Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-03
HOW HE DISPENSED CHARITY.
Gave Literally, But Was Modest
About It-Ets Belief in Christ.

About It-Eis Belief in Christ.
No estimate Of Major Glnter's char
acter is correct without a recognition OF
his inherent modesty. Few men in any
position possessed, as he did such abb
horrence of ostentation. Having a ma
turally strong mind, improved by read
ing. travel, and intelligent observation.
he had a fund of material greater than
that from which many men have built
regulations for learning and wisdom.
Yet only to a few. and TO them without
parade, did he ever discover his mental
treasures. His taste was for that which
was unobtrusive. He despised a sham.
His private life exemplihed this by his
dress his manner and his simple habits,
In all which he was as littla conspicuous
I'm wealth as when in moderate circum-
stances. Before the servant in his fields,
or the honored guest IN his house. there
was a modesty of demeanor COMFORTING
with the dignity of the man. and pro-
claiming the sympathy of the fellow
man.
HIS WORK OF CHARITY.
This characteristic was conspicuous in
his private charities. In these he lite
rally followed the Divine command-his
left hand knew not the doing of his right.
Nameless went many of his gifts, or
through the hands Of others, with strict
Injunction TO relieve distress and impose
no obligation upon the recipient. 1 have
been often commissioned TO investigate
appeals made to him, and urged TO act
without mention OF the source from which
the bounty came. In every such in
stance the cases were discussed In his
private Office or In his home, the appeal.
IL written, was carefully guarded. never
left open on his desk. and the circum-
stances mentioned with delicacy that
showed sympathy with the feelings and
misfortunes OF the petitioner. In no
case, however unworthy may have been
proved the applicant, have ] ever heard
a word OF iinpatience, or detected by any
sign feeling obnoxious TO his character
as a sympathetic, unassuming gentle
man.
Though possessing Major Ginters
friendship. / was not his only almoner@
Many nearer 10 him than myself were
his commissioned helpers in dispensing
his beneyolence, yet only In incidental
ways did | ever learn that he made use
Of so many hands in doing good TO others.
To me he never mentioned other cases
than those committed to me, nor did
ne ever intimate that large sums were
systematically bestowed.
MAN OWES ALL ~ GOD.
He seemed always to realize that God
had imposed upon him a great RESPONSE
bility in giving him great wealth: and ]
believe his conduct was influenced by such
reflection, for upon an occasion he said
to me: "A man owes everything that he
has to Almighty Cod Such a senti-
ment. with such Interpretation OF its
conviction as his boundless private
charity affords. must convince US tina. his
was a character moulded by a higher
grace than a human philanthropy
To his extreme modesty and dread OF
publicity was due the fact that he never
became a communicate OF the Church.
Yet know that he believed on the Lord
Jesus Christ. When Mr.. John Pope was
dying In his house, he met me in the
hallway, and taking my hand, said, Let
US 90 into Johns room and pray" There.
by the bedside OF his dying friend, he
reyerently knelt while invocation was
made to Him whose help and comfort
himself had asked through the prayer OF
another.
"Inasmuch as ye have done It unto the
least OF these, My brethren. ye have done
II unto Me-" PRESTON NASH.
Mr.. Branch's Tender Tribute.
In the death of Major Lewis Glnter
Richmond has suffered an irreparable
loss. No one has ever done more for the
city OF his adoption.
As a merchant. he was pre-eminently
successful; and In proportion as he was
blessed his beneficcnt influence extended.
His l.beraity was proyerbial, and he
obeyed the Biblical injunction, LET not
,hy left hand know what thy right hand
doetb."
Richmond Is indebted TO him In many
respects. He gave employment TO thou