Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-29
|DR. WHITFIELD DEAD
THE noNoREo PASTOR or FULTON
BAPTIST CHURCH PASSES AWAY
A Thorough fibis student, a Distinguished
Writer, and Profound Theo'os'an-
Family and flneraI.


throughout the South as a preacher, eu"-
Gator. and writer. died shortly atter
o'clock yesterday morning at his resi-
dence. No II vert Grace street.
uia uIness was OF long duration. ana
resulted from a, complication OF diseases
He had been confined to his house LOT
many weeks. and while at times ne raj
lied to such an extent as to inspire III
| those who watched over him win ahA-
,ous soIlcitude the hope that he might
| grow permanently better. his physician
realized from the first that the end was
mot far distant Some three weeks ago
there was what seemed 10 be decldeu
change for the better, but ie" osy'
later the disease took more unraForaois
turn, and the patient grew steauhy
weaker.
Dr Whtheld's death was quiet ana
| peaceful. He was asleep when the Bun
mons came, and re breathed MS last
without waking. His end was IN fuh
keeping with his serene and beauuiui ms
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
mr. whitfield was born in Mississippi In
1894 OF wealthy and distinguished parents,
his father being a leader in educauohai
and missionary enterprises in his STATE.
He graduated from the univ az
Chanel Hin. N. c., in 1851, and stuhleu
theology shortly thereafter AT New on
Mass He was at one tiIne pi'h,
| cipaI Of an asylum ior the p'i
in Mississippi, and was professor ol
Greek in the University OF Mis'ouTl.
moving to Meridian, Miss. he editen
pantist naper for several years. lie went
20 CbarIotte n. C.. in 1874. and in 1878
was made a ID. u. by Wake FOREST 'oi-
legp, of North Carolina. From Charlotte
pr Whitfield went to Spartanburg, ;. c.
and after a successful pasrorate Of seVe-
raj years removed to Goldsboro', y. c.
HIS WORK IN FULTON.
The deceased came to Richmond in 1887
and took charge OF Fulton church. where
he did perhaps the best work OF his lie.
There he built up strong church, largely
nv his own persistent and prayerful zeal
The handsome new ediflce In when the
congregation now worships is a monument
to his earnest and diligent labors. He mas
completely won the hearts OF the Fulton
people and his death has covered his con-
gregation with gloom. Rev. George +.
williams has had charge Of the church
during the long illness Of the beloved
pastor, and with the aid OF Rev. W. =.
Hines recently held the most SUCCESSFUL
revival that was perhaps ever conducted
IN that section. There were over two hun
dred conversions and more than one hun
dred persons have been added 20 the
church How largely this great revival
was due TO the prayers OF the devoted
shepherd on his death bed only Him who
watcheth over us all Will ever know
A SPLENDID MAN.
Rorn Of one OF the most distinguished
families in Mississippi, DR.. Whitfield was
essentially refined pure and digniied.
He was gentleman by breeding and by
culture. Given to hospitality he was
patriarch In his house, and knew the art
OF making home beautiful for his friends.
His life was wonderfully devout, and he
spent hours in prayer. Those who knew
him knew that he lived In communion
with his God. A thorough Bible student,
he could repeat a large portion OF the
Bible from memory. He was truly a
scriptural preacher. and his sermons were
critical Examinations Of the sacred text.
As preacher he was instructive, pa
thetic, and comforting. His voice was
feeble, but those whose pleasure II was
10 hear him regularly were devoted TO his
minlstrations.
He was distinguished writer and fire.
quent contributor to religious papers.
Rev. DR.. Hatcher said OF him yester-
day: "As a theologian he stood without
rival at the head OF the Baptist ministry
OF Richmond"
Deceased was a most ardent friend
Of missions. and was at one time a vice
president OF the Southern Baptist Con-
vention.
DR.. Whitfield married In the Morehead
family OF North Carolina, one OF the most
notable families OF that State, and leaves
three chidren-Dr. j. NJ. Whitfield. Of
Manchester late OF the United States
army; George Hillsman Whitfield, stu
dent at Cornell University. and Miss
Emma Whitfield, graduate OF the Rich
mond Female Institute.
THE FUNERAL
At the conference OF Baptist ministers
yesterday suitable resolutions OF love and
respect were adopted, and arrangements
for the funeral were made. BY request
OF the family, Dr. Hatcher will conduct
the services, which will occur at his
church-Grace-Street Baptlst-at O'Clock
this afternoon. Rev. DR. Landrum will
deliver an address as the representative
OF the pastors conference. and either Rev.
George F. Williams or Rev. Mr.. Hines
Will speak I'm behalf Of the Fulton church |
Revs. Drs. Cooper and Thornhill will also
take part in the ceremonies.
All Of the ministers In the city are In |
vted to act as honorary pall-beaers,
and those who attend are requested 10 |
meet in DIR. Hateher's study at $3.50 |
o'clock. The active pall-bearers will be, |
Revs. J. G. Hidden, J. h. Hutson, w. p. |
Hines, w. T. Jolly. J. T. Tucker. J. s.
Dill. r. III. Pitt and w. L. Wright.
The interrnant will no
THE HERALD's TRIBUTE.
The Religious Herald Of this week wlrll
say Of the death OF DR.. Whitfield:
AT O'Clock on Monday In his home, In /
Richmond our beloved and honored /
brother DR.. Theodore Whitfield, after a /
prolonged Illness fell on sleep There |
is peculiar fitness In this beautiful |
Scripture phrase. as applied 10 the manner /
OF our dear friends departure, for after /
period Of wakefulnesS ne passed into
a gentle slumber, from which he emerged |
in glory.
mo adequate sketch OF his life or M |
estimate of his character can be now
attempted. He was well and favorably
known In Virginia before he came TO /
live among us, but since he has been |
here, We have had a nearer view Of him |
and closer relations with him. We can
pay MN no higher tribute than TO say /
that the nearer he came. the higher rose |
ones estimate of him. To those who did |
not know him II may seem extravagant /
TO say that he was a profound theologian;
mat he had full and accurate knowledge |
or very wide range of theOlogic |
thought, and that he had an admirable |
and most unusual gift OF theological |
thinking. But the Baptist ministry Of |
Richmond would regard such a statement /
as tamely cautious, for among them in |
such matters he was peerless prince.
Readers OF this journal need not be re-
minded that he was a master OF vigorous.
nervous, limpid English. Some OF his /
contributions 10 our columns have been
models, not only OF clear, concise, COM
prehensive. well articulated thinking, but |
also of dignitied virile and direct style
AS a speaker. DR.. Whitfield was put at a /
great disadvantage by very feeble voice,
but he was always sound. thoughtful, and |
instructive. His character was singularly
guileless and pure. Envy, malice, and |
all uncharitableness were put far from
him. lie was stranger to debasine /
thoughts. He was gentle and brave. com.
panionable In spirit. but thoroughly self