Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-09-01

public lille. so far as L know; but per-
haps, few men in his county we're
more generally or more favorably
known than was he. His doors we're
always open to Welcome those who
came; and the weary traveller was
never turned from that door .sempty
away Thus he formed many &C.
quaiutances, and made many warm
friends; and died at last with rs few
foes, perhaps, as ever falls to the lot
OF man.
rs q citizen, bro. Carr was among
the foremost of his class in every
good aud laudable enterprise. In
the building of churches. the support
of the churches. the support of the
ministry. the establishing of SCHOOLS.
the maKing of roads, aid the sup
port of all charitable enterprises. it
is safe to say. that none of equal
means surpassed him. But, while
We look at, aud admire the man- the
citizen and the friend-it is of his
religious character that we have most
to do to-day. That his religious
character was without
blemisn or defect. | do not claim.
That it was perfect. he would not al>
low me to say, if he were here to-
day; but, to me, it was beautiful
1t was not of the impulsive or i'm
petuOus character. but like the calm
aud gently FLOWING stream. ever
widening and deepening in its onward
course This was his temperament,
and the type of his religion. Many
are like the glad and laughing stream,
as, in its rapid course. it bounds
along from rock to rock, aud from fall
to ia |, in its speedy course toward ITS
ocean home. 1t may attract much
attention. and do much good in the
wales through which it passes; but
the river. deep and nOisless, may bear
the heavier freights, and confer the
greater blessings. l love them both
the dashing, mountain brock and the
placid river. Both are streams
genuine streams of water, and on
their way toward the ocean, where
waters blend from all these streams,
And [ am glad that we have this
diversity of character in the Church
of God. l love this r,rtety in re-
ligiOn. Religion does not destroy
our natural temperan.ents; but, fiow-
ing through and sanc'ify;ng all these
to the glory of God; leaves every
mans indentity complete. Hence,
some shout aloud the praise of God :,
but not all. Some laugh and sing
for joy. others weep and pray with
out ceasing; while others still move
silentl, on in the even tenor of their
way, like the beautiful lake. reflect
my sunshie all around on valley and
hill. really do not know to which
of these varieties | belong myself !;
but | love them all. | sometimes
think that mine is a kind of blending
of all in one. | love the happy shout
Of victory, and sometimes join my
shattered voice in swelling these notes
of praise TO God. And, then, | turn
with equal sympathy to the "areeping
prQphetS, aud minsle my tears with
theirs.
sometimes | weep, sometimes | mourn.
Sometimes | sing sweet glory:
Sometimes Pm sad, sometimes I'm glad,
And long to tell my story"
But. amidst those vsriaus types of
religious character, all so natural and
so lovely, greatly admire the one
possessed by Robert Carr. His par
entS before Inn were piouS; his moth
er was a member of the first class O:
the Methodist Church ever formed in
what is now giles CO., Va, in about
the year 17S0.-almost hundred
We RS ago. His father, after he be-
come to be religious, erected the
family altar, and kept it up while he
lived. Robert Carr was then living
with his father; and, when the old
veteran died, Robert took up the
cross of family prayers. and kept that
sacrifice and fire burning for over 30
years Ito the end of his life. He
beIieved-and rightly too that fani-
ly worship, regularly and devoutly
attended was sacred Enclosure to
the moral and piety of the family;
hence his resolve with IsraePs leader
was, LAS for me and my house, We
will serve the Lord" The hallowed
influences arising from that family
altar are seen in part. in the fact that
all the children are converted, and in
the Church L. has been a subject
Of general remark, with what quiet
harmony that family circle has all
ways moved. How often, upon Ieav>
in! that family. hive | called up the
sentiment of one of our hymns:
"Blest be the pious house, where zeal
and friendship meet;
Their songs OF praise, their mingled VOWS
make their communion sweet"
Is that altar still standing and that
fire yet burning? OIL never let it
wane or 60 down; never let the devil
enter that quiet Eden over fallen
family altar
Bro, Carr had very low opinions of
his own abilities; hence he always
avoided, as far as possible. any official
place in the Church. This | often
regretted, and so did he. upon his dy-
ing bed. He told me himself that
this fact that perhaps he had, in
some measure, buried his talent. cast,
in degree, shadow over his p. IT,.
No doubt many think of themselves
more highly than they ought to think:
he thought Of himself more lowly
than he ought to have thought, and
these thoughts kept him often from
the post of duty and of usefulness.
OF this he heartily repented in his
last days.
He was a great sufferer for a long
time before his death; but. oh how