The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-08-25
For the Central Presbyterian.
Rev. John H. Rice, d. D.
In Richmond lsl2-le23.

In Richmond 1Sl2-1823.
In order that the account of Mr.. Rice g
life and labors while he continued in
Richmond may be as brief, and at the
same time as comprehensive as possible,
propose to give summary of the events
of each year, as it may be possible to sep
arate them, and more general view of
those that cannot be distinguished by pc
riods OF time
The Year 1912.
The principal facts of this year, his in
stallation and first labors, have already
been given. But the place of his first
residence is worthy of mention, especial
ly because it was at the house of one
to whom he refers as "the most &C.
tive and interchangeable man in the
congregation" This gentleman, with
other early and generous friends of Mr..
Rice and the Presbyterian Church, who
began soon to gather around the young
pastor, deserves an honorable place in
this record for the important work which,
then begun amid many difficulties, bear
fruit to this day and generation
Mr.. John Parkhill, az intelligent Irish
man, refined and courteous in manners
was merchant who dealt in hardware, at
the sign Of the golden key, on the corner
of Main and For tesnth streets Ac-
cording to the Vustom of that day his
family lived in rooms above his store.
But when Mr.. and Mrs. Rice arrived in
Richmond his home had been made DESC
late by the death of his young and lovely
wife, who lived not more than year
after her marriage Accepting the hos
pitable invitation of Mr.. Parkhill, the
minister and his wife spent their first
summer beneath his roof, and enjoyed the
great satisfaction of witnessing the con-
version of their host, 80 that he soon be-
came devoted Christian, as he had been
from the first, and now more zealously,
judicious and efficient helper.
The friendship with Mr.. Parkhill led
to similar relations with his oountryman,
Mr.. Fulton, of Mount Erin, whose hand
the suburb, now known as Fulton" is
well remembered by old citizens of Rich
mond. Here Mr.. and Mrs Rice were
frequent and welcome visitors. Mr.. Full
ton married daughter of VIM. Mayo, of
"Powhatan. The descendants of Mr..
Fulton now living, and others of them
who have passed away, will be recognized
with warm feelings by some who may
read these lines.
In the fall of this year Mr.. Rice
moved his residence to Braddock's Hill
near Rockets The number of people who
now know the place thus indicated is
few. Here he seems to have been in the
midst of Presbyterian neighbors. One
of these was Mrs. Young who lived to
so great an age that she almost seems
to belong to the present generation. At
her house he began those meetings in
Richmond on Wednesday nights, which
continued during all his pastorate there.
OF Mrs. Young it may be said, that
throughout her long life all the pastors
under whose ministry she lived and la
bored, and all the Christian people who
knew her name and works, saw in her the
same spirit which in those early days
made room for the Church in her house,
and which gladly received and proGtably
improved the Word as it was there dis
pensed.
Another Of these neighbors wac David
l. Burr, to whom a testimony may be
borne similar to that which is written Of
Mrs. Young. He was one of the best of
Elders as be was one Of the best Of men.
Some Of the most useful institutions Of
which Richmond now reaps the advan-
tages would afford memorials Of his inAu.
ence, as they would show the multiply
ing points Of the faithful ministry under
which he grew up in the Christial life.
During this year Mr. Rice visited Nor
folk for the purpose of administer
ing the Sacrament to a small Presbyterian
congregation in that place, and was glad
that he went.
The letters Of the year to Theodore T..
Randolph, his former pupil, now at