The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-04-14

All, Cunningham.

A. j. Cunningham.
In the death of Andrew j. Cunning
ham, Washington county, Va, lost
coed citizen, the M. e. Church, South,
a most excellent member, his family
noble and loving husband and father,
and the writer of this sketch one of his
best and most valued friends. He was
not rich, learned nor great as men es-
TEEN greatness; but he was, in the best
sense, honest manly and brave, dis
to the best of his ability all
the duties he owed to his family, his
fellow men, lis country and his God;
| do not claim for him perfection. No
one would resent such a claim Tor him
self sooner than he. But l do claim
that if he did wrong, it was a mistal Q
aud not intentiOnal-It was an error
and not a crime.
Though it may be selfish in me, as l
chronicle his death, confess to feel
ing of Ion esomeness and great sorrow.
[ loved him as l have loved few men.
But why sorrow at such glorious clos
ing of such life? Out of sympathy for
ourselves we may be sad. But his case
demands congratulations only, a duty
which the hosts of Heaven has already
performed. He lived we'll and died
we'll and has already reaped part of
his eternal reward.
He was born Dec. 3, 1888, and fell
asleep in Jesus Feb 18th, $685. being
81 years, 2 months and days old On
the 9th day of January, 1859, he was
united IN marriage to Miss Lucinda
Crawford. This long and happy union
was blessed with 8 children. in iufan-
cy the Savior took one of them to him
self. The remainder survive him and
with the faithful wife and mother
mourn his loss and are all on their way
to happy reunion with him in Heaven.
When i'll 1861, the tocsin Of war sound
ed among the hill and valley of Vir-
ginia, he promptly responded to the
call Of his country ard July 2(th be-
came member of Company "I"., 4Sth
regiment of Virginia volunteers. In
the capacity of a soldier, as everywhere
else he was brave, true and faithful
faithful unto DEATH" For after a
little more than 10 month service, OF
Aug 30, 1862, he received q wound
which then cost him his right arm and
finally took his life.
Soon after the war closed, reorganiz-
ing the infinite goodness of Ged in
sparing his life, he became a soldier for
Christ. He professed religion and
joined the M. e. Church, South, under
the ministry Of Rev. +, D. Crumley.
They met in the Better Land. AS 6
Christian he was not demOnstrative
but faithful modest, true. He was
loyal to his church. his pastor and tC
| God. His head, hand and purse was
at the disposal of the cause Of Christ
He loved humanity and was in the
highest sense public spirited, doing {
full share for all public enterprises. Ht
was on the right side of all questions
and never astride the fence. He tool
his stand and though the battle nigh
be eyer SO hot he was with you to the
end. la the last fatal illness, with thu
worst sore | ever saw on anyone, in thu
midst Of suffering indescribable, hi
manliness and seldiery courage abOd,
with him / can see him now bare hi
breast and, without the winciug O
muscle, invite the surgeons probe. How
sad that such bravery should have t,
suocumb at last But heaven is PEG
pied with such heroic souls.
As the end drew near and while il
possession of all his faculties he calle,
his wife and children about him an,
) still master Of the situation, demande,
that they be quiet and make NO scene
and delivered to each his parting ad
vice aud blessing. How full of goo
common sense, commentator and ten
derness those words They evolve
the wealth Of love which had existe
between the old couple during all til
past of their lives and how it still abod
in all its strength; aud how good, ODE
dent and dutiful the children ha
been. The words there spoken was tn
! richest patrimony he could have left t
his family. A few days later he passe
to his eternal reward. In the presenc
: of vast concurse of people we burie
him in the place of his own selection
TO await the resurrection of the lust
! He has passed over the river and rest
under the shade of the trees. May tn
: blessed Father who openest his han
e and satisfiest the desire of every Twin
! thing care for the widow and orphans.
q GEO. d. FRENCH.
Abingdon, Va, Feb. 90, '98.