Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-24
Or. ARMsTRoNGlN RICHMOND.
His Rectorship of the Monumental
Church-His Marked Influence.

His Rectorship of the Monumental
Church-His Marked Influence.
DIR. Armstrong came from Wheeling, w.
Va, to Richmond June 2. 1878, and took
charge of the Monumental church, sue
ceediug Rev. DR.. Woodbridge, who had
died short time before.
Few ministers who have served Rich
mond congregations ever made themselves
as generally respected as did the deceased,
and none were ever more popular, and has
departure about six years ago TO take
charge of st. Philips church, in Atlanta,
was keenlv regretted by all who had been
brought into contact with him OF who had
listened to his elegant deliveries from the
pulpit or lecture-desk. His handsome, high
bred, intellectual face, shaded by heavy
jet-bleck HAIR, remarkable both for its
color and delicate texture; his cordial
smile of frank greeting, which Int up his
thoughtful countenance when talking, and
his superb voice, are remembered by thou
sands of our citizens. The powerful lee
lures which he delivered upon theological
and scientific matters created taste for
such subjects by our citizens, and his able
articles upon various subjects were Tread
with interest by all.
HIS SUBSEQUENT CAREER.
DR.. Armstrong entered upon his work in
Atlanta under very favorable auspices and
attracted great crowds by his eloquence.
But soon his life became clouded. The
charges made against his moral character
are fresh in the minds of the people. While
many Of his friends never believed these
charges the Doctor was tried and suspended
from the ministry, but he preferred not 10
accept suspension and formally wltnureW'
Afterwards he always called himself PLAIN
DIR" j. G.. Armstrong and asked his
friends never TO address him as " Rev."
After he retired from the ministry he en-
tered the lecturG-feld, and was very sue
cessful.
The deceased leaves a widow and one
child. The latter was well known here as
the beautiful Miss Miriam Armstrong
Soon after her father moved to Atlanta
she married, but she and her husband soon
separated, and now the daughter IS upon
the stage, and tits said Will soon Visit Rich
mond.
SKETCH OF THE DECEASED.
DIR. Armstrong was born in Belfast
Ireland, in 1886, and consequently was
fiftv-fve years old at the time OF his death
AS a bow, il is sand, he was exceedingly
fond of literary and scientific matters, and
when quite young was sent to Queens Col
lege. belfast, where he became close
student of theology. On coming to
this country he went TO college IN
Xeuia, Ohio, for several years anu tn9n
entered the United Presby terian Church.
He preached in Sydney, Ohio, for four
years and half and in st. LOUIS lot hve
years, and then entered the Old school
PRESBYTERIAN church, remaining III ~.
Iouis two wears more. In 1870 he became
q member Of the Protestant. Episcopal
Church. Shortly after his ordination as a
priest he was appointed Professor OF He
brew and Metaphysics in ST: PauPs Epiis-
copal College in Palmyra, No, where ne
continued about year, and then became
rector Of Trinity church in Hannibal, Mo;
He served there three years and then went
TO st. Matthews church, Wheeling, ana
from there he came TO Richmond.