The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-02
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
The Hon. Lewis COllins-A Good Man Fallen
In Israel.

The political press of Northern Kentucky has
recently rendered high and noble tributes to the
memory of Judge Lewis Collins of MaysvilIe, KY,
who died while absent from home at Lexington,
on Saturday, January Goth, 1870, aged y years
For twenty seven years, from 1920 to lS47, editor
of the Mauesulle Eagle one of the abest, most
dignifed and influential newspapers of the State;
the first Presiding Judge of the Mason County
Court, from 1851 to 1855; for fifteen years Treas
urer of the Sinking Fund and also Superintendent
of Public Schools for that county; all these and
other positions of responsibility and public trust
he filled with heartiness, energy and fidelity sell
dom equalled. But the greatest work of his pub
lie life, and the one that will keep his memory
greenest in long years to come was his Historical
Sketches of kentucky, pronounced "the most au-
thentic and reliable, as it is the most comprehen
sive, history of his native State. ="
Though thus honored for bis public virtues and
labors, it is but Just to one who for nearly sixty
years exemplifod that beautiful figure of soldier
of Christ, clad with the full panOpy of the gospel
armor, whose every duty and pleasure we're made
subseryent to his Christian faith, that he though
dead, should yet speak to the Church he so much
loved.
Judge Collins was born in Fayette county, KY,
on Christmas day, 1897 He removed while yet a
youth TO Washington Mason county, and shortly
after united with the Presbyterian Church. With
him profession of religion meant something it
was entering upon his life work. From youth to
manhood, from manhood to old age, his was a
daily conservation of himself to the service Of his
Saviour, constant yearning for the conversion OF
sinners and the building up of Christs kingdom.
He removed to Maysve in 1920, and On July
18th, 1929, was elected deacon in the church. On
January 18th, 1885, he was elected elder, and
served the church in that office for thirty five
years.
Few men have entered upon passionate with a
more efficient eldership, than did the late Rev. Dr.
Robert G. Grundy when he became pastor of the
Maysville church in 1885, with VIM. Huston, VIM.
Hodge, Lewis Collins and Jacob w. Rand as co
laborers-men gifted in prayer, of devoted piety
jealous in good works, and ever watchful over the
lambs of the fold. Except the last named they
have all "entered into glory" As men we'll versed
in the Scriptures and apt to teach, their name,
will live as household words in the families of that
congregation.
OF the subject of this communication, it may
truly be said he was catholic in his spirit He loved
every one who bore the image of Christ no matter
by what name called, yet he loved most the church
of his choice. Called to represent his Presbytery
in the General Assembly of 1886 at Pittsburgh
just before our pure faith was to receive so severe
test, he proved himself Jealous defender oil
pure Presbyterianism. He loved her doctrine heI
constitution, her government and representative
character and faithfully did he fulfill his ordination
vows as a representative of his church in Presby.
teries, Synods and the General Assembly
But perhaps nowhere did Judge Collins leave SC
deep an imprint of his Christian character as in
the large Sabbath school over which he presided
as Superintendent for over forty years. Ever
genial, loving and gentle among the little ones oil
his school, never losing an opportunity of talking
of the Saviour who died for them, and entreating
them to give their young hearts to Him who said
Suffer little children to come unto me" With
kind and cheering words to his teacher as he passed
among them, he was always ready with word o.
exhortation to the impenitent, and word in sea
son for the troubled soul. Forty years ago, in the
Maysvie Sunday school, [, then very little girl
learned to revere and love that good man. Those
forty years brought many changes, but found il
him no lack of zeal or affection towards children OF
the Sabbath school. No wonder that dozens Of
little weary feet trudged five miles to see the form
of their loving Superintendent laid in his silent
resting place.
We would not, even to beautify the Christian
character by his home influence, intrude upon the
privacy of the circle gathered around the familiar
hearth stone. His name, his life, are enshrineG
there in living, loving memories. May the mantle
Of his piety fall on them and theirs
The character of the Christian whose life is hid
with Christ in God, needs no triumphant death
to attest the victory of his faith. He had fought
good fight, he had finished his course he had
kept the faith. Quietly, gently he laid his armol
down, and with the name Of his Saviour upon his
dying lips passed from works to rewards Would
that every officer bearer and member of our Zion
would emulate the example of this devoted servant
of God, as he initiated Christ. The waste place,
of Zion would remain no longer desolate. NJ.