The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-12-20
THEFATHERs.

Henry r. Weed, D. D.
TExT-YOur Fathers, where arc they :-z'ehd'
GriGh, 1:S.
This question was originally proposed
by Zechariah to the Jews Of his day. By
II he desired to arouse them to the dis
charge Of their duties We arc placed in
circumstances this morning which render
it equally appropriate that this inquiry
should Sc addressed to ourselves. And
NAV each OF US be awakened more faith
fully to do what the Lord requires Of us.
WHO ARE TIE FATHERS?
In the first place let us ask, who are the
fathers? They are those from whom we
are descended. They arc those who have
filled to us the relation Of parents. They
cared for us when in our infancy We were
utterly helpless; they endeavOred to
the utmost Of their knowledge and
ability TO prepare US for usefulness and hap
pincss; and they ever watched our course
and with the deepest anxiety sought to
promote our highest welfare. To them
we owe debt Of gratitude superior to
any other under which we can be placed
toward member OF our race. They are
entitled to position in our hearts only
inferior to that supreme affection which
is reserved Tor God.
But we are also accustomed, with propri-
etv, 10 apply the term fathers more broad
" TO the whole generation which has
preceded us. They are tho venerable
ministers who in other days preached
from this pulpit. They ave the elders
who composed the session ofthiS church,
and the dcaCons who cared for the wants
of its poor. They are the members who
used 10 gather around the communion Ia
bic 10 commemorate the Saviour'S love.
They are the men and women who once
occupied these pews. Theyare those per.
sons who once walked these streets, con.
Quoted the business of the city and laid
the foundations Of its present increase in
numbers and wealth. They are those
worthless who composed our PreSbyterieS,
Svnods and General Assemblies. They
were generation specially raised up by
Providence for the work which they were
given to perform. Their intelleCts were
strong and their bodies were Injured TO
hardship. They were mighty in faith,
ready to adopt high resolutions, and
prompt to carry them into execution.
They sowed the seed ofmuch Of the pros.
perily which we enjoy We who come
after them are in comfort gathering the
harvest which they went forth, often with
tears, to scatter upon the waters,
not expecting that it should be re-
ceived again until after many days.
DR. WEED.
One Of these fathers we yesterday
lowered into the grave. The term may,
with eminent propriety, he applied TO that
venerable minister whom we have just
buried.
By reason OF the ngc TO which Dr.. Weed
attained he deserves TO be ranked with the
fathers. When he came TO this city he
had already passed the middle Of life. For
nearly thirty years he continued 10 be
the only pastor Of this congregation. lie
saw it expanding from feeble begin.
ming into strong and vigorous Organiza.
ton, and into additional churches For
the past ten years through the Infrmities
OF age he ceased from the active duties Of
the ministry. He was waiting for the
Master TO call him home. He was mercitul.
~ spared from many OF these intirmitieS
6y which advanced years sometimes are
bnrdened. And now at length the event
TO which he was looking forward has
come. Though sudden TO him, it was not
unexpected. And We, while perhaps an
ticipating that there would be more
gradual approach ofdeath, cannot be sur
priScd that it has at length Overtakcn him.
DIR. WEED ASA PARENT.
am reminded that there are mem.
bcrs OF his own family who called
him BY this endearing title. He leaves
children behind him who have ever been
accustomed TO feel for him that tender
ness which is due to parent His daugh.
tiers some years ago followed their mother
TO her resting place in the tomb. Now
they have been called to perform the
same sad duties toward their father. The
places left vacant never can TO them be
filled again on earth. His children de-
serve our warmcst sympalhicS and our
most earnest prayers.
DIR. WEED as \ PASTOR.
There are others also to whom lie was
a spiritual father. How many still lingcr
in the congregations Of this city, who were
brought into the kingdom Of heaven under
his ministry? He could address you, as
Paul wrote to Timothy, as bis sons or his
daughters in the faith OF the gospel. The re-
latiOn of a faithful minister TO his people
is always one Of peculiar tenderness. And
where he is chosen by God To be the in.
strumGnt Of leading souls to Christ, he
hencctOrth deserves to hold in the hearts
oil such individuals n place which can
never be entirely filled by another.
Dr.. Weed in many other things per
formed patcrnal part toward this peO-
pie. lie cOunsellcd those who sought his
advice, and in like spirit rebuked and
warned those who needed his reproOf. He
ever strove by the exercise Of his Office in
the ministry TO conduct his flock into the
ways Of everlasting Righteousness and
peace. Even for those who wandered in.
10 forbidden paths, or refused TO accept
the gracious invitations Of the gospel, he
was accustomed to long and pray, as n
parent for child, that they might be
brought to the cross OfChrisL Like Job
he could also have said, II was father
to the poor, and the cause which knew
not searched out" The most sincere
mourners for him, apart from his immedi-
ate circle OF relatives, are probably two
humble women Of this congregation, They
call him father.
1t isrotmy purpose now to attempt any
nice analysis Of the character of your late
venerated pastor. Ny acquaintance with
him dates only from the time Of his cessa-
ton from the active duties OF the ministry,
and therefore does not fit me to speak on
this subject in the presence of you who
knew him so well in the days Of his
power. Indeed true affection is rot dis
posed to desire or to undertake such IN
analysis. l can only say that I'LL who
were, acquainted with him testify to his