USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 21
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His first appointment was Wesley Station, Petersburg, where, during his first year, God gave him many seals to his ministry-between eighty-five and ninety professed conversion and sixty-seven united themselves with his church. He contiuned as pastor of Wesley, building a pastor's study during his first year, purchased a parsonage and liquidated the balance of the church debt. He has served Berkley, Clay Street ( Richmond), Market Street (Petersburg), then Presiding Elder of Richmond District, now holding the same office in the
REV. MAJOR S. COLONNA, JR.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Petersburg Distriet. Whether in charge of a congregation or a distriet, zeal. diseretion, power in the pulpit, popularity among the people, have signalized his- career. He is clear, cogent, masterful in debate. There is enough words to clothe the ideas, but no padding of verbocity. He is superior as the Bishop's rep- resentative on a district. ITis aptness for affairs, acquaintance with the conduet of deliberative bodies and his mother wit give him "coigne of advantage" in that department. It is not worth while to say that he is a high man.
Mr. Wilson has a noble presence. The symmetry of his body would deceive the eye as to his weight-perhaps two hundred pounds. The face suggests reso- Inte benignity. He brings to the pulpit fine attainments, earnestness and prae- tiee in addressing assemblies. He can utter with equal sineerity the words of Paul, "Your servant for Jesus' sake."
It is worth while to add that the steward of Market Street was not "without honor in his own country," for as pastor he enrolled 148 new members ; and large success signalized every pastorate. In the Eldership, he "leads the row" in the protracted meetings.
Mr. Wilson has been twice married. In 1871, to Miss Hobbs, of Greenesville county ; in 1880, Miss Garland, of Amherst county. One child was born of the first marriage, seven of the last.
REV. WALTER W. SAWYER.
Mr. Sawyer was born October 1, 1855, in Perquimans county, N. C. Ilis parents were prominent members of the Methodist Church. Many a weary itinerant found rest and comfort in their home.
Walter was the most mischievous boy among five brothers, and his mother used to take him in the parlor alone, and, having shut the door, would kneel with him in fervent prayer. Is it any wonder, then, that this boy should have en- listed in the Christian service and come to the position of a captain in the host of the Lord ?
Ife entered Randolph-Maeon in the fall of 1874, and continued there until the spring of 1880, when he took the degree of A. B., missing by just a little his A. M. While at college he received every honor his society could bestow upon him, being chosen orator for the publie debate, and afterwards final orator. IIe also received the society medal for oratory.
ITe is a young man with good natural parts, tempered and sharpened by train- ing. During his ministry he has been instrumental in the conversion of hun- dreds of souls, many of whom he has received into the Methodist Church.
The late Dr. J. D. Blackwell (when chairman of the Examining Committee of the fourth year) said, "All Sawyer wants is a little time." Mr. Sawyer is, indeed, a growing man. He is not of the dwarf species. His place is not in a flower-pot, but the forest. The sunshine, winds and air will bring towering boughs and deep roots. The qualities of expanding and angmenting powers seem native to him.
A bright, genial, engaging companion, an inspiring and uplifting preacher and a cultured gentleman meet in this handsome man on horseback.
REV. EDWARD T. DADMUN.
301
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
REV. CHARLES L. BANE.
Ile is an als of Randolph-Macon, getting his license October, 1SSG, at Ashland, seat of the college, and his send-off into the ministry from that insti- tution in November, 1887. Hle was converted in November, 1875, and joined our Church.
Mr. Bane hails from West Virginia; born in Mineral county, January 6, 1863. llis parents were Methodists-George and Sarah Bane. His father was a farmer, with twelve children. Charles was reputed his best field-hand-early riser, brisk worker. He seemed to prefer an axe or hoe to idleness or play. He injured his health by excessive toil.
HIe was educated in schools at and near his home, standing at the head of his class. lle grew fond of books. For six years he taught school in his county. During 1885-'6 he was Principal of the Graded School at Accomae Courthouse. The latter year he entered Randolph-Macon. His society, at the end of the first session, gave him its orator's medal. He graduated with distinction at the second session in Biblical Literature.
Mr. Bane served Ashland Circuit one year, West Hanover two. At the Con- ference of 1890 he was assigned to Greene Circuit. This charge had for years been hindered in its work by the lack of a suitable parsonage. He inaugurated a movement which has given Greene Circuit one of the best parsonages in the Conference. During his pastorate of two years there were many accessions to the church-about 175 members. The pastor's allowance was also increased. From the Conference of 1892 he was sent to Smithfield. Here he was eminently popular, but owing to the health of his family he, despite the earnest desire of the people for him to remain, a desire expressed in part by the offer of a large increase in salary, reluctantly asked for a change. AAccordingly, in 1893, he was appointed to Orange Circuit. At the end of a successful year there he was sent to a larger charge -- Louisa Cirenit. The people of this circuit were delighted with, and profited by, his ministrations. Improvement in things material and spiritual was manifest. During the earlier part of his fourth year on Louisa Cireuit a vacancy in the pastorate of Union Station, Richmond, occuring by the death of its pastor, Rev. Dr. Vanderslice, Rev. C. L. Bane was appointed to fill that vacancy. No better selection for this arduous work could have been made. In the pulpit and out he more than met the sanguine expectations of those who knew him best. With tireless energy he made large reductions in the heavy debt upon the church building, besides having a most gratifying success in every other part of church work. At the Conference in 1899, despite much pressure brought to bear to retain him, he was assigned to Charlottesville, where he is in the highest favor and destined to fill the full term.
He is an excellent preacher, a fine pastor, a good organizer, a capital all-round man. Ile is easily one of the foremost among our best younger men. In efti- ciency, as attested by results, he is wellnigh, if not altogether, the peer of any member of onr Conference, old or young.
Mr. Baue is favored with a noble countenance and a superb presence, weigh- ing 180 pounds. His height and symmetry, despite seeming excess of stoutness, stand him in good stead, rounding ont a superior anatomy. He carries him- self with winning and easy dignity.
On November 11, 1890, Mr. Bane was united in marriage to Miss Carrie I.
REV. ROBERT T. WATERFIELD.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Buckner, daughter of Dr. B. M. Buckner, of Louisa county, Va., a lady fitted for her position by many virtues and graces. Alas, before the decade closed, death removed from the devoted husband the light of his eyes and the treasure of his heart. She died in the Charlottesville parsonage amid the deep sorrow of a large circle of friends,
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REV. WILLIAM T. GREEN.
He is of English stock, tall (six feet ), dark brunette, and weighs one hundred and eighty. Ile is of good form, with the features so well proportioned that he might rightly have the descriptive title of a handsome man.
He speaks in the pulpit with deliberation, but with force behind the weighed words. Ile is not without the subtle power to dissolve his hearers in tears. He is much loved by his parishioners. His manner is somewhat reserved. His life is consecrated-a spiritually-minded man. He is broad, liberal and catho- lic, yet firm in convictions, ready with a reason for his tenets, always with kind- ness in his words and charity in his heart. Hle is a resolute champion of moral reforms. He fills well an honorable position in the Conference.
Ilis parents were Methodists. He is a native of Mathews county, and will be forty-three December 13, 1890. He lost his mother when he was very young. He did not find life a bed of roses in his youth. He was converted at the age of thirteen, under the ministry of Rev. A. Wiles; was licensed October 27, 1878 ; joined Conference the same year, and was sent to North Pittsylvania Circuit, and again in 1879. He has continued steadfast in the holy vocation all the years.
REV. RICHARD O. PAYNE.
The hero or god of the sculptor is always represented to us in a transition from that which is represented to the senses to that which is not. We do not appreciate this miniature representative of a familiar face for what it is alone, but because the one expression the artist has succeeded in preserving brings before ns, so real and vividly, innumerable scenes and incidents and all the varying circumstances in which we have seen the living features as to leave the pleasurable impression that we have almost touched hands with a kindred or friendly relation, although perhaps social intercourse may have been de- nied for months or years. Such, we imagine, is the reflection of some paus- ing before the present portrait, after having turned the leaves in the lives of those other representatives of nineteenth-century Methodism.
Mr. Payne was born near Oak Grove, in Westmoreland county, Va., March 7. 1858. His father, George W. Payne, was brother of the late Bishop John Payne, of the Episcopal Church. His mother was Miss Sarah L. E. Stiff, of Middlesex county, Va.
REV. E. VIRGIL CARSON.
305
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
In his fourteenth year, while living in Richmond county, he was converted under the ministry of Rev. E. A. Gibbs, and with his conversion came the desire to preach. Maternal influence had been upon his life. Ile makes grateful recognition: "My mother was a good woman. She fasted, prayed and read her Bible, teaching her children to fear God and keep His. com- mandments. I cannot remember when I did not pray, having learned it at her knees. I was converted while at home, weeping in her arms; and feel- ing that I wanted to go and tell sinners of Jesus' dying love, I so expressed myself. I remember, as if it had been yesterday, my mother's reply, My son,' said she, 'if God has called you to preach, He will open the way for you ;' and He has done so. It seems now almost like a prophecy, for step by step God has led me. I had no dream of ever entering a college, neither do I re- member ever having expressed the desire to any one until efforts had been made to place me at Randolph-Macon."
His father was a farmer. At the close of the war he was, like many others, affected by the reverses resulting from a nation's losses. . He died in Sep- tember, 1873, leaving his family, as did thousands of patriotic Virginians, in narrow circumstances. Therefore, his son's opportunities for obtaining even an elementary education were extremely limited. His time was divided be- tween working on the farm and studying until the fall of 1876, when, through the influence of Rev. Thomas II. Boggs, he entered Randolph-Macon as a student. There he remained two years, 1876-'75, then going forth with "feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace" to widen the circle of la- borers formed for the Master's use.
Ile received license to exhort May 20, 1878, at the Quarterly Conference of Ashland charge, and was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of King George Cireuit November 2, 1878. Entering the Conference the same year, he was sent to Dare Mission and then returned there in 1879-'80. Hle was ordained deacon at the Conference on November 21, 1880. In 1880-'81, he traveled Coalfield Circuit ; in 1881-82, Matoaca ; ordained elder at the Con- ference November 19, 1882. He served Surry for one term (1882-83), and was sent to West Norfolk Circuit. Remaining here two years, he did a good work, resulting in much spiritual benefit to himself as well as the people he served.
Ile was married to Miss Agnes E. Beers, of Norfolk county, Va., June 17, 1885, a woman of rare gifts, one who has proved by a brave and patient spirit, an untiring zeal in the work of her Church, a fitness and adaptability, he- vond that of many, for the sacred service of a minister's wife. Three bright children gladden their home.
The years 1885-'87 Mr. Payne spent at Fox Hill Station, leaving at their close a record that remains witnessing the faithfulness of one who devotes all his energies to duty. In 1887 he was sent to the Nelson Circuit, where for three successive years the Bishop returned him to an appreciate people.
In the fall of 1890, on account of the failing health of his wife, he located, went to Ohio, and was sent to Welshfield charge as a supply by the East Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was returned to this charge the second year, and the next year was sent to Wayfield charge, and the following two years was placed in charge of Irondale Cirenit. At High- landtown, on this last charge, a handsome brick church, costing $5,500, was completed free of debt. These years in the Ohio Conference were years of
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REV. EUGENE J. POTTS.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
earnest work and prosperity. Many souls were brought into the fold on the Irondale charge, a fine parsonage property was bought about the middle of the first year, and before the close of the second year half of the purchase money had been paid, and in every way the work of the Church advanced. At May- field the largest missionary collection in the history of the church was raised. Ilis wife's health having failed, he obtained a transfer to St. John's River Conference, Florida, and was stationed at Daytona from September, 1895, to November, 1899, when he withdrew from the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church to re-enter the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Petersburg, November 15, 1899. The four years at Daytona were of marked success, one church being completed and dedicated at a cost of $3,500, about $1,500 of which was raised during his pastorate, a lot for another secured, church erected (but not completed), costing, with lot, $2,500, and improvements were made on the parsonage at a cost of $600. Having been received into the Virginia Conference, he was appointed to his pres- ent charge, Southview and Providence, and there among a kindly people his earnest labors daily reveal devotion to his Church.
Mr. Payne is pleasant, courteous and affable, fraternizing with his peo- ple, mingling much with them. He is sociable, impulsive and affectionate, combining with the firmness and decision of an earnest man an almost wo- manly delicacy and gentleness of thought and feeling. In the fireside com- pany he shows a keen relish of humor, a ready adaptation to the style and manners of others, while at the same time he has an independence of opinion and expression of one who had learned to think for himself. In the pulpit he seems to lose himself in the wondrous truths he proclaims. He speaks with earnestness and fearlessness, and has won an abiding hold on the esteem and confidence of his Conference brethren,
REV. C. ROSSER JAMES.
Mr. James is erect, compactly built, weighing about one hundred and fifty pounds. He possesses an intellectual forehead, expressive eye and gracefully chiseled features that mirror the play of thought and feeling. He is now the popular pastor of Whitestone Circuit.
Ile was born in York county, Va., November 18, 1855, of good Metho- dist stock on both sides. Like many other noble and useful men, next to God and the Church, he feels indebted to his mother for the best things in his character and life.
February 11, 1883, he married Miss Annie E. Shield, with a sterling Metho- dist ancestry on each side. She truly has been a helpmeet to him-making friends everywhere and no enemies, comforting him in his home-life and cheering him in his work. Eight children have been born to them-one little boy soon after birth being taken to the bosom of the Good Shepherd.
Mr. James was converted to God under the ministry of Rev. R. N. Crooks at Zion church, York Cirenit, August, 1867. He was then about twelve years of age. Entering upon the service of God at the period when thought, feel- ing and character are forming and plan of life taking shape, he grew up into
REV. W. A. COOPER.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
noble Christian manhood. He was not hindered and embarrassed in after life by the disabilities of early vices, not mortified and wounded by a re- membrance of "the sins of his youth."
Ile believes he was called to the ministry before he was fifteen years old, but having special regard for a settled home, he shrank from the duties and responsibilities of the itinerancy. He was thirty-three years of age before he surrendered to a sense of duty, and said, "Lord, here am I; send me." Ile regrets he did not accept a kindly offer made by Rev. D. P. Wills, then at the head of the Children's Preachers' Educational Society, to aid him in ob- taining a liberal education. But he tried to make up for this, in so far as he could, by studying at home and in the county schools of the neighborhood, and before he was twenty-one was teaching, exhorting and preaching. He read the Bible through before he was ten, and, having a very good memory, retains much that he learned of that and other good books to this day.
In 1858, while Rev. A. II. Amiss was on the Norfolk Distriet, Mr. James opened his heart to him. He at once took an interest in his case, and ex- erted his influence in favor of his admission into the Conference. Hitherto some of the brethren had discouraged his application, principally on the ground of the large size of his family. He was admitted at Conference in Portsmouth November, 1888. IIe has served the following charges: Buck- ingham, two years; North Mecklenburg, four; Heathsville, four; and White- stone, where he now is, third year. In all these fields of labor he has im- pressed the people as being a preacher of unsullied character, exceptional ability, faithful and thoughtful as a pastor, and untiring in energy. He builds up both the material and spiritual sides of the Church. Under his management churches and parsonages are built and the work generally ad- vanced. He has had during the twelve years he has been in the Conference more than six hundred and fifty souls converted under his ministry on his own fields of labor and nearly six hundred have been added to the Church. Besides these, many have been converted in revivals, in which he has labored in assisting his brethren on their charges. He has never failed to get every cent assessed for the different collections on every charge that he has served, and sometimes a good deal over. And some of his fields have been amongst the weaker, financially, of the Conference.
Ile prepares thoroughly for the pulpit, is a diligent reader of current litera- ture. Keeps up with the times, and is a growing man. Ilis brethren think he is destined to have, as he deserves, appointments of a higher grade. Ile will do his whole duty, and the Church will prosper under his labors, wher- ever he may be sent. Rosser James is endowed with oratorical magnetism. His rhetoric is not the dance of fire-flies-rather the electric toreh, combining light and force.
REV. ALBERT A. JONES.
Mr. Jones, was born in the county of Sussex, Virginia, of pious parents, who trained him for God and for usefulness. Ilis education was, to some extent,
REV. RICHARD G. JAMES.
311
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
limited; but by patient industry he has constantly added to it as opportunity per- mitted, and since entering the ministry has been a diligent student.
Hle was converted at High-Street church, Petersburg, Virginia, in 1865, under the ministry of Rev. J. L. Shipley, and beeame identified with that church. He was licensed to preach in 1875, and exercised his gifts as a local preacher, acceptably to churches both in the city and country. In January, 1887, he was appointed by Dr. Whitehead, Presiding Elder of the Lynchburg District, to Trinity church, in Lynchburg. In November following, he was re- ecived into the travelling connection at the Conference in Danville and ap- pointed to Wieomico Circuit, Maryland, to which he was returned the third year. He was then selected for Effingham, Portsmouth (now Owens Memorial), remaining two years ; then three years, Ebenezer (Crittenden's) ; one year, Dor- chester, Maryland ; three years, Haygood and Lynnhaven ; now, East King and Queen.
Brother Jones' labors have been blessed of the Lord in the conversion of many souls, for he is fully consecrated to the work and the Lord is with him. He gives promise of great usefulness in the future.
REV. JAMES W. STIFF.
Mr. Stiff is of Scotch-English ancestry. He was born June 6, 1856, at Port Conway, King George county, Va. His parents were Methodists, and "walked with God." He was reared in an atmosphere of piety and set apart by his parents from infancy for the Christian ministry, and early in life he became impressed with the fact that God wanted him for that work.
When about fourteen years of age, under the ministry of Rev. Thomas J. Bayton, he was happily converted, and for a long time enjoyed the conseious favor of God. But as he grew in years and his convictions of a call to the min- istry became stronger, his heart rebelled. He did not want to preach.
In the fall of 1875 he was entered as a student at Randolph-Macon College. Here, while struggling with his convictions, he lost all sense of God's favor, and frequently passed through seasons of great distress. His sense of woe eontinu- ally increased until, towards the middle of the second session, God obtained the mastery and he was conquered. The recollection of that moment will never pass away. The peace of God, 'like the waters of a mighty river, flowed into his soul. After the fieree storm there was a mighty ealm. ITe has never sinee doubted his eall to the ministry. He did not return to college after the close of his second session, but in the fall of 1877 was licensed as a local preacher by the Quarterly Conference of the Bowling Green Cireuit. In November of the following year (1878), at the session of the Conference in Petersburg, he applied for admission on trial, and was accepted. He was appointed for the ensuing year to the Clover Hill Circuit, where he remained one year. His next appointment was the Burkeville Circuit, Nottoway county. This charge he served two years. He was next sent to the Belle Haven Cireuit, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where he remained three years. IFis fourth charge was the Dinwiddie Circuit, which he served for four years. His next charge was Chesterfield Circuit, three years; then Smithfield and Ben's, one year;
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REV. JOSEPH S. LATHAM.
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next, Elizabeth City, two years; then West End Memorial, Manchester, two years ; Wesley, Petersburg, two years; then to Memorial, Lynchburg, his pres- ent charge.
Mr. Stiff is above the average in height, with good space from shoulder to shoulder. He is erect, steady in his gait and positive in his movements, without hurry or rushing. He wears spectacles. He has a refined bearing and a be- nevolent gravity befitting his calling.
REV. PORTER HARDY.
If "blood will tell," we may look for it to show itself in the life and char- acter of this young man. His father was Samuel Hardy, of Greenesville county, Va .- a Methodist of the olden type and for many years a schoolmaster of no mean order. Porter was born in Brunswick county in November, 1861, and, his mother dying while he was yet an infant, he was committed to the care of relatives living in Dinwiddie county.
Hle made progress at school, and was ready for college when fifteen years old. His limited means forbade him the advantages of the lecture-room,
In 1877 he became a Christian and a Methodist. IIe had a call to preach. For years he closed his ears to the divine voice, following secular business, sooth- ing his conscience by the palliative of lack of education. In 1885 he became Secretary to the Young Men's Christian Association in Petersburg, Va. He went to Florida in 1887, in the same capacity, and intended to join the Florida Conference: but the fever appearing while he was in Virginia on a visit, he entered our Conference in 1888, and was sent to East Halifax; next year to Blandford Mission, Petersburg, remaining three years; the same time at Et- trick ; one year at Madison Station, Lynchburg; four years on King William Circuit, and 1900-'01 at Bon Air, a suburban section of the Capital of Virginia.
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