The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-04-20

in different parts of Hampshire arc endur-
ing monuments.
His first pastoral connexion with Rom
ney continued till the year 1888. During
this period, his abundant labors there and
throughout the country, were greatly blessed,
and at different periods special outpourings
of the Spirit, and large accessions to the
church were enjoyed; especially during
1881 and 1882. Scenes of great interest
were witnessed in Romney, the influence
of which extended to the wide field of his
labors. To him more than any other man,
Hampshire county is indebted for the growth
of religion, and solid Presbyterianism.
Some time about the beginning of the
year 1888, he accented the appointment of
agent of the "Cep ! Board of Foreign
Missions" and La with great earnest
ness and success in tie bounds of the Syn
DDS of Virginia and North Carolina. While
engaged in this work, which carried him
over wide field, he became deeply interest
ed in the early history of the Presbyterian
Church and Ministry, and the fruits of his
Investigations, are seen in his admirable
"Sketches, which were afterwards publish
ed, and his frequent biographical papers in
the religious journals.
In May, 1845, he returned to his old
charge, in Romney, and the academy, and
there continued till the beginning of the war
in 1861. During the war he employed him
self actively in lower Virginia for part of
the time as agent for Hampden Sidney Col
lege; partly in supplying vacant congrega-
tions, and at one time as missionary among
the wounded soldiers at Petersburg during
the seige. At the close of the war he re.
turned once more to Romney and Spring
field, to labor till the close of life After
his return, the congregation again enjoyed
precious season of refreshing, and by his ex-
traordinary efforts, the church at Springfield,
destroyed during the war, was tastefully re-
built and furnished For several years DIR.
F. enjoyed his usual state of vigorous health.
His eye seemed not dim, nor his natural
strength abated. His step was elastic, and
his body and mental labors were continued as
formerly.
During long ride in one of the hottest
days of the summer of 1869, he was pros
trated by sunstroke, which gave shock to
his system and laid the foundation of fatal
disease. He rallied considerably, however,
and enjoyed greatly the meeting of the Pres
bytery in his own church in September
With characteristic energy, he started to 60
to a meeting of Directors of the Seminary,
and of the Synod of Virginia, in Richmond !;
but at Fredericksburg, was arrested by a
fresh accession of his painful disorder, which
prevented his presence at either of these
posts of duty and privilege. After a period
of great suffering he was enabled to reach
home on the 18th of November, and for the
succeeding ten days and nights, the earthly
tabernacle wasted away under almost per-
petual bodily pain, endured with character
istic frmness and patience, till on the even
ing of November 22d, 1869, the old warrior
went to his rest. He was buried on the sue
ceeding Wednesday; scene of interest
and touching incident seldom witnessed and
never to be forgotten. "Devout men car
ried him to his burial, and mutitudes from
the hills of Hampshire; elders and minis
ters of the Presbytery, gray haired men and
women, "made great lamentaton over him, .
''as when a standard bearer fainteth, and
because ga great man and prince of Israel
had fallen. He rests in the place of his
choice, in the 'Indian Mound Cemetery -
on an eminence overlooking the beautiful
South Branch of Potomac. The large con-
course on the occasion of the funeral, includ
ing eight ministers and still larger number
of elders, and also hundreds of colored peo-
{. pie, was fitting expression of the great
and universal respect and affection cherished
for him by all classes.
DR.. Foote, after the death of his first wife,
married in 1888, Miss Gillian of Petersburg,
who, with his daughter, Mary Bell, and Mrs
Ann Waterman Armstrong, the daughter oi
Eliza Glass, and wife of Jas. D. Armstrong
survive to mourn together their loss and
cherish his memory.
DR.. Foote was in many respects marked
man-of clear and Strong convictions, and
most indomitahle energy in carrying then
into action. His views of Divine truth were
early formed, and tenaciouSly held, and Wig
: orously and earnestly expressed. The
doctrines of grace, announced in his tria
sermon before Presbytery, and repeated 81
years afterwards, from the same text, as hi
, last sermon, embodied the great principles OF
which he reposed his own personal faith, anc
which he held forth to the faith and obedi
ence of others. He was decided Cavinis
, and an intelligent Presbyterian. He wa
| always earnest, instructive, and at times
especially in scenes of revival, powerful as {
: preacher. AS missionary and as pastor o
a scattered flock, he was Sin labors NOR
/ abundant never deferred by dificultie
or dangers from the discharge of duty, o
| allured by the charms of the study and tn
r brave he so greatly loved AS member o
q different ecclesiastical bodies, he was emf
e nently faithful in attendance, and conscien
t;orn ;ndicinns md firm In dntu when clearl,