Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-07-21
5bepI)srbstowu Register.
sArswpas.-...---JUIY I'll. Issa
Denth OF the sscV. James A 9.

EtPuth OF the sseN. James n.
ArmssronG.-rhis good man, pastor Of
the Presbyterian Church at this place and
kcsrncysYille, after II long and painful
Illness, died Saturday, July Nth instant,
Mt the residence OF his father, Mr.. L. n.
Armstrong, near Salem, Va. At his own
request his remains were brought to this
place for intermcn:, and on Sunday even
ing last they were met by Borrowing
friends and carried to the church, which
the ladies of the church had gracefully
draPed and arranged for their reception.
The funeral services wero held OH Non
day last at l o'clock, and wore conducted
by tho Rev. j. ). Lsfevrs, assisted by the
Rev. ID. NJ. Moser OF the Lutheran Church,
Rev G. o.. Cook OF the n. K. Church,
Rev. w. G. Eggleston Of the NJ. 4. Church
South, and Rev. DR.. Hopkins Of Charles
town, who delivered an exceedingly ap-
propriate and forciblo address, full Of
tenderness and comfort, upon the words,
al have fought good fight, have I'm
ished my course, have kept the
faith; henceforth there Is laid up
for mo crown OF righteousness" -
2d Timothy, d, Z. DIR. Hopkins thought
the words illustrated in striking manner
the life OF the deceased, and he had no
doubt expressed the blessed end realized
by the deceased. The address was not in
tended rs q panegyric, and yet, as We
listened with = mournful pleasure to It,
we felt that it was a noble and deserved
eulogy upon one OF rare virtues. The
large congregation present, composed OF
all denominations and classes, some Of
whom had come many miles, bore testi-
mony to the high esteem in which the de
ceased wgs hold, when strong men and
women alike more than once during the
services wero unable to hold in check their
grief, and gave expression To their feel
ings in tears. His body was laid TO rest,
tho officers Of his two churches acting as
pall-bearcrs, III one OF the most beautiful
spots in ElmwoOd Cemetery, looking
eastward, and in full view of the church
where lie had so long aud faithfully
preached.
Mr. Armstrong took charge OF the
churches of which he was pastor about
seven years ago, and with the exception
of short ministry in Arkansas, which
his feeble health compelled him soon to
abandon, this was his only charge. To
this lac gave the best years Of his life.
Although at no time robust, and often
times by reason of physical inilrmlty, I'M
able to discharge satisfactorily the duties
Of his passionate, his tirelesS energy and
un1agging devotion enabled him TO ac-
complish surprising amount of work.
lie never spared himself, and until COM
PEELED BY the prostratiOn Of his ply steal
strength to rclinquish active work, he
continued preaching and his pastoral Wis
itatiOnS. More than year ago, ut the
conclusion of series Of meetings in one
of his churches, he was Frustrated with
the disease with which ut times for many
years ho had suffered, "a disease not then
fully understood because Of its subtle
character, and which has now terminated
his life From that time till his death he
was seldom or ever able TO preach. At
times his quickly improved condition en-
ablcd him and his friends to hope that he
would again &c well, but encouraging
symptoms were followed by others less
favorable until in April last he rendered
his resignation, which was not accepted
10y his people, and instead six months
leave OF absence was granted. Soon after
this, with his devoted wife, he went to his
fathers home in Roanoke County, Va,
where the pure air and bracing climate
had so often helped him, hoping that
there, relieved from all anxiety and IA
vored with constant medical skill, he
might once more recover his wonted
strength. But alas these bright hopes
were never to DO realized. Gratifying as
1t was TO DO again in the home Of his boy
hood and to be cheercd by the attentions
and companonship Of those he best loved
on earth, he went home to die.
In the pulpit Mr. Armstrong was always
earnest and instructive. He possessed
natural cndowments much beyond many
who shine as more popular preachers.
But popularity was not his aim. His one
purpose, from which no consideration OF
present pleasure or benefit could turn
him, was to discharge faithfully his duty
rs minister Of the Gospel Of Christ. This
was the secret of that popularity which,
without seeking, he so successfully at
tanned. Whether in tho pulpit or In the
TO know the man-tho simplicity, the I'M
selfshness, the exalted integrity OF his
life man Of more incorporating
devotion to principle and to what he be-
lieved TO be his duty, and more courageous
in the discharge Of that duty, we have
never known. Yet with all these qualities
he possessed tenderness of feeling and u
genuine womanly sympathy for sorrow
that made him welcome visitor In the
homes Of bereavement and affection.
1t is therefore with undissembled sad
ness that VIC chronicle his untimely death
at the early age of 81 years. His end, As
we would expect after such life, was
peaceful and triumphant. The courage
of his life never once forsook him In tho
las: trying ordeal, and his firm grasp Of
the divine promises disarmed death Of its
sting. For him all was we'll, and his
thoughts in his last moments were turned
towards his loved ones, whom he endeav-
ored to comfort, quoting those gracious