The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-05
For the Central Presbyterian.
HAMppEN SIDNEY COLLEGE, |
EuUApYs1 Path. 1869. {

| HAMPpEN SIDNEY COLLEGE,
| 5aoApra 24th, 1869.
| Dear Sir,-Avery sad accident happened
here last evening, which has thrown a gloon
over the whole community. And thinking
that it might be not only interesting but
perhaps instructive, We thought we would
drop you line aboutit. Immediately after
chapel services, yesterday afternoon, Mr.. R.
Fl. Ransom, one of our students, in company
with five or six companions, started for
Bass pond, distant about two miles from
College, for the purpose of bathing. As
soon as they reached the pond, Mr.. Ransom
and his friends struck out for the opposite
shore. The pond is about a hundred yards
wide, and was much colder than they had
expected to find it, When the rest of the
party had reached the farther bank, they
saw Mr.. Ransom apparently standing erect
about the middle Of the stream: One of the
boys asked him if he was strangled, to which
he answered eyes," but in his usual pleas
ant tone, which made them think that he
was not in earnest. They then asked him if
he wanted help. He replied that he did,
but still in the same quiet, unexcited man
ner. Two of the boys then swan to him.
One of them told him to turn over and swim
on his back, so as to rest himself. He re-
piled, 81 can't swim on my back" and these
were his last words. The boys soon reached
him, but as soon as they caught hold of him
he ceased every exertion, relaxed every
nerve and dropped his head in the water.
They carried him to within about fifteen feet
of the bank, and then one swan out and got
rail. He swan back with this, called him
and threw it to him, but it was no use. His
hair foated few seconds on the water, the
rail glanced by his head, all was quiet, the
waters closed over him and poor Ransom
sank to rise no more! Messrs. Blanton,
Camp, Leake, and Nelson, bis fellow stu
dents, had done all they could for him, and
must now see him drown almost within their
reach. His body could not be recovered
until this morning, as they had to send to
Farmville for boat. His remains will be
taken home tomorrow.
tits truly a wonderful andmysterious Provi-
dence that this young man, the eldest son of
his mother and she widow, should be thus
suddenly taken from us. Who but the great
Jehovah, can tell how by thus taking from
family its pride and support, Heis to glorify
his name? Yet we poor shortsighted worms
of the dust may see kind hand even in
this, if we will notice the effect on some
of the students. A merciful Father takes
away one who we hope, was ready to 20,
and who now has been called ~ :
and at the same time his sudden death
warns his careless fellow.students, not to
trife longer on the brink, but to remem.
Der that they must die. They see one in
good health, in the twinkling of an eye,
called from time to eternity, and they think
how uncertain is life. They see how dread
full thing it is to die, and they feel how
infinitely more dreadful it is to die unpre-
pared. Some are now showing that they
have been deeply moved; and God grant
that it may be to the saving of their souls
Be pleased, O Father, to pour out thy Spirit,
that the seed fall not in stony places, but
that it shall spring up and bring forth much
fruit to thy glory. Let not this warning
pass by, and they only become the more
hardened
The Union Literary Society at its regu-
lar meeting that night, only appointed a
committee to report resolutions expressive
of the feeling of the Society, at the lament.
ed accident. The Society met at o'clock
this morning, according to adjournment, and
unanimously adopted the following preamble
and resolutions.
Whereas, an allwise Providence, in the execu.
ton of his eternal purposes, has seen ft by sud
den stroke to remove from our midst one of our
fellow.members, Mr.. Robert II. Ransom, of Buck
ingham county, Virginia Therefore, be it
Resolued, lst. That in this mysterious provi-
dence our loss is great and fearful. A member
has been taken from us, whom we all esteemed
and loved His scrupulous adherence to the
srictest rules Of morality won for him the respect
of all of his companions; and his mild and forbear.
ing disposition endeared him to every heart.
Resolued, 2nd That we do deeply sympathize
with the widowed mother and other relations who
are called to mourn his untimely ldss and assure
them that he lives in the memories and hearts of
all his fellow-students.
Resolred, 3rd. That the Society wear its usual
mourning badge for thirty days.
Resolved, 4th. That a Committee be appointed
to escort his remains to the residence of the
family
Resolued, 5th. That copy of these resolutions
be sent to his bereayed family; and that they also
be published in such papers as the committee may
direct.
CARTER R. BISHOP,
GEORGE 81. BURwELL, c,:.
BENZ. s. READ, COMMITTEE
VIM. M. ATKINSON,
JAS. A. ARMSTRONG, Chairman.