Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05

REV. DIR. JERE
Grace-street peoples Joy, and to Rich
mond's gain, he accepted 1t.
DIR. Witherspoon is yet young man,
but has had a bright career, one marked
nv great work accomplished and apun-
dant recognition at the hands OF MS
brethren.
A WAY DOWN SOUTHERNER.
The brilliant divine Is from the land or
the cotton and the cane. He was born In
Monroe county Mississippi, and recelVeu
his early training in the neishpotins
country schools. For special preparation
for college, however, he ATTENDED, the
famous academy at Green Springs, Ala',
under the presidency Of the distinguished
Henry Tutwiler. In the year 1903 ne oe-
cided to enter the ministry. In pursu-
ance of this determination he was recelV-
ed as a candidate for the ministry by the
Tombeclxbee Presbytery, of Mississippi.
At once he entered the University or MIS-
sissippi and graduated, bearing the secoiu
honor of his class in 1872. The students
early recognized his ability as speaker.
He was chosen by the Hermean society
of the University to be its annual orator.
and received the society's medal for "ex-
cellence in debate"
ENTERS THE SEMINARY.
entered the Columbia Theological Semi
nary and graduated from that institution
in 1875. In the same year he was ordained
To the full ministry by the Tombeckoee
Presbytery.
lust at this period of his life cSme
another important event In his career,
the influence Of which for good is yet very
strong; as strong, indeed as that or
noble. richly-endowed Christian woman.
On the 10Th OF october OF this year ne
was married to Miss Lowra Murdoch, OF
Okolona. Miss. His first pastorate was
at Okolona, but, receiving call to Mays
Vile. KY, began a pastorate Of three
years duration there In 1877. In 1880
he resigned the Kentucky charge for the
church of Jackson, Tenn. During MS
ministry the church grew greatly In
membership and breadth or usefulness
The church building was enlarged also'
and adorned, so that the old LANDMARK
seemed passed away and a handsome
modern edifice stood In it's stead.
TRIRIrTD OF A BAPTIST SCHOOL.
other religious denominations also be-
gan TO recognize his worth and regard
him "a an able and broad-minded divine.
In 1882 the Southwestern Baptist Univer-
sitv conferred on him the degree OF Doctor
of Divinity.
The following year he was called 10
Nashville to become pastor or the FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN church of that city. during
a pastorate In this city or ten years.
100 persons were added to the member
shin. two churches were colonized. ana
mission organized.
nroeress along all lines Of the churches
work he accepted a call to become the
nastor Of one of the largest and richest
| churches I'm the Monumental City. And II
| ia from this city that he comes 10 hich-
| mond Again was DIR. Witherspoon's pas
| torate marked by tremendous additions
| IN the church. In the three and one-halr
wears of his ministry there there were
212 persons received, exclusive or those
who united with the missions controlieu
nv the Church. To broaden this great
mission work. his people, with him as
their leader, built a church costing ABOUT
$4,000. -.
As speaker and pulpit orator, Or:
Witherspoon possesses distinguished
ability. In 1883 he was selected as one
of the centennial orators In the celepra-
tion of the Presbyterian Centennial In
Philadelphia. He was also last year
delegate 10 the Pan-Presbyterian Alliance,
and in May OF the present year was mace
a director in Princeton Seminary.
THE Grace-Street Presbytertans had
known of him long. and In october last
we're emboldened to call him. He ac-
cepted and Is with them to-day.
SKETCH OF THE CHURCH.
As the "Grace-Street Presbyterian
the church has been known only since
May 80. 1870, this name being adopted In
the place Of the title United Presbyte-
RAN" The building itself is one of inn
posing and magnificent proportions. II
is one of the largest In the city, us
seating capacity being about 100. In IN
terror furnishings much or the artistic
sense Is cratified, and the comfort of
the worshipper has received paramount
attention. The United Presbyterian
church. which il but the Grace-Street
PRESBYTERIAN church under another
name. was constituted by an act OF the
East Hanover Presbytery on the 10Th OF
September. 1885, IT was called United"
10 commemorate tina fact hst II MAS