1918 Cedrus Yearbook

19 18 Were he here now to speak for himself, it seems to me, that he would say to his family: "We have had much to be thankful for, God has been good to us. He gave us many happy, blessed years together. This is his way. His will be done. I cannot come to you but you can come to me." To his congregation he would say as he did once and again during his illness in the message he sent to us. "I love you." And, brethren, that pure, self-denying love should draw us closer together as a congregation and, in his own words,"make us a bit more thoughtful of one another, and kindly to one another." As he was true to Christ, he would have us remain true. As he was loyal to the Church he would have us continue to be loyal. Once more he would say: "Serve. Do earnestly and thoroughly the work committed to you. Build one another up in the things which make for salvation. Reach out and gather in the lost and especially keep a lively, loving interest in the children." These three words were his watchwords in his work: Love, Loyalty, Labor. God gives them to you to take as your watchwords as a congregation. He anticipated the grief which would come when tender ties must be sun- dered and cherished hopes of time abandoned, and as he approached that hour he did so with calm trust in Christ, earnest invitations to others to join by and by in the heavenly home, expressions of heartfelt appreciation to all who called upon him as well as for many who could not see him,and gratitude to God for his manifold blessings bestowed upon him and his through all their lives, and for His unfailing grace, which sustained him while heart and flesh were fainting and failing. Permit us to draw just a little the veil which discloses his home life. He was there as you knew him in the walks of life. He was a loving husband, faithful and devoted; a kind father, wise and affectionate, and, in turn most genuinely beloved by his family. He was a delightful host to all who entered his home. One felt that he must not trespass upon the time of this busy man;and yet one yearned to go to his home and was loath to leave, and was always repaid, whether Dr. Chesnut was in health or sickness, by a visit to his home. He was held in the highest esteem by the Ministerial Association, both as a man and a minister of the gospel. Two congregations, Grand Cote and Cedarville, sincerely mingle their tears at hisdeparture but mutually rejoicethat they can claim Aim as their pastor and exult in his glorious coronation. Three Presbyteries place their tribute of love upon his casket. The entire General Synod feels his loss deeply and holds his work and memory precious and lasting. Our foreign missionaries know well his worth and will realize keenly their • deprivation of his counsel and efforts. He was the human center and life of every church court and of most of its committees. He was a staunch Reformed Presbyterian, devoted to all of the interests of the church and yet broad enough of vision and big enough of heart to recognize the good in all Christians and to co-operate heartily with all the followers of Christ in the advancement of the King- dom of our Lord and Savior. After he settled in Cedarville, he was chosen dean of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary and to the chair of Systematic and Pastoral Theology, both of which positions he occupied at his death. As director of the Seminary, he was unassuming and untiring in his efforts for its welfare and watchful of its every interest. As a professor, he al- ways had attractive matter of practical value for his classes. He loved 53