Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-11-09
OBITUARY.

The Rev. VIM. PETERS MARTIN was
born IN King William county, Va. on the lst
day OF June. l716. lie was raised and sduca
ted in the Church OF England, of which he re.
NAMED member unlil abon, the year l757
when he connected himself with the Methodisi
Society, winch did not number quite seven
thousand members in America (rhe M. T.
Church was moi organized until i7si) Abou,
the year 1913, he began to preach The Gospcl
of the grace of God 10 his erring, dying fellow
men. This calling he found widely different
from thai Of pleading law, which he had been
regularly engaged in for several years In this
great aud blessed work he put into rcquisition
all the wisdom, virtue, talents and influence Of
which he was master--eDd even then, IN the
utmost sincerity Of his sou he was constrained
10 exclaim, with tho great Apostle of the Gen.
tiles, WHO is sufficient for these tbings2" A,
this time he resided in Halifax county. aud
such wns his devo ION 10 the cause of God that
hls hands and heart and house were ALWAYS
open 10 Support aud refresh the Ministers of the
Gospel The venerable Bishops Coke and
Asbury were among those whose voices OF
Justice truth aud mercy were heard nth IN tho
walls uf his peaceful habitotion, and his conse
Grated barn. Wherever Abraham pitched his
tent, he erected an altar unto the true and liv
ing God.
ln those days, the sentiments and practices
OF Vrg mans on the subj Gt of slavery were
rot as LIBERAL or rs jus, ms at present; yet, %.
midst the opposition and coniumely Of those
| no differed with him, Mr.. Martin gave hi,
| fifteen slaves the free and full enjoyment OF
their liberty.
Mr.. Martin removed from Halifax 10 Frank
lin. where he resided awhile. Thence he re.
moved 10 Botctourt, and from thence 10 the vi
clniiy of Lyncbburg, where he has remained
the last - years Of his life, during which time.
| especially the last five years, his nfirmies
hive been so great that he has not been able 10
do much as a preacher OF the unseatchn able
! riches OF Christ.
Blu, he has not lived to ace the RICH teous for
sakeD for he had the happiness TO enjoy. IN
the midst Of his Affections, the Kind attentions
and mitigating caro- Of an extensive circle OF
| sympa,hizing acqua,ntances aud friends, ever
ready 90 minister 10 his necessities, and TO
smooth his passage down 90 abe grave.
| lie finished his course, and departed in
peace, ON the evening of the Both DC, 1929, a,
the house OF his aged aud constant friend, that
frdeite indeed Mr.. Rich. Thurman, sen. On
tse following Sabbath, his remains we're taken
to the M. r.. Church, whore the funeral solem
mites were attended by "A very large and solemn
assembly, Of all the various denominations oi
our town and thence were taken to the grave
yard. and deposited in The silent tomb there "a
rest until the Heavens and the Earth, that now
are, shall be changed, aud this mortal shall puI
on immortality" Then shall be brought N
pass the saying that is written, Death is swat
lowed up In Victory"
| HIS aged, pious and bereaved widow remain,
alone, without any offspring TO feel the shock
OF momentary separation but she does not
weep ms those without hOpe.-IIer hope is nm
| shaken IN God, her Redeemer aud sanciifier
who has condescended to make her humble
heart his constant Temple for more than OF
| veHrs.
Many aud great have been the changes and
improvements during the life time of our de-
ceased friend VIVA, a, his birth were British
Colonies had become the great aud happy an,
hoursbing nation Of the United States OF Amer
ira. That little band of Christians among
whom he cast in his lot, had nourished and
spread, and earnestly commended for the fai,i
once delivered unto the Saints" until ii hat
grown TO great and happy Church, Of NOR,
than 447,OOo members. But now, he rests frou,
his labours,where the pious, freed from sorrows
pains and cares, shall see the Lord Jesus as b,
is, and be like him.