Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-05-26
Obituary,

son of James Weir, f. qr.. OF 81. CIaiIsviTie, o
The deceased passed from death. as we hope
unto life May 7Lh, 1870 aged - years, IL month,
ard days. He was, SO Tar as known to as UNI
4ormiy TEN pes ate in his habi s. abstaining from
Intoxicating drinks, and tom prOfane Language
| and other gross immol alities, to which Sc
many youth are inclined when exposed tC
| temptat ions, andireed ,"om parental restraints
| He was a fine practical scholar, and a regular
graduate Of Duff Com mercial College Pitts
bur-Tb. In his I7Jh year he volunteered as
soldier IN the 7th Ohio Cavalry, i'll which he
served till the close o. fue war, and fall of the
rebellion. He was stationed at Fort Laramie
Idaho Ter, ito Y, and while there was called Out
10 fight off the Indians under circumstances
of great trials and sUderings. Was promoted
TO The d ivate secretaryship Of Col. Collins and
clerk of regiment. From tha; place ne was de-
tailed as clerk for Inspector Armstrong at Fort
carney; and again detailed o a position as Q
clerk under Gen. Mitchell at Fort Leavenworth
where he was discharged honorabiy, bearing a
!volu0tary test monlal from each OF those OIL
ce-S to ais good conduct, gailantry and faithful
public services.
He bore testimony 10 Gne Proclamation OF
President Lincoln as the best step towards the
termination or the war, and the securing of a
permanent peace.
Early in life he became a careful reader of the
Scr ptuTeS, and so continued to The last Sabbath
day before his death. On that day he called fol
The Bible which his father held before him
open, he turned to the last chapter of the Song
| OF solomon, and read ii in a clear and distinct
voice-and then said, This chapter alludes to
the Church of Christ. is it not beautiful?,
During his sufferings he often expressed his
willingness to die. and a hope that he was com.
pretended with those redeemed through the
great atonement for fallen world, quoting
with lively interest and feeling, from Job
sFor know that my redeemer liveth, and that
he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth "
Some days before his departure he called his
father and mother near him, 10 whom he said,
Il may not live another day; desire the family
ITO be comforted'-eXpresSing resignation and
willingness to part with them, and adding
THE Lord has lifted up His countenance upon
me- and given me peace"
The solIcitude of surviving friends demands
some more specific and detailed statement OF
the religious experience of the decea ed. The
writer's first visit 10 his sick bed, and first per-
sonaI acquaintance with him cannot soon be
forgotten.
We had Just closed q conversation and parted
with another candidate for the bar of God,
whose days were numbered, and whose state of
mind impressed us with deep sadness, bringing
vividly to our mind these Divine words uner-
ringly picturing the numble penitent, and that
repentance to salvation not to be repented
lof." bitterness for him, as one that is in bit
terness for his firstborn." The apparent con-
trast betwiXt these descriptive words and that
poor souls spiritual state, as we feartully ap-
pretended, caSta clOuu over our mind. In this
depressed state of feeling paid our first visit
to our departed young friend. We felt as if our
lips were sealed-our heart sad with the sad
den ing effects of the conference from which we
had just conceive entered the sick room with
doubt and encouragement. But, never more
happily disappointed. At once the way opened,
and we felt at home and at ease. AT once we
were enlisted in free and easy and unrestrained
conference. At once the contrast betwiXt the
from whose conference we had just come ap-
peared as striking as the contrast betwixt the
latter and that Bible description of the bitterness
of evangelical repentance. What we could not
see in this one, we think we could clearly see
exhibited as the leading feature Of the religious
experience of the other. We felt that here was
a mind whose experience refuted, and whose
reiutalions illustrated Bible descriptions of q
heart touched and awakened by the spirit and
grace of God. A smitten heart, broken and
eontrite-a heart pricked with a sense of sin-a
heart anXiously inQuiring, and every inquiry
rejecting upon some scripture descriptive Of
what shall We do?r "What wilt thou have
me to Go?' "What must do to be saved?"
| Wespent several hours in this first visit
much of 1t in answering anxious inquiries oi
an evidently anxious mind oppressed with sin
1t is not ours to pronounce upon the religious
convictions, exercises and experience of any
one, under any circumstances. And upon
death bed exercises especially there is need OF
caution. Our own imp resSiOnS rather than
decision. or even positive opinion, will, per-
haps, limit our province in all such cases. We
he re wish to give the impressions only, as
made upon ourselves. We closed this first in
| terview with a burden rolled off our own mind
and with feelings of thankfuness for what we
had enjoyed.
In ali our subsequent visits we noticed the
same tenderness of conscience, the same
| trouble and conflict with sin; but more and
more the darkness and the fears passing away
and hope. and peace, and joy, with admiration
of the love of God, the compassion and pardon
ing grace of the Savior more and more giving
character to the exercises of the mind.
AS lne sr3Veler passed DOWN through the
vally of the shadow of death and day by day
calmly contemplated his steps nearing the
crossings of Jordan, his views of the landscape
beyond became more and more attractive, and
absorbing in their interests, and the minds
hol. upon the world became less and less ten
acious. So we could observe the fears of death
declining. and hopeful anticipatiouS and fore.
tastes OF future joys were moreand more enjoy
ed.
| Oh, could those longings an hopes for etern.
al blessedness be dashed by disappointment:
The word he loved to read and trust gives an
swer-"For he sitisfyeth the longing soul, and
filletlr the hungry soul with goodness"
| He loved prayer, and in his troubles prayed
much. And could those agoniZing prayers pass
unheared and unanswered? How?-Since the
power of prayer has said-"He will regard the
prayer of the destitute, and not despise theiI
prayer"
| Youthful readeri You too must die This
young friends departure in life's midtime is
Gods vain to you-"Be ye also ready, for in
such an hour sye think not the son of man
cometh."
| ]. B. JOHNSTON.