Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-01-29
"We shall meet beyond the river by and
bye." which it had been requested should
be given out at the funeral.


"We shall meet beyond the river by and
bye." which it had been requested should
be given out at the funeral.
| THE BURIAL.
After the benediction, the remains were
taken to Thornrose Cemetery for inter
ment 10 lot which the congregation had
| purchased for the burial of the pastor
| they loved so we'll. The grave was dug in
the freshly fallen snow. By it's side Rev.
W @. Hulllhen offered prayer and the
remains we're lowered into the earth. The
evening sky was darkening, and the waste
of snow was white and drear. as the loving
congregation slowly left the mound which
covered all of earth that represented the
pastor they had so lately and 80 dearly
cherished. But above the Western hori-
ION shone the steady rays of the evening
star, full of peace. of comfort, and of
hope.
THE TRIBUTE OF THE CHURCH.
The officers of the 1st Presbyterian church deem
it their sad privilege to put record their appre
citation of their late pastor, J. P. STRIDER. D.,
and resolutions be entered upon their minutes.
WHEREAS. In the providence of God the late
loved pastor of this church has been removed from
the labors Of earth, to the rest in heaven; 1t is
meet that his friends and cOlabOrerS here should
record their appreciation of his virtues as man.
a friend, minister and a Christian.
DIR. Strlder stricken down in the very flower OF
his life, in his 3Sth year. was born in Jefferson Co
then virginia: and his early life was spent amid
lower Valley, and from thence he nc no doubs drank
in the delightful love Of nature that overlooked so
grandly in his public and private discourse For
Washington. where his bouyant spirit sound ed all
the depths and shoals of innocent amusement Too
young to enter the army his patriotism and zeal did
NOT permit him stand ider in tn. great strug
gle, and boy though he was. he left the classic
bloody baptism Of blood and fire at Piedmont
where he was severely wounded Captured by the
through the influence Of friends, psroled and re-
turned to enter again upon the path IT atters.
traught to him with so much Of pleasure and
learning, which he ever alter maintained. grad
uating with the full honors of his Alma
dent by whom he was selected as one Of a band nf
young men to build up the falling fortunes of
years of usefulness and study. after which, fol
lowing the bent OF his mlnd, which pointed SO sure
Years WITH great pro Of Bern
Leipsic. and Edinburgh travelling over the greater
part of Europe ON foot, and making a pilgrimage
ripe Scholar and devoted Christian he entered
Union Seminary to qualify himself as an embas-
well. After his graduation he took charge OF the
churches at Rapidan and Mitchell Station, and
subsequently, that at Culpeoer G Ais health.
maialial influences to which he was Subjec-
ted in Palestine Compelled him to rellnquish
these charges and seek SUMMER soil. He
went to Savannah where he remained six
months, serving the First church In that city,
same time he was called to this charge His i'm
proved health encouraged him to come to his ma
tive valley, for whose blue mountains. green hills,
and crystal streams his soul had ever painted, and
he commenced his Passionate here ON the lst Sa D
bath Of October. 1884, and filled this pulpit for one
year with SUCH ZEAL ability, and success, that his
departure from us on the LIST of October. 1885, to
accept the prcfesso,shlp Of Moral Philosophy in
Washington q re University, will ever be remem
bered as the saddest dav the church had known.
until its unwilling doors turned upon their grating
hinges to usher forth the weeping multitude
that followed his loved remains to Thornrose
His action in going to Lexington was induced by
belief that the clustered abors of the University
might build up the shattered framework of his
constitution and knit the raveied sleeve OF care
that too great work and too great care for souls
had produced. Alas, vain hope! For tHe 10.
deed, he seemed to revive and gain strength and
vigor. 1t but the flicker OF the flame it dies
only served as promise Of rich harvest to FOL
low, and then the end came the too tense chords
snapped. the golden bowl was broken, and to-day
we stand beside his open grave to moraliZe on The
vanity of human hopes human aspirations, and
human affection and to record rec, IN empty words tne
love and reverence that well up and overflow from
full hearts for the man. the frlenG the scholar and
| the Christian.
Resolued That in the death of our late loved pas-
tor, we, the officers of this church, speaking for
ourselves aud whole congregation, do deeply gfiese
that the church has lost able devoted. cOnsclen
| tiOuS, and lovi lg champion, who willingly laid
down his life in the cause of his savior and Tor the
| people of his charge
| That as a man, we recognized in him miId, ,
| quick sound and comprehensive in its framework.
cultivated by education and stored by reading and
| travel to its fullest extent.
That as n friend and companion he was genial
| gentle, affectiOnate SympathiSng and kind
AS a Christian he was earnest, Jealous, firm ana
uncOmpromsing in his advocacy of the right. and
in his life he was meek, charitable and loving, an
earnest and faithful follower of his great exempar
AS pastor, his bugle gave no uncertain SOUND,
he declared the Whole CoauS6l oi God, aud 'hiie
he delighted to dwell upon The love he did not fear
to paint the wrath of Deity He loved his people
and they loved him, the children upon the streets
knew him and he called them by name. His labors
were Astounding There was no sick bed where his
mOurners where his sympathy was not felt. no In
nOcent amusement where MS voice was not heard,
no open grave over which his prayer was not offer
ed and into which his tears did not fall No demon
national walls bounded his Christian love aud his
| spirit went out to greet all who loved the Lord
| Jesus.
| In his duty prompt at every call,
He watched and wept he prayed and felt for all,
And as bird each fond endearment tries
To tempt its new fledged offspring to the skies,
| He tried each art, reproved each dull delay,
Allure ed to brighter worlds and led the way.
RESOLVED That copy of these resolutions be fur.
nished to the family of DR. Strlder, and published
| in the city papers