The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
IN MEMORIAL

aueauy peen announced 10 the 1ehc r. ri
was widely known, and warmly beloved yhe ioi'
lowing particulars of his history Gay be intee s'ns
to many friends.
He was born in Savannsh, Georgia. in Deem
Der, 1895, the second son OF Joseph Stiles, Esq"
of that city-a rice planter of property and poston
A younger brother, the Hon. WIN. w. Stiles was
at one time minister to the Court Of Vierna'-
In the war of 1872, he vas 2 member Il the
Chatham Artillery of Savanna, Ga, Company
which has preserved its org zation and name,
and in the late war was attao 10 the Artillery OF
Col. Ii. c. Cabell, of Richn a, Va. Il is an In
terestlng circumstances thatsaor Robert o'iies'
son Of the deceased, was Aatant Of that oattai'
lion, and frequently served q tn these saple guns
in some of the severest bas.f that were fought
Joseph c. Stiles graduated ME College, IN 1914
and studied law in the scls Of Judge Gould, at
Litch6eld, Conn.,, and also p Judge berrian' Oh
Georgia About this timt married MISS feck'
of New Haven. Conn. who yed but short time
after their marriage. He lcticed law, for few
years, with great success n promise IN Savannah
in partnership with Mr.. VIM Gordon; but becom-
ing deepy impressed. reIslously, be abandoned his
nraetice and profession greatly to the disappont-
nent and again lonstrsnces of his father
and OF JUDI Instructor, both Of whom
afterWard bees TO his change Of pur-
DO Profoup d. with the sentiment,
"Wo is me. if l - % 20 80 Gospol though
shrinking from the work Of pyeachiug as get to cul-
tivated people, he began, first, to exhoTt negroes
on his fathers and the adjoining plantations until
his father, impressed with the depth and earnest
ness of his convictions and purposes, and consent
ing to the choice he had made. advised him, II he
,ooud preach to qualify himself for the service by
systematic course of Theological studies Thus ad-
vlsed he pursued with characteristic zeal the course
| of Theological education at the Seminary in An
| dover, Mass After leaving the Seminary, he
preached with much power and success in different
parts of Georgia. 10 1928 he married the daugh-
| ter of James Nephew, Esq, near Darien, Ga, who
survives him.
For one year he was co.pastor with DIR. Lyman
Beecher, in Cincinnati. Returning to Georgia, he
soon moved his family and negroes, largely with
view to the benefit and Improvement of the lat
ter,) to Kentucky In addition to the regular
work of the ministry, at Versailles and Midway,
and in other parts of Kentucky, he took promi
with Alexander Campbell, and other apostles Of
new creeds.
DR.. Stiles was called, in 1874, to the pastoratt
of the United Presbyterian church (then so-called
in Richmond; which position he sustained with
earnest devotion and with success, until he wa
invited, in lS4S, to the Mercer Street Presbyterian
church in New York His health becoming i'm
paired, he resigned the charge Of the Mercer St
church and assumed General Agency for thu
American Bible Society in 1S50-'5l, travelling
chiefly in the South and advocating that cause will
decided success.
In 1853 he was called to take charge of tn
South Church, in New Haven, in fine edifc
erected specially for him by that noble man, Ger
ard Hallock, Esq, for many years editor of tn
New Y ork Journal Of Commerce. Whilst in tn
service of that church, and upon surrendering it
he devoted himself EARNESTLY to the organization
and development of the 4 Southern Aid Society,
by whose Christian liberalities many destitut
fields and feeble churchesrwere supplied and as
sisted in the maintenance of ministers of the gospel
Coming South in 1861, DR.. Stiles gave his Who'll
time and strength to aAats of love, aud especial
religious services among the soldiers in the camp
and in the field. No fatigue, hardship, or imme
date peril disheartened him. His preaching, ii
connection with these services, was abundant AM
powerful, and, by God blessing, in large meas
ure effcacious in the hopeful salvation of man
souls. After the war he was engaged as an Evan
gelist in Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi
and Missouri He closed his labors only when b
was no longer physically able to work. He preache'
his last sermon from a pulpit at Union, Monro
county, W. Va, June 2Sth, 1874. He died a
Savannah, Ca, March 29th, 1875. He had sui
fered much prostration, attended with consdera
BILE nervous restessnesS for some months befor
his departure; but his end was calm, peaceful
blessed, and blessing to those who witnessed 1T.
DR.. Stiles was man of noble mien; of rar
physical energy of strong, clear, logical mind o
warm affections; Of remarkable unSelfshness; ant
of burning heroic zeal He has been felt widely
for good in many parts of the land; and the repor
of his death will awaken in many hearts renewed
thanksgivings to God for blessings received unde
his ministry, and profound sympathy for the dea
ones made desolate by the removal of husband ant
father. They are sitting under cloud, but it il
lined with gold.
1t is to be regretted that SO little Of the menta
labor of our departed brother has been preserved
in permanent form. His discourses, many of them
were most remarkable for the thorough analysis
and logical development of the text and subject il
hand; for comprehentiveness and clearness o.
statement Of doctrinal' and practical points, anC
for the direct and soleTn earnestnesS and power o.
appeal to the intellect, conscience and heart The
sermons and addresses which he was accustomed
to deliver when he visited community, with 9
view to the awakening and reviving of luke-warn
Christians and to the conviction and conversion Of
sinners, were powerful in matter and in manner
Had these and others been preserved or could
they be reproduced from any notes left behind
they would be most valuable contribution to the
theological treasures of the age.
1t did indeed seem strange, at the funeral ser
vice. held in the Grace Street Presbyterian church,
in this city, that has form sSeuld lie there silent
before the pulpit, snd then be laid away in the
grave, without sign of interest in what was passing
around him; but the Word that he spoke, while
he lived, is not buried with him. it lives, and will
bear fruit forever. He has record In the hearts
of many who survive him, and record on high.
| Richmond, April 9Th, 1875. Il.
| ro~~{ss;onarc g.. Ar GenaroI Aoaamhlu