USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 14
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REV. VINCENT W. BARGAMIN.
189
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
worthy deeds. As a citizen-a member of the social compact or citizen of the spiritual kingdom-there is no truer liege.
No doubtful utterance falls from his lips. We always know what he means. His style of preaching is direct-alnost conversational-earnest, convincing, comforting, strengthening. He is also an ever-watchful pastor, reminding his people that, while they are followers of Christ, they onght to be in fact what they profess to be, His Methodist followers, guiding the Clurch by the chart of our discipline. And yet the most rigid observer could not justly say that he was ever offensive to those of other denominations. All in all, he is an exemplary spiritual guide and teacher of God's word, as interpreted by our Church. It is but just to add that his spiritual gifts are rich in the service of prayer and song.
Ile was born in Norfolk, Virginia, July 9, 1856. Ile is the son of the late Rev. J. J. Edwards, of the Virginia Conference.
In September, 1872, he commenced his collegiate education at Randolph- Macon College, which he attended four years. Soon after the fall session opened for the year 1873, Dr. JJ. A. Duncan began a revival. On September 30th Mr. Edwards found Christ as a personal Saviour, and on October 5th joined the church at Ashland. For many years-ever since he could recollect-Mr. Edwards had a great desire to become a minister. He had never expressed his wishes to any one, but, when converted, Dr. Duncan said to him, "I expect to see yon a minister of the Gospel."
At a quarterly Conference of Monumental Station, Portsmouth, Virginia, beld February 25, 1878, he was granted a local preacher's license. November 14, 1878, he was admitted as a probationer in the Virginia Annual Conference, and was sent as junior preacher on Gates Cireuit, where he did excellent service. Ile has grown steadily in all directions.
Mr. Edwards has a frank, bright face. Ile has taken a front rank as a sys- tematic, energetic and growing preacher. He has the briskness of youth and much of the discretion of age. Ile is serving Boykins.
REV. JOIIN S. WALLACE.
Mr. Wallace, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Wallace, was born in Gloucester county, Va., October 21, 1854. Before the age of ten years he was an orphan. Ilis misfortune, however, was somewhat mitigated by the kindness, love and labors of an older sister, Mrs. Margaret Anderton, of Gloucester county. He was converted in his sixteenth year under the ministry of Rev. J. C. Martin, and joined Bethlehem Church. Impelled to the Gospel ministry by an inward voice, he entered, in September, 1877, Randolph-Macon College, and spent two sessions in preparation for the work. In November, 1879, he was received on trial by the Virginia Conference, thence serving the following charges: West Charlotte, Patrick, Berlin, Culpeper, Northampton, Boykins, Atlantic Circuit, Cambridge Cirenit, Princess Anne, South Princess Anne, York, and is now serving his second year at Fifth Street, Manchester.
In November, 1883, he was married to Miss Eva A. West, an estimable lady of Berlin, Md.
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REV. GEORGE IL. MeFADEN.
191
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Ile was ordained deacon in 1881 at Charlottesville, Va., by Bishop MeTycire, and ordained elder by Bishop Pierce at Richmond, Va., in 1883.
Mr. Wallace is of medim size; his weight, one hundred and forty-two pounds ; height, five feet six inches ; hair covers his fine head with dark curls; eves blue : complexion florid. He is sedate and retiring in his manner. His frne worth and character can be known only by intimate association. Digni- fied in appearance, yet not stiff; unselfish, friendly and affable, with great warmth of spirit. He was known as the "model boy" among his playmates, henec his character and worth are but the fulfilled promise of his boyhood. As a preacher, he is consecrated and faithful; his style chiefly topical, "a fine analyzer, and always engaging." Lucid, strong and edifying in the presenta- tion of his theme, he kindles with his subject, frequently rising to heights of fervor and spiritual power. Honest and bold, preaching to save souls, he handles sin with gloves off, tearing away the whited walls of hypocrisy and empty profession, revealing the rottenness within, and, though coming upon the sinner in his chosen refuge, mingles mercy with judgment, couples the law and the Gospel, placing Calvary by the side of Sinai. Withal, he is a student, find- ing in the Bible, theology and human nature inviting fields. From the battle- field of his operations in the holy war, prisoners have been taken and many re- eruits sworn in and niformed in the name of the King Eternal. So the records show.
REV. WILLIAM J. YOUNG, D. D.
Dr. Young, now (1901) in the second year of his pastorate of Court Street church, Lynchburg, was born in January, 1859, in Baltimore, where he attended the public schools, and graduated in Baltimore City College in July, 1874. After a post-graduate course in the same college, he taught in the public schools for two years.
In 1868 he was born of the Spirit, and, responding to its numistakable call, he was licensed in April, 1877, by the Quarterly Conference of North Baltimore Station to preach the Gospel, having already been a licensed exhorter for a year or more,
He then attended Vanderbilt University for two years, from which institu- tion he graduated in the summer of 1879. Hle immediately went as a supply on a ('irenit in the Baltimore Conference, but was soon sent by Bishop MeTyiere to take charge of a church in San Antonio, Texas, belonging to the West Texas Conference. Soon thereafter he was regularly transferred to the West Texas Conference and appointed by the Conference to the Soledad Street church, San Antonio, which he was already serving most acceptably by request of the Bishop.
During his pastorate of this church, from 1879 to 1883, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Pieree at Enling, Texas, October 17, 1880, and an older by Bishop Parker, October 15, 1882. He was united in marriage November 1, 1882, to Miss Mary Margaret Campbell, a member of his church, whose father was a native of Virginia.
This devout lady has been not only a helpmeet and companion to him, but also a devoted co-laborer in the Church and the canse to which he is consecrated.
REV. RICHARD T. . WILSON.
193
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Thus they are truly wedded in being jointly dedicated to the same sacred service.
Closing these four eventful years of his first regular charge, in 1883, he was transferred to the Texas Conference, and received the appointment to St. John's church, in Galveston. He had finished but one year of faithful and fruitful labor here, when, under medical advice, he consented to seek a colder climate, and was transferred to the Baltimore Conference and appointed in March, 1885, to Calvary church, Baltimore. He served this church until 1888, when he was appointed to Alexandria, from which he was taken at the end of three years to till the chair of Adjunct Professor of Biblical Literature in Randolph-Macon College. While in this position, for which he had special aptitude, he also filled the pulpit of the Methodist church at Ashland, and joined the Virginia Confer- ence at its session of November, 1891.
The following year he was stationed at Park Place, Richmond, succeeding at that new and growing church, Rev. Dr. John Hannon. His ministry here bore. abundant fruit, and the congregation grew in grace and numbers.
In 1893 Randolph-Macon College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
At the session of 1895 the Conference appointed Dr. Young to Epworth church, Norfolk, where he remained the allotted term of four years, abounding in labor and acceptable ministration of the Word to the advancement of all the interests of the Church.
In November, 1899, he was appointed to Court Street church, in Lynchburg, where he is safely entrenched in the affections of the members of his church, and winning "golden opinions from all sorts of people."
As a man, Dr. Young measures up to the standard of an amiable, cultivated, Christian gentleman ; as a pastor he is a discreet and devoted shepherd of the flock, and as a preacher, able, entertaining, popular and persuasive, with an eye always single to his message of God to man. Into the social circle he brings the warm glow of good nature, and upon all subjects sheds the sunshine of genial wit and humor. He kindles a light to see by and not a fire to burn. He is a born comrade of the Innan family, and whatever concerns mankind arouses his deepest interest. It requires no effort for him to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that are glad. His tact, therefore, is inborn and sincere, and. not the result of intellectual exercise. With a nature candid, pure and noble, a mind generous and broadened by wide information ; and, withal, fluent of speech, he could not fail to be a charming companion.
These qualities, united with an earnest consecration to his calling, rounds out the character of the ideal pastor; judicial in judgment, tolerant in opinion, charitable in all things, and studying to follow the teachings of the Master, he guides the affairs and machinery of the Church smoothly and successfully. Being himself singularly free from fads and cranks and quiddities, he yet has patience with them all and sees the good in all. Every interest of the Church, from cradle roll to Bishopric receives his watchful care and counsel, his prayers and blessings. He is as much beloved as a pastor as he is praised as a preacher.
In the pulpit his one purpose is to bring sinners to the Cross and to inspire the Christian to live the Spirit of Christ. Too much engrossed with the present needs of saint and sinner to wander in the mists of polemies, he preaches the living Word to the living men and women before him. Whatever the occasion or the subject, he finds in it the best truth for the present people and presents it with convincing force. His mission is not to them of old-time, nor is the fate
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1. Rev. L. B. Betty.
4. Rev. J. C. Reed,
7. Rov. John O. Moss.
10. Rev. C. H. Green.
2. Rev. C. C. Wertenbaker.
3. Rev. T. P. Duke.
5. Rev. C. E. Watts. 6. Rev. J. W. Shackford.
S. Rev. C. E. Ilobday. 9. Rev. B. F. Lipscomb.
11. Rev. R. B. Blankenship.
12. Rev. W. P. Jordan.
195
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
of posterity in his keeping, but to those who hear him he is never without a clear message from the God of the living.
Ile is not an orator as most men count oratory, but he might be, did his ambition lie that way. He is no studied declaimer nor rhetorician, but the ear- nest entlmisiasm and spirituality of the man speak ont in his sermons and rise to the plane of pure and simple eloquence. His ambition is not to dazzle or make display; but to instruct, to elevate and exalt the character and to inspire the soul.
In diction and delivery Dr. Young is fluent and graceful; in manner, easy and attractive; in matter, always fresh and forceful. Being a man of wide and varied reading, he gleans choice sheaves from every field of human knowledge and bringeth forth from his treasury things both new and old. A scholar by education and a student by habit, the best literature of the English tongue furnishes him ready illustrations to point his morals and his zeal for the souls of men consecrates the stores of a well-trained mind and the emotions of a true- hearted nature to the service and honor of his Lord. He burrows in books that he may bring these "voices of the distant and the dead" to lead the living into a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. He keeps abreast of the times in order to show that in the practice of pure and undefiled religion lie the real pro- gress and true happiness of the human family.
With him the preacher is not a propagator of dogma or denominationalism, for there is no cure in a creed for a sin-sick soul; but with love for all men, tolerance for all sincerity, and charity for all creeds, in preaching as in living, he "lures to brighter worlds and leads the way."
REV. HERBERT TYREE BACON.
On a quiet street of the town of Clarksville, Va., there stands a pleasant, vine-covered cottage. There is an air of peace about the place. Within, the tables are piled with good reading matter, mostly of a religious kind, and there are good books on the shelves. A pair of crutches lie near the table, and by it, pen in hand, sits a quiet, thoughtful man with the marks of spiritual conflict and of victory upon him. For nearly forty years he has wielded that pen in the service of God. Hundreds of messages has he sent through the papers, not only of his own, but of other churches as well, cheering the faint-hearted, soothing the sorrowful, calling sinners to Jesus. For six years he was on the staff of the Sunday-school Department of the Church, talking weekly to a half-million little ones. Though now for ten years he has not been able to travel a circuit, yet he has not ecased to work diligently in the Sunday-school and the Rosebud Society, as well as with his pen, deeming no work too small to deserve his best efforts. In childhood this writer heard of him as a man of sweet spirit and lovely Christian character, possessing the confidence and affection of Christian people. To-day the public knows him as the same-a man tried and true, wait- ing in the evening of life for the Master's welcome word.
Many a man of robust health and strong frame has spent threescore years on this planet, preaching, it may be, ahnost to the last, and vet has done less for Christ and his people than this true soldier of the Cross, "faint, yet pursuing."
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REV. EMMETT F. GARNER.
197
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
The sketches of 1880 say of him :
The sight of Mr. Bacon is a sermon. ITis spare form suggests impaired health, and he has to use crutches. With these drawbacks, the zeal of the min- ister speaks loudly. The meckness of Jesus looks from his eye; the devotion of an apostle is in his life. His presence is a benediction.
For years, under physical disabilities, he has served the Church in the itin- erant department and enriched the periodicals with his pen. ILis brethren have him in their affection for his work's sake and his own worth.
He tells of the providence of God that brought him, like another prodigal, to repentance: "My retrospect is a misspent yonth, an early manhood passed in sin. I was driven to Christ, for it was not until my expectations of happiness from the world had perished and God had seen fit, in His amazing mercy, to affliet me with a life-long lameness, that I gave my heart to Christ."
Hle was born in Nottoway county, near Burkeville. His father was James E. Bacon, a lawyer of that county ; his mother was Miss Martha T. Gregory, of Mecklenburg. His grandfather was Colonel Tyree Glenn Bacon, an officer in the war of 1812. His mother died while he was yet an infant, but his grand- mother adopted him as her own, and to her he owes his early impressions. She was an excellent Presbyterian, and it was among the members of that Church his early years were spent. His academical advantages were very good.
He was living in Mecklenburg county, near Boydton, in the year 1858, when Rev. Joseph II. Riddick was on that circuit. He held a protracted meeting in the summer at Centenary church. Mr. Bacon attended the service on August 1st, and that was the day of his.espousal to Christ. He joined the Virginia Conference in 1865, in Danville, and has served in a number of circuits and stations till his health forbade active work. He is now living in Clarksville, Va., superannuated, vet omitting no occasion to do work for Jesus-a gentle, loyal and faithful soldier of Christ.
On August 1, 1871 (the anniversary of his conversion), he was married to Miss Jennie Scott, of Clarksville, Va. A double blessing-the two greatest of his life-came to him on that day.
REV. CHARLES E. HOBDAY.
Mr. Hobday, as he terms it, is the last of the "old-field class" that came into the Conference. The man who fought through the war, was captured twice, in Fort Delaware once, escaped once from his captors, wouldn't surrender at Appo- mattox-such an one is hardly fit for the gentle ways of a theological school, sub tegmine fagi. The bronzed sokhier couldn't don the gown of the divinity student. He went into the ministry, like the southern men into the army, with more vim than drill. He has, like them, made his mark. The man who suffered the horrors of hunger and thirst (thirty-six hours without water) in prison, is not backward before the difficulties of the itineraney.
Ile was born March 1, 1844, in Portsmouth, Virginia, and converted and joined old Dinwiddie-Street church under the ministry of Rev. Charles 1. Davis. The parents of Mr. Hobday removed to Mathews county in December, 1856. He did not take a certificate of removal, and, neglecting his Church
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REV. HERBERT T. BACON.
199
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
privileges, he went back to the world. In the army he was deeply convicted under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Davis, chaplain of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry, while encamped near Ashland in the winter of 1863-'4. He was reclaimed by sound conversion during a powerful revival at old Providence, Mathews county, in September, 1865, and at once entered the Church and was put to work. He felt his call to the ministry, yet resisted two years; but yielding at last, he was licensed to preach, September 13, 1867, and was received on trial by the Vir- ginia Conference the following November, and sent as helper to Bertie Circuit, Rev. J. MeMullan, preacher in charge; in 1868, in charge of Northampton Cir- cuit. During this year gracions revivals blessed the cireuit-169 conversions and 139 accessions to the Church. In 1869 he was sent to Goochland Circuit, remaining two years ; in 1871, sent to Caroline; in 1872, to Indian Ridge (now Currituck Circuit ), remaining two years; in 1874, Chuckatuck; in 1878, to South Norfolk. And onward have been his movements, growing in all the ele- ments that thoroughly furnish the evangelist and pastor. Ile has wrought well at whatever post of duty assigned. The Elders know that a sturdy man, equal to any emergency, ready with resources and alert, is Charles E. Hobday. They make effort to enlist him in their corps. His parish in 1890 was Eastville; '91, Southampton ; '92, Batesville; '94, York; '97, Brunswick; 1900-'1, Gloucester Point.
Hle is grounded in Methodist theology and expounds in strong sentences, each flying as a bolt from a catapult. His voice is rich, full, far-reaching and under best control. Methodism grows by reason of his life and service.
"I have tried to do my duty. I have not hesitated to say what I thought."
REV. CHARLES C. WERTENBAKER.
We never saw a man who shing a rifle that was truer to his post than Werten- baker. At a prayer-meeting or a skirmish, Charley was generally ready to im- prove the occasion. He was cocked and primed to put in a shot or shout. Daniel in Babylon was not braver for his consciencce than the stripling soldier and boy class-leader in the Confederate army. His record is huuninous. His courage rallied the wavering soldier; his Christian integrity made steadfast the falter- ing disciples.
In the ministry, as everywhere, he moves forward without noise in the line of duty. Churches catch inspiration from his consecrated labors ; sinners know him as a man who tells what he feels-they plead for mercy. Revivals spread ; the good cause prospers. He is a shepherd to the sheep, ready to give his own life for the flock. His name is honored wherever he has gone about his Master's work.
The historie county of Albemarle is his birthplace. His parents, Edward and Ann T. Wertenbaker, dedicated him to God and the ministry-a faet he did not know till the Master Himself called him. He is verging on fifty-five years of age, of medimn height, well knit, pleasant countenance, quiet manners, with measured movements and a certain steadiness of step that signify firmness of purpose. He received the training gained from good schools, and has made use of it by keeping to the life of a student in the sacred calling.
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REV. EUGENE II. RAWLINGS.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
While a lad of seven he lost, by sudden death, his father. In 1857, in Buch- anan, West Virginia ( his home at the time), he gave himself to God at a ser- vice in the Southern Methodist Church, and in bringing a companion to like conseeration he felt the first impulse of a divine command to "go" and disciple the people.
In 1861 he was deputy in the Circuit Court Clerk's office, when the civil war began. Hle enlisted, and was captured at the surprise of the Confederates at Philippi, in West Virginia. When his parole expired he entered again the ranks of war, resigning a quartermastership, and was elected a lieutenant in the Sixty-second regiment of mounted infantry, and fought in that brave band till the fall of the Confederacy. Ile was in many a hot encounter, and called to the command of his regiment as senior officer in one of these engagements. He received grievous marks of hostile weapons, but was found in the front before these disabling and unhealed wounds could get a surgeon's certificate that he was "fit for duty."
The author of this volume can bear testimony to his devout life, Christian zeal and conspienous courage "in the high places of the field."
In camp or campaign, he was ready to join in religious exercises. He was an official class-leader of the Church on the march.
The war left him moneyless and with a shattered constitution. He taught school in Angusta county. In 1866 he was licensed as a local preacher by Rev. L. S. Reed. In 1868, after service on circuits under the Elder, he joined the Baltimore Conference. Ile wrought for several years in the bounds of that body. Coming to the Virginia Conference in 1874, he has given valued service to the Church, filling every charge intrusted to him with fidelity and success. The number of converts under his ministry have gone into the thousands. The churches under his hand have grown in material prosperity. His eye is single. He forgets the things behind, and with ardent eye presses for the crown dia- demed with the stars of souls saved.
The long annals of sterling and stout men in the Methodist ministry hold few more true to their high commission than Charles Wertenbaker. Like the great Apostle to the Gentiles, he has counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ his Lord. Not shrinking from any responsibility nor failing to perform any known duty imposed upon him. Brother Werten- baker is a faithful man, and has sought constantly in his life to exemplify the doctrines of Christ, his Saviour, and to worthily live the Gospel he preaches to others. The vows assumed at his ordination to the Elder's office in the itinerant ministry have never been forgotten. With all diligence he has labored to show himself a workman approved unto God that needeth not to be ashamed, and it bas pleased the Father to bless his office and ministry to the edification of be- lievers, and to the conviction and conversion of sinners, enjoying himself a pro- found communion with God, he has been able out of the rich treasures of his own experience to "bring forth things new and old," and hold forth the word of truth to the comfort and strengthening of hundreds of believing souls. Where he has gone in obedience to the authorities of the Church, revivals have sprung up, and great prosperity has blessed his charges.
Our brother delights to discuss the great themes of revolution. He never caters to the depraved taste which demands the highly-seasoned condiments served to the public from the sensational pulpits of our day. His conception of his commission as a Gospel preacher has never allowed him to know other than
REV. PAUL BRADLEY.
203
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Christ and Him crucified as a fitting theme for the sacred desk. With this theme on his lips and engraved on his heart, he has gone in and out among the people " of Virginia during an unbroken ministry of thirty-two years. As a pastor, Mr. Wertenbaker is true and faithful to all the interests of his parishoners. A true friend and a wise counsellor, he has by his personal ministrations brought com- fort and light upon many a darkened pathway. As he reviews the way which he has come, the most cheering and priceless memories are those in which by words of kindness and love he has brought light and happiness to the darkened chambers of human souls. He is tender and gentle to a fault, yet he firmly and carefully guards the interests of his church, not hesitating to employ moral surgery where the spiritual life of his parishoner requires it. Thus has this noble man gone in and out among us, seeking to do good to all men for nearly the third of a century. He has passed the summit of the hill of life, but the future is all bright before him. An unfailing faith in the goodness of God and in the infinite wisdom of His Providences fills his declining years with the mel- low radiance of the celestial world. Because of failing health, by the advice of his physician, he will rest for a brief space, but trusts to answer the roll-call of his Conference at the end of another year and again enter upon his loved employ. Our brother maintains decided convictions upon many of the questions at issue among ns to-day, and is always found in line with them, but toward all his breth- ren his heart is mellow with truest love. He has served many of the most im- portant circuits and stations in our bounds, and holds the unlimited confidence and love of thousands of our best people.
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