Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-01-10

owe us cannot pay, and In consequence OF thelr
failure we cannot pay those to whom we are
indebted.
Let us, by our votes, open the food-gates
and allow the millions of dollars that are now
locked up awaiting our action, to flow In re-
freshing streams over our county, giving new
life and difusing increased prosperity through
all our borders.
Death of Rev John McElhenney, D. D.
This venerable and distinguished minister OF
the Presbyterian Church died at bis residence
in Lewisburg, Greenbrier county. w. Va, a.
bout 10 o clock in the morning of Monday, the
End of January 1871. Having folded his arms
across his bosom, he peacefully fell asleep on
earth to awake in the blissful home of the
blest in Heaven. He was faithful soldier OF
the cross, who put on the whole armor of God,
and who was engaged for the long period OF
more than sixty-two years in fighting the good
fight during which time he kept the
faith, ;" without variableness or shadow OF
turning "-and none doubt that he is now wear
ing the 'crown of righteousness conferred up
on him by ''the Lord, the righteous judge"
Though dead, yet still he lives; for the great
Captain Of salvation hes given the comforting
assurance -
''He that believeth in ne, though he were
dead, yet shall he live
Being born in the year 1881, he was in the
Goth year of his age when he died. He was a
native of South Carolina.
In the spring Of the year 1903, iu the coun-
ty of Rockbridge, Virginia, he married Miss
Rebecca Walkup, who survives him. For near
sixty-three years, they have lived peacefully
and happily together as husband and wife.
He was licensed to preach on the 18th of
February, 1903, and was ordained on the 23rd
of April, 1909
| He preached his first sermon in Lewlsburg
on the LIST Sabbath in June, 1903, and from
that time to this-a period of sacty taoo gears
and seUen maonths-he has been the Pastor Of
that Church. This fact is creditable alike to
both pastor and congregation. We doubt if
there has ever been another case in this coun-
try-or, in fact, in any country-where the re-
lationship of Pastor and congregation has ex-
listed for that great length of time. Think of
| it-near 63 years, the space of two generations.
The amount Of labor he performed during
that time was immense. His energy was I'M
firing, his zeal unAagging, his will indomitable,
his courage undaunted, his labors ceaseless.
The number of sermons he preached, the
baptisms administered, and the marriages SOL
emnized, up to the time of his death, We do
not knoW; but from the semi-centenary SER
mon delivered by him in June, 1858, twelve
years and seven months since, we learn that
he had, Up to that time, preached 1890 SER
mons, 1000 of which were funeral sermons !;
that be had administered 300 baptisms, and
had married 1900 couples.
The funeral services, the last sad rites In hon
or of this venerable and distinguished minis
ter, were performed, on Thursday the 5th, in
the Stone Church, the walls of which have
echoed, for mere than three score years, the
solemn admonitions and fervent appeals which
he in tones of earnestness, addressed to his
congregation On this sad and solemn occa-
slon, it was tastefully dEaped in the sable ha-
biliments of woe by the fair hands of the la
dies of the congregation. The spacious church
was filed to its utmost capacity, including floor
and galleries. At II clock, the remains, in
metallic case-the Elders as pail bearers
were carried into the church and deposited in
front Of the pulpit.
The services were performed by Rev. VI. L.
Lacy, Assistant Pastor, accompanied and as
sisted by Rev. Jas. Fl. Leps, and Rev. David
| Sydenstriker. The sermon, an excellent and
appropriate one, was preached by Rev. Mr.
Lacy. His subject was, "4he course and
croaoa of the christian - and his remarks we're
based upon the following passages of scripture
as the text:
II Samuel Chap. I. l9.-The beauty Of Is
rael as slain upon thy high places: how are the
mighty fallen.
Ii Timothy, ~ II haze fought good
fight, I hare finished n,y course, l haze Kept
the faith.
At the conclusion of the services within the
church, an opportunity was offered to all to
take last afectionate look at the features of
their yenerated and much beloved Pastor. 1t
was an impressive spectacle to witness half a
thousand persons Of both sexes aud oolors and
of ali ages, froyn the child of seven summers
to the aged sire, marching in order, with SOL
emn steps and Slow to take last, lingering,
farewell look at the features, palid and rigid,
yet benignant in expression, Of their deceased
Pastor, counsellor and friend.
At the conclusion of this impressive scene,
the remains were taken cut of the church to
the grave GEAR the South East corner of that
building. They were put into the grave, and,
after prayer by Rev. Mr.. Lacy, the clods of
the Valley were heaped upon them.
In this little hillock home will the mortal re-
mains of this remarkable man repose-
''Til wrapt in flames the realms of ether glow,
| And Heavens last trump shall shake the world
| below"
The official members Of the congregation
held meeting on Tuesday and adopted Sc
ries of appropriate resolutions. A meeting
was also held on Wednesday by the citizens
generally, irrespective Of religious opinions, at
which suitable resolutions were adopted. We
would like to publish the proceedings of both
of these meetings, but the want of space for
bids
A reception was given by the King Of Prus
STA on New Years Day to the officers of his
army, in the palace OF Versailles. He deliy-
cred short address to them. in which he
spoke Of the great events which had occurred,
and complimented them and his soldiers upon