USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 22
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Mr. Hardy has light hair and eyes; is of medium stature; has rather a be- nevolent countenance, which indexes his character. He is genial, and modest almost to a fault-a good boy from the cradle. He has energy and the stuff men are made of. He is married.
REV. JAAMES HI. MOSS, M. A., PII. D.
Dr. Moss is the son of Rev. James O. Moss and Jennie P. Moss. He was born in Greene county, Va., May 28, 1865. In a conversation with his mother before he was five years old he gave unmistakable evidence of an intelligent appreciation of the nature and conditions of salvation and his own personal appropriation of the precious promises of the Gospel. Thenceforward his life has been remarkably consistent, ruled by the dictates of an enlightened con- science, and commanding the confidence of all his associates. In his fifteenth year he entered Randolph-Macon College, where he remained a student for
REV. THOMAS E. JOHNSON.
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four sessions, standing among the first in all his classes, and winning the highest honors in mathematics.
His father becoming Presiding Elder and having his official home in Char- lottesville, led young Mr. Moss to enter the University of Virginia, where he was a student three years, graduating in 1887 with the degree of Master of Arts.
After his graduation at the University of Virginia he was appointed to Gor- donsville and Orange Station as a licensed local preacher, in place of Dr. W. W. Bennett, deceased. From this station he went to Vanderbilt University and was for one session a student at Wesley Hall, in the Theological Department of that institution.
During all his career at college, and even from early childhood, the one ambi- tion of his life was to proclaim the Gospel. He was received on trial in the traveling connection of the Virginia Conference at the session held in Ports- mouth, Va., November, 1888, and assigned to Williamsburg Station. Of this charge he was the beloved pastor for four years, during the last three of which, adding to his labors in his own charge an assistant professorship of Ancient and Modern Languages in William and Mary College.
At the Conference of 1892 he was assigned to Floyd-Street Station, Danville, which he served for one year. On October 12, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Iona Creasy, of Newport News, who has proved a helpmect indeed in every good work. After serving West Point Station for three years, during which he was instrumental in relieving that charge of a most embarrass- ing church debt, he was elected to the professorship of Greek and Latin in Emory and Henry College, and served in that capacity during the sessions of 1896-'97, and '97-'98. For the two last years, in connection with the pastorate of Belmont Station, Charlottesville, he has been pursuing an additional course at the University of Virginia, and graduated from that institution with the degree of Ph. D. in the class of 1900. He is about five feet ten inches in height ; complexion, brunette; of open, manly countenance, and stalwart constitution. His mind is mathematical and logical in a high degree, and yet the creative and poetic faculty is by no means wanting. He is intensely original in his concep- tion and presentation of truth, and notwithstanding his attention to the classics, has rapidly developed in pulpit efficiency. With his spotless life, deep and fervent piety, able exposition and enforcement of Scriptural truth, any charge will be fortunate to secure his services.
REV. WILLIAM A. S. CONRAD.
Mr. Conrad was born in the historie town of Harper's Ferry, Va. (now West Virginia). Ilis parents were godly people, and consecrated their child to God in baptism and diligently instructed him in the precepts and doctrines of the Christian religion as taught by the Methodists. Of him we can say, as Panl said of Timothy, "From a child thon hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise nnto salvation."
Mr. Conrad's early education embraced, in addition, all that the best ad- vantages of the times and the place of his nativity could supply. He afterwards
REV. JOHN W. PARRISH.
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studied pharmacy, and entered the drug business in Richmond, where he owned and conducted a Inerative business at the time of his entrance into the traveling ministry.
He made public profession of religion in Trinity church, Richmond, Va., under the ministry of Dr. R. N. Sledd. After several years, in 1880, he moved his business to the West End, and transferred his membership from Trinity to Laurel Street church. Here he became quite active in Church work, and was soon put into the stewardship. Abont this time he attended a Dis- triet Conference, held in lower New Kent, from which he returned with re- newed and increased spiritual life. From this time his interest in the Church and Church work was more pronounced. ITis time, his money, his talents were freely and liberally given where and when needed, and time brought no abate- ment of his religious fervor.
In 1552 he was licensed to exhort, and in the following year licensed to preach. lle continued in the local ministry, doing good service and increasing in power and usefulness, until 1888, when, on recommendation of his Quarterly Confer- ence, he was admitted into the Virginia Conference. His first pastoral charge was West Street, Petersburg, the next was Buckingham Circuit, then Fhivama, after that Rappahannock. He is now serving Greene Cirenit. The charges served by Mr. Conrad have prospered under his ministry. The people served by him have kept him as long as the Bishop and the law would permit, and are all eager to have him again. As preacher and pastor he is popular and snc- cessful.
Mr. Conrad's sermons are carefully prepared and well delivered. Ile is a student, and keeps abreast with current thought. His sermons show careful selection of the material thoughts and intelligent construction of the frame work. No hasty compound from his laboratory crowns the counter of the sa- ered desk to poison and destroy the health of the Church. He is well versed in the Materia Medica of the Gospel, and brings to his work in the care of souls the concentration of thought, the painstaking care and the exactness of the pre- seription clerk. His sermons are attractive, interesting, instructive, convine- ing. There is no staleness. He who hears him once will wish to hear him again. His personal appearance and manner in the pulpit and out of it are impressive and taking. The hair gone from the top of his head and the rest mixed with white mark usually the age of maturity-sometimes the age of de- cine-but Mr. Conrad, with bald pate and silvering locks, is still young and growing mentally, spiritually and in power to do well the work of the ministry.
Mr. Conrad was happily married October, 1875, to Miss Annette Carter, of Richmond, who has borne him seven children, five of whom survive. In this mion the man found indeed a helpmeet. She has shared his toils, cheered and en- conraged him in the face of difficulties, inspired him with fresh courage in the times of defeat or despondeney, and in his successes rejoiced with him as part- ner in the labors and hopes that brought the victory. When he decided to give up his business and enter the pastorate, she, with true womanly devotion, sur- rendered her comfortable home and surroundings in Richmond, and went with him into the homeless wanderings of the itineraney. With alnost magie power she has transformed old, comfortless parsonages, with seant supply of old furni- ture, into cheerful homes. She has made the small stipend of the minister go so far in supplying wardrobe and table, that if the days of miracles were now, we might well believe that she had the power to multiply by superhuman means the
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REV. A. A. WHITMORE.
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few coins brought in by the husband. Hers has also been the task well per- formed of training their children in paths of virtue and usefulness. "Iler chit- dren arise up and call her blessed ; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
REV. WILLIAM T. WILLIAMS.
Mr. Williams is not robust in stature, but erect and manly ; of a prepossessing personal appearance, graceful in manner and dignified in bearing. Ilis auburn hair and ruddy face indicate an ardent temperament and an impulsive nature. There is an undisguised and open honesty and sincerity that mark his manly face. He is strong in his personal attachments, magnanimous and generous. In the social circle he is never morose, but always bright, genial and cheerful; in the pulpit he is earnest and impressive; in the pastoral work he is systematic and diligent, and his labors on circuits and stations have been eminently sue- cessful. He is a Methodist by inheritance, being descended from an honorable line of Methodist ancestry. He is the son of John D. and Mary Williams, and was born in Sussex county, Virginia, December 25, 1857.
Ile was educated at Randolph-Macon College and received into the Virginia Conference on trial in 1880 and sent in charge of King William Circuit. In 1881 he was transferred, at his own request, to the Denver Conference, and was stationed at Las Vegas, in New Mexico. He returned to the Virginia Confer- ence in the spring of 1882, and took charge of Fox ITill Station-then without a pastor. From the Conference of 1882 he was sent to Blandford Station, in Petersburg ; in 1883 he was sent to West End Station, in Manchester; in 1885 he was sent to Caroline Circuit; in 1886, to West Point, and in 1888, to Bowl- ing Green; 1890, Scottsville; 1892, Hanover; 1895, Denny-Street, Richmond ; 1896, West End Memorial, Manchester; 1898, Lekics Memorial, Norfolk; 1899, Bedford City; 1900, Madison Circuit.
November 28, 1888, he was married to Miss Mary Moore, daughter of Dr. J. B. Moore, of King William county, Virginia.
REV. WILLIAM R. CROWDER.
Mr. Crowder was born in Halifax county, Virginia, November 11, 1847. He comes of good Methodist stock, his father, Rev. G. N. Crowder, having been long one of the most godly members of the Church and a local preacher. The mother is a person of unusual intellectual endowments, and as notiecable in this regard as her husband for his consecration. From this superb lincage of piety and brains sprang their son, a member of the Virginia Conference. Hc was converted in early life.
During the late war he served in Wright's Battery, entering the army in front of Petersburg before he was seventeen. Here he received a hirt that frequently gives him great pain even to this day.
REV. EDGAR A. POTTS.
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At the close of the contest he went into secular business; but on hearing, he heeded the call divine by surrendering all to the will of the Master. He was admitted to the ranks of the Virginia Conference, and sinec his advent into tha". body has served with great acceptance the following appointments: West Frank- liu, Patrick, South Patrick, Pittsylvania, Cascade and Onancock.
In personal appearance, Mr. Crowder is imposing-six feet high and finely proportioned : broad, square shoulders; a head large and symmetrical ; forehead broad and high ; the cheekbones are, as in the red aborigines, somewhat promi- nent, and thus, coupled with measure of head from ear to ear, give one a hint of the Indian trait-combativeness. But while prompt to face a foe, "beard to beard," he is no less ready to forgive. His eyes are blue, clear and tender ; his nose is delicate and well-chiseled, indicating a refined character. In repose, his face is thoughtful, not to say severe; while in speaking it is mobile, and depicts emotion in all its varied phases. As a preacher, he is massive, strong and rigidly argumentative. Ile prefers fruit to flowers ; points to periods. Ilis ardor of conviction and logic kindle into genuine, burning eloquence without the aid of the volatile and explosive tropes of a camphene and clap trap rhetoric.
As a pastor, he is decidedly popular, without being compelled, as it were, to purchase it at the expense of the dignity of his high calling. Ilis moral courage is of heroic type, and he attacks fearlessly the special sins of the day by name, and not by implication. He will be felt, no matter where he may be sent, and will always be a positive, and not a negative, quantity in the equation of Meth- odist. Our Virginia Methodism is debtor to him for new houses of worship, increase in members, and a higher tone of piety. He is serving Denby's Station.
REV. BASCOM DEY.
Mr. Dey is a son of Rev. John B. Dey, who has been a member of the Vir- ginia Conference for over fifty years. Mr. Dey was born in Williamsburg, Va., in 1860.
Ile joined the Virginia Conference in 1885, and has held appointments at Matoaca, Blandford, Newport News, Charlotte, West Campbell, West Din- widdie and Prospect. He is, 1900-'01, on Lunenburg.
Mr. Dey was married to Miss Hettie Lee Morriss, of Petersburg, in 1888. She has been to him a faithful wife and a helpmeet indeed.
Mr. Dey is of medium stature, and has well-marked features, clean-shaved, neat and tidy in dress. He is a man who would attract more than a passing glance in any crowd.
As a preacher, he is logical, foreible, clear ; does not resort to tricks or elap- trap to catch the attention of his audience, but always presents the truth, as he sees it, in a way which commends itself to thoughtful men. He ap- peals to the intelleet and the reason of his hearers, rather than to their feel- ings while preaching. His sermons show thought, versatility and careful preparation. Ile is a hard worker and a student, and keeps abreast of the times. His manner in the pulpit is easy and his delivery full and distinet.
Mr. Dey has had the advantages in intellectual training of William and Mary and Randolph-Macon Colleges.
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REV. LEWIS C. SHEARER.
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In matters of denominational opinion he is exceedingly liberal, and conse- quently is very popular with people of other Churches. His own people highly appreciate and sincerely love him.
Ilis leading theme and thought is salvation through Christ; and while he is not a revivalist, yet by his strong, sincere faith and his clean, pure life he has led many of his people to a higher plane of living than they had known before.
Mr. Dey is a modest man, and does not push himself forward, nor does he obtrude his troubles upon his friends, yet at the same time he is patient and sympathetic in hearing the woes of others. He is a man of sound judg- ment, and is not easily led astray by the many new and pernicious doctrines that are knocking at the door of our Zion for entrance. We need more such men in our Conference to combat these "isms," which are doing so much to weaken the Church and discount religion.
REV. E. VIRGIL CARSON.
Mr. Carson is a Virginian, a native of the historic county of Appomattox. Hle grew up on a farm-a healthy, happy, wholesome life. It is seldom that a lad, who has made the frosty air echo to the strokes of his axe, is the victim of bad habits. Ile is sound in life and limbs.
ITis conversion at thirteen was a genuine and thorough regeneration-"born from above." Though so young, he heard and heeded a divine summon to ser- vice as an evangelist-a call to preach. He wisely went to college to equip himself, recognizing that a cultured age demanded whetted instruments-edged tools. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at Emory and Henry.
The Virginia Conference, at its session of 1889, enrolled him in the ranks of that venerable and historie Synod. He was commissioned of the Bishop to care for the interest of our Church and God's cause on Chatham Circuit. His gifts, energy and devotion were signally illustrated in his first campaign. Ile was continued four years, the utmost limit, on his first parish-an excep- tional mark of confidence and evidence of his achievements. At the close of the quadrennial there had been five churches and a parsonage erected. This was the material exhibit. The record shows hundreds of souls converted. If the patient preacher took courage and rejoiced, when it was made certain to him that his labors of 20 years had brought one immortal spirit to God, declaring his willingness to toil two decades again with gladness to secure another-how great the joy of this youth returning "bringing his sheaves with him"-such a harvest !
From Chatham Circuit he went to Franklin, serving two years; then to Amelia, continuing to the legal limit; then to Amherst, where he is spending his third term. While on these charges the Lord multiplied the membership, certifying to his apostleship and recording his credentials on the living tablets of converted hearts.
Mr. Carson had a good send off, for his parents were Methodists, which counts for much. They were Thomas F. and Mary A. Carson. Their son, Virgil,
REV. PATRICK M. BELL.
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was born July 25, 1865, while the air was yet dim and dire over his cradie in Appomattox with the sulphurous smoke of war.
Ile is of medium height, weighing a hundred and fifty pounds, and thirty- six years old. Hle has dark eyes, hair and moustache. His manners are gentle and winning. His character is manly and sturdy-a Christian gentle- man, a forceful expounder of Seripture, but especially a spiritual preacher withal. Ilis work as a pastor is earnest, systematic, faithful and fruitful.
REV. PATRICK MORTIMER BELL.
Mr. Bell was born at Madison, Amherst county, Va., March 17, 1865. He is of Scotch-Irish parentage and possesses all the characteristics of that sturdy people. His ancestry have been prominent in the cause of civil and religious liberty, both in Scotland and in America. Ii's paternal grandfather was with Commodore Decatur, and General John Starke, of Revolutionary fame, was great-unele to his mother. In the civil war the family were divided, some joining the Federal forces and others the Confederate.
His father having died when he was only ten years of age, he did not enjoy the advantages of a collegiate education, but attended the public schools of Lynchburg until he was fourteen when he entered a shop and learned a trade, in which he became very proficient. Being of a restless disposition, he travelled largely through Virginia and other States, learning by experience and observa- tion much that cannot be taught in books.
Ilis mother is still living, and is now nearly seventy-four years of age. For sixty years she has been a true member of the Methodist Church, and from her the son inherited his religious faith. Mr. Bell was converted when twelve years of age, but after four or five years relapsed into indifference and doubt. He was restored to the favor and sonship of God in Memphis, Tenn., in October, 1887, and united with the First Methodist church of that city. He was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of the First church, Memphis, October 3, 1888, and admitted on trial into the Memphis Conference at its ses- sion held at Fulton, Ky., November 13-18, 1889, Bishop Hendrix presiding. He was immediately transferred by Bishop Hendrix to Columbia Conference, and stationed at Spokane, Wash., as junior preacher to Rev. Reg. B. Swift. From November, 1888, to November, 1889, though only a local preacher, he was junior preacher to Dr. Warner Moore at First church, Memphis, and was en- gaged in city mission work, and was also active in Y. M. C. A. work, sometimes preaching on the streets of Memphis. During that time he was pursuing his studies under Dr. Moore, to whom he was greatly indebted.
Mr. Bell remained five years in the Northwest, and served the following charges in the order named: Spokane, Wash. ; Walla Walla, Wash. ; Heppner, Ore, : La Grande, Ore .; Covello and Waitsburg, Wash. From September, 1894, to November. 1895, he was inactive. On October 2, 1892, at Dayton, Wash., he was married to Miss Mary Embree. They now have three children. Mr. Bell always had a fondness for books and spent his spare time in reading. especially books of travel, history, and biography. Though not having the advantage of collegiate training, he has, by close application and hard study,
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REV. WILKINSON L. WARE.
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succeeded in acquiring a large store of accurate and practical knowledge. Ile is a progressive thinker, often investigating subjects that to others would be or little interest. Besides, he keeps up with current thought and literature. He is possessed of a clear, analytical mind, and his sermons are systematic, logical, and forceful. He has a pointed, pithy way of putting things, epigrammatic in style, and often his sentences startle his hearers. Possessing fine descriptive powers, he often becomes eloquent, though there is no studied effort for mere effect. His sermons are always interesting and instructive, though his congre- gation may not always agree with his conclusions.
Being of an aggressive nature, he sometimes arouses opposition, but by per- sistent effort he usually succeeds in accomplishing the work attempted. He has always the interest of his Church in view and is untiring in his efforts for its welfare and success. In his business relations and Church affairs he is pune- tual, systematic, and serupulously careful. He is a pronounced optimist, and has the faenlty of looking on the bright side of life, though not blind to the evils and difficulties.
Ile is nearly six feet tall, weighs 200 pounds, has dark-brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion, small head set firmly upon broad, square shoulders, and a clear, strong voice. He holds in reserve a large store of physical energy and is capable of great endurance.
For years he has been an active temperance worker, both as a Good Templar and political Prohibitionist. Ile is an enthusiastic member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
Ile was ordained deacon by Bishop W. W. Duncan at Dayton, Wash., August 16, 1891, and elder by Bishop O. P. Fitzgerald, at Pendleton, Ore., September 3. 1893. Ile was received by transfer into the Virginia Conference at its session of 1895, held at Richmond, and has served West Bedford Circuit two years (1895-1897), and Appomattox Circuit three years (1897-1900).
REV. WILLIAM E. GRANT.
The cheerful, genial subject of this sketch was born and reared a "Tar-heel." Still, it may be of advantage to him, with some of his Virginia friends, to know that Virginia blood flows in his veins. He has a stout, square, solid anatomy, in weight ranging from one hundred and forty-five to one hundred and fifty-five; light complexion ; blue eyes and light hair; an open, frank countenance, that beams pleasantly upon you at all times. He is the third son of Rev. William Grant, for many years a member of the Virginia Conference. His mother was Miss Sarah J. Meador, of Nansemond county, Virginia. He was born January 19, 1858, during the pastorate of his father on the Hertford (now Harrellsville) Cirenit. As far back as he can trace the genealogy of the family, they have all been Methodists. He was converted in his fifteenth year under the ministry of Rev. J. E. MeSparran, on Northampton Circuit, in 1868. He was soon after this impressed with the idea that he must preach the Gospel. Until he reached his twenty-first year he worked on the farm, his father sending him to school whenever he could. During all these years he led a consistent life, being class- leader in the church a part of the time, At a revival held on the circuit in 1877
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REV. EDWARD L. PELL, D. D.
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by Rev. J. Q. Rhodes he was abundantly blessed of God while leading a prayer- meeting before the regular services. Being extremely timid and bashful, he feared exceedingly to enter the field as an embassador of Christ, thinking his education was too limited. He concluded to remain on the farm until finances assumed a better shape. With assistance from his father, he was enabled to spend three scholastic years at Randolph-Macon College. Ile was received on trial in the Virginia Conference in 1880 and sent to Surry; 1882, to Chester- field; 1883, to Montross; 1885, to Prince Edward; 1887, to West End, Man- chester; 1888, to Gordonsville and Orange; 1889, Effingham-Street, Ports- month ; 1890, Wiecomico; 1891, Bowling Green ; 1892, Fluvanna; 1894, super- ammated ; 1895, superminnerary; 1896, Buckingham; 1900, Cumberland Cir- cuit. In all of these appointments he has been successful in leading souls to Christ and building up the waste places in Zion. He is "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed."
December 11, 1888, he was married to Miss Fannie II. Redd, of Prince Edward county, Virginia, of an ancient and notable Methodist family.
No one ever brought in contact with Mr. Grant will fail to find many robust virtues in this truest type of a Methodist preacher. His modesty, self-efface- ment, high and keen sense of honorable behavior and his thorough devotion to his vocation give him a title to respect more to be valued than the precious metals and precious stones in stars and medals bestowed by royalty. Men who have kept eye on his walk and conversation are honored by his friendship. IIe is in all rounded elements of worth a Christian gentleman.
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