USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 11
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During his childhood his parents moved to Southside Virginia and settled in Dinwiddie county, where he was brought up. His maternal grandparents were among the earliest Methodists of Eastern Virginia.
After coming to Dinwiddie young DeShazo became connected with the Sun- day-school at Trinity church, at which he was a regular attendant until he en- tered the ministry. Here, with that godly man, Colonel Thomas B. Hamlin, for his Sunday-school superintendent and teacher, his religious nature was rapidly developed. Often, with only the boy for an auditor, did that faithful man of God strive to unfold the beauties of God's word-nor were his labors in vain. Another devout Methodist contributed also to the awakening of the youth in the class-meeting, which has always been kept up in that church once a month. This person was old Brother Wyatt Williams. These simple words, solemnly uttered in the class-meeting by that venerable saint, "I thank God I am not tired of serving Him," made an impression upon the young hearer he will never for- get. Ile has always declared that it was the most eloquent sermon he ever has heard.
In August, 1868, at a protracted meeting at Trinity, under the ministry of Rev. Jacob II. Proctor, these influences culminated in his conversion to God and connection with the Church. The Rev. Mr. Jefferson, a local preacher of Peters- burg, who was assisting in the meeting, was explaining some precious promise as DeShazo experienced "the peace of God." His conversion was not bright, but unmistakable. From his conversion he gave promise of usefulness to the Church. He was regular in his attendance on Sunday-school and class-meeting, and soon began to pray in public and to speak in the meetings. Soon his mind began to be exercised in regard to entering the ministry ; but his education was defective, and he hesitated. At length, after accumulating a few hundred dol- lars by patient toil, under the advice and godly counsel of Brother Hamlin, he entered Randolph-Macon College ( February, 1872), with the purpose of fitting himself to serve the Church. As was the enstom among the religions students of the institution, he transferred his membership to the College chapel, and on March 24, 1873, at the second Quarterly Meeting of Randolph-Macon District, held at Ashland, he was licensed to preach. While at college his Sundays were mostly spent in preaching and teaching in the country around the College. For two sessions he superintended a Sunday-school at Independence church, then of Hanover Circuit, two and a half miles from the College. He frequently walked from seven to ten miles ont into the country to preach at some of the churches- at Lebanon, Forest Grove, Greenwood, ete. His first sermon was at Shady Grove church, on Hanover Circuit. His vacations were spent on the large cirenits by request of the preachers in charge and appointment of the Presiding
REV. WALTER G. BATES.
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Elders. The vacation of 1873 was passed on Franklin Circuit, then in charge of Rev. D. F. Hodges, and having eighteen appointments. The example and- influence and ministry of that saintly man were a blessing to the junior, who loves the people who bore with the "boy preacher." At the close of the college session of 1874 he was sent by Rev. D. P. Willis, then the Presiding Elder of Richmond District, to assist Rev. W. G. Williams in Charles City and Henrico Circuit, where, under the fatherly control and godly direction of that good man, he began to make proof of his ministry. He was, at the request of the pastor, Brother Williams, again sent to this circuit to spend the vacation of 1875. During the summer and fall, in conjunction with the pastor, his labors were blessed and owned of God. He will always thank God for casting his lot with this man of God and this excellent people. At the Quarterly Meeting for this circuit he was recommended to the Annual Conference for admission and was admitted at its session.
He was appointed to Patrick Cireuit, where he served four years. He has been the pastor of Franklin Circuit, Isle of Wight, Nottoway, South Norfolk, where he had a most successful pastorate, attended by a great revival of religion, at one point in which upwards of two hundred souls were converted to God and brought into the Church. His next charge was South Boston Circuit, on which he served two years with great credit to himself and greatly to the profit of the Church. One of the most pervasive revivals in the history of that charge oc- curred under his administration. Many souls were added to the Church throughout the bounds of the eirenit, and the material affairs of the Church were greatly improved. The elegant sanctuary at South Boston was brought to com- pletion and dedication, and a debt of long standing at Shady Grove was can- celled. His pastorate here was profitable. In 1893 from the Conference at Norfolk he was sent as the Presiding Elder of the Danville District, a position which he held with an eminent degree of success for four years. The same un- tiring zeal which characterized his work in the pastorate was displayed in this larger field of labor. No man ever brought to this office greater energy and prudence than DeShazo. He magnified his responsible position and made it count for the extension of Christ's kingdom. Mission fields were occupied and enterprises of magnitude were projected. The work at Cabell Street, and also that at Washington Street, Danville, was originated during his eldership. Al- most every church in the district was visited by him at least once each year. Thus did he make full proof of his ministry and of his fitness for the office of Presiding Elder. With both preachers and people he was deservedly popular. He was while here one of the associate editors of the "Methodist," a prime pub- lication by the brethren of Danville. His pen greatly enriched its columns and kept the affairs of the district constantly before the people.
Ilis next charge was Mathews Circuit, where he has just closed his fourth year, greatly to the regret of his people. As elsewhere, his measure of success has been great on this chief circuit of the Conference. He is now pastor of Isle of Wight.
This stalwart apostle of Methodism has reached the meridian of life-fifty years-yet time has touched him but lightly in passing. There are years of best work in that sturdy frame. He is industrious and active, a good preacher and a diligent pastor.
His pulpit work is characteristic-there is but one DeShazo-and is usually a striking, pungent, and convincing presentation of truth. Sinners are awak-
REV. REGINALD H. POTTS.
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ened and converted. The Church is built up and strengthened. He knows no spirit of compromise in questions of right and wrong. Sham and hypocrisy are mercilessly castigated, while sincerity is encouraged and comforted. Ho has in large degree native wit and humor, and an inexhaustible fund of apt illustration. He never indulges in wit or sarcasm, however, for its own sake. When employed, it is as a means to an end. He comes directly to the point and makes the issue in strong, terse terms.
Mr. DeShazo has positive convictions and is always in line with them. On the questions before the Church to-day he has decided opinions, and uses his pen not infrequently with regard to them. Ile believes in rotation in chief posi- tions of the Church, and that the only thing that should keep one in high office i. merit and efficiency. He thinks strongly, but loves warmly. His heart is as large as his stalwart frame and as true as the needle to the pole. He knows nothing but love for his brethren.
Ile is married to a lady of superior culture, an excellent woman and an ac- quisition to any society. A bevy of charming children adorn their home circle.
That charge is to be congratulated which secures the services of this conse- crated and faithful Christian minister.
ITe has served the Church in many places-on committees, in the pastorate, m the ellership, and always with the most untiring zeal and with the greatest fidelity.
REV. CHARLES D. CRAWLEY.
This robust "Son of Thunder" represents muscular Christianity in the Con- ference, if the stoutest forces in nerve and bone rank a preacher as an athletic apostle. A noble head sits upon broad shoulders, and these upon a body "round as a barrel," supported by legs corded from hip to heel with toughest tendons. There is nothing of coarseness in this stalwart frame; rather refined, though masculine. The voice is in keeping with the stout presence. The tones come as from a slow-swinging bell of a cathedral-a metallic baritone. The distant idler, dozing in a carriage on the grounds of a camp-meeting, is waked by the stroke of that smiting tongue upon the drowsy ear-drum. He sings. The metri- cal munnbers are borne on the crest of a high wave of sound that spends its force near and remote, even beyond the vocal limits of the strongest Asaph in the choir.
. Mr. Crawley is a heritage of vigorous mental powers. He wields a claymore, not a dress-sword. The dainty pleasings of a perfumed rhetoric do not find favor in his eyes; nor does he rant or roar. Winnowed thought is brought to "flour of fine wheat" by the "steel rollers" revolving in his own brain. The loaf has leaven in it, is palatable and nourishing. He has proven himself a skilled workman, and his record gives him honor. He has been twice happily married. He has charge of the famous Mathews Circuit. He is a distinct force in the sacramental host, and a great soul pulsates in a superb anatomy.
REV. DAVID J. TRAYNHAM.
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REV. WILLIAM H. ATWILL.
In these days the preacher coming into the Conference from college or bibli- cal institute seldom shoulders a musket as a private. Like the graduates from West Point, they start as lieutenants. In the epoch of the "Brush College" each man won his way from the ranks. They began as "helpers." If they rose into prominence, the lever that lifted them was their own force of char- acter and achievements. In the late civil war Pat Cleburne enlisted without a commission and met death in battle as a lieutenant-general. His courage and genius forged ahead.
Atwill had collegiate advantages, yet "went in" with a carbine unslung and cocked. He has had no friend at court to assist promotion, if there be grades in the service of the Master. God has given him the insignia of rank. A vic- torions ministry forced him into prominence as the needed instrument for large success. The honors sought the man.
Mr. Clay never had greater art, if art it be, for securing popularity than At- will. It, however, comes natural to the preacher. The people will grow fond of him, and he rewards their confidence and attachment by admirable preach- ing, intense interest in their spiritual welfare and faithful pastoral work. lle does not gain favor by lack of independence in thought or action. He has convictions, and their assertions verge on obstinacy. He is adamantine in firm- ness, where a principle is involved. Men see that high motives inspire him. They give him eredit for consecration. They know his eve is single.
He has singular aptness to seize an occasion and readiness to dischage his best powers to achieve immediate results. There is no hesitation, confusion, clumsiness. The hammer is in the air to smite when the iron comes glowing to the anvil.
Mr. Atwill is genial, frank and faithful to friendship. There are no in- erustations of selfishness on his heart. He never connts the cost in an act of brotherly service.
Hle bears a graceful presence, compact frame, a broad forehead, healthy freshness of color and springing step.
In the pulpit he is easily master of all his resources. The flow of fit words is as of natural gravity from a brimming fountain falling into the pellucid stream, and not drawn by laboring piston from a seant supply in a shallow well. Ile is happy in the selection and use of metaphor and illustration.
Each church elings to him with unfeigned love and lets him go with regret- ful tears. With wide favor among the people and a magnetic influence, he leads into enlarged enterprises. While at Clay Street, Richmond, his con- gregation adorned their substantial and sightly church-home with costly and superior improvements. This was but a moiety of their broad zeal and liberality. Mr. Atwill championed the scheme to erect chapels at strategic points in the suburbs. His people rallied around him. They contributed two thousand dollars, overshooting any church with similar means, perhaps, in our territory, for a like object. His enthusiasm is infective. Many a slug- gish spirit has caught and kindled with a spark from this burning and shining light.
Famous old Westmoreland is his native heath. He was born there March 2, 1848, and is the son of S. B. Atwill and Jane An Atwill. His father was a
REV. EDGAR H. ROWE.
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native of the county ; his mother was a Miss Broun, of Northumberland county, Va. Ilis father was a merchant and farmer, and a leading citizen of the courty. Hle was a great friend to the Methodist Church. His home was known as the preachers' home, while his heart was always tender towards those who labored in the cause of our Master.
Mr. Atwill's early opportunities for an education were those of a first-class private school. His father employed for a number of years prior to the war competent teachers.
In September, 1869, under the ministration of Rev. W. F. Bain, of the Vir- ginia Conference, while stationed on the Lancaster Circuit and holding a meet- ing in Northumberland county, Va., Mr. Atwill was converted. It was a clear, unmistakable conversion. Coming simultaneously with it was the call to the ministry-which he never doubted. Feeling incompetent for such a re- sponsible work, he resolved to enter Randolph-Macon College, in order to be- come better fitted for the great duties of the ministry.
He entered college in September, 1872, and remained until the close of the session of 1874. He was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of Lancaster Circuit at Whitestone church, April 22, 1872. After leaving col- lege he was employed by the Presiding Elder of Richmond District as junior preacher of Mathews Circuit, traveled there until the fall of 1874, and then joined the Conference. He was appointed as junior preacher for the same cir- enit. He then took charge of his first cirenit, Powhatan. He has served South Brunswick Circuit, stationed in Petersburg, Portsmouth, Richmond, Lyneh- burg, Norfolk and AAshland-his charge for 1900-'01. Bishops Kavanaugh and Pierce ordained. He has been married four times-Miss Guion, Miss Cato, Miss Browder and Miss Harris-amiable and devoted wives.
REV. BENJAMIN S. HIERRINK.
Mr. Herrink was born of English-French stock in Pender county, N. C., Oc- tober 2, 1846. His early days were spent on the farm, with the exception of cleven months, which was given to the "Lost Cause." The civil war inter- fered with his early education. This was in some measure overcome by teach- ing and by two years spent at Randolph-Macon College.
He was brought into the Church at an early age, and the impression to devote his life to the ministry grew on him as the years went by. In the year 1873, while at the college, he was licensed to preach, and the following year, having decided to enter the active work, he was received on trial at the Conference held at Elizabeth City, N. C. His first appointment was Patrick Circuit. From 1878 to 1882 he served Sonth of Dan Circuit. It was here he met his wife, Emma J. Richardson. The happy event, which brought light and help into his life and home, took place January 2, 1883. During all these years he has served withont murmur and with fidelity the charges to which he has been as- signed from time to time.
REV. THEODORE O. EDWARDS.
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REV. WILLIAM WOOLDRIDGE ROYALL, D. D.
Mr. Royall, we should think, draws the beam beyond two hundred. The body is not out of proportion to the capital crowning it. The head would please the eye of a phrenologist. He has brains. There is no scantiness of enterprise. He does not back ont from an obstacle. He traveled part of his first circuit on foot, letting no grass grow in his tracks. He is jolly, quick and witty, and a tip-top preacher. He doesn't mean to grow old. He loves young people and little children, and they know it.
He is the son of Dr. Samuel H. Royall, of Chesterfield county, a physician of brilliant talents and immense practice, a devoted Methodist and a liberal contributor to all Church causes. The charming house on the old Midlothian road was always thronged with visitors, among whom the Methodist preacher was the guest of honor. The mother was of the Pleasant stock of Goochland county, her grandfather being James Pleasants, Governor and United States Senator, the colleague of John Randolph, and her uncles John Hampden Pleas- ants, founder of the Whig, and Hugh Rose Pleasants, editor of the Dispatch. Dr. S. H. Rovall died in 1853, and the family moved to Nottoway county, and located near Burkeville.
Mr. Rovall was converted in 1868, and having gone to Alabama to assist his eldest brother in the conduct of a school, he joined in 1870 the Court Street church, Montgomery, of which Rev. John Matthews was pastor. In 1871 he was given, at the early age of twenty, local preacher's license under the pas- torate of Dr. Edward Wadsworth. In 1872 he entered Randolph-Macon Col- lege, graduating with high distinction in four schools, and never missing a "dis- tinction" during his course. In language he was especially successful, trans- lation being his forte.
In 1875 he left college, and was employed by Rev. D. P. Wills to take charge of West Point Station. Here he worked for two and a half years, two churches from the New Kent Circuit being put with West Point in 1875.
He entered the Virginia Conference at Danville in 1875, and was ordained as local deacon by Bishop MeTyeire. The work on the West Point Circuit tested his mettle. Three ill-organized and neglected churches were to be taken care of, and two of these were twenty-three and twenty-eight miles, respectively, from West Point by railway. The work was done of necessity largely on foot, it not being practicable to keep a horse and use the railway besides. But every house was entered, every by-path learned. The charge began growing at once, and in missionary offerings soon stood with old and able charges. Every depart- ment of Church work went forward, and fine revivals took place. In 1877 he was sent to West Mathews, a new charge. There were great revivals on this charge also, and the new circuit exceeded the old and strong one in missionary offerings. In 1878, at the Conference held in Petersburg, he volunteered for China, and was ordained elder by Bishop Pierce. Owing to lack of funds, the Mission Board could not send him ont that year. December 12th he was mar- ried to Miss Cynthia W. Wayt, of Reidsville, N. C., danghter of Dr. John II. Wayt, of Richmond, and one of the bravest souls that ever lived. Left without a charge that year, and failing to go to China, he worked in various meetings with success, and won the Richmond Christian Advocate prize of a $100 organ
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REV. THOMAS N. POTTS, D. D.
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for the largest number of new subscribers. He was sent in 1879 to Conquest and Guiltord charge, and had a great year there.
In May, 1880, he was accepted by the Mission Board, and in October, with his devoted wife and baby boy, he left Virginia for China, sailing in company with Kenneth II. MeLain, so soon to lay down his young life, and George R. Loehr, who is yet in China. Arriving in China, he was stationed in Shanghai, and made Treasurer of the Mission, but the ill health and the consequent return to the United States of Mrs. Melain made changes necessary, and he was put in charge of the Nantziang District as Presiding Elder.
On the opening of the Anglo-Chinese College he was called to Shanghai and put in charge, first of the high school and then of the most ad- vanced classes in the college. Ile preached his first sermon in the Chinese lan- guage August 22, 1881, breaking the record. In the difficult work of teaching and translating he made rapid progress, and was soon called upon to write book notices for the Chinese Recorder, the polyglot organ of the missionary body. Works in French, German and Chinese were read and noticed. He also as- sisted his brother missionaries in translation work, and received words of high appreciation from such men as Griffith John, of Hankow, a man in the fore- front of missionary achievement. Some of his pupils in the Anglo-Chinese work were afterwards brilliant and successful men, and one, at least, a noble Christian. T. H. Yun, of Korea, well-known in the United States, began his course at the college under Mr. Royall's care. Work was done also for the great Century Dictionary in its department of Oriental terms. His pronunciation of Chinese was declared by educated Chinamen to be that of a native. He was often called upon for sermons by the English-speaking congregations of Shang- hai. Ilis letters in our Church press were declared by able critics the best ever sent from that field and were widely copied. He was a tireless worker in all lines, keeping at it when the rest were wisely taking rest. His position was to know China and to become a skilled workman, and his study and reading in the classical literature of China were wide and varied. In 1885, the work of the college being reinforced by the arrival of Professor William B. Bonnell, he deemed his work then no longer essential to the school, and resigning the posi- tion of headmaster, to which he had been appointed, returned to the loved work of evangelization. In 1886 the ill-health of his son, the shattered condition of his wife's health and the impossibility of arranging to send them to the United States alone, made it a necessity that he return with them, a grief from which he has never recovered, submitting to it as one of the mysterious dispensations of God.
In 1886 he was sent to Cambridge, Md. There the enormous work of preael- ing, lecturing and canvassing for funds so wore him down that in 1SSS he re- quested a change. By a merey of God's providence he was assigned to a work in the high, healthy atmosphere and magnificent elimate of middle Virginia, on the Cumberland charge. Here his shattered nerves were restored, and the ma- laria of China somewhat conquered. He began to realize how near he had been to a collapse. In 1889 he was made Sunday-school Agent, it being his request in order to travel and make a eanvass of the Virginia Conference in the interest of Foreign Missions. But by the tragie death of the pastor at Huntington, W. Va., the First church there was left without a pastor. Bishop Wilson trans- ferred him to this important post. At the close of the Conference year he was elected to the position of Vice-President and Financial Agent of the Confer-
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REV. WILLIAM J. YOUNG, D. D.
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ence College at Barboursville. The work was colossal. The school was in debt and the title clonded. The patronage was small. Public sentiment was not up to the age in the matter of Church schools. It became necessary to raise funds for immediate relief, to conciliate the disaffected, and to secure a paying patronage, there being no endowment. Ile traveled through the territory for seven thousand miles, making addresses that were spoken of enthusiastically by the best men of the State. The debts were paid, the mortgage lifted, the title cleared and the halls filled. The work won wide recognition through the State. In 1892 he resigned the place, the crisis having passed, and returned to his old and loved Conference. Since then he has served the Southampton and South Princess Anne charges, and closed his fourth year of successful work at Chase City, and begins his first year at Martinsville.
Ilis work for education in West Virginia was widely recognized, and in June, 1892, the University of West Virginia conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
REV. WILLIAM H. EDWARDS, A. B.
With manly form and handsome, frank and intellectual face, the hand of Nature has endowed and adorned him. Ilis educational advantages were good. He graduated with distinction at Randolph-Macon College.
Ile is, of course, conversant with Latin and Greek, but it is by his pure Eng- lish, out of "wells undefiled," he brings. honor upon his Alma Mater. His ser- mons, fluently delivered, are replete with thought, and bear the impress of re- search and careful study. As he discusses a subject, the magnetism of a distin- guished presence, rich voice and graceful gesture assist in commanding the attention of his congregation. His ability in projecting and fostering plans for the best interests of the Church is phenomenal. Ilis pastoral visits are treasured as a benediction, and to know the man is to love and esteem him.
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