The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-21
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Rev. John Hendren, D. D.

As hart, among the elders, was the most In
timate with Mr.. Robinson, so among the min
listers the most familiar friend. in his later
years, was Mr.. Hendren. With temperaments
as diverse, their friendship was as warm as
that of the brave outspoken old prophet Eli
jah in the troublous times of Ahab and Jez-
ebel, and the more gentle yet equally resoute
Elisha taken from the pillow. Their attach
ment grew warmer and warmer as the time
came for the older prophet to depart.
Mr.. Hendren was by descent Scotch Irish
man. born December, I7S3, in Ireland, in that
county Down, famous for the number and ex-
cellence of the emigrants it sent to the Shen-
andoah Valley, in Virginia. About the year
1896 the family left the green isle and took
their abode in Lexington, Rockbridge county.
The parents were in narrow circumstances in
dustrious, economical, of pure principles in
morals and religion, and pious in their lives
and in their examples. Like many others Of
would be- the crown Of her life if she might
rear up son whom Christ would call, and en-
dow with grace to preach his Gospel to a lost
world 'for she had respect to the recompense
of reward And the father did not oppose
these thoughts and desires And the son was
encouraged to take advantage of the oppor
tunities of literary nature opened to him in
his new residence. Carefully brought up in
the truths OF revelation, and impressed with
the importance of the truths he committed to
memory he was eager for an education, not
that he might be preacher, but for its own
sake, for the advantage it would afford him in
future in some Of the learned professions "
He was ready to labor and practice self.denial,
if he might but ascend that platform which
seemed to him the starting place of man of
eminence genuine Irishman. he had not
come to America to be idle, or to labor for
naught 1.-The world was all before him where
to choose And he chose professional life
DIR. Baxter under whose care he came, as he
progressed in his studies, was pleased with the
good behaviour and progress of the cheerful,
vet modest boy. The name of the institution,
at which he took his first degree in literature
and science, was called Washington Academy,
near Washington College The man under
whom the Academy came into being, Mr.. Ora
ham, ranks among great men. The man I'M
der whom it obtained the name of College, DR..
Baxter, was acknowledged amongst the great
est men of his generation he was in Virginia
what Dr. Dwight was in Connecticut, at that
time; and the man that preSides now over the
Gowo.ol I = loll IL
estimation by all his countrymen Greatness
is not transferable; but the example of great
ness elevateS the race the knowledge of what
men have done calls out the sleeping spirit to
attempt something worthy of immortals.
And | too am painter exclaimed the
peasant boy as he gazed at the master pieces
of some OF the great artists Of Italy. And
| too profess Christ, and too will be preach
er," said young Hendren, after listening to
one of the touching appeals of that wonder
full old man, James Turner, who alone was
peer of James Robinson, in native eloquence.
1t was about the time that he had completed
the academic course for the first degree. The
Law and Medicine that had been disputing for
supremacy in his mind and heart, now gave
way to the claims of Theology. Had the faith
and prayers of the parents no unseen agency in
this change in the choice of college student
In the course of his Theological preparation
he found it necessary to try some employment
that should yield him funds sufficient to meet
the expenses that were accruing beyond his
parents means. They cheerfully aided to the
utmost of their power, and expended what
prudent thrift might have said was needful for
their old age; and he chose the occupation
most. proper for him, and for most candidates
for the ministry, the teaching classical
school. As teacher he spent part of his
time in the city of Petersburg; and a part in
the county Of Amherst, at the eastern base of
the Blue Ridge When his course of Theolog-
cal reading preparatory for his trials as candi-
late was completed, he was examined by the
Presbytery Of Lexington in the year 1907, and
licensed to preach the Gospel. The opinions