The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-16

gion around Hampden Sidney College.
He entered into this great work with all
his might, and became an efficient instru-
ment in extending revival influences
throughout his whole ministry. He
succeeded DIR. Smith in the Presidency
of Hampden Sidney, and also in his pas
toral charge. He died in 1915. His
person was large and imposing, and his
countenance when lighted up was most
expressive and delightful, true index
of the warm and kindly spirit which
dwelt within him. His preaching is de-
scribed as simple and natural, sometimes
very eloquent. His prayers were full of
fervor, as of one pleading face to face
with his Heavenly Father. Full of en-
thusiasm and deep pathos, he was un-
commonly successful as preacher to the
colored people. During the last fifteen
years of his life, said to be the period of
his greatest ministerial success, he rarely
if ever wrote his sermons, and but seldom
prepared even short notes for the pulpit.
His custom was to think intensely upon
his subject, and arrange the matter care
fully in his mind, and trust to the occa-
sion to suggest the appropriate language.
When from those scenes of meditation
and prayer he went into the pulpit, there
was frequently in his preaching solem-
nifty and pathos, freshness and vigor,
penetrating burning, melting eloquence,
not often surpassed. DR.. Alexander,
who succeeded him in the Presidency of
the College, and who had preached with
him as a missionary and co-pastor in
the churches around Prince Edward, de-
scribes him as being an eloquent and i'm
pressive preacher on special occasions,
when the circumstances combined to wind
up his mind to high tone of feeling.
His preaching was calculated to produce
deep and solemn impressions. His voice
was one of extraordinary power. Its
sound has been heard at more than a
miles distance. His voice was not only
loud, but clear and distinct; in the largest
assemblies convened in the woods, he
could always be heard with ease, at the
extremity of the congregation. On this
account Mr.. Lacy was always one of the
prominent preachers at great meetings.
His address to his hearers, whether saints
or sinners, was warm and affectionate.
Indeed, according to his method of
preaching, lively feeling in the speaker
was an essential thing to render it either
agreeable or impressive.
The following picture of the venerable
man is from the pen of DR.. Foote, in his
Sketches of Virginia: con account of
his clear, strong voice, and impressive
manner, when excited by large assem-
bly,, Mr.. Lacy was favorite preacher at
Synods and Presbyteries, and other large
meetings. At a meeting of the Synod in
Lexington, the religious interest rose
very high, and he was called on to preach
to multitude in the grove, in the rear
of the church. on the borders of the vii
lage. His text was: "Where is the
Lord God of Elijah" As he progressed
in the sermon, he became excited to the
highest degree his mental and physical
nature could bear, and his audience were
carried along, without resistance, by his
silver voice, loud penetrating and sweet,
and his earnest, excited manner, till they
were entirely at the command of the
speaker. Raising his arms, he turned
majestically, and looked upward and
cried: where is the Lord God of Elijahp
The audience started, and gazed with
the speaker, as if they expected to see
the effulgence of Israel's God burst from
among the overshadowing branches.
Could such scenes be prolonged, what
enchanting festivals would the meetings
of the judicatories of the church be-"