Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-01-18
Lippkin Resigned.


ten especially for the COURIER by F.
Benjamin Lippkin, who will be
hanged in the jailyard here on
Friday, January %, for the murder
of Richard Ellyson:
To the public:
| will say my time Of departure
Is near at hand, but | am ready TO
be offered up, and now am sweet
~ resting on the promise of God. I
who is my Saviour. and not only
mine, but 4 Saviour to all who will
come to him. Oh, could but
have known the salvation of the
Lord Jesus Christ earlier. how
much better and how much good /
could have done to my fellowmen.
But | thank God that he has re-
membered mercy instead of merit.
The hymn that converted me was
started by Mrs. Lizzie Jackson.
who broke down and called to the
Misses Lupton and some other
white friends to assist her. which
they willingly did. / thank my
many friends. both white and
colOred, for the kindness they have
contributed 10 me, and may God
bless them all. for God has declar-
ed whosoever shall give to drink
unto one of these little ones a cup
Of cold water only i'm the name of
a disciple shall in no wise lose his
reward. ! have nothing against
the prosecutor or the twelve Jurors.
and may God bless them all that |
may meet them around the dazzling
throne of God i'm the morning
when the trumpet shall sound.
They have only carried out the
laws of this land. But had | not
known sin | would not have COM
mittcd the deed.
wandered on in darkness.
Not 81 ray Of light could see.
And the thought filed my heart with
sadness
There's no hope for sinner like me.
And then in that dark lonely hour
y voice -weetly whispered to me.
Saying Christ The Redeemer has power
To save poor sinner like me-
l listened, and To twas the Saviour
That was speaking so kindly to me:
| cried. u am the chief of sinners:
Thou cans save a poor sinner like me.
My verse Is this
No longer in darkness I'm walking.
For the light Is now shining on me:
And now unto others I'm telling
How lie saved poor sinner like me.
| am in peace with all mankind.
and when the hour comes to die |
will step over the line in trust. and
may God show his saving power
To other sinful men and women in
this land, and may my state be q
warning To- others who are travel
ing the road to ruin and seem to
love their distance we'll.
When this worlds troubles are
over | will 90 home To wear nv
crown.
Ben {. LIPPKIN.
We have printed the letter YER
batim, and it shows that Lippkin
has very good memory for
hymns. few very slight errors
being the only ones in the verses
quoted.
The letter l. written in very
plain and easily-read style, and the
penmanShip is very good.
Lippkin Is Il negro of consider
able education, and has travelled
around enough To absorb Il great
deal of information.
He is well-developed physically.
and has 4 keen clear eve.
The scatfold on which he will be
executed has been bought from the
Jefferson county, W. Va. author
tiles, and Is now in the possession
of Sheriff w. w. Smallwood.
The witnesses to the execution
will be admitted by card only. and
it Is believed the number will be
a small rs possible.
Regarding who shall be present
at executions section 1868 of the
. Code of Virginia says: The Sheri Il
shall be attended in the execution
. toy such guards and assistants a.
he deems necessary, and request
and permit the presence Of the
commemorative attorney of the
court that pronounced the sentence
/ the clerk, and other officers of Sucl
court, and twelve respectable citi
zens, including a physician anC
surgeon. He shall, moreover, per
NIT the presence of the convict
counsel sueb ,o,iDiSto.,.., 80 FL, -.