The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-18
MEMORY of A GREAT
VIRGINIA PREACHER.
Tablet to Be Erected to Rev.
lanes Waddell in Lam
caster.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.)

(Speclal to me IlmeS-DlSpatch.)
HUNTSVILLE, VA. March 17.-There
will be erected in the courtroom at Lam
caster Courthouse at an early date,
through the generosity OF Capt. George
p. sauires. of Ocran, Lancaster county.
Il beautiful tablet OF polished white
Italian marble. with letters OF black and
gold. dedicated to the Rev. James Wad-
dell. so distinguished as a pulpit orator
and brought before the public eye both
4 in this country and abroad by Wirt.s
I beautiful description OF his sermon In
Orange county.
The following Is the inscription that will
appear on the slab:
In Memoriam.
Rev. James Waddell. D. D.. Son OF
Thomas and Janet Waddell, County
Down. Ireland.
The Blind Preacher. Teacher and Orator
Born on the Atlantic Ocean. while his
parents we're cmgrating to America. In
1879.
Died in Louisa county. Va, in 1906.
Licensed as a probationer April 2, 1761,
by the old Presbytery Of Hanover.
Resided OH Currotoman River, Lancns-
ter, county, Va, In 176.. and had three
preaching places, VIZ: Lancaster Court
house. the Forest Meeting House and
Northumberland Meeting House.
In 17ss married Mary Gordon, tho
in the church. member of the court
and the maternal grandfather of General
Vim. +. Gordon of Albcinarle.
Taught Merlwether Lewis and Governor
James Barbour
Was once fined by the Established
church for occupying parish church.
Was at one time the minister OF TInK-
ling Spring Church. Augusta county. Va.
AS patriot in the Revolution. address,
& ca rates Company at Midway, Rock
bridge county. Va. s., ~
when In sermon OF thrilling oratory
and magic eloquence on the passion Of
our Saviour, he electrified his hearers by
the beautiful and sublime quotation from
Rousseau, Socrates died like d philoso-
pher. but Jesus Christ like n Cod
his tablet is presented to Lancaster
county. through tho Circuit Court. by
1 Captain George T. squlres, OF Ocran
Lancaster county. Va a
These halls OF fame in many OF tho
courthouses OF this portion OF Eastern
Virginia are as interesting as they are
honorable. Heroes, preachers, j,irists
gstatesmen-none Of them 20 unlonored
The youth OF this section may study the
lives Of great ana good men on the In
scrip lions and look into the faces OF sons
of old Essex on lasting canvas, and have
a higher mark for their reaching. 4 nobler
! life for their living. Eis
TO the untlring interest OF Judge II. r.
B.sfyYright have these old county COURT
houses been turned into places
where the tourist may pause With pencil
in hand. where the Judge and Jury and
bar can scarcely look without finding
some picture worthy of study and giving
inspiration and encouragement toibettcr3
and Snobler and higher lives. Il iss3s
1T is splendid to template the action
sof8C'aptaina Squirest In Greeting this tablet
1 to James Iyaddcll. TOO long las he gone;
sl,nhonored. Mr. Writ wrote, when Ito had
reached Richmond after that memorable
tour through tho Piedmont counties Of
Virginia and heard Mr.. NNaddeils preach:
Guess my surprise when on my arrival
mt Richmond, and mentioning tile namo
of this man.. Il found no one person. who
had eyer before heard of james NYaddell!
rs 1t not strange that such a genius as
this SO Ii ccnnpl isled n scholar. so ilivinoJ
an oratnr. should Shc permitted to lnnguislli
and die in obsc,lrity within eighty miles
ofStlaAmetropolisso OF Virginia"
speakers will be pres
5entsat tho dedication OF the ablet. and
a day of much Interest and pleasure is
con emplate ted, y