The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-09-24

Iture OF which Is, in my mind. identified
with his memory. Here he loved to stand.
1.-The arrangements about him.. as be used en-
Enthusiastically. to tell me. thoroughly to bis
ltaste-and. so feeling at home, to exercise his
foffice as the accredited messenger of Al
mighty God-the Legate OF the Skies.
I i doubt not to some OF you these walls
seem sometimes to echo still the tones OF his
ringing voice as he proclaimed the demands
OF Gods holy law, or pleaded with sinful
men to accept the grace or the gospel ana
| take shelter beneath the cross OF Calvary.
That voice is silent The seal OF death
has been set upon the eloquent lips.
Others, far away, had
LEARNED TO HANG UPON THOSE LIrS,
which they say seemed sometimes to be
| totlched with hallowed fire. But neither
| theu nor vou shall hear the loved, familiar
voice again until (Which may God granl)
you unite with him in the sin!ess worship,
| the perfect service, the everlasting praises,
OF the Upper Sanctuary.
I wish very much l had had the materials
for preparing and presenting sketch OF
the life OF Or. Wilson; but my knowledge
| is confined to the mcrest outline OF bis history
till within the last few years. He was born
in the Valley Of Virginia, and enjoyed only
ordinary educational advantages; was con-
yerted in early manhood in Pittsylvania
county, and at once felt impelled to pro-
claim to others the gospel in which he had
learned to rejoice. He was soon after or
dained. and became pastor or churches IN
that region. Thence he went TO assume
the pastoral office at the important point,
Chapel Hill, n. G., the seat OF the State
| University.
| 10 ha n
! Of the Farmvile church, in this State,
where his memory is fragrant still, and the
impressions produced by his mastery
preaching cannot be forgotten while this
generation remains.
DIR. Daniel Witt, who lived in that Vicln-
tv. once remarked to ME that he used some
! times To hear 1t said by members OF his
congregation, in the enthusiasm, Of their
adnirution. "Wilson breaches like an
angel" During
/ HIS RESIDENCE IN FARMTILLE
no came at the call Of the First Baptist
church. Of this city, TO assist its pastor in 4
series of meetings, which lasted through
several weeks. There arc doubtless those
here tonight who have precious recollec-
tions OF those meetings, and who felt as ne
went away that his visit had been one Of
Gods gracious gifts to that people. Sinners
felt and obeyed Gods cali to repentance
which he so clearly uttered. And many a
Christian was awakened to new life ana
fresh devotion as he thrilled the heart by
his exposition OF the constralnlnS love OF
Christ.
early in 1870, at the call OF the Grace
Street church, he removed to Richmond
and took the responsible position OF pastor
OF this large flock. He was at once reco%.
nized not only in his own congregation bur
among our people generally as man OF
power. Nor did there seem to be to the
close of his ministry here any decline OF MS
power, or any reduction OF the hlgh esteem
in which he was held as an able minister OF
the New Testament, Hc shonc with undl-
nIinishcd lustre to the last.
IN NEW ORLEANS.
About three years ago, having resigned
the pastorate OF this church, he accented
that OF the Coliseum-Place church, New
Orleans. ,....@
| This decision was not reached without
deliberate and prayerful considerations. lie
said he had looked at the question in all lis
aspccts and in view OF all its contingencies.
His Dastorate and my 0ri1 here commenced
inst together On that account, as on
Others, our relations were Intimate. tie
frequently spoke to me contidentally; spe-
cially was this true during the last
months OF his residence here. \ short
time before his departure, as we walked
torethcr upon the street, Iasked him II he
had thought Of the probability OF vista
tion OF the fatal fever to which that section
is liable. lie answered promptly that he
had, and that If The peril should come he
should stand at his post and leave the issue
with God.
lie has done it, and with the true martyr
snirlt he has sacrificed bis life to his conFic.
tion of duty. "My duty is to stay aud
minister to this afflicted people, he wrote
in answer to invitations from friends tt
take refuge with them beyond the range o.
the infection.
Doubtless there were those around hin
who suggested that it might he most prt
dent, in view OF his brief residence there
to absent himself for season. He was only
DETERMINED TO SHARE TIE DANGERS AM
sUFFERINGS OF HIS PEOPLE.
T am sure that even to such prudential
iatimation from the church he loved III
wouId have answered, Entrcat me not t.
leave thee, or to return from following aite
thee: for whittier thou goest, Twill go; ant
where thou lodgest, will lodge. my peo
ple shall he my people, and thy God N.
God. Where thou diest, l will die, ait
there will be buried"
He had achieved high distinction III Nev
Orleans. 1t "ratlties us to know tnat leao
ing mon of other denominations highly eS
teemed him, and united to do him honor a
his death.
His funeral was preached by Dr.. Palmer
long one Of the most distinguished PreSey
tcrian ministers OF the South. His first III
terance was, HKnOw yc not that prime
and Il great man is fallen this day in Israel!
One OF his flock writes OF him rs "a tcache
OF God, dboUe estimate" There can be n
.nunder exhibition OF the martyr spirit ina
! is seen in ones standing al the post OF duty
, as the weary and anxious weeks go by, con
scious every hour OF imminent persons
: peril. and drcading every day the entranc
of the Spoiler into the beloved household
| It requires far higher type OF courage tina
: does the charge in the bloody battle, ann
ssthe thunder OF the captains 3nd the Shou
ing"
Who can conceive the anguish with whic
, the loving husband and father looked upo
wife and little children
LYING FRUSTRATED BY THE DREAD DISEASE
forsetful doubtless sometimes Of his oW
peril, as through gloomy nights and day
scarcely less dark he watched at thel
!, sides? Writing about them to friend here
the last time probably that his hand held
! pen-he said They are in Gods hands
, the subjects OF many prayers, and L ar
hopeful. OF course I am worn, but well
Tue fourth chapter OF Second Corinthians
: eighth and ninth verses. describe our con