The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-12

until the largest hall IN the city had to
be hired, and his audience numbered 5000
or 1000 people. The most important of
DIR. Robinson's works, Discourses on Re-
demption," was published during this
period. The Free Christian Common
a0eaHh, whose publication was begun in
1865, was revival of the The True Pres
oyte7aan, and was partly edited by DIR.
Robinson from Toronto
After the war, when DR.. Robinson re-
turned to Louisville, he was earnestly
urged to go to New York, where large
congregation proposed to build him
church; but, after long consideration, he
declined this invitation, which, as is stated,
he afterwards declared to be great mis-
take.
He was elected Moderator of the Gen
eral Assembly of the Southern Presbyte-
rian Church, at Mobile, in 1869. In 1873
he travelled in Europe and the East, and
In 1877 he went as a delegate to the Pan
Presbyterian Council in Edinburgh, of
which body he was one of the most nota-
BILE members. Here he delivered an adj
dress on "The Venerableness of Presby-
terianism," which drew forth the widest
applause.
The Louisville Commercial concludes
long notice of him with the remarks:
He initiated nobody. He was unlike any
one else He was odd at times, but great in his
address. If not always sparkling, he was never
dull. He was sometimes rapid in his speaking
yet deliberate always; earnest, but cool; pressed
his antagonist in controversy with great vigor
yet gave up gracefully when out-voted chained
his hearers by his intensely suggestive thoughts
or startled them in his brilliant contrasts. He
was wonderful in his power of endurance, in his
freshness. in his versatility. in his broad, good
humor, IN his striking common sense. THE
secret of DR.. Robinsons power" said sanguine
admirer in attempting to daguerreotype the
man some years ago, a. is his directness simpli-
city, scripturalness, and intense convictions of
truth. Of course these traits are mingled with
genius, learning and great industry. DIR. B.
M, Palmer, OF New Orleans excels him in word
l painting DIR. Moses d. Hoge, of Richmond
Va, in poetic temperament and power of
pathos; DR.. Samuel R. Wilson, of Louisville as
compact and wary debater in ecclesiastical
courts DR.. Robert L. Dabney, of Union The
illogical Seminary, In exactness of information
upon. limited number of subjects; Henry
Ward Beecher, of Brooklyn, in melody and
compass Of voice; but in breadth and versatility
of character and genius, the American pulpit
had no superior. Were he settled in London
or Edinburgh his congregations would be equal
to those of the most celebrated men,"
/ The Courier Journal of the 9Th inst,
devotes FIVE columns to a notice of DR..
Robinson. In its editorial article it re-
marks:
No citizen of Louisville possessed = more
commanding personality. He was not merely
an eminent divine. holding his tenure of infu
ence by those chords which stretch from the
church to the fre-sde and spring out of home
affections. He was of great moral force in secu
lar affairs, and welded power altogether
characteristic and original. His disappearance
from the midst of US, therefore, creates gat
not alone in the great family circle he had built
: up by his religious ministrations, but will be
, realized and regretted in every walk of life
where there Is intellectual or spiritual activity.
DR.. Robinson was a man of the largest pro
: portions. He had the look of great man, and
could be seen nowhere without attracting atten
: ton Like the late President Garfield, he rose
from the ranks to make himself scholar and
logician; though here the resemblance ceases.
> tor the divine was man of uncompromising
opinions and aggressive temperament, who
despite never failing urbanity and kind
heartedness, regarded every DETECTION from
: abstract right as wrong. During forty years
, OF heated controversy, often during periods of
passionate excitement. he maintained his intel
lectual convictions with power which, whilst
making itself perpetually felt did not descend
from the heights on which it was his nature to
plant himself to the lower levels of sectarian or
J partisan abuse. 1t was his ideas that were un
spalrng His individuality was simple, decorous
and genial and by none was he more esteemed
than by those who, differing from him, still re.
tanned the honor and pleasure of his society"
Z" The late DR.. Dreckinridge once said humor-
ously that there would never be peace in the
Presbyterian Church until the good Lord takes
me to Heaven and sends DIR. Robinson back to
, Ireland The good Lord, alas, has done better
by them both for He has taken them to Him
self. But, long ago, the presence of Dr. Rob
lnson on earth ceased to be the cause of disturb
ing, and was of late years bond of hope among
conservative churchmen. His death will be
deplored by Presbyterians everywhere. Among
the Christian people of the United States no one
layman or divine, stood higher, or will be more
sincerely and respectfully 1amented In Louis
, vile, where he has lived and labored so long.
and where remain so many trophies and mem
cries Of his charities and kindnesses, his demise
is the occasion Of unfeigned and universal sor.
row. All feel that good man, an eminent
preacher, and great citizen has passed from
among us, leaving place that can not be
The VANITY of human life is illus