The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-16
SKETCH OF REV. THOMAS s. DUNA-
WAY. D. ..

AuufttH utllNtlCN ny Onpt' %
Qninn at tho UnveiliuR Of the T. s
Dunaway Room at Richmond College,
Wednesday
In tho good old county OF Lancaster
in the Northern Neck Of Virginia,
November 5th, 1929, was born Ihomas
Sanford Dunawey He came Of good
~ stock, and refinement Of nature
and gentle culture and piety were his
by inheritance. His father was Colo.
mel Thomas Sanford Dunaway, prom
inent Baptist Of his day, while his
mother. Felicia L. Hall was the sister
of Rev. Addison Hall, the father Of two
OF our first missionaries TO China, Mrs
Shuck and Mrs Toby.
At Kilmarnook Academy young Dun
away received the best high school ad-
vantages Of his section and from this
foundation built the superstruoturo Of
his strong intellectual life With nat
ural instincts aud gifts for professional
studies. DR.. Dunaway first turned his
thoughts 10 the legal profession, bat
scarcely had ne entered upon this invit'
ing career, in which he would have
won highest honors when the spifit OF
God turned his life in another direction.
In 1860. when just turning his 3lst
year he was licensed TO preach the ever
lastiug gospel This was followed at
Lebanon church. in Lancaster county,
November 23rd, 1862, by his full ordi-
nation to the gospel ministry. During
the trying war period he exercised his
gifts with great acceptance among the
churches Of his native county. but did
not assume pastoral charge.
In the year 1865. nowhere in Nir.
ginia. over which had swept the horrors
Of civil war. was there left more OF
grim ruin than 10 Fredericksburg, the
historic old town at the falls Of the
RspDahannock The Baptist church, a
handsome structure erected In 1854, by
Rev Wm Y Broaddus, d. d was In
pitiable plight Not less than four
cannon balls had crushed through Its
brick walls. its pews and furniture wore
taken out aud utterly destroyed and the
building was converted into q hospital.
First to appear upon this scene Of DESC
latlon came a young man from Rich
mand, Rev. VIM Harrison williams
afterwards the distinguished editor Of
the Central Baptist Of St Louis
With indomitable energy, he, In one
year. restored ihe building 20 coudi-
tion for comfortable worship and turned
to complete his education at the Semi
nary. The church then. casting about
for a permanent pastor, was guided Of
the Holy Spirit to Thomas S Dunaway,
in the fullness Of early manhood and
the power Of ripening faculties. The
third Sunday in December. 1866. be
was installed As pastor Of the Fred
erioksburg Baptist church With great
energy. wisdom aud conservation the
new pastor, gathering together the
scattered materials Of church life that
survived the war, lead ia an aggressive
movement for the upbuIlding Of Zion.
This was early crowned with signal
tokens Of divine favor Before year
had passed, nader the preaching Of Dr.
Dunaway,- one Of the greatest revivals
in the history Of the church swept over
the city. Over one hundred souls were
baptized into the fellowship Of the
church, and among them we're some OF
the choicest spirits that now lead in
the work Of the Lord. Thus there
gathered about him In the early years
Of his ministry a strong band Of faith
full sympathizers. From this time on
under DR.. Dunaway's wise leadership
tho growth OF the church was steady
and permanent It soon numbered five
hundred, and each year there was ad
ded TO the number the saved OF th'
Lord Many gracious revivals blessed
the long and conseorated labors of thI
devoted pastor. 1t DOW comes abou
that In the old town where Waller ant
Craig lay for thirty days in jail TO
preaching the Gospel as Baptists be
lieve it, with its present membership
Of G75 the Baptists nearly double tn
strength Of any other church in tn
place.
Under God this result has come II
largest measure from the faithful min
istry Of the beloved pastor and preacher
who for thirty.two years went in AM
out before them. 1t has pleased God Il
wrap about the strong personality o
this, his faithful servant. these happ,
years Of the churoh's growth. To poin
out the marked features Of his life AM
character that yielded this harvest is L,
easy task, even for one associated will
him through all the years Of his pastor
ate. DR. Dunaway's preaching has alvey
been Of q high order. His careful ser
moniziDg. his pure and strong rhetoric
his earnest and foroeful delivery com
bined to make his pulpit ministration
most effective Large congregation
attended upon his ministry. To thi
was added the happy reinforcement o
q wise pastoral service. Attentive &
the sick and afflicted, he ministered Il
the flock In JOY and In SORROW. viii
wise judgment and sympathetic hear
he became the personal friend Of hi
own people and Of all who lived in hi
city.
Reference to DR. Dunaway's work Il
Fredericksburg would, indeed, be in
complete If no mention were made 0
the gentle and sweet spirit, who. as
helpmeet. went with him through al
these years. Married on the 20ih 0