Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-12
4 GRAND MAN DEAD.
my. DIR. GEORGE ID. ARMSTRONG
OF NORFOLK.
IN EMINENT PRESBYTERIAN DIVINE.
Cast in Heroic Mould-scrvices Dur
ing the NeIIow-Fever-Imp
by Butlcr-His WritinSs-His ram
lily Connections.
lily Connections.

NORFOLK. VA. May n.-(Special)-
Rev George d. Armstrong. d. D., LIZ D.,
pastor emeritus of the First Presbyterian
sh1rch Of Norfolk, and one of the most
eminent divines of the Presbyterian de-
nomination, died at his home in this city,
this afternoon. aged 81 years.
Dr. Armstrong was born in Mendhan, y.
o.. September Is, 1913, and came to Nir-
sinia in 1929. lie first attended Princeton
College. from which he graduated, and
4fterward he graduated from Union The
illogical Seminary, then in Prince Edward
county. Va This was in 1882 Shortly
thereafter he accepted the Chair Of Chem
istry and Mechanics at Washington Col
lege. now Washington and Lee University.
While at Washington College he sup
piled for a while the pulpit Of Timber
E.lge church. In July, 1851, DR.. Arm
strong resigned his professorship and was
called 90 the pastorate Of the First Pres
byteuan church Of Norfolk, and although
comparatively young man, he gave
marked evidence of wide learning and
careful study and that deep piety which
l iAa prime of his life made him con-
sp.Cuols in the councils OF his Church.
DI. Armstrong was east in heroic
mould. ald knew no fear, save fear OF his
Coo. lu defence Of a principle he would
not have shrunk from the stake.
j, Vas curing the yellOwfever scourge,
which seized upon Norfolk in 1867 that
Dr. Armstrong particularly endeared him
sei 90 the people. He was here, there,
and everywhere. He spent day and night
visiting the suffering. and not until the
dread disease had spent itself did he
cease loo his efforts 20 alleviate distress.
Though born north of the Mason and
Dixon uue Dr. Armstrong followed the
fortunes of his adopted section OF the
country. In 1852. because he offered up a
prayer DO his church for President Jeuer-
son Davis, he was sentenced 10 cOnine-
mcnt at Fort Monroe by Butler, who was
a. That time in command Of the depart
inent of The Federal army in which was
included Norfolk Some time prior TO the
close of the war his church selected nun
as missionary among the soldiers OF
l-, South and promptly he responded lie
iat This was duty and he willingly per-
formed IL. he was a chaplain with Gen
tial a. Z. Hill and only returned 10 Nor
iok when hostilities had ceased.
From 1919 until July B. 1891, he continued
as pastor OF the. First church. and when
ase and long and faithful service had
entitled him 10 a rest from active work
De Was made pastor emeritus OF the
church. and Or. James l. Vance was cali
ed t0 the pulpit. The exercises held al
iAe First church on The night of July
b ISL on the occasion of the fortieth
anniversary OF the Doctors pastorate,
800 long be remen bered by the immense
congregation. The service was partici-
faicd i'm, by members and ministers OF
every Protestant denomination In the
cy AT the conclusion of the services
Dr Armstrong was presented by the
church with a purse Of gold amounting
GO al5O. and his wife was presented by
.ae ladies with a silver tureen. appro-
Nlatcly Inscribed, In recent years TINS
ifnerabie, eminent divine lived quietly al
1s home. but time nor age withered MS
@aguihcent intellect Or. Armstrong was
.nown far and wide by fellow-PresDy-
.efans Of learning. and wherever he was
Aaown his ability was respected. lie
Vas not only distinguished as q divine.
9lt as an author he was also noted. For
d number OF years he was much sought
after as a contributor 10 many maya
ZINES, and whatever he wrote was widely
read. Beside being the author OF many
PAMPHLETS he wrote The Summer OF
residence" Doctrine OF Baptism" THE
Christian Doctrine Of Slavery" Theology
" Christian Experience "Sacraments OF
NE New Testament" and Books Of Ma
'.ie and Revelation"
Al Feeentn years he devoted much OF