The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-23

DEATH or REv. JAMES 3. TAYLOR, D. D.
This venerable and eminent minister Of the
gospel died at his residence in TIL; city yes
tcrday afternoon little after O'Clock
Thousands in all parts of our country will
read with emotion this announcement.
Rcy. j. 3. Taylor was born in Barton on
the Humber, Lincolnshire, Eng, March ~,
1903, 50 tliat he had nearly completed his
siXtv-ninth year. When he was about a
wear old his father immierated 10 this coun-
Try, and was for several years resident Of
the CITY Of New York. In that city James
B. Taylor was al the age Of twelve years
baptized by Eey. DR.. Parkinson, and re-
cciycd into the fellowship Of the First Zap
list church. OF which the eloquent Spencer
II. Cone Was subsequently the pastor.
Soon after this event the family removed
to Virginia, and in Mccklcnburg county Dir.
Taylor grew UP 10 manhood. Here he CON-
mcnccd his ministry. After few years OF
service in this region rs missionary OF the
virginia Baptist General Association he be-
came in 1896 the pastor Of the Second Baptist
church in this city. The circumstances at
tending this settlement were remarkable. He
WAS casually in Richmond, having made all
his arrangements to remove to Georgia, when
his sermons at the Second church attracted
attention and led to his being called to the
pastorate. From that time to the PRESENT.
period OF nearly half centuly-he has been
4 citizen of Richmond, ardently attached
TO it and thoroughly identified with all its
interests.
For thirteen years he was the loved and
successful pastor ofthe Second Baptist church,
which became under his cure vigorous and i'll
1luential body, hundreds Of persons, many OF
them now valued members, being baptized
by him. :nd steps being taken for the ercc-
ton of the present cd1ice, OH Main street.
During the session of 1S39'40, Mr.. Taylor
was the chaplain OF the University Of Viz
.inia. where he labored acccptably, and left &
most fragrant memory.
On his return to Richmond, he became The
pastor of the Third Qlow the Gracc-StreeD
Baptist church, and under his ministry the
church was built up, and the house Of Wo!-
ship now occupied was erected.
During these twenty years of pastoral life,
Mr., TAYLOR was more or less Intimately aSso-
ciated with such men rs Rev. Stephen Iay-
lor, DrS Armstrong, Plummer, and Stiles,
and the venerable Bishop Moore. DR.. Plum
mer was accustomed to say that Of al men
he knew lie would wish to have James s..
Taylor with him in the dying hour.
Soon after the formation of the Southern
Baptist Convention, in 1915, Dr. Taylor was
called, first by the Board and then by the
unanimous voice Of the Convention itself, to
the Foreign Seuetaryship, which office he
filled for twenty-siX years, and in which he
was laboriously engaged up to within few
DAYS of his death. He was universally re-
@ardcd rs the very handspring Of the work,
by his laborious journeys from Maryland to
Texas, and by an extensive correspondence,
arorlsing the churches and enlisting young
men as missionaries.
DR.. TAYLOR was widely knoWnas al author,
having written the "NIelnoir Of Luther Rice,
one OF the first missionaries to the East
"Liyes of Virginia Baptist Ministers" Me-
moir of Lott Cary" 4 Richmond slave who
was afterwards distinguished missionary to
Liberia. and some minor works. It is also
understood that he has been for several years
engaged in preparing History OF Virginia
Baptists," which he had brought nearly to
completion.
A very modest, humble man, he was hon.
ored by his brethren, being elected annually
for twenty wears as moderator of the virgil
nia Baptist General Association. Himself
debarred from the opportunity Of securing 4
collegiate or theological education, he was
perhaps more than almost any other man the
father OF Richmond College, while he warmly
cherished both that institution and the South
ern Baptist Theological Seminary.
DR.. Taylor's reputation was not for bril-
liant talents, but sound judgment, indeiati-
gable industry, meek and loving spirit, and
dceI-toned picty. An ardent Baptist, he was
vet = lover and companion Of good men Of
every name, and he was himself as widely
and tenderly beloved as almost any man that
ever lived. His influence in his own denomi-
nation throughout the entire South was very
great, and it was mainly personal, due to the
character of the man. He moved others not
SO much by what he said as by what he was.
Ilr. Taylor's remains will be buried from
the Grace-Street Baptist church tomorrow
afternoon at 8 o'clock. zt:.! .,.s IS tgz