Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-07-28
DEATH OF REV. JACOB KILLIAN.


With sadness do we announce the death of this,
our beloved pastor, who finished his course in
the Church Militant to enter the Church Trium-
phaRt at a quarter past seven o'clock the
beautiful morning of the 5th inst at his residence
in Augusta Co., va, surrounded by his family
and sorroWlng nelghbors, after an illness OF near
three months.
He leaves a widow. three sons, one. daughter,
and five grandchildren. He buried in the
Cemetery at Bethlehem Church, Augusta Co., Va.
The very large attendance at the funeral from far
and near, attest the high estimation in which he
was held by the public Rev. D. M. Gilber read a
scripture lesson; Rev. Q. Beard offered prayer !;
Rev J. T. Miller preached from Matt. xiv. u. Rev.
from lob xix 1916, and performed the burial SER
vice at the grave His death has filled his congre-
ty at large with sadness and gloom. Few men had
a larger acquaintance and commanded more gen.
eral respect. = & Il
born in Lincoln Co.. N. o. on the sth 0; June, 1918;
was baptized on the 25th Of July of the same year
Church Wao on the 18th Of May 1855 was admitted to
the office of Deacon 18th September, 1886; on the
18th of September, 1887, he was promoted to the
office Of pastor, by the Evangelical Lutheran Ten
nessee Synod, at Koiner's Church, Augusta Co.,
Va, and was Immediately called to take charge of
the CONGREGATIONS connected with said Synod in
said county, where he faithfully discharged the
duties of his office for about IS years He organ
lied two new congregations and had three new
houses of worship built
Through many years of heat and cold he rode
fo % Ra reespag u
The work OF the Lord pr0spered i4 his hands until,
in the latter part OF the ministry ms memhershlp
was chiefly composed of those whom he had re-
ceiyed into the Church. During his several last
years his hitherto robust health failed him rapid
iy and restricted his labors to Bethlehem Church,
Which is nearest his residence, and in which. he
anneared the last time at the communion in
April. o,,,o nj ,onoron. aisnos;tion .fa.
BILE and kind; eo1ld accommodate himself to his
surroundings SO as to win the confidence ana es-
opinion or not, He was man of sound judgment
and thoroughly acquainted with human nature.
HE W nn pppobb hd no superors IN his sphere
on funeral occasions,
who were not members Of his congregations, The
sick and poor have lost in him helping hand and
a sympathizing heart He was pre-eminently q
neighbor. His earnest efforts to reconcile differ
ences among. brethren in the Church were some
But there was probably n one less selfish d mare
willing TO make sacrifices than he for the har1no-
rp sa s4p1aRdsr ~ & }gs IT,
preaching was chiefly expository, though when he
Chose to be pathetic he drew tears from many an
ave He was O uniform and faithful defender and
teacher Of the doctrines OF the Lutheran Church,
while standing almost alone in his region of
country. But in all his frmness, he was courteous
and reSpectful to others. -si q e.
A few persons, Of his own Church connection,
differently constituted, mistaklng his motives,
found fault with him because he was not more ar
rogant and defiant But these hare Tearn ed TO see
their error and must yet commend him for his
Christian moderation and forbearance.
He ardently longed to greater harmony and
unity among those who adhere to the doctrines
and usages OF the Church, He advised against
raising tests of orthodoxy than those prsserb-
ed by the Augsburg Confession and the Symbolieal
Books. He was disposed to have patience with
those who are sincerely endeavoringto understand
and appreciate Lutheran theology. He regarded
ina General Council, in its doctrines practice and
Organization the best general body for the union
Of all who maintain the faith of the Church. He
loved his Church, her ministers and people, and
delighted in the rising greatness of her men and in
stitltions. He was stranger to envy, pride or
ambition, ever ready to take the yonng minister by
the hand and help him along How his warm and
generous heart has been grieyed by the base ngrat
itude of unworthy objects Of his kindness, is only
known by his near personal friends. But he had
learned from Jesus to forgive his prosecutors and
died in peace with all men. t. +
As friend, he was genial and entertaining as
husband and father, devoted and affectionate, en-
Toying the rare talent of restraining without coer-
eop, leaving an Intelligent, prosperous AND usefsl
family in the CHURCH = y
Theless of his wise eounsels and valuable labors
will be deeply felt in his branch of the Chnreh, and
long will his sorrowing congregations remember
his manly form, his bland countenance, his clear
sOnorous voice, his warm and tender heart and, we
trust, his faithful teaching. @ .s....- q. !.
Il Thus has past away one of the noblest specimens
of humanity, and such are the Impressions mada
by All In Innate acquaintance Of more than a guar.
ter of century. We have INDUCED in no fuisom
eulogy; the facts are sufficiently eloquent OF them
selves, and we have only discharged the duty OF u
faithful FRIEND r