The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-11-08
For TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
JOHN IRVINE.

In this hour of sorrow feel disposition
to enlist the sympathies of other brethren
who have seen strong props removed from
their own churches. Few heavier trials can
fall upon weak and struggling congrega
tion than the death of wise and holy rul'
ing elder. Such is the sad visitation which
God has been pleased to bring upon the lit
tie flock at HARDWOOD.
Mr.. John Irvine, whose death we must
now record, had been for many years most
faithful and invaluable ruler in this church,
having been elected about 1923. He was
of Scotch Irish descent, and was native of
Derry county, near Londonderry, in the
North of Ireland. He was born the 9th of
January, 1894, being the youngest of five
children. In very early life he became a
Christian, and was from the first very earn
est. When at the age of about thirty he
became an officer in Gods house, he gave
up every thing for Christ, and consecrated
himself wholly to him. Perhaps nothing
could more accurately characterize his whole
life than to say that he was man of prayer
and of faith. When he approached the
throne of grace, it was with the full persua-
sion that God is the hearer and answerer of
prayer. He took God at his word. No
place was so dear to him as the public sane
tuary-no time so dear as the holy Sabbath.
When in health, few opportunities to wor-
ship God were ever lost, however severe the
storm. When his seat-right in front of the
pulpit-was vacant, there was very seldom
2ny one else present to bear witness to the
fact.
He was man of most decided convictions
His only question in regard to any given
subject was to know what was right, what
duty required. In this state of mind he lin
gered much around the mercy seat, until sat
is6ed of the proper course, and then the
"fear of maj" never entered his thoughts
During his final illness he gave expression
on one occasion to his real character-al-
though his mind was wandering at the time.
In reply to a question he said 81 will always
submit to God-but to man never"
Few ruling elders, and perhaps l may add,
few ministers of the gospel, are more thor
oughly familiar with the Bible and the Con.
fession of Faith, than was Mr.. Irvine. He
possessed strong native sense, and to this he
had added great deal of general informa-
ton. Many others have no doubt read more
books, but very few have retained in their
heads and digested so much of what they
have read. He enjoyed general reading.
But he lOved to read the Bible, and when for
some months before his death his sight be-
came so dim that he could not see, he would
listen with greatest delight to his wife read
ing to him. Whilst he loved the whole Bi-
BILE, yet he felt peculiar fondness for the
express words of our Saviour himself -
They seemed more especially near and dear
to his heart. But there was no distinction
in his affections, as between promise and pre-
cept. Both were alike precious to his faith.
Whatever God said he received with all his
heart, and believed it with all his soul.
lie adopted the standards of the Presby.
terian Church, not because he had beer
brought up in that belief, nor because they
harmonized with his preconceived notions Of
what the Bible ought to teach, but because
he believed them to set forth exactly wha
the Scriptures do teach. He adopted then
intelligeutly and heartily. He was "ready
always to give an answer to every man" tina
asked a "reason of the hope that was il
hin" and he always did it with "meeknes
and fear"
| Such memo how the Church needs then
in these "troublous times!' But he is gone
"Blessed be the name of the Lord" fo
"He doeth all things yell" About tn
middle of August, Mr.. Irvine was attacked
with an intensely acute pain in his left foo
and limb, extending quite to the knee; bu
subsequently descending entirely into tn
foot, and even into the sole and extremit.
of the foot Little apprehension was fel
by his friends-all expecting to see him sool
going about again. In a short time prove
to be gangrene, and the physician pronounce
life to be hopeless. 1t would be impossibl
to give an idea of the terrible agonies whic
for several weeks he suffered. Medical ski
could do nothing more than soothe the pain
by administering anodynes, and even thi
f gave very partial relief for brief periods
AS gold by the fire is purified, so was it wit
his faith in his suferings. Prayer was b
constant breath, Jesus his abiding compar
8 ion. He seemed to feel that his release wa
e long coming. But at last it came. On Sal
s bath, October 22nd, at little past the hou