In Memoriam: James Lyons Chesnut, D.D.

4 IN MEMORIAM The wonderful ability of Dr. Chesnut as a preacher and as a pastor was recognized everywhere he went, and many efforts were made to induce him to accept larger, more conspicuous positions, with larger pay. From these offers he ever turne'd to the flock which he so dearly loved, and which in turn had such love for him. On one occasion, when the Cedarville people were about to vote to select a pastor from among several candidates, Dr. Chesnut was urged to permit his name to be used, but this he positively refused to do; nevertheless, a great many of the members voted for him. In the summer of 1913, Cedarville again being vacant, a unanimous call was made for Dr. Chesnut, but this he refused to consider. In the autumn of 1914 the call was renewed, with much urgency, upon the plea that his failure to aecept might prove disastrous to the interests of the congregation, and espe– cially because of the evidence of God's guid– ance of the congregation both in arriving at and maintaining the choice. Moreover, · the interest of the Seminary required Dr. Ches– nut's presence in Cedarville. After long, care– ful and prayerful c·onsideration he decided to accept the call; but to one he remarked: "Yes, I must go; duty has been made clear; but I've had to fight to get the consent of my heart to leave the people of Coulterville.'' He was lovingly devoted to his father and mother and sister and was privileged to visit them a number of times. Immediately before entering upon his min– isterial labors in his first charge he was