Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-09-25
The Rev. W. q. Davis, A. B.

The subject OF this sketch was
born in Oakland, Md, March 23rd.,
1862. His boyhood days were spent
in his native village from the public
schools of which he graduated in
due time. In the late seventies and
early eighties he was a student in
the West Virginia University at
Morgantown but later went to the
Ohio Wesleyan University at Della
ware from which he graduated with
high ho1ors in 1886 with the degree
of Bachelor of Arts.
The following autumn he united
with the Pittsburg Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of
which he has been to the time of his
death most successful member In
October, 1888, he married Miss Jes-
sic Coombs, only child OF DIR. and
Mrs. E. Fl. Coombs of Morgantown.
Two little girls were born to Mr.. and
Mrs. Davis, one of whom died in in
fancy, and Marguerite now aged ten
years.
The acquaintance OF the writer of
this sketch with the Rev. Mr.. Davis
covered more than twenty years.
1t began when both were boys
together 1t developed under cir
cumstanees OF unusual intimacy.
The writer now wishes to bear this
testimony concerning his friend In
all those years of intimate personal
contact he never heard an impure
or an irreverent word escape the
lips which now are silent In death.
He never discovered the slightest
trace of an unworthy thought, of an
unholy .or Goddess ambition. Mr..
Davis spurned anything and every
thing unclean or ignoble. He dwelt
upon the heights heroic. He caught
the light Of worlds beyond and some
way reflected it to his fellows who.
lived and moved upon the lowlands
of life.
AS a student he was painstaking,
sincere, capable, and successful.
AS pastor and preacher he was
in increasing demand among the
Churches of his Conference. He
was faithful in every particular, ten
der in pastoral oversight of the
flock, wise, judieious, and efficient
as an administrator; clear, forceful
and spiritual as preacher.
His Astounding good nature every
where won men, attracted them to a
pure life and to fellowship with God.
What friend was he! How genial,
companionable and loving His
life was sermon eloquent indeed in
that it exempliied the New Tesla.
ment type of religion. Had he lived
longer the measure of his ministry
to his fellows would doubtless have
been multiplied but the quality of
his work could scarcely have been
elevated in tone above the standard
already attained. This quality was
pure and fine in very remarkable
degree. The dross which attaches
to the character and labors of most
men found no place in him. A pur-
er, sweeter, manlier spirit could not
be found. "None knew him but to
love him; none named him but to
praise"
What rebuke is such a life to
those who are content to live upon
the lowlands of human thought, hui
man aspirations and human idealsl
In the very nature of the case, death
cannot touch such a man as this.
His influence abides ia every field in
which he wrought and there are hun
dreds of people who will always feel
that life is more significant to them
because they have known Rev. W. C.
Davis.
AS the true Christian secures i'm
mortality OF influence SO also does he
become the lnheritor of personal i'm
mortality.
The Prince of Life has declared
s'He that believeth in me though he
were dead, yet shall he live and who
soever liveth and believeth in me
shall never die. !"
We are sure, therefore, that the
spirit of our friend has already risen
superior to death and that he abides
forever safe in the home of God.
W. F. A.