The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-02
PASTOR FOR FORTY YEARS.
Rev. Dr.. George D. Armstrong RelleYed
Of His Work.
THE ONLY PASTORATE He EYER HELD.
The Correction OF an Error-His Labors
Among the Confederate soldiers-Ad-
dresses by Richmond Preachers.

In yesterdays edition Of one Of the daily
papers Of this city appeared the following
dated Norfolk, June. Goth: "A special adj
journed session of East Hanover Presbytery
was held at the FIRST Presbyterian church at
1890 to-day in accordance with the voluntary
request of Rev. DR.. George ID. Armstrong,
and his pastoral connection with the church
WAS formally severed. Rev DR.. Moses d.
Hoge. of Richmond, was present, and a
memorial service was held in which Rev. o.
:. Barton. rector OF Christ church; Rev. T.
G. Jones Of the First Baptist church Rev.
r. \. Sledd. OF Centenary Methodist Episco-
pal church. al old friends OF DR.. Armstrong,
participated"
The fact Of the matter il, "a stated by n
weil-kncwn gentleman from this city who at
tended the meeting. that none cf the clergy
men mentioned uttered word in public. and
That DR.. Moses ID. HOge. of Richmond, was
not III Norfolk at all at that time.
The lreslytery of Last Hanover met on
Tuesday in Norfolk 10 release DR.. Armstrong
from his pastoral charge of tho First Presby-
terrain church in that city. DR.. Armstrong
has occupied that position with success and
honor for forty years. IL was the only pas
tOrato he ever held, although he served for
fourteen years previous 10 entering the pulpit
in Washington College. now Washington and
Lee University, as professor Of chemistry.
PUT UNDER ARREST.
Although q Northern man by birth, he has
always been thoroughly Southern IN his
principles and synpathies. During the after
part OF tho wsr, when Norfolk was IN the pos
session Of the Mon army under the COM
mand Of General BENJAMIN i Butler, Or:
Armstrong having refused 10 take the oath Of
allegiance 10 the nted States Government.
and still perssting IN occupying his pulpit.
was ordered under arrest and subjected TO
solitary confinement.
This ordeal having failed to bring him into
submission. he was sent into the Con
fedcrato lines where he served faithfully Is
chaplain Of the Confederate army until the
close of the war The same heroic spirit
which he manifested throughout these trials
was again signally displayed when the war
being over and he Ernstated in bis pulpit
the city of Norfolk was visited by de-
yaStating epidemic of yellow ever Re re-
NAMED with his people through the terrible
month of the pestlence. All the seven pastors
in Norfolk during that time eHperienced at
tacks OF yellow fever, and four Of them died.
LOVED BY TIN PEOPLE.
Dr. Armstrong, however, WIS spared TO his
devoted people "A might naturally have
been expected. he went Oh with his work with
increased popularity and success. Re has
been admired. trusted aud loved by the PEG
pie OF Norfolk. Irrespective Of race or creed.
and now that he gives up his church work
and ministry because % cd age and inhrml-
ties he IS followed 10y tho universal regret Of
oil tho citizens aud receives unlimited bat well
merited applause from those who admire q
noble character and heroic devotion TO duty.
DR.. Armstrong has been during his career
one Of tho leading church lawyers OF tho
Southern Presbyterian denomination. He
has done perhaps as much as any other man
in shaping It's destiny and in securing the
tnacting Of wise legislation and he WAS the
principal Trainer Of the present constitution
Of tie Southern Presbyterian Church.
The winding up Of such n career by such
man has naturally excited great deal of in
tercst in his own city andfar beyond 4. There
was a large attendance at the meeting of
the presbytery thst had been called 10 sunder
his offic.al connection with The congregation
and to confer upon him the honorary title OF
pastor emeritus.
THE Address.
The meeting WAS presided over by Hon.
George J.. Christian. OF TINS city, and adj
dresses Of mingled regret and cOngratula-
tions regret at the sundering OF the pas
to-al ties and congUtulation for his increasing
of a forty years pastorate were
made by Rev. DTs Robert +. Kerr. W. ].
Lacy. }. ". Rosebro and other ministers, as
well as by distinguished laymen who were
present at the meeting
There will be a great meeting tonight in
Norfolk III honor of this unique event. at
which historical and cOngratulatory addresses
VIII be made by Rev DR.. Moses d. Hoge, OF
this city, and by represe sentative pastor from
each of the principal denominations IN Nor
folk
On last Sunday Or. Armstrong preached for
the last tine 10 his congregation. and was
listened TO with deep interest. He chose for
his theme. obedience OF Man as 10 the Deal
iugs of God, taking for his text the second
and third verses OF the eighth chapter Of
Deuteronomy
And thou shalt remember all the way
which The Lord thy God hath led thee these
forty wears that he might make
thee TO know that man 10th not live by
bread alone. but by every word that pro-
ceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth
man live
lie psefaced his discourse with an alluaon 10
the guidance 10y the God If Israel through the
and 10 his miraculous provision
for their wants and then cxcusing himself
for personal reference he showed how God
had been his guide during n long life. and
during his forty years as pastor Of
this church.
FOR FORTY WARS.
DR.. Armstrong cited numerous instances
taken from his experience during the forty
years of his pastorate. He was eagerly lis
tened 10 by an attentive audience that at
times was deeply moved.
Of especial interest was the description
which DR.. Armstrong gave of his experience
while be was in the Confederate army to
preach the Gospel 10 tho soldiers. OF that
period Of his life he spoke "a follows:
"Hhe only book that ! had was my Bible,
which ! studied more than ever. and | en-
joyed those months Of cOntcntment. After
was banished was assigned TO the South
EN- army and It was Il blessed service that
TO the soldiers IN their log cabins.
daubed with clay The earth floors we're
covered with pDe-tags. and the soldiers SIT
ting on those floors looked up into my face.
and the light from the fireplace the only
light we had "a it shone on their faces,
made a weird congregation A piece of tai
low candle We had ,ou'd only be kept lighted
enough TO read the text. 4.ter vhch Il was
eXfin uishel as NIT If eco' omy. have
ofen W n d for I.r res OF those =. ene-
that ! mi-ht sh W them 10 my liiHren.
ia So were tr NJ lines but came out Of
war IN better health than I went-for man
10th not ave by brea alone
BUSINESS NirgITr.
At the meeting of the re-bytery on Tues
Law number oil business matters OF minor
Importance were transacted