The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-09
REV. GEORGE W. NOLLEY.
DEATH OF THIS METHODIST MINISTER
APTER FIFTY EIGHT YEARS SERVICE.
sketch OF His Life as Man and Min.
fstcr-How no Led Battle
Charge.

circuit rider was full OF hardship. not 10
say peril. There were then no railroads or
steamboats, in Virginia. The mountains
had to be reached on horseback; the tidal
streams had to be travelled in canoes or
small sail-boats; population was sparse,
and the comforts Of life by no means what
they are now. Nature fitted Mr.. Motley 10
combat and overcome these difficulties.
He was the man for the times. He was
tail, square-shouldered, deep-chested, and
strong IN heart and head and body, and
filled with zeal which would yield TO no
obstacle. Wherever he was sent he went
willingly. He preached in many parts OF
the State, and there was no labor that he
was not willing 10 undertake; no work too
hard Tor him 10 attempt.
He in truth wore himself out by long
and faithful service.
HIS APPEARANCE AT CONFERENCE.
For several years past Mr.. Motley held a
supernumerary relation his advanced
years and failing strength having COM
PEELED him to decline TO attempt to under
take charge. When the Conference as
sembled here IN November in the fulfil
ment OF a great longing he was able to be
present, and then for the fiity-eighth year
answered to Toll-call. He was very weak
physically. but his eye regained something
Of It's old-time sparkle as he quietly told the
younger members his experiences and
spoke OF the rest that awaited him.
DEATH.
Mr.. Motley was not particularly unwell
day before Yesterday. but early yesterday
morning he was found breathing very
hard. and at o'clock A. VI. died. lie
leaves a wife and several children. His
funeral will take place at Ashland to-mor-
row at II O'Clock, and will be attended by
all the Methodist ministers Of Richmond
and vicinity and by ministers OF other de-
nominations.
Sketch OF His Life.
DR.. LafIerty, in his sketches OF the Vir-
ginia Conference. says Of Mr.. Motley:
George Washington Motley was bora Of
plous parents, in the county OF Mecklen-
burg, Va, December %, 1903. His father,
James Motley, was a native OF Green's
vile county, and for several years OF the
last century he was an earnest and labOrious
travelling preacher Of the Virginia Confer
ence. His health failed him. however,
from excessive labOrs. and he soon retired
to the local ranks. The mother OF Mr..
Motley was Miss Seward. OF Brunswick
county; in his own words, Zone OF the
best women that ever lived" Herremains
rest in the soil of that county.
CONVERTED.
On the 9th OF October. 1919 young Mol
ley was converted at camp-meeting in
Mecklenburg, his native county. and soon
afterwards connected himself with the Me-
thodist Church. He devoted several fol-
lowing years to the business OF teaching
school. But il seems that Providence de-
signed another field Of instruction for him.
1t j. singular fact in his history that,
long before he embraced religion, he re-
ceiyed the impression that he would be-
come a minister OF the Gospel. The Church
seems 10 have had similar impression. FOR
not very long after his conversion. without
any application or knowledge OF his own.
he was licensed TO preach. In the fall and
winter Of 1924 he was employed 20 labor on
the Bedford Circuit by the Rev. II. g..
Leigh, presiding elder. in connection with
the Rev. William ii. Starr. who was then
the preacher in charge OF that circuit. In
February. 1925, he was received on trial in
the Virginia Conference and sent to labor
on Banister Circuit, embracing the lower
part OF Pittsylvania and the whole OF Hall
fax county. The most OF this county was
missionary ground. but he succeeded in
forming a circuit which has since occupied
a high position in the Virginia Conference.
AN INCIDENT.
One incident on this circuit deserves to
be remembered. The Young preacher made
an appointment TO preach at an old Conti-
mental church eight miles out Of his usual
course. lie attended and preached as well
as he could to 4 large congregation OF re-
notwithstanding hearers; but at the close
OF the sermon no one asked him to 20 home
with him and take any refreshment or
lodging for the night. so he returned,
with rather heavy heart, 10 ;he family
which he had left in the morning. Imme-
diately he retired TO his room To seek some
comfort in prayer and reading the Scrip
tures. Providentially he opened his Bible
upon the sixth verse in Psalm cXXvi. !:
" He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed. shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing. bringing his sheayes with
him" This passage gave him comfort, and
encouraged him TO 90 back 10 that church
again. On this occasion the wealthiest
man in the neighbOrhood took him home
with him. and would have him preach to
his own servants in his parlor at night.
FIELDS OF LABOR.
In 1896 Young Motley was stationed on
Granville Circuit, in North Carolina. one
OF the most important incidents that oc-
CURED on this circuit was the fact that,
from the experience OF pious lady given
in a class-meeting, on one occasion, he was
brought TO feel the need and seek the
blessing OF perfect love, and he never
rested till he obtained it. In 1927 he was
stationed on Amelia Circuit. where there
were upwards Of two hundred souls con-
yerted during the wear. In 1928 he was
stationed i'm Norfolk, in 1929 IN Raleigh,
and in 1880 again in Norfolk. In each OF
these stations he witnessed "times OF re-
freshing from the presence OF the Lord.
In 1881 he was stationed at Trinity church,
in Richmond. which was favored with a
good revival in the course OF the year. In
1892 he was on Princess Anne Circuit, in
1888 on Caroline, 1884 on Gates Circuit,
1875 on Cumberland Circuit, and in 1886
on Buckingham Circuit. In all Of these
appointments he witnessed displays OF Di-
vine power in the salvation OF souls.
IN RICHMOND.
In 1S37-'3s-'39 and 40 he was on the
Norfolk district. In 1S4l he was stationed
at Shockoe-Hill church, in the city oil
Richmond. During this year there was .
revival Of religion in that church. IN when
between one and two hundred persons
made profession and Joined the church,
and some are living now.
In 1s42l43-'44 and '45 he was on the
Charlottesville district. In lS46-'41-4c
and '49 he was on the Lynchburg district.
In 1850 and '5l he was stationed on Ches-
terfield Circuit. In 1852 he was stationed
on Louisa Circuit.
II NAV be mentioned that on the last four
named appointments, excepting the Lynch,
burg district. he purchased and furnished
very comfortable parsonages. In 1893
he was stationed on Hanover Circuit, when,
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