Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-09-07

spiritual lOTcoS Vi winch COultn uni
Gated from man to man, and genera
ton to generation, go on in an end
less succession and progression OF
bene6cence.
1t is singularlv happy cOinci-
dence that here today the portrait
OF the great preceptor and of his
great disciple are given to the coun-
ty which cherishes their memories
among its most precious posses
sions,
But there was another personality
which came into the life of this great
and good man and became a very
part of his being until that life's
end.
On the End OF April, 1902. he was
married to Jannetta Waddell, daugh-
ter OF the Blind Preacher" the
ecclesiastical Patrick Henry of that
generation.
The uncommon beauty and art
less grace. the loneliness ofcharac-
ter of this very superior woman,
and her helpfulness to and warm
sympathy with her husband in all
of hi, labors. his aspirations and
his lofty ideals made her to him a
help-meet indee l. and whatever of
success crowned his life was in
large part due to the blessed in
huence which she brought into his
life and into his home.
1t would not be appropriate to the
occasion that any elaborate account
should be given OF the life and ser
vices and character of this great
son of Rockbridge, nor is any such
narrative necessary.
The history of his life is a price
less part and parcel OF the history
OF that great religious denomination
of which he was one Of the most use
full, most beloved, and | believe it
can be said without exaggeration.
the most influential leader in the
10Th century, a Christian denomina-
ton which under the guidance of
himself and of men cOnsecrated as
he was to the service Of God, has
done so much for the cause of pure
and true religion in the world, and
for the elevation of the manhood and
the womanhood OF our country.
Nor were the priceless benefits OF
his labors, his instruction, or his
influence confined to the great de-
nomination to which he belonged;
for his was not bigoted or mar
row but broad and catholic Chris
tianity, and there went out from On
der his instruction ministers of the
Gospel of other evangelical faiths
than the Presbyterian, who like
Professor Hooper of the Baptist,
Rev. DIR. Howe OF the Dutch Re-
formed. and Bishops Johns and Nc
Ilvaine OF the Episcopal church had
received their theological training
under DIR. Alexander and in whose
great achievements in their respec.
tive fields of labor he felt a profound
interest.
AS has been true of every really
great man bis simplicity and gen
uineness were among his most obvi
Gus and admir- able characteristics.
But without attempting any com
parison of the respective achieve
} ments OF illustrious sons of this
venerable county, in different fields
of patriotic and philanthropic effort
comparison which it would be i'm
} possible to fairly make, because o.
the diversity Of the conditions I'M
der which these eminent men re
spectively labored, and of the nature
OF the objects which each strove tC
, accomplish, and comparison which
if made at all would be more or less
invidiOus it can be truly SAID o
DIR. Alexander that OF all the men
the warriors, legislators, statesmen
merchants. manufacturers, inven
tors, jurists, teachers and divines
who have been given to the country
and to the world by this venerable
: county, none has contribute more
if so much, to the highest welfar'
: Of his countrymen and of mankint
= as has the modest gentleman an(