The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-09-16


DEATH OF Mr. W. G. BRowN.-On Satur-
day last Mr.. William G. Brown breathed his
last after protracted illness of several months,
aged AZ years.
We had known Mr.. Brown for many years,
and for the past ten years, very Intimately
We have never come in contact with truer
or more conscientious man. He was stran-
ger to duplicity in himself, and despised it in
others. Upon all public matters he had very
decided convictions, whether of State or
Church, and these convictions guided his life,
and were maintained openly, frankly and with
out concealment. He knew not what it was
to fear, except to do what he thought was a
wrong act. In times of great political excite
ment when the passions of men were in
famed and their reason unbalanced Mr. Brown
dared to face the current of public sentiment,
not counting the cost, or caring whom it
pleased or displeased, in the declaration of
his opinions. His religious convictions were
deep and absorbing. He believed in the old
that church before its division on political
questions, and steadfastly adhered to his views.
declining to unite with the Southern Church,
and consequently had maintained no congre-
gational Identification with Methodism since
the war. About year ago he united with the
Lutheran congregation of this place, and a
few months ago was installed a deacon in that
church Very few were better versed in Bible
literature, and fewer still had clearer concep-
tons of Christians duties and privileges
His charity was unostentatious, yet liberal, his
devotion to his family exceptional in
dulgent and loving in all the walks and re-
htions of life, he was true and honest man,
sincere Christian gentleman.
Life's fitful fever is DER with him. The
strifes and passions Of the hour are stilled,
serted his authority teaching an impressive
lesson of the vanity of earthly ambitions and
the hollow assumptions and boasts of superior
rights and privileges, not grounded in high
moral conviction and sustained by the inspira-
ton of clear conscience, Which reach in their
influence beyond the grave. VIM. G. Brown
was true to the right as he understood it-true
to hlmself-true to the dictates of his con-
science-true to his religious convictions and
his Bible teachings, and bore with him through
life the testimony of an honest man. Few of
our community have had sharper antagonisms
or were more earnest in the maintenance OF
their opinions. But these are numbered with
the past, and noae but kindly remembrances
will be cherished Of our departed friend
The esteem and respect of the community,
with which he so widely differed in his politi-
cal views, were attested by the large attendance
upon his funeral by all classes of our citizens
The Young Mems Christian Association of
which he was one of the Vice Presidents, and
the Masonic Fraternity, Of which he was
member, followed his remains to the grave
He leaves wife and six interesting chill
dren--tbree girls and thEee boys, the eldest
about twenty years and the youngest about
five years of age. They have the heartfelt
sympathy of this entire community.
At the time of his death Mr.. Brown held a
commission from the government as United
s ates Guager