Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-01-03
Biographical Sketfh.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
REV. ROBERT Y. Russell.

REV. ROBERT Y. Russell.
ROBERT YOUNG Russell, was born in County An
TRIM Ireland, on the 18th day of April, A. D., 1900.
His parents were intelligent, industrious and pious
They were members of the Presbyterian Church,
but believed the "Psalms of David" to be the only
approprate psalmody for the worship Of God in his
sanctuary.
When ROBERT was but one year old, his father
removed, with his family, to the United States, and
settled in York District, S. c., where he remained
until his death, which occurred within few years
after his arrival in this country; leaving two sons,
ROBERT Y, and MORRISON latter Of whom
is still living and resides in this District.
Of the boy-hood of ROBERT, but little is known.
Hekept ''Diary' from very early age, but re-
marked recently with regard to it, that in his ma
turer years, he saw so much in it which he consid-
cred Objectionable, he destroyed it." He was ever
remarkable for kindness and amiabiity The pi-
GUS precepts of his parents appear to have made
deep impression on his mind, in childhood. He
maintained an invoate truthfuness, and was strict
" conscientious in the discharge Of what he consld-
cred religious duties; but at what period he became
the subject of renovating grace, he was himself un-
able to determine precisely. When about sixteen
years of age, he was made deeply sensible ot hls
guilt and danger, as lost and helpless sinner; and
for two or three years subsequently he experienced
deep, continued, and often distressing convictions
of fsoul-occasionally indulging trembling hope OF
his acceptance with God, Through the Beloved. y
But he was at length enabled to make full surren-
render of his soul into the hands of an Almighty
Saviour and an entire dedication of himself to God
wheh light shone upon his soul, and peace and
joy inexpressible filed his heart.
Very early in Life he manifested an eager thirst
for knowledge, and strong desire to obtain thor
ough education, and evinced vigor and power OF
intellect, far above mediocrity. Having by his In
dustry and close and earnest application, acquired
q good English education, he commenced the study
of Languages, under the tuition Of DR.. SAMUEL
WRIGHT, on Turkey Greek, with whom he contln-
ued for one or two sessions and then taught school
in order obtain the means continuing his course
Before commencing his classical studies, he had
chosen the law as his profession, and he was endea-
voring to prepare himself for the Bar. But while
at school with DR.. w., he attendeda camp-meeting
at Bethesda church. then under the pastoral charge
of Rev. R. B. WALKER. 1t was on this occasion
that he obtained clear and comforting view OF bus
interest in Christ and then severe conflict COM
meneed in his mind on the subject of his profession.
He felt strong prediction for the one which he
had chosen; but such were his impressions of duty,
and so strong was his desire to direct perishng sin
ners to the ''Lamb of God" that he yielded, and
consecrated himself fully to God, to serve him in
the gospel of his SON. He joined the Presbyterian
Church at Bullock's Greek.
Having acquired some pecunary means by teach
ing he entered the "Salem Academy" in Union
District, about the year 1920. Here his progress
was rapid, and all his exercises were thoroughly
prepared A conscientious regard for duty charac-
terized all his acts whether study in social inter
course, or in devotional exercises. He was cheer
full and genial in disposition, and was much beloved
by his felow-students but at the same time his
humble and devoted piety exercised restraining
and controlling influence over the most volatile and
wicked of his associates.
From "Salem," he went to Yorkville, and con-
tinued his studies with Rev. ROBERT NJ. DAVIS,
and completed here his academic course.
During this period, he had from honest and earn
est convictions of truth and duty, connected himself
with the Independent Presbyterian Church, after
having carefully and prayerfuDy examined the prin-
ciples and poty of said Church. and in view of the
apparent necessities of this Church. then in its in
fancy, he was induced to forego his cherished design
of completing his education; and during the year
1924, he commenced the study Of Divinity. On
the 18th of August of this year, (lS24 he was uni
ted in marriage to Miss MARY A. BURRIs.
He was received under the care of the Church in
Yorkvie, and ordered, to pursue his studies under
the direction of Rev. ROBERT NJ. DAVIS. Having
prosecuted his Theological studies and prepared his
trial discourses he anda young friend (the late Rev.
G. W. DAVIS, met the Presbytery in Yorkville, on
the 24th of January, 1926. They were examined,
and delivered trialsermons and their performances
proving eminently satisfactory, they were urged to
receive license to preach the gospel MIR. Rus
SELL in his Journal thus refers to this occasion -
"Although I felt sensibly my lack Of knowledge,
and necessary preparation for so arduous an un-
dertaking, yet, when turned my eye to the condi-
ton of the Church in particular, and thoughtless
sinners in general I, as it were, for moment lost
sight of my objections and endeavoring to fix my
eye on Christ for his strength, and almighty assis
lance and teaching, to qualify me for heimportant
work, consented to accede to the wishes Of Presby
tery, as afterward, did my friend DAVIS" The
Church then gave them "a license, in the name OF
the Lord Jesus Christ and by the authority of the
Presbytery, to preach the everlasting gospel"
During the year and three months which inter
vened from his lcensure to his ordination, he was
engaged in prosecuting his Theological studies, and
preached sixty-two Sermons Endowed by his Gre
ator with mind of very high order, and having
very assiduously improved the opportunities Of
mental training which he had enjoyed - and above
all, the influence and power of the Holy Spirit, in
full measure, resting upon him, his youthful efforts
in the ministry were most acceptable to the people,
wherever he went Crowds were attracted by his
pathetic and eloquent preaching believers were
fed and made to rejoice, and Sinners under convic-
tions of soul, were constrained to cry for mercy
Thus the efforts of his first year in the gospel minis
try gave abundant promise of that remarkable power
and success which should characterize his future
ministerial life.
Under these fattering circumstances and
throughout his entire subsequent life, no feature
of his character was more fully and clearly mani
fest than his modesty and humility. And those
attentions and euologies which would have spoil
ed many a youth and which so often fill with
Spiritual PRIDE those who manifest superior ab
ty, and give high promise of eminent usefulness in
the Church, seemed only to abase him the more,