The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-08
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From the Old School Presbyterian.
OUR SILENT PASTOR.

The death of Rev. S. J. P. Anderson, D.
D., the devoted and beloved pastor of the
Central Presbyterian church of this city, for
so many years, and until laid aside from the
active duties of the ministry by failing
health, resulting in the loss of his voice, re-
wives the memory of his labors with and for
the young of his charge.
1t was the privilege of the writer to hear,
during the last years of DR.. AndersOn's pas
torate, the monthly sermon he preached to
the "httle ones" of his fock-the "ittle
preaching as they in an appropriate sense
called it, but great in another sense, in its
beautiful simplicity and earnest personal ap-
plieation to their capacities and wants.
1t was his delight to preach to them
their delight to hear him, until God, in His
mysterious yet aI-Wise providence, stlled
that voice which charmed them with its clear
revealings of the truth as it is in Jesus.
Then loving message came to them,
through the medium of your paper, from
their 'Silent Pastor, in his enforced retire
ment-a silent message, yet eloquent of his
tender sOhcitude that they might be saved
a last message, for its touching reference to
himself has been made prophetic in the his
tory Of his separation from them.
Truly no more beautiful tribute could be
given to his memory than the reproduction
Of this message; and with that view, and to
give it as a living testament to the little
ones of his former charge, and to all the
young, for his love encOmpassed them all,
whom you may reach, its republication is re-
quested-with the earnest desire, also, that
the "silent" words in which che being dead
yet speaketh, may lead them to Jesus now
in the dew of their youth, then to them,
as to the beloved no longer "silent' pastor,
the declining sun" and the " frightening
shadows" viii but precede that better day
whose brightness grows eternally. J. H.
TO THE LITTLE ONES OF MY FLOCK.
ST. LOUIS, May 8, 1868.
deeply regret that you and have not
been able to have our usual monthly talk.
What some of you call the "ittle preach
ing, is one Of the great Injuries of the
month. The sight of your bright faces,
sparkling eyes, and the eager attention you
show, makes it very pleasant to talk to you
about the Lover of little children. There is
no service L render as a pastor that seems to
me to produce more good. You have not
grown hard under the Gospel. 1t is to you
something fresh. And when l tell you
about the way to be saved, am not diseOur-
aged by the thought that you have heard all
this a thousand times, and have seemed to
treat it with neglect.
I can illustrate to you how I feel by
simple figure. You have seen gardener
taking care of shrubs and trees, and you
must have noticed that he is busiest about
the young plants, while he passes by the
old, twisted, knOtted trees, or perhaps orders |
them to be cut down as "eumberers of the
ground" He takes great pains to keep the
tender tWigs straight, so that they may grow
into shapely and beautiful trees. There is
some sense in this course. The old trees |
cannot be mended. They are set in their
ways. But the young ones can be improved. |
Just so with the children. l fear that
many of the old are beyond reach. And
though | do all that l can for them, yet |
every sermon I preach is with less and less
hope. No wonder then that turn lovingly |
and hopefully to you who are still tender
and manageable.
But there is another thing we ought to
notice. You are young now, but it will not
be so long. Very soon you will be where
your parents are; Just as busy, and fear
as much occupied with the world. So the
favorable time to set you right is just pass
ing away. What is done for you must be
done quickly, or all the difficulties which
make It so hard to reach an old sinner will /
be true in your case. So l want you to be-
gin to do right now.
And then 1 remember that if you were to
remain Just as open to the truth as you are
now, that l cannot long have the privilege
of telling you of these great matters that
concern salvation. l am reminded by my
present silence, that my Master may not
longer let me speak to you, and urge you to
remember your Creator in the days of your
youth. As l see the sun declining and the
shadows frightening, 1 am reminded that
the night cOmeth when no man can work.
So must work while the day is. And if
God in His mercy should give me my voice
again, l think would speak to you more
earnestly than ever, and beg you not to put
off the love and service of God, not let the
Devil get possession Of your hearts; but to
give to your Saviour the fresh morning of
life, what is so beautifully called the "dew
of your youth. That is a gift which He
prizes above all others and which he will
gladly accept.
You viii hear from me again if my Gu
forced silence should continue. In the
meantime read this as loving message from
your SILENT PASTOR.