REV. G. W. WAINWRIGHT, D. D.

The decease of Dr. Wainwright the 18th inst., while not unexpected by his near friends, to many even to our own vicinity, came as a surprise. It was generally known he was in poor health that his retirement in ’95 from the work of the American Bible Society, where he hd rendered most efficient and faithful service as superintendent for Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, for thirteen years, was due to this fact. His native vigor, however, his energy of character and desire to be useful led him to take further service, first in the south and then at Ainsworth, Nebr., where he accepted the call of the church to its pastorate, the church kindly keeping its call open for him till sufficiently recovered to enter upon the work. It was from the latter place that he returned to Blair for a few weeks’ rest, and especially to visit his family and welcome home his daughter, Nellie, after an absence of nine years as a missionary in Japan, expecting soon to resume the duties of his pastorate.

Gradually, but surely, it became apparent to his friends that disease was causing severe and protracted nervous headaches, this added to disease contracted during his army service has made his life for years one of oft recurring pain. Several years ago in an accident his left shoulder was dislocated; from the effects of that injury he never fully recovered and his left hand was never free from pain.

Through all this physical infirmity he toiled on, his untiring energy, strong will and unfailing courage sustaining him until he literally broke down in the harness. Can we wonder that his continued suffering, acting upon overwrought nerves, resulted at times in irritability of temper and impulsive words, regretted as soon as uttered?

What a comfort is is to us all in this nerve tortured age, to feel that we are in the hands of One who knoweth our frame, who has been tempted in all points even as we are, and who makes allowances for our weak, suffering humanity.

Dr. Wainwright was a warm, steadfast friend, never tired of manifesting his regard. He had a most tender heart and loved to relieve suffering of every kind as far as possible. He responded generously to every call for aid. All through the town are those who can testify to his many deeds of kindness known only to the recipient. His lifftle gifts of fruit and fragrant flowers were unceasing and widely scattered and such things will long make his memory pleasant. Although reference was made at his funeral to his home life, I would like to lay special mention of the missionary in japan, expecting soon to resume the duties of his pastorate.

Gradually, but surely it became apparent to his friends that decease was making certain progress. Patiently, hopefully, courageously, trustingly, he waited the outcome. The conflict ended sooner or later with all it will end. In the home he loved, in the presence of his family and friends whose kind and tender ministries had been so lavishly bestowed upon him, he breathed out his life and "was not for God took him".

His funeral services were held at his late residence, conducted by Supt. H. Bross, with whom he had been associated through most of his life in Nebraska, a comrade of the G.A.R., a graduate of the same seminary, and Rev. G. G. Perkins, pastor of the church in Blair. Supt. Bross paid a high tribute to the departed as a preacher and a man. The pastor spoke briefly of his last visit and the peace and hope that animated his soul in his closing days. The choir rendered very appropriate hymns and Mrs. Wadsworth a niece from Council Bluffs, sang a beautiful solo “Jesus Lover of My Soul”. A large concourse of our citizens were present, the corps of the G.A.R. attended in a body and accompanied the remains to the resting place of the dead where the G.A.R. took charge o the services.

Dr. Wainwright was born in Nottingham, England, March 21st, 1829. He came to this country when 14 years of age, accompanied by his sister, now Mrs. J. G. Wadsworth of this place, the mother having died previously and the father being already here. In early life he learned the blacksmith’s trade. After his conversion he was for some time in the service of the American Tract Society. Through his pastor his mind was directed to the ministry and he became a student in the Chicago Theological Seminary and was in the second class graduated by that institution, only two of which survive him.

His first charge was Dundee, Ill., from which place he entered the Christian commission, and subsequently became chaplain of the 52d Illinois of which Rev. J. D. Davis, now of Japan, was the colonel. Following the war, he was in the pastorate in Wisconsin, and from thence removed to Blair in 1880 to take charge of the Congregational church, which he resigned to enter the service of the Bible Society, where he wrought so long and so well. He hoped to round out his life with considerable service in the cause he loved, and he did what he could, but failing health indicated his life work was accomplished, his warfare nearly complete, and so God “giveth his beloved sleep”.

He was an able preacher of the Word, thoughtful, scholarly, decided in his convictions, yet broad and liberal in his sympathies with all who wrought for the kingdom of God. Although reference was made at his funeral to his home life, I would like to lay special emphasis upon two points in that life, which made it tell for Christ - daily family worship and the sacred observance of the Sabbath. One who was an intimate of the family for some months spoke of being deeply impressed with the child-like earnestness of Dr. Wainwright’s prayers at daily devotion. Would that his example could be widely followed in the revival of that blessed custom of family worship.

For more than two years Dr. Wainwright has been steadily failing in health and his friends have felt that he was being made ready for the life beyond. Day by day, while outward man grew weaker, has the spiritual man been renewed and the image of the Master become more and more apparent as the purifying process went on, until the day came when the Refiner saw that it was finished and the spirit returned to the God who gave it.

Such gatherings as that of the last Sabbath are growing request and they will continue. The unanswered question is “who goes next?” Let us put ourselves into the hands of our Lord to be made ready for our summons. Let “Christ in us” be apparent to all around us so will the day be welcomed that shall call us home.

As a man he was genial and kindly of heart, with warm attachments, frank, open, generous to the poor and to any in need, a citizen public spirited, a well wisher and worker for humanity, and liberal with his means and efforts to this end.

That he never made mistakes nor erred in judgment, he would be the last to claim, for he was a man and therefore fallible - “his end was peace”. “The chamber where the good man meets his end is privileged above the common walks of life.”

His widow and three daughters survive him: Miss Emma Wainwright, a resident of our own city, Mrs. G. C. Hall, widow of the late Rev. G. C Hall, pastor the church in Nebraska City at the time of his death last March, and Miss Nellie, at home now, after nine years' residence in Japan; also George W. Brooks, a grandson who has lived with him since an infant. These were all with him in his last days, and did all that loving hands and hearts could do to minister and sooth his passage through the “valley and shadow” of death. The presence of the Divine comforter, the grace of God , and the word of promise he had so often given others, were with him and so he “fell asleep”.

The sympathies of our town and many friends elsewhere go out the the bereaved family.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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