The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-18
DEATH OF JUNGLE LARRY"
CLOSE OF THE LIFE or REV. y. u
LAUHEyS YESTERDAY.
One Of the best Known Methodist Minis
ters in the state-The Head OF tho
Rosebud Organization.

years he was an inNahu az"
sufferer. and it was during the iaue'
part OF the past week that MS iast spe''
OF Illness came upon him.
Mr.. Laurens, or as he was LOVINGLY
called "rncle Larry" was born In Fau'
quier county, Va. In 1877. lie served as
soldier in the Mexican war. and as an
officer In the Confederate forces Oh 'he
late civil war. He was a member OF the
Virginia Conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South. and served
number OF charges.
Rfs PARENTS.
Mr. Lauren's father was Frenchmah
and his mother was Ruth Ricketts,, oi
Rappahannock county. Va, and Meth
odist. lie was baptized In infancy IN
the Catholic Church by the priest Oh
his father His parents died Defore nc
was Ave years old. Before twelve years
old he Joined the Methodist church In
winchester under the preaching OF Kew
Norval Wilson. He went into the MeAl-
can war and while there his faith de-
cayed. lie was renewed In Christian
life at a camp meeting in Rappahannock
county In 1850. and few years there
after entered the university During
the late war he was agent for the Soi-
di.rs' Tract Society and for two years
agent OF the Preachers Relief Society.
He married in 1856 Miss Coke, OF hins
and Queen. a lady Of superior mind ana
energy who has ninistered 10 MIN WIN
untiring love during his affection
II is as Uncle Larry" the organizer
and head OF the "Rosebuds," mission
ary organization composed of the Meth
odiet children Of Virginia that he is bet
ter known throughout the State. Coniihed
20 his room. he had OF late years been
conducting the affairs of this society
HIS LAST DAYS.
Many of his old friends called to see
him in the last few days and tender
farcwells were spoken. Rev. G. III. Ray
ID ID. lone OF his classmates). who, In
company with Dr. w. G.. Starr and others,
visited him on Tuesday. says: 1--WE found
him very feeble. but rich in faith, hap
nv I'm suffering. and waiting for the Mas
ter's call. Brother Laurens has wrought
in sufferings these forty years, and viii
leave an impress for good on the Church
he has served with such constant de-
yotion and endurance. Already the fruits
OF his labors are seen in the Increased
amounts raised for missions in the Nir-
ginia Conference. The children OF the
Church rise up to call him blessed. and
the present adult generation has been
trained TO larger gifts TO God under the
touch of his hand This reflection is
source Of great comfort to him as he
fingers In the glow Of the sunset Thou
sands of prayers are ascending to God
for his recovery. He is resting on the
promises hopeful. courageous, trusting.
II is n privilege beyond the common
walks OF life 10 be in his chamber.
The funeral will take place this after
noon at o'clock from Duncan Memorial
chapel and .he interment viii be in the
Ashland cemetery. 1t was Uncle Larry's'
expressed wish that as many members
of the Rosebud Society In Richmond as
could would attend his funeral. each
wearing a small rosebud.
DR.. IAFFKRTY's Tribute
DIR. Lafferty. in his sketches of the
Virginia Conference, Methodist Episco-
pal Church. South. has the following "a
say Of Rev John b. Laurens: "Mr
Iaurens had in him the aptitude for
organization and the magnetism for lead
ership In the church enterprises. but these
qualities lay largely dormant till favor
ing conditions developed them. Indf-
ferent health had fettcred his zeal all
along his itinerant life till II disabled him
entirely In 1877. He retired from the
active field. A friendship of years be-
tween the conductor of the Advocate and
himself brought TO that paper his discre-
ton, good will and energy, till disturb
ing maladles confined him within his own
doors and made the use of the pen frk-
some While connected with the Advo-
cate he turned his attention TO the chill
dren and, starting with a mite contribu-
ton. made in the family Of Rev. Thomas
II. Campbell of our conference, he nour-
ished this tiny plant till its broad boughs
bore fruit among the heather beyond
che Pacific, and also in the land of the
Aztecs. and among the red men OF the
West
MASTERING THE INFANTS.
1.-THE story Of how this broken soldier OF
the militant Church mustered the thous-
ands OF infants of our homes into the
band of the Rosebuds' has become a
thrilling household tale in our bounds
The recruits at first were few and the
finances were counted in nickels ana
coppers. BY inviting their little letters
10 the childrens department OF the
paper: by exhortations, short, apt ana
simple; by wise organization; by per-
sonaI visits and addresses; the Church
saw with a glad wonder chiidren-
crusade for Christ that seemed started
by magic and moved by magnetism.
thousands of dollars, but the value Of
the missionary education among the
boys and girls OF the Church OF the
future cannot be reckoned in coin or
currency. The name of Uncle Larry
is known as widely as any bishops in
the Church and his achievements as the
head of the 'Rosebuds' makes an en-
gaging page in our annals. In these last
years he has been not only confirmed
invalid, but a victim OF circulating
pains. His body is emaciated till tendon
and bone come TO the eye everywhere
IN lis anatomy. The gnawing of the
nerves Is the pastime OF his hungry
disease. On such a frame the gravest
venture of modern surgery was attempt
ed. Before the knife brought TO view the
cavities of his body life only hung by a
thread IL went abroad in print that
this extreme experiment would be made
This evoked thousand prayers for a
safe issue. The voices Of the babes and
sucElings came up before Cod
"Incle Larry was spared. From his
bed amid unceasing torments TO Joint
and marrow, he conducts the affairs OF
forty thousand children at home and
their missionary matters in distant
lands"