The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-02-03

/
winning the confidence of the community
was great. Mr.. Jefferson, pleased with his
manliness and integrity, cherished his socle-
ty, and gained his confidence as he knew
how to do whenever he took fancy to a
young man. In his visits to Charlottesville,
Mr. Jefferson seldom failed to call on Mr..
Kelly, and Mr. Kelly was welcome visitor
at Monticello. This friendship suffered no
collision; but in after life it was in a mea-
sure cooled, as Mr. Jefferson looked upon
Christianity as one of the phases of pro-
gressive philosophy, and Mr.. Kelly came to
view it as Revelation from God beyond all
price. >.
Charlqttesvilleswas the seat of JUS
tce of a fertile and healthy county,
with wealthy population that enjoyed
life but could not be. called voluptuous.
The eminent men that resided in Albemarle
of whom Mr. Jefferson took the lead, made
the little village, just under the brow OF
Monticello, a centre of political Importance.
Mr. Jefferson, Charlottesville, Monticello,
and Democracy were in great measure
synonymous.
In the midst of Mr. Kelly's enjoyment OF
life and prosperity, death came into his
house, and he surrendered beloved wife to
the mercies of God, whose love he did not
know, What her spiritual exercises were
he could not tell, and would not have under
stood had the gentle spirit told him again
and again of penitence and faith, for he be-
heved with the gentlemen around him that it
was impossible that female excellence could
be otherwise than happy in the coming world
and it was question whether the Elysium of
Deism, or the comforts of life were prefera-
bic, except as we ever cling to what we know
best; and on the whole death is a troubler,
to whose power we yield, in the most COM
posed way we are able. Men must bear
these aflictions "ike a philosopher or like
god" Mr. Kelly strove to bear his like
philosopher. In the care of his two young
daughters, and the details of business he
sought to alleviate the loneliness of widow
hood.
There had been preaching by Presbyte-
rian ministers in the neighbOrhood of Char
lottesyille, in manner calculated to gain
the attention of thinking men, a greater
part of the time Mr.. Kelly had been in the
village; first by James Waddell, in his old
age and mature fame, and then by William
Williamson, Scotchman, licentiate and
5 Med minister of HanoveS Presbytery,
Next after by William Calhoun, from
1899 to 1905, the popular and able son-in-
law of James Waddell. He preached regu.
larly at the D. S. church and other places,
near Charlottesville and to him Mr.. Will
liam Writ attributed, under God, his hope
full conversion from infdelity. But none of
these things moved Mr.. Kelly, who thought
the religion of nature enough for him in his
sadness.
One day young lady, stranger to him,
entered his store and was examining some
articles preparatory to purchase, While
she with becoming modesty and artless sim
plicity was making her choice, he was help
ing her, and intently gazing, was making
his When she had concluded her shopping,
he had determined upon further acquaint.
ance, and politely inquired her name and
residence. He pursued the acquaintance
thus incidentally begun; and in 1905, Mary
Alcock, of Orange county, became Mrs,
Kelly, of Charlottesville. This marriage
led to many happy results Mr., Kelly with
his young wife began life anew. Mrs. Kelly
did not conceal from her husband the fact
of her great anxiety about her souls saliva
ton, and her earnest desire for good hope
in Christ, which from her childhood her
heart had craved as an unknown blessing.
Under whose ministrations of the Gospel
Mr.. Kelly had been impressed cannot be
farther told than has already been stated.
Mr.. Calhoun was the last Presbyterian
preacher in that region; and there were
also some interesting Baptist preachers, and
some of the Methodist persuasion. There
were some excellent Christian people scat
tered over the country; but not single
professor of religion of any denomination
in Charlottesville. But the Spirit of God
had touched her heart, and she longed for
the blessing of salvation. Soon safter her
marriage she found her way to Mr.. Hart S
residence, and attended communion season
at the Cove church and heard Mr.. Robinson.
Being satisfied on the subject of faith in
Christ, she made profession of her conf.
dence in him; and was received by Mr..
Robinson into the church of which he was
pastor At the same meeting one of Mr..
Kelly's daughters professed conversion.
Soon after she was connected with the Cove
church, There were now two professors of
religion in Charlottesville, and the heart of
Mr. Robinson rejoiced. He occasionally
visited these members of his flock, frequent
ly wrote to them, and sometimes preached
in Charlottesville; and as often as practical
BILE gathered them with his flock at the Cove
on communion seasons.
About this time the ladies had the privi-
lege of a Christian neighbor. A Mr. Kerr,
a pious young Elder, from the Valley of the
Shenandoah, took up his residence in Char
lottesville and opened a school. The ladies
frequently enjoyed at his house an evening