Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-07-04

around their necks, instead of bearing
the cross as Jesus commander"
The homely thrust had its effect. The
next day the cutters about the store
ran full Of wasted whiskey, and at the
risk of penury, the Scotch Irish Pres
byterian sought thus to make room for
the cross and rid himself of the fatal bur-
den he had vainly hoped to carry with
him to heaven. In due time his busi-
ness prospered, and he became one of
the foremost residents Of the city, and
q pillar in his church. Though dead
for years, the name of Samuel McCorkle
yet lives, embalmed with praises and
tears. He ever cherished peculiar affec.
ton for DR.. White, whose preaching
revealed his error, and pointed him to
the way wherein is enjoyed conscience
void of offence and true usefulness.
A meeting of Lexington Presbytery
was in progress at Messy Greek Church.
about the time news arrived of Lees
surrender and Lincoln's assassination,
all making 1t season of most agoniz-
ing and painful suspense. The first
the writer's mind was while DR.. White
was preaching before the Presbytery
from Eccl. vii. IA: I'm the day Of pros
perity be joyful, but In the day Of ad-
versity consider: God also hath set the
one over against the other, to the end
that man should find nothing after
him." In speaking Of the apparent
useless sacrifice of blood and tears, he
alluded to the showers that fall upon
the arid desert, or the barren rock,
while the planted field is left unres
freshed. But on going to some vale be-
yond, and considering the stream that
beautifies 1t, all becomes plain that
those showers were not by any means
useless.
Thus some day as we journey on, and
consider whatever may be in due time
developed, we shall learn that some
thing will be made better in virtue of
all this sad. apparent waste. through
the hidden but wisely ordered passages
of divine wisdom.
AS the years wore on, this good man
came to Presbytery for the last time,
whose sessions had been his delight for
twenty years, and one hour was all the
time he was able to pass there, owing to
extreme weak ness from fall from his
horse. He entered the church with fall
tering steps supported by the youngest
and eldest Of his sons, and attended by
his ever faithful wife. A large and ele-
SouS "a IL CunlI WnS pioCoO IOI ulI0 ucoA
the Moderator. When he had taken his
seat, Presbytery took recess for q few
minutes in order that brethren might
pay their respects to him. Thereupon
all approached him and shook hand
His appearance was highly venerable.
Thin locks of white with the silvery
spray of the beautiful rivers formed q
circlet Of glory such as but few have
worn within the compass of the wri-
ter's acquaintance. A flowing beard
added still more to his patriarchal as
pect. When business was resumed, he
made some remarks in asitting posture,
and he was listened to with breathless
silence. In his remarks he urged the
younger members to take special inter-
est in the proceedings, and make it a
matter of conscience to attend all the
sessions. AS he became older and near
er death, he felt more and more happy
in view of his heavenly inheritance,
and bad the fseifagg that he had more
friends in heaven than upon the earth:
MT. CLINTON, VA.