Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-28

and friends, neither knowing what the
other had said, declared TO me that they
regarded Robert Ould as possessed OF the
finest intellectual powers Of any man In
the Commonwealth.
A great and eventful change took place
IN his life soon after he became q regu-
lar attendant on the services In this
church. He became a communicate. and
then a ruling elder. After his conversion
he took Up theology as he would n new
treatise on science or International law.
but with a reverential interest such as
no secular studies could have awakened.
He became a teacher Of Bibie-class. for
which he began TO prepare his lectures
on Monday morning, lest the pressure oil
profession enga gements should hinder MS
study OF fhe lesson for the following Sab
bath az the cicse OF the week. He became,
an earnest student Of polemics and church
government, and came to an unalterable
conclusion as to the Scriptural origin
of the creed and confession Of the Church
OF hts choice. He became occasionally
delegate to Church courts, I'm which he
was always heard with Difference. be-
cause of his familiarity with ecclesiastical
law, and his fair. lucid, judicial style OF
discussion. He vas n generous contributor
to all the benevolent enterprises OF the
church, and regular attendant upon all
OF us stTNlCeS-tNlNt CU the sdbDdAis
once during the week-even when falling
health made his regular attendance diff
cult and hazardous Never did pastor have
a more appreciative. loyal. loving ally
I'm all his work; never did death de-
prive one OF more trustworthy friend
and efficient helper.
DENOMINATIONALC CONCORD.
In this connection. come now 20 speak
OF my relations TO other churches and to
the eminent pastors OF my own and other
denominations / have never bounded my
social relations or friendships by denomi-
national lines. II always seemed absurd 10
me 10 allow our honest differences or
opinion with regard 10 forms or Church
and modes Of worship 10 con-
troll Our associations and inlinaci-s with
persons Of kindred tastes ard congenial
qualities OF mind and heart.
Only those who have had similar ex-
perlences can know how much young
minister who is conscious OF his crude and
calow performances in the pupil; can be
helpad by few kind words of encourage
ment. During the first year of my min
istry In this city, having 10 preach alter
nately with an eminent divine like DR..
P.umer. / was often depressed when my
time for conducting the service came, In
Of how severely / was taxing the
generous forbearance Of those who had
to listen. All know what a trial IL Is 10
a novice TO preach to a cultivated au-
dlence, and all know. also. what trial II Is
to such an audience 10 listen TO the novice.
The first note of cheer was given In an
article which appeared In one of the daily
papers, written. as / afterwards learned,
by Mr.. James Il. Heath. a member of the
Church, and a gentleman OF
cultivated and refined literary taste. The
next was an editorial by Mr.. John Hamp-
den Peasants, In the Richmond Wing,
who afterwards became an attendant on
my ministry and cordial friend. The
last sermon he ever heard l delivered In
my little lecture-room.
During the war with Mexico son OF
the Hon. John Minor Bolts died in that
and his remains were brought 10
Richmond for interment. At that day
1t was the custom to preach funeral SER
mons, a custom now happily abandoned,
and the venerable DR.. Empie, rector OF
ST. James church, hearing that the rela-
tives OF the deceased. who were his par
ishioners. wished me to deliver the dis
course, invited ne 10 occupy his pulpit
that / might perform that office; and
thus my friendship with that aged SER
want of God, whose tremulous tones in
reading the service still sound in my
ears. began. These were among my ear
lest announcements. and they did not
come from Presbyterian sources.
My most intimate friend among our
divines was DR.. Thomas
Werner Moore, whose name is still like
fragrance from a garden OF spices, and
whose distinction IL was TO possess an
unusual variety Of gifts. all so harmonized
as to produce a character OF rare and
beautiful symmetry.
Next to hin. my most pleasant associa-
lions were with the versatile and elo-
luent Or. Duncan. of the Methodist
Church; and then later in years dear old
DR.. Minnigerode 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 Alexandria on the Goth of July. 1894,
and In its conclusion he makes such a
reference to this anniversary that / will
reproduce it here: Il wish. my dear
brother. we could meet occasionally, but
my roaming days are over. and l can do
no more. even on the fiftieth anniversary
Of your ministry In your own dear
church, than remember you lovingly and
rejoice In all your happiness and bless-
ngs." He cannot remember me tonight.
unless the memories of earth are per-
petuated In Heaven. where there Is no
night! His letter is written in a tremu-
ous wavering hand. but there was no
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 n century the
social az well as political capital Of the
Commonwealth. from its earliest history
mas been the home OF men whose distinc-
ion In the learned professions. or whose
equation as jurlsts, patriots, and sages.
las given lustre TO the State and to the
'epublc, has gained for itself a promi-
leIce not accorded many cities OF our
and far SURPRISING It in wealth and
population. 1t has also been the home OF
!, long line OF eminent ministers OF the
Gospel, whose piety and usefulness con-
erred dignity on their calling while they
lived. and now that they have been re-
moved TO higher sphere OF service. we
Who survive cherish their memories with
Indying affection and perpetuate the
story OF their tolls and triumphs
or the study, the imitation. and
he inspiration of the generations TO come.
Among these. in addition 10 those l have
mentioned. we hold in grateful remem-
FRANCE the cheerful and pious Buchanan;
the amiable and gifted Blair: the vene-
rable Bishop Moore: the learned and elo-
luent Rice the fervid John Carr; and
Armstrong. OF sweet. apostolic piety: and
Empie. grave. dignified. and courteous;
md Woodbridge. the upright man and
model pastor; and Norwood. cordial, ear
nest, loyal to his Lord: and James Il.
Taylor, the holy man Of Cod and Stephen
Taylor. full of faith and the Holy Ghost;
md Stiles. full OF heroic ardor and con-
ecrated enthusiasm; and Jeter famed for
,andor, courage. and steadfast devotion TO
ruth; and Dogge.t. philcsophic, administra-
i've. and studious; and Father Courtney.
with the silver hair and heart OF love:
md Burroughs. many-sided. philan,hropic.
iligent and PeteTkin. always reminding
ne OF the disciple whom Jesus loved, and
who reclined on the bosom OF his Lord.
How rich is our inheritance with the me-
nories OF these sanity men treasured in
,ur hearts,
In this connection, among the most
scenes connected with the hun
lreds OF funerals at which | have OFF,
hated. / recall most wildly all that oc-
'urred when we gathered in the FRS:
Presbyterian church 10 pay the last tri-
,ute of our love to DR.. Plumer. just pre-
.edins his interment in Hollywood. he
vas laid. | might say. in sta.e-the coffin
id removed, revealing that majestic face
md form. There We saw that strange,
ad charm which the repose of death
gives to the face in its final aspect of rest
md peace: the silver beard covering the
)reaSt like wreath OF snow: every fea-