The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-07-15

feeble talents He would have been more
useful as private member of the church
lie was by trade plasterer and most of
his time was spent in following that
calling. Henry G. Segar had "a sprightly
mind, affable manners and n pleasing and
rather imposing appearance. lie was a
sensible sound, acceptable preacher He
died when forty five years old having
been very few years in the ministry"
Robt W. Cole died before the present
writer was fully grown, but | remember
him very distinctly. Agood mind. though
not highly cultivated, n strong physique.
untiring zeal. strong emotions a hearty
manner-these We're marks that distin-
gulshed him. Possessing a clear, strong.
melodious voice, he was particularly
gifted IN song and both as the leader of
a great congregation and beside the sick
bed, he sung his Masters praises with
power and pathOs that moved all who
heard him. lie was "A useful minister.
having served as pastor of bethlehem.
Providence, Mt. Calvary, Upper Essex.
Upper Zion. Horeb and Concord. and
died when little beyond the prime of life.
Ihe three most prominent aud inflnen.
tial private members of Salem so far as
have been able to learn were Reuben
Broaddus. an older brother of the first
-AhHAtn anu hlN rOU. AItlTtM 81 irOn10uS
ana his grandson. Reuben b. Richerson
Oi Reuben Broaddus, Dr. .Ieter. in his
memoir OF my grandfather saws: Few
OF the older men who were accustomed
to attend the Dover Association before
division can have forgotten the tall and
venerable form of Reuben Broaddus. He
was man of sound but uncultivated
intellect, remarkable for his prudence
simplicity OF manner and great firm
ness OF purpose-for half century.
and efficient deacon of Salem BAPTIST
church. an arbiter of all neighhorhood
disputes, n counsellor of the perplexed
and "A comforter of the distressed" F" NV
father further says: In addition TO my
father the only other original member Of
Salem church known to me was my uncle
lteuben. He was "A man of vigorous in
tellect. decided character, profound con
Nlctions, and active and earnest piety
and was probably the most influential
member the church has ever had" NV
brother. Julian, furnishes the following
sketches of Andrew :. Broaddus and
Reuben b. Richerson:
Andrew :. Broaddus was the Youngest
child OF Reuben Broaddus, who for many
y ears was leading deacon of this church.
Andrew : as he was usually called to
distinguish him from his uncle the st
Andrew. was man OF ardent tempera-
ment and great energy. He united with
the church IN young manhood and at
once became very active in church work
He was soon licensed to preach. but hav-
ing entered upon the practice of law. he
the license 10 the church within
"A year; he did not, however, lose his IN
terest in the church nor slacken his active
Efforts for its welfare. lie WAS the lead
ing spirit in the movement that resulted
L organization ofMt. Calvary and retain
,d this position until his removal to Tex
~. From the beginning he was the Super
ntendent of the Sunday School. This
was the first Sunday School | ever at
tended and after the lapse of 30 years ofex-
perience, il is my deliberate opinion that
il was one of the best have ever known.
and certainly in advance of any in this
section at that time
Andrew ;. had n quick and bright in
tellect, was a fluent and forcible speaker,
and adroit and skilful debater and a
popular and successful advocate, and
soon rose To prominence as a lawyer and
politician, serving a term in the legisla-
ture before he left Virginia.
In 1854 he led n colony of nearly a
hundred people to Texas, making a sue
cessful settlement in Burleson county.
He at once united with the church at
Cald well and became there, as here, a lead
er in religious work He soon secured
a large and lucrative law practice. and
served several terms in the legislature
and as district judge. Removing in old
age to the country he at once headed a
successful movement to organize church
and build house of worship, which at
his request was called Mt Calvary after
4 ha oh, hf, Left har - =.
mind and body he continued the practice
OF his profession until after a brief illness
at the age of - he fell asleep in Christ
honOred and lamented by all who knew
him.
Reuben Il. RichersOn was a grandson
OF Reuben BrOaddus. My father, who
knew Reuben Broaddus, said that Mr..
Richerson bore a striking likeness to his
grandfather both in appearance and char
acter. Like him. he was tail and com
manding in statue and like him too he
was a man ofsound intellect; remarkable
for his prudence. simplicity of manners
and firmness of purpose For more than
fifty years he was an efficient deacon of
Salem church. From the time | united
with the church till his death, a period
of nearly forty years, he was the most
prominent and influential member Of the
body. Always in his placr at the bust
ness meetings and preaching services he
gladly gave his time, his labors and
his means for the npbailding OF the cause.
lie was very benevolent man and hay-
ing. up to the time OF the Civil War, large
possessions he was constantly helping the
poor and needy in his sneighborhood He
was for years Superintendent OF the Sun.
day School, and nearly il not all my
youth, my Sunday School teacher. The
memory OF that relation of pupil and
Bible teacher Is very sweet to me, and
must here record my sense OF obligation
for his faithful instruction lie passed
away in a full age like as shock OF corr
cometh in his season, loved and revered by
the whole community
L.. -