The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-10-06
Rev. George W. Leyburn.


DR.. Kalopothakes in letter dated Athens
Aug. q, gives to the Missionary the follow
ing account of the last hours OF this dear
brother.
"Soon after his being taken sick, a tele-
gram was sent to Athens, but, beng greatiJ
delayed, it came too late for any OF his fan
lily to 60 by the steamer Of that week. And
it was not until August 18th that Mrs. Ley
burn and myself could sail for Salonika.-
This we did by the French steamer and ar
rived at Salonika on the morning of the 18th.
We found him much Frustrated and unable
to speak more than word at time. lie
recognized US, but co I'D rot express himself; ;
he only asked Mrs. Ley burn how she was,
and requested her t. read to him. About
noon he grew worse, his feet and hands were
cold and the end seemed near at hand. Still
he was con:cious, and when | asked him II
he recognized me aud what was my name,
be answered, "Kalopothakes" and his eyes
we're filled with tears
At p. M. be seemed little better, and
so continued until 2, when | requested Mrs.
Leyburn to 60 into another room and lie
down for little while and rest. | sat be-
side him and gave him the prescribed tonics
every ten minutes At twenty-five minutes
past 2 | gave him some milk and brandy,
and as he seemed to wish it, turned him to
the other side, and went to see Mr.. Michael
ides in the next room. Hardly had | sat
down when the nurse came and told me that
Mr.. Leyburn had expired. Mrs. Leyburn
bore the stroke very bravely aa true Chris
tian, and her conduct made great impress
sion on those around her. After consulta
ton with Mrs Leyburn We determined tc
bury him at Salonika, and made the neces
sary arrangements for it.
The funeral services were held the mex
Sabbath morning, August 18th in the hal
where Mr.. Mict aides breaches. | con
Quoted them, Mr. Dewar by invitation assist
ing. Among those present was the Amer
can Vice Consul, who though Greek BY
birth and not favorable to our plans ant
movements in Macedonia, was yet very kint
and polite, and offered to reader any assis
lance in his power. After reading severa
passages of Scripture appropriate to the oc
casion, made few remarks on the brit
and death of man, and their relative impor
tance and bearing on his destinies in tim
and eternity and concluded with brie
sketch of Mr. Layburn and his first residence
in Greece, my acquaintance with him ant
gratitude to him, his love for the Greeks ant
interest in their welfare, and above all hi
love for God aud Ills Word and work.
Being the first time that Greek evapge
licd funeral had ever taken place there,
excited much interest and drew out mucl
people. and all were struck with its aimpli
city. The Consul himself afterwards toll
Mr.. Michalides that he was very mucl
pleased. "Our funeral services said he
"are pompous, noisy and unprC ftable, Will
yours are simple, but brief and very impres
sive.''
Thus our beloved father and missionar,
is gone. He sealed his missionary work b.
laying down his life for it. Our friends il
Macedonia are disconsolate, for they had Sc
their affections and plans upon him. Sill
they do not despair, but hope that our Com
mittee will send them another soon. Ca
American at Salonika is greatly needed
Who will come? On whom shall the man
tie of our departed brother fall :? The,
speak in terms of endearment to his memory
and of gratitude to God for the benefit the.
have received from his brief visit and eve
from his sickness and death. Mr.. Mercu
RUS, who accompanied him to Cassandr
and back, aud who watched beside his sic
bed told me that he had in that time learne
more of Christian faith and its Influence Of
the true disciples of Christ than he had eve
known before. Another said bis sickness
was blessing to my soul" And Mr.. Mich
alides declares that bis sickness in his nous
was daily preaching to him and bis family
and hopes that his wife has been so muc
impressed with the power of the gospel il
the heart and life of our departed brothe
that it will not be long before she will con
meet herself with Gods people. Being con
scious during the whole of bis sickness, b
was able to say much to those around hir
and he gave counsel and advice to all, eve
the little children. He loved the word o
God and often asked attending friends t
read portions of it, as he selected. He wa
fond of music too and of sacred hymns, an
frequently asked Mr.. Micb@lides and hi
children and other friends to sing for him
joining himself in the hymns when able. q
was meek and patient, kind and considerat
to the very last. And by his life, and sick
ness and bis death at Salonika, he has lef
such an impression that trust he has don
there good work for God and for evange
lical truth. May his mantle and doubl
portion of his spirit fall on US who remain.