Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-11
rev. WILLIAM A. CAMPBELL, d. D.

REV. WILLIAM A. CAMPBELL, ID. d.
Ma. November -. 1929. His parents,
who were cody people were Robert and
isabelle Paxton Campbell. lie was care
fully-trained I'm the doctrines of the Pres
byteAan Church, and in the Holy scrip
lures on his 18th birthday ne mace
his confession OF Christ, and publicly
assumed the vows OF Christian. and 10
these obligations few soldiers of the cross
have been so faithful
"In his boyhood he studied in the school
at Lexington. taught by Jacob Fuller
His collegiate training he received at
WASHINGTON College. now Washington and
Lee University, carrying off all the prizes
in his class. and graduating as Master
of Arts in 1852.
$50 excellent was his scholarship, espe-
cially in the department of mathe-
mates that he was given an assistant
profossorship which position he held Tor
two years lie graduated in divinity at
Union Theological Seminary. Prince Ed
ward county, I'm the class OF 1919.
HIS FIRST CHARGE
"His first charge was the pastorate OF
Mount Carmel ana Gonito Presbyterian
churches, I'm Powhatan county. He was
ordained at Mount Carmel church in 1888,
and in this field he cid noble work for
sixteen years. SO greatly was he be-
loved and trusted, not only in his own
denomination. but beyond IL. that he was
invited TO hold services regularly in the
Methodist church. Hobson's chapel, and
in manuel Episcopal church
"On September %. 1871, he was marrieu
TO Miss Virginia Eppos Dance, a Chris
tian lady of rare character who. 10 ms
last hour, was n hclpmeet indeed, the
companion. sympathetic and helpful, OF
his Joys and sorrows and OF all arduous
labOrs I'm the cause TO which he conse-
Grated his life and who survives to-day
TO mourn the loss of her noble consort
IF # were proper to lift the veil which
conceals from public view the most sa-
cred things of he there would be seen,
in the tender relations of these two no
thing but what was beautiful and pre-
cious TO degree rarely found. even in
the most blessed OF homes. The chyal
rous husband and the loyal wife ever
found I'm one another and in their chill
dron what their hearts most desired, next
10 the favor Of God. The romance of
their love never waned I'm all the years OF
their life together
PREACHED TO THE SOLDIERS.
''While pastor in Powhatan during the
war between the States. DR. Campbell was
called frequently TO preach TO the army
about Richmond and elsewhere which he
results.
From Powhatan he removed to Man
rhester where he took charge OF the
Presbyterian church, now so prosperous
largely through his labors. then "a small.
struggling body newly organized. Here,
he toiled with untiring zeal for twelve
years and in Manchester, as well as
in his former charge. there are now very
many whom he brought TO Christ. who
stil revere him as their father in the
Gospel and who now rise up 10 call
him blessed. During his pastorate there
he gave TO the press a volume. entitled
Commentary on Mark which is a valu-
able and able treatise on that Gospel.
while. resident of Manchester he
was greatly beloved by all classes and,
what is very unusual for ministers, who
are not supposed TO know much about
business matters. he was called by his
1ellow-citizens TO be member OF The
City Council. 10 serve on the Committee
on Streets and 20 act as a member OF
the Board OF Public Instruction.
'He wrote. without compensation. the
charter Of the city of Manchester. very
little amended 10 this day. lie was called
10 make the estimates of hydraulic pres
sure for the construction of the James
river dam, which still furnishes water for
the manufactures that stand along the
northern boundary Of Manchester. His
practical mind. his thorough knowledge
of mathematics. and his rare judgment
furnished him the qualifications requisite
for all these undertakings.
CALLED 10 ENANGELlSTIC WORK.
1T was the possession Of these among
other gifts. which led 10 his being called
from Manchester by the PreSbytery OF
East Hanover 90 serve as evangelist for
all its territory. For eight years he la
bored IN season and out OF season In
building w the weaker churches estab-
fishing new congregations. and in secu-
ring the erection OF church cdlhces. The
members of presbytery appreciate his
great work In this Office and they
are ready 10 testify 10 his wisdom. tact
and wonderful success in strengthening
ana extending PresbyterianiSm and Chris
uaniiy IN Eastern Virginia from the
kappahaunock TO North Carolina
In addition 20 his invaluable assistance
In nuriuring feeble congregations. there
are now not less than ten congregation
ana fourteen new church buildings which
stand az the result OF his creative work
one OF them-Campbell-M emorial-at
Weems. on the Rappahannock. a crate
ful people insisted on naming In honor OF
ths apostolic home missionary.
Having completed his work In this