souls in the work of the Lord, that when
the Master cometh, We may be found of Him in
peace.