The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-04-17
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Archibald Graham McIlw aine.

of our Church passed peacefully al quietly from
his home in Petersburg, to the house not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens. de has been
so long and so widely known and estet med through.
out the bounds of our Southern VI urch, and has
been so honorably associated by liberal gifts and by
personal service with various public institutions
and Offices amongst US, that his n emory requires
more than passing notice, ard briet sketch OF
his life and character will no doubt be OF interest
to your readers.
Mr.. McIlwaiue was born in Londonderry, Ire
land, on the 5th of December 1901, OF family OF
refinement and culture, his f.ber being prosper
GUS and successful merchant engaged in the Amer
loan trade Archibald the oldest son, was de-
signed for the law, and was Icing educated for that
profession when the failure Of his father in bust
ness by reason Of the war of lSl2-l4, followed
speedily BY the fathers death. left the boy Of six
teen the chief support of widowed mother and
several brothers and sisters Relinquishing at
great sacrifice of ambition his hopes OF the law, he
came to America, landing in New York in the year
1918, whittier he brought letters of introduction to
leading merchants of that city. Just at that time
Mr.. Dunn, prosperous merchant OF Petersburg,
requiring the services of an assistant, wrote to
New York inquiring for some suitable person.
Young McIlwaine was recommended, and thus IN
the year 1918 his fortunes became identified with
those Of Virginia. An event which occurred at
this time gives so true 40 ipsight into various
phases of his character that L cannot we'll be omit
| ted. His mother as we have seen was in altered
circumstances, and all his thought was for her,
Reaching Petersburg with good trunk-full OF
clothing and thirty dollars in money, be deter
mined to make this last him for year, and to give
the entire salary of his first year to his mother.
Apprsed of his determination. his employers gen.
erously advanced him the two hundred dollars
which, in addition to his board, they had promised
for the first year. Instead of sending the money
be invested it in AaxSeed to be shipped to Europe
aud the proceeds to go to his mother Meanwhile
the price of fax seed advanced with almost UMPIRE
cedented rapidity. His first investment proved
wonderfully successful. His mothers heart was
gladdened, and he often traced in later days his
success in business TO Gods blessing upon this
early act of obedience to the fifth commandment.
His career as business man was one of uninter-
rupted prosperity. From the position of an EN-
poyee, be soon rose to that of business partner,
aud then to that of the recognized head OF the es-
Enlistment with the management of all its COM
plicated business. His clear insight, admirable
forethought, accurate judgment, and above all,
sterling integrity and strict adherence to business
principles, soon gave to his house reputation
which made the name in all commercial circles q
tower of strength, and enabled it to do the largest
commercial business ever done in Petersburg.
But Mr. McIlwaine was not simply successful
man of business He was public spirited citizen,
whose time, Influence and money were always
| ready for any enterprise connected with the COM
mercial, social, or religious welfare of the com
munity He not only made largely, but he gave
largely. Educational Institutions charitable foun
dations, Boards of missions, Bible agencies, tenn
perance associations, all found in him hearty
and liberal supporter, whilst his more private char
tiles flowed out through hundreds of channels.
His services as Director of Union Theological
Seminary for nearly forty years. and as Trustee
OF Hampden Sidney College for more than thirty
five years. together with his repeated and generous
contributions to the endowment of these instiiu-
tions, are enough of themselves to make his mem
DRY fragrant amongst Ms, and to make Us say,
f.Hep Lord, for the cody Ias: s.ssst, for ..aS
righteous fail from among the children of men.
| But it is preeminently of Mr.. McIlwaines Chris.
tian character that | wish to speak. Ga the 18th
day of July, 1922, his name was enrolled as a mem
Der of Tabb Street church, then under the pastor
ate of Dr. Benjamin 81. Rice. That 18Th OF July
deserves to be noted with white mark, for on
that day nine names were added, FIVE of which are
80 closely connected with the after prosperity Of
the church that they deserve q special record,
Abel Head, Andrew s. Holderby Peter P. Bate,
Henry Bourbon, and Archibald G. Mcllwaine.-
Happy the church that in one day gathers such
jewels to her bosom. They were all raised to the
position Of ruling elders They all used their Office
we'll One of them. Judge Peter P Bate, still re-.
mains honored and revered amongst US. The 9TH
ers have gone to their reward.
Mr. McIlwaine's piety was Of no ordinary stamp.
Some of its characteristics it may be well to men
ton though we cannot enlarge upon them.
His piety was active. With all the energy Of
his nature he threw himself into the work of the
Church. In the Sabbath School, in the prayer
meeting, in the Young Mems Missionary Society,
and the temperance Society, of each of which he
was for many years President; in the Office of dea
con to which he was set apart in August, 1922, in
the office of ruling elder to which he was ordained
in January, 1884 in the Office of clerk of Session
to which he was chosen in October, 1884. and which
he held for fortyone years; In all these his post
was never vacant. He never allowed his private
matters, even in the time of his greatest prosperity
and pressure of business to interfere with the due
observance of his religious duties.
| His piety was conscientious. He only required
to know that any course was right, and he pursued
it regardless Of consequences In the very zenith
of his popularity as merchant, he became con-
WINGED that it was wrong to keep ardent spirits for
sale, even in the way Of general commerce and plan
tation supply. In that day it was an uuheard of
thing for commission and grocery house to decline
to sell liquor. 1t was considered indispensably me-
cessary He was admonished on all hands that he
would fail, and though on the very first day of the
change, he lost an order for several thousand dol
lars by refusing to sell, he persisted in what he be-
lieved to be right, and in time built up larger
trade than he had ever had before.
His piety was scriptural. He knew the more
frequented portions of the Scripture almost by
heart Chapter after chapter aud verse after verse
he could repeat with an accuracy and emphasis
that we're wonderful. He received it as Gods Word
with most unhesitating faith. He was one of those
men of grand faith to whom there are no hard
doctrines Those high Calviustic doctrines which
so many refuse to accept, or accept as impastable
truths which they cannot explain away from the
clear teaching of Scripture, we're to him the very
scriptural food of his soul. The sovereignty Of
God. His alenting love- the security of the redeem.