The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-08-11
Prince Edward.
A NEW Observation-Disclosures REy. D. WITT
LJFE--REMlSI>CEHCES.

LIFE--REMlSI>CENCEs.
ICorrespondence of the Richmond Dispatch1
WIrTvILLE, VA, August 8, 1870.
Nv friends OF the D,spdtch will not tint
the place at which this letter Is dated on The
MAPS. so | must "rise to explain" Ii
Prince Edward county, Va, Old Sandy
River church existed even during Colonia
times, having in thut period been an EpIsco
pal church. The community In which it Is
situated, desiring pOstCfice. expect TO have
one established at an early day. There are
so many names Of Sandy River on the post
office books that it was proposed TO name the
new office Sclarsville," from the name Oh
the proprietor OF the lands adjicent. He
however, prefers 10 perpetuate the name Of
q most honored and beloved minister who
sleeps in the cemetery near by, in the enjoy
ment OF "that rest which reInalnetn" for so
good q man rs be was. We refer, Of course,
to the Rev. Dr. Daniel Witt, who for almost
q half century was the pastor of the cnuich
near by. 1t is understood that the ne,c posi-
Office will receive the name OF "Witt" or
." Wittvrlie."
This incident naturally recalls to very many
who may read these lines one OF the most
respected names in Virginia. We have before
us the Lille Of the Rev. D. Witt, ID. De-"
by Rev. DR.. j. Il. Je,er. II will be read. no
doubt (by the people VI Prince Edward espe-
ci1liy), with no ordinary interest. Few, il!
any, Of her citizens are remembered with
more unaffected love and high appreciation
than DIR. Witt. For more than forty years
he was the pastor Of Sandy River church.
"Nore knew him hut to love him,
None named him but 10 praise"
The only criticism have to make on tn
1i%,t nnf
enough Of al. The biography is OF special
interest to many who knew the subject OF
the memoir. The "aDuals of the parish y
of which be was so long the eminently wise
and faithful pastor, if written, would be tho
rousbly identified with the "record of this
good mau's lfe.'' In the noiseless discharge
of the duties Of his high calling. few men IN
any community made so marked an impress
of his il tluence. 1t Is TO be regretted thai
DIR. Jeler did not receive more Of DIR. Wits
letters. if in existence, and that he did moi
have the material which would have shown
bis friend not only in the character OF q pastor
and preacher, but as Christian gentleman
- the highest style of man."
- It will not be inappropriate to refer to an
Incident which could not be expected 10 be
found in the little volume before Inc. On
the very inclement November day in 1871 OF
the burial OF DR.. Witt, his neighbors and
friends paid their tribute Of respect and al
fection 10 The memory Of the deceased by as.
scmbling at the house OF mourning and bear.
Ing, in long procession, the remains TO
Sandy River church, the scene Of SO many of
his useful years. The congregation was
large and toe hou.e full Of mournegs, whose
sorrow was Unaffected aud deep. The very
solemn services were conducted by DR.. Je.
ter. The address was not the sermon after.
wards preached. An could see that the grief
which he felt vas repressed, and all She pro.
prieties oil the sad occasion were observed
by him. To liuing meu and women he was
giving the unStudied utterance sug-
geSted by the time and place. His words
were well chosen, aud just such as were
wise and impresslvey spoken. u1y.
ing told TO those before him what
be wisht d TO say ard ought to baye se&d, he
paused. Looking down upon "lhe last of
earth" before uim in tie cottiued remY!ns OF
lifelong friend and B.. ether, be seemed to
realize that be was tskng last look on him
who in Il few moments would be put away
from mortal vision. A sentence or tive of
loving words Of adleu being said, rs IL TO
him no one was before him, apparently ,uu-
conscious OF the presence ef9thers, the good
man gave way in 4 burst Uf profound grief,
and with him the whole audience 10 a aso.
nlent melted down. The few words were
the warm and eloquent ou'pourings of the
heart. and the electric phlsatisns OF sympa.
thy beat in unison through the large crowd.
The scene Will not be iSsgotten by any one
present. ANGUS.
1.-THE foregoing is rather eut .ef than in the
line OF such articles as We usually publish.
Zoe author is prominent Presbyterian.
Having room in abundance just now, we
give the article. It would b.. good residing
1t any time. but ordinarily We eau gre place |
% news letters only.]