Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-29
"A. r. BROWN, d. d.. LID.
Sketch NJ flis f.sf---psai,sens Of fssaar nm.
Isrfufpra. gfe Has Filled.


uscfuirrs. Rs Has Fitted.
Abrsm Burwell Brown, whose death
was announced Yesterday. was born IN
Amherst county. Va, October 20,
/ 1871. lie received good English and
classical education in the schools OF the
vicinity. and at seventeen years old he
gan bis work as teacher. Converted
at twenty, he was at first IN EpIscops-
Ian, but soon after joined the Mount
horiah Baptist church, IN his native
county. He then spent one year at
Washington College tnOw Washington
and Lee University, and greatly dis
| tinguished himself as 6 student. ACCOM-
plishiDg two courses III . single session.
( From the time Of ms conversion he had
been speaking for Christ both privately
! and publicly. and II 1916 was ordained
TO the work Of the ministry and en-
( tered the service Of the Baptist State
/ Mission Board. labOrinc successfully IN
Lewis county tnow West Virginia
/ Often ii his later wears he referred with
pleasure 10 this pioneer work OF hIs
/ youth.
In October. ls4G. he entered the
/ University OF Virginia, and sat, with
| equal delight TO himself and 10 ms
teachers. at the feet Of McGutley and
| Harrison Conrtenay. This finished ms
1 scholastic opportunities and LAID the
| foundations Tor the excellent education
/ hc subsequently, built up for himself.
In 1850 he accepted the care OF sew
eral country churches IL pIttsylyanls
and Halifax counties, and here met and
won the affections OF Miss Saliie H..
Wimbish, who was united 70 him II
marriage November y. 1851, and
/ through these thlrty-four years has
proved indeed al helpmeet. She, with
four Sons and three daughters survives.
In 1850 he accepted position as
pastor and teacher al Rollins Institute,
/ Roanoke county. and for three years
taught many OF the foremost among
/ our women. From here he was called
1 10 the church at Hampton. nnd IN add
ton 10 the duties OF this pastorate,
Taught 8 class OF two il the then flour
ishinc Chesapeake Female College.
When II 1859 Ir. John 4. brOadus
resigned q passionate IL Charlottesville
III. Brown was selected Is M success
SOY. and drew largely upon the students
( and faculty OF IN. University for m ue-
/ lighted congregations. The iamenteo
/ Professor Coleman, speaking IL the lab
guage Of s colonel Of artillery, USED TO
/ say. e" Dr. Brown. more completely
than any man J ever heard has ny CT
0cr rGp0c. lie hits me eUcrH tlBic.
When Q mutual friend repeated II a. the
/ preacher his characteristic reply was
All, J fear that when J mad Cole
mans range J was shooting over the
heads Of some others But rot so. lie
spoke af MAI 10 nan and went rIeh, 30
/ the heat OF every earnest listener.
In The waI-timcs which followed Di.
| Brown felt constrained 10 resign a.
/ Charlottesville taught again awhile q.
/ Hoilns. then went a. chaplain INTO the
amy and II the winter OF Is14 SET
/ tied OF & farm IL Pirtsylvanla county
and accepted the pastoral care O..
+ churches ID the neIghbornood Here
for seventeen years he lived and studied
and worked and crew rare 3 and re
luctantlv presenting hlmsel. before the
larger public Of great gatherings. yet
winning golden opinions whenever he
could be induced 70 Do 50.
In 1851, when Dr. Curry had Pc
signed the chair OF English IL Rich
mond College Dr.. Brown, without any
solicitation or even thought OF /; on ms
part. was chosen 10 i'll the position.
How vel he has done II Is shown b.
the universe and enthusiastic testi-
mony Of trustees. faculty. and students.
His coming quickened the pulse Of the
institution. one Of hIs colleagues used
10 say. The college might vel afford
q pay Dr. Brown salary. II he did
no teaching, simply for the stimulating
efiec, Of his InquIsitlve mind upon the
Other professors. Whenever he would
consent TO preach II the city large aU-
dlences hung upon ms incisiyc, wise.
devOut utteranceg. and MS mInistra-
tons were often sought 10y churches Of
other denominations.
Df. Brown was always thin and frail-
looking. but had enjoyed remarkable
exemption from pam o. illness. For
wears he mad been troubled with q
cough. which grew worse SO slowly tina;
no change wa noticeable. 4 week ago
tins morning Oh rising he had slight
attack OF nausea, not enough he thought
TO warrant hin II recalling al appoint
ment to preach that night n the First
Baptist church Later II the day ms
family physician wa called IL, found
hin suffering with engagement Of the
liver. and forbade his preaching. For
three OT four days no alarming symI.-
toms appeared, and yet he did not rally
then pleuro-pneum0ni8 SET IL and OF
Friday, though be sat W and made out
the monthly reports OF MS classes. he
gave way rapidly. u to g 7. NJ. he
conversed with family and friends.
though with evident lack Of breath and
sometimes q little incoherentlv from
lever. About he fell into Z stupor
and II Twenty-Five minutes had passed
from this fitful existence into real life
the life eternal.
II is hard 10 make IL words any Just
estimate Of such q man. HIS intellect
was keen as Damascus blade. and at
the same time broad and comprehensive.
not satisfied on any subject until II
could rest OF the sure foundations Of
principles properly applied. In scholar
snip he was versatile, many-sideG, but
specially noted for his minute accuracy
on everything with which he protested
any acquaintance. AS preacher and
teacher, ne was remarkable fOr the
soundness OF his views. the precision
Of his statements, and his wonderful
fertility and fitness Of illustration. As
3 friend, he was genial, sympathetic,
helpful; AZ Christian, firm IL faith.
pure II heart, trustful and cheerful at
al times as husband and father
nay, the hearts Of wife and children
kuuu then own biffa~oecc .p5 q.