Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-09-12

Princeton. y. J.. ln 1852 be entered the Union
Theological Seminary nc Prince Edward; alter
ward engaged in an agency for that Institution
aud then, while yet a Licenuate, supplied Win
great acceptance the churches OF Cub Greek and
Farmyillc until he was called % the pastorate OF
the Presbyterian Church 10 this town, over which
be vas ordained aud installed Nov 20th, 1872. In
this relation he lived aud lloored for quarter OF
a century. when bis falling health compelled him
CD a.k bis Presbytery O. allow him % resign bis
pastoral charge which request was reluctantly
granted April 2lst, 500. The large, strong, ac-
Give and united congregation. with its excellent
church and parsonage is the monument OF his
wise. earnest and self downing labors here.
subsequently he removed % Harper's Ferry,
and undertook, as ais health permitted, % gather
ere shattered fragments oi that Church. which the
fortunes oi war had w,ll nigh desnlated. There,
as here. DTS hbors were rewarded with the most
encouraging success. The chsrch building, which
Doe found in ruins, was beautifully repaired, and
che hope was cherished that the church itsciiWould
soon be restored OBJ Che strength and position it
formerly cuioyed when that memorable disaster
-" the Hood which swept through thc town IN
October l9-l-bli-hted their hopes, terminated
his active iabor-, and almost ended his iie.-
With bodily health completely Frustrated, but
with mental faculties uuimpaired, he returned o.
Chari.>tpwn. and spent hos brief remnant OF life
in the wi3stoi ;he people whom, above all others,
Iu The calm review OF his life. character and
WORTH the conviction. which intimate personal
intercourse always produced, is decpeued, that Dr.
Duffnu Uls DID ordinary man. Here, where third
of Century he had lived. aud where nearly the
whole of hs ministerial lite was SPENT uo man was
more extensively known; and we hazard nothing
in adding. tltt iu ala this community, no man en-
invco il larger measure che esteem, confidence,
reverence and love of every age, condition, class
creed aud color. While his name was dead to
thousands throughout the land, 90 was very dear
to multtgd.s among ourselves. Ills modest aud
unseltsh Nie-hl, grave, yet cheerful splrit-hls
Quilted and courteous atires,-his truly minis
tcrill Department commended him o. ais while
Dis genial, warm. symuGtbiZng heart secured Tor
him che ardent affection ot those with whom he
was brought into more intimate relations, and for
whose temporal and spiritual welfare alike he so
long and faithfully abor-d.
Iu th. grasp and vi-or of his i1tellcct-in the
soultnc>s ard maturity 90 bis ludgmcut-in the
cIcarurss tad correctness of his pcrccptions-in
the extent and accuracy of his iuiurmation-in the
prudence and wisdom With which ali his undertake
in-s were conceived and carried out, Dr.. Dutt0n
bad teW Iulis. aud, within The range ot ouT acc
qlaiatlac.. En supc.ior With bis practical mind,
close observation ar-,ig GIFTED caution, sterling hon
e,tf. wis. moderation and strong common sense
qualities chat we've recognized wherever he was
NroNu-he was everywhere looked up 90 as
Counsellor whose aJvic. % was always found safe
% follow
Asa Preacher DE dcservcdly ranScd very high
Those who knew BIN before his natural vigor had
been seriously impaired. bear unanimous tcstim0-
uy to Dis commanding poweria che pulpit. When
Dee WAS called Oh Cha le,town. one who knew him
weli. and was himself no mean Judge ot merit and
Who certainly had no uutiv. for Judging him too
nvorab.v. .uc refer t1 the late Rev. VIM. Uill,
ID. ID. pronounced him the ~ attest preacher I'm
Virginia Had he euioycd robust health and
been ambitions 90 distinction. 10 IS safe Oh say that
DE mig readily have taken hts place among the
foremost men oi Dds chm cl. IS it was, De could