Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-23

a yiyilant sentinel as he was, under the
name Of Waterman OF the South. The
DR.. Benjamin Gildersleeve
made il a doubly wide awake paper with
the title of Waterman and Observer.
Rev. DR.. Moore and myself became Its
editors in 1856, and We called 1T the
Central Presbyterian, indicating at once
its geographical position and ITS denomi-
national character.
"a charmingly- written editorial in this
weeks DISPATCH compares an editor
love for his calling to a retired sailors
warming for the blue sea. He never
quite loses his desire to return to it. ]
confess my occasional longing to resume
nv old vocation, if l could resume il
without detriment to my pastoral work.
SYMMETRICAL TALENTS.
Four years of my life, in connection
with regular church duties, were devoted
TO the Central Presbyterian, in assocla-
ton with Rev. DR.. Moore, who pos
sessed greater variety OF symmetrically
talents than almost any man
L ever knew.
When DR.. Moore and myself withdrew,
DR.. William Brown became the sole edi'
tor. 1t was in December. 1860, that he
reluctantly left the flock in Augusta
county, to which he had faithfully min
istered for nearly a quarter Of century
But he was even better fitted for his new
calling. His large and accurate &C
ouaIntance with the history Of the Pres
byterian Church, his personal acquaint
ance with its leading men, North anC
South, his careful theological training
his prudence, foresight. and well-bal
anced judgment all qualified him for hi
nineteen years of editorial service.
Asa controvertialist he had few equals.
1t was because he loved the truth so wei
that he defended it so resolutely
Loving peace as he did, gentle, genla
and forbearing in social life. let but
cloud of heresy or dangerous churci
legislation show itself anywhere on thu
horison, then, like Jobs war-horse, b
smelled the battle afar off. and began 4
clothe his neck with editorial thunder
Then came the Qdudia certaDljnis anC
the discontinue of the foe. NJ
man was ever more fearless and in
flexible in maintaining whatever Ia
believed to be right and true. Thos'
who remember his placid face, his some
what unwieldy form, his slow anc
measured step, his great deliberation o
manner and movement, would not b.
apt to mistake him for fencing-master
nor could he have been one with thu
fencers weapons, but if instead of tn
rapier or foil good steel pen were pu
into his hand as the implement for th'
fray no knight OF the hound-Table, M
matter how familiar with quartz AM
fierce. could pink an adversary NOR
nimbly or efi'ectually.
THE CLEAR INTELLECT.
1t was during the stormy times OF tn
war-during the great conflicts in GU
ecclesiastical history-in word, durinl
the most eventful period in the annals o
the country and the Church, that DIR
Brown fulfilled his great trust, 80 that a
his retirement from the Central Presby
terrain the incoming editors said that &
follow such man in the editorial chat
was like following the clear intellect anC
legal lore of Judge Marshall on th'
bench.
Now, my old friend and college class
mate, you have the entire charge Of tn
journal which has had such memorable
history. The times are encouraging 70
editorial success and usefulness. Vir
glnia, that gave to the country the mel
who shaped its form of government, anC
whose splendid line of statesmen stand
unequalled in It's political history, ha
now entered on an era OF material de
velopment which awakens anxious In
quiry as TO the probable influence thi
new condition of things will have on tn,
character Of our people.
AS yet we have but scratched the sur
face of our hidden resources of wealtl
and prosperity. New cities are spring
ing up as from the wand of an enchanter
New industries, new enterprises hav
quickened the pulse of the Common
wealth and made il thrill with fresh lif
and vigor. And just now the churche
of all denominations are keeping pac
with this material progress. 1t is tn
great Office of our religious papers to en-
courage and direct this spiritual ad
vancement all along the line.
APPRECIATE ITS VALUE.
Another hopeful sign is that our pee
pie more and more are learning to appre
ciate the value OF the religious press
Now and then / meet a man who is 8
conceited as to think that he does nc
need the information or the stimulu
which comes from this source, but it
usually the subterfuge of one VIII
is too ignorant or too penurious b
avail himself OF this aid, and VIII
cioaks his covetousness under tn
pretence of a knowledge which need
no increase, and a piety which re
quires no quickening. No intelli
gent church-member can now afford I
dispense with the paper which keep
him posted with regard to the proceed
ings of our ecclesiastical courts, the con
dition of our colleges and theological
seminaries. the organization OF ney
churches, and the erection OF new house
OF worship, the settlement Of new pas
tors, the work OF our church committees
the new books best worth reading
the progress of home and foreign mis-
sions, the actual condition Of reli
gion in all parts OF the world. tn
new phases of unbelief by which it is as
sailed, the hindrances TO its progress.
whether from internal or external foe,
and the methods by which it may be e,
tended to the ends OF the earth. Amid,
all this stir and activity the religion
press must share in the general renal.
sance. A dull editorial can no more b
tolerated than dull sermon. A cor
monplace communication. full OF plat
tudes and stale sentiment, is an impert
nent intrusion on the time OF a bus
man and On the intelligence Of thinl
ing man.
Moreover, II is the Office Of the +.
ligious press 10 inspire and TO guide pul
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