The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-02-01

said to him, "The Lord will
taxi care o his mitherless BARNS"
AT length they came to a halt.
The old man, leaning with his left hand
on the top OF his staff, aud raising his
cap from his lyart haiIits [grey hairsl,
for few moments stood in silent prayer,
his lips moving but uttering no sound.
Then placing bis hand on the head Of his
beloved grandson he gave him this part
ing benediction, "The Lord guide We, an
bless We, Johnny, and may we a meet on
the right hand ut the great day" This
parting made m impression which was
never lost.
HIS PIETY.
His conversion was genuine. II proved
its reality BY It's fruits. What may have
been his secret conflicts and joys do not
know. II there were seasons when his
soul went down into the Valley OF the
Shadow OF Death, and others when he
walked in the Land Of Beulah or stood
upon the Delectable Mountains, he wise
ly remembered that the heart knows its
own bitterness, and that stranger med
dleth not with its joy, and said little OF
either TO his acquaintance. The evil
dence Of his piety was furnished rather
by the consistency OF his walk than by
states Of enjoyment. He was a man OF
strong faith. There were times when he
had 10 walk by it, and not by sight, even
in regard to worldly matters. He was II
man Of prayer both habitual, andspecial.
For example, having been born on the
first day OF the year, for u long time it was
his custom 10 watch the old year out,
and to spend these hours in meditation
and prayer. In letter written home
from Scotland, with reference to that oC-
casion at the commencement Of 1875, and
the last OF the sort which he spent on
earth, he says: "The night Of the last day
Of the year, I tried to read aloud in u low
voice the three lectures OF Jay appropri-
ate to the time and then prayed for you
all and for our dear people Of tho Second
Church. "And while he doubtless had
his short comings u fact which he always
would have been quick to admit, his life
was sober, righteous and godly. Where
is the man who can say that he knew any
thing which would suffice to throw ser
ious doubt upon his picty? When he was
at last tried for long years in the furnace
Of ailliction, he came out Of the fires like
the gold doubly refined. 1t was my priv
ilegc to be often In his presence during
this period; and I can testify that | never
saw in him anything which was not be-
coming to child Of God in his circum-
stances. He was patient under suffering.
He quietly left himself in the hands OF
God. He was ready to depart or to re.
main Just as the Master might appoint.
Tribulation worked patience, and patti
ence proof.
CHARACTER As A MINISTER.
AS a minister Of the gospel his great
strength was,-after the closet,-in the
pulpit. He did not lack social and other
qualities adopted to promote his useful.
ness; but it was as preacher OF the Cos
pel that he seemed to have his largest
power with men. "And he loved this part
Of his work with passion, which only
death could conquer. The one privilege
which during his last sickness, he coveted
most was to be permitted again to pub
lish the glad tidings Of salvation. And
the mass Of the people-those who want
cd 10 hear simple, earnest and evangelical
sermons-alwnys delighted to listen to
him.
II will not be claimed for him that he
was a profound theologian or that he was n
learned cxegcte. His lack Of early OPP
portunities, the late period in life when
he entered upon his professional studies,
and the shortness OF the course which he
took, rendered these attachments almost
impossible. But he was thoroughly in
structed in what the old writers called
the marrow OF divinity. He was familiar
with the English Bible. He always con-
tinued to take special delight in such
works as those OF Boston and Jay. And he
had Il wide range Of general information OF
which he readily availcd himself for his
work.
HIS PREACHING.
His preaching was never sensational
Hc abhorrcd tho whole method 10 which
in our day this name has been applied.
He never sought by show Of learning or
oratory to leave the impression with his
! hearers that he was great man. His
, preaching was simple and scriptural.
, It dealt with both doctrines and
. duties. And it was evidently adj
dressed from his own heart to the hearts
of the people. If / should be asked
to name the two things which gave the
, chief force to the manner Of his delivery,
, would mention his earnestness and his
pathos. He impressed men with the feel
| Ing that he really wished to do them good
and to clorify God. And he had a heart
which was naturally easily moved. Trials
through which he had been made to pass,
and especially the grace Of God made it
still softer. Consequently when bespoke
upon some OF the more tender themes OF
. the Bible his lips often quivered, and the
tears filled his eyes. And while he thus
,, wept himself, he compelled others to weep
with him. Call this cloquencc or what
: you may, it is a power which any minis
! Ter may we'll covet for himself.
The salvation OF souls was the thing
: which gave him the greatest delight. He
! loved this incomparably more than
! earthly emolumcnts, the praise OF men,
or even the ties Of relationship. As
an evidence OF the strength of this feel
ing, may refer you to the manner in
a., Which he expressed himself in his letters
: from Scotland during his recent visit, in
regard to his two sisters there. Thirty
six years had passed since they had been
seen by him. They had grown from child
hood 10 womanhOod, and were advancing
in years. But it is plain that the thing
!. in them which pleased him mostw that
they had become the sincere followers OF
|, Jesus Christ. His expressions in these
y letters in regard to the people OF this
Church are also Of the same purport. He
often wrote to his son such messages as
this: a, hope and pray that God will
bless you and our people abundantly this
,, winter. There is one here on this side oil
the ocean who does not forgetto pray for
you ALL
SUCCESSES.
' God also gave him the qualification Of
.. this desire TO good degree. In his vari'
1 Qua pasto-ates, many entered the church
and so lived as to show the reality o.
/ their piety. These additions were gener
I ally not in large numbers but by the con
n slant ingathering Of few at the usua
4 seasons for their reception. Twice a
e least he, however, had the great joy o