The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-29
For the Central Presbyterian.
Rev. Robert p. Kennedy.

appeared In the central ETeSOyte71u7l an
nouncing the decease of this esteemed
minister, lately pastor of White Clay
Creek church, few miles west of Will
mington, Delaware.
This sad event occurred on the third
Of December, 1881, and an aged mother
and devoted sister are most sorely be-
reaved, along with his attached congre-
cation, to whom he so faithfully minis
tered the past ten years. A deserved
eulogy was pronounced by you, when you
alluded to him as an excellent person, a
good preacher, and consecrated servant
of Jesus. Having been one of my most
intimate ministerial friends, 1 would be
pleased to give, through your columns, a
somewhat extended notice of his life and
labors in Virginia and West Virginia.
In the summer of 1860, being licen-
tate of the Presbytery of Ohio, he entered
upon the duties of the ministry as stated
supply of Liberty and Baxter churches
in the bounds of Greenbrier Presbytery,
and Pisgah church in the bounds of Lex.
ington Presbytery He was received by
Greenbrier Presbytery, October 4th, 1860.
The field so occupied by him, embraced
the northern half of Pocahontas county,
West Virginia, and the western half of
Highland county, Virginia. In this
widely extended and arduous field he
labored seven years. This period in
cluded the war period and two years
after it's close. At the writer's instance,
he was induced to divide the time de-
voted to Pisgah church with the Reho-
both neighborhood, now constituting the
bounds of Beulah church. The region
comprising his ministerial charge was
alternately occupied by both armies, and
sometimes was between the lines. Two
battles were fought in the bounds of Lib
erty church-Greenbrier river and Allie
ghany mountain-yet he never relin-
quished his post, and was not seriously
molested until late in November, 1864.
April 9th, 1867, brother Kennedy
was dismissed to Lexington Presbytery,
and was received May 10th, 1867, and
for two or three years ministered to Leb-
anon church, Rockbridge county. Upon
receiving call to the joint pastorate of
Warm Springs and Windy Cove churches,
Bath county, he accepted the same. May
2lst, 1870, he was installed pastor of
Warm Springs, and the 18th of June fol
lowing, he was installed at Windy Cove.
The installation services at Windy Cove
were directed by Rev. Samuel Brown, so
widely known and revered in all that in
Jeresting region. November 25th, 1871,
he was dismissed to the Presbytery OF
New Castle, and became pastor of White
Clay Greek church. Here he was joined
by his mother and sister, and spent the
remainder of his life most happily and
usefully. In one of his last letters to the
writer, he gave the particulars of very
remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
More than fifty persons united with the
church during a series Of meetings held
in the midst Of the busy season of harvest
Reference has been made to the rather
singular fact that brother Kennedy was
not molested or put to any serious per
sonal inconvenience by the war except
upon one occasion. I will speak of that
now, and may mention other incidents
illustrating some of the vicissitudes OF
his ministerial life in the Virginia noun
tains. He was on his way from his home
in Pocahontas to Monterey, Highland
county, to fill his round of appointments,
and as there seemed to be a lull in the
military storm, he ventured to leave the
mountain path he usually travelled, and
was passing al0nr The Parkersburg and
Staunton road. A dense fog was prevail
ing at the time, and before he was aware
of their presence, he rode into the midst
of federal picket, who dismounted him
took possession of his horse and saddle
bags, and sent him under guard and afoof
to Monterey. When he was taken to
headquarters, colored man. Reuben, re
siding in the village, took it on himself
to secure brother Kenhedy's release, and
as the brother himself used to tell the
story with evident relish, the writer feels
no hesitation in repeating it. He says
uncle Reuben was very kindly received
and politely asked his business by Major
Thornburg, officer in command. Uncle
Reuben said Use come to beg off our
young preacher. I thinks, in fact knows
he wont do you any harm in de world
Eor / thinks he hasn't sense enough to
nurt anybody. All de sense dis little
good man has to do anything wild, is to
preach little sometimes. The Major
seemed inclined to relent, and order his
release on Uncle Reuben's plea, but be
fore doing so he made some inquiry as to
the young preachers antecedents, which
syere candidly given Soon as the Major
earned that he was Pennsylvania, his
,cOuntenance changed from leniepcv TO-