The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-10-10

iOotc from Il minister VINO Knew nun
well, and who is competent to Judge:
g As sermonzer, while not profound,
he lad clear views of the doctrines of
the Bible and our Church. Was more
lucid than profound, rather logical and
though not very critical in argument,
was free from any Unfair or sophistcal
methods Of reaching conclusions. His
delivery was entirely natural. The
love, grandeur and glory of Christ in
spired him with burning zeal that
made him impressive, persuasive, and
truly eloquent. He was Characteristic
Ially spiritual. His peculiar taste and
gifts fitted him for an evangelist rather
than pastor. He was Us near all
/ preacher and nothing else as any man
ever knew. never knew any one
that loved TO preach better than he"
While much might be presented from
his brother ministers commendatory of
his singular zeal aud signal success in
the ministerial work, will now simply
quote from a private letter received
from Gov. Marks, believing the Gov
crnor will excuse me for the liberty.
As to his record in the Mexican war he
uses the following language: 1T is
enough to say for him that all his COM
rad. returned his fast and lasting
friends With one voice they lauded
hi, courage and testified to his goodness
|of heat. He was not ut all wanting in
activity and enterprise, but he seemed
wholly iuscn,ible to all the prizes of
secular life aud not call them dross.
lie thought hut little about them the
one way or the other. Religion alb
sorbed him; nor yet is this quite true,
for he had an intense love of country
not desire to participate in politics.
but al intense desire to 90 to the front
in tine Of public danger. 1t was inn
possible for him to be anything but a
preacher in peace, and equally impossi'
bic for him to'be anything but soldier
in war.
"In his ministry he was an enthu-
siast. He never took thought Of him
self nor Of what vas best for himself.
He lost sight Of himself in his mission.
The desire 10 do all he could for his fel.
low creatures consumed him. There
fore he was an earnest and effective
man He never thought about orna-
mcnting his discourses or attempting to
plead BY his manner. He was satisfied
he had message which it was his duty
above all things to deliver, and with
that cloqucncc which comes from con-
viction and carncstness, he declared it.
at was impossible for him to have
had an enemy. lie never injured n
man. woman or child AS long as /
knew him, | never heard him utter 4
word Of another tina. could have given
. oAtnse had it been repeated. He was
y, the friend Of all and enemy of none
y Totally unselfsh and selfsacrifcing, he
|, never failed to do the humblest, utmost
- favor in his power. / will say, after
knowing him for many years, find no
:, fault in him"
% His last labors were signally blessed.
=, He fell at his post, while fresh seals to
his ministry we're numerous. One of
= the last meetings he attended was mt
Hebron church, Lincoln county, Tenn;
he did most of the preaching, and those
!, who heard him say he had so much of
u the divine JUNCTION that he was almost
- resistlcss. Eighty-onc professed faith
l. in Christ. AS he neared the end of life
- he welded the sword of the Spirit more
~. dcxterously than at any former period.
i His work having been fully inaugural
l. ted, his discharge has been received
and he now attains the final results,
r which can never be made known until
-, the general judgment. The precious
II seeds Of truth which he threw broadcast
q, over so many fields will multiply more
, than tenfold ere the great harvest-time
- His last illness was so mild that his
~ family was not npprehensivc Of serious
NO results, until he peacefully closed his
/. eyes in death, which occurred ut his new
90 %, home in Chattanooga, Tenn, Dec. %,
.n 1882. just one hour before death he
" remarked that everything seemed unu
!, sually bright. Is it too much to sup
"a pose that he was entering hetwilight OF
no that brighter world?
,a The Tennessee Presbytery, of which
'n he was a most punctual and exceedingly
~ efficient member, held appropriate me.
-, mortal services relative to his death at
y IFS last meeting. The sermon was
i preached by the writer, from the follow
;. ing text: Ills lord said unto him,
y Well done, thou good and faithful SER
: want; thou hast been faithful over
many things enter thou into the joy
:. of thy lord."-Matt. XIV. 81. Bros.
- Campbell and Lyon followed with re.
marks pertinent to the occasion.
o While the ministry and Church are
~ deprived of his invaluable pulpit labors
=, and his wise counsels in the judicatures
| of the Church, they have rich legacy
). in his example which is worthy of imita-
j, ton.
: Seven of the eight children are in the
- Church Of their father. Will not pray.
ers, numerous, so up for the salvation
>. Of this one, the youngest child