The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-30
Death OF Rev. J. N. p. Atkinson' ID
Dill n ahstch Of Els Life.


Dill. D.-ak etch Of Els Life.
Rev. John Mayo peasants Atkinson,
d. ID. LII. d., the eminent Presbyterian
divine and educator, and who, from 1870
until last year, when III health forced him
to resign, was president Of Hampden'Sid-
ney College, Virginia, died at his rest
dence, in Hampden-Sidney, at hali-past !
O'Clock Tuesday evening. DR.. Atkinson
was the son Of Robert Atkinson, Esq, OF
Mansfield, Dinwiddie county, and was
born about the year 1916. His mothers
maiden name was Mary Mayo. and he was
one OF a large famIly-slx sons and five
daughters. Three OF his brothers also en-
braced the ministry Bishop Thomas At
kinson, OF the Episcopal Church, and
Rev. DR.. William NJ. Atkinson. and
Rev. Joseph VI. Atkinson, OF the Presby-
terrain Church. The latter is still alive,
and is highly-esteemed pastor in North
Carolina.
DR.. j. VI. p. Atkinson took his college
course at IIampden-Sidney College, where
he graduated in 1885, and the same year
entered the Union Theological Seminary.
Having completed the course at this inst-
tuition he studied short while at Prince
ton, and in 1888 was ordained to preach.
His first labor was in Il missionary field in
Texas, after which his ministry until called
to the presidency OF Ilampden-Sidney was
at Warrenton, Va. and Georgetown, ID. {.
As president OF Hampden-Sdney he was
also professor OF Moral and Mental Phllos-
ophy, and few men ever did more thorough
or effective work in impar,ing to young
men a knowledge OF these sciences.
In the main DR.. Atkinson's life was I'M
eyentful. lie was quiet power in the
Church, exercising great influence in her
councils; looked up TO for advice, but sell
dom, il ever, engaging in exciting debates.
He made no pretensions TO oratory either
in delivery or gesture. His sermons were
straightforward. clear, fervent, and spirit
ual. He preached the Gospel" and his
faith was something almost sublime. As
one who had been intimately associated
with him for twenty-odd years remarked to
us. 'IIe never undertook any work that was
moi made matter OF prayer with him." And
his theological knowledge, great as it was,
was only equaled by his humility. During
the twenty-siX years Of his work in the
halls of Hampden-Sidney his presidency
and proiessorship were ever subordinated
to what he considered a nobler position,
that Of pastor OF the students. The lives
Of those who in this capacity he brought
into the ministry make up the most elo-
qucnt tribute to his memory that could be
given.
DR.. Atkinson was an intense south
erner, and with all Of his humility was
OF mould OF character that would
have expressed and maintained convic-
tons at the stake. In June, 1861, he or
ganized the students Of Hampden-Sidney
as an infantry company, and being elect
ed their captain, reported to Richmond
for service. From Richmond he was
sent with his company to West Virginia,
and with it taken prisoner at Rich
mountain. While awaiting parole in the
enemy's camp he frequently discussed the
causes that led to the war with the supe-
rior Federal officers, and was so bold and
outspollen as to incur the bitter personal
hostility Of the private soldiers and subor-
dinate officers. To such an extent did this
feeling obtain that when he was paroled
two United States officers were sent with
him TO the Confederate lines to protect
him, as they stated, from the Federal sharp
shooters.
DR.. Atkinson had been married three
times. His first wife was daughter OF the
Rev. Peyton Harrison; his second daugh-
ter OF Dr.. Baldwin, OF Winchester; and his
third daughter Of Hon. \. IL. II. Stuart, Of
Strunton. Two daughters survive him
Mrs. Morrison, OF IIampden-Sidney, and
Mrs. Owen, OF Halifax county. In DIR.
AtkinsOn's death not only his Church but
his State has suffered a great loss. He was
an honor to and true son OF both. His
life is written over with good deeds, gene
rous impulses, and Christian self-Sacriiice.
Its sunset closes a glorious record Of duty
faithfully performed in every situation in
which he was placed, and points us to the
more glorious sunrise OF the External
Morn"