The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-01
doomed upon its banks inspired HIM

bloomed upon its banks inspired HIM
with sense of the goodness of God.
His mind indlstriously gathered what
was grand and beautiful and with them
he decorated the lessons OF the love OF
God in giving his son to die for US, which
he taught his people. He was al all
times and to all people an acceptable, In
terestIng and instructive preacher.
As minister he was happy In the Sc
lection of his subjects, and In his manner
OF treating them. He had no taste TOR
controversy, and seldom selected sub
ject that would necessarily involve such
discussion, and yet he was firm in the
belief of the doctrines taught in our con-
fession Of faith.
He felt it to be his mission to preach
Christ and him crucifed in the most
simple manner.
Nearly every minister in the construc-
ton OF his sermons acquires or adopts
some plan which will always run through
them with mole or less influence. @
DIR. Guthrie, in letter to some one on
sermonizing, says, in substance: Il al
ways use the letter P. Three times l
introduce it in my sermons; LIST, to Prove;
I'd, to Paint; and Sd, to Persuade. In
this way l address the understandings,
the imaginations and the hearts of the
people"
Mr.. Motfat had adopted another letter
equally potent for good. 1t was the
letter Il, and he introduced it twice in
all his sermons; lst, Ruin of man through
SIN, and I'd, the Remedy through Christ.
He followed the course of some
one who said when preparing his
sermon, perhaps there may be one per-
son in my congregation to-day who has
never heard gospel sermon, and who
may never again have the opportunity
to hear one. feel constrained, therefore,
in this discourse so to present the great
salvation by the atonement of Christ that
that one may understand it and believe.
MIR. Motfat had the ability to present
the truth to his hearers with great sim
plicity. What he said reached the heart,
Tor it evidently came from his heart. He
would be deeply affected as he would tell
of the wondrous love of God in giving
his son to die for us, or when he would
speak of the matchless love of the
Saviour, willingly offering himself as
sacrifice to God in our stead. Methlnks
l can now hear his voice, as it has been
heard often times by many. of you on
communion occasions. and at other times.
With quivering lip and tremulous voice
and eyes swollen with tears, he would
say, "Come let US 60 to Calvary and look
upon our Saviour there. crowned with
tnorns, hanging upon the cross bleeding
and dying tor u.s.
But on our way let us 60 by Gethse-
name, and there look upon Him pros.
trate on the cold ground, and in an
agony, and His sweat as great drops OF
blood. Listen to His prayer. Father,
if it be possible lot this cup pass from
me, nevertheless, not my will, but Thine
be done. All this he did for you. For
you, OH sinful man, he suffered, agonized
and died"
As friend; Mr.. Motiat was kind, con-
slant and faithful. AS a counsellor his
judgment could be relied on. He always
advised against rash and un-
certain course. Whoever had his
confidence, had an invaluable
treasure. During the many years
OF an intimate acquaintance with him |
have never discove ed trait in his char
acter that could weaken my confidence
in his friendship.
To appreciate friend we must have
one Friendship is not, as is said of
some things, most valued when it is lost.
No, it is a present reality. AS the soul
of Jonathan was knit with the soul OF
David, so does the grace OF God bind
some Christian friends together. In
the death of Mr.. Motiat some of you
have lost Christian friend. l have lost
one OF the best friends l ever had.
His social qualities were Of high order.
He was so kind, ESQ genial, so atiable. In
his intercourse with others there was
nothing repulsive; nothing to excite the
least suspicion of his kindness. He was
always glad to receive his acquaintance
and his friends at his home, and with
hearty welcome he offered them its hospi-
taltles. He was communicative and IN
tercsting in conversation. Generally it
was instructive, and those who associated
with him could not but be spiritually
benefited. He was always cheerful, but
never frivolous. All who knew him
were fond OF his society, and every
family opened its doors with delight TO
receive him in its circle and entertain
him as It's guest.
The browning virtue in Mr.. Mofiat's
life, and that one which gave to all the
rest their power, was not a natural
grace, but an added one. 1t was his
piety. His eloquence might have made
him an attractive speaker, his atiability
genial companion, and his affectionate
nature true and reliable friend. But
1t was the power of the Holy Spirit
working in him radical change of heart,
and making him a new man in Christ
Jesus that made him a true man, Chris
tian gentleman and an efficient minister
of the gospel. He put all his hope OF
eternal life in the merits of the
crucifed Redeemer. He did not
preach an unknown Saviour.
He loved to make known to others the
unsearcbable riches Of the grace which
saved him. He held Christ up as the
only way to secure pardon, peace and
eternal lie.
In his intercourse his conduct was in
keeping with his preaching. His life
was bright illustration of the truths he
endeavored to impress on others. "He
was an Isrselte, indeed, IN whom there
was no guile
His work is finished, his warfare is
ended, and he has gone 70 give an ac-
count of his stewardship and receive his
reward. Already he has heard the wei.
come, Enter thou into the Joy Of thy
Lord thou hast been faithful over few
things, l will make thee ruler over many
things We shall see his face and hear
his voice no more.
May the promises of God to tho widow
and the fatherless be tulilled TO his
family. May the mantle of the father
fall upon the shoulders of the son, and
may the younger shepherd lead bis flock
as his father did, by the still waters and