USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 8
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In 1871 Mr. Rhodes married Mrs. Fleming, daughter of Alfred Poole, a prominent Methodist of Spottsylvania. She was a noble woman, a firm Metho- dist. and suited for her station in life. She died in July, 1884. In December, 1885, he married Miss Deering, of Rappahannock, who now adorns his home.
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REV. JESSE T. WHITLEY.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
REV. JESSE T. WIHTLEY. 1
The Rev. Jesse Thompson Whitley is a "Tidewater" Virginian, born in Nan- semond county, near Suffolk, February 6, 1850. It is said that the fish and oysters of this region, rich in phosphorus, have nourished the brains of a great part of the men who have rendered Virginia famous. There are, we are afraid, many "reasonable doubts" as to this piscatory theory ; but J. T. Whitley got a large quantity of brains somehow, whether they are of phosphoric origin or "came just so."
Ilis father, Mills W. Whitley, was a man of intelligence and piety, a mem- ber of the Methodist Protestant Church, but died when the subject of this sketch was less than seven years old. His mother, Margaret A. Whitley, was a devout Baptist, and endeavored to train her children to lead prayerful and godly lives.
Althongh spending his childhood thus under Baptist influences, when he pro- fessed conversion, in August, 1865, under the ministry of the Rev. William B. Wellons, of the Christian denomination, he connected himself with that body-a Church which should not be confounded with the "Disciples," as it is a branch of the great Methodist family, originating in what is known in Methodist his- tory as "the O'Kelly schism." Some years of his early Christian life were spent as bookkeeper and general assistant to the Rev. Mr. Wellons, in the publication of the Christian Sun, at Suffolk, Va. In the fall of 1869, having already pur- sned a course of study in private schools, he entered Richmond College, where he spent three sessions, graduating in some departments and doing valuable work in others. He then entered the ministry in the Christian denomination, being licensed to preach in 1869, and ordained an elder in November, 1871. Ile soon distinguished himself, both as a preacher and a writer, and was for some years, succeeding the death of Dr. Wellons, editor of the Christian Sun, the organ of the denomination. The main and distinctive feature of that relig- ious body is the advocacy of organic union among Protestant Churches. Years of thought on this subject led Mr. Whitley to the conclusion that the Church with which he was connected only added one more to the already too numerous branches of Methodism. Ile thought that practical union must come, if at all, by the drawing together, first, of the various sub-divisions of the great Protestant bodies, and then there might be hope of union among these great bodies themselves. Accordingly, in March, 1879, he formally withdrew from the Christian denomination and connected himself with the parent body of the religious family to which he had always belonged, being received into the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in session at. Salem, Va., March 8, 1879. In November of that year he was transferred to the Western Virginia Conference, and stationed in the city of Parkersburg. His next charge was Catlettsburg, Ky., in the same Conference. In 1881, having been elected Chaplain to the University of Virginia, he was transferred to the Virginia Conference, and appointed to that institution. At the elose of the regular two-years' term of the chaplainey, he was stationed, in Novem- ber, 1883, at Salisbury, Md., where he remained three years; and since then he has served in succession the following charges in the Virginia Conference: Elizabeth City, N. C. ; Ashland, Va. ; Trinity, Richmond ; Queen Street, Nor- folk ; Calvary, Danville; Broad Street, Richmond; Bedford City; and First
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REV. ALBERT C. BERRYMAN.
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church, Hampton, from which, after serving four years, he goes to Centenary, Lynchburg, Va.
We have already intimated that Mr. Whitley had not a full collegiate train- ing. Nevertheless, he is a far more thorough scholar than many who have had such advantages. Hle is well versed in the classics, well grounded in He- brew, and as an English scholar has few equals even among educated men. In science, his attainments are respectable; in philosophy, he may be called profond. The greater part of this learning has been acquired by his own private study.
In theology he has worked his own way. He had no seminary training and very little private help. He has read most widely and deeply; but, above all, he has observed and thought. He need fear no comparison with the best trained men among his brethren. In the pulpit he is not so much an orator as a thinker and teacher. Ilis style is elegant, nervous, limpid, purc. The thoughtful, in hearing him, find food for still deeper thought, while his sim- plicity is such that the most ignorant need not go empty away. But he preaches, not to show his learning, or philosophy, or rhetorical elegance, but to make men wise unto salvation. He will never be a "sensation preacher." Probably he could not be; certainly he would not be. Yet he does not judge over-harshly of men who are. What God has given him, that he would use to God's glory. What God has withheld, he envies not in other men.
In person he is not above the medium size, nor below it. Lithe, aetive, easy in his bearing, affable in manner, a good conversationalist, a methodical pastor, he is a thorough gentleman in outward manner and inward feeling.
In November, 1872, Mr. Whitley was happily united in marriage with Miss Mattie S. Cathon, of Suffolk, Va., who has proved a faithful and worthy com- panion and helper to him in his work. Two daughters, Mary Esther and An- nie MeTyeire, brighten the home and cheer the parental hearts.
The compiler of this volune is indebted for this portraiture and for its many biographical details to the pen of one not of his religious denomination, but who knows Mr. Whitley better, perhaps, than any other living man.
REV. B. E. LEDBETTER.
Mr. Ledbetter is of good Virginia stock-the Ledbetters of Brunswick and the Herndons of Fredericksburg. For a century and more this family has been represented in the "traveling connection."
Mr. Ledbetter is the son of Rev. N. W. Ledbetter, a member of the South Carolina Conference. Cokesburry is the birthplace of our Ledbetter, His first religious impressions came from the teaching of a devout mother. In early life he was converted and joined the church. He was educated at the Alabama Military Institute. At the beginning of the war he enlisted in "the Army of Northern Virginia" as an artillerist, and fought to the finish.
IFeeding the divine call, he was licensed to preach September, 1869, surrender- ing his profession (the law) and volunteering for the itinerant ranks. He con- nected himself with the North Georgia Conference in December of that year. His health suffered from a humid elimate, and he secured a transfer by Bishop
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REV. WILLIAM W. LEAR.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Duncan to the Virginia Conference in 1891. He has served the West Amherst, Lancaster, and Bedford Springs charges, and is now conducting the Campbell " Cirenit. "Ilis record classes him with the wise and worthy workers in Southern Methodism."
A person could not be in Mr. Ledbetter's company many minutes before it be- came apparent that he was associating with a Southern gentleman. The quiet car- riage, the native civility, the poise of mind, lets it come out that a man superior to all smallness is present. The genuine Southerner is reserved, seldom loud of voice, but alert to the situation, never stooping to inferior things. Mr. Led- better's manner, if his birthplace was unknown, would register him as "South of the Line."
Ilis native powers, education, connection with stirring events, matured thoughts, garnered opinions of best minds have equipped him-with resources of value in his sacred calling.
We have no preacher who seems so indifferent to filling show-windows with spangled wares or hanging gaudy goods on hooks before the door. There is something of the Moslem merchant in him. ITis rare silks and rich shawls are behind curtains-nothing in plate glass cases on the side walls. When the occa- sion is fit, Mr. Ledbetter "brings out of his treasure things new and old." He furnishes "the fat of the kidneys of wheat" in his pulpit ministrations. He is happily married.
REV. THOMAS JEFFERSON BAYTON.
The guidance of Providence in men's lives is ever a source of wonder and praise. The hand of God was upon this Virginia preacher when young, turn- ing his feet to that path of usefulness which he has followed with fidelity and success. Ile had work for him, and IIe chose him for it. In various sections of our territory the fruits of his labors can be found, to the praise of the Master, to the honor of the minister and the strengthening of the Church. He is a native of Norfolk county, Va. His parents were not professors of religion; consequently, he received no religious training. With the family, he regularly at- tended divine service at the Protestant Episcopal church in the city of Ports- mouth, where his father was a pew-holder and regular contributor to the church ; but here he received no particular religious impressions. His father died when he was about ten years of age. He was then boarded in the city of Portsmouth with an Episcopal family and sent to school, and here he continued to attend the Protestant Episcopal church and. Sabbath-school. Subsequently he was thrown among the Methodists in the same town, and then, for the first time, he began to attend worship at the Methodist church-at which time the Rev. G. M. Keesee was pastor of the church-when Rev. Dr. Leonidas Rosser came to the city to assist the pastor in a series of meetings, which resulted in a won- derful and gracious revival of religion. At this meeting the subject of this sketch was happily converted to God in his fifteenth year, and in about a month connected himself with the Methodist Church. When he was abont eighteen years of age he was made leader of two classes-one among the whites and the . other colored. About this time he became the subject of deep and serious im-
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REV. JOSEPH T. MASTIN.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
pressions, but did not reveal his exercises to any one. He was frequently con- versed with by his pastor and brethren, who urged him to obey the call and enter " upon the work of preaching the Gospel, from which he shrank with fear and trembling, feeling his entire unfitness for such a solemn and responsible work; but after a long and sore conflict, meh prayer and heart-searching, he con- sented to obey what he honestly believed to be a call from God, and set about the work of preparation for a proper discharge of the functions of his high and holy calling. In July, 1846, he was licensed to exhort. In October of the same year he was recommended by the Quarterly Conference of the Richmond Station-the sainted Cowles being the Presiding Elder-to the Annual Con- ference as a suitable person to preach the Gospel in the itinerant field. At the Conference of 1846, held at Randolph-Macon College, he was received on trial, with a class of six others, of whom, he alone remains among the living. In about one month he entered upon the active duties of his sacred calling, and from that day, until the Conference held at Petersburg, November, 1891, when he was granted a superammated relation, he regularly received an appointment from the Bishop, and performed the work committed to his hands. He resides in the city of Portsmouth, Va. Truly, the Lord has led him by a way he knew not, and to His holy name all honor is due.
REV. JOHN BONNEY DEY.
In public and in private his feet seek for the central track of the narrow way. ITis faults lean to virtue's side. His eye is single. He would have pleased the heart of the striet but wise St. Bernard. He is the Cato of the Conference. He has been an omnivorous reader. ITis profiting appears to every audience. Ile offers only the "well-beaten oil," and it is perfumed by a heavenly fragrance. Ilis sermons please the taste and stir the heart. He has served the Church for forty-three years in the county, town, city and on the district. He was agent of the Tract Society of the Confederate army. He is a native of Virginia, and in his seventy-sixth year. Now superannuated, and living in Lunenburg county, Virginia.
REV. OSCAR LITTLETON.
He holds a firm position in the Conference ranks as a wise and careful dis- ciplinarian, a preacher of uncommon powers, and a Christian with a single eye and of deep devotion-a minister with a spotless and fruitful record. Ilis social virtues have won a large circle of friends, among them the members of the Conference, and his ability commands the consideration of all.
Hle was born in Leesburg, Loudoun county, Va., September 26, 1830, and converted at the age of sixteen, under the ministry of Rev. John S. Martin, of the Baltimore Conference. At this time not a member of his father's family was a professing Christian ; but God soon employed his conversion as the means of bringing his father, mother and sister to Christ, and all joined the Church at the same time. Through the influence of a pious lady he was very early in
REV. WILLIAM IL. RIDDICK.
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life brought into the Sunday-school, where for years he was carefully instructed by teachers whose names he will never cease to rovere. He now looks upon the Sunday-school as his foster-mother, who early nourished his young sont with the Bread of Life, and finally brought him to Christ and into the ministry.
From the time of his conversion until he entered the ministry, he does not remember a single occasion when he failed in his attendance upon the Sun- day-school, the class-meeting and the young men's prayer-meeting, if it was at all in his power to be present ; and these means of grace he regards as having had a powerful influence in forming his Christian character.
When about eighteen years of age, under the ministry of Rev. T. L. Hoyle, of the Virginia Conference, he was granted license to exhort; but from this he shrunk to such an extent that he never exercised his gifts in that way upon more than one or two occasions.
After much persuasion, he consented to enter upon the great work of a Metho- dist preacher for life. The persnasion was not necessary to convinee him that God had called him to the ministry-of that he has never had a doubt- but it was necessary to satisfy his mind that he ought to begin such a work at so early a period of his life and with so little preparation. At the time he ae- tually began he was only nineteen years and six months old, and when sent to his first cirenit had never even attempted to preach a sermon. Ilis first work was given him by Rev. J. H. Davis, Presiding Elder of the Fredericksburg District, Virginia Conference, as the helper of the honored and aged Joseph Carson, on the Fauquier and Stafford Circuit. His first attempt at preaeh- ing was in Stafford Courthouse, standing in the place oceupied by the judge when the court was in session. It was in the afternoon of the third Sunday. in March, 1850, Brother Carson being present. This effort, which was ae- connted by all a failure, lasted only twenty minutes. Brother Carson, without intending it, added to the mortification of the young preacher by saying: "Brethren, this is the youth-and you all see he is a youth-who has been sent by the Presiding Elder to try and labor with us during the balance of the year."
In November, 1850, he was received on trial into the Virginia Conference and sent to Warrenton Cireuit, under Rev. Martin A. Dunn. After this year he assumed the responsibilities of the ministry alone. He has filled, with varied snecess, the following appointments: Gosport Station, Farmville Sta- tion (at two different periods), Loudoun Circuit, Clay Street, Richmond, and Manchester Stations, Smithfield, Louisa, Henrico, Amelia, Cumberland, At- lantie, Pingoteague, Gloucester and Madison Cireuits. In 1880 he beeame Presiding Elder of Danville Distriet ; in 1884, pastor High Street, Petersburg; 1886, Presiding Elder of Farmville Distriet ; 1890, Presiding Elder of Char- lottesville District ; 1894, Lynchburg District; 1898, Chesterfield Circuit; 1900, Oaklette and Bethel.
During the fifty years of his ministry he has been instrumental in the eonver- sion of many souls. In one year alone, on Pungoteagne Circuit, he received two hundred and fifty members into the Church.
ITis marital relations have been exceedingly pleasant and profitable, both to him and his work. In November, 1855, he was united in mariage to Miss Martha E. Bernard, danghter of Brother Overton Bernard, of Norfolk, Va. She passed away in great triumph in September, 1865, leaving three children. He was married to Miss Alice M. Bernard June 18, 1868. who also a few years ago joined "the choir invisible" in the heavens,
REV. NATHAN B. FOUSHEE.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
REV. CHARLES H. BOGGS.
Charles Henry Boggs was born in the town of Greeneastle, in the beautiful "Cumberland Valley" of Pennsylvania, December 27, 1830. His father was Dr. John Boggs, an eminent physician-a man widely known and loved for his intellectual and moral worth ; his mother, Isabella Craig Allison-a woman of great strength and beauty of character. As the names indicate, they were of Scotch-Irish descent and, of course, Presbyterian. They had eight children, whom they endeavored to rear "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
The subject of this sketch attended the schools of his native town until suffi- eiently advanced in years and books, when he was sent to West Jersey Col- legiate School, at Mount Holly, New Jersey. On finishing the course here he entered Pennsylvania College. It was the earnest desire of his father that he should become a physician, and, with that in view, he bequeathed to him a fine medical library, instruments, ete. In accordance with this expressed wish, he commenced the study of medicine, reading in the office of Dr. William R. Weisiger, in Manchester, Va .- his brother, Rev. F. J. Boggs, having in charge the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at that place. His life up to this time had been excessively free and easy, not to say reckless.
Soon after beginning his studies here the Church and community were visited by a special religious interest. Not a few in the village and surrounding neigh- borhood entered upon the new life, and among them the young brother of the pastor. Ile was soundly converted, and from the first felt an irresistible im- pulse to preach the Gospel. Resolving to give himself to the work, he aban- doned the study of medicine, and in his eighteenth year entered upon a course of reading to qualify himself for the responsible work before him. He was directed in his studies by his brother, Rev. F. J Boggs, Dr. Nelson Head and Rev. G. W. Langhorne. He made rapid progress in the study of theology, and in 1851 was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of High Street church, Petersburg. In the fall of the same year he was admitted on trial in the Virginia Conference at Alexandria, and sent to Lexington Circuit. Appo- mattox was his next field; then Goochland; next, King William. In 1857 he was transferred to West Virginia Conference, and traveled Monroe Cireuit one year. Ile returned to the Virginia Conference in 1858, and traveled Caro- line Circuit. When the war broke out, and our lovely Southern land was laid waste and desolated, he, contrary to the advice and importunities of kindred and the friends of his youthful years, enlisted in the weaker cause, and was commissioned Chaplain of the Ninth Virginia cavalry, serving faithfully until the close of the war, when he located on his farm in King William county, continuing, however, to preach every Sabbath, and giving a home and help to all the ministers placed in charge of King William Circuit.
In 1871 he moved to Missouri, connecting himself with the West St. Louis Conference, and remained in active work for four years, serving successively the churches of Dover, Brownsville and Waverly. Then bereavement's dark hand was laid upon him, and, sorrow-stricken and homesick in this land of strangers, he turned his face once more to "Old Virginia," resuming work here, never to cease until the Father shall say, "It is enough ! Come up higher."
Since returning to the Virginia Conference he has served the Cireuits of Buekingham, two years; Cumberland, two years; Sussex, two years; Carters-
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REV. THOMAS G. PULLEN.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
ville, one year; Hanover, four years; Bowling Green, one year; Greene, two years ; Batesville, three years ; Norfolk Circuit, four years ; and Highland Park, two years. At the Conference of 189S he was placed on the superannuated list. He resides at Highland Park, a suburb of Richmond, Va., where he is growing old gracefully.
During a ministry of thirty-eight years he has never failed to have his labors rewarded with revivals of religion, and in connection with those labors and in answer to his prayers, God has granted much spiritual good to his Church.
He was married in 1857 to Miss Octavia Campbell, of Westmoreland county, Va. Five children blessed their union, three living to maturity, two daughters and one son, the latter a promising young minister of the Virginia Conference.
The subject of our brief and imperfect sketch, "Charlie" Boggs, as his friends love to call him, is a man of medium height, stout and compactly built; gray hair and beard ; a broad, intellectual forehead; dark blue eyes, which light up wonderfully in speaking; a mouth on which a smile loves to linger. He has a pleasant voice, and gestieulates well; is easy and dignified in the pulpit; a good speaker-he never fails to gain and hold the attention of his audience. Ile has many warm friends and admirers, and among all those lives here por- trayed there is no nobler heart, no sweeter every-day piety, no stronger faith than is demonstrated in the life of Charles II. Boggs.
REV. JOHN WESLEY CRIDER.
The venerable and late Rev. Jehu Hank, of the Baltimore Conference, whose noble characteristics live again in a son, a member of the Virginia Conference, took a fatherless boy of Pittsylvania county, Va., reared and educated him. The orphan became a minister, and on his first cirenit as junior participated in a Pentecostal revival, where nine hundred were converted. Mr. Crider loves to tell of the kindness of this noble Christian minister and his devoted wife, always affirming they should have the praise for any good that he may do in life. Mr. Crider joined the Church as a seeker, after deep conviction of sin, at the age of ten, and was converted four years afterwards. When approach- ing manhood he went South and prepared for the ministry under a divine call to that vocation. He joined the South Carolina Conference at Columbia on December 16, 1854. For seventeen years he continued a member of that body, with success attending his labors, and in some instances great displays of grace were manifested on the work. In 1871 he succumbed to the Southern fevers, and, by medical advice, sought the latitude of Piedmont Virginia. He returned to his native county of Pittsylvania, where he was born April, 1834, and rested during 1872. In 1873 he formed the East Franklin Cirenit, and was trans- ferred to the Virginia Conference. In 1874 he was assigned to the Henry Cir- enit, and continues in active service among us. In the forty-five years of his ministerial labors Mr. Crider quit him well of his charges. His social qualities and efficiency in the pulpit gave him success. In 1594 he was granted a superan- mated relation, and has since made his home in Norfolk, Va.
Ile is in height abont five feet five; in weight, ranging between one hundred and thirty and one hundred and thirty-five; in complexion, fair; light hair
REV. WILLIAM HENRY EDWARDS.
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and blue eyes. The amiable qualities of heart and spirituality of life can be seen in the earnestness of his honest, truthful face. His voice is pleasant and clear ; his style, original, concise and forcible -- thoroughly understood by all; his gestures, without effort, natural and easy; his mind, elevated and eunobled by an integrity established in sincerity and fortified by religion ; his general manner, dignified, earnest and thoughtful; truth and sincerity shine through- out his whole conduet ; in disposition, loving and kind; of liberal views and sympathetic nature, yet possessed of a firmness and decision of character un- surpassed in resisting anything that involves the principles of honor and truth, and any impeachment of his own religious principles and unblemished char- acter is sure to meet with a quick and righteous rebuke. He has convictions and is not afraid of them; speaks as a commissioned teacher, with the zeal of conviction and the authority of innocence. He is self-reliant and uncomplain- ing-never asking favors, but most grateful for sympathy when received.
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