The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-23
Memorial Pnper---Rev. James a
Duucnu ID. ID.

NJ, E.lNI.-l oO.
Memorial Pnper--.Rev. James a
Duncan, ID. ID.
The following paper was written ant
read by DR.. J. G. Graubery. OF the Wander
hili University, at the memorial services or
Tuesday. at Lynchburg, before the Virgini;
Annual Conference OF the Methodist Epis
copal Church. south:
James Armstrong Duncan was born il
Norfolk. Va, April Il, 1880. He was dcdi
Gated 10 God from his birth, and trained il
,jrrv hv his father, the venerable Dayit
Duncan. WHO has been prominent through
Two generations in the education OF TIT
youth OF the southern States, and who ac
crptrd The chair OF ancient languages il
Randolph Macon College while james was
child. and bv his mother, q woman OF
sanity character. who preceded her son by
= fcw wears 10 the heavenly land. In his
boyhood lie was a universal favorite, and
di>plaved the gifts OF mind and genial spirit
and grace 81 manner which became so con-
,ricilous in his ripper years. We may men
ZION his oyerfowing humor and gaiety, tenn
p.rcd with kind and generous nature, and
!. wonderful power OF mimicry, which fur.
ui>hcd unhounded amusement to his COM
radcS, and indeed to persons OF mature age,
but was never used TO wound in feeling or
reputation. In 1S47, during one OF those
rr1cious rcyiyals with which our college
has been >ignally blessed year after year,
he sought and found peace in Jesus. In
one OF his latest and most effective sermons
he described with deep feeling his own
conversion, and affirmed that the VOW OF
con>ccration then made had been the con-
trolling principle OF his ministry and the
motive of those labors which his brethren
sometimes thought excessive. -
He was licensed TO preach probably the
next year. The people Of Mecklenburg still
speak OF his first sermons in which they
saw the prophecy OF his future greatness.
Having graduated in June, 1S49, he was
immediately placed in charge Of society
in Alexandria which had Just organized in
connection with the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. From that hour bis popu'
larity and success as q preacher and pastor
BEGAN, and they steadily waXed fuller anG
more lustrous until his death quenched 6
star than which none shonc with purel
and more brilliant radiance in the whole
ornament OF Methodism. 4 great revival
attended his labors during the few month:
before the session OF our Conference
and the prosperity OF the Church was
secured. He was kept on our north
crn border Tor nine years-in Fairfax
Lec>burg. Alexandria, and Washington
everywhere beloved with enthusiasm, every
where successful in his ministry. Ther
followed nine years OF faithful labor in tht
city Of Richmond. In 1857 be was sent tt
Trinty-cnc OF our oldest and most i'm
porlant stations. There had come crisi
in the history OF that church. Its prospe
rty was already impaired and seriously
threatened by the unfortunate location O.
thc house OF worship. The young pastor
soon crowded the building with an eager
congregation. The e}oquence OF his dis
courses aud the charm OF his social man
ncrs were theme OF general comment
through tie city. Two series Of sermons
10 young men and women proved peculiarly
attractive. and resulted in extensive and
lasting benefit, He took frent rank among
the pulpit orators OF the land. All denom-
nations flocked to hear him, and delighted
in his company and friendship. These hon
ors he wore with. modest dignity, and con-
>ccrated with godly. simplicity to the ser
vice OF the Master. A little band from
Trinity determined, under his leadership,
10 build handsome and commodious church
ON Broad street near the Capitol Square.
In 1859 he was appointed to this new
charge, and preached in rented hall until
The church was completed. 1t was dedi-
Gated in March, 1861, and with the eXcep-
tIcn OF two wears he continued in pastora!
charge until the Conference OF 1866. All
this time his influence widened and deep
rned. He was power in that city. When
il became the capital Of the Confederate
States, and was crowded with representa-
tiyc> from al parts OF the South. his faith
Iul, spiritual, eloquent preaching entranced,
cdiied, encouraged, and impressed with
saving efficacy IN untold multitude, whose
number eternity must reveal No mtfn in
our day has accomplished more for Method
ism OF for the cause Of Christ in the capital
't Virginia than James A. Duncan.
In addition TO his pastorate, he edited the
Richmond Christian Advocate from the fall
Ci 1860 to the fail OF 1866. With character
htic Senerositv.hc did this work without
money and price--a free-will offering to the
Misunderstanding the two years he devoted
lis whole time to the paper. The readiness
and versatility of his talents were admira-
bly, shown in this Office; for, with many
other claims upon Iris time, he wrote not
only the editorials, but much OF the most
popular and enjoyable correspondence with
which the Adrecdte was enriched during
those years. Great curiosity was aroused
10 hnd out the anonymous authors Of series
Of letters published in the paper; but few,
II any, suspected that they came from the
fertile brain Of the editor.
Two years he was pastor OF the Washing
Construct church in Petersburg. Such men
as Darcy Paul loved to speak OF the rich
spiritual feasts on which be fed them from
the pulpit, and OF the no less precious infu.
elce Of bis pastoral visits. In that city he
suffered severe spell Of nervous fever
his first illness since childhood.
This brings us to Il third era Of nine years
IN his eycntful life. After the war Ran.
dolph-Macon College re0pened, and feebly
struggled for life. DR.. Duncan was among
The strongest advocates OF its transfer from
boyd;on to Ashland. The Board OF Trustees
resolved on this critical movement in the
summer Of 1868, the Faculty resigned, and
an a. election was held to fill the vacant places.
Dr. Duncan was unanimously chosen presi-
uent. He signitied promptly disposition
W accept the responsible post but demand
,, eu lew days in which to carry the ques-
,loh IN private prayer TO the God whose be
"ss and whom he served. Repeatedly and