West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-09-13

In his devotion to religion, Mr.. Crane
| did not forget the public duties OF the
citizen. His patriotism was pronounced
IL may not be generally known that he
thought seriously OF volunteering for
the Mexican war. His Journal discloses
this Interesting fact. When the civil
war came, he adhered unhositatingly to
the cause of the Union. aud was pre-
pared for any sacrifice which his country
might demand from him. But he was
too deeply pious TO. harbor personal ha-
tired even against those who, in his opin-
ion, were, without cause, trying TO
break down government under which
the people were free, prosperous and
everywhere respected. When the war
was over, and its results assured he was
ready 10 ciiace all trace Of the struggle.
But it was Mr.. Craue's religious life
and character which made the deepest aud
widest impression on the community.
He was ever ready for any good word or
work. His place in tho house of prayer
was seldom vacant Into all his rcla-
tons of class-leader, Sunday school teach.
err, and recording stewart he carried the
Same promptness and energy which
marked him IN his every day business.
For years he attended all the camp-meot-
ings, revival services, and quarterly
meetings which were held under the
auspices of his own church for miles
around Kingwood. His coming was
always looked for with pleasure by the
ministers In attendance, aud they relied
upon his counsel aud assistance In con-
Quoting the services. He acquired rare
spiritual insight, which made hun very
successful in dealing with unconverted
m hn
course to be followed in revival services.
From the beginning his life in King
wood, Mr.. Cranes gifts to tho cause of
religion were generous. They kept pace
with his growth In prosperity. There
was no philanthropic cause in the county
TO which he did not contribute according
to his ability. And this liberal giving
sprang from sense of his duty TO God.
He dreaded osteutation. For many
years this dread deferred him from keep
ing any account of his contributions TO
religious and charitable purposes. But
IN the latter part of 1869 he changed his
plan. He procured large account book
in which, under date Of December 81, he
entered brief memorandum explaining
his purpose and motive. After reciting
his former fear of letting his left hand
know what his right hand did in tho mat
ter OF giving, he concluded as follows
"But God in his boundless love having
on the 25 day OF August last given me
clean heart; Inow feel with his grace
assisting me, can and ought and will
hereafter keep an accurate account ofmy
income aud religious or benevolent
contributions so that ] may hence
forward act understandingly in
this important branch of my stew
ardship." Beginning with January,
1870, he kept detailed account of all the
money which he received and of all that
he expended in beuevolence each year.
This was continued up TO within about
month Of his DEATH These accounts
are deeply interesting as showing the
purity, the sincerity and the generosity
OF the man. His aim was TO give one
tenth of his entire income every year to
works of charity and religion. lie did
this and more. IL may perhaps bo said
without disclosing what he would be
unwilling TO have known that the excess
above the ten per cent. proposed amount
cd during those years TO some thousands
of dollars. Every one who was trying
to raise money for helpless widow, or
for an unfortunate man whose house had
been burned, or for n struggling religious
society which was building a churuh, or
for any other worthy cause, knew that
Mr.. Crane could be relied upon TO con-
tribute without reluctance, grumbling or
excuse.
Although he was sincerely attached
to the church of his choice, Mr.. Crane
was too intelligent Christian to be a
sectarian bigot. He could worship with
all who loved the Lord Jesus Christ i'm
sincerity, with profit and delight. He
frequently attended the services Of other
religious denominations, and wherever
he could do so without giving Of
tense, he united in the Lords Supper
with them. From his journal register
OF all the Methodist, Presbyterian and
Baptist ministers who have served in
Kingwood or vicinity during the last
forty years might easily be constructed.
It contains tho texts, abstracts Of, and
comments upon sermons preached by
nearly every minister Of distinction who
has ever served In the county. He listened
to all with satisfaction and from every
one he gathered food for his soul.
His benefachons took an equally wide
scope. il Is believed that not a church
has been erected in the county during the
last thirty years to which no did not
contribute. This breadth of view and
bDSeuCS VI bcCbdflhn prejudice enuehfeu
Mr.. Crane TO Christians Of every name
and church. 10 is this which accounts for
the fact that not q few Roman Catholics,
who had never before entered a Pro-
testant place Of worship, were present at
his funeral. All Christians who knew
him felt that In Mr.. Crane thay had lost
a friend.
His resolution, referred 10 above, 10
read the Bible through every year, was
steadily carried out. The result upon
his mental and moral lie were very APP
parent. He became a most intelligent
and useful Sunday-schOol teacher. Re
could quote passages appropriate 20 al
most any occasion readily and accurate
ly. Finally he published plan Of Bible
reading for private and social use. The
FIRST edition Of this little pamphlet, con-
sistiDg Of thousand copies, was quickly
exhausted. it is understood that he had
arranged with an Eastern publisher 20
bring out a new and enlarged edition. IL
is 70 be hoped that this Is true.
It will not perhaps be expected that
sketch Of Mr.. Crane which is intended
for secular newspaper, will contain
any thing moro than n general reference