USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 31
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Ile was converted when fourteen years of age, and joined the Church under the ministry of Rev. T. J. Taylor. From early childhood he had impres- sions of a eall to preach, but his parents not being able to give him a collegiate education, and feeling that he was unprepared to meet the demands of the ministerial office, he tried to stifle his convictions. When he had reached the age of twenty he became so deeply convinced of his duty, and was so fully satisfied in regard to his life's work, that he began to prepare himself in ear- nest to carry out his convictions of duty. Accordingly in the year 1890 he entered Randolph-Macon College as a student, where he spent three years in the prosecution of his studies. In the year 1891 he was licensed to preach at a Quarterly Conference for Appomattox Circuit, presided over by Rev. J. P. Garland, D. D.
After leaving college, he taught school for two years in order to repay the money he had been compelled to borrow for his education. In the meantime, he prosceuted his ministerial studies and preached as opportunities presented themselves.
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He was received on trial into the Virginia Conference which convened in Richmond, Va., in November, 1895, and was appointed by Bishop Galloway to West Street church, Petersburg, Va., where he served with great accepta- bility. At the next session of the Conference he was sent to Trinity, Lynch- burg, Va. He served this charge for two years till 1898, when he received an appointment as student at Randolph-Macon College in order that he might more fully equip himself for his work. While thus prosecuting his studies in the college he was employed by the Presiding Elder of the Richmond Dis- triet, Rev. A. G. Brown, D. D., to take charge of the work at Hasker Memo- rial church, in Richmond, Va. He served two years, and in 1900-'1 is stationed at West Point.
Mr. Shearer is slender in physique, of a sanguinervous temperament. His face wears an expression of cheerfulness and kindly feeling. His greet- ing is warm and cordial. In the social eirele his manners are affable, yet dig- nified and quiet. ITis nature is tender and sympathetic. As a friend, he is true and faithful. He is a elose student, and prepares his sermons with care. His preaching is sound, clear and earnest. He is always popular in his work, and wins a large number of strong friends wherever he is called to serve.
REV. HENRY F. B. MARTIN.
Perhaps to the merely casual observer, Bro. Martin's most striking charae- teristics are his gentle kindness of voice, word and manner and his serupulous precision in every aet, however small. To one who has the good fortune to know him well these things are but outward evidences of deeper and even more marked traits of character. A truly spiritual-minded man is Brother Martin, a soul of great natural sweetness and purity, developed in the sunlight of holi- ness and growing purer and sweeter with the years.
In the pulpit Bro. Martin is characterized as a growing preacher. Every ser- inon, prepared with the utmost care, revised and re-written, pruned and polished, is a new rung of the ladder attained. He is a good student and possessed of a most valuable gift-a retentive memory.
The careful training and Christlike example of his parents, James Edward and Caroline Pierce Martin, the son rightly counts among his chief blessings in life. Their picty and fidelity to the truth are recognized by all who have known them. On the night of his son's birth, February 16, 1869, the father prayed that this child might be a leader of God's people, and then with serip- tural faith the parents began to prepare for the expected answer. Bro. Martin says, "I do not remember the time when my godly mother did not take me to some quiet room and teach me to pray." And again, "The Scriptures were placed in my hands first among gift-books, and long before the alphabet claimed my attention my first lessons were given me by mother from God's Word."
It is not surprising that the son of such parents should have been converted at the early age of eleven. This renewing of his heart, clearly marked by the testimony of the Divine witness, took place on the 25th of July, 1880, at Both- lehem Methodist church, in his native county, Appomattox, during a meeting
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conducted by the pastor, Rev. Travis J. Taylor, assisted by Rev. J. W. Carroll. With this church he soon afterward united. Immediately he felt called to take up the work of the ministry, and this call grew stronger and pressed more and more forcible upon his mind and heart, until on September 1, 1889, he applied for and obtained license to preach. This license was granted him at Salem church, Appomattox county, under Rev. J. M. Burton, preacher in charge, and Rev. Paul Whitehead, D. D., Presiding Elder. Three years were then spent by the young man in teaching with success. In 1890, he was married to Miss Tecora M. Howerton, of Campbell county. At the Virginia Conference of 1893 he was ordained deacon (local) by Bishop John C. Granbery. The sum- mer of 1894 was passed in revival and pastoral work on Cascade Circuit with Rev. R. T. Clarke, very acceptably to pastor and people; from March to Novem- ber, 1895, as junior preacher on Chase City Circuit with Rev. W. R. Smithey, where he won the hearts of the people, and was used of the Lord in bringing many precious souls to Christ. For the four years just passed he has wrought successfully as pastor of Patrick Cirenit, receiving into the Church one hundred and thirty-four persons. In 1899 he was ordained elder and transferred to his present charge, East Franklin. The Holy Spirit has been with Bro. Martin in his work and has blessed and directed it, giving him admittance to the hearts of the people and success among them there and wherever he serves.
REV. JOIIN D. HOSIER.
Mr. Hosier's birthplace was near Hampton, Elizabeth City county, Va., on June 24, 1864, and, excepting the few years that have intervened since he entered the ministry, he continued to live in that county. He began life under circumstances which were by no means promising; but those who saw him day by day were not slow in perceiving that he possessed those qualities which underlie sterling manhood. Notwithstanding the discouraging conditions by which he was environed he evinced at an early age a desire for knowledge, and when but ten years of age secured admission to a private school; subse- quently he entered the public school.
When he was fifteen years old Mr. Hosier turned his attention to the ques- tion of obtaining a trade, and finally decided to become a painter. After two years' trial, however, he became convinced that he had selceted the wrong call- ing and exchanged the brush for the saw, hammer and jack-plane. The suc- cess which attended his industrious efforts as a carpenter proved the wisdom of his choice, and he soon became known as a painstaking and capable mechanic. Ile had in him the stuff make men of force.
It was not until 1892 that his mind turned towards the consideration of religious matters. The Rev. William H. Christian was conducting a re- vival in the town, and Mr. Hosier was one of the most faithful attendants. Under the burning words that fell from the lips of this able divine he was con- victed, and at the close of the meeting he was happily converted, and soon thereafter was a worker in the Lord's vineyard. Thus he began the study of the Bible with full faith in its teachings. He soon became convinced that for him to enter the ministry was the will of God. With this feeling he at-
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tended Randolph-Macon College two years, at the end of which time he ap- plied and was admitted to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1895 he was sent as spiritual adviser to Fishing Creek, Dorches- ter county, Md., at which place he gave great satisfaction and accomplished a great work. During his three years at this charge he built a church that cost $2,000 and a parsonage that cost $1,000, both fitted up and paid for. Thus it will be seen that, notwithstanding the discouraging circumstances that at- tended his early life, all of his labors as a servant of the Lord have been crowned with success; and as God has blessed his efforts in the beginning of the ministry, we can expect a bright future with good results. He is pastor of Pocomoke Cirenit.
REV. ALEXANDER L. FRANKLIN.
Mr. Franklin was born in Matoaca, near Petersburg, Va., December 16, 1872. At the early age of thirteen years he made public profession of per- sonal faith in Christ and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at the place of his birth.
In 1894, during the Presiding Eldership of the Rev. Joseph H. Riddick, he was licensed to preach. He was admitted on trial during the session of the Annual Conference at Richmond in 1895, and was appointed to West Lunenburg Mission, which laborious field he served with great acceptability for two years. He was admitted into full connection and ordained a travel- ing deacon at Danville, 1897, and was appointed that year to serve Prince Edward Circuit, where he is now filling out his fourth year. He was ordained traveling elder in Petersburg, 1899.
Mr. Franklin is a young man of fine physique. Nature has dealt gener- ously with him. He has a commanding presence, tall, but well favored and well proportioned. A full and strong voice and convincingly persuasive man- ner and spirit convey the message with deep, clear and striking effect. He appreciates the value of illustration and already possesses a goodly fund of anecdote and experience which he knows how and when to draw upon. His preaching attracts, holds, delights and edifies. His regular appointments are always well attended. He is at his best in revival work, for which he seems to have special gifts and grace. The records of Lynchburg, Blackstone, Crewe and others tell of glorious awakenings, reclamations and conversions during special services under his preaching. He is in much demand by the brethren. A studious, painstaking, careful, safe, promising preacher, popular with all classes on charges served and visited by him, possessing a wonderful influ- ence over the young people, he bids fair, in the Providence of Almighty God, to take a leading part in the front rank of the itinerants of the Virginia Conference.
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REV. FREDERICK W. PROCTOR.
A pure and devout man of God, now with the Just in Heaven, known and honored in his day, a blessing to many souls, the Rev. J. H. Proctor, bequeathed to the Church two sons, who also have wrought in the ministry of the Word. The son under consideration, Frederick, was born April 9, 1871, and "born from above" August, 1881. He is of the converts of the Rev. W. W. Lear ; and, therefore, was "soundly" consecrated.
Mr. Proctor's mother was a daughter of a Methodist preacher, the Rev. R. B. Foster, of Dinwiddie county, Va. Could there be superior forbears ? Ilis ancestral house, like the house of Justus, was "joined hard to the synagogue" of God.
Our brother entered the Conference November, 1893, and has successively and successfully wrought on Milton Mission, Buffalo Ridge Circuit, Matoaca Station; Seven Pines Circuit, and is now serving a thrifty station-Chestnut Avenue, Newport News, Va.
Mr. Proctor is of slight figure, of not too robust build, yet surcharged with energy. IIe has the inspiration of the divine vocation. He puts into his mes- sage the fervor of his own convictions. He has not labored in vain. The signs of an apostle are seen where he holds forth the Word of Life.
Mr. Proctor las a elassie face, a clear color, a well-shaped head. He is some- what reserved in social intercourse and quiet in his movement. There is nothing loud in his make-up. He wins on the esteem of his people, as they know him. Sineerity saturates his soul. What "Fred. Proctor" is, can be seen in the honest spirit, that does not hide itself, but is manifest in eye, word, act, look. Birds of a feather flock together. We never knew a true man who disliked our brother.
REV. WILLIAM T. A. HAYNES.
A bright, active, conseerated young man and minister is W. T. A. Haynes, now charged with the pastorate of Henry Cireuit by appointment of Bishop A. W. Wilson. He was born in the great county of Pittsylvania in the year 1870, and is now in the thirtieth year of life. Ile is the son of Azariah F. M. and Harriet J. Coeke Haynes, who were of the sturdy yeomanry of their seetion. The names smack of an English aneestry, and preference for the Book of God in the naming.
Mr. Haynes was brought up on the farm, and was not a stranger to the usual "tug and sweat" for a livelihood, the memory of which he is not ashamed. Ilis earlier opportunities were very meager.
Ilis conversion took place in his sixteenth year. Soon afterwards he felt tho call to preach. In September, 1889, he entered Randolph-Macon College, where he remained five sessions in diligent preparation for his life work. Ile made good progress in his studies. Entering with but scant academie prepara- tion, he, nevertheless, reached graduation in the A. B. degree with a good dis- tinction. In the Washington Literary Society, of which in the beginning of
REV. JAMES A. WINN.
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his college career he became a member, he was an earnest and deeply-interested worker. He represented his Society as speaker on public debate, and won the Debater's Medal in his Hall. Ile was also an active and faithful worker in the Y. M. C. A., although he confesses to a marked spiritual decline in the last year of his college life.
Ilis itinerant career begun in August, 1894. Rev. J. H. Pike having died in the pastorate of East Halifax Circuit, he was employed by the Presiding Elder to fill the vacancy. Ile laid hold of the work with energy and vigor. The people rallied to the young pastor. So acceptably was the unexpired term of Brother Pike filled out and every interest of the Church so improved under his care and management that urgent request was made by the official board for his return at the ensuing Annual Conference. He was accordingly recom- mended for admission by the Quarterly Conference of this charge, received into the traveling connection November, 1894, and appointed to East Halifax Circuit. During the first two years of his active ministry he was buffeted by Satan. Religion had whetted keen the moral sense, and conscience was thor- oughly educated. This buffeting was the protest of consciencee against his letting go his hold on the things of God. "Without were fightings and within were fears," and these furnished the ground and opportunity for doubts -black, despairing doubts. Skeptical ideas and questionings arose, and at tinies he was driven almost to abandon the work.
A tender conscience and a keen moral sense set up an inquisi- tion. Severe introspection was the result. Everything was out of joint. The world within and the world without fell short of the exalted stand- ard. All this was the Father's preparation for the ushering in of a new dis- pensation. "The darkest hour is just before the dawn;" the wilderness life was just ahead of "the rest that remaineth." While Cornelius was being pre- pared for a new revelation Peter's steps were being guided to the time and the opportunity for its unfolding. It was so in the case of this young preacher. An old minister of the United Brethren, to whom he unbosomed himself, di- reeted his thought to the life of full consecration-to the "perfect love, which easteth out all fear." In May, 1896, the devont and prayerful reading of "The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life" precipitated the high and holy resolve, and by a conscious, deliberate and wilful surrender of himself to God unreservedly and for all time he entered into a clear-cut, distinct, definite experience of grace, which-call it "the second blessing," sanctification, perfect love, whatever yon will-drove out all doubts and fears, silenced all questionings and lifted his soul on to the high plane of "a peace which passeth all understanding." At Pentecost the baptism of power showed itself at once in an intensified zeal and holy boldness, so that the Word was dispensed with new power. So in the case of this timid, shy, doubting young preacher. Increased earnestness, in- tensified zeal, conscious power was at once realized. He had unwonted "li- berty" in his pulpit ministrations, and bore joyful testimony to the doctrine of full salvation. He felt the anointing Spirit-power, and unction attended his message. This new experience eaused his heart to glow with an ardor for God and for souls not felt before, and out of ardent love and zeal for the salvation of others he spoke the Gospel from the heart. "What he felt and saw he told with confidence," and his messages of love lifted his people on to the same high plane-leading them up into the deep things of God. Material things, too, were not neglected. Sunday-schools, prayer-meetings, church repairs and build- ing, the finances-all improved down to the end of his pastorate.
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In June, 1897, he led to the altar of Hymen Miss Nettie Barksdale, a sensi- ble, pious, consecrated young lady of the Presbyterian Church, whose intel- lectual, social and heart qualities render her a helpmeet indeed.
At the Conference of November, 1898, he felt constrained, on account of the giving away of his nervous system to ask to be left for a year without an appointment, but he returned to the active service of the Church at the Confer- ence in Petersburg, and was appointed to Henry Circuit, his present charge.
REV. JAMES CANNON, JR., A. M.
If James Camion, Jr., does not prove a success, both as a Christian man and as a minister of the Gospel, he will owe an eternal apology to his parents, for few men have ever been blessed with a father and mother more consecrated :o Christ, more untiring and fruitful in good works and more devoted to the real welfare of their children than the subject of this free-hand sketch. Their home was in Salisbury, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where he was born Novem- ber 13, 1864.
If he falls short of future distinction as a theologian and a herald of the Cross, it will not be for lack of education. No man in the Conference has had better opportunities of training for his life-work than James Cannon has enjoyed. After mastering the course of eight years at the Salisbury Graded School-one of the best in the State-he spent four years at Randolph-Macon College, from which he was graduated in 1884 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Ile then entered Princeton College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and continuco a diligent student for three years, graduating as Master of Arts of the former and taking the honors of a full graduate of the latter institution. In all these schools he was known as a bright-minded student, faithful in all his work, and was numbered with the best graduates that those institutions have sent forth. His equipment is all that careful training can produce.
In August, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Lura, second daughter of the late Rev. W. W. Bennett, D. D., and the following fall was admitted on trial into the traveling connection in the Virginia Conference, and assigned by Bishop Granbery to the Charlotte Circuit.
Ile has not yet had time to give full evidence of the kind of work he can do. There is no doubt in the writer's mind that he will prove a success in the very best sense as a preacher and pastor, and that all the interests of the Church are safe in his hands. In the delicate and ardnons duties of his minis- terial office, he is fortunate, indeed, in having the aid of such a wife as Provi- dence has given him.
In physique, Brother Cannon is somewhat slender, and not above the medium height. In health, he is not robust, yet vigorous and active; and the stirring work of the itineraney in an upland circuit-which was his preference to begin with-may have added to the strength of his constitution. Ile has a thoughtful face, to which a scholarly cast is added by the gold-rimmed spectacles that he wears. Ife is genial, loves books, is a lover of good people, has a kind word and helping hand for those who need the one or the other, and will be found a good fellow generally and a Christian gentleman of the first degree.
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Of his pulpit abilities the writer cannot speak from personal knowledge; but his hearers think highly of his thoughtful and polished discourses, and entertain no doubt that he will reach honorable distinction as an expounder of divine things at no distant day. James Cannon, Jr., has a future before him, and it is here predicted that the annals of the Virginia Conference will gain lustre in decades to come by his intelligent and devoted labors in the ranks of her preachers and pastors.
The above excellent sketch was written by the biographer of Brother Cannon for the 1890 edition of the "Sketches of the Virginia Conference." It is so accurate and so well written that this writer merely copies it, and brings the history of Brother Cannon up to date. The last words of this first biographer mark him as a true prophet. The "intelligent and devoted labors" of Brother Cannon have brought gain to the Virginia Conference, although bnt one docade has passed since the prediction was made.
He served Newport News two years, laying broad and deep the foundations of our Church growth and power in that progressive city. In 1891 he was appointed to Central church, Portsmouth. At the end of one month the illness of another minister's wife made it necessary to transfer Brother Cannon to Farmville. He served this charge three years, having as his assistant from June, 1894, to November, 1894, Rev. R. H. Bennett. In June, 1894, he was elected Principal of the Blackstone Female Institute, which position he now holds. This new work furnished a field that required and revealed his rare endowments. Even in this day of great and swift movements, of large enter- prising and achieving, the rceord of this institution is nothing less than mar- velous. Under his wonderful management and inspiration it sprang full- orbed to an exalted position and prestige that might well be the aim and achieve- ment of institutions of the oldest and strongest types. Brother Cannon has that great faculty of taking in and ever keeping under the scrutiny of his mind both the extensiveness and the intensiveness of his view or plan. His work is not only seen and projected along the generic lines of far and broad reaches, but every comprehensive detail of parts, of need and provision, down to the smallest and seemingly insignificant items and particulars, are anticipated and stand out in bold relief as dependent and essential parts of the completed wholc. This intent, vigilant, ceaseless survey of the work, with its systematic and exact attention to minutest details, accounts for much of his success. And he has masterful patience. Ile neither becomes impatient nor excited, no matter how provoking the circumstances. This itself is power, and he has it in a higher degree than any other ever known to this writer, with the exception of Rev. W. W. Bennett, of blessed memory. And he has a wonderful genius for painstaking, thorough, continuous, tireless hard work. For years he has done the work of several men; and the work in each department that he serves is always up to the highest grade. But he never hurries ; and to watch his quiet, deliberate movements, you wonder more than ever how it is that he accom- plishes so much. Since May, 1893, he has edited the Methodist Recorder, and his editorial labors were quadrupled by changing it from a monthly to a weekly. There has scarcely been a Sunday since his election to the presidency of the Institute that he has not preached. Frequently he preaches three times a day. Until this year, when the work of the Twentieth Century Fund interfered, he had a regular monthly appointment at Blackstone. In 1898 he was elected Secretary of the Board of Education. This, in connection with the Twentieth
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Century movement and his zealous endeavors in its interests, threw him anew into "labors abundant." He has long ago taken foremost rank as one of our strongest speakers and preachers. And he preaches with far more feeling and tenderness than in the earlier days. "Let your heart have more place and play in your preaching," was the advice given him by this writer years ago. He started out with an almost abnormal aversion towards moving men by the fitful starts and stirrings of emotional impulse. lle held that they should be moved by appeals to their reason, and not by appeals to their feelings; that principles, and not emotions, should excite the activities of the Christian; that motives and inspiration should never be sought within the springs of feeling, but within the duty and its source. The question should never be, How do I feel about it ? It should ever be, What is my duty concerning it? In com- mending the facts of God's Word to the judgment of his hearers, he was most studiously careful.to avoid any fact or illustration that was likely to stir their emotions or fire their imaginations. Que hand was kept repressively upon himself, the other suppressively upon his congregation. Probably this extreme view had its roots in his intensely logical nature. No doubt it was developed and kept before his mind by the very thoroughness of the demands that this logical nature made upon himself. With him religious motive and movement must proceed from the centre, progressing ontwardly ; and mere surface excite- ment of the feelings was worse than valueless. This view is stressed, because it sheds light upon the character and aets of Brother Cannon and prepares the way for a final statement-a statement that has been somewhat anticipated and included in the consideration of the extreme views just mentioned. The state- ment is this: Brother Cannon's mind was cast in a mould that was absolutely logical. From this standpoint he views everything. A thing is or it is not. A statement is true or it is false. An act is right or it is wrong. Middle grounds of compromise, adjustment, or modification are not easily seen by him. With him two and two make four, and four only, and four always. And sentiment should not enter in as a factor to change the result. Those who know him best know that he has a heart mnost tender and sympathetic; but they also know that he rarely allows any preponderating emotion to set aside, or to minify, or even to modify a logical verdiet of his judgment that his conscience approves. If you ask him to weigh a fact against a fact, it is immediately done, and the just weight conscientiously given, whether or not your faet out- weighs his. But ask him to weigh a sentiment against his fact, and the senti- ment must be tremendously weighty if it tips the scales against the lightest fact. This is traversing delicate ground, for it is here perhaps that he is most open to criticism, most likely to be criticised, and, it may be added, most likely to be misunderstood, if not even misjudged. Is it right or is it wrong? Is it true or is it false ? What is the right thing to say, the right thing to do? In seeking answers to such questions, he never allows himself to be checked or even hindered or hampered by individual considerations. He loses sight of himself individually, he loses sight of others individually. He never asks, "What effect will my position or utterance have upon my personal interests, my prospective welfare ?" So when he takes aim at an object, and especially when he aims at what he regards as an evil or wrong, he never asks before firing: "Is any one in range between me and the target ?" Ile fires anyhow. This may not always be the best way; it may not always be the only way; it may not always be the right way ; but it has been his method, and he has been
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