USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 3
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He was the only son of Jarratt W. and Content Judkins, and was born in Southampton county, Virginia, April 10, 1829. His father died when he was
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about three years old, leaving him and four sisters to the care of his widowved mother. As he grew old enongh he was placed at school a few miles from home ; but the educational advantages of the neighborhood being meager, his mother determined to live where better schools could be had for her children. Accord- ingly, in January, 1841, she moved to Suffolk, Virginia. Ilere he was placed at school, in the Academy, under good teachers, and continued there for about four years. While yet a student boy, in the fourteenth year of his age, in Feb- ruary, 1843, under the ministry of Rev. William W. Kennedy, he was happily converted to God, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. How far the prayers and constant teachings of a devotedly-pious mother contributed to this result, eternity will alone reveal.
When about twenty years old he began to be exercised upon the subject of the ministry. A struggle ensued, marked by many tears and prayers, with an ever- deepening conviction that the ministry was to be his life-work. For about a year he concealed these convictions. At length he felt constrained to reveal them- first to his mother and then to his pastor, the Rev. William J. Norfleet. A mother's blessing was promptly given, she bidding him not to pause on her ae- count if God had called. His pastor and other judicious friends encouraged and confirmed him in his final decision to yield to his convietions of duty.
In August, 1851, while actively engaged in mercantile pursuits, he was granted exhorter's license. In August, 1852, he entered Randolph-Macon Col- lege as a student, and on the 22d of the following November, at a Quarterly Con- ference held for Randolph-Maeon Station by the Rev. James A. Riddick, Pre- siding Elder, he was licensed as a local preacher. At the same time Revs. Charles II. Hall, Joseph H. Riddick, Marens C. Thomas and Peter A. Moses were licensed as local preachers.
Yielding to what seemed to him the constraining providence of God, he left college sooner than he desired, and was received into the Virginia Conference, Bishop Paine presiding, at its session in Lynchburg, Virginia, in October, 1853. He was received, however, with the understanding that he was to remain at eol- lege until the end of that year. His first appointment was to Fairfax Cireuit, on the Washington Distriet, Rev. George W. Carter, Presiding Elder. He began his labors there in January, 1854, and was returned to the eireuit in 1855. The membership of the Church on this eireuit was doubled in those two years.
On November 15, 1855, he was married to Miss Mary Gray Ball, daughter of William Waring and D. II. Ball, of Fairfax county, Virginia.
The Conference met that fall in Petersburg, Virginia, and lasted twenty-one days. On the first Sabbath in December he was ordained a deacon by Bishop James O. Andrew. From this Conference he was sent to Warrenton Cireuit, on the Washington Distriet, where he labored during the years 1856 and 1857, with Rev. JJames Compton, a local preacher, as his assistant. In November, 1857, he was received into full membership and ordained to elder's orders by Bishop George F. Pieree, at the Conference held in Elizabeth City, North Caro- lina. From this Conference he was sent to Charles City Cireuit, on the Rich- mond Distriet, Rev. D. S. Doggett, D. D., Presiding Elder, where he labored during 1858. This proved a year of deep afflietion to him. In June he was seized with a violent illness, lasting several weeks, and before fully recovering, his lovely Christian wife was stricken down, and on the 3d of August aseended to her heavenly home. She left a son, who still lives.
In 1859-'60 he was stationed at Charlottesville, Virginia. While here a
REV. WILLIAM'E. JUDKINS, D. D.
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large revival blessed his labors, and a new church was built, thongh not inlly completed. From Charlottesville he was sent to High-Street Station, Poters- burg; Virginia, where he labored during the years 1861-62. On December 16, 1862, he was married to Miss Esther L. MeKenzie, of Alexandria, Virginia, daughter of James and Sarah E. MeKenzie. In 1863-'64-'65 he was stationed in Farmville, Virginia. Soon after his pastorate in Farmville began he was requested by the Trustees of the Farmville Female College to take a place in its Faculty. He accepted the position, and taught in that institution for about two years, in connection with his pastoral work. From Farmville he was sent to Centenary church, Lynchburg, Virginia, where he was stationed during the years 1866-'67-'68. In 1869-'70 he was stationed at Market-Street, Petersburg, Virginia, and, in addition to his pastoral work, taught for one year in the Petersburg Female College. In 1871-'72 he was stationed at Dinwiddie-Street (now Monumental ), Portsmouth, Virginia. At the close of 1872 every sta- tioned minister in the Conference, with the exception of three or four, was changed, and he was sent to Court-Street church, Lynchburg, Virginia, where he labored during the next four years-namely, 1873- 74-'75-'76. During this period a union meeting of Court-Street and Centenary was held, Rev. William Il. Christian being the pastor of the latter. Under the joint labors of Rev. Leonidas Rosser, D. D., (who did most of the preaching, ) and Rev. J. D. Black- well, Presiding Elder, with the two pastors, a remarkable revival took place, resulting in over three hundred conversions.
From Court-Street he was sent to Trinity church, Richmond, Virginia, and was there during the years 1877-'78-'79-'80. Thence to Monumental church, Portsmouth, Virginia, his old charge, where he spent the years 1881-'82-'83. From this charge he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Norfolk District. which he served four years-viz., 1884-'85-'86-'87. During this period four new pastoral charges-three stations and one circuit-were added to the district
At the close of his fourth year on the Norfolk District he was stationed at Centenary church, Richmond, where he labored four years-1888-'89-'90-'91. This proved to be one of the most successful pastorates of his ministry, over two hundred members having been added to the church and a parsonage costing about $8,000 was purchased by the church. During this pastorate the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Randolph-Macon College.
Soon after his return to Richmond and entrance upon his labors at Centenary church the health of his wife failed. Her disease baffled the best medical skill, and on January 10, 1889, she died in peace. Of her it may be truly said, she glorified Christ by her life, and was glorified by him at her death. Rarely has any minister been blessed with a wife who was more helpful to him in his work than she was to her husband. Wherever known she was truly loved. Such was the refinement, gentleness, prudence, intelligence, purity and deep, unob- trusive piety marking her, such her zeal and devotion, such her sympathy and unselfishness, that she drew to her and held the admiration and love of a host of friends. She was the mother of six children-three sons and three daughters. Of these, her daughters and one son survive her.
From Centenary he was sent to Laurel-Street church, Richmond, where he labored two years-1892-'93. During this pastorate about one hundred mem- bors were added to the church. In 1894 he was stationed at Charlottesville, where over one hundred members were added to the church, and from there he was sent in 1895 to Calvary church, Danville, Virginia, and from there he was stationed in Ashland, Virginia, during 1896-'97.
REV. JOIN P. WOODWARD.
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
In June, 1897, he was married to Miss Bettie W. Hodges, of Norfolk, Vir- ginia, and stationed in 1898 at Lekies Memorial church, Norfolk, Virginia. At the close of that year he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Eastern shore District (1899), and re-appointed Presiding Elder in 1900, the district being enlarged at the Conference of 1899 by the addition of six of the Norfolk churches and the name changed to the "Norfolk and Eastern Shore District." At the session of 1900 the district was rearranged to a certain extent and took the title of Norfolk District. Dr. Judkins was continued as its Lieutenant- Bishop.
REV. JOHN P. WOODWARD.
Many of the gentle graces of the Gospel have united in this minister. He has the gift to persuade men to a better life. It would be hard to find a cause for offense in his pulpit ministrations or in his social life. There are no abrading angles, no nettles, no thorns in his character. Indifferent health has not dis- tilled a drop of verjuice in his nature. He is the same gracious and winning Christian at all times. He binds to him friends with silken cords. To these engaging qualities are added diligence, study and aptness to teach. His ministry Messes his parishoners and his own heart. The proofs of his vocation follow wherever he labors-God giving testimony by His grace.
On Jamary 23, 1833, in the old and historical county of New Kent, Virginia, he was born. His mother died when he was very young, and his remembrance of her is as a dream. His father died when he was about ten years old, and he was placed under the protection and guardianship of his eldest brother-a faithful, tender guardian and a deeply pions Christian. The orphan boy had the privileges of schoot from his earliest years. At a camp-meeting held at old Tabernacle church, in his native county, in 1846, he was converted. When about fifteen years of age he began his academie course in James City county. In 1850 he began at Randolph-Macon College. In 1852 his health forbade fur- ther confinement. In 1855, having recovered his health in part, he taught school in a private family in Orange county.
Mr. Woodward tells of his call to the ministry in these words : "Though I had been early impressed with the idea of a call to the ministry, strange to say, I had nearly lost sight of it at this time. The Rev. G. Mauzy was the preacher in charge of the circuit. He began to talk to me on the subject. I know not wby, since I had never given him any cause to think I had any sneh idea. The matter ended in my examination before the Quarterly Conference by Rev. B. II. Johnson, Presiding Elder, and I was licensed to preach."
At the session of the Annual Conference that fall, held in Lynchburg, he was received on trial. His first appointment was Ettrick Mission, but was changed to Sussex Cirenit by the Elder; in 1855, Buckingham Circuit, under Brother II. D. Wood; in 1856, Middlesex ; in 1857, King William Cirenit ; in 1858, Hampton. From study and exhaustion in preaching and laboring, his health broke down. From 1858 to 1860 he taught school. In 1862 he moved to Prince George and continued to teach. In 1863 he was married to Miss E. T. Raney, of that county. In 1864 and 1865 the Northern soldiers ocenpied
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that county, and he was in their midst. After the war, and in the years of 1865 and 1867, he was engaged in farming. In 1868, 1869 and 1870 he took charge of the Prince George Mission, by the special request of his friends on that mis- sion. During this time he was still farming and teaching school. In 1871 he was at home getting ready to go back into the regular work. In 1872 his health having so far recovered as to justify him in itinerating, he broke up and started ont. During this year and the year of 1873 he was on the Chuckatnek Cirenit. His health beginning to fail again, he was forced to go up the country. In 1874-'75 he was on the South Brunswick Cirenit; in 1876, Dinwiddie Circuit, where again he came very near dying from typhoid-fever; in 1877, North South- ampton ; in 1878-79, Southampton Circuit; 1881-82, Franklin Cirenit; '83-'86, New Kent; '87-'88, Greenesville; '89-'91, Denny Street, Richmond, Va. : '92, Fifth Street, Manchester; '93-'96, King and Queen ; '97, superannu- ated.
REV. JOSEPHI HI. AMISS.
Ile is the Presiding Elder of the Rappahannock District-a diocese that de- mands of its Lieutenant-Bishop energy, soundness of speech and sacred strategy. It is allowed that he is eminently fit for the arduous position.
He may be still reckoned as in the prime of life, though sixty-six, compactly built, five feet ten inches; weight, one hundred and fifty pounds ; eyes, black, glittering and keen ; face, animated and intellectual ; health, superb. He meas- ures his duty by. the powers of an active mind and hardy body. He does not spare himself. His memory is retentive and encyclopadlie; it is a treasure- house. Ile talks well, seasoning his conversation with the salt of apt illustra- tions and appetizing wisdom. He has command of a large and free vocabulary, and sellom, if ever, halts for the fit word. His voice is strong, resonant and pleasing to the ear.
lle had but limited early educational advantages. He has, amid incessant labors (twenty-eight years as preacher in charge, two years as junior, fourteen years as Elder, and still in the Eldership) snatched hours for study and brought himself forward-a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. It is the firm conviction of his familiars that had he enjoyed the best training in youth, he would have ranked with the mighty men of Israel on any arena. He has had to mine the ore, mold the ballet and nse the rifle while the battle was on. He never had the leisure to prepare fixed ammunition and carry it in caissons to the field.
The native force in him was exhibited in Lynchburg in 1877 by his opening sermon. The cultured men of the Conference-men of seasoned wisdom and observation-frankly admitted exceptional powers, both in the preparation and delivery of the discourse. It was indeed the product of a robust intellect with mmmusual persuasive and pleasing oratory.
Ilis career has been signalized by the evidences of apostleship. The spirit has borne witness to his work. Conversions were many, fends healed, the Church edified, enthusiasm for the cause inspired among the people.
Mr. Amiss is a Methodist in every fibre. He is true to the doctrine and
REV. JOSEPII II. AMISS.
.
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nsages of the pioneers, whose zeal he imitates in a large degree. He is per- suaded that the mission of that religious movement under the Wesleys is a " spirituality in Church life. He draws all his cares that way ; hence refreshings of the souls of the saints follow his stirring sermons and thrilling songs. The themes that nourish the inner life are favorites with him. He is a man of one work. Jesus has an unwavering disciple in Joseph II. Amiss.
His elevation to the Eldership, like the first term with all new men in that office, was experimental. Ilis friends hailed the appointment as the beginning of a wider career of usefulness; and so it came to pass. His vigorous leader- ship, always himself in the van, quickly vouched for the happy choice. When his term of four years ended he was, by common consent, ordered to the most difficult district in the Conference. It put his best talents for organization and aggression to the test. He extends the lines of Methodism. His men press forward. The presence of a born centurion is seen from point to point along the front.
Ile was born in Culpeper county, Va., September 5, 1834. He professed religion when fifteen years old, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sonth. He was early impressed with his call to the ministry. Mr. Amiss entered the itinerant ranks in Norfolk in 1854, was ordained deacon in 1856 by Bishop Early and ordained elder in Portsmouth in 1858 by Bishop Kavanaugh.
Ile married Miss Hathaway, of Edenton, N. C., in 1861. A large family have been the fruits of that union.
In this faithful itinerant are the elements that command the confidence of the Conference and the Church, and bring successful service. He pleases in the social cirele. His fluency, aptness and force in the pulpit arrest attention and command a congregation. He builds elegant churches, lengthens the record of the membership and gathers large congregations. His brethren in the ministry are fond of him. He says he is on good terms with his brethren, tries to help them in their work as best he can, and would rather plant flowers than thorns in their pathway. Should the day ever come when Mr. Amiss can no longer do the work assigned him, he will step gracefully out of the ranks. When the sum- mons comes to meet and grapple with the last enemy, with confidence and com- posure, his eye on the Captain of our salvation, he will await the onset, gain the victory, and go triumphant and rejoicing home to God.
REV. WILLIAM V. TUDOR, D. D.
The author of these sketches had called to him the sonorous, measured and elevated sentences of Punshon when he heard Dr. Tudor. The likeness between these gifted Methodist ministers does not run in language alone, but the robust build, the firmness on the feet, the broad shoulders and heartiness in manner of each are kin to the other.
They have traveled alike along the highway of popular pulpits. Pinshon found eager audiences at home and at remote cities. Tudor, when a boy, was the wonder and pride of Loudoun, the stronghold of Methodism, and since his circuit days great churches have sought his services. The daily press have re-
REV. WILLIAM V. TUDOR, D. D.
.
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ported his sermons and periodicals preserved them in print. It was not only the melodious cadences, but, vet more, the staple of truth, interwoven by the shuttle of a royal rhetoric into a "eloth of gold," that won upon the ears and hearts of his audiences.
Under his own roof-tree he is a charming host, genial, engaging, and furnished with a large store of choice material to make a fireside and easy chairs so charged with bewitching interest as to mesmerize the guest to forgetfulness of time till the long stroke of midnight sounds from the city bells.
Ilis wife (once a Miss Morsell, of Washington, District of Columbia), is a factor, in no small degree, in Dr. Tudor's successful career. Handsome, cheer- ful, elegant, brimming with good will, wise and zealous in church work, she brings to him an auxiliary element that counts largely in the popularity of the parsonage.
lle is a native of Baltimore; came into the Church at thirteen ; a graduate of the famons Methodist College of Dickinson, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania; taught school for four years after receiving his diploma, filling the chair of Greek and Latin in a classic academy in Alexandria for three of them.
lle entered the Baltimore Conference in 1855 as a licentiate, serving Sum- merfield and Severn Circuits, Baltimore City Station and Loudoun. Ile left Loudoun shortly after Federal occupation, crossed into Maryland, organized and served our church at Cambridge until the close of the war. In 1865 he was called to the charge of the Independent Church, the remnant of Southern Methodism worshipping in a frame tabernacle on M street in Washington, Dis- triet of Columbia. He was received into the Southern Methodist Church with the Baltimore Conference, bringing his congregation with him. He built and dedicated our Mt. Vernon church in Washington during his term of service.
IJe has since been pastor of Carondelet-Street, New Orleans; Centenary and St. Jolm churches, St. Louis, and Presiding Elder two years of the St. Louis District, and for a short time served Emanuel, Baltimore.
Ile was the pastor of Granby-Street, Norfolk (now Epworth)-our strongest church by the sea-four years, 1886-1890; Broad-Street, Richmond, '90-'94; Cumberland-Street, Norfolk, '94-'95; Centenary, Richmond, Virginia, '95-'99; in '99 he was assigned as Elder to the West Richmond District-his present position.
Coming into the Virginia Conference a stranger, he has gained year by year on the respect and love of the brethren. His parishoners are attached to him and the publie wait upon his ministry in large numbers.
Hle is sixty-seven years old, but his build, health and serene spirit put him back almost to boyhood in iwasted powers. A slight flake of frost, whitening the tip of a whisker or lock of hair, is the only sign of crossing the crest of mid- life.
REV. JOHN LELAND CLARKE.
The record of this minister runs through a service of fifty-two years. He has been a wise builder of the walls of Zion. His pastorate has been fruitful of valable and permanent results. In Baltimore and Richmond, along the
REV. ROBERT N, CROOKS.
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Shenandoah and James, his faithful and efficient labors in planting and gov, erning are recognized.
Mr. Clarke has a stately figure. There is a remarkable resemblance in fea- tures to Henry Ward Beecher. This likeness has, on more than one occasion, created no small stir, particularly during a session of the Legislature of Vir- ginia. Ile, however, has none of the drawbacks of the famous Brooklyn preacher.
The bent of Mr. Clarke's mind is in the line of logic. It is said that the late Dr. Munsey considered his friend as highly endowed with the reasoning faculty. Mr. Clarke makes out his propositions with precision and unfolds them in measured. and exact method. In the enforcement of his deductions and con- clusions he displays at times a fervid oratory.
Mr. Clarke has strong convictions, verging on prejudice. He has no word of palliation for ignoble aets. His own code of social conduct is high and rigid. Ile is the most companionable of men.
He is a native of Fluvanna county, Va., and was born June 16, 1821. His father was a member of the Baptist Church ; was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Ilis mother was a Miss Hope. She was a Methodist for seventy-five years. Ilis father, who reached eighty-eight years, used to hear the celebrated Jolm Leland, of Revolutionary notoriety, and named Mr. Clarke for him. All the children of his parents joined the Methodist Church.
Mr. Clarke professed conversion in his fourteenth year, and served as class- leader, exhorter and local preacher. He joined the Virginia Conference in the fall of 1548. His first appointment was to Campbell Cirenit, with Elijah Chambers, senior preacher. It was a four-weeks' circuit, with twenty-three appointments. He went the next year to Staunton Circuit, a territory on Staunton river, between Campbell and Bedford Circuits. Gracious revivals occurred on the circuit. Some of the converted in those meetings are promi- nent in the Church now. Ilis next appointment was to Oregon Hill, Richmond, where about one hundred people were brought into the Church during the two years. In 1853-54 he had charge of the Lexington Circuit, including Lexing- ton. Our Church in the town was dedicated in 1853. During this year he was extremely ill from abscess in the throat, with little, if any, hope of recovery. "I had no doubt of my salvation in the event of my dying." A remarkable revival occurred that year at Elliott's Hill, which resulted in the building of a good elmreh at that point and the establishment of Methodism in that part of the county. In 1855-'56 he was stationed at Harrisonburg, preaching once a month at Woodstock and Bridgewater. Ilis health was still feeble, as at the beginning of his ministry, suffering then at times alnost indescribably from nervons derangement. Ile served Leesburg in 1857, with declining health. On November 5, 1857, he was married to Miss Lucy J. Stevens, of Harrison- burg, Va .- a noble Christian woman. In 1858-'59 he traveled Scottsville Cir- cuit, with gracious revivals attending his meetings. Among those who joined the Church was Rev. J. Wiley Bledsoe, D. D., of the Virginia Conference. In 1860 he served Hanover Circuit, holding protracted meetings from the fourth Sunday in May, and continued them almost constantly till near the close of the year. One hundred and fifty people were converted that year, and some of the converts are among the leading men of the eirenit at this time. In 1862-'63 he was in charge of Albemarle Circuit. The war was on the land, and but little could be done but hold the Church together. In 1864-'65-'66
day
REV. ROBERT B. BEADLES.
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Le served Lexington Cirenit the second time, when a revival of great power oe- curred at Elliott's Hill, after which. while he remained, that congregation was" one of the largest in the county.
Ile was transferred to the Baltimore Conference in the fall of 1866, and was appointed to Staunton Station in the spring of 1867 and served two years. Mr. Clarke makes a note of his work there: "Found the Church in Staunton de- pressed. My predecessor received far from his full salary. On reaching Staunton I was told that the Church was hopeless, and that nothing could be done. An interesting revival strengthened the Church. My salary was over- paid by two hundred dollars. There were about one hundred conversions dur- ing the two years, and since then Staunton has been one of the most desirable appointments in the Baltimore Conference." Ile suffered the loss of his ex- eellent wife in June, 1868. In 1869-'70 he was stationed at Martinsburg. This was a new and small charge of not more than a dozen male members. The existence there of Southern Methodism by some was thought to be precarions. During the winter of 1868-'69 there was a powerful revival. There were some seventy-five conversions, of whom a large number were leading citizens. At the close of the year our Church was among the strongest financially in the town. In 1871-'72 he was stationed at Holland Street church, in Baltimore. Mr. Clarke says: "This church had lost, in the course of a year or so, one I:undred and forty members, and was greatly embarrassed. At the close of the year we had a net increase of forty members, and had paid all financial demands for the current year. My Presiding Elder, Rev. Dr. Rodgers, stated at one of my Quarterly Meetings that he could say in that pulpit what he eould say in no other pulpit in the district, that the Church owed no man a dollar, and pronounced the church the most vigorous organization in the city." In 1×73-'74 he was stationed in Lexington, Va., making a suecessful pastorate and financial exhibit.
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