The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-11-01
REV. MOSES RAYMOND.
Memorial adopted By the Synod of Jirgnia,
October, 1876.

Memorial adopted By the Synod of J1aginia,
October, 1876.
Rev. Moses Raymond, who fell asleep in
Jesus, at his home in Hampshire county, w.
Va, on the morning Of May 10Th, 1875, was
born at Norwslk, Connecticut, on the Och
of January, 1898.
OF his early life, and the date of his rei.
gious impressions very little can now be as,
certained. But, from memoranda preserved
among his papers, it appears be was gradu-
sted from Yale College in 1926, and had al
ready decided upon his hfe-work. For he
Immediately on leaving college, entered upon
course of theological study, under the d.
rection of Rev. B. F. Stanton-then pastor
of the Congregational church, ID Bethlehem,
Conn.,, and subsequently 50 we'll and widely
known in the Synod Of Virginia, in connec-
ton with the church, College and Seminary
in Prince Edward county.
In October, 1880, at the earnest request
of the church at Chatham, N. Y, he was or
dsined as an evangelist, at Bethlehem, Conn,
by the South Association of Liteh6eld cOun-
ty, and labored under the direction Of that
body for several years.
In 1888 he removed to Hampshire county,
Va, Gin the bounds of Winchester Presby-
tery) as a missionary of the Assembly 8
Board and with the exception of q year
spent at Snickersville, LOudoun county, Va,
labored among the hills and valleys of Hamp-
shire until his death.
When he first came to the county, he found
himself in the midst of the great revival which,
beginning at Winchester, swept so generally
over the western part of the Synod of Vir-
ginia. In the services connected with that
revival he seems to have been actively en-
gagged.
Until 1916, he continued to labor as a
missionary in different parts of the county,
when he became pastor of Mt. Bethel church.
This charge he held until 1872, when grow
ing age and infrmities induced him to re-
quest the Presbytery to dissolve the relation.
To this Presbytery acceded at its meeting at
Oakland, Md, Sept. 18th, 1872
During this long pastorate, he preached
frequently, we may say, almost regularly, for
a great part of the time at Spring6eld-one
ofDr. Foote'S churches, near MIR. Raymond
home-at Old Town, Nd, and various other
points in eastern Hampshire.
Although never robust, and victim all
his life to dyspepsia, such were his indomit-
able will and energy that, though being ten
miles from his church, he rarely failed to
meet his appointments, but, Z" an labors more
abundant, iR journeyings often, az perils OF
waters, iR WEAKNESS and painfulness," hefaith-
fully preached Christ erucifed for more than
forty years.
After resigning his pastorste, though quite
feeble, he came regularly to Springfield to
worship and often assisted the pastor 10 the
services. A few months before his depar-
ture he had slight attack of paralysis, bat
soon rallied and seemed almost as active as
before. About the 1st Of April, he was in
his accustomed place in the sanctuary and
led the deyotionS of the congregation. But
ON that day he contracted a violent cold, from
which he suffered acutely until the last o.
April, when be was again stricken with pa
raj ysis. Though completely Frustrated anC
almost entirely blind, ne retained bis menta
faculties and was able to speak 50 as to 81
understood until few hours before his death
His last days were not characterized by any
SDeClal OF LIlQmDudub GOUAOAhhA otAOhca W
with calm steady faith, without the expires
sion of doubt or fear he went down into the
valley leaning upon his beloved. When mi
family bore him to that couch from which n
never rose, TO some expression Of sOlieitud'
about his condition, he quickly answered
"YOu know my motto text; l know WHOM
have believed, and am persuaded that Ht
is able to keep that which l have committed
unto him against that day.
Not long after he came to Virginia, be
was united in marriage to Miss Walker, who
with three children son and two daugh
tiers, still survives to mourn their losa Dur,
ing his long life in bis adopted home, ne was
thoroughly identified in thought and action
with the people among whom he lived; and
dwelling as he did upon the border, was more
than once called to meet great oppression
and danger from invading foes.
AS man and minister be left his i'm
preston deep upon the community in which
he lived. Thoroughly honest in all his con-
victions, he was frank and bold in expressing
them; so much SO, indeed, as often to appear
blunt. In his earlier days he was great
reader, and especially fond of the quaint and
racy writing Of the DiYines of the 18th cen
fury. His unusually retentive memory was
well stored with many of the best things 10
classic and modern literature, and he often re-
produced them with something of the effect
skillful jeweler gives to a gem by its set
ting.
As a preacher his manner and method
were peculiar, and yet he rarely failed to in.
terest and instruct, while often his sermons
abounded in most brilliant passages. As a
t1eologian, thorough Calvinist, he loved to
" stand in the Wsys-to ask for the old paths,
where is the good way, and to lead his peO-
pie" forth by the footsteps of the flock, and
so always preached the distinctive doctrines
of his creed faithfully, clearly and boldly
In prayer he was unusually gifted, almost
uniformly seeking as the vehicle for MS earn
est devout praises and petitions, phrases OF
Scripture most aptly introduced and linked
together. One Of the latest acts of his life
was prayer, almost sublime in its conception
and sweep, for himself, his family, his neigh
bors, the Church and the world.
In view of such life, and such death
may we not say,
Servant of God well done
Praise be thy new employ;
And while eternal ages run.
Rest in thy S6yiOur's iOy.