The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-05-28
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
REV. ROBERT ]. TAYLOR,


ancestors, who were the founders of the
Presbyterian Church in the Valley of Vir-
ginia, and whose names will always be held
in veneration by those acquainted with their
worth. His grandfather was Col. james
Mcdowell, (the father of Gov. Mcdowell
who was the great grandson of Ephralm
Mcdowell, one of the first white settlers oi
what is now Rockbridge county, and whose
wife was the granddaughter of John Pres
ton. He was the second son of the Hon.
William Taylor, one of the most eminent
lawyers of the Rockbridge bar; and was born
in Lexington, October 18th, 1916. He pur-
sued his classical studies at Washington Col
W. sgs43ias o,,e year eth s-S 2rsity Of
Virginia. He first studied law, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in Lexington in 1889. He
began the practice of his profession in Fin
castle, and while thus engaged was brought
under religious influences which resulted IN
bis conversion and connection with the
Church. In 184S he was married to Miss
Eliza McNaught, in Missouri, whittier he
had gone to settle.
During these years spent in the legal pro-
fession, although he was successful and had
bright prospects before him, his conscience
was i'll at ease. Indeed, he once told the
writer of this notice that he never conducted
single case with clear conscience. The
result of these convictions was his abandon
ing the law and his determination to enter
the ministry of the gospel. In 1849 ne en-
tered the Union Theological Seminary in
Prince Edward, Va, and in 1851 was licensed
to preach.
His first charge was at Portsmouth, Va,
where his labors were greatly blessed and a
church built up. He endeared himself very
much to his people there, and is still most
fondly remembered by them. Early in his
pastorate he was severely afflicted by the loss
of his beloved wife. She left three children
who still survive He continued his labOrs
at Portsmouth until the second year of the
late war, when the place was occupied by the
United States forces. Being thus deprived
of field of labor, he Immediately entered the
Confederate army as Chaplain of the 9th Vir-
ginia Regiment of Infantry. The hardships
and exposure incident to this service were
such as to impair very seriously his health
1t was doubtless at this time, as he himself
thought, that he contracted the disease which
resulted in his, death. For, not TO speak of
his long and painful separation from his lit
tie motherless children, he endured equally
with the commonest soldier, the fatigues OF
the march, the rough experiences OF camp
life, and the coarse and meagre fare little
suited to one reared in more than ordinary
luxury; and always without word of CON-
ulaint. For while he was transferred to
hospital service at HarrisOnburg, where he
labored zealously and faithfully among the
poor, sick soldiers, and where he won the
confidence and warm affections of all who
became acquainted with him. After the
close of the war he was without employment
for a short time. In the early summer OF
1869 he was installed pastor of Timber Ridge
and Bethesda Churches, in Rockbridge, and
there he labored unremittingly and in truly
Christ-hke spirit until prOstrated by his final
illness. The same faithfulness and cOnscien-
tiousness, the same zeal and selfsacrifce
were apparent in this his last field of labor,
as had ever c. sracterized him. He allowed
nothing to stand in the way of his duty; no
weather kept him from his post; no winter s
cold. nor summers heat made him negligent
of his business.
The decline of his health was very gradual
As we look back now and recall the subdued
expression, the tender sadness that overcast
his gentle features, We are pursuaded that
long before it was apparent to others, he
himself regarded his life as wearing away
But with that thoughtful reticence, which
ever shrank from inAicting any pain, he kept
in his own heart all his forebodings-not
even to his children ever intimating that ht
knew himself to be surely but slOwl y passing
hence. Weary months of weakness were
appointed to him; but no one ever heard {
murmur from his lips. To the writer of thi'
memorial he expressed himself repeatedly al
possessed of the most "perfect peace;" mo-
even any undue anxiety being suffered tc
disturb his mind at the thought of leaving
behiad him his three orphaned children
Gentler, tenderer, softer grew the spiritua
light, until at last it was merged Shortly af
ter the rising of the sun of April 7th) in th'
full efulgence of the everlasting day.
He was true and devoted servant of tn
Lord Jesus Christ. Ever abundant in labor
ready to spend and be spent in his Master
service, unsel6sh even to fault, he wa
wholly. y.cOnsecrated to his work.
Brother Taylor was possessed of grace
full and courtly exterior, as well as mos
auiable and winning character. His entir
bearing was marked by the utmost purit,
and truest refinement, so that his perfec
Christian gsntlemanliaesss was cOnspicuOu
on all occasions and under all circumstances
and rendered him a charming addition t
every society he entered, and favOrite wit
all who knew him.
Al rnrr after truantr t,zn wears of cal