The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-28

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helper.
In this connection come now TO speak
Of my relations to other churches and to
the eminent pastors Of my own and other
denominations. 1 have never bounded my
social relations or friendships by denom-
national lines. II always seemed absurd
10 me TO allow our honest differences OF
opinion with regard to forms of church
government and modes OF worship to con-
troll our associations and intimacies with
persons with kindred tastes and congenial
qualities OF mind and heart.
Only those who have had similar expe-
FENCES can know how much young
Minister who is conscious OF his crude ana
callow performances in the pulpit can De
helped by a few kind words OF encourage
ment. During the first year OF my minis
try in this city. having TO preach alter
nately with an eminent divine ike Dr'
Plumer, I was often depressed when my
tine for conducting the service came III
thinking of how severely | was TAXING
the generous forbearance of those VINO
had to listen IL Il Is a trial for novice
to preach to a cultivated audience, II is
a trial for a cultivated audience 10
listen TO a novice. The first NOTE OF cheer
was given In an article which appeared IN
one OF the daily papers, written, as L
afterwards learned, by Mr.. James r.
Heath. a member OF the Episcopal
church and a gentleman of cultivaed and
refined literary taste. The next was an
editorial by Mr.. John Hampden Peasants
IN the Richmond Wing. who afterwards
became an attendant on my ministry ana
a cordial friend The last sermon ne
| ever heard / delivered in my little lecture
room.
During the war with Mexico a son Of
the Hon. John Minor Bolts died In that
| country and his remains were brousnt
TO Richmond for interment. AT that Gay
IL was the custom to preach funeral ser
mons. n custom now happily abandoned.
and the venerable Or. Empie. rector OF
81. James church. hearing that the rela-
tives of the deceased, who were ms
parishioners. wished Inc TO denver the
discourse invited me to occupy ms pulpit
| that I might perform that ONCE; anu mus
| my friendship with that aged servant Oh
! God whose tremulous tones III ieauihs
the service still sound I'm my ears, ne
Gan These were among my earliest en-
couragements, and they did not cof"e
! from Presbyterian sources.
Nv most intimate friend among our
PRESBYTERIAN divines was Or. Ihomas
Werner Moore. whose name - sui Ike
fragrance from a garden OF Spices ana
whose distinction it was to possess an
unusual variety of gifts, all so harino-
niZed as 10 produce '""' "o'0' W. go
| and beautiful symmetry.
Next TO him my most pleasant associs-
| tions were with the versatile and eloquent
! nr Duncan of the Methodist Church;
| and then I'm later years dear old DR. Min
! usaerode became one of my most intimate
! friends. The last letter | ever received
| from him. and probably one OF the latest
| letters Of his life. was written from Alex
! audia on the 10Th OF July, 1894, and in its
| 1, "A reference
| this anniversary that | will reproduce II
! bore. II wish. my dear brother, we could
| meet occasionally. but my roaming days
| are over. and | can do no more even on
! tho hftieth year of your ministry III
your own dear church, than remember
! Won lovingly and rejoice in all your hap
| piness and blessings" He cannot refnem-
| Der me tonight, unless the memories OF
earth are perpetuated in heaven Wnere
| there is no night His letter is written
! i'm a tremulous wavering hand, but there
was no wavering in his affection for me
and no kind wish for my welfare which
/ did not return with all my heart.
An INDUSTRIOUS LINE.
Richmond. for more than a century the
! social as well as political capital of the
! Commonwealth, from its earliest history
has been the home of men whose distinc-
ton in the learned professions, or whose
! reputation as iurists. patriots and sages
| has given lustre TO the State and to the
| Republic. has gained for itself promi-
| nence not accorded to many cities of our
| land far surprising it in wealth ana
| population. It has also been the nome or
/ a long line of eminent ministers OF the
Gospel. whose piety and usefulness con-
| ferred dignity on their calling while they
lived. and now that they have been re-
moved TO a higher sphere OF service we
! who survive cherish their memories with
undying affection. and perpetuate the
! story OF their tolls and triumphs Tor the
study the imitation, and the Inspiration
/ of the generations TO come. Among these
| i'm addition TO those | nave mentioned we
| hold in grateful remembrance the cheeI-
| full and pfous Buchanan, the amiabie anu
| gifted Blair; the venerable blsHop Hlool ,
| the learned and eloquent Rice; the ferVld
! John carr; and Armstrong Of sweet
! anostoIic piety: and Empie, grave dlgnl-
! fed and courteous; and Woodbridge. the
uprieht man and model pastor; and Nor
wood. cordial. earnest, loyal to his. Lord;
! and James b. Taylor. the holy man OF
| God: and stephen Taylor, full OF talth
! and the Holy Ghost; and Stiles, nun OF
| heroic ardor and cOnsecrated enthusiasm
and Jeter, famed for candor, courage ana
| steadfast devotion to truth; and Doggett,
/
! and Father Courtney with the silver hair
and heart Of love; and Burroughs, many
| sided. philanthropc. diIigent; and Peter
| kin. always reminding one Of the disciple
whom Jesus loved and who recllned on
the bosom Of his Lord. How rich IS our
| inheritance with the memories or THESE
| sanity men treasured in our hearts.
In this connection among the most i'm
! pressive scenes connected with the nun
| dreds of funerals RI which ! have OH
| ciated / recall most vividly all that 0c.
| Cured when We gathered in the First
| PRESBYTERIAN church to pay the last trI-
! butte Of our love TO DR.. Plumer just pre-
| ceiling his interment in Hollywood He
was laid. | might say. in state-the coffin
| lii removed, revealing that males
tic face ard form. There we saw
that strange sad charm which
| the reposa OF death gives TO the
face in its final aspect of rest and peace;
| the silver beard covering the breast like
| a wreath OF sorrow; every feature distinct
! III its marble purity and strength, yet
softened as if by the gentlest touches
OF the sculptoT's ch.sel Many affecting
| scenes did witness I'm that edifice. stand
! ing then on the ground where the city
! Hall now rears its imposing front but
| none fuller OF solemn and tender impress
! siveness than when these obsequies were
! held within its walls. None who were
present will ever forget the hour; the
! vast assembly so hushed and still; the
! silent tears that fell, the tribute of affec-
| ton from the Fps and hearts OF repre-
sentatives OF different denominations.
! Nv brethren. UNCONVENTIONAL barriers get
very low in the presence OF the sainted
| dead.
| RICVNOSD's GREAT SORROW