Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-01-23

Literature, Political Economy and Mora
Philosophy at Randolph Macon College
and Mrs. Newton, wife of Maj. Jas. w
Newton Of Staunton.
HIS LAST MOMENTS.
Notwithstanding his advanced age, Mr.
Eskridges form was familiar on OH,
streets, and it was only a few days befor.
his death that he WAS missed from them
He was sick but a few days, and the enc
came quietly and peacefully about O'Clock
last Friday evening. 1t was such an enc
as might have been expected from the life
that preceded it. Shortly before he died
his pastor, Rev. J. T. Williams, talked
with him and remarked, II suppose it is
all right with you 2" ''All right" ex-
claimed the venerable minister, ''All
right? Possibly you do not know what
my experience is And Them said Mr..
Williams relating the conversation in the
pulpit Sunday morning, ''he, i'll a few
words. told me how God had blessed him.
How the blessing of God had been poured
on him, and how it seemed to come to him
without his asking it. His description Of
his experience was almost identical with
that Of President Finney." Just before
the end came, the dying minister said to
his attending physician, DR.. Atkinson, II
am not afraid to de- and soon after
quietly passed away.
THE FUNERAL.
The funeral sermon on Sunday morning
was preached by Rev. DE-. JAS S. Gardner,
from the text: s'For l am now ready to be
offered and the time of my departure is at
hand. L have fought good fight, [ have
finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me crown
of righteousness, which the Lord the right
GUS Judge shall give me at that day; and
not to me only, but unto all them also that
love his appearing" These utterances of
Paul he applied to the life and work of the
deceased clergyman, saying that. ''If any
minister of the gospel that l have known
for the last thirty eight years had a right
to adopt these words of Paul in relation to
himself, Alfred A. Eskridge of the Balti-
more Conference had" There was no need
to say but a few honest, earnest words in
memory Of Mr.. Eskridge. He had been a
friend Of his fathers household, and a
father and friend to himself since his be-
ginning in the ministry. In various ways
the venerable minister had shown his in
terest in the speaker, and on many occa-
sions been his Christian adviser and friend.
While he ODE. g. was pastor here, it had
been unspeakabiy precious to him that he
was in touch OF him every day and could
speak with him on things eternal. "There
are" said Dr.. Gardner, who was deeply
affected during his discourse, ''some details
about his life that | would like to give
that | had intended to give-but [ find that
L cannot trust myself to attempt it,
Rev. J. I. Williams, pastor of the church,
said a few touching words about his last
interview with the venerable minister.
The services closed with prayer by Rev.
J. W. Wolfe of Greenville a life-long friend
of the deceased.
The pail beareTs-Rev. Mr.. Eskridge
having requested that his sons and sons-in-
law should act in that capacity-were
Messrs. A. A. and B. +. Eskridge. Rev.
Jno. A. Kern and Maj. J. v. Newton, and
Messrs. J. Howard Wayt and P. n. Pow
ell. There were some very beautiful floral
emblems on the casket and an emblematic
sheaf of wheat and sickle. The honorary
pail bearers were Rev. J. II. Wolfe and the
venerable A. NJ. Simpson
The final service at the grave was con-
Quoted by Rev. DR.. J. II. Waugh, Presld-
ing Elder of the district.
During the services in the church the
choir sang very sweetly the hymns, ASLEEP
in Jesus, "s'Seryant Of God well DONE, Il
would not live always and ''We shall sleep
but not forever