The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-07-15

he bore part. Though his lnhrmltles
for several years forbade his frequent at
tendance, his home being in distant
part of the city, he still retained, be-
lieve, his connection as an elder to the
end of life.
Mr.. Samuel M. Price, while yet a
Young man, was associated with the
brethren already mentioned, so that the
active energies of his early and his later
years were given to this church. He
was a most willing and che erful laborer,
ready to spend and be spent, and to take
the heavy part of any burden. In the
Sabbath School, in the Session, in labors
among the destitute, in hospitality and
sympathy to ministers, his influence was
seen and felt. He gave freely of his
time and his means to this cause, as he
did to many others associated with the
promotion of religion and benevolence in
the city of Richmond.
Mr.. P. Van Deursen, native of New
York, removed from Richmond before
the war. His connection with this
church began while it was yet at the
house in Rockets, and continued long
after the removal to Church Hill. He
was faithful elder, an intelligent and
earnest speaker in prayer-meeting, a
brother beloved, whose memory is dear
to his old friends in Richmond.
Mr.. Elijah Craig, of Scotch-Irish de-
scent, reared in the Valley of Virginia
after the straitest methods of Presbyte-
rian parentage, was friend of Bethel
church, to which his family belonged,
but was perhaps more than fifty years of
age before he became member. His
conversion was remarkable, and he lived
to good old age, wonderful witness
of the Spirits power. He was elected
an elder. His public prayers and his
brief addresses were always spoken under
deep emotion which often choked his ut
terance, showing the habitual devotional
fervor of his spirit. He frequently re-
ferred to the religious instruction of his
youth, and told how wildly they were
revived and how the very faces of the
pious friends of his childhood seemed to
appear before him when he was awak-
ened by the deep convictions of the
Spirit. During his last days he lay upon
his bed weak, but not suffering. His
mind was clear and his countenance Sc
rene. The whiteness of his hair and the
clear blue eyes, radiant with the light of
peace and truth, made the picture more
interesting. His language, original as
expressive, indicated the heavenly calm
of his soul. He said that he was "on a
level of life" and again. embalmed in
the love of Christ" No Christian, no
infdel, could ask for clearer testimony
as to the reality OF the new birth than
was afforded by the conversion, the sub
sequent life, and the death of this aged
professor.
The mantle of these early elders has
fallen upon others, but 1 do not propose
to speak of any living and now present.
But | cannot close this communication
without some reference to the labors and
sacrifices of some other laymen, not Off
cial, and to honorable women whose
memory is blessed. Capt. William Row.
lett and his family would have gone to
the theatre on the night it was burned,
December, 1911, if friend mad not call
ed to pay them visit. They were
worldly people. Under the ministry of
DR.. J. Fl. Rice, who was drawn to Rich
mond by the state of feeling following
this great calamity, a great change took
place in this family. Capt. Rowlett died
in the communion of the church, think.
His house was a ministers home. His
wife, who proved to be saint indeed,
was gathered to her fathers after many
years of faithful service, and after the
removal to Church Hill leaving still, in
Mrs. Smith her daughter, heritage to
e church of Christian energy and USE
fulness that made her leading spirit in
every good work. Her love for Zion
was intense and her labors unceasing.
The name of Mrs. E. w. Peasants
may be found in Maxwell's Memoir OF
DR.. John Il. Rice, page 254, where a
pathetic letter is printed, addressed to
her by DR.. Rice. 1t was written in June
1928, when he had Just written letter
to the Session of the First church, Rich
mond, respecting his election, by Pres.
bytery, to the chair of Theology in Union
Theological Seminary and his removal
from his pastoral charge to that institu-
ton; then arising from its little begin
ming to be lasting memorial of his de
votion to the cause of his Master. A
mournful note, written by Mrs. Pleas
ants to Mrs. Rice called forth this tender
epis lie from the pastor, scarcely less al
aicted than his flock and its strains i'm
ply the esteem in which he held Mrs
PleasaEts. The spirit Of this excellent
lady, and her children and grandchil
dIen walking in her steps, has been fruit