The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-02

Died, July 18th, 1882, at Inglesde, in Char
lotte county, Va, JOHN w. DANIEL, in the 61st
year of his life
1t is not often that death inhicts so great a
loss upon community. He was one of the no.
bic few whose sterling integrity, always con-
splcuous, gives tone to public morals For
many years an Elder in the Village church at
Smithville, afterwards in the brakes Branch
church, he made an earnest, prayerfu, and per-
severing effort to discharge, in the best manner
possible, all the functions of his Office. His rei-
glon took hold upon conscience, reason, and
Judgment, as we'll as upon the emotional nature ;
and consequently no fuctuation of feeling told
on his conduct in the sphere of duty near
nelghbor and intimate friend described the type
OF his piety by saying that " he was a man who
did right simply because it was right" All
who knew him would recognize the Justice of
this remark. Not that he was destitute of reli
gious fervor; not that the precious truths of
salvation were apprehended solely by Z" the dry
light of reason" but his loyalty to duty was
founded on the bedrock of clear convictions,
and clear, unimpassioned judgment prompted
and regulated the exhibitions OF this loyalty.
Hence he always brought forth his fruit in
his season" Variations of heat and cold neither
diminished the quantity nor marred the quality
Everyb body had unbounded confidence in his
changeless purpose to do what he deemed right
Such man is the greatest boon that God be-
slows upon community; and while grieving
over the loss, we wish to record our gratitude
Tor the gift which for many years blest by its
presence, and tor years to come will bless by
the subtle power that has passed from it into
other lives
His final sickness was short-beginning on
Saturday and terminating on Wednesday. But
those who knew the history of his physical suf-
terlng for the last few years did not regard his
death as sudden. Disease had long besieged
q pIta ha Of In fa H., l.
breach was made and the soul driven forth, it
was but the termination of a long, and hardly
fought battle. For the greater part of his life
he was afflicted with imperfect vision The i'm.
perfection grew until he was almost blind at the
time OF his death-recognizing friends only by
the tone of their voice. 1t has been matter
OF surprise that this great calamity which usu-
ally hedges life within such narrow limits
seemed 2 put so slight restraint upon the ex.
erclse OF either his bodily or mental powers.
de was quite successful as a farmer-with
the assistance CT an agent cultivating large
plantatlon-and he managed to keep posted in
all the details of the business. By using the
eyes of others especially those of his faithful
wlfe-he also managed to keep well up in cur.
rent literature, and on all subjects of general in
terest ne had thoughts of his own worth hear
ing. He cheerfully bore the restriction imposed
upon him by his partial blindness. though his
active and enquiring soul would have found
unusual delight IN larger measure of liberty
1t has it now. The limitation has been re-
moved-the prison walls have tumbled down.
ID he no longer "sees through glass darkly."
The life undying has lit the eye with an angels
Ken, the shadows have vanished, the horizon
melted away, and beauty and splendor in meas
ureless expanse are before him. For he has
taken
The one grand step beyond the stars of God
Into the splendor shadowless and broad,
Into the everlasting JOY and light
The zenith of the earthly life is come R.