The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-30
A Tribute TO a Good Man.

The following official tribute to the memory OF
Rev. Samuel B. McPheeters, D. D., from the ses-
sion of the Mulberry church, was read at the close
of his funeral services (of which an account was
given in our last,) every statement attested by
tears of the whole congregation:
In view of the sad bereavement which has be-
fallen this congregation. through the mysterious
Providence of Him whose judgments are I'M
searchabe, and His ways past finding out" by the
death of our beloved pastor, the Rev. Samuel b.
McPheetcrs, D. D., who fell asleep IN Jesus on
Wednesday, March 9th, 1870; the session OF the
Mulberry church feel constrained to give expires
sion officially. to the profound sorrow OF the peo-
ple of his charge and their affectionate reverence
for his memory; and to bear their testimony to his
preeminent worth as pastor and teacher OF the
church his holy zeal as martyr for the truth,
his spotess purity Of character as a man. In every
relation of life and the efulgent brightness OF his
examnIe as an humble follower of the Lord Jesus.
While profound reverence for the we'll known
wishes of our beloved pastor, whose unaffected
Christian modesty even shrank instiHctvely from
the praise of men. Restraints us in the expression
of our admiration of his genius, his nobleness, bis
wisdom and his exalted pety: yet a deep conVc'
ton of duty to Christ and His truth, impels us,
as ofce.bearers in the church, and representatives,
of the desires of the people, to bear witness to the
wonderful excellency and power OF the grace OF
Christ az exhibited in the life and death of his
reverend man of God For in this time OF spirit,
ual declenson within the Church, and OF cavil and
scott without, what more effective argument can
offered for the reality of the religion, notwithstand
ing the inconsistencies and failures OF SO many VINO
profess the Gospel, than such a lie followed oy
such death.
While, as the smitten flock, We sit broken
hearted. and the wall of sorrow is heard 10 eyery
| family of the congregation, rs thouPh eoei
| ost a beloved member we can bu'
: eoooh,ss - oue +sSTa -lles, r.-S.ae sS,-soL %
darkest trials, he should have sent US such pas.
tor TO break to us the word OF life.
We desire to testify that though our pastor Ia
bored under great physical weakness during his
whole ministry among us, and though for three
years past he has been obliged to preach lying upon
his couch instead of standing in the pulpit yet our
people have unanimously regarded themselves as
among the most highly favored of churches, in re-
spect of pastoral ministratons and every child OF
God among us remembers with heart, full OF live
Hest gratitude, how, under his instructions they
have grown in grace
We desire to give utterance to the universal tes
tmony of the people, professors and non.profes-
sors alike, to the singular and varied excellencles
of character which marked his intercourse with all
ages. all classes and conditions OF him the most
worldly and Goddess have been constrained to ad.
NIT we find no fault in this man. In him
those perplexed with the troubles of life never
failed to find the wisest of human councillors. BY
him the soul in darkness was with wonderful skill,
led to Christ The aged saint was comforted
through his rich experience in the Christian life.
while his genial, companionable spirit attracted
even the thoughtess to heed his solemn counsels
and warnings Our children, woD by his gentle:
ness and unfailing cheerfulDess, were sweetly led
to Him who took the children in his arms and
blessed them
Ard tbot tb;s au,inance in Christian virtue was
the work of Divine Grace. none can doubt who
heard, as we have heard his humble confessions
of sinfulness by nature and by practice, and his
adoring views of the grace that could save such
sinner as he.
The heroic faith that enabled his soul to triumph
over bodily suferings, so intense and so long pro-
tracted, and the calm and patience waiting for
death, saying to me to live is Christ, and to
die is gain, and the argument from his match
less life completes the demonstration that Cos
pei which has produced such character is not of
man, but of God.