Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-11-17
DEATH OF GEN. ROBERT D. LILLEY.


tive. and a colleague of the Pastor, Rev. DR.. D
Z. mcfarland. ofthe First Presbyterian church
tn the Presbvter,sp synod OF virginia which
assembled in the First Presb yterian church o.
Richmond, holding tho ninety ninth session
which commenced the night of that day. 1t il
known how constantly his time was occupied
for MANY years past in connection with the i'm.
portant relations he held to Washington and
Lee University, causing protracted absences
from his home, but his stay here this Fall had
been longer than usual. His fine social quail
ties rendered him a universal favorite, and
when the opportunity was presented every
hand was offered him, and every heart was
afr.ctionstely warm towards his own. Blessed
with high mental gifts which had been cult
waited with aspirations for large usefulness, nc
one was more fortunate in the realization o.
honorable distinction won by the application
In youth to study and method. and in man.
hood TO the performance OF a distinguished
share of duty as q citizen. q soldier. to the
church and to the cause of education. One
whose life had been thus passed and now when
its days wereou the descending side of the
meridian. found its objects grow brighter and
more beautiful IN the constant labors of the
church as they were presented to him, wheth.
or In the sanctuary, on tho street, by the way
side, or in the lonely places where two or three
should be assembled to invoke blessings upon
themselves and to forward the Kingdom OF the
Great Master.
General Lilley was present at the drst SEES
sion Of the synod, taking leading part in the
organization of the body. He offered resolu-
ton, which, II 1t had been concurred in, would
have directed the Moderator In appointing the
standing committees to appoint on them alter
nately two ministers and three elders. and
three ministers and two elders, He participate
ed in the discussion to which his resolution
gave rise. Immediately after this matter was
disposed OF the Synod adjourned. Those near
General Lilley and acquainted with him, OBJ
served during tho time he was ON the floor a
slight nervousness in bis manner. In a few
minutes after 1t was apparent that he was
paralyzed, A carriage was obtained, and he
was conveyed to his lodging at Ford's Hotel.
where he spent the night. On the morning of
the 10th, he was conveyed to st. Luke Home
for the sick where he fingered until IL NJ. on
the 18th instant
kilograms on the night of the 9th and morn
ing of the 10th were received here and tmme-
d;ately Mr. James A. Templeton of this CITY.
(his brothsr-i n law) and Colonel John D. Lii
ley. of Greenytlle. his brother. hasteped to his
bedside. Both were recognized by the deceas-
ed who was Disposed to converse more than
the attending physician deemed prudent for
him to do. He was conscious of his situation
and cbeerful,y Welded to tho fpstruction of
his attendants.
At the opening of the morning session of
synod on the 10th special PRAYER was offered In
bebalf Of the stricken member. and during its
deliberstiop on the 18th his death was an
nounced. when the following proceedings o.
Cured.
The Rev Dr. Hoge offered a resolution ex.
pressing the fes,tnes of the SYNOD az follows.
This Synod. just informed OF the death of
General Robert D. LiIley. arrests Its business
TO give some expression to Its grief In this
bereavement ocoasioned by the sudden re-
tnoval of one of its members.
In the midst of its profound sorrow 1t APP
preciates the rich consolation which comes
rom the remembrance of the pure, sincere,
nd earnest life Of this good soldier of Christ
Iesus; so modest and yet SO true; so loyal to
1uty in every relation he sustained to society
and to his country; so efficient as an Office
bearer in the Church he loved 30 we'll.
This Synod, in rendering Its sympathies to
the relatives most sorely smitten by this grief
would remind them of the rest and reward up.
n which he has now entered, and commends
his example to all who, by patient contin uance
N well doing, seek for the honor which God
snnfers on those who, having fought the good
4 ;ht and kept the faith, receive the crown
which fadeth not away.
Touching and appropriate remarks were
made by DR.. Hoge. Major kirkpatrick. DIR. B.
VI. Smith, and Rev. John @. Anderson.
On motion OF Ruling-Elder T. O. Morton, Of
the resolution offered by DR.. Hoge
vas adopted by rising vote. and the Synod
vas led in prayer by the moderator, DR.. Pres
ton.
The Rev. d. X. Mcfarland ID. pastor NJ
tae church TO which General Lilley belonged.
and Ruling Elders j. A, Patterson. 8. W. vii.
m. and T. G, Morton were appointed a COM
mittee of the Synod to attend the remains of
the deceased member to their last resting
0 ace
The Synod then adjourned out of respect to
the memory OF the departed brother.
The body OF General Lilley reached this city
by the night-train of the 18th. and was con-
veyed to the residence of Mr.. Templeton, Cd
Market street. Saturday and the forenoon OF
sunday large numbers Of sym pathisine friends
o allied to view it and to take q last farewell of
one whom in life they had honored and loved
aud in death mnurned becausea chief among
their number had suddenly fallen.
The announcement for the obseuuies was
made at all the churches at the Sabbath morn
Ing services and whilst the sol notes OF
the bell from the First Pres byterian church
rolled slowly over the city and surrounding
hills, at O'Clock in the afternoon was as
sembied one Of the largest audiences which
ever filled that spacious edifice, Entering the
middle aisle the casket was convened to the
SPACE In front of the pulptt by the pail bearers
preceded by the pastor. and followed by the
elders of the church. of which body be had long
been a member. and the family of the deceased.
DR.. Mcfarland remarked. after prayer and
the first bvmn had been supe. that ON this oc-
casion he won Id depart from the usual custom
NJ a funeral service. The circumstances of the
death and the relations Of the deceased friend
and brother to the church as one of It's most
examplarv and honored officers. and The beau.
,ifnl chr,st,an ,,fa and .ramnleo fb,m 90 leep.
,u r,,rr,.a Nod, - onnronr,o,o no sbor,d do
40 T, ,os No, = ,,norai oratio, or srIoar hs
u.. thara -, rro,o,noa mt dir.ot +ho 70
aoo.,or. ~ he hoo,.r. IN assoo,o,;on n,,,h ,ha
,..1inx. au axr.r,.no,d ,rha, oont.rn,.t,no
tho serv,ces the denor, a., ohr,,t,on bod rendar.