Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-16
Mr.. SLEIGHT'S DEATH.
THIS weLL.kNoWN CHRISTIAN WORK.
Err GONE TO HIS REWARD.
His Business Career and Iabors TOE u'o
sunday-school and Chursh-Arrange =.
ments for the Funeral.

Mr. J. ID. X. Sleight. one OF the nopiest
and most widely known and pe'oseu
Christian workers in the community oieu
at his residence, No. 3Os east Grace street.
yesterday morning at o'clock.
Mr. Slelght was born at Sag Harbor'
New York, sixty-two years ago. About
1851 he came TO Richmond for the
benefit OF his health. which was extremely
delicate, and accepting a position In the
dry-goods house OF Samuel nj. Price q
Co. remained with that concern until the
breaking out OF the war. During the
war, though subject to hemorrhages from
the lungs, he served in the local defence
forces, and was exceedingly active In
hospital ambulance, and army religious
work.
Shortly after the war Mr.. Slelght was
made business agent OF the Presbyterian
Publication Committee here. but In 1871,
when the concern got into financial trou-
BILE and passed into the hands of private
parties. he formed a partnership with the
late Mr.. Benjamin Howard for the con-
duct of the book business. On with
drawing from that firm he took n clerk
ship in the dry-goods house OF
Fourqurean. Price. Temple & Co.. and
when the Presbyterian Publication Com
mittee was reorganized he resumed with
1t his old place as business agent. This
position he held until his death, his fine
business capacity. popularity, industry.
and energy proving potent factors in
putting the committee upon its present
substantial foundation.
RELIGIOUS WORK.
Mr.. Sleight connected himself with the
First Presbyterian church when he first
came to Richmond, and was I'm truth one
Of its pillars. He was a ruling elder of
the church. had been superintendent of
the Sunday school for a quarter OF a
century. and had charge OF the Sunday
school work of East Hanover Presbytery
Mr.. Sleight was a well-rounded mana
man Of many talents. which he used in
the service of his felow-men and his
Maker. He was also magnetic man
magnetic in business. in his church and
Sunday-school work. and in his private
NE ~ DC With was 10 leei MS
purity and earnestness-an earnestness
that resembled the flow OF a deep stream
that neither rushed nor eddied, but was
a steady. onward power. ever sunlit. how
ever. for ATr. Sleight always reflected the
brighter side of life.
AS A SPEAKER.
He was a graceful speaker. and few
men in or out OF the pulpit could make
a better impromptu address. Yet his
forte was in talking to children. He had
no equal In this respect in Richmond, ex-
cept perhaps Rev. Mr.. Nash. OF Christ
church. He possessed a positive genius
for entertaining and instructng the little
ones. lie dearly loved children. and they
loved him i'm return.
Mr. Sleight's church and Sunday-school
work was not confined to his own de-
nomination. He was always ready and
willing to answer any call Of n sister de-
nomination. A leading Methodist Sunday
school laborer said yesterday upon hear
ing of his death that the cause through
out the State had suffered a great loss.
With the newspaper fraternity of Rich
mond he was an especial favorite. There
was nothing he could do in the way of
lending them a helping hand that he
would not do cheerfully. Indeed. Mr..
Seghts mission was to tighten the bur-
den OF others. His nature was as trans
parent as crystal. and he was the soul OF
sincerity.
HIS LAST ILLNESS.
Mr. Sleights last Illness dates back to
a few days before Christmas. when he
was attacked with the grip, which finally
ran into double pneumonia. For few
days prior TO his death, however, he was
able to walk about his room, and quite
recently expressed to friends great conf
dence that he would be able TO go South
this spring, recuperate, and return to
work. He leaves a wife but no children,
The funeral will take place from the
First Presbyterian church at O'Clock this
afternoon and owing to the sickness of
Will be conducted by Rev. DR.. Fair. as
sisted by Rev. Drs. Richardson. Smith,
Campbell, and Tudor and Rev. Nessrs.
Stewart and Cannon. DR.. Hoge Is not
in the city. The following gentlemen Will
act as pall-bearers
Honorary-Messrs. X. Il. Brooke, Archi-
bald Boiling. John r. West. Harvie Blair,
Judge Il. X. Wexford, and Captain George
W. Allen.
Active-Messrs. J. n. Culllngworth. W.
c. Preston. w. $. Robertson, Robert
Whittet. w. s. Donnan, Charles n Well
ford. William Camp. and Joseph L.
Swords.
The remains will be taken to Sag Har-
Dor for interment. and will be accompa-
MED by Mr.. Whittet.