The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-03-31
For the Central Presbyterian.
Rev. John H. Rice, D. D.

The chronology of the writings that
record the life before us is not exact. We
are told that John H. Rice left New Lon.
don Academy in his eighteenth year.
His eighteenth year began the 28th OF
November, 1894, at which time his sew
enteenth year closed. Between his leav-
ing the Academy and his arrival at Hamp-
den Sidney, in October, 1895, year and
half is said to have been spent In teach
ing school, after which, and before he
went to Hampden Sidney, he was, for a
time not specified, laid aside by sickness.
Hence he must have left New London in
the latter part of 1894, and taught school
during the whole of the year 1895, and
half the year 1876; and his sickness must
have been in the summer of 1896, proba-
bly, in the summer months of July and
August.
The circumstance which led to the en-
gagement of J. 81. Rice as teacher, In
his eighteenth year, was one of those in
cidents, not much noticed at the time of
It's occurrence, which when ones whole
history is to be written, are found to be
links, and important links, in a provi-
dental chain. Judge William Nelson,
who belonged to one of the old families
OF Eastern Virginia, was in attendance
on a session of the District court at New
London, the village near which the Acad.
envy of the same name was located and
inquired for teacher, to reside in the
family of his kinsman Mr.. Nelson of Nal
vern Hill, on James river, below Rich
mond. George A. Baxter recommended
to Judge Nelson his beloved pupil and
companion, John II. Rice and the ar
rangement was made that the latter
should, as soon as possible, proceed to
Malvern Hill.
There was a distinguished person like
wise in attendance on this District court
at New London, whose words, addressed
to young Rice on this occasion, are said
to have deeply impressed the youth.
This was the illustrious Patrick Henry.
When Robert Burns was boy, and Wal
ter Scott was already famous as poet,
the attention of Scott was drawn to Burns,
by the readiness of the latter in bringing
forward the name of the author of GER
tain anonymous lines, which were the
subject OF remark at the house of a gem
tleman where they met in the social cir
Gle. The prophecy of Scott foreshadowed
the future fame of Burns. We are not
told of any evidence of genius, or promise
Of distinction in j. FL. Rice that arrested
the attention of Mr.. Henry. But that
Benjamin Rice, in the zeal of fatherly af-
lection, introduced his son to the great
orator, seying, Here, Mr.. Henry, is my
young son, who is about to set out In
few days to try his fortune in the world. :"
When Mr. Henry took him most kindly
by the hand, and in his frank and cor
dial way, told him to be of good courage,
and be sure, my son, said he, 'remem-
Der that the best men always make them
selves" This advice is said by Mr.. Rice,
often, in subsequent years, to have re-
CURED to him, and to have rebuked and
stimulated him when tempted to indulge
his besettiDg sin of Incidence
The youth who had been reared among
the highlands Of his native State was now
to be transferred to a different scenery
where broad fields and great forests were
unbroken by the majestic hills and noun
tains with which from childhood he had
been familiar. And he was now to be.
come acquainted with social order
which, while it differed somewhat from
lhdJ W WulCu ne udu DBe0 accustomed,
was nearer akin TO that of the people
among whom he was to spend an impor-
tant part OF his life
The outfit of J.. II. Rice for this Jour
ney was "a humble as his mode of travel
was toilsome. He went on foot to James
river, and the distance was full day g
journey for the young pedestrian. His
pocket contained ten shillings and six
pence, less than two dollars OF our pre-
sent currency, and his clothes were car
ried in pocket handkerchief. On his
arrival at the river, probably at a point
about twenty miles west Of Lynch burg,
he embarked on one Of the open boats
that in those days, long before the canal
encountered the perils of navigation in
the open stream. No incidents of the
voyage are recorded If the season, as
we have shown to be probable, was win
ter, the severity Of the weather, added to
the dangers from rocks and falls and ice.
exposed the young traveller to excessive
hardships. There was little comfort by
night or day. Walking was often pre-
ierred as a elief. His companions in