Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-26
REV. LsoNIoAs RosseR DEAD.
sketch of the Life and Services of the
Eminent Divine, Author, aud Editor.

Sketcn Oh INC isiie anu -
Eminent Divine, Author, aud Editor.
Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispatch.l
ASHLAND, January 25.-Rev. Leonidas
Rosser, ID. D., died Sunday morning, jan
uary oath. at 2 O'clock.
This eminent minister was born in Pc
tersburg, Va, July 81, 1915. He made
profession of religion when boy OF niteen
at the old mother Methodist church on
Union street. After writing in the Clerks
Office of Chesterfield for some time he was
offered cadetship at West Point. but he
felt called to undertake the work OF the
ministry. What this decision implied and
cost we NAV family estimate when 1t Is re-
collected that he was of a military family,
that his countyman General Winfield
Scott was then in the height of his mill,
tary fame. and that his native city had
gotten its soiiJreqlla (borne to this day. be-
cause of its gallant heroes action In Can
ada. He was sent to Wilbraham Academy,
Massachusetts,. to be fitted for college. aud
thence 70 Wesleyan University, Connect
cut, where he took his degree in 1888.
Though he labored under disadvantage
such as would have disheartened most OF
men, he persevered in cuItiyating the ART
of oratory till he carried of the prize Tor
distinction over men who have been
among the most prominent OF their time.
THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE.
After graduating he Joined the New York
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, which then embraced New Eng
land. From his first entrance on his work
his ministry was attended with success,
more that LOCO having professed CONVEX
sion during the two years he served the
Church in New England. In 1910 be re-
turned to Virginia and became member
of the Virginia Conference, relatloo no
preserved for over nfty-one years. Begin
ming as Junior preacher on circuit, he
filled in after years the most important
charges in the Conference. and was Tor
several terms a presiding elder on districts,
was at one time editor of the Richmond
Christian Adrocdie. He wrote number OF
books, 1.-TWO within the last five years.
some of them having large circulation. He
represented his Conference at several
General Conferences, and was its Oldest
representative at the time of his death on
the Board of Trustees of Randolpp-1lacon
College.
PREACHING AT LARGE.
As the inirmities of age began TO slacken
his physical powers he felt he could not do
full pastoral work. He therefore asked
for and received rel alton which allowed
him TO preach at large whenever he saw a
proyidentia opening. In this work he
was very successful and very happy. Hun
dreds-yea, thousands first and last-were
converted under hls preaching. embracing
all states and conditions of humanity. At
the age of seyenty-six he carried on a
successful campaign IN Texas. from which,
after preaching on an average nearly, II
not quite. sermon day. he returned IN
apparently good health TO attend the ses-
sion of his conference in his native city.
In this conference he took, as usual an
active part, and seemed TO enjoy It's pro-
ceedings and association with his brethren.
Here he was struck down with the pre-
vailing disease, which laid so many low
and left more than one victim in Its track.
WILLINGLY SURRENDERED.
On reac hing Ashland he unwillingly sur
rendered as he hoped. for time only.
and after battling with pneumonia and Its
consequences for over two months he
Welded up his life calmly and peacefully,
saving For me to live IS Christ, to die IS
gain"
TO the last day Of his death. whenever his
disease would loosen its grasp. his hopes
of winning other victories tor the Master
would revive, aud he would be planning
his campaign for the coming year-his
ruling passion strong IN DEATH" For
many years he only lived TO cry:
Behold, behold the Lamb !"
THE FUNERAL TO-DAY.
The funeral services will take place to-
morrow morning ut IL O'Clock IN the Dun
can Memorial chapel nj Randolph Macon
College. Rev. Il. n. Sledd, OF Richmond,
will conduct them. assisted by several OF