USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 36
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Ilis former Presiding Elder, Rev. J. Powell Garland, in a private corres- pondence, said of Holman : "He is a young man of studious habits, attentive to his duties as a preacher of the Word and also a most diligent pastor, and is likely to win snecess where success is possible. He is not intimidated by difficulties. These serve only to develop more strikingly his determination and courage which are marked traits of his character. He is manly, not only in appearance, but in character, and is made of stuff that made martyrs in olden times. He has a good voice and an easy, fluent delivery. He will make a useful preacher."
REV. CAMERON EUGENE PLEASANTS.
Mr. Pleasants was born in Mecklenburg county, Va., February 22, 1876. While quite young he removed to Richmond, Va., and was educated in the public schools of that city. When twelve years of age he joined Park Place Methodist Episcopal church. For five years he was employed with a prominent law firm in the city, but feeling that the law was not his calling, when ap- proached on the subject, he accepted the position as Assistant Secretary of the Richmond Young Men's Christian Association. The close confinement there was injurious to his health, so for a year he managed a mercantile establish- ment in the city of Petersburg, Va. He was then urged to accept the General Secretaryship of the Petersburg Yonug Men's Christian Association, which he finally consented to do. While acting in such capacity, the building and current expense debts on that institution were reduced over $21,000, as well as improvements made. After one and one-half year's service there, he resigned his office and commeneed his studies for the ministry at Richmond College, which college he left to further pursue his education at Randolph-Macou Col- lege, Ashland, Va.
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Ile is now serving his first year on the Mt. Vernon Circuit, in Norfolk county, Va.
As a layman in his church, he avas always willing to do God's will whenever and wherever possible. He had served as First Vice-President of the Union Epworth Leagues of Richmond and Manchester, and for a long while was a steward in Market Street church, Petersburg. On January 1, 1895, he received his definite call.
Mr. Pleasants gives an interesting account of his call to the sacred office. From his first connection with the Church "he felt that his mission on earth was the ministry. Ile made it a constant subject of prayer, and on the night of December 31, 1894, after praying until midnight, and as the new year was ushered in, he asked the Father to definitely decide the matter for him. and opened his Bible for the answer, and his eyes fell on the first verse of the six- tieth chapter of Isaiah-"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Fearing it might have been a mere accident, he waited twelve months to the day, and prayed again and opened his Bible for an answer, and he opened it at the sixty-first chapter of the same book, the first verse, and read : "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meck ; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Yet it was a number of years before he finally and fully consented to go and preach the Gospel.
As has been stated, he tried a number of other professions, including mercan- tile. business, law, and even the Y. M. C. A. work; but none of them afforded him that satisfaction of conscience which he felt he should have.
REV. ROBERT PIERCE LUMPKIN.
This name reappeared on the Conference roll at the last session in Petersburg. At this same place Robert Pierce, son of Rev. William G. Lumpkin, who was from 1854 until 1886 a member of the Virginia Conference, was born on May 14, 1875. At that time his father was in charge of Boydton Cirenit, but re- sided in Petersburg; so that the boy may be said to have been reared in the itine- raney. Ile comes of preaching stock-his father, his unele, Rev. James T. Lumpkin, and his great-uncle, Rev. Joshua L. Garrett, all being preachers of no mean ability. Some years ago his father and uncle located, hence the disap- pearanee of the name from the Conference roll. At his location, his father set- tled in Manchester, set up a print shop, and started a paper entitled "The Peo- ple's Friend." There Robert attended school until his father's death in 1892, and learned the printing business, which he followed until he gave himself up to his call to preach, and entered the traveling connection. In the printing office he served in every capacity, from apprentice, or "devil," to editor.
Ile was converted at twelve under his father's ministry, but lapsed, and was finally reclaimed through the ministry of Rev. Eddie Michaels, and united with Central, Manchester, during the pastorate of Rev. W. C. Vaden. He was called to preach from the first, but stifled his convictions and went on with his business, because he did not feel himself prepared for the work. It was while residing
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in Philadelphia he was overwhehned with a sense of his obligation to preach. He returned to Virginia, re-embarked in the newspaper business at Amelia Courthouse, where, as the result of a conversation with Rev. E. V. Carson, his convictions culminated in a determination to give himself up to the ministerial work. Accordingly, at the insistence of friends, he made application to the District Conference for license to preach, and was at the same time recom- mended to the Annual Conference for admission. He was assigned to Mathews Circuit as junior preacher, and his first year in the Conference was spent with Rev. J. E. DeShazo on that charge. Ile is serving his second year on the same charge under Rev. C. D. Crawley.
Ile is sensible, pious, consecrated, handsome of form and feature, a decided brunette, with dark eyes, raven locks, and pleasing countenance, with a voice of imusual compass and sweetness, nimble mind, pleasant delivery, engaging manner, and endowed with rare preaching ability; he gives promise of rapid development to a position of usefulness and influence in the Conference.
REV. GEORGE WILLIAM MARTIN TAYLOR.
Mr. Taylor was born in Accomac county, Virginia, April 10, 1876. His father and mother having died, he was an orphan before two years of age. Per- haps he never knew the loss of parents, for he found in his grand-parents all he lost in his parents.
The first part of his life was spent at Pungoteagne, Va., where he attended the graded school. At the age of fifteen he left school and entered business life at Ilarborton, Va. Having spent a successful business career of four years, he decided to prepare for a greater work. To that end he entered Ran- dolph-Macon Academy, Bedford City, Va., January, 1896, where he took a course preparatory to college. In 1897, he entered Randolph-Macon College, where he still pursues his course.
At the session of the Virginia Ammal Conference of the M. E. Church, South, which convened in Norfolk, November 14, 1900, he was admitted on trial into that body, and sent to Ashland Cirenit with the privilege of attend- ing college.
REV. HARRY L. WESTON.
Mr. Weston was born in Mathews county, Va., Angust 7, 1877. His parents are Thomas R. and Sarah Weston, daughter of the late Abram G. Guion, who for many years was one of the prominent stewards on the Mathews Cirenit.
Harry was converted and joined the M. E. Church, South, in 1890, under the ministry of Rev. James Q). Moss. Went to Randolph-Macon College dur- ing the years 1898-99 and 1899-1900. He served acceptably and successfully under Rev. D. G. C. Butts as junior on the Gloucester Cirenit in the summer
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of 1899. He was of great service in the Sunday-school and Epworth League work. He spent the summer of 1900 with Rev. S. HI. Johnson as junior on the Pittsylvania Cirenit.
Brother Weston is studious in his habits, careful in the preparation of his sermons and very deliberate in delivery. He is beloved by the young and re- speeted by the mature. Ilis is a very promising ontlook.
REV. J. W. LILLASTON, JR.
HIe was born Angust 26, 1865, in Gloncester county; converted and joined the Church under the ministry of Rev. J. C. Martin at Bethlehem church, Glou- cester county, in the sunnner of 1885; attended Randolph-Macon Academy, Bedford City, in the fall of 1889; attended two sessions ; then to Randolph-Ma- con College for four sessions; admitted into the Virginia Conference on trial in 1899; assigned to Grace church, Newport News; served one year, then sent to Charles City Circuit.
Mr. Lillaston has the qualities, well used, to bring honor to himself and gain to the Church. He is bending himself to serve his own generation with energy and success.
REV. ROBERT L. BUSBY.
Mr. Busby, son of Andrew J. and Olivia E. Busby, was born at Norfolk, Va., February 13, 1863. His father, who was a "blockade runner" in the Con- federate service during the four years of unpleasantness between the North and South, died the year after the war closed, leaving a widow with five chil- dren. Having lost everything during the war, the once prosperons family was redneed to very moderate circumstances.
The subject of this sketch began his education at the public schools of his native city, but later entered the Norfolk Military Academy, under the tutelage of Rev. Robert Gatewood, with the intention of preparing for the Naval Acad- emy at Annapolis. Being an apt scholar, an offer was made by an Episcopal lady to educate him for the Episcopal ministry, which proposition his mother would not consent to. "Cotton" then being considered "king," young Busby, greatly against his own wishes, left school to enter the cotton business. Begin- ning as an office boy in the employ of Colonel Kader Biggs, of Norfolk, he rapidly rose to the grade of an "expert accountant" in office affairs and an "ex- pert grader" of cotton.
On April 30, 1885, he married Miss Anna Cecelia Skinner, of Baltimore, Md., after which he removed to Norfolk county, where for several years he was engaged in the trueking business.
Being raised in a Christian family by a sainted mother, he gave his heart to God in early life; but upon reaching young manhood, he fell away from the
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faith, but being continually followed by prayers of loved ones, he returned again to the fold of Christ.
Becoming identified with all branches of Church work, he seemed to realize the great responsibility of every human life. While engaged in the trucking business he felt the call to preach, but resisted the call until the power of God compelled him to yield to the influence of the Spirit. While the Rev. J. D. Ilank was pastor of the East Norfolk Circuit he entered the "local ranks" with the intention of prosecuting his secular work and preaching when any de- mand should be made upon him; but after entering the field he found the call to active work in the itineraney was more than he could resist; so he yielded up everything for the cause of his Master, and entered the Virginia Conference, held at Portsmouth, Va., November, 1898.
Ile is tall in stature, of spare build, a deep thinker, profound student, and often reaches the point of eloquence in delivering his sermons.
REV. ARTHUR B. SHARPE.
Mr. Sharpe was born in the city of London, England, March 1, 1863. He came to the United States in the autunm of 1883, and, selecting Virginia for his future home, settled in Nottoway county on the farm of Joseph T. Vaughan, ucar the town of Burkeville.
Hle made a publie profession of faith in Christ under the ministry of Rev. T. M. Beckham, deceased, at Smyrna church, on the Burkeville Circuit, in 1886. Ile moved to the town of Crewe, soon after its settlement, and en- gaged as clerk in the store of Captain E. F. Lockett, with whom he subse- quently entered into partnership. On Sabbath days he engaged in Sunday- school work, and organized Sunday-schools in the country adjacent to Crewe. Feeling called of God to preach the Gospel, after two years of hesitaney and thoughtful and prayerful consideration, he applied for license to preach at the Quarterly Conference, held at Nottoway Courthonse, in June, 1890, Rev. Joshua S. Ilunter being the Presiding Elder. Ile first began to preach at . Ward's chapel and public school-houses in the country as a local minister. Receiving unsolicited and unexpectedly an invitation from Rev. J. HI. Amiss, then Presiding Elder of the Norfolk District, to take charge of Bethel Mis- sion in December, 1892, believing that Providence had thus presented to him "an open door" for the entire consecration of his life and time to the one work of preaching the Gospel of Christ, he promptly decided to give up a lu- crative temporal business, and to enlist fully and forever in the ranks of the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sonth.
Ile was admitted on trial at the Virginia Conference, held in Danville, No- vember, 1893, and assigned to the Prince Edward Circuit, which he served most faithfully for two years, and endeared himself greatly to all the people. Ile was ordained local deacon at the Annual Conference, held in Charlottes- ville, November, 1894. He was assigned to the Charlotte Circuit in 1895, where the fruits and evidences of his arduous and efficient labors are known and visible in every congregation, aud will abide for years to come. He served Culpeper Circuit one year, and is now pastor of East Suffolk and Magnolia.
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He was married December 14, 1897, to Miss Anna C. Spencer, of Prince Edward county, a granddaughter of Rev. M. M. Dance, a familiar and most highly-honored name in Virginia Methodism.
One special feature has characterized his ministry and authenticated the genuineness of his call to preach the Gospel-many souls have already been won to Christ by him, and, judging his future by his past ministry of the Word, many more will be led by him from the darkness and thraldom of sin and Satan "into the marvelous light and liberty of the sons of God."
REV. ROBERT HICKS MCADEN.
Robert Hicks MeAden, grandson of the late Rev. James MeAden, of the Vir- ginia Conference, was born near South ITill, Mecklenburg county, Va., March ยท 16, 1869.
While quite young his parents moved to Brunswick county, Va., where he has sinee resided. Ile joined the Church in childhood under the pastorate of Rev. W. H. AAtwill, and, so far as his outward couduet was concerned, lived a con- sistent Christian life. But his life was a sea of murest, for he was impressed all along that God wanted him to preach, and he was trying to stifle the call. Ilis natural timidity and lack of early educational advantages made him defer a long time before taking this most important step. He did not take it until God sent upon him a serious illness, and he felt that "woe is me if I preach not the Gospel." So he promised God if he would raise him up he would heed the call, and do the best that he could. God did raise him up, and he be- gan at onee to put his decision into effect.
In the fall of 1894 he was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of South Brunswick Cirenit, and the following year, through the efforts and co-operation of his mother, he entered Bedford City Academy. Ile remained at the Academy two years and a half, and then went to Randolph-Macon College, where he remained three years, graduating in June, 1900, taking the A. B. degree.
In September of the same year he was called to supply Blandford church till Conference, the pastor, Rev. L. C. Moore, wishing to return to college. In No- vember, at Norfolk, he was admitted on trial, and sent back to Blandford, where he is at present.
REV. R. HARRISON MARKS.
It was on "All Saints' Day," 1874, that Richard Harrison Marks was born. From laek of personal acquaintance with the saints, it is hard to decide which one he most resembles either in appearance or in spirit. We leave that for the reader to deeide. He is five feet eleven inches tall, weighing about one hun- dred and forty-five pounds. He is modest, gentle, meditative, yet jovial. He
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thinks before he speaks. In the pulpit his speech is mostly a conversational style-elcar, convincing and persuasive; he does not use notes. His people say, "He is a fine preacher and a faithful pastor." In revival services he is ealm, and trusts in the Spirit of God to do His work. Personal effort in the ehirch at these seasons is valued, yet Marks is careful not to let zeal be car- ried too far, fearing that the conversions may be of man's power and not of God's. He always examines carefully into the faith and experience of those who knock for admission at the doors of the Church.
As a student, he gets at the foundation of things. He is not a reeluse, but believes in fresh air and a plenty of exercise, and takes both. He was edu- cated at Randolph-Macon College, entering 1892. He spent three years and a half there, standing always among the first in his classes and often at the head. After leaving there he taught for one year at Smithdeal Business Col- lege, serving as principal of the stenographie and typewriting department of that institution.
In November, 1897, he was received into the Virginia Conference on trial, and sent to Ashland Circuit, where he served two years.
He was married in June, 1899, to Miss Sallie Everette Watt, of Henrico county, a woman of rare intellectual attainments and altogether a business- like, gentle, attractive woman, who makes friends everywhere and keeps them. "A model Methodist preacher's wife," he says. One little daughter adds joy to their home.
Mr. Marks is a Methodist by choice; he is not from a Methodist home. He was christened in the Episcopal Church; and not till he had studied the doe- trines of several of the leading Churches was he fully convinced as to the Church with which he would cast his lot as a minister. He was converted at Syea- more church, Prince George county, under the ministry of Rev. J. B. DeBerry, and two years afterward he joined the Methodist Church.
IIe is broad-minded and liberal to all brethren of whatever faith, but is bold to preach Methodist doctrines. He is fearless, and attacks all enemies of God's cause; but, being a man of tact, he rarely offends. He was received into full connection and ordained deacon in Petersburg in 1899 by Bishop Wilson, and will doubtless be ordained elder in Newport News in November, 1901. Hle is now serving Charlotte Circuit the second year, and is in high favor with his people.
Mr. Marks draws his life from choice Virginians-as ancestors. Ilis parents were Charles Harrison and Helen Peebles Marks. The scientist and wit, Oliver Wendell Holmes, of Boston, made answer to the question of how to train a boy towards best character, "Begin with him three generations before he is born by supplying him with improved ancestors." Such has been the good fortune of Mr. Marks.
REV. DANIEL TATUM MERRITT, A. B., B. D.
Good heredity counts for much. Preachers' boys, as a rule, succeed well. To a great extent this may account for the success of Mr. Merritt. ITe was born in the good old town of Smithfield on July 13, 1874, of Rev. Joseph B.
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and Ella Lyon Merritt. His mother was the daughter of Major Daniel Lyon, of Petersburg, Va. His father has been for years the well-known and efficient chaplain of the Seaman's Bethel at Norfolk, Va., where the subject of this sketch has spent most of his life.
Mr. Merritt received his early instruction from that prominent educator of Norfolk, Rev. Robert Gatewood. Here he acquired habits of study which have made him one of the most scholarly young men of the Conference. After completing the course at Norfolk, he entered Randolph-Macon College, where he achieved a reputation, not only for studions habits, but for courtliness of manner and kindness of spirit that made him very popular in that institu- tion. After completing the A. B. conrse at Randolph-Macon, he still further pursued his studies at the Vanderbilt University. From this institution he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in June, 1898. He was easily one of the most popular boys in the institution. Having a fondness for athletics, he was captain of the baseball team, and this position, giving him great popularity, he was enabled to do much good for the cause of Christ. His influence was salutary and his example inspiring to many young men. Whilst fond of athletic sports, he did not waste time on them, but took a posi- tion in his classes of which he may well be prond.
Religions experience counts for more than anything else in the preacher's life. Mr. Merritt, when thirteen years of age, was soundly converted to God under the ministry of the saintly Betty at Queen Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His life is "hid with Christ in God."
As a minister, Mr. Merritt has been uniformly successful. During the va- cation of 1897 he was asked to take charge of Port Norfolk work, and so wisely did he manage its affairs that he was able to secure subscriptions for the substantial structure and to organize a strong nucleus for a good Society. Returning to Nashville, Ten., that fall, he was sought out by the West- minster Presbyterian church and asked to supply that pulpit, which he did with great acceptability. Ilis open mind and generous heart made him ac- ceptable with all creeds while ever loyal to Methodism. In the summer of 1898 he was appointed by the Board of Missions to canvass the Epworth Leagues of the Virginia Conference in the interest of the Missionary Read- ing Com'se.
Mr. Merritt was licensed to preach September 9, 1892. In November, 1898, he joined the Conference, and received his first appointment to Ihm- tersville church, Norfolk. Here his services have been marked. The field had not proved remunerative before, and some had even advised the abandon- ment of it; but in 1899-'01, under the wise administration of its energetic pas- tor it more than doubled its membership, paying all assessments in full. Dur- ing his second term at Huntersville he inaugurated the Park Place Mission School, which has very bright prospects before it.
In person, engaging; in manner, graceful; in heart, sympathetic; in habits, studious; in life, exemplary ; being fully in touch with the vital movements of the times; in the pulpit, simple, yet impressive. Souls are converted under his ministry. Possessing these qualities, all of his acquaintances predict for him a successful career as a minister of Jesus Christ. He is the pastor of Port Norfolk.
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REV. WILLIAM COCKE PACE.
Mr. Pace was born in Albemarle county, Va., April 26, 1867. Ilis par- ents are William W. and Jennie E. Pace, In 1870 his father moved to Elm- wood, near Bon Air, Chesterfield county, Va. When old enough he attended the schools of the neighborhood and of Richmond. Ile entered Randolph- Macon College in 1893, where he remained one session.
At the age of eighteen he made a profession of faith, and from that time he felt it his duty to work for the Master. Ile was licensed as a local preacher at the Quarterly Conference of West Chesterfield Circuit, held at Hopewell church May 6, 1893.
He was admitted into the Virginia Conference on trial at the session held at Charlottesville in . November, 1894, was ordained deacon at the session of . the Conference held at Lynchburg in November, 1896, and was ordained elder at the session held at Portsmouth in November, 1898. Since his ad- mission into the Conference Mr. Pace has served the following charges: Bates- ville Circuit as junior preacher till April, 1895; then was transferred to Scottsville Circuit to succeed Rev. J. W. Hilldrup, deceased; subsequently he served Whealton, Surry, Staunton River and Ridgeway Circuits. His pres- ent field of labor is West Franklin. IIe is fluent in the pulpit and in prayer, and preaches with great carnestness.
In 1897 Mr. Pace married Miss Rebecca Duncan Emory, a popular Chris- tian lady of Surry county, Va.
REV. GEORGE W. WATKINS.
Mr. Watkins received his first appointment from Bishop W. W. Duncan, at the late Conference session in Norfolk. His first charge-Meadows of Dan Mission-is one in which he will have abundant opportunity to show what is in him.
lle is of pious parentage and blood relation to a family which has sent out many Methodist preachers. He is the son of George L. and Hettie Watkins. York is his native place. In his fourth year he was left an orphan and fell into the hands of an aged grandmother, who cared for him tenderly until her in- firmities rendered her helpless. Thence he was taken to Mathews county, where, in the pious Methodist home of Hazael and Virginia Indgins, near Bethel church, he was brought up as one of their own children. The influence of this home had an indelible impression on his character and life. From the Chris- tian view-point he learned habits of obedience, reverence, punctuality, and economy which have furnished their quota to the "making of the man." He entered the Sunday-school at seven, and received soon thereafter his first dis- tinet and lasting religious impressions, which culminated in his early "teens" in a clear-ent conversion. As he yielded himself up to the wooings of the Spirit, he felt a sweet persuasion that God for Christ's sake had accepted him and that he was His child. He felt the call to the ministry at fourteen, but shrank from it on account of its weighty obligation. For nine years he sought to banish the
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