The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-12

present pastor earnestly hopes that his
own lab0rs may be OF as solid and en-
during a character a. mets s,, muse OIL MS
cessor by making the pulpit honorable
and his Office influential and respected.
Declining health made II necessary. at
length. for DR.. Preston 10 seek the brac.
Ing climate OF his native mountains, and
In the autumn OF 1888 he accepted call
TO the Presbyterian church OF Lexington.
Va, where he spent the remaining years
OF his life. the beloved and honored pastor
OF charge affording great opportunities
for usefulness, 1t being church in which
he had the principal spiritual care OF
the large body of young men III attendance
at the two great educational institutions
or the town. His work on the community
and on the students. who came from
all parts Of the South can hardly be
oyeres.imated. He Stunned not TO de-
clare unto them the whole counsel Of
God. and by hts public and private adj
nonitons he brought many souls to
christ.
Ii remains to say that as scholar Or.
frestons attainments were characterized
py accuracy and bhorougnness. and as
preacher by clearnesS and strength. He
was a churchnan OK great influence, and
as debater in the courts OF the Lords
house he mad few equals in the Synod OF
virginia For many years he served most
acceptably as a member OF the Board OF
Directors and Trustees Of Union Theolosi-
cal seminary and also as president of
the board. II his family he was gentle.
lrm. ana affectionafe. As a member OF
society. e1inently courteous. and. If ask
esi what as MS most salient characters
tics aside from his plety. the writer would
say that lie was above all things gen
tlemdn and a chivarUus Christian knight.
For the last four years or his life he
had 70 contend with bodily lnfirmity and
failing strength. but was able 10 occupy
his pulpit until three months before his
death. The eni came OH May =, 1895. at
his home In Lexington, where he fell
asleep. surrounded b. his family. All
that was mortal Of our friend ana brother
lies beside the ashes Of his fathers In
the Presbyterian Cemetery OF his native
town.
sympathy TO the sister church In Lexing
ton. both alike bercaved by the death OF
the honOred pastor. but especially do we
oiier this expression OF loving regard TO
the bercayed family N.lo mourn the loss
Of the beloved husband ana father. and
as 4 tribute 10 the noble character and
labors Of Rev. Thomas Lewis Preston
-. D., we place on the walls OF MS old
church to-day tablet 10 assist in per-
petuating the memory Of his life. his
works. and words.
The good may die, but their influence
remains TO bless the world.
The righteous shall be in everlasting
remembrance. '-'Pslams cXiL. 9.
But strew his ashes to the wind,
Whose sword or voice has served man.
kind
And is ne dead. whose glorious mind
lifts thine on high
To live in hearts We leave behind Is
not to die"
The instinct against oblivion il noble
one. and 81 IS common 10 men. we OBJ
Ject col 10 lie 50 much as 10 be forgotten.
n would DO instructive 10 inquire how
much the world Is indebted 10 this prin-
cipie for what IL contains. lac pyraE'ds
ere built by kings OF Egypt as memorials
OF heir greatness, but IN VAIN, iOr these
monuments are n)W only the puzzle OF
the drchaeologists. Iney DAllt not Tor
God, nor 10 associate their names win
some great WORK Tor the good or man.
and they deserved 10 be forgotten. the
memory OF the good Is more enduring
than that OF the wicked. Mankind WIN
have IL so. We build monuments 10 the
good and noble. and in every city where
there are monuments these are the things
Of which the people are proud. Goa VIII
have IL so. and He has preserved 10 the
church the lives OF many Of inc pest -
truth is the greatest riches OF the word
Is It's memories of the good. Iney are
stronger impulse 10 righteousness tnah
all ether things combined; we are never
away from the influence or the noble past.
Westminster Abbey Is the most Easel
mating spot in the Anglo-SaXon world, be,
cause II IS the greatest sanctuary ana
treasure house of noble memories.
II is impressive to note that God has
chosen 20 save the world by the instru-
mentality OF a history, the life OF christ
recorded in the gospels.
So il is right for Us 10 add another
memorial tablet 10 those which adorn
tie walls Of this old mother church. Here
We have In marble, monuments 10 Key.
John Holt Rice. -. D., founder and iirst
pastor. and also founder Of Union fheo-
logical Seminary. the Rev. william j.
Armstrong. -. D.; the Rev: illam
:. flumer, ID. D.; the Rev. lnoinas
Moore. d. D.; and now one to Dr Pres
ton. the fifth pastor Truly this IS
noble line Of names, and they stand for
gOdly character the only thlnS produced
on earth that reaches heaven ana ao'des
our lists Of names are not complete.
Thousands are not recoried mere except
in the hearts of the little circle whom
they served In some humble sphere. But
there IL on high a roster or the soou.
from which no name is lacking IL our
names shall be remembered by but few
on earth, God grant they may all be WITT
ten in the Lambs Book OF Lire
The tablet was made by Mr.. W. Il.
Mason. Of this city. Of the finest Carrara
marble. The Veil was drawn from the
tablet by Mr.. Robert 7; Brooke, Inc
musical service, conducted by Professor
\. e. ClaDD, was eminenty appropriate
and beautiful. The last hymn was sung
most impressively to the tune. Home
At the evening service Dr. Kerr gave
the first Of the series or sunday nlsht
lectures. entitled Through Palestine with
Tbrist :" me tonic for this lecture being
a Visit to Bethlehem. lie described
the town Of Bethlehem as II Is to-day, TO-
gethcr with it's surroundings, giving IN
teresting sketches Of the history OF the
cifv OF David in its relation 10 sacred
history and the birth OF Christ. The
closin., massage was description Of the
Church OF st. Mary. built by Helena. me
uother of Constantine about $50 a D.,
and also an &count Of the circumstances
attending the nativity Of Jesus.
Notwithstanding the Indictment weather.
the auditorium OF the church was nearly
filed. II,
The subject for next Sunday night will
bo THE Land Of the Pharaohs and OF the
Exile"