Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1882-12-05
OBITUARY.



Died at Bethany College, w. Va, Nov.
2sth, 1882, James Withers.
James Withers Of Stanford, KY, entered
Bethany College, W. Va, as a student Sept.
1881. He was quite young and had enjoy
ed but little regular training in study. But
he evinced from the beginning a very earn
est desire to improve his mind, and to
make up as best he could for the time he
had wasted in the past. AT the request Of
friends, took him into my family and
treated him with the confidence and free
dom Of father. He became singulsrly at
tsched to us, particularly to Mrs. Pendle-
ton, and was ever solicitous TO please her
In all things. He had deep religious con-
victions and Was unfailing in his habit Of
reading his Bible and Of praying alone in
his chamber morning and evening. This
simple but practical expression Of his sin
certify and faith, We learn, deeply impressed
his roommate and induced him, though
not professor ofrelision, TO take up and
follow his example.
He was a dillgent member Of the Sunday
school and always in his place and anxious
TO learn, in class taught by Mrs. Pendle-
ton. He was constant in expressions Of in
terest in the Church and College, and be-
nevolently concerned for their prosperity.
His mind seemed earnestly directed to the
question: How he might do good in the
world, and he often expressed the desire
that he could become a useful and worthy
minister Of the gospel, or, il not this, that
he would make money and by il help build
up the interest Of the Church and the Col
lege. He became a member OF the Abel.
phian Society, which is an organization Of
young christians composed mostly Of those
who are preparing for the Christian minis
try and in its order and exercises directed
specifically to this end. He frequently ex-
pressed the sentiment that to be preacher
Of the gospel is the noblest work that man
can engage in. am sure that he had, and
thoughtfully, concientiously and prayfully
cherished an abiding faith in the Savior
and an honest desire to live as to win the
crown Of eternal life.
II was beautiful and touching to notice
how anxiously he adverted often TO the re-
ligious position Of his father, Of whom he
always spoke with the greatest venerstion
and love. He could not understand how
one so good In his social and domestic life,
could not be induced to confess the Savior"
He frequently spoke Of this in his eon6ding
talks to Mrs. Pendleton, to whom he always
unbOsomed his most intimate thoughts and
feelings.
He WAS impulsive in his disposition and
Of strong feelings and will, but he was
also noble and generous always, in repair
ing any injury Of which he may have been
the cause TO any one. II was pleasure to
him to acknowledge a fault or an injustice,
when convinced Of II; and this generous
trait OF his nature was gradually dsselOp-
ing into noble character.
He often expressed thoughtful sympa-
thy with the poor, and frequently showed
that his heart Was deeply touched by the
hardships and privations that the human
family are compelled to experiences, and
that his mind was bordering schemes for
their relief. II was remArkab that one so
young should have been so seriously touch
ed by the great social questions that are too
much for the solution Of the most advanc-
ed philanthrOpist. His feelings we're those
Of genuine human sympathy, snd his
thoughts those Of regenerate heart moved
by the love begOtten Of his new life In
Christ.
We must not be understood a. intending
to say that our young friend had already
risen above the Maynard impulses Of his
young and undisciPlined nature, bat that
his heart and mind and will were given to