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First Presbyterian Church 400 block of W. Gandy Street Denison, Texas The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, April 13, 1884 pg.4 From The Christian Observer REV. J.D. MATTHEWS, D.D. In Memoriam The following obituary on the death of Rev. J.D. Matthews, is taken from the Christian Observer of April 2d. Rev. Matthews was one of the former pastors of the Presbyterian Church in this city, and was highly esteemed and respected by his large circle of friends in Denison and elsewhere: Another prince of Israel has fallen - another gentle spirit has gone over to the majority. On the 7th of March, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.L.A. Thomas, in Dallas, Texas, after an illness of only 5 hours. Rev. John Daniel Matthews, D.D. passed from this earth to heaven in the 75th year of his age. The summons was so sudden and the work of the destroyer so rapid, that he did not know he was dying until the weary spirit took its flight. Surrounded by his devoted children and receiving every care which their anxious hearts could suggest, he quietly breathed his last, almost without a struggle or groan; and with loving words of commendation on his lips. And so was granted the earnest and oft-repeated desire of his heart, that he might be spared a lingering, painful illness. [Editor's Note: Rev. Matthews is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Denison, Grayson County, Texas] Dr. Matthews was well and favorably known in the Presbyterian Church as an eloquent preacher and a cultured Christian gentleman. His father was the Rev. John Matthews, D.D., of Virginia, the pioneer of theological education in the West, and author of the "Divine Decrees," who gave 3 sons to the gospel ministry - William, John and Tobert - all of whom are now dead. Their 2 sisters - Mrs. Harris, of Virginia, the oldest, and Mrs. Lyle of Madison, Indiana, still survive. He was born in Sheperdstown, Virginia, in 1809, graduated at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and Princeton Theological Seminary, and commenced preaching before he was 21. He was twice married. His first wife, whom he married very early in life, was Miss Anna Renshaw, of Philadelphia, a daughter of Commodore Renshaw, of the Navy. By this marriage he had 7 children, 3 of whom are living. His second wife, was Miss Davidella Glass, of Louisville, Kentucky, who also had 7 children, 4 of whom survive. He occupied many positions of prominence and influence and was respected and loved throughout the church. His pastoral charges were in: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Newton and Norfolk, Virginia Paducah and Henderson, First and Second church, Lexington, Kentucky and Denison, Texas - the last of which he resigned about a year before his death on account of failing health. He was also State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Kentucky, succeeding Dr. R.J. Breckenridge in that office. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Translyvania University, and it is related that when some of the authorities of the institution consulted Dr. Breckenridge as to the propriety of the measure, his laconic and characteristic reply was, "John Matthews is as worthy to receive it as you are to bestow it." His was naturally a brilliant mind and he was a born orator, with fine imagination, elegant diction, and graceful delivery. He nearly always spoke extempore, or from the briefest notes, and probably did not leave a dozen manuscript sermons. Like most extemporaneous speakers, he was unequal in his efforts, but when in his best moods, he was especially happy in a brief, off-hand address and many of his discourses were splendid specimens of finished oratory. Those who heard him in his palmy days, on such subjects as "The Shadow of a Great Rock, in a Weary Land," or "The Balm in Gilead, and the Physician there" - the last of which was repeated by request, in nearly every Protestant church in Lexington - will never forget the impressions then made. He was wonderfully familiar with the Scriptures, especially the Old Testament - drew most of his illustrations from the Bible, and was singularly gifted in prayer. Many were converted under his ministry, some of whom are now preaching the same gospel he loved so well to proclaim, so that being dead, he still speaks, and his works do follow him. His heart's desire and prayer to God in his old age, was that the 2 branches of the Presbyterian church, North and South, might learn to understand and love each other better, and his last public appearance was in the Springfield Assembly, 2 years ago, as chairman of the majority report on the committee on correspondence, pleading with all the pathos of his nature for closer fraternal relations. He was strongly Southern in his principles and feelings, and took his stand with the Southern church in the division in Kentucky, but was providentially connected with the Northern Assembly for several years before his death. Though pronounced in his views, and earnest in his convictions, he was charitable and tolerant, and never allowed his differences with others to affect his kindly feelings toward them. With the artlessness of a child, he combined the tenderness of a woman, and was transparently honest, faithful and true. He had no concealments, no enmities, nor spites, and would do an enemy a favor no less than a friend. He took profound interest in his friends, watching their careers, rejoicing in their successes, and sympathizing with them in their trials. Many were the letters of sympathy and condolence which he wrote, rejoicing with them that rejoiced, and weeping with those that wept. He was a man of the olden type - modest and simple, dignified and sincere. As a devoted husband, loving father, tender friend, holy man, faithful minister, eloquent preacher, and Christian gentleman, "take him all in all, we shall not look upon his like again." For by the hearth the children sit, Cold in that atmosphere of death, And scarce endure to draw a breath, Or like to noiseless phantoms flit. But open converse is there none, So much the vital spirits sink, To see the vacant chair, and think, How good! how kind! and he is gone. 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