USA > Virginia > Virginia Baptist ministers. 4th series, 1885-1902 > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
"On reviewing the early history of our educational ef- forts, I must say that for the amount of money expended, for the number of instructors employed, and for the mod- est outlay in buildings, up to the beginning of the Civil War, the Education Society and its successor, the Edu- cation Board, were most efficient factors in the improve- ment of our ministry, in the advancement of the Baptist cause, and in the general culture of the rising generation. Statistics will show about two hundred and forty young ministers, educated up to the point of usefulness, a re- spectable portion of them and of other young men gradu- ated, and a large number encouraged in elementary studies."
At the time of his resignation, the College had just come through the devastation of the Civil War and he
353
ROBERT RYLAND
felt that its rehabilitation could be more wisely entrusted to other hands. These quotations are from an address delivered at the College by Dr. Ryland at the commence- ment in 1890.
One of the notable services which Dr. Ryland rendered at this time was his work as pastor of the First African Church. About the year 1838 the First Baptist Church in Richmond found that its building was inadequate and poorly located and that the mixed congregation, white and colored, prevented the most effectual work. A new building was, therefore, erected on the present site and the old church was turned over to the negroes. The Virginia law forbade a negro church unless there was a white minister, and Dr. Ryland agreed to take charge of the church, because, among other reasons, "since the passage of the law by the Virginia Legislature forbid- ding all colored preachers to minister to their people in divine things, he felt that all the ministers of Christ, and especially those of his own denomination, were called on to put forth new efforts to evangelize the people of color." "He entered this field on the first Sunday in Oc- tober, 1841, and was cordially received by the whole con- gregation. A revised list of the actual members con- tained about one thousand. The thirty deacons who con- stituted the ruling element of the church were an intel- ligent, godly, and respectable body of men. He verily believed that in all their religious convocations they each and every one had at heart their own spiritual culture, the salvation of their people, the peace and order of so- ciety, and the glory of God." "In his preaching he sought to be instructive rather than pathetic, to dwell on the dis- tinctive doctrines and precepts of Christianity, rather than on its metaphysical refinements, and to preach out of their minds their dreams and fancies, their visions and revelations, and all their long-cherished superstitions, and
23
354
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
to preach into their minds a knowledge of the great facts of their religion and its consequent doctrine, obligations, and privileges." One illustration will indicate the effec- tiveness of his work. "An intelligent looking man, whose name I did not know, came to me at the close of the meeting one day and said with evident concern: 'Brother Ryland, you have preached away nearly all my religion. What is left is hanging by a thread.' 'What is that thread ?' I inquired. 'Jesus Christ died to save sinners. They must trust alone in Him,' he answered. 'Well, that thread,' said I, with a smile, 'is strong enough to hold
you up!' " "He wrote a catechism of fifty-two lessons for the benefit of the entire congregation. The questions were so formed as to require the answer 'Yes' or 'No,' and a passage of Scripture was then quoted to prove the answer. It is believed that much good resulted from memorizing at least one proof text on the various topics introduced into the lessons." Forty years after his resig- nation a Northern worker among the colored population in Richmond said she found the older people surprisingly well versed in Scripture knowledge. She asked the rea- son, and one of them replied: "Dr. Ryland taught us."
In 1865, Dr. Ryland resigned his pastorate, feeling that the emancipated negro would prefer a member of his own race as pastor. "From October 1, 1841, to July 1, 1865, the additions by baptism to the First African Church numbered 3,832. It was thought best to dis- courage a hasty profession of religion among them. An applicant for admission was required to bring testi- monials of good or improving character. Had the per- suasive instead of the restraining policy been pursued the number of baptisms might easily have been doubled. It seemed very important to impress, especially the younger candidates, with a deep sense of the fearful guilt of trifling with their souls and with their God." These
355
ROBERT RYLAND
quotations are taken from an address by Dr. Ryland at the Centennial of the First Baptist Church in 1880.
After resigning the presidency of Richmond College, in 1866, Dr. Ryland was connected with other educational institutions. For two years he taught at the Woman's College. He moved to Kentucky in 1868 to accept the presidency of the Shelbyville Female College. After- wards, he held similar positions at New Castle and Lex- ington, at the same time serving as pastor of various country or village churches. In 1893 he became chap- lain of the Southwest Virginia Institute at Bristol, where he served for four years. During all these years Dr. Ryland loved to preach and did so whenever possible.
He died in Lexington, Ky., April 23, 1899. His fun- eral was conducted from the Chapel of Richmond Col- lege and he was buried in the College lot in Hollywood. On the walls of Ryland Hall at Richmond College is a tablet with this inscription :
Robert Ryland, A. M., D. D. 1805-1899 President of the Virginia Baptist Seminary President and Professor of Moral Philosophy Richmond College 1832-1866. Eminent in mind and character, efficient in office, and faithful to every trust. The Trustees dedicate this building to the memory of his tireless energy and successful devotion to Christian Education.
The monument which the Trustees erected over his grave in Hollywood bears this inscription :
Robert Ryland, A. M., D. D. 1805-1899
President of the Virginia Baptist Seminary and of Richmond College, 1832-1866. Erected by the Trustees of the College in memory of his efficient and devoted service to Christian Education.
Ryland Knight.
DAVID C. RITTENHOUSE
David C. Rittenhouse was born October 13, 1821. His parents were Henry T. and Martha Turner Rittenhouse, and he was one of nine children. He was converted in early life and baptized into the fellowship of the Mount Shiloh Baptist Church, Nelson County, by Rev. Charles Wingfield. He was a student at Richmond College when Dr. Robert Ryland was president. He never forgot his alma mater, and "affectionately remembered her in sub- stantial gifts." Upon leaving college he went to the mountains of Albemarle and the surrounding counties as missionary and colporteur. Baptists at that time were not numerous in this section and he preached and scattered literature as he went. On April 27, 1857, he was mar- ried to Miss S. E. Brown of his own county.
Mr. Rittenhouse was a preacher of the old type. He united the work of farmer and preacher. He was the beloved pastor of Mt. Liberty Baptist Church, Albe- marle County, for forty years, and in the closing years of his life built two churches, one near Covesville and the other, Ariel, in the lower part of Nelson. The former of these churches was on his own farm and especially the object of his love. He was in comfortable circum- stances and given to liberality. At one time it was his custom to contribute $5 towards every Baptist meeting- house in Virginia of whose erection he heard, but towards the end of his life these new churches were so numerous that he had to reduce his gift from five dollars to one. His piety, faithfulness, devotion, his courage, his candor, his unassuming ways, combined to make him a good neighbor and a useful man and minister. He died, after an illness of some eight months, on May 2, 1899, at his home in Albemarle, being survived by his wife and his daughter, who was the wife of Rev. J. H. Wright.
356
0
MILTON ROBERT GRIMSLEY
Milton Robert Grimsley, the son of Rev. A. M. Grimsley, and the nephew of Rev. Barnett Grimsley, was born March 31, 1854, near Boston, Culpeper County, Virginia. In October, 1874, he made a profession of religion at Mount Lebanon Church, Rappahannock County, and was baptized by Rev. Silas Bruce. In the fall of 1880 he became a colporteur of the Sunday School and Bible Board. In two years, his territory being the counties of Culpeper, Rappahannock and Madison, he traveled, mostly on foot, 3,200 miles and visited 2,500 families. In 1881 Mount Lebanon Church licensed him, and in October, 1882, he entered Crozer Theological Seminary. He received his certificate from this institu- tion in 1885 and after his death, Dr. H. G. Weston, the president, said of him: "He was a diligent and faithful student, sustained an excellent reputation, was greatly esteemed and appreciated, and has left a cherished memory." While still a student at Crozer, on July 1883, he was ordained at Mt. Lebanon, the presbytery con- sisting of Luther R. Steele, A. M. Grimsley, S. M. Athey and J. N. Doffermyer.
He became the pastor of Mt. Lebanon, and served it, with Slate Mills, for ten years. From 1884 to the time of his death he was pastor of Jeffersonton Church, Cul- peper County, and from 1888 till his death was pastor of Amissville Church, Rappahannock County. Upon the death of his father in April, 1894, Milton succeeded him in the pastorate of the Orlean Church, Fauquier County. So this flock was ministered to for a quarter of a century by sire and son. He labored much in protracted meetings with churches of the Shiloh and Potomac Associations,
357
358
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
having great success in this field of effort. While remarkably fitted for evangelistic service, the pastorate had for him the stronger charm and power. "He possessed a voice of exquisite sweetness, and in manner he was as gentle as a woman. His preaching was tender and winning." In April, 1899, he was smitten with typhoid fever, and on June 9th he passed to his eternal reward.
JOHN S. GLASS
Rev. Dr. W. J. Shipman, who visited John S. Glass in his last illness, pays a beautiful tribute to him in the obituary notice that appeared in the Minutes of the General Association for 1899. This sketch is based on that obituary. On July 23, 1899, when John S. Glass passed away, he lacked only two days of reaching eighty years. For fifty-five years he had testified in the Rice- ville neighborhood, the community where he had been reared, for Jesus his Saviour. For half a century he was a minister of the gospel. In early manhood he gave his heart to God and was baptized into the fellowship of the Riceville Baptist Church, a church organized in 1798 and a member of the Roanoke Association. "His changed life, his loyalty to Christ, and his Christian walk gave an influence for the power of Christianity which led many to Christ." Much of his work was in destitute sections. All of his churches were in the Roanoke Asso- ciation. He was pastor of Edge Hill about thirteen years, of Mulberry about ten, and of New Prospect, Swan Creek, Reed Creek, and County Line, for shorter periods. He was a valuable citizen, much respected by young and old, and his advice, on important questions, was often sought. He was married three times. Six children of his first wife survived him, and also his last wife. He was laid to rest near his home, in the cemetery of the Riceville (Pittsylvania County) Church.
A. LITTLE
The Lebanon Association was the field of the labors of Rev. A. Little. He worked for churches that were not able to give him much financial help, but he did his work with faithfulness. Among the churches that he served were: Bethel, Brumley's Creek, Cedar Creek, Mt. View, Tumbling Creek and Greenfield. At one time he was a colporteur in this Association. For a year before his death he was helped by the Ministers' Relief Fund. After a long life of labor in the Master's cause, and after an illness of several months, he died December 28, 1897.
W. T. JONES
Laurel Hill and Charles City were the Virginia pastor- ates of W. T. Jones. He died at Laurel Hill, August 30, 1899. His other pastorates were: Morehead City, N. C .; Cumberland, Md .; Goldsboro, N. C. He gradu- ated at Wake Forest in 1879 and attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary the session 1881-82. He was born in Wilmington, N. C., September 26, 1855. He made profession of his faith in Christ under the preaching of Rev. J. C. Hiden, and was baptized into the fellowship of the First Baptist Church of Wilmington. "As an expounder of Scripture he was sound; as a pastor he was loving and loved; as a defender of the right, he was brave."
359
THOMAS W. GREER
In the Concord Association Rev. Thomas W. Greer was pastor for a long term of years, serving these churches : Bethel, Mt. Zion, Olivet, Tabernacle, Buffalo, Antioch, Concord, Averett, and Olive Branch. At one time a missionary of the State Mission Board he labored most earnestly and successfully, many being con- verted under his preaching, and seven churches being constituted. During his ministry of over fifty years, hundreds, perhaps thousands, were converted, and "about one hundred churches organized." His knowl- edge of the Bible was wonderful, and he was well in- formed on many subjects. He was born in Ohio, Novem- ber 2, 1817, and died in Mecklenburg County, Janu- ary 24, 1900. He was married in New Concord, Ohio, February 10th, to Miss Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of Rev. Samuel Wilson, a distinguished Presbyterian min- ister and educator. His wife and five of his nine children survived him. He was strong in intellect, amiable in disposition, and, as a preacher, bold and earnest.
JOSEPH A. MANSFIELD
Joseph A. Mansfield was born in Orange County, Vir- ginia, June 25, 1806. He was pastor of churches in Greene, Madison, Orange and Louisa counties. The names of all the churches he served are not now known, but in 1855 he was pastor of Bethany, Orange County, Shiloh Association. He gave the best days of his life to the Master's cause. He died August 8, 1899.
360
ALEXANDER GILMER McMANAWAY
The atmosphere of the Bedford home and community into which, on August 19, 1852, Alexander Gilmer McManaway was born, was decidedly religious. His mother was at once strong, gentle, and pious, and religious discussions were the order of the day in that house and neighborhood. Before his conversion the youth was one of the speakers at a public debate on the question of the equality of the Divine Son with the Father, a question that stirred the community for months, and by the influence of a young lady he had been led to read the Bible through and to work in the Sunday School. At an early age he taught in the Public Schools, having prepared, for the examination preceding this work, with his book on his plow. He was ordained at the call of Chamblissburg Church; spent some years at Richmond College and the Southern Baptist Theo- logical Seminary; was married in May, 1878, to Miss Josie Robertson, of Petersburg; then became pastor at Blacksburg. His other pastorates were: Louisburg and Franklinton, N. C .; First Church, Charlotte, N. C .; First Church, Little Rock, Ark. Next he was associated with Ouachita College, Arka- delphia, Ark., first as general agent, and then as Pro- fessor of Greek. In 1889 he had gone abroad with his brother, and while in England arranged with Charles H. Spurgeon to bring out a volume of "Select Sermons" of the great London preacher; this he did, conjointly with his brother James, upon his return home. He had already done literary and newspaper work for the North Carolina Baptist and the Charlotte News and Observer, and the Religious Herald often contained articles from his pen. He died at a sanitarium in St. Louis, his brother James being with him, December 31, 1899, and his last words were: "Jim, I hear the sound of a thousand waters."
361
JOHN A. RICHARDSON
John A. Richardson was born Sept. 6, 1826. His parents, who were "highly respected," gave him "all of the advantages of the neighborhood schools." In 1847 he was married to Miss A. E. Timberlake. Of this union three children were born. In 1879 he was mar- ried to Miss A. L. Binford, his first wife having died in 1875. Of this second marriage seven children were born. During the Civil War he served in the army with gallantry. Not until after this struggle was he impressed that it was his duty to preach. It is suggested that the thought of God's mercy which had guarded him from so many perils during this time of danger, led him to enter the ministry. After a careful study of the Bible he went to Rev. J. H. Barnes and made known the fact that strong convictions had decided him to unite with the Baptists. He was received into the fellowship of Liberty Church (Dover Association) of which Mr. Barnes was pastor, and here, on August 26, 1876, he was ordained. In January, 1878, he accepted the care of the Antioch Baptist Church, Dover Association. He resigned this church in 1890, but only because the moderator of the Association was seeking to consolidate fields. This change was a distinct sacrifice to him. He left true friends to enter upon work with new and untried brethren; nor was his salary on his new field as large as it had been. From Antioch he went to the pastorate of Emmaus in New Kent County. In 1877 he did missionary work at New Kent Courthouse that led to the building there of the Corinth Baptist Church which was dedicated in November, 1878. He at once became the pastor, and remained in this office until
362
363
JOHN A. RICHARDSON
shortly before his death, when he resigned, whereupon he was made emeritus pastor. As a preacher he was earnest, sympathetic, forceful, with the missionary spirit. He gave liberally of his own means and was careful that every object of the General Association should be pre- sented to his churches; no blanks stood opposite the names of his churches in the list of contributions. Rev. J. T. Tucker, who knew his work for twenty years and on whose tribute to him this sketch is mainly based, says: "I have never known a serious division to arise in any one of his churches nor the desire of even a few that he should resign. To me it seemed that all men loved him." His death took place February 10, 1900.
GEORGE FRANKLIN BAGBY
While the larger part of Dr. Bagby's ministry was spent in Kentucky, he was born in Virginia; here his last work was done, and here, beneath the sod of King and Queen, his native county, in the Bruington church- yard, his ashes await the resurrection morn. His ancestry, and doubtless the very atmosphere of the section where he first saw the light and where he was reared, gave him that urbanity and courtesy which were such marked traits in his character. Yet it was the grace of God in his heart, as well, that helped to make him so genial a friend and charming companion. There was such a fiery temper in him in his younger days, that when he was examined for ordination, Dr. Andrew Broaddus, Jr., of Carolina, rather advised against his going into the ministry. During his life in Kentucky, upon one occasion, a man threatened to come over the fence and whip him. He received this reply: "If you were to come over the fence to whip me, it might be my Christian duty to stand here and allow you to do it. But I am so much afraid that I might not be able to do my duty, that I advise you to stay on your side of the fence."
He was born February 22, 1836. He graduated at Columbian College, Washington, in June, 1857, and on the 15th of the following December was married to Miss Mary Thomas Courtney, of King and Queen County. From the time of his ordination, until the Civil War broke out, he was pastor of churches in Westmoreland County. During the War he was chaplain and army evangelist. At the close of the War he visited Ken- tucky to raise money for the widows and orphans of
364
365
GEORGE FRANKLIN BAGBY
Confederate soldiers, and in the fall of 1866 became pastor of the Flemingsburg and other churches in that county, Kentucky. At two different periods in his life (June, 1870, to January, 1872, and February, 1878, to January, 1882) his home and work were in Russell- ville, where he was associated with Bethel College, a part of the time as one of its professors. Between these two periods came six years of blessed activity as the pastor of Trenton Church (Todd County) and of Salem Church (Christian County). After a brief pastorate at East Hickman (Fayette County), Glens Creek and Mt. Vernon (both in Woodford County) churches, in 1885 he became pastor of the Frankfort Church. This was probably the most difficult and the most successful work of his life. He found in this beautiful town, the capital of the state, a church with a membership of about two hundred. The meeting-house was in need of repairs and the church was burdened with debt. Soon a gracious revival came, the brethren took on new hope and before his pastorate, of some five years, was ended, the member- ship was nearly doubled and the church strengthened in every way. While in Frankfort he received the degree of D. D. from Columbian College, his alma mater. In the fall of 1890 he came back to Virginia, to become pastor of the Farmville Church. His pastorate here lasted nine years. While on this field, and on the next, his last charge (Sharon and Pisgah churches, Prince Edward County) Dr. Bagby was useful in a wide scope of country in meetings, and by his loving and enthusiastic spirit, and a leader in the Appomattox Association.
Dr. Bagby was devoted to the cause of missions, and a thorough-going Baptist. At the beginning of his ministry he was accepted for work in China, but was prevented from going to this field by the War. Upon one occasion, in Farmville, in the home of one of his
366
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
members, he met the rector of the Episcopal Church. In the course of a private debate, that there took place, he compelled the rector to admit that Baptists were not as strict as Episcopalians in the observance of the Lord's Supper.
Dr. Bagby and his noble wife were most hospitable and made their home delightful for their guests. Once, however, the stranger did not get in. Appomattox and Prince Edward were invaded by Morman missionaries. One day two of them called at Dr. Bagby's. He met them at the door and said that his Bible would not allow him to invite them in, but that if they would kneel down with him he would be glad to pray for them; the three knelt and he led in prayer. Twice, once in Kentucky and once in Virginia, Dr. Bagby, by quoting from his New Testament, secured shelter for the night, when, as a stranger, it seemed that he would be refused lodging and food.
At the home of his son, Dr. George F. Bagby, Rich- mond, Va., after an illness marked by great bodily suffer- ing, he passed to his reward on March 27, 1900. Just before he breathed his last he exclaimed: "Poor life, great hope !"
ANDREW BROADDUS
Andrew Broaddus, or, as he was sometimes known, as Andrew Broaddus, Jr., to distinguish him from his father, was born in Caroline County, May 17, 1818. He was the son of the distinguished Dr. Andrew Broaddus, his mother being the daughter of Dr. Robert Honey- man, who was by birth a Scotchman and an eminent Virginia physician. The Rappahannock Academy, Rich- mond College, and Columbian University were the schools Mr. Broaddus attended, and on December 18, 1838, he was married to Miss Jane Pitts. In 1843 he purchased "White Plains," near Sparta, Virginia, where he lived for fifty-seven years and where he died, April 19, 1900.
He was baptized into the fellowship of the Salem Church, September 26, 1846, by Elder Robert D. Cole. Previous to this time he had thought of the law as his life work, but now he decided to preach, and on Febru- ary 6, 1847, his church licensed him. The following October he was ordained, the presbytery consisting of his father, Addison Hall, Wm. A. Baynham, Richard Hugh Bagby, and H. W. Montague. In the course of his long ministry the churches of which he was pastor, all of them in the Rappahannock Association, were Bethesda, Carmel, Mt. Calvary, Salem, and Upper King and Queen. At Bethesda he was pastor six years; at Carmel, two; at Mt. Calvary, three or four; at Upper King and Queen, forty-three, and at Salem, forty-eight. While not a chaplain in the army during the Civil War, he visited the soldiers and preached to them as he had opportunity, and on one occasion baptized no less than sixty-three.
367
368
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
Up to within a few years of his death he attended every session of the Rappahannock Association, save one. He also attended the General Association and Southern Baptist Convention, taking part in the discussion of these bodies and being for forty years a life member of the former. He was also a life member of the American Tract Society, and one of the Trustees of Richmond College. In his later years it was a fine sight to see him walk into the meetings of the General Association accompanied by his three preacher sons.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.