Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-25

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CWho Died i'm Lexington. Ky, Sunday
Morning, in His 18th Year,
morning, but gave no particulars. The
remains will be brought here to-day for
interment. and the funeral will take
place at Richmond College this afternoon
at o'clock.
DIR. Ryland was aged 81 years month
and days. lie was sound Of mind until
his DEATH and Sunday, April 9Th, at
tended church as usual.
The outstanding characteristics Of this
good mans life were his thorough hon
esty, his simplicity, his devotion to duty.
all united 10 a purity Of thought and
deed. private and professional. that is
rarely met with among men.
His life was spent largely as an edu-
Gator. and the sweetness, the strength.
and beauty of his character were given
unstintedly TO others, and thus put as
loaven amid the young men and women
of the South. lie has gone, but the bene-
ficent influence Of his long life will live
when the names Of men whom the world
counts great are forgotten.
SKETCH OF DIR. RYLAND.
The Ryland name Anglo-SaXon; rye
landS-rye or rhee, water course or
stream. and lands, the land adjoining or
above the stream is rooted i'm the chrOni-
cles Of WesthOughton. Lancaster, and
WilmslOw, Chester England as far back
as 1916. and seems identified with stern
virtue and uniagging industry The de-
ceased came legitimately by his name,
for the first of the family whose record
is preserved was Robert de Rilandes, OF
the time King Henry H.
The American ancestors OF Dr. Ryland
settled upon the shores Of Virginia and
spread into the counties around. His
father was Josiah Ryland. of Farming
ton. King and queen county, and his
mother Cdtharine Peachey. He was born
March II, 1863.
The cody parents gave their son from
the age of 6 years every advantage Of the
private school. the academy, and the col
lege BY the time he had attained his ma
lority he was an alumnus of Columbian
College, ID. c. With mind athirst for
knowledge, and heart aglOw with love for
God and humanity, he was led to the high
calling Of a minister Of Jesus Christ. and
10 this he consecrated his life, settling in
Lynchburg as pastor Of the Baptist
church.
PRESIDENT or VIRGINIA BAPTIST
SEMINARY.
But II was not long before the wise lead
ers of his denomination saw in this we'll
trained and earnest young man the future
leader of their educational enterprise. lie
himself told the story Of his regretful
parting with q growing church, and the
perpleXities upon which ne entered III
becoming the president of the Virginia
BIDllEt
1897, 10 the Richmond College Messenger.
his own pen partially drew the picture OF
the demands upon him and the diihcultles
which gathered about the work. Not the
least of these was the slow awakening
of his brethren 10 the claims of the sem
mary, and 20 the constantly recurring
demand for increased pecuniary assist
ance. Many a weary mile on foot and
many a far journey in private con-
Yeyance did he take, year after year, TO
entreat parents for their sons and the
well-to-do for their dole TO save the
school and make it grow.
Fortunately, Mr.. Ryland had the quail
ties necessary for success. To Industry.
faith. love, and deep conviction. His
call was from God. and it mastered his
every energy. While outside work was
thus increasingly demanded, the real
work Of the school was not neglected.
lie was its most painstaking and labori-
Gus teacher and unWearyingly labOred
with the unframed pupils that he might
stir their sluggish minds and quicken
their ambition for life work. All! those
years. People of to-day cannot under
stand what It cost OF prayers and tears
and labor 10 lay the foundation and
build the structure which at last re-
warded, under the leadership of Ryland,
the tenacious persistency OF our fathers.
THE GREAT WORK DONE.
Before the disastrous war of 1861 Go,
i'm which every social and educational
interest suffered crucifiXion in the politi-
cal upheaval. the efforts of the president
and his co-laborers had so far succeeded
as to place Richmond College upon q
most excellent foundation. The school
of 1880 had developed into the seminary
of 1892 and then into the chartered col
lege of 1910. Twenty years more. and
there were upon the campus buildings
worth $4,000. an endowment fund of
$4,000. and the l6l students were taught
by a faculty of six able professors The
impression should not be made that DIR.
Ryland was the sole factor i'm the sue
cess OF this good work. He does not
claim il; nor his friends for him. But
il cannot be doubted that the college IS
it stood i'm shapely proportions I'm 1860
was largely the monument OF his tenn
pered conservatism, wise energy and
vigilaEt oversight. Into il had passed
his very life-blood, and he stood before
his people honored, trusted, and beloved
for his great work.
The college was dsmantled by the cruel
hand of war: many of its students killed
in battle its professors scattered. it's
library and apparatus gone, its grounds
and buildings wrecked. DIR. Ryland
said: Younger hands must undertake
the work OF rehabilitation" and he re-
tired. after thirty-four years of service
DURING AND AFTER THE WAR.
While president of Richmond College DR..