The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-09
The Late Rev. Dr. Duncan.

MEMOEIAL SERVICES AT TRINITY CHURCH ON
on SUNDAY NIGHT-REv. MR.. JUDKISs's
SERMON. ,.Ez..ai,.: a..:z
Trinity church was crowded on Sunday
night last to witness the services IN memory
OF Rev. j. A. Duncan. !, The exercises were
conducted by Rev. w. E. Judkins, pastor,
assisted by Rev. S. A. Steel OF Broad
Street church, and Rev. j. j. Latferty.
The sermon by Rev. Dir. Judkins was
mastery +, effort, and the congregation
eyinced their deep interest in the discourse
by undivided attention. 81 -: l.
His text was from John ", 30: :" he
was burning and shining light"
Mr.. Judkins said the application OF these
words to our lamented friend are but the
reflection of q universal sentiment. God
has given the world many example.men.
In this he has a purpose, and 1t ls our duty
to study both the fact and its purpose.
Such men impersonate principles IN their
highest forms. Principles make character,
and character is everything with God. A
good man is truth embodied.
"John" was an eXample-man, concerning
whom the following things are to be noted !:
1st, an early call to the ministry; I'd, full
response to said call; Sd, complete conse-
Grafton to it; 4th, fearless discharge OF
duty; 5th, deep humility; 9th, patience in
affiictiop.
These rendered him ga burning and a
shining light"
The speaker then proceeded to give an
analysis of the character OF Dr. Duncan,
from which, he claimed, it would be seen
how we'll it could be said OF him, as OF John
the Baptist, that he, too, was ga burning
and a shining light
In this analysis he considered him from
four standponts-irst,as as to his natural en-
dowments; second, as friend; third. as a
preacher OF the gospel; fourth, as a Chris
tain. .....
In noticing his character as q minister he
stated that perhaps the most marked charac-
tcristic of his preaching was his mastery
and unequalIed power OF dissectinig the
heart. lie also gave several illustrations OF
his power as 4 speaker, whether IN the pull
pit OF on the platform.
In noticing his character as Christian
the following points were given:
1st. His early conversion, and, like John,
early call to the ministry.
I'd. His ready and full response to that
call.
Sd. His full conservation to his work.
4th. His fearless discharge OF duty.
9Th, His control OF self and moderation
of life.
9th. His patience and fortitude under
affliction.
7th. His deep humility OF spirit.
Sth. His self-sacritice and generosity.
9th. The secret Of all found in his COM
manding faith in God.
10th. The catholicity Of his spirit.
The last point discussed in the general
ANALYSIS of his character, and that which the
speaker regarded as the keynote to his Won
derful success as man, as Christian, and
rs minister, was to be found in the ideal
he formed Of character and life.
Ideals are the worlds masters. No man
ever rises above them. II they are low, our
characters will be low; if high, our charac-
ters will be elevated. DR.. Duncan's ideal
was an exalted one, formed after earnest
thought, and it became to him perpetual
inspiration.
Like John, he died in the meridian OF his
life and labors, but not too soon, since God
alone could determine when our mission Is
fulfilled; and we are not to judge OF life by
it's length but by its results.
What arc the lessons taughtf
l. Go, rs the disciples of John did after
they had buried him, and tell Jesus your
sorrow.
9. Go and ask Jesus to fill his place.
3, Go and thank him for such an example
man.
4. Go and ask for grace to follow his ex'
ample. -, -
5. Go and ask for grace to meet him in
Heaven.
Hefel with Faiths victorious flag waving
over him, and has gone to receive the crown
OF the victor.
The appropriate singing on this occasion
was by Trinity Church choir in manner
which elected general commendation.