USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 9
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His sermons abound in the most sublime truths, with the most exalted senti- ments of piety and devont gratitude; his illustrations are remarkable for intro- ducing the best lessons from incidental objects and occasions ; his prayers alone, so effectual and fervent in spirit, are a benediction.
Loved and respected by all good people, they feel, indeed, that he is with them in the spirit of the Lord when he says, "I am your servant for Jesus' sake." Eternity alone will reveal the vast amount of good of this most faith- ful and consecrated worker.
REV. HENRY CHAPMAN BOWLES.
He is indeed "one of the salt of the earth." It might suffice to say that the salt had lost none of its savor, and that Mr. Bowles is still on the Lord's side and has forsaken none of the early landmarks, but remains true to the teachings of Paul, of Wesley, of Asbury, of Early.
Mr. Bowles is a native of Bedford county, Virginia, the son of Benjamin and Jane Bowles, and was born November 20, 1831. ITis parents are of an ancient and honorable family. In early life he learned the truths of Christianity and the beanties of holiness. ITis young heart readily espoused them and made them his motto through life. When a youth he became a minister of Christ in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and for years he served faithfully and efficiently, as many in Virginia Methodism will verify. He, like other pure and patriotic men of our Commonwealth, when the war between the States com- meneed, felt it his duty to offer his services to his country. He was a good sol- dier. His health gave way, and, after an honorable service, he had to return to his heath with a broken-down constitution.
Though unfit for the exposure and hardships of a soldier's life, his heart was still in the work of the ministry. He applied for work at the Conference in Petersburg in 1862, was assigned to Brunswick Circuit, and in that field re. suined his ministerial labors. From that day Mr. Bowles has given his whole heart to the service of his Master on various fields-Brunswick, Mecklenburg, Prince Edward, Slate River, Spotsylvania, Halifax, Second Street ( Ports- mouth), Patrick, Franklin and Henry .- until his health became so much im-
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REV. RICHARD M. CHANDLER.
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paired that he had to ask a place of rest. He had for several years been on the supermerary list of the Conference, and recently has been superannated.
As a preacher, Mr. Bowles is far above the average in the Conference. In his discourses he is earnest, always understands his subject, and presses his points with intelligence and zeal. To do this it seems to require of him a great sacrifice of physical force. He seems to be neonseions of his broken-down constitution, fights against the inevitable, and preaches whenever he can.
In 1869, on October 27th, he was united in marriage with Miss Sue C. Cobbs, danghter of John R. Cobbs, Esq., of Patrick county, Virginia. By this mar- riage he has three daughters and two sons, promising children, to cheer and comfort their parents.
Brother Bowles is still at work. He cannot be idle. He is a man of fine edneation, and is the principal of a graded school at Stuart, Virginia, where he is not only acceptable, but useful and popular.
REV. ROBERT ASBURY COMPTON, A. M.
In any assembly Robert Asbury Compton would attract attention. He is six feet one and a half inches in height, well-built, hair light, eyes ble, of fair complexion, one hundred and sixty pounds in weight, of good vet not robust health. He stands ercet, with no awkward or slovenly bearing. His likeness, as found in this volume, will disclose all else that is necessary to enable the reader to form a just conception of his fine, manly appearance.
Mr. Compton possesses vigor of intellect, combined with enltured taste and scholarly acquirements. The superior facilities offered for preparation for his calling were not neglected, and the result is manifest in a useful, instructive and edifying ministry. Ilis sermons are clear, analytical, forcible, with occa- sional embellishment that lights up the discussion and pleases while it rivets the truth upon the mind of the hearer. His delivery is earnest. With a more flexi- ble voice, the studied discourse would produce a profounder effect. In disposi- tion he is modest and retiring, yet as kindly and genial as the sunshine. Discreet, independent, strong in his friendships, true to his convictions, courteous in his demeanor, he is the impersonation of a Christian gentleman. Ile commands the respeet and confidence of his brethren.
Ile was born in Granville county, North Carolina, May 21, 1841. He was the youngest son of Wm. and Luna M. Compton. His father, Win. Compton, was born in London, England. Leaving there when he was four years old and coming to this country, he was raised in Virginia. He was abont forty years an itinerant minister, the last years of his life being spent in the State of North Carolina, where his younger children were born,
The subject of this sketch, being left an orphan at tender years, was edneated under the supervision of his eldest brother-in-law, Rev. P. W. Areher, late of the Virginia Conference, now of Texas.
The last school attended by Mr. R. A. Compton, before entering Randolph- Macon College, was taught by Rev. James HI. Brent, in Roxboro, Person county, North Carolina, where Mr. Compton was converted in his sixteenth year. Ha soon became exercised about a call to the ministry, and, when prepared for col-
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REV. WILLIAM W. ROYALL, D. D.
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lege, entered Randolph-Macon, where he graduated with the degree of A. M. in June, 1862, and, with three others of a class of five, went into the ministry at once, serving for a few months as helper on the Mecklenburg Circuit before joining the Virginia Conference in November of that year. Since then he has served the following charges : Amelia, Brunswick and Lexington Circuits, one' year each as helper ; the West Amherst Circuit, two years, as preacher in charge ; Coalfield Circuit, Edenton Station, Murfreesboro Station, one year each ; Liberty Station, three years; Cambridge Station, one year; Smithfield and Benn's charge, two years; Central Station, Portsmouth, two years ; Lynn-Street Station, Danville, two years ; Elizabeth City, North Carolina, two years; Louisa Circuit, four years. He was then sent to Onancock Circuit, where he served four years ; then to East Norfolk four years; Mathews, two years; Churchland and West Norfolk, one year; 1897, to Blackstone, his present charge.
REV. JOSEPH B. MERRITT.
It is seldom that modesty hurts a public man in the long run. A certain undervaling of his own faculties has retarded Mr. Merritt. He has prime qualities of the head. If a certain force was put on him, he would astonish him- self, but not his best acquaintances. IIe passes for a capital companion and clever preacher, yet there is enough unworked ore to make up a great pulpit reputation. He has not "got his growth." He has served the appointments assigned him with fidelity, and to the reviving and increase of the Church.
When the sheaves are gathered, it will be found that this unobtrusive and faithful worker has won the right to sing the "Harvest Home." Many a sailor on distant waters the world over blesses the name of the Bethel Chaplain by the river Elizabeth, in Virginia.
Ile is the son of Daniel Tatum and Fannic E. Merritt, and was born near Black Walnut, Halifax county, Virginia, April 28, 1841. He is on his father's side of Welsh descent, and on his mother's, Scotch. His parents were pious members of the Methodist Church long before his birth, and brought him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He was converted under the ministry of Rev. D. M. Wallace, and joined the church at Bold Spring, South of Dan Circuit, in the year 1860; was licensed to preach in April, 1862, by the Quar- terly Conference of said circuit, joining the Virginia Conference at Petersburg, Virginia, in November of the same year. He was sent as helper to Charlotte Circuit, the succeeding Conference year. The next year he traveled Lunenburg Circuit, with Rev. R. Michaels as senior preacher ; then two years on Brunswick Circuit-the first with Rev. L. S. Reed and the second with Rev. R. Michaels again. Three of these years were times of especial trial-the civil war was raging.
At the Conference of 1866 he was appointed to Patrick Circnit, where he served two years. At the close of these years he was married to Miss Ella Lyon, daughter of Major Daniel Lyon, of Petersburg, Virginia, and went to Eastville Circuit, remaining there two years. The Church, especially the Sunday-schools, enjoyed great prosperity. Thenee to West Amherst Cirenit one year; two to Amherst Cirenit ; one year each to Smithfield, West Dinwiddie and Sussex; two
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REV. CHARLES D. CRAWLEY.
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years at Conquest and Guilford ; and at the close of these years to Second-Street. Portsmouth. In 1881 he became Chaplain at the Seamen's Bethel, which is his present charge.
REV. THOMAS H. EARLY.
The disciple whom Jesus loved has counterpart in this member of the class of 1837. Mr. Early went at onee into the hearts of his fellows in the Confer- enee, while winning upon the affections of all his parishoners. " He had the mag- netism that drew men. It is rare that one so young in the ministry grew se rapidly in all the powers that make a fruitful life. To the dismay of himself and his friends, he was smitten of disease in his vocal organs. The skill of supe- rior medical men has been exerted in vain to heal. Cut off from the pulpit, he continued to labor with the zeal of an apostle wherever occasion offered or he could make opportunity. His life has been as an ointment poured forth. He has been active in all good ways. His counsels and prayers have blessed thou- sands.
Ile is the son of the late Bishop John Early, inheriting the firmness and prudence of his great father, and going beyond him in the sweet courtesies of life. Age mellows and sweetens his heart. His home is in Lynchburg, Virginia.
REV. HENRY CLAY CHEATHAM.
In 1857, at Elizabeth City, North Carolina, there entered the Virginia Con- ference a large class of men above the average in endowments and cultivation. It has been rather a notable company. They have made their mark in the Con- ference. By comnon consent, the first place in natural powers has been assigned to Cheatham. Hle had the most meagre opportunity to gain even the rudiments of learning-only two sessions at school before beginning to preach. When the storehouse of knowledge was opened to him, his hungry mind fed with a rave- nous appetite, and fattened as it fed. At this day he has at command choice and winnowed erops from many fields of thought and investigation. It would be difficult to find a minister better equipped in this department for his calling. In the pulpit he is the master of a compact, vivid and piercing eloquence. In denouncing vice, the face of brass itself would quail before his hot and plunging shot. As a controversialist, on platform or in print, he is a match for the keenest seimiter in the land. His style in edge and verve falls not far behind the best of Annius. In discharging his conscience of a duty he never takes counsel of fear. Ile is true as steel in his friendship. He abhors even the appearance of fawning for favor. He seldom takes part in the business of the Conference. Hle is a quiet, silent man. He is a native of Charlotte county, Virginia, and the son of Elkanah Hampton Cheatham and Lucy Cheatham. His mother's maiden name was Halely. He was born November 12, 1834, and was converted under
REV. RICHARD B. SCOTT.
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the ministry of Rev. Charles H. Boggs, at AAppomattox Courthouse, about August 1, 1853, and at once united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South." Ahnost immediately after his conversion he felt moved to preach the Gospel. His friends were also convinced that this was to be his life-work. He was licensed as a local preacher September 1, 1855. He was received on trial into the Virginia Conference in November, 1857. He served as junior preacher on the London Cireuit in 1858-'59.
In November, 1859, he was ordained a deacon and received in full connection. Ile served the Fairfax Cirenit in 1860, and the Stafford Circuit in 1861. During this latter year he was married, on August 15th, to Mrs. Emma D. Dabney, whose maiden name was Llewellyn. At the Conference held this year, 1861, in Norfolk city, he was ordained an elder. From this Conference he was ap- pointed to the Spotsylvania Circuit for the next year, 1862, but could not re- main on the circuit by reason of the presence of the Federal army. He traveled Batesville Cirenit in 1863, and the Albemarle Circuit in 1864-'65. IIe served the Cumberland-Street church, in Norfolk, during 1866-'67, and traveled tho Nottoway Circuit in 1868. In the fall of this year his health entirely failed, and during the two following years, 1869-'70, he did no ministerial work. For a long time he was so extremely ill, and such was the nature of his affection, that many of his friends thought it impossible that he should ever recover; and he Himself aseribes his recovery to the special interposition of God in answer to the prayers of his friends. Having been placed on the effective list, though still very feeble in health, he served the church in Berkeley City in 1871, and the elnich in Hampton in 1872. From 1878 to 1876, inelusive, four years, ho served the U'union Station elmirch, in Richmond, Virginia. He was at Centenary, in Lynchburg, in 1877-78. In 1880 he labored on Prospect Circuit. He has since served Gloucester Circuit, Union Station ( Richmond ), Centenary ( Lynch- burg ), Market-Street ( Petersburg), Hampton, Suffolk, Martinsville, and Hay- good and Lynnhaven, his present pastorate.
REV. JAMES ERASMUS McSPARRAN.
Mr. MeSparran has served the Church in the last forty-three years with faithfulness and crowning success, bringing in a great company of converts and building the walls of Zion. God has given testimony to his labors. His sermons are of well-seasoned material, firmly joined and built up into a strong edifice, and not withont grace. The temporal interest is kept well in hand and cared for. Churches prosper in his charge.
Mr. MeSparran is robust and firmly built. He has in this stout anatomy a fitting energy of soul that gives him leadership and victory in his movements for the defence or building-up of Zion. There is solidity in his work and thorough- nessiin his conduct of the spiritual and temporal concerns. There is an inherent steadfastness of purpose and untiring vigor that can cope with the most refrac- tory obstacles to success. There are few difficulties and obstructions to Church advance he cannot overcome. He has wrought well. His invincible qualities are recognized and honored. In pioncer days he would have forced a place for Methodism with unwavering exertious.
REV. BENJAMIN S. HIERRINK.
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Ile was born in the county of Albemarle, Virginia, July 24, 1833. He was converted under the ministry of Rev. Ballard E. Gibson, in the year 1853, at Chestnut Grove church, in the village of Earlysville, one of the appointments in the Albemarle Cirenit, of which Mr. Gibson had charge. Over fifty persons embraced religion at that meeting-among whom were the mother, brother and two sisters of the subject of this sketch, three of whom have passed away, to- gether with his father and two other brothers, leaving only himself and youngest sister.
Soon after making a profession of religion he was exercised in mind on the subject of a call to the ministry; but such was the defectiveness of his mental training, together with extreme diffidence, as to cause him to doubt the genuine- ness of his convictions on that subject. While thus exercised he seemed to be divinely led to engage as colporteur for the American Tract. Society, through the recommendation of a friend, and remained in its service till November, 1857. This led to his license to exhort and preach, and also a recommendation to the Conference, without any solicitation on his part-in which he saw the band of God. In 1857 he was received into the Virginia Conference and ap- pointed to serve with Rev. J. D. Lumsden on Princess Anne Circuit.
He was the victim of severe temptations to abandon the ministry. Ilis senior at first treated the matter with ridicule, till he found the junior bent on for- saking the work. He took the young man in a room and told him of a similar experience while on his first charge. They began to pray. The silence was only broken by the mental struggle, sometimes andible, while pleading for light. Lumsden arose and directed the junior to go to the Sunday appointment, and return to the parsonage and report on Monday. After some urging, Mr. Mc- Sparran started to the Sabbath service. The darkness and doubt were dissi- pated. Lumsden met him, peered into his face, saw the change, and laughingly said, "I knew what the sequel would be."
Strange to say, in the midst of revivals that year disturbing doubts came as to the Christian religion. By an accident, appointments for protracted meetings at two different places on the same Sunday had been given out. It was arranged that if one failed he should quit and join the other. The junior began. There was no one to lead in singing (he could not) and but one or two to pray in public. An "ontsider" started the hymns. The meeting lasted through the week, with no tidings from Lumsden. Result: twenty-seven converts; twenty- seven additions-ten of whom were converted instantaneously while the preacher was leading in praver at the last service. His own doubts vanished.
Nearly thirty years passed, and Mr. MeSparran was again on Princess Anne. The converts of that meeting-some in Heaven and the others faithful. The story has a moral: Resist the Devil-do your duty-and he will flee.
REV. DANIEL G. C. BUTTS.
Ile is the son of Colonel Augustine C. and Anna Maria Butts, and was born October 10, 1848, at Roslin, Brunswick county, Va,, the residence of Rev. John G. Claiborne, his maternal grandfather. . His boyhood was spent in Brunswick and Greenesville counties and in Petersburg. He was converted in 1862, during
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1. REV. H. C. BOWLES.
4. REV. J. L. CLARKE. 7. REV. J. W. CRIDER. 10. REv. T. J. BAYTON.
2. REV. T. H. EARLY.
5. Rev. C. H. BoGos.
8. REV. R. A. COMPTON. 11. REV. J. B. MERRITT.
6. REV. H. C. CHEATHAM. 9. REV. J. E. MOSPARRAN. 12. REV. OSCAR LITTLETON.
3. REV. J. B. DEY.
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SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
a revival at Market Street church, Petersburg, under the ministry of Rev. R. N. Sledd. Impressed with the conviction that he must preach the Gospel, like " Jonah, he fled from the presence of the Lord, and went, not to Tarshish, but to the West. A sad decline in his religious life followed. After severe providen- tial visitations, he decided not only to be a Christian, but to preach. He re- turned to Petersburg, and soon saw Dr. Granbery, then in charge of Market Street church, and told him his troubles. The pastor gave him wise counsel and suitable books. On the fourth Sunday afternoon in January, 1868, Mr. Butts attended the young men's prayer meeting at Washington Street church. Brother James Blanks was the leader. One after another spoke, until Mr. Butts eould sit still no longer. He arose and told them that God had called him to preach, and he wanted them to pray for his conversion. Brother Blanks called to
prayer and asked Mr. Butts to lead. He was astonished, confused, but tried. Presently the clouds which Inng over his sont began to disappear, the Sun of Righteousness shone in dazzling splendor through his whole being, and the peace of God filled his heart. On May 1st he was appointed agent at Stony Creek depot, on the Petersburg and Weldon railroad. He secured board in the Christian family of Rev. James A. Riddick, under whose direction he read theology until October 1st, when, by the help of his grandfather, Rev. Jolm G. Claiborne, he went to Randolph-Macon College, at Ashland, Va. While here, on March 9, 1869, he was licensed by the Rev. Jacob Manning as a local preacher at a Quarterly Meeting held at North Run church, Hanover Cireuit. At the close of the session he went to Gloucester Cireuit and labored with Rev. E. M. Peterson, pastor, until October, and then returned to college. Caroline Cirenit wanted to send two young men to college, provided they would preach on the cirenit on Sunday. Mr. P. C. Archer, now of the North Texas Confer- ence, and Mr. Butts were chosen. It was necessary that one of them should join the Conference, and the lot fell on Mr. Butts. In 1871 he was sent to Montross Circuit, and returned there in 1872. He was married on November 13, 1872. to Miss A. Emma Swann, the daughter of Dr. George F. Swann, an influential Methodist and steward at Rehoboth elmreh, in Caroline Circuit. In 1873 he was sent to the Heathsville Circuit, where he remained four years. During his stay here the people bought a parsonage and paid for it. In 1877 he was appointed to the King George Circuit, and his ministry was attended with gracions revivals and inch prosperity. In 1881 he was sent to the Middlesex Cirenit and in 1885 he was sent to Princess Anne Cirenit, and in both of these fields of labor he achieved, under God, a success every way equal to that which had marked his previous ministerial life. In 1887 he was placed in charge of Wright Memorial church, Portsmouth, Virginia, where he served three years, loved and respected by his people.
The last dollar of the debt on the beautiful building was paid before the elose of his second year ; forty-one of its most substantial members were added under his ministry, and his salary was increased from $1, 100 to $1,400. "The Sun- day-School Workers" were organized by him and raised $700 as a foundation fimd for the new building on Randolph street.
In 1890 Mr. Butts was sent to Mathews Circuit, one of the best charges in the Conference. Here during a pastorate of four years it is said that he did the work of his life and lifted the church to a higher plane of material prosperity. Two churches-"Bethel" and "Salem"-were enlarged and improved, and a new one-"St. Paul's"-built in the place of "Point." In November, 1894, he
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REV. WILLIAM HI. ATWILL.
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was sent to Accomae Circuit, in the northern part of Accomae county, composed of Temperanceville, Sanford, Guilford and Thomas's.
The Bloxom Circuit was planned by Brother Butts and a lot secured at Bloxom Station for a parsonage and a chapel. The parsonage was built before Conference met, and a chapel has since been erected on the lot.
In November, 1595, he was sent to Albemarle and remained three years. The mountain work hindered his pastoral instincts, and in 1898 he was returned to the seacoast, where he had served twenty-five years, and placed in charge of that grand old circuit of historic deeds and memories-Gloucester. He is entering upon his third year on this charge, and has spent the two in improving church property, as usual.
During his ministry of thirty years, Mr. Butts has superintended the begin- ning, erection or completion of "Providence," in Westmoreland ; "Bethany," in Northumberland; "Grace," in King George; "Centenary" and "Bethel," in Middlesex, and "Providence," in Princess AAnne, besides the churches already mentioned above, and he clears the debt as he builds, except at Bloxom.
Rev. D. G. C. Butts is somewhat under the medium size-in height about five feet and five inches, yet compactly and strongly built. He is capable of en- durance, works hard and stands the drain upon his energies without fatigue. Few men can perform the same amount of toil with equal case. His complexion is dark, eyes of a hazel caste, hair black, prematurely threaded with gray. His carriage is as of one who enjoys life. Intellectually, he possesses powers, in many respects, of rare worth. If he were not so diffident and mistrustful of his own ability, he would show to greater advantage. He is quick in his perceptions, full of humor, genial in disposition, as confiding as a child and an excellent com- panion. Men seek him and trust in him. Strange is it that one whose presence brings so much sunshine to others should ever be subject to a moment's de- spondency. His sermons are Always good, often of great power. His delivery is earnest without being impassioned. Occasionally there are sallies of wit in his discourses, which enliven rather than detract from the impression of the thought which he presents. It is a question whether any Methodist preacher in Virginia has smelted ore and hammered out such an assortment of superior structural material, bending and bolting it into sermons of steel, as this miner in theology and machinist in discourses. He never is debtor to the forge of another Carnegie. Withal, he is devoted to his Master and to the work assigned him, and continually grows in all the qualifications of a useful minister.
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