The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-05-14
FoE THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
William H. McGufey, D. D. IL. D.

| after an illness of several weeks. On Thursday
evening the 18th of March, just as be came from
his study, after examining one of the sections OF
his class he was suddenly stricken down with a
severe chill which lasted for some four hours The
next day revealed pneumonia; this however yielded
to the skiful treatment of the physician, but the
fact was soon apparent that the brain was most Sc
rousy involved. He soon sank into an uncon
soious state and all hope of life despaired Of;
after lying in this condition for some two days. he
suddenly returned to consciousness, and recovered
very rapidly for about two weeks, being able to go
about the house. But as suddenly he was taken
wthrelapse, again involving the brain andalthough
every thing was done that medical skill could de
wise, he fingered only few days, and on the calm
beautiful Sabbath evening fell asleep in Jesus.
On the very day he was taken sick he had lee
tured with rather more than usual force and power
He had all winter been exhibiting his usual vigor
of mind and body, and the end came on us
all by surprise But the sudden call did not find
this faithful man of God unprepared His lamp
was trimmed and burning, and he told us he was
ready and willing to go. He died. just as he often
said to his friends he wished to die, with the har-
ness on. He went directly IRON his study, where
he had been examining part Of his class, to his
bed with the chill of death upon him.
On Tuesday the 9th Of May, his remains were
borne to the University Cemetery followed by
large concourse OF people, and lowered to its last
resting place beneath the willow, that his Owl
hands had planted there long ago. That willow,
as it waved its long branches over his grave, was
Just putting forth its green leaves 10 freshness and
beauty, as if in gladness it would tell that there
is resurrection lite awaiting the ransomed body
thar is peacefully sleeping there.
Thus has passed away one Of the very first men
of our country. His pupils are scattered every
where throughout the whole land, and they will
regret to learn that his great work is done. No
man ever welded greater power over his students
than did Dr. McGnfey. He seemed to take hold
of the youthful mind as with master hand, ans
lead it enraptured along the profound labyrinths OF
human thought, awaking its unconscious powers
into vigorous activity The Doctor was great
thinker himself, and it was the distinguishing
characteristic of him as Professor, that he made
his students think. This was the secret Of that
wonderful impression he always made upon those
who were privileged to sit beneath his instruction.
His great force of character was also we'll calculated
to deepen this impression.
No Professor was ever more intensely concerned
for the advancement of his students. Well nigh
the last words of his struggling spirit were words
of deep, touching concern for his class. One
morning as he revived little, he called the
writer to his bed, and asked how his class were
doing while he was chained away from them. On
being told that they were preparing the parts APP
pointed them, he feebly said that is well. He
then turned his weeping eyes upward and said
with the deepest emotion, 20, that l could be
shared to speak to those dear young men once
more" and then with his countenance all lighted
no. he said, IL would wish to lead them up the av-
enues of thought to the Iufnite mind, that there
in the presence chamber Of the great God, they
might hear the whisperings of eternal truths, un-
dr'-here the deep emotion overcame him, and
his trembling lips feebly whispered, The Lords
viii be done.
It is appropriate to state here that Dr. McGuffey
exerted the most sautsry religious influence over
bis classes Many young men have entere4 his
classes skeptical, but no one ever left his class
skeptic Indeed such was the power and faithful
less of his presentations Ottruth, thaa there were
some in almost every class who were induced to
accept personally the saving doctrine of revealed
religion.
How unspeakable is the loss of such man, not
only TO this University, of which he SO long an
honored Professor, but to the whole country. We
can il-affOrd to lose such man in whom there is
so much that is great and good.
NJ no, 81 Tr;g
tape in western Pennsylvania in the year $780,
His father removed to Trumbull county, Ohio,
when he was quite child. In his twenty fifth
year he was graduated at Washington College,
PENNSYLVANIA, with the highest honorS. lie was
Immediately elected to the chair Of Ancient Lam
guages il Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. In
1929 he was ordained minister in the Presbyte-
rian Church, and was soon thereafter transferred
to the chair of Moral Philosophy. In 1887 he was
elected President of Cincinnati College, and re-
moved to that place. Two years aiterward he was
elected President of Ohio University at Athens,
Ohio. Here he remained about four years, when
he was constrained to return to Cincinnati. In
IS45 he was called to the chair of Moral Philoso-
ply and Political Economy in the University OF
Virginia where he remained until his death.
His entire public life was that of an educator,
although he was preacher OF great power and
preached almost regularly until the last few years.
As an expo8itor OF Scripture he had great ability
and originality
DR.. McGufey was twice married. He has but
two living children, Mrs. Dr. Stewart of Dayton,
Ohio, and Mrs. Hepburn, wife Of Rev. A. D. Hep
burn, President of Miami University OF Ohio
He leaves to his sorrowing family an hOnOred
name, that is respected and reVered by the whole
country. His life was long and preeminenty
useful ohe 1t rarely falls to lot of any one to
accomplish so much good during the period of
life time, as was accomplished by DR.. MoGufey.
For fifty years he was an educator of the youth Of
our country; and the positions he has held has
given him the opportunity of accomplishing
great and good work, aud nObly and faithfully has
! he performed it.
But his brilliant career is now closed, and be
rests from his labors, reaping the rich reward Of
that faith and hope he earnestly commended to
others. Truly the memory of the just is blessed"
j. H. BRYsoN
University of Va, May It'll, 1873.
Tribute of Respect.