Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-07-09
Death Of Rev. Dr.. Barnas Sears.

afternoon at the residence OIL AIieuu az
Saratoga Springs, N. Y, whittier he had
gone few weeks before in the hope that
the waters would restore his health which
had been falling since his last tour through
the South. During his stay there he had
much improved and was sufficiently well
to complete an address on Educational
P. o2ress in the United States during the
past fifty years. which had he lived he
W. s to have delivered before the Amerl-
can Institute of Instruction, on Wednes-
day evening last. The telegram OF Mon
day announcing his death was therefore
surprise to our people.
DR.. Sears was III the seventy-elghth year
of his age but so tall, erect and command
ing in appearance and go we'll preserved III
health that he hardly looked over fifty.
He was native of Massachusetts and a
graduate OF Brown University, Rhode Is
land, of hch institution he became later
in life the President. lie WAS essentially
a mali Of letters and had held professor
ships in two or three colleges, and his en-
inence was recognized by Harvard in Con-
fcrring the degree of D D. upon him as
long ago as 1S41 and by Yale some twenty
years ago by the degree of Doctor of Laws
AS an author he was man of note and
had written two works on the life and
works of Luther, Il task for which he was
the better fitted from long residence in
Germany. lie was also the author Of sew
eral educational works and was for several
years editor Of the "Christian Review"
Thirteen years ago, when George TEA
body made his magnificent donation to ed
ucation in the South, DIR. Sears, then Pre-
sldent of Brown University, was appoint
ed the General Agent. He was peculiarly
fitted for the place by his wisdom, his learn
ing, his experience in education, and the
high and broad views with which he re-
garded the weighty duties entrusted to
him. He came to Stanton to reside soon
after his appointment, this point being
more convenient to the locality in which
his future work lay. His time was crowded
with the duties of his post, and the travel
incident to their discharge, but our citi-
| zens often found enjoyment and improve
ment in his public lectures and in the able
sermons that he delivered at the Baptist
| church, of which denomination he was
minister. He leaves a widow and three
sons, and daughter, Mrs. j. II. FultZ.
| ACTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
| STAUNTON.
Yesterday morning the City Council
met in special session to express their re-
greet at the death of DR.. Sears and their
high appreciation of his character. Mr..
r. W. Burke presided and MI. Gooch Of
fered tile following resolution:
| Resolued, That committee of three members Of
the Council be appointed by the Chair to draft and
pressve of the sorrow of the Council and Of the ct
represent for the death of distinguished
| fellow citizen, Rev. Dr. Barnas Sears.
| The resolution was adopted, and Messrs.
Gooch, Todd and Trout were appointed on
the committee, and the following paper,
prepared and read by the Hon. A.
III. H. Stuart, mem Der of the Board of
| Trustees of the Peabody Fund, was &C.
copied and adopted:
The City Council of staunton have heard, with
profound sensibility Of the death Of their venerated
and esteemed fellow-citizen Rev. Barnas Sears. 1t
is true that he had passed, by several years, the
three score and ten. which has been regarded the
allotted span Of human life; but his apparently un.
hope that he might Be spared s for many
violence, however, having ordained otherwise the
Council can only bow in humble submission to His
Doctor Sears came to take abode among us. thir-
teen years ago, perfect stranger, without single
few years after the close Of the late unhappy war,
the South from the North had BEEN but partially,
assuaged He brought with him, however; 2 high
at 1s q
tan gentleman; During his residence among US,
and won for him not only the esteem and admira.
ton, but the ann personal regard and affection of
all who We're brought into association with him.
DR.. Sears was, in many respects, remarkable
man. Born and educated in Massachusetts, he at
which prompted him to pursue the paths Of litera.
tnre with enthusiasm; He manifested from early
ton which he arded as essential hot only to the
security OF our free institute but to the spread Of
morality He was soon called to iii responsible
position connected with the system Of public schools
| he discharg with distinguished ability and zeal,
| for number of years
Brown University py the resignation of President
| Wayland, the eninence of DR.. Sears. as man Of
emit and spotless purity Of character at once mark
| ed him out as the most suitable successor of DIR.
He appen and for numSer
| manner, the duties of that position.
When the late George Peabody. a native of Mas
sachusetts influenced ty noble liberality, entirely
untanted by sectional feeling determined to devote
large portion OF his colossal fortune be employed
under the supervision of Board of Trustees of his
own selection in givin: aid to the education Of the
Impoverished people of the Southern States; the
Trustees at their first meeting, with the full concurf
renee Of the benefcent founder of the Trust, by a
era Agent in the adminstr ion Of this "a eat char
lty The records OF the Peabody Board afford ample
evidence OF the fidelity, ability and success with
as the administrator Of this great Charity. VI MN
he City Council have deemed this brief retro
spect OF some of the incidents of the early life and
understanding OF his noble character. Viewed with
reference to his services to the OF general ed
ncation and his complete Identification with it,
they cannot forbear to express the opinion that his
But, it is more particularly of Dr. Sears, as citi-
zen. a member of society, a Christian, ne,ghbor
husband father, and gentleman, that they de-
sire to bear their testimony. In all these relations
he was nearly faultless is compatible with the
frailty OF human nature. II there be a single indi
vldua IN the range of his acquaintance who did not
sentiments, the fact is unknown to any member Of
this body
The City Council feel that they arenot only Civ
ing expression to their own individual opinions but
community which they represent, when they tender
this humble tribute to the character of one Who was
50 universally admired for his talents and fevered
1t is therefore ordered. by the Council that this
paper ne spread on the minutes of the Council as an
enduring memorial OF their grief for tho death of
memory
Ordered further, that copy of this paper be sent
70 the family OF the deceased with assurance of
the heartfelt sympathy of the members of the CITY
Council and Of the community which thew REPRESENT
in the sore bereavement which has befallen them
ordered further that copy of this tribute to the