The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-09
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
Rev. Urias Powers.

This faithful servant of God was born in Croy-
don, New Hampshire, May 18th, 1871, and died
at his home, near Big Lick, Va, February 18th,
at Dartmouth College, in August, 1918. Not long
after this he entered the Theological Seminary at
Andover Mass Here his health soon failed, on
which account he sought and obtained employment
for time as teacher in wealthy Scotch family
near Fredericksburg, Va Returning to the Sem
mary at Andover he spent three years in prepare
ton for the ministry, and was licensed in 1922 by
the Union Consolation of Congregational Min
isters," who resided partly in New Hampshire,
and partly in Vermont.
After his ordination he went to South Carolina
as missionary and was employed by Female
Missionary Society in Charleston to preach to a
vacantchurch, called Satcatcher, on the Combahee
river His health again failed, and he was sent
by the same society to Cheraw, which was one
hundred and forty miles in the interior, on the
Peedee river. Here the Lord blessed his labors
greatly. In few years house of worship was
erected and church organized, whose member
ship increased under his ministry, from four to
| seventy-fve
While living here he was united in marriage to
Miss Henrietta l.. daughter of B. Per-
kins, ESQ.,, near Camden, S. C.-with whom to
use his own language, he Lived ever afterwards
in the enjoyment of as much conjugal happiness
as is to be expected in this imperfect state" AT
ter changing his position in South Carolina severa
times on account of i'll health, without any decided
improvement, he concluded to visit the mountains
of Virginia, and spend the summer at some of oul
watering places. This led to his settlement in
Salem, Roanoke county, Va, in the fall Of 1887
And here also, as in the different charges he had
held in South Carolina, the hand of the Lord was
with him. Under his ministry of fifteen years
the Church grew steadily, and was revived by
more than one copious outpouring of the Holy
Spirit One of these revivas occurred in lS43
in way which greatly strengthened the faith Of
Gods people in the efficacy of prayer and the
power OF divine grace. 1t resulted in the addition
of more than forty to the church. While EN-
poyed in Salem his mind was turned to Big Lick
village seven miles distant, where there was nc
church of any denomination and no stated preach
ing. Here he was instrumental in laying the foun
dation of church.
Being satisfied that the church at Salem could
support n. minister, and should have the undivided
abors of one, he asked his Presbytery to release
him from his charge. After this was done, he
devoted himself wholly to the church at Big Lick.
In the spring of 1860, being convinced that he wa
physically unable to discharge the duties of his
office, he opened correspondence with the writer
of this communication a student at Union
Theological Seminary, Va-which resulted in my
settling in Big Lick as pastor of the church.
1t requires extraordinary grace for one who has
long lived and labored in church to the accept
ance of the people and with the blessing of God,
to conclude that another can do his work better
than he can, and to agree to his doing it. 1t re-
quires much humility and self-denial to stand aside
and see another take his place, with its emolu-
ments, its honors, its delightful duties, and its
tender ties of warm affection. ! can testify that
father Powers did this with most consummate
grace He was not persuaded to do it by others,
but himself prepared and urged it, from the fear
of God and self sacrificing devotion 10 his cause.
He lett the pulpit and occupied an humble seat in
the congregation. He was always present, unless
prevented by serious sickness or very bad weather.
He never criticised me except to my face, and for
my good He encouraged me in every way, and
prayed for me. He never intermedded with or
opposed my plans for usefulness. He strengthened
me by his modest counsel and supported me by
contributions from his own substance more largely
than any member of the congregation. All this
he did, uniformly and without exception, while
my ministry lasted in that church. And when /
was called to another field, he exerted himself in
securing the services of Rev. James P. Smith as
my successor, Who'll have good reason to believe
received the same welcome and the same co0pera-
ton that / had always received.
When Mr. Smith was called to Fredericksburg,
father Powers again exerted himself to have the
pulpit filled. In the meantime, although very
feeble yet true to his vows, he undertook to preach
the gospel and continued to do so until ten DAYS
before his death. He was faithful as ruler in
the house of God Nothing but an insuperable
obstacle was allowed to prevent his going to the
meetings of the Presbytery, even after he ceased
to labor in word and doctrine Although old and
feeble, and easily made sick by travelling or rreg-
ular meals, or loss Of sleep, he would go to the
utmost limits of the Presbytery to attend its ses
sions And it is confessed by all that he was one
of the soundest, if not the very soundest counsel
lor in the body God gave him an independent,
but not large fortune and he made it serve Him.
For many years it has been his habit to devote to
the Lord all his income except what was necessary
to meet the few and simple wants of his family.
| learn that he bequeathed the half Of his estate
to Union Theological Seminary, Va. God gave
him long life, and he spent it wholly in his SER
vice.
He died in peace. His body was laid in the
public burying ground at Salem. 1t is said that