The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-05-02
Death of Rev. l.. c.. Miller.

Rev. L. G.. Miller. Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South, died in Harri-
sonburg on the 18th of April. aged about
40 years. For year or two past, he had not
been engaged IN active ministerial work,
on account of falling health. lie had been
pastor OF the Iarrisonburg congregation
for three or four years until March. 1888.
He was then assigned to lighter work at
Woodstock, Va. But his health contin-
uing delicate, he purchased the book store
of the late A. NJ. Ef1inger, of Harrison-
burg. and was conducting that business up
to his late fatal illness.
Mr.. Miller was clear thinker. metht d.
ical and perspicuous in the arrangement of
his subjects, deliberate in discussion and
forcefulin the application of the points
evolved from his theme. Earnest in his
convictions. he was equally courageous in
their expression, and while there was
deep sense of religious duty and spiritual
JUNCTION in his sermons, the truth was
plainly spoken and things called by their
right name. lie had no affinity with or
federation for fashionable foibles or COM
promising relations between worldly in
dulgences aud church obligations. He BE-
lieved that it was the duty of church
members TO honor the church and live up
to their professions Of christianity. In
this he was firm, and in enforcing his views,
was sometimes aggressive. Inspired by
religious zeal; impressed with the fearful
responsibility of his calling. and stirred by
love Of Christ and His cause ibis whole ma
ture was absorbed in the work of snatch
ing souls from the eternal burning.' He
took no account of himself or the failing
forces of the body, but dedicated his in
tellect, his affections and his physical
strength to the good of his fellow-meG
and gaining for himself "that far more
exceeding weight of glory" with which
the faithful servant CT the Cross will be
crowned at the grand assize of Heaven.
1t is not in human philosophy 10 fathom
the Divine purpose in calling from the the
atre of his usefulness and in the meridian
of his manhood. one so well equipped for
the work to which his life was Dedicated.
His whole life was an epiStle to be lead of
men, and whether in the pulpit or On the
streets, the influence of bis teaching, his
character, and walk and conversation, was
which he had been set apart. by 10 pro-
cess of human reasoning; by no mental
refining or logical deduction can we re-
cOnciIe the taking off of this good man
from his lIfe-work, in the prime CT his
years to our feeble conception of what is
best and timely. 1t is true the good do
nos d ether works live after them, but
tn fl -ndly touch; the elbow associations;
the daily contact, whence emanate so
many salutary influences, are no more and
we Are only left to contemplate the high
ideals OF life he had formed and the acred
truths he expound ed, as the light to guide
those who would have had it ct eiwise,
had they been consulted, than that he
should be consigned to the silent tt NIB.
l m " be that mans free age ney and
consequ mt responsibility, were illustrated
in the brief life-term of this man of God
that the physical and moral laws which
are Civ to govern the cen Luz, f men
and are as immutabe as the forces which
cOBtro the rolling spheres, were eXempli
fed the frail folm which had inherited
the disc use that Slapped away the life in
its noon-d ~. and when il had scarcely
passed. no half way point of its allotted |
time. T e intellections were 81 deve- |
oping-t Re immortal mind was sl IN
fOtdipO and prasninp wit n on la-oad noWpr
the sacred tiu his Of revealed religion and |
expouniing and applying them to human
conditions, while the clay tenement, the |
earthly tabernacle which held it, was de- |
caying and offering and dissolving to the |
tsmb. Whatever may be the solution of |