The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-03-05
REV. VIM. sToDDERT.
Service by Rev. Marion s
Kennedy.

Delivered at Brick Church, Feb. 10, 'Sj
know We not that there is a prime
and a great man fallen this day in 1:
rael. Sam. III, 50.
BY the dealings of an all-wis
Providence, on Jan, 10Th, 1885, til
people Of two vacant pulpits wer
left to mourn the loss of an able di
vine and a very faithful and be
loved pastor-the one at Mexico
Mo, the other the people to whOr
1 now speak.
Two focks left without a shep
herd; TWO sister churches sitting il
loneliness together, and in tn
weeds of mourning together. To
gether in sorrow, yet far apart il
distance. Though separated b,
many intervening miles, and though
only the other church was, in fact
vacated by the death of their act
ing pastor, yet this church, having
known the man of God and enjoyed
his services longer than the other
and being vacant at the time of his
death, is prepared to feel the be
reavement which fell Immediately
upon the other and to enter into
her grief with the deepest sympa-
thy.
Indeed, you are ready to sympa-
thize with every heart that mourns
the death of Rev. VIM. Stoddert,
D. D., from having either enjoyed
his passionate or known his ministry.
1t is eminently appropriate that
you have come together to-day to
show your appreciation of his form
er labors among you, and to do hon
or to his name of whom it may tru-
ly be said Chat there is a prince
and a great man fallen this day in
Israel"
1t is not our desire to clethe this
service with the drapery of a funer-
al sermon on the one hand, nor, on
the other hand, do we wish to In
dulge in excessive enlogies upon
the life of the deceased which, you
know, would have been far from
his desire had it been expressed,
and would least accord with the re-
retiring modesty through which his
greatness shone.
But we must enter into this ser
rice with more or less sadness be-
cause f.. it commentaries a man
whom we all respected and loved.
And while, if it were possible, we
would not oVorrate, yet we deem it
lothing but right that we should
say something of his charter, both
'or the emulation of others, and for
he good of christianity.
We know that the only character
perfect in every thing is Christ. He
S the only all-complete model to be
initiated, but there are many things
n the lives of His servants worthy
20 be followed.
And because of those virtues it
S proper TO review the lives Of His
disciples. 1t is right to study the
character of the good and
great that we may catch the
spirit of their lives. 1t is benef-
,ial and this may be the meaning
If that scripture which says, "The
memory of the just is blessed"
More literally, is for a blessing.
lust as well talk about standing in
a grove of magnolias in bloom
receiving their odor, as to
study the character of a good man
md not get some good impressions
,hercfrom. His memory will be
or blessing to you.
Then, with this view, let US call
20 mind the life of a prince and
great man in Israel. For the ben
fit Of those who May not know
much of Mr.. Stoddert's history l
will now give a brief sketch of his
ife, as I have enabled to Gull it
rom different sources.
He was of noble parentage. And
lere let it be borne in mind that
lis name was changed. 1t was
Ewell, but at the request
IF his mother he changed his name
% Stoddert, which was her maiden
lame. His father was a doctor.
His mother was the daughter OF
Stoddert, who was the
irst secretary of the navy. His ia
her, DR.. Thos. Ewell, died before
he maturity of his large family
eaVing. them in somewhat straight
sned circumstances to the care and
raining Of the mother. Mrs. Ewell
being a woman Of strong intellect
md much force of character, was
to the task as has been
svinced in the lives of tie noble
sons whom she gaveito her country.
One Of her sons was the late
Lieut.. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, one
Of the bravest soldiers of the con-
federate army.
Another of her sons, Lieut.. Thos.
Ewell, lost his life in the Mexican
war. He led the brave band of
who stormed the rocky
pass of Cerro Gordo, and fell NOR
tally wounded inside the Mexican
He died for his
country, and conquered as he fell.
4 third son, and the only one now
living ID knoWn as Col. Benz. 5.
Ewell, who also served his country
in the late war, and was chief of
staff to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.
For a number of years he has been
president Of next to the Oldest col
lege in America, William and Ma
ry, the alma mater Of many patri-
OTIS aad statesmen. In her young
est son, Rev. VIM. Stoddert, D. D.,
she gave to the world and to her
God man of endless renown as a
soldier of the cross to whose spirit
of deyotion, fidelity and self sacri-
fee you are witnesses.
William Ewell, or Wm. 'Stsddert
as he was known after the change
of his name, was born near James
town, Prince William CO., Va, Nov.
9th. 1924. 1t appears that much
of his early life WAS spent at one of
his uncles' having been adopted by
him.
He connected himself with the
Presbyterian church early in life,
being at the time IA yesrs OF age.
He took the collegi ate course at