During the years after the War he was called on very often to marry colored couples. They did not hesitate to make him ride long distances for these functions, yet never paid him anything for his services. It became an imposition and a nuisance, from which he finally secured. relief by demanding pay before he started. He was twice married, first, on March 4, 1861, to Miss Martha E. Hamilton, and, after having been a widower several years, the second time to Miss Susan A. Jeffries, of Culpeper. His wife, four sons, and five daughters survived him. Two of his daughters married Baptist preachers, namely, Rev. J. W. Wildman, of Yancey Mills, Va., and Rev. J. M. Street, of Cumberland, Va. Robert Hamilton, Mary Alice (Mrs. Wildman), William Cute, and Laura A. were the children of the first wife. James Ambrose, Nannie Moore, Richard Tyree, and Sarah Judson (Mrs. Street) were the children of the second wife. During his last illness, which was a lingering one, his children came from long distances to bestow upon him the love and care of which he was so worthy. He faced death, which came to him in Bedford City, October 8, 1903, "with tranquil faith and the courage of a conqueror." His body rests in the Longwood Cemetery, Bedford City, not far from the grave of "Father" Wm. Harris.

WYCLIFFE YANCEY ABRAHAM

1850-1903

About a mile from Goshen Bridge, Va., where a furnace village now stands, there was for many years a home whose hospitable doors swung open to scores, perhaps hundreds, of guests. This was the home of Mr. John W. Abraham. With his wife, he moved from Buckingham County to Rockbridge when his only child, Wycliffe, who was born June 8, 1850, was very young. So the boy grew up in the Goshen neighborhood, and when still quite a youth accepted Christ and was baptized by the pastor, Rev. J. Wm. Jones, into the fellowship of the Goshen Bridge Baptist Church. The sunny enthusiasm of his mother and the sterling worth of his father were indeed precious assets for the son. From such gracious home influences he passed on his way toward his life work. His academy work was done in Staunton, where he boarded for a season in the home of Rev. Geo. Boardman Taylor. He was at Richmond College during the sessions of 1869-70 and 1870-71, and then at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His ordination took place at the Goshen Bridge Church, March 30, 1879. He served, until a severe throat trouble and deafness made further public ministerial work impossible, these churches: Deerfield, Craigsville, Fincastle, New Bethel, Pleasant Hill, and Greenville. Upon retiring from the active ministry, he lived first in Columbia, S. C., and then in Richmond, Va. In both of these cities he was an earnest and effective Christian worker. In the former city he organized a Sunday school which grew into the Second Church; he preached regularly for this flock,

doing also pastoral work, until they were strong to call an undershepherd. In Richmond his membership was first at Grace Street and then at Immanuel. He was married twice. His first wife, who was Miss Annie H. Broadus, the daughter of Rev. Dr. John A. Broadus, died while he was living in Columbia, leaving a son and a daughter. His second wife, who was Miss Lelia Christian, daughter of Charles Christian, Esq., of Buckingham County, survived him.

His death was sudden. He attended the session of the General Association of 1903 in Staunton, and on Monday, November 16th, before the body had adjourned, returned to Richmond. On the street car, as he was going from the station to his home, he was taken ill. The car was stopped and he was carried to a neighboring drug store, but in a few moments he was dead. Two days later, on November 18, 1903, his body was laid to rest in the cemetery in Staunton. Many will long remember his kindly spirit and great zeal for God's work. This sketch is based mainly on the obituary, in the Minutes of the General Association, prepared by Rev. Dr. W. J. Shipman.

NATHAN M. MUNDEN

1833-1903

In Princess Anne County, Virginia, and the adjoining counties, the career of Nathan M. Munden was run. He was a prophet not without honor in his own country. In Princess Anne County, that lies beside the sounding sea, on August 13, 1833, he first saw the light, and at Oak Grove Baptist Church, in the same county, he was baptized in 1855, while two years later he became the clerk of this body. That those who were nearest to him, and so, doubtless, knew him best, had a high regard for his character and ability, is plain, since this same church, in May, 1859, licensed him to preach, and the following year, in November, had secured his services as their pastor. His ordination having taken place in January, 1861, the presbytery consisting of Elders J. P. Ewell, H. J. Chandler, H. S. Banks, and M. R. Watkinson, he was pastor, though on account of the War not without interruptions, of Oak Grove until 1866. Again in 1872 he became the shepherd of this flock, ministering to them regularly until 1884, when he resigned and moved to Norfolk County. Here he labored faithfully until failing health made it necessary for him to give up preaching. More than one long pastorate is evidence of his sterling character and worth. He was pastor of Black Water for twenty-two and of Pleasant Grove for twentynine years. Lake Drummond was under his care for five years, and the First Church (Norfolk), St. John's, and Deep Creek for a shorter time. "His special fondness for souls, bright intellect, tenacious memory, gift of speech, genuine godliness, and genial disposition won for

him at once a place in the hearts of all he met." He was never a strong man physically, and finally a long but patient sufferer. He grew old gracefully, becoming more tender as the end drew near. The night of November 19, 1903, he fell on sleep, having reached his threescore years and ten. His wife, who, for forty-five years, had been his faithful companion and helpmeet, still survives him. His pastor, whose obituary has furnished. the facts for this sketch, conducted the funeral service, assisted by Rev. N. B. Foushee, of the Methodist Church. The body was laid to rest in the Oak Grove Cemetery.