Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-04

| horne. who was the pastor OF Washing
| ton-Street church, and soon thereafter he
| began the study for the ministry. He
entered Randolph-Macon College IN hts
l7th year. While at college he received
license TO preach. and in November. 1852.
was received on trial in the Virginia
Conference, at the session held In Fred
ericksburg. Ever after that time his
name was among his brethren. and all
who knew him, the synonym OF fidelity
and efficiency. BY diligent study and judi
| cious reading Mr. Peterson's mind was
early strengthened and developed. laying
| that foundation which in mature years
made him a power in the pulpit. Few
| preachers were better equipped for their
work. and fewer If any. made better
use Of their attainments and cndow-
ments. He brought out of his treasury
things new and old, and put them to
practical USE
A SUCCESSFUL WORKER.
Mr. Peterson was tireless and sue
cessful worker. and the church prospered
under his charge. He was a ready writer,
an apt debater. an able preacher. an
earnest defender and propounder OF the
doctrines and usageSs of Methodism. He
was a Methodist of the straightest sect.
In the pulpit he was always earnest.
have taken place under his ministry.
He proclaimed the truth with great
power. and his own sublime faith he
impaired to others.
In the social circle Mr.. Peterson was
genial and popular. While not given to
joking. he enjoyed innocent Jest. HIS
speech was ever seasoned with salt and
grace.
Mr.. Peterson was uniformly successfug
I'm his pastorate, and always left his
church on a higher spiritual plane than
he found 1t. He was regarded as among
the best preachers Of the conference.
and filled some of the most important
charges His first appointment. in 1852,
was to Gosport Station now Wright Me-
mortal church, Portsmouth); I'm 1854 he
was in Manchester; the years 1866 he
spent in Edenton. n. c., where he was
instrumental in building n new church.
IN RICHMOND.
In 1851 he was stationed at Suffolk: i'm
1888 at Clay-Street chapel. Richmond.
His subsequent charges in order wers
Winchester. Lexington. Appomattox. Suf-
folk Hlgh-Street. Petersburg; Clay
Street. Richmond; Gloucester Circuit:
Clay-Street, Richmond; High-Street,
Petersburg; Cumberland-Street, Norfolk;
pcesidjng elder OF Farmvlle District,
ls76-'SO: Suffolk. Matthews Circuit, Man
chester, Lynchburg. Manchester. High
Street, Petersburg, &c. In glancing over
these appointments one Is impressed by
the number Of times this faithful min
ster was returned TO his old charges.
Thus, at Suffolk. Clay-Street, Mancfes-
ter and High-street. he w2s three times
I'm charge During his fOrty-hve years
I'm the ministry he was never absent more
than three or four times from the an
nual sessions OF the conference Asgood
man has fallen In the ripeness Of years.
leaving a good record as his heritage.
Mr.. Peterson was the brother OF the
late Or. T. A. Peterson. "the sweet
singer" Of the Virginia Conference. and
was the last Of four brothers. He was
twice married His first wife was Miss
Ellen B Skinner. OF Edenton. n. c..
whom he married In 1858. and by whom
ne had two children. In 1883 he was
married 10 Miss Mary f. Ruth. daughter
of Mr.. Samuel Ruth. OF Richmond. who
survives, with six children.