South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-08-03
ID H ~ II H -.

DEATH or TUE Rev. JAMES A. Anm-
STRONG. This good man. pastor of ,se
Presbyterian Church at this place and
kearneysville. after long and pain.
full illness. died Saturday, July 18th
instant. at the residence OF his fa.h er.
Mt. j.. NJ Armstrong. near Salem. Va /.
at his own request bis remains " ere
brought 10 this place for in,ermen.. and
on Sunday evening last they were me,
by sorrowing friends and carried 10 the
church. which the ladies of the church
had gracefully draped and arran yed
for their reception. The funeral seryi.
ces wero held on NJ ,nday last a. lle'.
clock. and we're conducted by the Rev.
j. S. Lafevre, assisted by the. Rev.D.
NJ. Moser OF tho Lutheran Church. Rev.
Q. .. Cook Of tue NJ. f. Church. Rev.
w. G. Eggieston Of tho NJ. +. Church
South, and RevDr. Hopkins of Charles.
town, who delivered all exceedingly ap-
propriate and forcible address. full OF
tenderness and comfort.upon the words
III have fought good fight, have fin.
ished my course. | have kept the .aith !;
henceforth there is laid up for mo n
crown Of rigttcousness."-2d Timothy.
4, Z. DR.. Hopkins thought the words
Illustrated in a striking manner the
nj, OF tic deceased, and he had no
doubt expressed the blessed end rea |.
lied by the deceased. The address was
not intended as pancgyric. aud yet.
as we listened with mournfu, pleasure
TO it. wo felt that it was noble and
deserved eulogy upon one OF rare vir =
tues. The large congregation present,
composed of all denomin ations and
classes. some Of whom had come many
miles, bore testimony to the high cs-
teen III which the deceased was held
when strong men and wou,en ak i,
more than once during the services were
unable to hold in check their grief. and
gave expression TO their feelings il
tears. His body was laii TO rest, tho
oiiiccrs OF his two churches act. rg as
pail bearers. in vnc Of The most beau.
tiful spots in Eimwood Cemetery look
ing eastward, and in full view of the
church where lie had so long and faith
fully preached.
Mr.. Armstrong took charge Of The
churches of which he was pastor about
seven years ago, and with the excep-
ton of a short ministry in Arkansas,
which his feeble health compelled him
soon TO abandon, this was his ONLY
charge. To this he gave the he st years
of his life. Although ut no time 10
bust, and otcn;imcs by reason OF ph, s-
zeal iniiimity, unable 10 discharge sat =.
isfa"tori!y the duties Of his pastorate,
bis tireless energy and un1agging de-
votion enabled him 20 accomplish n
surprising amount OF work. lie never
spared himself. and until compelled by
The prostration Of his physic al strength
20 relinGuish active work, lie continued
preaching and his pastoral visitations.
More than a year ago, a. the conc!u.
sion Of series Of meetings in one Of
las churches, he was Frustrated with
The disease with which at times for
many years be had tufferei, dis
case not then fully understood because
OF its subtle character. and which has
nov Terminated his life. From that
lime I'LL his death he was seldom or
ever able TO preach. AT times his
quickly improved condition enabled him
and his friends 10 hope that lie would
again be we'll. but encouraging symp.
toms were followed by others less fa-
vora5le until in April last he rendered
his resignation, which was not accept
cd by his people. and instead a six
months leave of absence was grant, d.
Soon after this, with is devoted wife,
lie went to his fathers home in Roa
nokc County. Va. where tho pure air
ant bracing climate had SO often help,
ed him, hoping that there, relieved from
all anxiety and favored with constant
medical skill, he might once more re-
cover his wonted strength. But alas
these bright hopes were never TO be
realized. Gratifying as it was TO be
again in the home Of his boyhool and
to bc cheercd by the attentions and
companionship Of those he best loved
on earth, he went home 10 die.
In the pulpit Mr.. Armstrong was al.
ways earnest and instructive. lie pos
sesscd natural endowments much be.
yond many who shine as more popu.
lar preachers. But popularity was not
bis aim. lis one purpose. from which
no consideration Of present p!clsu re
or benefit could turn him, was to- dis
Charge faithfully his duty as q minis.
ter Of The Gospel Of Christ. This was
the secret Of that popularity which.
without seeking. he 81 successfully at
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