Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-04-30
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OBITUARY..


pect and retrospect shine alike in light divine
tosugeest that the first catches some radehce from
the gates not yet closed, by which the soul has
tered, and that the last is illuminated from the
opening realm into which it is doomed to pass "
Surely the latter was the retaliation of David
Rodeffer The day of his departure from earth was
the most glorious and triuhphant of his life he
had SO often wished and prayed itmight be.
How sadly The news of his death fell upon our ears
on the evening of the 18th day Of April. 1874 HOW
it stirred and melted every hearth And yet, who
doubted that for him ITO die GAIN and that he
diction blessed in heart for they shall
Cod" :
What man, woman or child in this community, did
not feel that friend, dear friend had passed away?
Nor was the event regarded as mere personal be-
reavement, it was felt to be public calamity
Few men have lived among us, who have been so
blameless in life OF SO lamented in DEATH
Fewer have been so universally respected, revered
and be owed.
example upon the pathway of earthly existence or
exerted larger measure of influence for good within
the sphere of their activities.
In early life, orphan boy of industry and energy
he devoted himself to the support and maintenance
of the widowed mother, who leaned with ufaltering
confidence upon his strong arm and affectionate
nature, until full of years, she passed over the
river proceeding him only few years.
At the age of 20 be became follower Of the Re
deemer and msmbar of the Methodist Episcopal
Church i'll August 1928
From that time forward for period of IS years,
until he went to drink OF the vine anew.in the
kingdom Of God, he was closely; intimately, identified
with the church in all her interests and enterprises
whether temporal or spiritual. ~, : =.
Whether toiltng until failing health admonished him
to desist in his first avocation Or in the busy scenes
of mercantile life running through many years, in
numerous associations with Others treading the
more uncongenial and difficult pathway of un-
blemished Off ;ial career, he always the same
mild, gentle unassumng, but firm, honest, true man.
No man ever justly doubted his sincerity, integrity
or deep earnest piety or ardent devotion to the
Religion of the Cross.
Those who were associated with him most, knew
him best, shared the largest degree in his sym
pathies tolls, anxetes, joys and suterings most
impressed with these prominent features of his
character.
Modest humble, distrustful of himself to degree
most remarkable in one who had mingled much
with the men and business of his time, he yet
ever ready, prompt and courageous when and where
duty called. Nothing was permitted to stand before
this, his supreme law. - ,
Always at his post, when health permitted uniform
and steady in his temper earnest in his devotons
to an extent which could only be inspired by an in
tense burning zeal, he a bright example of the
influence and work of christianity to his family, the
church, the community and the world. 80
In the family he was kind q lsband, an affection
ate Father, in the Sabbath School, faithful impress
the public worship ever active, efficient and Jealous
Who can estimate the good accomplished by him
through all these multiplied agencies in the many
years of his active christian life?
Who of all his sabbath school scholars will lever
forget the faithful instructions, warnings and admo
nitions against an rreligieus life that fell from his
hps, or;the cheering encouragement which he held
out to life of virtue and pety.
Although dead he yet speaks, and will ever speak
however widely scattered,
The precious seed sown by him will bear i'm
mortal fruit.
Who that has listened to his earnest Emporium ate
peadngs at the mercy seat has not felt that Heaven
and Earth were drawing nearer to each other and
that he was in intimate communion with his God?t
Who that ever heard him sing the songs of Zion,
the good old days, when '.Methodism was truly
characterized as Religion in earnest will forget
the thrilling pathos, which breathed through every
information of his then strong, manly voice. it
and swelled upon the wings of devotion?
Who OF those that have heard the simple, earnest
story OF his experience in the classroom, fail to
remember how earnestly, he in the OF the means
and VII divine help had battle with the tendencies
to evil and doubt I'M his nature and in his con-
nlcts with the world how he had steadily won his way
onward and upward step by step through temptation
and trial to triumph through clouds and darkness
the calm, serene sunshine ora higher land better
life. Well had he learned from that good old Book
which he made his counsellor and guide that there is
no excellence without labor, crown without cross
and that he could only be made ''perfe ct through
His end was fitting close to such lfe Con-
sclous for months of his declining health admonish
ed by his failing energies that his work on eartn was
nearly DONE he arranged his business his house in
order, and awaited with quiet resignation the sum-
Two days preceding that of his death he aaid to q
friend 81 am wasting away" and then speaking of
death he said ut is debt we all have to pay" and
then abiding to himself, intimated that sit did not
matter how soon." It being suggested that Provi-
dence might still have some work for Him to- do
whatever that might be- -
On the day previous to his death when asked SIS to
MS prospect and hopes he responded earnestly 81 do
not DOUBT cannot doubt my Saviour" Du ing the
night proceeding his dissolution in the midst of his
disturbed slumbers he seemed to- be in the Heaven
Tor which he had SO much yessrned and bnged and
would excla1m "What a Home And then he would
utterthe word Glory! Glory! Glory!!! q.
On the morning Of his departure when he aroused
! his family being around him, were asked by him
whether they perceived the change that had
IN him during the night When the -response IN the,
Affirmative assured his own consciousness of his ap-
preaching end, his face frightened with the hight of
shouted "Glory' Then raising one of his hands sand
Home !" 80 ~. !"
His last feeble, half audible utterances were ;nd;
eative OF prayer and close communion with his God
and thus he passed away gently and quietly that
1t was difficult to tell the precise moment when his
spirit took its flight. ~
= Tins truly hasa good and strong man in Israel
faen the church militant been depr lived of one of its
pufest and brightest spirits and the church tr;nn,
plant received an accession which tho ugh NV him
sen deemed OF the humblest and most undeserying
Will we doubt not be owned and crown ed as one Of
the highest - '' oA's Va
After appropriate services we buried him in the
church-yard of the church he. loved 40 well and to
wmcn ne contributed 80 much. No more will he
cneer US oy MS presence animate us by his living
'ehamne. we have the precious legacy Of his whole
III me- Let us appropriate and enjoy it. It is
meant for the church and the world. as am if,beri
lance to be enjoyed forever . n, - x III
We sorrow but not without hope We mourn. but
- iook forward we see the breaking Of the morning
=. I IN the not far distant future when there
:; "The saints Of all ages in harmony meet"
Their savior and brethren transported to greet
While the anthems of rapture INCREASINGLY roll
And the smile OF the Lord is the feast Of the soul
Episcopa, Eetlodist pJea.e corv.