Letter from John T. L. Preston to Francis H. Smith

Creator:

Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890

Scope and content:

This letter was written on the occasion of VMI's semicentennial celebration, in which John T. L. Preston reminiscences about Francis H. Smith's role in the founding and growth of VMI.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

July 4, 1889
My dear General and old-time comrade-
Finis Opus Coronat
The crown of a worthy work is its successful completion. How unspeakably precious is this crown, when the work is one's life work! No other work to be done, and therefore, no apprehension of failure in the future.

The proof of your work is twofold- first in rearing a noble structure upon its foundation and then in raising it from its ruins. Testimony to this work is found in the annals of the state of Virginia, in the records of successive Boards of Visitors, by the voices and the lives of the Alumni who have gone forth from its walls, and by these words from him who is the sole surviving sharer of your labors from the founding of the V. M. I. to its semi-centennial Jubilee.

But best of all is the testimony of your own conscience, that you have never swerved from your purpose, nor spared yourself in your devotion to the object you had set before you.

With the many, various, and formidable obstacles you had to encounter I am familiar, but what other and unrevealed struggles were yours, none but yourself may ever know.

The crown of a completed work is yours.

But for all true and faithful followers of the Master there is another crown laid up – a crown of glory – a crown, not for the closing of this mortal life, but a crown for the opening of an immortal life – a crown to be worn forever!

May this crown, my old friend, be yours and mine!
And for this hope let us united in saying – Laus Deo!
Affectionately,
J. T. L. Preston
1839-1889

Subjects:

Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century
Semicentennial
Virginia Military Institute—Anniversaries, etc.
Correspondence

Names:

Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890
Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890

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