USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 12
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The county of Fauquier is the birthplace of Mr. Edwards. He was converted soon after the war, and connected himself with the Methodist Church. While a student at Bethel Academy, he recognized his call to the ministry. He remained at that school three years, and then spent four sessions at Randolph-Maeon Col- lege. He joined the Virginia Conference in 1876.
From his first enlistment he has borne himself faithfully and well. For twenty-four years his career has been honorable and useful to the Church, while enlarging his own sphere and gathering golden opinions from his brethren.
He seems eminently fitted to enterprise new schemes for the betterment of the visible Zion. The "Rectory" puts on its beautiful garments. Tumbled-down chapels, as if by magie, become elegant elmurches. It is a delight in Conference to hear him stand up "for to read" his inspiring statistics. The same zeal dis- played in the pastorate characterizes his present work, as leader of the forces on the Danville District.
He married the daughter of a noble layman of the Wicomico, by the Bay of the Chesapeake, in Virginia, Miss Cockerell. An exceptionally happy selection for the "Mistress of the Manse." They have lovely and precious children.
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REV. CHARLES H. MCGHEE.
157
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
REV. THOMAS G. PULLEN.
Mr. Pullen is of medium height, compactly built, massive, calm eye, intelli- gent and thoughtful countenance, deliberate in action-indicative of self-poise. He at once impresses one as no ordinary man. His voice, naturally good, has been cultivated by assidnous practice until its modulations are of unusual com- pass and sweetness. His mind is of the higher order-subjective, philosophical, logical in its operations. He diseusses great principles instead of naked facts- tries to get down to the bottom of things-and presents them to his audience with such clearness of statement, force of argument, and aptness of illustration as to win victories for the truth. Having had good educational advantages at academy and college, and teaching school for years, and still keeping up studious habits, he is destined to take a high stand as a minister of Christ.
Bedford county. Va., is his native place, and October 20, 1854, the time of his birth. His father is a deacon in the Baptist Church; his grandfather was a Baptist preacher. His mother is a Methodist. As is often the case, the son followed the mother. She was a Miss Walker, a family well known in Vir- ginia Methodism. He was converted at fifteen, joined the Church at seven- teen, and became a teacher in the public school at twenty. He taught three ses- sions, and then entered the High School at Sunny Side, near Liberty, where he continued a student until his twenty-fifth year, the last of which acting as teacher. He entered Randolph-Macon College in 1879, continuing three years. As a student he stood high in the estimation of faculty and students. He soon took rank as a debater in the Washington Literary Society, which chose him as first debater in the annual public debate. Again his Society chose him as first orator to represent it on commencement, which honor he was obliged to de- cline on account of the pressure of his studies.
In June, 1882, he took work under the Presiding Elder of the Eastern Shore District, and was put in charge of Cobb's Island mission. Here he spent two years as "supply," and one by appointment of the Conference, which he joined in November, 1854, at Lynchburg, Va. During these years he did so much to uplift these plain, simple, and quite neglected people that they will highly appreciate and tenderly love him to their latest day. Here his apitude for church-building began to show itself. Two ereditable edifices-one on Cobb's, the other on llog Island, among a poor, and helpless people-were erected, he doing much of the work with his own hands. His second year in the Confer- ence he spent on Berlin Cirenit. Here, at the third Quarterly Conference, he was put on a committee to build a church at Campbelltown, and by his push and management the house was near cuongh completed for religious services to be held in it at the fourth Quarterly Conference. He served Atlantie from No- vember, 1886, to November, 1888. In November, 1888, he was stationed at West Point, where he did three of the best years' work of his ministry. Ile soon enterprised a $6,000 church building in this thriving young station, and added many to the Church. The health of his wife compelled him to seek removal before his full term expired. He then served Ettrick one year, during which a gracious revival blessed his ministry. Next he spent two years on Scottsville, where gracious revivals and many additions attested his appointment, as from God. One church was built, two completed, and
REV. JOSEPH R. STURGIS.
159
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
two others, together with the parsonage, were repaired. The stewards of this charge were greatly disappointed at his removal.
November, 1894, he was appointed to Campbell, considered by some the baumer circuit of the Lynchburg District. Here, in the brief period of one year, gracious revivals attended his labors, and his ministry had a deep impres- sion on the entire charge, so much so that he and the people felt confident of his return at the ensuing Conference. He will always feel that a gross injustice was perpetrated on him and his people by his removal at the end of this year. From 1895 to 1897 he served Franklin-a period when his talents for church- building could be especially valuable. Plans had been set on foot by his prede- cessor for church buildings at Redwood and Boon's Mill. These he speedily brought to completion. He planned the St. James church at Ferrum, and fur- nished the model for the Watson Memorial church at Chatham, all of which bear testimony to his consecrated industry and architectural skill. No man's ministry ever gave greater satisfaction at Rocky Mount. November, 1897, he was sent to Madison, where two more years of effective preaching and abundant labors in the pastorate resulted in considerable gains both in munbers and spirituality. The parsonage enjoyed a renovation, principally by his own hands. He is now in his second year on Albemarle Circuit, and all the signs point to a decided snecess in every department of church work.
Hle was ordained a deacon by Bishop Kavanaugh at Richmond in 1883, and an elder by Bishop Granbery in Portsmouth in 1888.
As will be seen from the facts previously given, it is hard to say in which de- partment Mr. Pullen mostly excels, whether in the pulpit, the pastorate, or in church-building, he shows such aptitude for them all. He is an all-round man in the full sense of that word. Gentle in manner, cheerful in spirit, fluent and entertaining in conversation, yet reasonably reserved and sympathetic, he is always well received in the social cirele with both young and old, being quite at home as well with the cultured and refined as with the plain and simple. Without sacrifice of ministerial propriety or principle, with Paul he easily "becomes all things to all men that he may gain the more."
Ile is not "unequally yoked," which accounts, no doubt, in large measure. for his effectiveness. His wife, of priestly descent, is the daughter of Rev. J. W. Tilldrop, of precions memory, and is as near what an itinerant's wife should be as one often finds. Attractive in person, cultivated, refined, obliging in dis- position, cheerful, hopeful, and conscerated to God and the Church, she is to him a strong right arm. and makes hosts of friends wherever she goes. Truly fortunate is the Methodist preacher who has such a "helpmeet." Their union has been blessed with six sprightly children, two danghters and four sons, one of whom is not, "for God took him," who are an ornament to the home and a joy to the hearts of the parents.
REV. NATHAN B. FOUSHEE.
The cognomen, Nathan Bangs, the eminent historian of our Church, discloses the Methodist parentage of Mr. Fonshee. Of course, Fonshee is French. The other side of the house is Trish. The Milesian names on the roll of distin-
REV. THOMAS J. WRAY.
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guished Frenchmen, especially in arms, prove the fine qualities that come of the umion of the two great peoples. His grandfather fought in the French Revolu- tion. Our Fonshee hath in him many of these excellent traits. He has admir- able ground-work and material for building for years and use. Hle is not neglecting his gifts ; they are not hid in a napkin. He was raised on a farm. His father was a good English scholar, and taught the lad. The boy, on his majority, in 1868, professed religion, under the Rev. E. HI. Pritchett, and be- came a communicant in the Church.
Mr. Fonsher has graduated in the whole course: teacher in Sunday-school, superintendent, exhorter, local preacher, colporteur, employed under the Elder, and so forth. There is a sentence in some data from under his hand that will bear print to profit :
"My next work was colporteur for the American Traet Society-a hard task, bnt educating in many ways. I read the books in order to recommend them intelligently. The volumes nourished me. My own experience taught me never to turn a book agent abruptly from my door. There is no better field to study human nature than as colporteur among the people."
September 8, 1874, he made his first attempt to preach. There is no report of the success or failure. In 1875, assistant preacher on Rappahannock Cir- cuit ; employed by Elder on Bedford Circuit in 1876. In November, admitted into Conference and sent to Berlin Cireuit. Then four years on South Camp- bell ; a great ingathering, churches repaired, Sunday-sehools increased in vigor and numbers. Four years on Mount Pleasant ; large numbers brought to Christ, parsonage finished and a new and substantial church built-Ivy Hill, one of the best. if not the best, on the district. In 1886-'S9, Bedford Springs Cireuit; revivals, and converts many and choice; churches repaired and a parsonage bnilt-thought by not a few an impossibility. He was chosen for Henrieo, but the health of his wife led to a change, after three years, to Dinwiddie, where he served four years. After his eustom, he led a forward move. A church, left unfinished by his predecessor, Rev. John O. Moss, was completed in beau- tiful style. And what is much to the point-it was paid for! There were need of repairs in houses of worship. Foushee could not, did not, let things ravel ont from bad to worse while he nodded in the shade or smoked and dozed by the parsonage fire. He had a mind to work. "There was not a lazy bone in him."
A debt had hung over the parsonage for ten years. A wagon may mire, but if left stuck in the mud, pulling it out gets harder. Discouragement settles around cach buried wheel. Did Foushee say, "Let it go for the claim," and so leave Dinwiddie disgraced and without a roof-tree for the preacher ? He paid the debt off ! Finishing a church, ridding a cirenit of the shame of a debt upon its parsonage seemed enough for one pastor. Why not leave any other betterments to his successor ? We hear of his overhauling ehureh after ehureh, improving outside and in. And it takes away the breath from a slow saint to discover that Foushee, after rescuing the parsonage, set about additions and conveniences !
Elders wrestle over Foushee. He is not "sought after" for first ehureles. The clamor for him comes from "crops right smart in the grass." There was another circuit with its parsonage "held in durance vile" by a debt of a deeade. Foushee was needed. And the parsonage on the Newsom's parish got elcar.
REV. JAMES D. FORKNER.
163
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
As his manner was, he gave attention to the church buildings and their improve- ments.
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One might say that he merely had turn for "serving tables." The record reports that "sinners were converted and many added to the Church." What would Methodism be without its Nehemiahs ? We hear of the pioneer preach- er's leading with an axe into the forests, where a "log-meeting house" was needed. We have a line from this tireless man. He is closing another quadrennial. "Our houses of worship are all in good repair for our fortunate successor." Fortunate indeed to come after a Foushee. And he adds, "The best of all, God has been with us."
Mr. Foushee, after rounding out a full term of four years on Newsom's, is assigned to South Norfolk for 1900-'01. Happy the people that is served by a pastor who has a right to the insignia of Sword and Trowel-beating back Satan and Sanballat and building the walls of Zion.
Wherever this sterling servant of the Master tends the divine vineyard, thrift, health and betterment are seen. The secularities are mended. The fruits ripen ; the Church prospers. Rounded, balanced and sound to the core is Nathan Bangs Foushee.
On December 21, 1881, he married Miss Lelia A. Robertson, of Bedford. He certifies from a glad heart, "She has proven a helpmeet indeed."
REV. DAVID J. TRAYNHAM.
During the first years of the last century there was, in Person county, N. C., and within a few hundred yards of where stood Old Bailey's Chapel,a pious home loved and frequented by almost every "circuit rider" who had the good fortime to pass that way.
The saintly couple who presided over this home and who for years were wont to lavish their hospitality upon these pioneers of Methodism were John B. and Elizabeth Bailey.
In 1834 their elder child, Fannie Madison, and Reuben C. Traynham, of Halifax county, Va., were married. To this happy couple there were born ten children, the subject of this sketeh being the fifth. He was born near IIar- mony, Halifax county, February 12, 1844.
It was here, on his father's farm, the youth endowed naturally with a fault- less constitution (he is six feet one and a half inches high and weighs a little over 200 pounds), a passionate love of nature and a resolute fondness for the chase, lived and developed certain traits and a superb physique, which equipped him for the noble service he has since rendered his country in time of war and his Church in times of peace.
It has been said that during the years immediately following the disband- ment of Cromwell's army whenever one found a thrifty, elever and patriotic citizen you were safe in presuming that such an one had followed Oliver. Like- wise, their subsequent history proves that with no less degree of accuracy it may be said that during the sixties, and after Virginia's call to arms, her best and noblest youths were to be found among the followers of that Christian chief- tain of the Southern eanse.
REV. JOSEPH G. LENNON.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
To those familiar either with the adventures of his boyhood days or the labors of his maturer years it is no surprise that David Traynham, though only a lad of seventeen, was eager to bid adieu to home and loved ones to join this gallant throng. Ile was among the first from his county to volunteer. From the open- ing of the war until July, 1864, he served in Wise's Brigade, and from thence until the close, as a member of Wright's Battery, Colonel Coyt's Battalion. During this period he participated in many battles, and was twice slightly wounded. Soon after General Grant crossed the Appomattox river, and at which time Wise's Brigade did such splendid fighting, Mr. Traynham was car- rying the flag of the Fifty-ninth Virginia Regiment, when the staff was cut down by the enemy's rifles, and many holes shot through the colors. On the retreat of Lee's army from Richmond and Petersburg, at Amelia Courthouse, he was selected from his company as a cannoncer to a gun to bring up the rear, and at Sailor's Creek shot away the last round of ammunition. Afterwards overtook his company near Farmville, Va. At the siege of Petersburg his bat- tery, stationed about 350 yards north of the Crater, put in some splendid work.
Mr. Traynham possesses a jovial disposition, together with a keen sense of humor. The space allotted this sketch could be filled many times with the camp jokes the writer has heard related of him by his comrades in arms.
During his boyhood his habits were closely watched and guided by his mother -a devout lady, whom to know was to love her, and whose benign influence was reflected by all with whom she came in contact. Thus tutored, he was con- verted at an early age, and connected himself with the Baptist Church. But the associates and influence of eamp-life lessened his piety, and he became neg- lectful of his religious duties.
After the close of the war he returned to his home, in Halifax. Scarcely had the battle clouds passed away, when, on the 26th day of April, 1865, he married Miss Mary L. Wade, daughter of William H. Wade, Esq. Mrs. Trayn- ham died at Rustburg, in the Campbell parsonage, May 1, 1899, leaving four sons. Mr. Traynham enjoys the unique distinction of having worn at his mar- riage a suit made from cloth purchased with Minie balls fired by the Union army riage a suit made from cloth purchased with Minie balls fired by the Union army,
Soon after his marriage he was induced to remove to New York, and take control of the affairs of his wife's grandfather, where he remained until the death of this aged relative. He again returned to his own farm, in Halifax county, where he remained until 1872. In August of this year Rev. W. C. Vaden was in charge of the South of Dan Cirenit, and under the ministry of Mr. Vaden he renewed his covenant with God, and united with the Methodist Church. Taking an active part in local religious affairs, he soon became im- pressed with the thought that he must dedicate the remainder of his days to the ministry. Not only was he naturally a very diffident man, but his ednea- tion had been frustrated by his early enlistment in the army, and his subse- quent career was by no means conducive to studious habits. Because of these and similar exenses fain would he have hushed the whispers of conscience. But finding there was no place its voice could not be heard, he was at last willing to say, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?"
In 1876 the Conference met at Danville, assigning him as supply to West Franklin. In 1877 he was on the Dan River Mission. Applied for admis- sion to the Conference in 1878, and being received was appointed to South Patrick Circuit. Since that time he has served the following charges: Patrick
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REV. GEORGE H. WILEY,
167
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Mission, East Franklin Circuit, Pittsylvania Circuit, Patrick Mission a second term, Patrick Cirenit, Dorchester Circuit, Accomae Courthouse Cirenit, At- - lantic, North Mecklenburg, Campbell Circuit, and at present is serving Buck- ingham Circuit.
REV. JOSEPH R. STURGIS.
Mr. Sturgis is by birth a Baltimorean, and is fifty-one years of age; united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Somerset county, Md., August, 1869; licensed to exhort in 1870; removed to Virginia in 1874; was licensed a local preacher in May, 1875; admitted into the Conference in November, 1878, and sent to Ettrick and returned there at the Conference in 1879. He has been stationed at Cambridge, Ashland, and Trinity, Richmond. From November, 1890, to November, 1893, he was on the superannuated list; from November, 1893, to November, 1895, he served Wachapreague Circuit; from 1895 to 1897, Guilford Cirenit, since which time he has served Nottoway Circuit up to 1900, when he was chosen for West Brunswick.
Mr. Sturgis is of medium build; intellectual face, rather serious in its east, and brilliant eyes. Ile is a modest, polite person, always courteous and kind in his dealings with others. He is a great lover of music and flowers. Though not professing to be either, he is by nature, and, in fact, both a musician and a poet. Ile possesses a fine voice and a sensitive ear, and has written verses of rare sentiment and delicacy. He is a student not only of men and books, but of nature. Broad in his learning, he is generous in his thought. Always con- siderate of the feelings of others, he is nevertheless a man of strong convictions and uncompromising integrity. His sermons, in thought, language and de- livery rank high as finished speeches on sacred themes. Ilis thought is original, logical, strong. Few men have a more delicate use of language. His public prayers have a singular and persuasive influence on his hearers. A man of great taet and broad sympathy, he easily makes and holds friends. He enjoys the confidence as well as the respect of those whom he serves.
Mr. Sturgis combines in a rare degree the gifts of a successful preacher and the sympathetic instincts of a friend. He is at once a minister to and a com- panion of his people. In his home life he is peculiarly fortunate. A charming wife and five intelligent, handsome children make for him a happy home circle.
REV. RICHARD M. CHANDLER.
Mr. Chandler joined the Conference in 1876, fresh from the halls of Ran- dolph-Macon College. He has been a growing man ever since-growing in force and power in the pulpit, growing in grace and in the love and favor of his brethren.
lle is a brave man, fearless in his preaching against sin ; a studious man, pre- paring carefully for his pulpit ; an excellent and true pastor, filled with the
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REV. JAMES O. BABCOCK.
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Spirit of his Master. His manner is pleasing; his modesty and distrust of his own ability too great. His sermons are strong and full of the marrow of the- Gospel. With the utmost simplicity, he preaches, not himself, but Christ Jesus the Lord. He is a methodical man, overlooking every detail of his work and planning wisely for the upbuilding of the Church. Ile is always attending to his Lord's business. He is a fine specimen of the best Methodist-preacher type of to-day, preaching Christ from a heart filled with the love he preaches; ear- nest and zealons as the fathers who have passed away, and yet progressive while conservative. Holding fast that which is good and forgetting the useless things that are behind, he reaches forward to grasp improved methods of Sunday- school work, of Bible teaching, and whatsoever of good he can find in the life and habits of thought about him, to build up Methodism, which is "Christianity in earnest."
This is the impression the preacher makes upon us. A sketch of the man, as he ought to look in the picture near by, is easy ; a fine, intelligent face, framed in very dark hair ; black moustache ; black eyes, sparkling, serious, solemn, smiling, soft, gentle, tender; they are splendid eyes, capable of expressing, so as to be easily read, every emotion. The man could not smile insincerely.
The picture cannot give any idea of his slender build and the exceeding length to which so little of material tissue has been drawn out. He weighs one hundred and fifty pounds, or thereabout, and stands six feet high. A great deal of the weight must be in the top of him, for he is beginning to stoop a little about the shoulders-a habit he is young enough to correct.
To get a fuller view of the man, we go to Westmoreland, where he was born. We find him of good stock -- English and Scotch mixed. His family were Epis- copalians, and he was trained and surrounded by the influences of that Church. The society of this historic county has always been of the best Virginia type. It is an excellent county to be born in, for there still linger and are cherished more of the traditions and more of the culture of Old Virginia than in most sections of the so-called New Virginia.
This is a little away from the subject. Here, in this environment, Chandler was bred and educated-first by private tutors at home and then at the Kilmar- nock Academy. But the war came, and for two years had been raging. Young Chandler joined the Ninth Virginia Cavalry, and served gallantly as a soldier under General W. II. F. Lee during the hard and bitter last two years of that struggle. The brave soldier came back home, and at a Methodist revival gave his heart to God. Rev. D. G. C. Butts was the preacher in charge. Soon he felt called to preach, and, like a good soldier, he prepared for the great battle of the Church against the armies of the Devil. He went to Randolph-Macon College to arm and equip himself. Ilis habits of study and his increasing in- fluence are proof of his wisdom.
In 1882 he gave another strong evidence of wisdom-he married Miss Snsie E. Hudgins, daughter of Captain L. M. Hudgins, of Mathews. With a happy family, snecess crowning his work for God, esteemed and loved by the people he serves, we leave him stationed at Centenary church, Norfolk, Virginia, by the Conferences of 1899-1900.
REV. MeDANIEL RUCKER.
173
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has been steady. "Onward" has been his motto. There has been no baekward step. Ile holds his position and improves it so much that it becomes a stepping- stone to something higher. He has not yet reached that for which he was appre- hended. Ile is still a student and a sermonizer. With the churches he is in demand for the best. Ile is prominent in all the aggressive work of the Confer- onee. Ile is a trustee both of Randolph-Macon College and of the Orphanage.
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