Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-12-31
From NV Study Win dow.

/
The following interesting sketch
appeared in the Christmas number
OF the Central Presbyterian and is
from the pen Of Rev. DR.. Thornton
Whaling, who for seven years has
been the popular pastor OF the Lex
ington Presbyterian church. We
regret that we have not space to
reproduce the entire article, which
fills two columns OF the Presby-
terrain:
AsI sit in my study and muse be-
fore the fire. the thought OF all the
godly pastors, who have sat just
where | am sitting now, comes to
encourage md stimulate and fill
with serious reflections the heart Of
the pastor of these latest years. Most
of these linen of God" have finished
their course with JOY" and their
mission of useful service here has
been crowned with the larger life
and work OF the ''city which hath
foundations" Within these walls
they prayed, and studied, and
wrought out their sermons, and
counseled inquirers after the way OF
life. and ministered comfort to God s
saints, and thought over the problems
of the peculiar mission of the church
they were appointed to serve.
"'rhe manse' has usually been filled
with boys and girls, who have grown
I'D to the estate of men anu women
to refute, without single exception,
believe, the vile SANDER that
preachers children are the worst in
the world" From many manse, as
here, have gone sons brave and faith
full to forms of highest service for
country, and church, and God; and
daughters polished after the
similitude of palace" to make glad
not only 1.-The city of God" but the
''sons of men," How seldom q have
never seen it at alD from "the
manse" comes the unprincipled man
or the worldly, Christless woman,
SataD's masterpiece and perdition' 8
confederate!
From this study window the pastors
have looked with prayerful hearts
and tender interest upon the homes
OF the people whom they loved and
served. Presbyterianism is strong
(may it ever grow strongerD in the
Valley OF Virginia, and more than a
score of Presbyterian churches adorn
and enrich the county of which this
is the capital and center. The town
itself enjoys the distinction Of having
the largest Presbyterian congregation
and church of any town Of its size in
our whole Assembly. q
Across the roadway, the most
distinct of all objects visible from the
study window, is the quiet and beau
tiful Goods Acre. where, for more
than century, faith and love have
laid to rest their dead. AT its gate
way of entrance stands the site of the
old church in which the famous and
beloved pastors of the earlier days
fulfilled their ministry. Only few
are left to tell us of the preaching
and singing and discipline of the
fathers fifty to hundred years ago
Hard by stands the venerable old
oak, known to have reached farInOre
than hundred years, under the
shade of whose branches the gOspe
was preached for so many years, anc
Mt whose feet, sleeping his last sleep
rests the body of one who served the
church for half n century as ar
honored and useful elder. An idea
resting place for the veteran eide
and servant of God. 50
More than q score OF Presbyterian
ministers sleep within this sacred
, enclosure And the pastors of othe
days are here: one, the wise-hearted
tactful, tender imam Of God" wh'
gathered so many into the kingdom
and who served the church SO faith
, fully in the stormy days of war
, another, the brilliant, gifted, inspired
! preacher, whose words were musical
: whose thoughts were like the light
! ming swift and clear, and who's
heart was fire kindled from tn
very altar of God another, "a MAJ
full of faith and OF the Holy Ghost,
, whose wisdom, divinely given, neve
| failed, whose speech in the pulpi
. and out of it was always "seasone
: with salt" whose ministry was scale
Z of God as fully as any with whic
? the church was ever blessed. Thes
are here, and as the pastor looks tt
! ward the graves of these brother
: pastors, who went before him in tn
! service to which he is now called, h
D cannot help but pray that he ma
e beuueath to the pastors who are t
Y come after him q heritage OF behayio
= and devotion which may fifty b
. Joined to the noble heritage whic
these linen of Goa" have left to hin
. Amen.