The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-02

heard that Dr. Nelson was on a visit of
exploration in that part of Missouri. Mr..
Lacy dispatched young man on horse
back to distance of some forty miles in
order to find DR.. Nelson, and bring him
to the meeting. DR.. Nelson reached the
neighborhood late on Saturday evening,
and sent word to Mr.. Lacy that he would
be present on Sabbath morning and
preach. He did not arrive on the
ground until the congregation had as
sembled. After the greeting, the two
men walked together in the grove Mr..
Lacy describes his countenance as glow
ing with religious emotion, and enligh-
tened with a smile of exquisite sweetness.
The few words he uttered were broken
expressions of prayer and devotional rap
ture. In this state of mind, hand in
hand, they returned to the place of
preaching. Nelson said, "Let US stand
up together and sing few songs of praise
to God before l preach" After the
prayer he began his sermon. 1t is to be
regretted that neither the text nor an
outline of that sermon can be given, but
Mr.. Lacy always placed it in advance of
any pulpit effort of any man he ever
heard. He describes it as simple, clear,
logical, and mastery, and especially
sublime and pathetic.
Near the close, the description of the
heavenly state, its employments, and its
glory, surpassed anything of human elo-
quence he had ever heard. DIR. Nelson
turned at one time to the two venerable
ministers, Ball and Finley, who sat on a
bench behind him, and commissioned
them to bear message for himself and
those present to the heavenly court. The
old men in their excitement rose to their
feet, clasped each other in their arms,
rested their gray heads on each others
shoulders and sobbed audibly in the
presence Of the assembly. The excite
ment at that point was so great that Mr..
Lacy apprehended the widest confusion
might follow, when DIR. Nelson in a
manner truly wonderful, by his own self
command, and the gentle modulations of
his voice, completely Gained and con-
trolled the excited multitude. Mr.. Lacy
IN the after years of his life loved to refer
to this scene, and could never relate it
without being himself moved to tears.
When DIR. Nelson removed with his
family to Missouri, he spent several days
at the residence of Mr. Lacy, on the
Dardenne Prairie.
A son of Mr.. Lacy remembers with
the greatest interest the conversations
during that visit between the two friends.
Dr. Nelson's theme was chiefly the con-
version of the world and the coming of
the Millennium; and the listener es-
pecially remembers his conversation on
the conversion of the continent of Africa
through the means of the Colonization
Society.
Mr.. Lacy was man Of fine scholar
ship, having been Professor of Ancient
Languages at Hampden Sidney College,
Virginia. He had paid particular atten-
ton to Bellies Lettres and English Lite
rature. His conversation was frequently
embellished with apt and beautiful quo
tations from the Classics, and the best
English authors. The distinguished John
Randolph, of Virginia, with whom at one
time he was intimately associated, told
a friend he regarded Mr.. Lacy as hay
ing naturally the best taste and finest
critical acpmen of any man he had ever
known. His conversational powers were
very remarkable. He charmed the at
tention of his hearers by his ease, grace
fulness, and intelligence. His appear
ance was very attractive, he was tall,
finely formed, and strikingly handsome.
His preaching scarcely ever equaled the
expectation formed from his appearance
and conversation. His style in the pull
pit was simple, and somewhat converse
tional in its character. He was difident
and distrustful of himself, but there was
always something in every sermon which
touched the heart Of the Christian and
gratifed the taste of the cultivated and
scholarly. There were occasions when
he seemed to rise above embarrassment,
producing great and lasting impressions,
and in these instances he was seldom sur
passed in his day by any preacher IN elo-
quence and force.
He possessed the advantage of fine
musical talent. His vocal powers were
remarkable and much admired. He was
truly one Of the sweet singers of Israel.
At time when choirs were not orga-
nized, and when little attention was
given to the cultivation of sacred music,
this faculty was of great advantage, and
gave much additional interest to his pub
lie ministrations. The eleven years of
Mr. Lacy's residence in Missouri were
marked by abundant missionary labors,
and by the evident blessing Of God upon
his work. He was an example of how