Chapter D: D.--Rev. C. Green Andrews, of Mississippi; Rev. William A. Harris, (2)

The new President, when elected, was the editor of the Richmond _Christian Advocate_, of which he had been the proprietor, wholly or in part, for ten years. He was a leading man in the Virginia Conference, and largely acquainted with the ministers and people of the church in Virginia and elsewhere, having been a member of the General Conference for a number of sessions. He was in the full vigor of manhood. His education had been secured at the University of Virginia. Having been an active member of the Board for years, and frequently on important committees of the Board, and having lived in Ashland for a number of years, he was thoroughly conversant with the affairs of the College. He felt and appreciated the great purposes of its establishment and the capabilities which it might be endowed with by the action of the church. He also knew what a burden he was about to take up and carry--a burden which had taxed the energies and heart of his predecessor; but, hopeful and sanguine, he probably did not appreciate the full weight of the burden which was to test his heart and energies, in turn, to their utmost strain. It was well that he was hopeful and trustful.

Dr. Bennett commenced his duties with the following colleagues in the Faculty December 1, 1877: Robert Emory Blackwell, A. M., Professor of English and Modern Languages; Harry Estill, A. M., Professor of Mathematics; William A. Shepard, A. M., Professor of Chemistry; Charles Morriss, M. A., Professor of Greek and Latin.

At a meeting of the Board, held in Baltimore, March, 1878, the Faculty was increased by the election of William Waugh Smith, A. M., to the chair of Moral and Mental Philosophy. Some time afterward he entered upon his duties as professor, and his connection, in some capacity, has continued to this day. Of his connection with the College more will be recorded further on in this narrative.

At this meeting it was proposed to have published a memorial volume of the late President Duncan. That it was not done promptly, and in a manner worthy of him, is, and always will be, a source of regret to those who knew and loved him. This affords another instance and example of how little has been done to let the lives and labors of Virginia's gifted men speak after they are dead. Surely he was worthy of a fitting biography.

At the annual meeting, June, 1878, the President, in his annual report, gave the number of students in attendance as 141, from twelve different States. He reported a revival of religion as having occurred, with twenty converts among the students.

An effort has been made, with some success, to retire the floating debt of the College, amounting to about $23,000, on some of which ten per cent. interest was being paid, averaging eight per cent. The President was hopeful of good patronage and retiring the debt.

The following, on recommendation of the Faculty, received degrees, viz.: Henry A. Boyd, of North Carolina, A. M.; Mansfield T. Peed, of Virginia, A. M.; William J. Sebrell, of Virginia, A. B.; Wilbur Fisk Tillett, of North Carolina, A. B.; M. P. Rice, B. S.

The "Sutherlin Medal for Oratory" was won by Gray Carroll, of Virginia.

The "Walton Greek Prize" went to Clarence Edwards, of Virginia.

The "Pace" medal for the best English essay was awarded to Frank Noland, of Virginia, the first to win it. This medal was offered by Mr. James B. Pace, of Richmond, Va.

Prof. Harry Estill resigned, July 8, 1878, the chair of Mathematics after ten years' service. He was the last of President Duncan's Faculty to leave. He went to the Washington and Lee University, and took the same chair at that institution, his Alma Mater.

To the chair thus vacated Royal Bascom Smithey (A. M. 1876) was elected, and he has filled it with great satisfaction to his pupils and the Board to the present time (1898).

The old chapel was consumed by fire March 12, 1879. Fortunately there was nothing in it but the furniture, which was saved. It had a varied history. Before the war it was a ball-room; during the war a hospital; after the war a place for religious service for nearly eleven years. Its walls had resounded with the eloquence of Duncan, Wightman, Guard, Ran. Tucker, Rosser, Bennett, and others. In it many of Randolph-Macon's brightest sons had received their diplomas; in it many had been "born again" to a new life. Services were held afterwards in the Mathematical lecture-room in the Pace building until the "Duncan Memorial" building, with church and chapel, had been completed.

Immediate steps were taken to erect the new building, and Rev. George W. Nolley took an active and successful part in raising the funds for its erection. The ladies of the church also did a good part in this work; also the Faculty and the students.

In June, 1879, the Finance Committee reported that about one-half the "floating debt" had been subscribed. Nevertheless, for want of endowment, the current expenses of the year had exceeded the income. They therefore recommended that the President be requested to devote his time and attention specially to the raising of funds for retiring the debt.

The following degrees were conferred, viz.:

A. M.

T. E. CRENSHAW, Virginia.
CLARENCE EDWARDS, Virginia.
WM. J. SEBRELL, Virginia.

A. B.

WILLIAM H. EDWARDS, Virginia.

Clarence Edwards won the "Pace" medal.

Charles W. Tillett won the "Sutherlin" medal. The number of students for the session of 1878-'79 was 123.

The session of 1879-1880 was not marked by much that is worthy of record.

The President of the College devoted his time largely in raising funds to discharge the debt of the College. In his annual report, June, 1880, he announced the completion of the new College chapel, built in place of the old chapel.

Although there was an increase of students, still the expenses exceeded the income by over $3,300.

At the commencement, June, 1880, degrees were conferred as follows, viz.:

A. M.

JESSE TALBOTT LITTLETON, of Virginia.

A. B.

W. W. SAWYER, Virginia.
CHAS. W. TILLETT, N. Carolina.

D. D.

Rev. ADOLPHUS W. MANGUM, A. M., Prof. University of North Carolina
(Class 1854).

At a called meeting of the Board, held at Danville, Va., November, 1880, the announcement was made that the sum required to cancel the debt of the College had been subscribed. This gratifying result was achieved by the long and arduous labors of Dr. Bennett, President of the College.

1880-1881.

The following received degrees at the annual commencement, June, 1881:

A. M.

JOSEPH C. JONES, Virginia.
JOHN B. CRENSHAW, Virginia.
BASIL W. WATERS, Maryland.
JAMES C. SHELTON, Virginia.
ROBERT W. TOMLIN, Virginia.
JAMES W. MORRIS, Virginia.

A. B.

JOHN F. BLACKWELL, Virginia.
JOSEPH C. TERRELL, Virginia.
D. M. JAMES, West Virginia.
WM. B. CRENSHAW, Kentucky.
E. E. HARRELL, N. Carolina.

The following resolution was adopted by the Board, on motion of Dr. Paul Whitehead:

"_Resolved_, That the Rev. W. W. Bennett, D. D., President of this College, deserves, and we hereby tender to him, the thanks of the Trustees for the patient and indefatigable manner in which he has performed the duty committed to him of raising, by subscription, the amount necessary to pay the debt of the College, amid discouragements and difficulties which have rendered the work at once thankless and toilsome."

In the annual report of the President the following items are noted: The number of students matriculated was 128. The debt of the College had been considerably reduced by collection of subscriptions. The Finance Committee reported that if the subscriptions were paid up the financial condition of the College would be better than it had been at any period of its recent history.

At the close of this session, after spending four years in College, diplomas in Greek and Mathematics, and the Mathematical prize were awarded to a young man whose subsequent career has marked him as one of the first mathematical scholars of the age. This was David W. Taylor, of Louisa county, Va. In September, 1881, he was second among one hundred and fifty candidates for entrance as cadet engineer at the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy June, 1885, standing first in his class each year; was ordered to the flagship of the European station, under the command of (then) Captain Dewey; then sent to the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, near London, England, taking at that place a three-years' course in naval architecture and marine engineering; graduated there in 1888 at the head of his class, _receiving the highest marks ever obtained for the course by either an English or foreign student_. He is now (1898) an assistant to Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair, Washington, D. C.

1881-1882.

At the close of the year 1881-'82 the following received degrees:

A. M.

R. E. L. HOLMES, Virginia.
EDGAR A. POTTS, Virginia.
EDMUND S. RUFFIN, Virginia.
JOSEPH T. REESE, Georgia.

A. B.

HUGH C. DAVIS, Virginia.
J. P. MAUZY, Virginia.
THOMAS N. POTTS, Virginia.

D. D.

Rev. CHARLES B. STUART (Class 1845), Texas.

_Sutherlin Medalist_.--SAMUEL M. GARLAND, of Virginia.
_Pace Medalist_.--JOHN NEWTON MCCORMICK, of Maryland.

The number of students, by the President's report, was 100, a decrease of 28.

The completion of the Duncan Memorial Church was announced. The credit of this work was given to ladies of the congregation, who had worked with great zeal and efficiency to raise the needed funds.

At the annual meeting President W. W. Bennett tendered his resignation of the presidency of the Board of Trustees and of the College.

Bishop Alpheus W. Wilson was elected president of the Board, and Rev. John D. Blackwell vice-president.

The vacancy of the presidency of the College was not filled, but the Board adjourned to meet in Centenary Church, Richmond, July 19, 1882, to fill the office. Petitions were laid before the Board, sent by a number of ministers and friends of the College, and also by a large number of the students, asking the Board to re-elect Dr. Bennett to the presidency of the College.

At the adjourned meeting, held July 19, 1882, Dr. Bennett was re-elected President, almost unanimously, and he accepted the oflice. He stated that he had labored under a wrong impression in regard to the sentiments of the Board when he resigned the presidency.

At a called meeting, held in November, 1882, the resignation of Charles Morris, Professor of Latin and French, was made known to the Board. This resignation was accepted with expressions of the high appreciation by the Board of the personal character and fidelity of Prof. Morris. He accepted a professorship in the University of Georgia.

Prof. William W. Smith was elected to have charge of Latin and Greek.

At the Annual Conference, held in November, 1882, the annual assessment made by the Conference for the College was increased by $500, making it $3,500, which amount has been the assessment to this date, June, 1898.

1882-1883.

The degree men for the year ending June, 1883, were

A. M.

JOHN F. BLACKWELL, Virginia.
W. A. CRENSHAW, Virginia.
JOHN MORRIS, Georgia.
E. E. HARRELL, N. C.
LEWIS MILLER, Massachusetts.

A. B.

GEORGE B. DAVIS. Virginia.
JOHN D. EPES, Virginia.
THOMAS D. NEWSON, Virginia.
SYDNEY B. WRIGHT, Virginia.
JOHN NEWTON MCCORMICK, Maryland.

D. D.

Rev. W. S. BLACK, of the North Carolina Conference.
Rev. W. E. EDWARDS, of the Virginia Conference.
Rev. P. H. WHISNER, of the Baltimore Conference.

_Sutherlin Medalist_.--CLAUDE A. SWANSON, Virginia.
_Pace Medalist_.--CHARLES EMORY KREGLOE, Virginia.

Thomas Branch, Esq., who had served on the Board for forty years, tendered his resignation as a trustee. This was received, with a resolution of the high appreciation of his services as president of the Board and trustee, and his liberality and devotion to the College. He was succeeded by his son, John P. Branch.

The President's report showed the attendance to be 114. In this report the President recommended the system of co-education of males and females for the first time. The recommendation of the President was not adopted.

The Board took steps to have erected new dormitories on the campus.

1883-1884.

This year, the anniversary year of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, was to prove the turning point in the financial history of the College. The movement towards the increase of the endowment was not general, but it was in the right direction. The first subscription was for $1,000, as in 1855; it was made by Mr. E. M. Tilley, of Berkley, Va., a Northern man living in that town, not then a member of the Methodist Church. The larger part of the funds raised was from the Norfolk district, apart from the subscription made by members of the Board at the annual meeting, June, 1884, which amounted to $9,000. From this time forward the increase of the capital of the College has been steady, and, at times, very material and gratifying.

The Virginia and Baltimore Conferences had, at their last session, directed that all funds raised this Centennial year should, unless otherwise specially noted, go towards the endowment fund of the College.

At the annual meeting the following received degrees:

A. M.

THOMAS D. NEWSON, Virginia.

A. B.

R. H. BENNETT, Virginia.
JAMES CANNON, Jr., Maryland.
N. H. ROBERTSON, Virginia.
THEODORE H. WHITE, Virginia.

James A. Duncan, of Virginia, won the Sutherlin medal. James Cannon, Jr., of Maryland, won the Pace medal. The number of matriculates for the session of 1883-'84 was 108.

1884-1885.

The session of 1884-'85 opened with 111 students. The President, in his annual report, said it was one of the most satisfactory that had occurred during his administration. Five new dormitories had been built to take the place of old ones. Steps were taken to build new houses for two Professors. He reported the acceptance of the chair of Greek and the Oriental Languages by Dr. Richard M. Smith, to which he had been elected at the last annual meeting.

The following received degrees, June, 1885:

A. M.

R. H. BENNETT, Virginia.
JAMES M. PAGE, Virginia.
HARRY LEE STUART, Texas.

A. B.

WM. H. BARLEY, Virginia.
EUGENE H. RAWLINGS, Virginia.
F. P. HAMMOND, Maryland.
CLAUDE A. SWANSON, Virginia.

_Sutherlin Medalist_.--THOMAS F. SHERRILL, of North Carolina.
_Pace Medalist_.--JAMES M. PAGE, of Virginia.

At a called meeting, held in Centenary Church, Richmond, Va., May 19, 1886, the following letter of resignation was laid before the Board:

"Bishop A. W. Wilson, President of the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College:

"MY DEAR BROTHER,--The poor condition of my health through this entire session thus far admonishes me that I cannot continue to hold the presidency of the College. I am compelled, therefore, to hand you this, my resignation of the office, to take effect on the 1st of September next, which will give the Trustees a period of five months, though I am sure they will not need so much time, in which to secure a suitable person for my successor.

"It is a source of great gratification to me that I shall leave the College in good condition in every respect.

"Yours very truly,

"W. W. BENNETT.

"ASHLAND, VA., _March_ 31, 1886."

The resignation of Dr. Bennett was accepted, and a committee was appointed to notify him of the action of the Board, and to express to him the appreciation by the Board of the value of his services.

On motion, it was--

"Resolved, That at the annual meeting in June next the Board will proceed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr. Bennett."

The President's annual report gave the attendance as 124 for the session ending June, 1886.

On the recommendation of the Faculty, the following received degrees, viz.:

A. M.

F. P. HAMMOND, Maryland.
LANGHORNE LEITCH, Virginia.
M. L. SHACKELFORD, Virginia.
SYDNEY B. WRIGHT, Virginia.

A. B.

THOMAS J. BARHAM, Virginia.
JAMES S. CHAPMAN, Virginia.
FRANK L. CROCKER, Virginia.
ARTHUR K. DAVIS, Virginia.
F. V. RUSSELL, Virginia.
SAMUEL D. TURNER, Virginia.

D. D.

Rev. WILBUR F. TILLETT, Vanderbilt University.
Rev. H. MELVILLE JACKSON, Richmond, Va.

LL. D.

Prof. JAMES A. HARRISON, Washington and Lee University.

_Sutherlin Medalist_.--J. S. CHAPMAN, of Virginia.
_Pace Medalist_.--LANGHORNE LEITCH, of Virginia.

The Endowment and Investment Committee made the following gratifying announcement:

"We respectfully report that there has been raised, through the instrumentality of Prof. W. W. Smith, Dr. R. N. Sledd, and others, $43,000, $25,000 of which is in the hands of the local committee at Lynchburg, and the balance in the hands of Captain Richard Irby for collection."

Special credit ought to be given here to the liberal citizens of Lynchburg, who subscribed this amount of endowment, ever since kept separate, and designated Lynchburg Endowment Fund. This has brought into the current receipts each year about $1,500. It was the prophecy and forecast of greater liberality in 1891. From this time the professors and officers have always been paid their salaries promptly. The direct and material aid thus afforded was of great benefit, but the influence of such action on other communities and on individuals has been of far greater value. Lynchburg, therefore, deserves, and should have, the gratitude of every Randolph-Macon alumnus and friend.

In the election to fill the office of President the following nominations were made:

Rev. John D. Blackwell, D. D., by Paul Whitehead.
Rev. Robert N. Sledd, D. D., by W. E. Judkins.
Rev. Wilbur F. Tillett, by J. E. Edwards.
Rev. John A. Kern, by W. T. Chandler.
Rev. Paul Whitehead, D. D., by P. A. Peterson.
Prof. Wm. W. Smith, A. M., by Richard Irby.

On the first ballot Prof. W. W. Smith received ten votes out of twenty. On the second ballot he received twelve, and was declared elected.

Inasmuch as the history of the College has been so intimately linked with the life of President Smith for so many years, it is not necessary to say much of him just here. He was born in Fauquier county in 1848. His father, Richard M. Smith, afterwards moved to Alexandria, where he was associated with the celebrated Benjamin Hallowell in his school. Afterwards he became editor of the _Alexandria Sentinel_, which was removed to Richmond at the breaking out of hostilities, April, 1861. He afterwards edited the _Enquirer_. At the early age of sixteen William Waugh Smith volunteered in the Confederate service, in which he continued to the close of the war. After the war he was associated with his father in the publication of the _Enquirer_, which had been revived. He attended the University of Virginia one session. When the College was moved to Ashland, and his father became a Professor in it, he matriculated at the College and took the degree of A. M., with John Hannon, in 1873. After leaving College he became the assistant to his uncle, Albert Smith, at Bethel Academy, near Warrenton, Va., which rapidly grew into prominence as a school. Here he remained till 1882, when he was elected Professor of Moral and Mental Science in Randolph-Macon College. In 1885 he showed his great talent for raising funds for the College, by securing the "Lynchburg Endowment," in connection with Dr. R. N. Sledd and others. His energy and aptitude for administration, in addition to the successful experience he had gained at Bethel Academy, pointed him out as the man for the vacant position, and subsequent events have justified the selection.

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On motion of John P. Branch (substitute for one offered by A. G. Brown), it was

"_Resolved_, That Richard Irby be appointed Secretary and Treasurer, the same to give half of his time to the business of the College."

His duties were defined as follows: To have charge of the financial and business concerns of the College, and also of the library, grounds, buildings, etc. This office was accepted, and he entered upon his duties the first day of July following.

At the same session the Board proceeded to fill the chair of Moral and Mental Science and Biblical Literature. Rev. John A. Kern, of the Baltimore Conference, was elected to the chair, and he accepted the same.

Prof. Kern was a graduate of the University of Virginia. In 1866 he entered the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He had filled many of the most important appointments of that Conference, and was then, as now, esteemed a man of talent, and growing year by-year in ability and acceptability. The estimate placed on him by his friends was not too high, as his subsequent career has proven.

The Board accepted the libraries which had been offered to it by the Literary Societies, consisting of about four thousand volumes, and the Librarian was directed to consolidate them with the College Library. This was a much-needed and timely improvement, and became a nucleus for a library which, in course of time, will be, it is hoped, a credit to the College.

The new President was requested to continue his efforts in raising funds for the endowment, which had so far been attended with laudable success. This he was not slow in heeding.

On account of failure to record the financial statement of 1886, the exact amount of net assets of the College cannot here be given.

The retiring President served nine years, almost identically the same period served by his predecessor, Dr. Duncan. His administration was also, like Dr. Duncan's, marked by great financial embarrassment, which had a depressing influence on a sensitive temperament like his was. That his days were shortened by the constant burden of care, like his predecessor's, can hardly be doubted. Both of them were, in a sense, martyrs to the cause of Christian education.

Dr. Bennett never regained his health. He moved to his farm, in Louisa county, and took work on the contiguous appointment at the Conference of 1886. While engaged in the work of his charge he gradually declined in health, and died June 7, 1887.

REV. W. W. BENNETT, D. D.

"WILLIAM WALLACE BENNETT, son of Eli and Mary C. Bennett, was born in the city of Richmond, February 24, 1821. He was reared under the fostering care and social surroundings of Methodism, and was the subject of religious impressions from an early period.

"In 1839, under the ministry of Rev. Gervas M. Keesee, he made a profession of religion, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Portsmouth. Here, with the help of class-meetings and other social, as well as the public means of grace, his religious experience had a healthful beginning, that developed the elevated character and useful life that our beloved brother has bequeathed to the church. Soon after his conversion, he, and several others who were exercised about a call to the ministry, met and conversed upon the subject, and prayed for divine guidance, giving evidence that when he entered the itinerancy it was no rash adventure. In the fall of 1841, he removed to Mecklenburg county, where his brother, Rev. John R. Bennett, was in charge of the circuit. There he pursued his studies, obtained license to preach, and began his ministry, passing through what he conceived to be the crucial test of his call to preach. Discouraged, as he informed the writer, by what he conceived to be a failure in the pulpit before a large congregation, he was tempted to give up the ministry; but falling in the hands of an experienced and godly class-leader, who encouraged him by his counsel and his prayers, he returned to his work with renewed consecration, and a conviction too strong to be jostled again.

"From the best information obtained (the records of four years of this Conference being lost) he was admitted on trial into the Virginia Conference in 1842, and travelled as junior preacher on Louisa and Bedford Circuits. In 1845-'46 he was in charge of Powhatan Circuit, and in 1847 was stationed in Charlottesville, where he availed himself of the educational advantages of the University of Virginia, and graduated in several of the schools in 1850. At the Conference of this year he was stationed in Washington city, organizing the first society of the M. E. Church, South, at our national capital. In 1851 he was elected Chaplain of the University of Virginia, but on account of sickness resigned the position. He soon, however, regained his accustomed health, and in 1852-'53 travelled Loudoun Circuit with W. W. Berry and John C. Granbery, respectively, as junior preachers. In 1854-'55-'56-'57 he was Presiding Elder of the Washington District. While on this appointment he was married, December 20, 1855, to Virginia Lee, daughter of Edward and Mary Kendall Lee Sangster, of Alexandria. A wise and happy union. In 1858-'59 he was appointed to Union Station, Richmond, and in 1860-'61 was stationed at Centenary, in the same city.

"In 1862 he was appointed Chaplain in the Confederate Army, and assigned to the superintendency of the Tract Association. Seeing the necessity of a more generous distribution of Bibles and religious literature among the troops, he arranged to go abroad for a supply, and during the last winter of the war successfully 'ran the blockade.' He had scarcely, however, entered upon the work in London when the war ended, and he returned to Virginia.

"In 1865-'66 he travelled Nottoway circuit, and in November, 1866, was appointed editor of the _Richmond Christian Advocate_. By judicious management and editorial ability, this necessary and popular journal was established on a promising basis. In 1874 Rev. J. J. Lafferty became his associate, who, in 1877, by satisfactory negotiations, assumed control, and was appointed editor of the paper. The motives influencing Dr. Bennett in this change were characteristic of the man and the result of thoughtful conversation. His successor well understood him, and tells us, in his affecting notice of his death, that 'he made known to him his uneasiness in conscience as to his position--that he was too stout in health to be out of the regular ranks. With much emphasis, he declared his wish to be found in the pastorate when God called him.' Before the Conference met in Lynchburg Dr. Bennett had arranged to change his position. It was then made to appear his duty to go to the college, and he yielded. But there must have been a peculiar joy when the summons came that he was in his loved employ--the shepherd of a flock.

"In 1877 he was elected President of Randolph-Macon College. This position he held for nine years, during, perhaps, its most critical history; but by able, kind, and impartial administration, with the confidence of his brethren in the ministry, the active co-operation of his professorial associates, and the affection of the students, the College accomplished a noble work. By his activity in visiting throughout the Baltimore and Virginia Conferences and elsewhere, and under his stirring appeals, the number of students compared favorably with other institutions, and a large amount of money was raised in the interest of the College. The sentiments of a writer from the Pacific coast, we are sure, find echo here, that 'Virginia Methodism owes Dr. Bennett a great debt for the work done by him at Randolph-Macon at the crucial period of its history.' He left the College an enduring monument of his heroic devotion, but, as many think, at the cost of his life. At the close of the session in 1886 his health was so impaired that he resigned the presidency of the College, and secured a retired home near Trevilian's, in Louisa county, hoping that relief from the burdens and cares of college work and the quiet of the country might nurse him back to health again. But, alas! his disease baffled the best medical skill and the loving attentions of his family and friends. He was prevailed upon during the summer to visit the mountains, and, with some slight improvement, he was in his place at the last Conference, believing that he could even then attend to the work on some fields that would be open, but naming none. The change disease had wrought in his robust frame was a subject of mournful remark by all that knew him, and grave apprehensions were felt that he would never recuperate. From that Conference he was sent to Gordonsville and Orange, where he gave for a time pastoral care and pulpit work that was surprising to his friends. But as the summer advanced, he was compelled to yield, and after a short confinement to his bed, his earthly labors ended.

"Dr. Bennett, in health, will always be remembered by his acquaintances as an incomparable specimen of physical manhood, with a face bearing the lines of strong character. Indeed, he seemed moulded for any work or position in Methodism. His mental endowments were of a high order. His early advantages were such as to secure a good English education, with some knowledge of Latin; and from our knowledge of the man, we may safely conclude that his opportunities were well improved. A schoolmate says of him: 'He was studious, with great grasp of intellect and steadiness of purpose.' The writer, and others, perhaps, will remember his modest reference to his fondness for reading while a boy, in using 'the first money he could command to subscribe for the _Richmond Advocate_,' which he subsequently edited with so much ability. By judicious reading and study, and by such collegiate helps as his appointments favored, he became the peer of any. Ten years before he was elected President of Randolph-Macon College he received from that institution the degree of D. D., was a member of every General Conference since 1858, and was a representative of our church at the Ecumenical Conference in London in 1881. The opinion of the editor of the _Richmond Christian Advocate_, no doubt, is the judgment of his brethren, that 'he was the best-rooted man in the Conference in theology, and saturated with church history, dogma, and doctrine.'

"As a preacher, he occupied the front rank in pulpit power, and his discourses were such as lived in the memory and hearts of his hearers. 'His sermons,' says Bishop Granbery, 'were stately, elaborate, and massive, mighty discussions of great truths, with wide range of thought, lucid and forcible argument, earnest, solemn, and often impassioned application.' Bishop Doggett says of him: 'Bennett, at times, is the greatest preacher I ever heard. His sermon at the late camp-meeting, on Matthew xxiii. 37, 38, surpassed anything I ever listened to from the pulpit. His description of the desolate house I can never forget. I remember,' says he, 'to have heard him at Charlottesville, on the flood, when for more than an hour the congregation seemed dazed by the power of his eloquence.'

"His character was differently analyzed by some of his friends, though all accorded him unexceptionable integrity, a high order of piety, and a noble, generous heart. His occasional serious expression and brusque manner awakened the suspicion with some that he was wanting in sympathy, but those who knew him best indulged no such estimate of him. With all his firmness of conviction and stern independence, where was to be found greater gentleness and consideration of the feelings of others? He was emphatically the friend of the friendless, the persecuted and neglected, and was unchanging in his friendships. He was slow to find fault, and indulged in no depreciation of others. At any time it required a great provocation, and something more than mere personal affront or injury, to evoke rebuke; but when it did come, it was felt, but was more the utterance of conscientious impulse than the ebullition of personal resentment.

"He was the head of a Christian household, where piety was fostered and practised, and where Methodism was honored. He, with his devoted wife, sought to make home attractive, and succeeded. While the proprieties of religious training and filial respect were never relaxed, there was no constraint on the freedom of social and religious intercourse, and no lack of sympathy for such enjoyments as were proper, entertaining and improving in a Christian home. He was looked up to by his family as a practical and safe counsellor, and beyond whom there was rarely even the desire to appeal. His brethren, I am sure, will endorse the sentiments of his distinguished eulogist: 'His virtues were many, steadfast and bright. The whole church will feel his loss. The Virginia Conference, as one man, will cherish his memory with deep admiration and love.'

"After his confinement to bed the ravages of his rare disease were very rapid and severe. He early sank into a comatose condition, yet responding when spoken to. It will be gratifying to his brethren, nevertheless, to know that his end was a great spiritual triumph. On Monday, June 6th, at an early hour, with the family and a few friends about him, fearful that he might pass away Without again rousing from his lethargy, his wife, under her stress of grief, urged all to united prayer. They knelt, and his eldest son led in prayer, expressing assurance of the blessed result to the dying husband and father, yet craving a lucid interval and some words of affectionate counsel. In a few moments he asked to be turned on his back, and, opening his eyes, he exclaimed, 'I am quickened up into a higher life!' When his wife exulted in such an answer to prayer, he said: 'My dear, I have known for more than forty years that God answers prayer.' Then, feeling his pulse, and turning to Dr. Wills, his physician, he said: 'I suppose this thing is steadily progressing to the end, is it not?' 'Yes,' said the doctor, 'but you have the Everlasting Arms around you.' 'Oh, yes,' he replied, 'and have had for more than forty years, and they have never failed me. But I have much to say, and must speak slowly, so I wanted to know how much time--a half hour?' 'Yes,' the doctor replied, 'perhaps several hours.' He then called his family--but we must drop the curtain on a scene in many respects too sacred and impossible to describe. With affectionate counsel to each, he commended them to God. When one of the family spoke of meeting him in heaven, he replied, 'And what a happy meeting that will be!' He then asked his physician if he had shown any signs of nervousness. When told he had not, with a tender consideration for his loved ones, he said: 'I did not want to excite the family unnecessarily, but I want you all to know that there is not a cloud, not the semblance of a shadow, dark or small, between my Lord and me. All is bright and clear.' He joined in singing that hymn of Christian triumph commencing, 'How happy are they,' and when the family, by reason of their emotions, were unable to sing, he carried the tune. He then sent messages of love to his friends and brethren. 'Give my love,' said he, 'to the professors and students of Randolph-Macon College, and may the blessing of God be upon them and their work forever.'

Then, with his heart going out to his brethren in the ministry, with whom he had labored so long and so successfully, he said: 'Give my love to the preachers--all of them. I am so weak my feelings would overcome me. I can only give them my general blessing.' At intervals till he died the expressions caught from his failing voice were, 'Hallelujah,' 'Glory to God,' 'The portals on high,' 'Always the blood--saved by it,' and almost with his expiring breath, and as if descriptive of his triumphant passage from earth to heaven, he exclaimed, 'I am rising higher and higher!' and at 1:15 o'clock P. M., June 7th, he passed away from his family, a wife and six children, all one in Christ, who, though desolated by their loss, are comforted in the blessed hope of meeting in heaven.

"His remains were carried to Randolph-Macon College, where solemn and touching services were held. The next day they were conveyed to Centenary Church, Richmond, one of his old charges, where, by request of his family, Rev. S. S. Lambeth, assisted by Bishop Granbery and some of the ministers of the city and vicinity, in the presence of a large number of friends and acquaintances, held appropriate and affecting services. His body was then carried to Hollywood cemetery and laid to rest 'till Christ shall bid it rise.'"

This writer had intended to bring the History down to June, 1898. For reasons satisfactory to himself, but not necessary to be given here, he has concluded to discontinue the historical narration of events which occurred during the twelve years from June, 1886, to 1898. The Appendix will give some of the most important data, which may be interesting to many, and may be used by the future historian.

He cannot close this narration of events without again expressing his regret at the imperfections of this book, written and printed under many interruptions and difficulties; but he trusts that the intrinsic interest of the narrative will cause readers to overlook or forgive its imperfections and defects.

Hoping that some more competent writer may in due time take the crude materials given, along with others of like interest, and do full justice to the oldest of Methodist Colleges in America, he lays down his pen.