The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-16
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
IN MEM0RIAM-AF FAITHFUL SERVAN-


on the 10Th of January, 1870, Tolbert Rus
sci.
Tolbert became my servant about the year
1914. lie was then near 16 years OF age
He had come from Virginia. When ne came
to live with me he knew little about divine
things. Great pains were taken to teach
him to read but thoug apt in most things,
he never learned to read with much profit.
AS he always heard the Scriptures morning
and evenings at family worship, and on Sab
baths at church, he soon committed large
portions of them to memory. On Monday
mornings while at work he has been heard
to recite nearly the whole of the chapter or
Psalm which was read from the pulpit on the
previous day. My children were in the
habit of reading to him on Sabbath after
moons such works as Wilson's Exposition
of the Shorter Catechism, and Flavels
Husbandry Spiritualized, which afforded him
much interest and instruction in religious
knowledge.
After some years he was received into our
church, of which he continued member un-
til his death. The general consistency OF
his Christian character was very remarkable.
He never failed to be at the place of worship
when practicable. He manifested deep in
terest in all that pertained to the cause OF
religion. His influence upon others, espe-
cially of his own color, was happy; fire.
quently causing them to attend church, and
encouraging them to become members. lie
was anxious for their consistency and spirit
ual welfare. At communion seasons he took
pains to have them collected and properly
seated. After he had family of his own,
he kept up family worship, and frequently
had prayer meetings at his own house on
Sabbath afternoons, which he conducted
with solemnity and order. He was truly at
tached to his church, and loved to see it
fourishing. He had, moreover, a most ten
der regard for myself, both as his master
and his minister. Amusing incidents illus
trative of this fact more than once occurred
At one of my communion seasons [ had
been expecting ministerial brother to aid
me. Saturday passed and he did not come.
Sabbath morning came, but no assistance
The congregation had assembled, and had
entered the pulpit with heart weighed
down in view of the responsibilities before
me. Tolbert was aware of this, and was in
true sympathy with me. Just as [ was about
to commence the exercises he saw two re.
spectacle looking men, dressed as he sup,
posed clergymen would be, riding up towards
the church. He hastened to them, and after
taking their horses, politely addressed one Of
them whom he imagined to be him whom
was expecting, saying, 81 hope you are the
minister, SIR" Perceiving his anxiety and
his mistake, and being thoughtless young
men, they concluded to amuse themselves
with him. The one whom he had addressed
replied, "No, am not preacher, but this
one is,'-pointing to his companion. TOl
bert, everjoyed, said to him, 'Come with mt
to the door, crowd yourself through the peo
pie, and go right up to master in the pulpit
he will be so glad to see you" They fol
lowed him to the door, and as he followed
them with his eyes, and saw them taking
back seats, he turned about with double
grief.
On another occasion, after had moved tt
the country, truly worthy member of th'
Episcopal Church who lived near me, anc
who was one of my most constant hearer
and liberal supporters, expressed a desire tt
invite his bishop to come out and preach il
my church and to baptize his infant child
To this l most cordially agreed. Conse
quently on the day he preached, and wher
the baptism was about to be administered
the parents happened to stand almost on
direct line between the place where the bish
op stood and where sat; so that when h
addressed them he was looking also toward
me- As is customary in that Church, he pu
the question to the parents, "Hath thi
child been baptized, or no? " and then pro
ceeded with the other exercises. Tolber
was looking on with intense interest. Whel
and my family had returned home, al
seemed cheerful but Tolbert. His counte
nance wore an air of sadness. At length
when favorable opportunity occurred, h
addressed himself to my wife, saying, "Mis
Elizabeth, [ think Mr.. Freeman (meanin
the bishop treated master very i'saultingl
to-day" Being astonished at this remark
she inquired his reasons for so thinking
"Why," said he, "he looked straight a
master, and said before all the people, a
cross as he could, HAS this child been baE
tized?'" When my wife explained tn
matter to him, he was relieved and satisfied
He had thought that the bishop was cenSur
ing me for putting him to the trouble of do
ing what had neglected to do in my owI
church.
Sometime after the war commenced, at hi
own request permitted him to go to tn
army, as he expressed desire to be alon
with my sons. While there, his aim was
be useful. When opportunity offered h
conducted prayer meetings among those @
his own color. He remained with the arm
until the close of the war. when he returne