The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-05-12
rr..w Two Richmond Men Appear %
~ a l.outsville Reporter. ,s5, +, i
4at.g = : From the Courier. = '"s'E

.4atg = From tho Courier.
REV. J. D. JETER, D. D.,
.e Richmond, Va, stands among the first
thnnIopians Of the day. BE is seit-nade
ian. He began life with few educational
nSrantaees, but by continued and iaborious
aI,niicasion he has secured merneo p d:,.e
among the learned. He is of commantoH e.
and dignifed appearance. anu c's mao.s ' ha
to attract attention. For many so o,,,r,h
n vs. rd Va. and during his pastorate
isers commanded the largest congregations
LIN c,tv. he has done as muchs or per
hs,,s more. thsn any other man tor the
anstpeS,ishment of Baptist principles IN the
ola Dominion. While pastor in Richmoha
ha was invited to q passionate in 81. LOUIS,
and accented the invitation. AFTER nSe
wears Of successful labor, ne was ihu at,,r,,
at the solicitation of his brethrsn, 70 pen a;st
to Richmond as pastor OF . ne ts,Iefi
Snr asrstee,, wears, having resigned only
to "n rsnnths AGO In order that he might de-
ross his whole time to the Religious Herdad,
~ wh;cb he is senior editor. The sermons
~ Tcr Letter are characterized by close analy-
Gle ioeical. Dower, and lucid expression.
H;s s6pearance and manner as speaker
are said to remind one OF Henry clay.
As q writer the subject OF this notlee mas
acquired no mean reputation. Hls stgles
Addisonjau. His writings are concise In
exnression, beautiful in simplicity, and
nowerf,,l In argument. His most extended
work is stCampbelhsm Examined and Re-
examined" which consists in a just, impair
tial, and thorough examination OF the
writings Of Alexander Campbell. rms,
with other productions Of his pen Which
might be mentioned, will live after he Is
dead. The paper which he now so accept
ably edits is the Baptist organ OF Virginia
and South Carolina, and has large circu!a-
ton both In these and other States. Its col.
torisls are specimens ofrhetorical finish, anu
are always interesting and instructive. Dr.
Jeter is q tower of strength in the denomi-
nation. When he shall be taken from earth
tears Will fall upon the grave Of great
man. He has now all the fire of youth, and
we hope for many more years to crown his
life of usefulness. ~
REV. WILLIAM D. THOMAS
holds an important position as pastor Of the
church at Greenville, S. c., the seat of the
He is q native of Virginia, the son Of q
wealthy citizen of Richmond, and Is now
about thirty-six years Of age. His educa-
tom was commenced of Richmond College
and completed at the University of Virgil
MIA, where he took the degree Of Master of
Arts. Impelled by o sense Of duty, he
abandoned soon after graduating his che
rished purpose Of entering the legal profess
sion, and, deyoting himself to the ministry,
he became PASTOR first Of country church
near Richmond, and then Of the church at
Warrenton, Va. Driven thence, in the
midst Of most successful labors, by the
events Of the war, he accepted call to his
present passionate in Greenyille. A trip to
Europe, mainly to secure surgical treat
meat, for an affection of the eyes which
threatened to cut short his studies by blind
ness, has made the only interruption Of
this pastoral relation. There is nothing
specially striking about Mr.. Thomas's
personal appearance. OF short. thick
set figure, but with broad, intellectual
forehead, and look Of quiet humility and
reserve, mixed with earnest thougtfulness,
he would probably not attract attention in
an assembly, except while addressing it. As
preacher he Is lucid and simple-affect ion-
ate and fervent-addressing the conscience,
and faithfully bringing home the truths Of
Scripture to the hearts Of his hearers. There
are few ministers whose sermons are SO we'll
adapted to effect lasting benefit. As plat
form speaker, while lacking somewhat in
grace Of manner and meditation of voice,
he is always highly effective. Full of ear
nestness, clear rs sunbeam, closely logl-
cal, and eminently practical, his points are
always well taken, and his addresses, which
are 1nfrequent, never fail to tell upon the
questions he discusses. His effort before
the Convention on Saturday upon the vexed
question of cooperation between southern
and northern Baptists, would, by general
consent, Of itself place Mr.. Thomas in the
very front rank Of the rising, undoctored
ministry of his denomination.