The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-08
For the Central Presby yterian.
in the Life of the Rev.
William S. Plumer, d. D.


All who ever saw or knew the Rev.
William S. Plumer will be able to recall
his striking appearance, particularly in
his latter years. His tall, erect figure
his thick, snow-white hair; long, flowing
beard; heavy brows and piercing black
eyes.
His manner in the pulpit was exceed
ingly impressive. His voice sank some
times almost to whisper, then thundered
forth in his peculiar STYLE until his hear
ers were thrilled by his eloquence. His
whole heart and soul were in his calling.
and he never failed to speak a word for
the great Master he served.
His manner to children was very ten
der He would draw them to his arms
ard ask, Ny little darling, can you re-
peat the 23d Psalm?" And if they re-
piled in the negative, would exact a
promise from them to learn it by the time
he came again, and rewarded them with
tracts written by himself, or pretty cards.
During the summer of 1878, he filed
the pulpit of the Rev. Henry J. Van
Dyke, of Brooklyn, who was absent on
his vacation DIR. Plumer was in feeble
health at the time. He had an appoint
ment one Sabbath, and although suffer
ing in the extreme, his face palid from
pain, he determined to preach, Never
shall forget his appearance. He stood
like a grand old patriarch during the
prayers and hymns, but when he began
his sermon he was forced to draw for
ward one of the large chairs which usu-
ally stand on the chancel, and there he
sat in great bodily pain with drops start
ing from his brow and proclaimed his
Lords message, Occupy till 1 come"
Did not those words ring in the ears of
his hearers?
He preached, as never sure to preach again,
And as dying man to dying men,"
AS soon as the benediction was pro
nounced his friends crowded around him.
He was so exhausted from pain and the
effort he had made to preach, restora-
tive had to be administered before he
left the church He was very sick for
days afterwards but the seed sown in
weakness that day, brought forth fruit
1t was my privilege to nurse DR..
Plumer through a part of the illness
which followed. He was a constant stu
dent OF the Scriptures, and while he lay
PROSTATE on that bed of sickness memo
rized long chapters from the old Bible.
He would frequently call on me to hear
him repeat them.
At the close of that well remembered
summer, ere he returned to Columbia,
South Carolina, he paid me a farewell
visit. requested him to have prayers
with us. Twilight had cast its shadows,
SO [ proposed lighting the gas in order
that he might read portion Of Scripture,
but he declined, saying he would repeat
a Psalm. Then in his peculiarly grand
manner he began, "The Lord is my light
and my salvation, etc. The prayer that
followed was the last I ever heard from
his lips. He had frequently expressed
gratitude to me for nursing him in his
illness, and as he clasped my hand at
parting he said with much feeling, Dear
friend, [ pray God you may not be sick,
but if you are, may be there to nurse
you.
never saw that faithful servant of
God again, but his face is painted in in
delible colors on memory page, and on
my heart words of Christian love and
comfort are engraved, which can only be
efaced by death. R. "A.