Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-02-04
From he Samtoa Valley Tirgb'iaH.
Death Of Rec. j. p. Strtder.

The announcement of the death OF Rev.
/ p. Strider. which occurred at the resi-
dence of Dir. c.. G.. Go0ch in this city, on
Saturday evening last, aroused feeling OF
sorrow anon uuc people such as Is rarely
experienced. Not that it was unexpected,
for the anxious inquiries that had passed
from lip TO lip for days previous 0etokened
that all hope of his recovery had passed.
But even in TIC face of the certainty OF
death and Wit fuii knowledge that when
the Ii lal SUNNI came IL would but trans
late a victor-croWded soldier of the cross
from the scene of his struggles to the reali-
zatloR of his reward, yet still the love ana
affection in which he was held by our Peo-
pie gave 60 the separation a sense Of per-
sonal bereavement that no preparation could
blunt. and only the infinite pity OF God
could assuage.
Or. Suider was q man full grown in all
the attributes of higher manhood HIS
mind was of that rare mould that wins for
itself place far above the level OF the null
titude It's natural strength and yigOr had
been studiously cultivated and developed.
Whatever the subject of which he treated,
IL was illumined and It's miracles made plain
by the power of his logic, the wealth OF his
illustration and the strong common sense
that peryaded his utterance. TO the hum
bic and TO the cultured be was alike attrac-
tive. The cause of Christ had but
few expounders more able or effective.
II mattered not whether discussing com
plex doctrinal point, or relating the simple
story OF the Cross, the attention oil his lis
teners was alike enchanted as step by step
~ Il D. rtnEoIAfnora He
the climax of his subject without effort and
carried with him the understanding OF all
who heard His preaching, too, was OF the
thoroughly practical kind, and It's power
was manifest IN the saving OF souls Great
rs were his intellectual attainments, they
psled beside the moral grandeur OF the man.
There was no duty rom which he shrank.
lie tore the mask from sin in high places.
I'm the name of his God he demanded the
service of the heart as well as of the mp,
aud was satisfied with no sanctlmonious ny
pocrisy. And YET with this pronounced
viulity his disposition was rs gentle as
woman's. his love for his fellow man as broad
and tar reaching as charity itself. Ills lie
work was his hearts love. To soothe and
Co succor the distressed; to comfort the al
nicted and sympathize with the troubled
seemed his missiOu and IN the discharge oil
its duties his least thought was for himself.
IL Is mo- wonder that in the short time he
moved among us he won to him the love
and esteem of all with whom he was IN any
wise associated. and became very very dear
to the hearts of these people. Even when
the tie between pastor and congregation
WAS severed the affection abated not, and
when 10 was known that his days on earth
were numbered, his friends in Staunton de-
sired chat be might be brought mther, that
they might watch over him until the end
came and then lay the body to rest with
their own loved dead In accordance with
this wish the dying man was borne from
Lexington some weeks ago to The hospltaOle
nome oi Mr.. Gooch where lac was tenderly
and lovingly nursed by friends and by kin
dred until his pure, gentle spirit was surren-
dcrcd 90 God.
Rev. Dr. Jno. Phillip Strider was born
In Jefferson county, W Va, in 1913. He
was "a son Of Mr. Jno. II. Strider promi-
neut citizen of that county. A. boy he
Was studious and devoted to books. Dur
ine the war he was a pupil of Maj. Jed.
HOtchkiss 40 Loeb Willow in this coun-
~. until that school was discontinued. lie
then went TO Washington College, at Lex
lnrton. and pursued his studies until sum
m0ned as youth of is to the war. lie
volunteered. and sho thy afterwards at the
battle If Piedmont was severely wounded,
and taken To- the house of Mrs Thos Nc
Cue of this county. where he remained un-
an sufficiently recovered to return to his
homo Amer the war. i'm 1863. he re-en-
r.reJ yasbinoton College. where his stud.
,o. were pursued with "a view of entering
tbe ministry. and where he graduated with
distinction ian 1868. Immediately thercal-
Ter he VA, sent to Kentucky on important
church work which he performed with
marked ability and which engaged his at
rsprion for three wears. Upon his return
r-o,o Kentucky he started upon tour of
Europe and parts of Asia and Africa lie
attended the Universities of Berlin and
Iein.i, Tor two winters and devoted tie
SIMMER months to travel. Subsequently
De- entered the Theological Seminary at
Flinburgb and with Others earnestly en-
-,,,,s3 i'm mission work about the city. In
7;7 y.,n3srinr throuob the East he visited
E.,,nt on3 Palestine storing his mind with
innJ IN biblical and General information
s,,cb o. few nossass Whilst abroad he was
,nrointed one of the Commissioners of the
T+,,iteJ St,tcs IN the Worlds Exposition at
Vienna
Tpou hi, return 90 America. despite the
fact tbat his health was not good, he imme-
diofelv set about his work. entering the
Union Tbeolocicoi Seminary. from which
l. Graduated I'm two wears. He was then