The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-26
reported and preserved in the archives oi
wba, boots II where the high reward is given,

einia Conference and Of the Church, I bid
thee adieu until we meet again. ! ~.
taayIey. DIR. Duncan was born in the city OF
Norfolk in the year 1880. of fbigbly-cultivated
and honorable parents. BE was reared
amidst the refnements OF domestic life and
the sanctities OF the Christian religion, the
principles and convictions Of which he inl-
bibed during that fostering period.
lie enjoyed the best advantages Of Chris
tian culture. His father was an accom-
plished scholar and an eminent professor.
He graduated at Randolph-Macon College
during the first stage OF Its history, at the
age of nineteen, and was converted to God
in one Of those revivals OF religion by which
that institution has been 80 remarkably
signalized.
Soon after his graduation he entered upon
the Christian ministry, in which, by the
blessing OF God, he achieved his highest
distinction. He possessed extraordinary
cndowments, and rose to an eminence
which but few OF his contemporaries have
attained. To the acquisition OF an elegant
education be added the force Of 4 mature and
vigorous mind and the wealth OK fertile
imagination. he was Christian orator in
the best sense Of the phrase, and welded
his power with an JUNCTION and effect which
suits of his commission and reputation rs
widespread as it is solid. His manner in
the pulpit was seli-possessed and digni6ed,
and his voice was an instrument OF wonder
full compass and varied modulation. lie was
in perpetual demand, and enthusiastic
crowds attended upon his ministry without
weariness or diminution. His chief merit,
| however, was the soundDesS OF his theology
and the earnestness OF his appeals, under
which multitudes were brought to &thc
knowledge of the truth and will be stars in
the crown of his rejoicing.
In the midst Of his career rs Il preacher
he was summoned to the charge OF Ran
dolph- Macon College, to recover its fallen
| fortunes, Mt it's new location in Ashland.
He reluctantly yielded to change the sphere
of his activity from the scene OF his beloved
euployment to the responsibilities OF an
! institution Of learning.
Suffice it to say that his administration
has been all entire success. With a full
appreciation OF the difficulty and importance
OF the undertaking he threw the whole
weight of his energy into the enterprise.
| PhnniX-like, it arose full of life from Its
ashes, and Randolph-Macon College to-day
is monument of his genius and his toll.
Hundreds OF young men, attracted by his
reputation and his abilities, have filled its
halls and bear the impress Of his character.
Who will supply his place? Let us doubt
not that work so well begun will not cease
to flourish because the human architect has
fallen at his post. The Church VIII hnd Il
successor.
He was selected by the college Of bishops
as one Of the fraternal messengers to repre-
sent the Methodist Episcopal Church South
| .I,o I,,t ~ Tho Eannr.ol COnYarf
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church North.
1t fell to his lot on that grand occasion to be
the principal actor, to stand in the focus OF
millions Of eyes. His success at that critical
hour has been adiudged triumph, and his
memory will be associated as an ambassador
in history with the reconciliation OF the two
largest bodies OF Methodism in the world.
His prospects at the time Of his death
prospects which he betrayed no ambition to
realize-were, humanity speaking, in the
highest degree flattering. He had been q
member OF three successive General Con-
ferences. lie had received at one OF them
large suffrage for the Episcopacy, and was
in the opinion OF many the most prominent
candidate for that Office in the Church.
His piety was unquestionable. He real
lied the VOW OF his conservation to God
His religious experience OF late years was
deep, and mellowed and enrichedsby the
affective dispensations through which he
passed; and his zeal increased with added
years. His death was an immediate retreat
| from one of his most laborious campaigns
That sad event was unexpected by his
immediate friends and by the Church. II
will be deplored North and South, East and
West, not only by .Methodists, but by Chris.
tians OF other denominations, on account Of
his catholic spirit and his commanding abil.
tiles. His memory is fragrant, and will be
cherished long after his disappearance from
the scene Of action.
Tn no community does his death awake {
profounder response than in the city ol
Richmond, rs is evinced by the vast assem-
blage now present. The scene before Us is
deeply touching. 1t was here that he
made his greatest impression. This house
OF worship was erected and its congrega-
ton gathered by his influence. 1t was here
that delighted crowds hung upon his elo
uuent tongue. That form which SO, otter
adorned this sacred place now lies in tho
cold embrace OF Death at the foot OF the
very pulpit which he so powerfully filled
and that voice which thrilled his hearers j:
silent forever. James a. Duncan IS nc
more. God has.taken him. s.r
So passes before our eyes, my hearers, the
solemn drama OF that Divine Providence
the ordering of that God who "doeth ac
cording to His will in the army OF heaven
and among the inhabitants Of the earth
and none can stay His hand or say unto
Him, What doest Thou?" .'
PROMINENT CLERGYMEN PRESENT.
Manv prominent clergymen were present
representing nearly every religious denomi
nation in the city. Some OF the minister!
were unable even to get standing-room In
the main audience-room of the church, fol
the aisles were crowded before the remains
arrived from Ashland. Among those who
were there, in addition to all the Methodist
ministers OF the city, were Rev. Charles Il
Read. ID. D., OF the Grace-Street Presbyte'
rian church; Rev. J. z. Tyler, OF the Sey'
enth-Street Christian church; Rev. Joshut
Peterkin, D. D., OF st. James Eplscopa
church; Rev. Fl. 5. Kepler, OF the EDIsco'
pal Church Rev. J. William Jones, D. D.
Rev. IT. 4. Preston, D. D., OF the First
Presbyterian church; Rev. NJ. w. Staples,
OF the Virginia Bible Society; Rev. j. L.
NJ. Curry, D. D.; Rev. w. E. Hatcher, D.
H., OF the Grace-Street Baptist church
Rev. Pike Powers, OF the Episcopal Church
Rev. A. z. Dickinson, D. D. The Faculty
OF Randoiph-Ma College and OF Rich.
mond College, as we'll as the students OF
both institutions, were also present. The
faculties and the students occupied the
middle aisle, and, after the services, fol-
lowed the remains on foot to the grave.
AT HOLLYWOOD.
It was twilight when the head OF the col.
umn reached the section In Hollywood