Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-03-31
Ehe Late Rev. G.. B. Dana.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.

wv -
t'na>. b. Dana
Never in the history of this Church has
there been such number OF our Body fallen in
one Ecclesiastical year, as this.
Two Of our Ncstry men have passed to the
"S,irit Land, aud now We are called upon to
mourn over the loss of our Pastor.
We do not wish, by an iudiScr inmate Eulogy
10 pr.;es his virtues, or seek 10 exalt his meln-
orv above lis true measure on the contrary
w. would wish to express our full appreciation
,fi,i- character 10 such a manner as would be
rIeasirs to him. if living his modcsty was of
that tyue that it would reject fulsome adua.
Dr Dana was ordained Deacon by the late
Hi.h,p Moore in the State of Maryland 10 the
yr.r >34 expressly that he might take
charge Of the Parish Of Christ Church, Alcxan-
,ria, D. {. :, :.
lie was ordained Priest, by Bishop Mead in
lS35
He continued with constant fidelity to serve
tha, Parish Tor nearly twenty seven years.
During this time he was offered the Episco-
na,c of the Diocese of New Hampshire, but
his apprehension of a northern climate, aud
lis preference for the South, prevented his
acceptance Of the position
He was called to st. James Parish, Port GlU-
son, in 1851. During the trying period OF the
war. he mu.tered to them for SIX years and
until he was called to Us lie has thus been
thirty niue years in the ministry, and during
all that long period in but three Parishes; this
uf itself, speaks volumes Of praise.
His memory in both Of the above Parishes
is still vcueratcd and regarded with grateful af
will hcave the sigh of regret, when they hear
Il. tbot ,bo,-
more, forever
Aruong the distinguished men whom he led
to Confirmation and communion, stands the
name of Robert f. Lee
1t was on Easter Sunday 1866 he began his
pulpit mini>traton iu our midst. No one but
nc who fills the office, can realize the Difficult
ties Of a Pastor who takes charge OF large and
intelligent Parish like this. He has SO many
tastes 10 please; he has to reprove, exhort, ad-
monl>h, warn aud yet speak lu such wise, and
81 wisely. as ucrcr TO offend.
How ne discharged the diversified and dlti-
cult ta>k 10 our congregation, can best be ans
wcrcd ty the love ami respect that they now
cherish Tor HIS memory.
Tie calne to Us when we were deeply lnVoy-
cd dpccunary; he leaves Us POOR indeed, but
out of debt
He came to us when our Parish was disturb
ed and troubled; he leaves US in cutire Chris
tlan Unity and Peace
In his Intercourse with us as Vestry, we
clu surely testify that it was delicate, kind,
and consderatc, and not the shadow Of a cloud
ever passed between US.
When by the press Of untoward circumstan-
ccs, 1t became necessary to reduce his salary,
lc cheerfuly assented, and no one ever heard a
uurmur of complaint escape him:
Being graduate of Dartmouth College, he
was a flushed scholar; and his classical attain.
mcuts were 50 thorough that even IN his last
hours aud on his sick couch he recognized
classical quotations and asseutej to their pro-
lcr application.
His pulpit miuistratious were more pleasing,
then powerful always sound, they were free
from cant.
His constant aim seemed to be to win souls
Iyappcalluy to their gratitude to God, rather
than 10 trclghten them by His wrath Ofhlm It
may be truly said, 'he preachc the Gospel,
lie was Orthodox in his churchmanship, avoid
Nf the extremes Of fbigotry on the Que haud'
aud iat:udauaranislu on the other.
The tried and trusted friend of our Bishop,
lie vas looked up to for guidance in our lho-
rcan CouncS. as we'll as 10 the General Con-
'c!llous uf our Church.
though modest even to the point Of fdifideuce,
IL. Welded q power by the strength OF his 10
tciIect, the varlcducss aud depth of his lnowl-
edge
Among the various condolences of the clos
''s drama Of his life, the following incident
,m ",v"tSu: me Clerical aud Lay delegates to
W HI' ueneral Convention from the diocese of
-rsst!s>tFPl III sos We're to have been photo
nn'Pnsd IN a body; it 50 happened that the
!'ct' -IF. l'ckrtt was i'll. and Rev. Mr. Pettus
''gS N MS place IN the group.
y l"a' group of clergymen consisted of the
n NV. .IeSSrS. Crane, Sansom, Pettus and
nAu"' 'he two first, We know had been sum-
,lo ,IoueI W 10 tue bedside Of their dying freDd but
''e o'ner Was on the wing.
~ u"uay last young member OF our con-
esa''oh happened to be at our wharf when
aiI i'"u>;ent boat landed; he casually stepped on
r;,i MANY Ihayng seen the Photograph, be recog-
-,:.u Tue hev. Mr. Pettus. and told him Of the
";Teme Illness of Dr. Dana.
,,I -I.. lettlS immediately ordered conveyance
srn s'u went to pay brief, and it proved to be a
"pti '""pIS"ti Visit to his friend Thus those four
.nj Dj'"1l'rS OF the Cross met for the last time
"'T n, 'ronnd his dying couch.
~ '"c'r Images side by side have beeu fixed by
e,nnan, sanlSht upon the paper, aud though the
sG,Is AZ. be but tra and perishable, yet as long
,,a>ts' 1t will point them out, aud link them
8 sY.f sY.Oef as co-workers in the Councils Of the
SI'j SnJIh IN on Earth; it seems special act of a
y jy~I. Eo'lucnce to permit the three success
q B,HH,, 10 munster at tho last to their dying
Of an. .sattnlng up an estimate of the character
d w., =; l!;iead, We would say: AS Pastor he
81 AMI ~.a a: aud gentle, as friend warm hearted
mi, e,s'lonate; as member of society he was
In, ''.so and very discrete, aud tender and low
as tather and husband.
pprm;' was the wish of his heart that he might be
bp '''fa S to serve in the ministry forty years
ONE r,le pGaSed God to close the Book Of Life y
H. before the forty was complete,
then ~ 1'S rarely absent from his post and only
rrov;I1, tne call tduty, or on account Of some