1918 Cedrus Yearbook

19 18 to Cedarvillein February, 1915, and was met and welcomed at the train by the faculty and students of Cedarville College and a large number of the congregation. If Cedarville received him enthusiastically, Coulterville, on the other hand, reluctantly, but with splendid Christian resignation, yielded up his services. Dr. Chesnut was installed over the Cedarville congregation dur- ing the meeting of General Synod in May, 1915, on the Sabbath, and the Rev. W. J. Smiley, long associated with him in the Western Presbytery, preached the installation sermon, while Dr. Alexander Savage gave the charge to the people, and Dr. W. R. McChesney charged the pastor -and installed him. Dr. Chesnut, during his pastorate of nearly three years, won his way into the hearts of all throughout this community as well as in his congregation, in a way surpassed by no other who ever lived in our midst. He has left an everlasting benediction with us. He emigrated to the United States when a lad, accompanied by his par- ents and sister; but his parents and sister,from a desire to return to their native land, soon left the country, while James remained and became a clerk in the office of the Pennsylvania Railway Company, at Philadelphia. He used the earnings of this position to secure a fuller education, and to enter upon and complete his theological training. On January 17, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Wallace, of Philadelphia, who survives to mourn the sundering of the tender ties of true love and happiness, which had bound them together for a•little more than twenty-five years. To them were born two children, Mary, a grad- uate of Cedarville College and James,a Senior in Cedarville College, and a student in the R. P. Theological Seminary. The affection between father and children was true, tender, close, ideal. Dr. Chesnut occupied various positions in the Presbyteries to which he belonged; served as moderator of General Synod; was,for years, a super- intendent of the R.P. Theological Seminary;stated clerk of General Synod, and the most efficient and beloved secretary of the Board of Foreign Mis- sions. In 1901 the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Cedarville College. In 1915 he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of Cedarville College and upon entering his office was chosen secretary of the Board. He carried the honors bestowed upon him with becoming humility and commendable dignity. He served in the offices to which he was chosen conscientiously, efficiently, and prayerfully. The Church recognized his talents as superior and his spirit as that of a man of God,and consequently entrusted him with the most sacred and responsible position within its gift; and he never betrayed a trust or lowered a confidence, but rather did he inspire courage,faith and action by his well-known good cheer and un- wavering loyalty to Christ and the Church. Four communities at least, southern Illinois, Philadelphia, Cedarville and his natiVe neighborhood away across the sea are alike sensibly touched and deeply moved. Naturally, more than by all these he will be most missed in his home and among his dear loved ones. Likewise to them the sweet memory of his life will be most refreshing. Much as they will miss him; more in time to come, will his life, his love and all that made for the true husband and the devoted father in him grow upon them and heal their broken hearts and give calm peace to their souls. 52