Nansemond-Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Beale, Edwin W., 1881 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ REV. EDWIN WILLIAMS BEALE "Christian Sun" (Suffolk, VA), Vol. XXXIV, No. 10, Fri., Mar. 11, 1881 [4 p.; heavy mourning lines between columns; 1/2 both edges ripped off; 3/4 lower edge damaged] p. 2; file at: https://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93062839/1881-03-11/ed-1/seq-2/ REV. E. W. BEALE. He has fallen! How sad the an- [nounce]ment! How it will pain the [torn] the readers of the SUN, es- [torn] our ministers, and the chil- [dren to] whom he wrote a loving let- [ter each] week. His funeral obse- [quies took] place last Tuesday at 2:30 [P.M., the] procession, consisting of [the cadets] of the Suffolk Military [Institute,] the Knights of Honor, [Friends of] Temperance, and Masonic [Fraternity], Orders to which he be- [longed, and a long line of vehicles [torn] relatives and friends, [torn] the house at 2 o'clock P.M., [proc]eeded to the Methodist E. [Church,] the most commodious in [torn] and which had been kindly [torn] on that account, the bell [torn] churches tolling. The fol- [lowing serv]ed as pall-bearers: Rev. [Ande]rson, pastor M.E. Church; [Rev. B.]F. Flippo, pastor Baptist [Church;] Rev. L.E. Scott, pastor [Presby]terian Church; Rev. J.M.C. [Luke, pastor] of Baptist Church; Rev. C.J. [Ralston, pastor] of the Christian Church; [and Maj.] D.B. Dunbar, of the SUN. [torn] Church was filled to overflowing. [torn] casket entered the house, the [organ, pr]esided over by Miss Flor- [ence Spiv]ey, of the Suffolk Collegiate [Institute], played a solemn funeral [march.] After the casket had been [placed] in front of the altar, the [choir sa]ng an appropriate voluntary. [torn]son was read by Rev. E.M. [torn]on; the hymn, 848, by Rev. C. [J. Rals]ton. Rev. L.E. Scott offered [a prayer], after which Rev. W.T. Wal- [ker d]elivered the following address: - [torn]oved, the present is an occasion [of] indescribable sadness. We say [torn] to you as did Mark Antony to [the] Romans on an occassion some- [wh]at similar, "If you have tears, pre- [pa]re to shed them now." You ar [al]ready prepared. They come unbid- den, welling up from fountains op- pressed by a mighty burden of grief. We weep, but not over the bloody mantle of a bloody handed Caesar. That form was not chilled by the glittering blade of a Brutus, Cassius or other conspirator. Indeed, those hands were never suspected of forging fetters for others. But we weep over the remains of a citizen who was, not only law-abiding, but absolutely incapable of treachery. We weep not over a life sacrificed, like Alexander's, to a vain ambition, but over one lain as a freewill offering upon the altar of God and his fellow men. We weep, not over a Napoleon Bonapart, who died in lonely exile, banished from human society because of his turbulance, but over one whose mission was peace, and whose society was appreciated and courted, as this large and mournful assemblage most clearly demonstrates. We weep, not over a Socrates, a prey to envy, but over one whose life was too pure to awaken in others that, the basest passion that ever found lodgement in the human breast. We weep not for a Cora, Dathan or Abiram, swallowed up of the earth or consumed by fire from the presence of the Lord, over an Akan, stoned for his avarice and disobedience, a Sampson, who perished with and in the midst of his enemies, an lying prophet destroyed by wild beasts, or a Saul forsaken of the Lord; but we weep over a Moses in meekness and faith, in kind at least, if not in degree, who died upon Pisgah's top, in sight of that land for which he had so nobly sacrificed and labored. That form was not animated by the impetuous spirit of a Peter, nor the fiery one of a Paul, but by one more nearly akin to that of the beloved disciple, the gentle and loving John. We weep. Yes, and well we may, for the world is poorer in meekness, faith, hope and love than it was on last Sabbath morning, for E.W. Beale has been taken from the church militant to the church triumphant. Rev. EDWARD WILLIAMS BEALE was born in Southampton county, Va., January the 1st, 1834. His father's name was John Spratley Beale, and his mother's name was Jane Williams. His mother was twice married. The name of her first husband was William [sic*; Matthew] Williams; by whom she had three children, two sons and one daughter; viz., William, Joseph, and Eliza V. Joseph was lost at the battle of the Crater, near the City of Petersburg, in the year '64. William died after the close of the war, but in what year we have been unable to learn. Eliza V. married Dr. Davis, and is still living, though a widow, Dr. Davis having died several years ago. After the death of Mr. Williams, the mother of our deceased brother was married to her second husband, Mr. John Spratley Beale, October the 11th, 1827. Four children were the fruits of this union; viz., Martha Shields, Seth Howell, EDWARD WILLIAMS, and Nathaniel Ethelbert. - Only one of these is now living, Martha Shields Moore, wife of Mr. Orris Moore, of Southampton county, Virginia. Nathaniel died when four or five years old; Seth, in his nineteenth year, in the triumphs of faith; and EDWARD WILLIAMS, last Sabbath morning, at 9 o'clock, in his 48th year. His father died December the 27th, 1839, when he was not yet quite 6 years old. His mother died July the 7th, 1866. He says, in his diary, speaking of his parents, "They were both deeply pious, and died as they had lived, trusting in Jesus." In 1840 his mother moved to the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, where she remained four years. He says: "During our stay in Portsmouth, my brother and I were looked out and persuaded to attend the Baptist Suuday-school. Here impressious of a religious character were made upon my mind, and the teachings of a pious mother, together with those of a pious Sabbath-school teacher, first led my youthful feet to walk in wisdom's paths. When the weary journey of life is ended I expect to meet on Jordan's shores him who taught me in the Sabbath school to love and revere God's holy law. The name of Henry Barrett will be cherished as long as reason holds her throne." In the year 1845 or the latter part of 1844, the family returned to their old country home in Southampton. Here he remained with the family until 1851, when he left mother and home to set up for himself. For three years he was employed as salesman in the establishment of Licurgus Berkley, City of Norfolk, Virginia. The years of 1854-5 and a part of the year 1850 were spent in school at Graham, N.C., where the Christians had at that time a flourishing institution of learning, under the management of Revs. John R. Holt and A.G. Anderson, A.M. During a greater part of this time he boarded with my father, Rev. G.G. Walker. In the latter part of the year 1850, he returned to Eastern Virginia, and received license to preach the gospel. The year 1857 he spent teaching school in Norfolk county. In 1858, on the 7th of January, he was united in matrimony to Miss Eliza Jane Matilda Faucette, oldest daughter of Chesley F. Faucette, Esq., of Alamance county, N.C., by Rev. W.B. Wellons. Returning to Norfolk, he spent the rest of the year in preaching and teaching. 1859 he spent in this (Nansemond) county, teaching school at Cypress Chapel, and preaching in connection with Rev. W.B. Wellons. Iu 1860 he moved to Graham, N.C., and opened a boarding house for the Graham College, but continued his work as a minister, preaching for churches in that section. Here the family circle was first broken, by the death of their dear first-born. In 1862 he left Graham, and settled at Shallow Ford on the Haw river, Alamance county, N.C., where he remained until the winter of 1865, at which time he moved to McKay's Store, in the same county. In 1870 he moved to "Fair View," a farm only a short distance from the last mentioned place. The year following, 1871, was an important era in his religious life. It was at this time that he was enabled to consecrate himself wholly to the work of the ministry. Previous to this his time had been partly devoted to secular pursuits, but never afterwards. From this time his ministrations were blessed as never before, scores being thereby brought into the fold of Christ. At the close of this year he writes: "I now feel more encouraged in the work of winning souls to Christ than ever before. - Many have been the errors committed through the year, but trusting in the mercy of God for pardon and with a determination to do more for the Master in the future, I bid adieu to the year 1871, and enter upon the duties of 1872 with renewed zeal, praying the blessing of heaven upon all my efforts to do good." His father-in-law, Mr. Faucette, dying about this time, he moved into the house with his mother-in-law. About the close of 1872, he moved to Eastern Virginia, locating temporarily at "Aspen Grove," near Chuckatuck, and thence to Suffolk. After his settlement at "Aspen Grove," he labored uninterruptedly and successfully within the bounds of the Eastern Virginia Christian Conference until called from labor to reward, last Sabbath morning. For nearly twenty-five years he was a preacher of the gospel. For several years he was a regular contributor to the columns of the CHRISTIAN SUN, and has for some time conducted the Children's Corner of the same. He was for a time Superintendent of the Suffolk Collegiate Institute. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, of the Knights of Honor, and of the Friends of Temperance. He was not intellectually gigantic. He was not in a critical sense a sermonizer; but he was a successful preacher. Hundreds, doubtless, will rise up in the Judgment and call him blessed. As a writer, he was not profound, but eminently practical. He was deeply pious, and with his piety he impressed all with whom he came in contact. Even skeptics regarded him'with a kind of awe. Oaths died unfinished on the lips of profanity at his presence; and drunken revelers ceased their carousals as he passed. He was universally respected, by both white and colored. He was, perhaps, the most popular man in Nansemond county, if not in this entire section of country. As a husband and father, he was faithful and affectionate, ruling well his own household, keeping his children in subjection, and bringiug them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As a neighbor, he was accommodating, agreeable and self-sacrificing. As a friend, he was true and faithful. To the church of his choice and her principles, he was devotedly attached. Over his tongue he exercised the most perfect control. In all our intercourse with him we do not remember ever to have heard him utter one harmful word of any one. Meek, gentle and unassuming, he was in many respects a model Christian. - We would not be understood to say that he was perfect. He was not. In common with mankind he had foibles and failings, but these were negative, while his virtues, which were many, were positive. But he is no more. For several weeks we had noticed that he was rapidly declining, and took occasion to give him a word of warning, which, however, he failed to regard. Last Tuesday a week he attended a funeral in the country, from which he returned home sick. Wednesday he was able to be up but little. Thursday he was better. Friday morning he came down town on business, and on returning home was taken with a chill. Late that afternoon, hearing of his illness, we hastened to his bedside, but found him too sick to talk much. In a few minutes he fell into a dose, and we left him, in the fond hope that he would soon recover. Saturday he was quite sick, though better than he had been the evening previous. Sunday morning as we came in from breakfast, a messenger informed us that he was thought to be dying. We hastened to his bedside, and found him speechless, though, we think, conscious. In a few minutes he quietly passed away. And now EDWARD WILLIAMS BEALE is no more among mortals. Sad, sad thought! How it pains us! His benignant countenance, loving words, earnest exhortations, and fervent supplications will bless us no more. In his death, his family, the Orders to which he belonged, the church of his choice, and of which he was such a faithful and efficient servant, and the community at large, have sustained an incalculable loss. He leaves a widow, seven children, other relatives, and a large circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn his loss. Did we love him? and would we now grant him any reasonable request? If so, let us show kindness to the loved ones he leaves behind, and glorify, by a pious walk and godly conversation, that God whom be loved and served. Sinner, heed his exhortations and dedicate your life to the service of God. Children, to you who read the Children's Corner of the CHRISTIAN SUN, UNCLE EDWIN will write no more. His last letter to you is now in type, and will soon be in your possession. Remember and heed his loving instructions, and they will, under the blessing of God, bring you at last to that Heavenly rest which he now enjoys. Brethren in Christ, let us strive to imitate his example. Let us continue faithful until we too shall come down as ripe shocks of corn, fit for the Master's use, to be gathered into the Heavenly garner. Brethren in the ministry, our ranks are broken. In closing we no more touch an elbow for which we never felt in vain up till now. Let us close the breech and address ourselves with greater courage to the conflict. Let his example stimulate us, if not to a more elaborate preparation of our sermons, at least to more earnest work in the closet. To the dear grief-stricken family we would say, remember his motto, "God's work pays sure wages." He spent his life in that service, and God will not fail to bless the loved ones he has left behind. Live so as to meet him on the other shore. The address was closed by reading the last article that he ever wrote for publication, and which appears in this issue. After the close of the address, the face of the Casket was removed, and hundreds took a last look at the departed. The corpse was then conveyed to Willow Hill Cemetery, and, with Religious, Masonic, and Temperance honors, laid away to await the summons of the Arch Angel's trumpet. "Soldier of Christ, well done. Rest from thy loved employ, The battle fought, the victory won, Enter thy Master's joy." TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. We the committee appointed by the Suffolk Christian Church to draft suitable resolutions of respect to the memory of our deceased brother REV. E.W. BEALE, beg leave to submit the following: Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to remove from our midst, and from the sphere of his earthly labors and usefulness our dearly beloved brother Rev. E.W. Beale, a true and faithful member of the Church, a devoted husband and father and valuable friend, therefore be it Resolved, That while we bow in humble submission to the will of Him who doeth all things well, that we cherish in our hearts the memory of our deceased brother, and endeavor to emulate his noble example of Christian life and character. Resolved, That in the death Bro. Beale the Church has lost one of its best and most useful Ministers, the town and county one of its most valuable citizens, and the family a most devoted husband and father. Resolved, That we tender to the deeply nftlicted family our sincere sympathy, in this their great bereavement. Resolved, That the Church be draped in mourning for sixty days as a further evidence of our esteem for our deceased brother. Resolved, That these resolutions he published in the CHRISTIAN SUN, that a copy be sent to the family, and that they be spread upon the Records of the Church. D.B. DUNBAR, J.F. LITTLE. J.R. BAKER, Committee. TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. At a called communication of Suffolk Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. Masons, held on Tuesday evening, March 8th, 1881, the following resolutions were adopted: Whereas, The solemn notes that betoken the dissolution of this earthly tabernacle, have again alarmed our outer door, and another spirit has been summoned to the land where our fathers have gone before us, Therefore; Resolved, That we bow in humble submission and Christian resignation to this sudden and sad dispensation of our Great Grand Master and learn to 'trust' Him where we cannot 'see' Him. Resolved, That in the death of our brother, Rev. E.W. BEALE, the Church has lost a faithful minister of the New Testament; the Masonic Fraternity a member whose whole life was a lovely exhibition of the principles and practices which distinguish the order of A.F. & A. Masons; our town a citizen whose enterprise and public spirit we shall greatly miss; the cause of Temperance and Education an ardent friend and promoter; the community at large one whose life was spent in Christian counsel, kind words and deeds of charity, and his family a husband and father whose affection and devotion made his home the abode of peace and love. Resolved, That to his relatives and family, who are most heart-stricken at the loss we have all sustained, we tender our deep sympathy and condolence, ever praying that He who "tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" will look down with infinite compassion upon the widow and fatherless in the hour of their desolation and that the Great Architect will fold the arms of his love and protection aronnd them. Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the newspapers of Suffolk for publication and also sent to the family of the deceased. TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. The committee appointed by Suffolk Council, No. 8, Friends of Temperance, to draft resolutions of respect to the memory of our deceased brother, Rev. E.W. Beale, submit the following: Whereas, It has pleased the infinite author of all good to remove from our midst our dearly beloved and highly esteemed brother, Rev. E.W. Beale, it is right and proper that are hold in grateful remembrance his exalted virtues and character, and that we cherish in our heart of hearts his great moral worth as a citizen and noble Christian example; therefore. Resolved, That we deeply feel and lament the great loss that our Council has sustained, and the office of District Vice President, made vacant by his death, still we have assurance that our loss is his eternal gain. He doubtless has his home now in the mansions of the blessed. Resolved, That the usual badge of mourning be worn by every member of the Council for thirty days, and that our charter be draped in mourning, as a token of profound respect for his memory. Resolved, That we tender to the bereaved family our sincere condolence in their great affliction, and would commend them to the fatherly care and mercy of the God whom their beloved one so faithfully and consistently served, with the assurance that if they follow him as he followed Christ they will finally meet with him in the better land, where parting is no more. Resolved, That this preamble and resolutions be spread upon the records of our proceedings. Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and resolutions be sent to the family of our deceased brother, and be published in the papers of our town. F.W. TATEM, L.E. SCOTT, R.A. Ricks, Committee. TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. Hall of Nansemond Lodge, } No. 2090 Knights of Honor. } Suffolk, Va., March 8th, 1881. } Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to remove from the scene of his usefulness our Chaplain, Bro. E.W. BEALE, therefore be it resolved, 1. That while bowing submissively to this sudden decree of the Great Dictator of tbe Universe, we mourn his loss, and deem it not unmeet to record in this manner our appreciation of the Christian example, high character and sterling integrity of our deceased brother, who wore the jewel of a blameless life and walked among his fellow men a true Knight of Honor. 2. That we tender to his bereaved family a deep and sincere sympathy, assuring them that our sorrow is second only to theirs, and claiming a share in their grief by virtue of the ties which bound us to him. 3. That the Charter of this Lodge be draped in mourning, and that we will wear the customary badge of sorrow for thirty days. 4. That these resolutions be published in the CHRISTIAN SUN and 'Suffolk Herald, and a copy of the same be sent to our departed brother's family. O.F. FLIPPO, W.L. McLEOD, ROB'T R. PRENTIS. Committee. HOME FROM A FUNERAL. What a solemn scene is a funeral procession. Hearse, coffin, pall-bearers, relatives clad in mourning, the open grave, friends gathered around, the solemn burial service. All these bring sadpess to the heart, but they are necessary. They are all right. Although they bring sadness, yet sadness is better for the heart than gladness. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Should we not thank God, that He keeps us constantly reminded, by these solemn scenes, of the truth of mortality; and that He will bring us also to death, and to the house appointed for all living. In my experience as a minister, I have performed the sad funeral service of hundreds of my friends. Have seen hundreds of coffins, and heard lamentation and weeping from hundreds, yea thousands of aching and bleeding hearts. And while these have made my heart sad, yet they have not failed to sink deep down into my soul the truth, That this mortal must put on immortality. That I am a stranger and sojourner as my fathers were. Some funerals to me, I would say, are sadder than others. Not all like the one I attended to-day. The soul filled with the bright prospect beyond the River, passed to the other shore, with music charming her last on earth, and greeting her first in heaven. No sadness in the funeral of such an one, only for the friends which are left behind, and these mourn not as those without hope. Let me die such a death and mine will not be a sad funeral. I would have my friends weep when I die, not because I had lost in death, but because they had lost. But to the living a funeral procession, the burying of the dead, is a solemn scene. Lord make me to know mine end and the measure of my days what it is that I may know how frail I am. E.W.B. So for as we know "HOME FROM A FUNERAL," which appears in this issue of the SUN, was the last article ever written by our much beloved and lamented brother, REV. E.W. BEALE. How much it reminds us of the last lines of P.P. Bliss. From the funeral which doubtless suggested that article, he returned last Tuesday evening sick. Thursday he was better. Friday morning he came into the SUN office, and hung the article referred to, with some matter for the Children's Corner, on the hook. Little did we then think that he would never more enter this office, though we remarked to the hands in the office at the time, that unless he ceased to work and expose himself as he had been doing he would kill himself. As you read the article, weep as he tells you therein to weep, not because he has lost in death, but because you have lost. DEATH OF REV. E.W. BEALE. A good man has fallen - a sweet and gentle spirit has left the shores of time to become an inhabitant of great eternity. It rarely falls to the lot of any community to sustain so heavy a loss as all of us are called upon to undergo in the sudden death of REV. E.W. BEALE, which took place this morning about 9 o'clock, March 6th, 1881. No people can appropriate him. No section can entirely claim him. He was alike dear to all, for he was the friend of every body. His influence was far and wide, and his noble heart took hold on every enterprise that had for its object the good of his fellow man, and the glory of his heavenly Master. He was always ready to speak words of comfort and cheer to those who were in trouble and encouragement to those who were almost ready to dispair. O! how can we do without him? His meek and gentle ministrations in the sanctuary. His humble and fervent invocations at the throne of mercy, and his constant loving admonitions as were daily set forth in his most beautiful and exemplary life. Truly his "was a bright and shining light," for he was "instant in season and out of season always ready for the Master's work and doubtless always ready for the Master's call." His character is without spot or blemish, for we have yet to hear of the first word ever spoken aganist him. He leaves not an enemy behind, or a man that would fail to do him reverence. His leading traits of character seemed to be deep humility and an unfaltering trust in God. He know that he was a poor worm of the dust, yet he believed fully in God's promises and trusted in his grace. What an exalted character was his! He came nearer illustrating in his daily life the sacred teachings of the Son of God, than any one we ever knew. - How many little hearts will bleed and feel the keenest grief to whom he wrote so kindly and encouragingly in their corner of the paper, when they know of the death of dear loving UNCLE EDWIN, and if all of us and these dear little ones shall miss him so much, oh I how must it be with those to whom he was so dear as husband and parent. O! that God in his infinite mercy would comfort and sustain these sorely stricken ones, for we can but mingle our tears with theirs, and share with them this great and overwhelming sorrow. His was a meek and quiet spirit, and has doubtless gone to join that innumerable company which no man could number, who washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Let us earnestly endeavor to do as he has done, that we may meet him in glory, where all of God's people will meet to greet each other, and join in the everlasting song of the redeemed forever and ever. F.W.T. p. 4; file at: https://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93062839/1881-03-11/ed-1/seq-4/ The Children's Corner. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. - 1 John 2; 12 MY DEAR CHILDREN: - To-morrow, the 4th day of March, will be a great day in Washington City. Mr. Garfield, the newly elected President of the United States, will be inaugurated, that is will go into the highest office known in our country. Thousands of people will be in Washington City to witness the ceremony of his inauguration. The man who fills the highest office should be a man who fears the Lord, should he not? He should be a good man. Well, I hope he is. He is a member of the church. But yon know, my dear children, that being a member of the church does not of itself make any one good. If the heart is not right, if we do not love and serve the Lord, our being a member of the church will do us no good. May we not hope that the man who is to be the chief man, the highest in office for four years, has a right heart, is a devoted Christian? If he does not die before the term of office expires, he will remain President for four years. We are told in the Bible that we must pray for all who are in authority, that is, for our Presidents, and all others who fill the high and important offices of our country. We must, therefore, my dear children, pray for Mr. Garfield, that the Lord may keep his heart right and lead him in the path of duty. If you will turn to the 29th chapter of Proverbs and 2nd verse you will find this written. "When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn." - How important then that the President be a righteous man. Let us pray for him that God may bless him and make him a wise, prudent and faithful President, so that during his term of office the people may have cause to rejoice, and righteousness, which alone exalts a nation, may exalt this nation of ours. From your loving UNCLE EDWIN. ****************************************************************************** "Christian Sun" (Suffolk, VA), Vol. XXXIV, No. 11, Fri., Mar. 18, 1881 [4 p.; 1/2 both edges ripped off; 3/4 lower edge damaged] p. 2; file at: https://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93062839/1881-03-18/ed-1/seq-2/ A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. At a called meeting of the members of the Christian Church of Windsor on the 9th inst., the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted. Whereas, Almighty God in collecting his jewels from this earth to the "eternal mansions in the skies" has been pleased, in His infinite wisdom, to call our dearly beloved pastor, the Rev. E.W. BEALE, from his arduous labors in our midst to his reward in the bright realms of Paradise: And whereas this dispensation of Providence has bereft us of one we loved most dearly, to whom we sustained the tenderest relations which affect the hearts of mortals, and for whose memory we should cherish a parental feeling forever. Therefore be it Resolved, That in the death of our pastor we are indeed bereft of a truly good shepherd, of one whose labors of love in our midst afford a better illustration of the beauties of a Christian life than any language we command. The humility, purity, and seal of the true follower of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ were among the most prominent ornaments of his character. Around the family altar, in converse with his fellowmen, at the bed side of the afflicted, in the Sunday school and in the pulpit, in all his labors, "Humility that low sweet root, From which all heavenly virtues shoot," was so beautifully portrayed that all who saw him loved him; this charming virtue brushed away every trace of prejudice in the hearts of those who differed from him in opinion, and won friends as true and devoted in other churches as in his own. His friends forgot to what branch of the church he belonged in their lofty admiration of his character. May the Holy Spirit help us to imitate his example in the formation of our characters - holding constantly before us Christ Jesus the everlasting model! So far as the humau eye could detect, the life of our departed father in Israel was as pure as the snow flake floating on the breeze - an epistle seen and read by all men. His growth in grace was manifest, for he grew more and more like Christ, to whom he was instrumental in leading so many lost sinners, and in whom he always seemed to place such loving, child-like confidence. No man who ever met brother BEALE could fail to be impressed with his Christian heroism and zeal. He was "bold in declaring the whole council of God," but never offensive. His zeal was the gift of God. In it lies the grand secret of his still grander success. If he was not an intellectual genius, he was preeminently zealous towards God, and of good works. The poet seems to have anticipated him. "How beautiful it is for man to die Upon the walls of Zion! to be called Like a watch worn and weary sentinel, To put his armor off and rest - in heaven! His heart was with Jerusalem: and strong As was a mother's love, and the sweet ties Religion makes so beautiful at home He flung them from him in his eager race, And the broken people of his God, To preach to them of Jesus." Resolved, That we do heartily sympathize with the afflicted family of our deceased pastor. May God administer most abundantly such comforts as are best adopted to their sore affliction. And may the good Spirit follow companion and children through life and again unite them to him whose loss they now mourn. Resolved, That the pulpit and church be draped in mourning. Resolved, That a copy of this paper be sent to the afflicted family, one spread on our church record and another be sent to the CHRISTIAN SUN for publication. M.L. WATKINS. W.H. POWELL. S.J. CARR. Committee. TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, } Isle of Wight county, Va., } March 13th, 1881. } The Church assembled. We, your Committee appointed to perform one of the saddest duties ever imposed upon us, submit the following: Whereas, Rev. EDWIN WILLIAMS BEALE, our beloved pastor, has been called from labor to reward, Therefore Resolved, That we will ever cherish in our hearts the memory of our deceased pastor, and endeavor, by the aid of the Father of our spirits, to emulate the Christian example which he lived. Resolved, That in the death of our beloved pastor, the Church, his family and the world at large have sustained an irreparable loss. Resolved, That we extend to the sorely afflicted family our sincere sympathies in this their great bereavement. Resolved, That the church be draped in mourning ninety days. Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the CHRISTIAN SUN, a copy sent to the family, and that they be spread upon the records of the church. T.J. CLEMENTS, N.B. MUNFORD, B.F. ROBERTS, JOHN H. BEATON, JOHN I. MUNFORD, S.A. ELEY, Committee. BEALE MONUMENT. The beloved Beale has fallen a victim to death. His labor on earth has come to a close, and, indeed, was his a labor of love, and his life is worthy of remembering, and we think it is due to him, and our duty as his survivors, to erect over his last resting place a monument to remind the passerby that once he lived, and that his life was a life of labor and love. Bro. J.T. Nurney and myself have taken upon ourselves the task of attending to the matter, and we call upon his brethren and friends every where to aid us in this undertaking. Some may raise an objection to this plan, and say the matter should have started with the Conference. You will remember the meeting of the Confer ence is sometime in the future, and we think the matter should be attended to at once, from the fact we can raise the money easier now than if we wait until the meeting of Conference. Many have already responded very liberally, and I am quite sure all will when they have the opportunity of doing so. Bro. Nurney has consented to manage the matter, and I have agreed to raise the fund, placing all moneys coming to my hands for that purpose to his credit in the Farmer's Bank, and when we have a sufficient fund we will proceed to procure the monument. I will acknowledge all money received by me through the CHRISTIAN SUN. Brethren and friends of the lamented Beale, give us your aid. Let every minister of our church present the matter to his congregation. C.J. RALSTON. p. 4; file at: https://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93062839/1881-03-18/ed-1/seq-4/ The Children's Corner. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. - 1 John 2; 12 MY DEAR CHILDREN: - As you learned from the last issue of the Sun, if you had not heard it before, Uncle Edwin is no more among mortals. But he still lives, and, as we hope and believe, is far happier than he was on earth. Uncle Edwin was a good man, a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus. He used to write you loving letters, full of pious instruction; but he will never write to you again. I know that his little cousins loved him, and that many of them wept when they heard of his death. We have sustained a great loss. But let us not forget that all things work together for good to them that love God. We cannot understand how Uncle Edwin's death is to work for good to those of his friends who love God, but the declaration is none the less true on that account. We want you to remember his pious instructions, and observe them. Be good children. Learn to love and serve that blessed Jesus whom he used to commend to you, and when you grow up you will loved, respected and useful like he was, and when you die you will die happy, too. This corner will still be devoted to your interest. We will try to get some competent Uncle or Aunt to conduct it for you; but if we fail in this we will conduct it ourselves. So continue to write pretty little letters to one another; and we will take pleasure in publishing them. Be good little children, and do not forget to pray for Uncle Edwin's greatly afflicted family, his dear widow and children. He left a little boy named Edwin. Pray for him, that he may become a good man and preacher like his father. EDITOR. ****************************************************************************** "Christian Sun" (Suffolk, VA), Vol. XXXIV, No. 12, Fri., Mar. 25, 1881 [4 p.; 1/2 both edges ripped off; 3/4 lower edge damaged] p. 2; file at: https://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93062839/1881-03-25/ed-1/seq-2/ A VISIT TO ANTIOCH, &C. At the earnest solicitation of certain members of Antioch Church, Isle of Wight county, Va., which is one of the four churches left without a pastor by the death of Rev. E.W. Beale, we attended the services of that church last Saturday and Sunday. We left Suffolk Saturday morning, by the 9:20 freight, on the A.M. & O. R.R., and arrived in due time at Windsor. Here we were met by Bro. Burwell Roberts, who took us out to his house, in the immediate neighborhood of the church, where we met, in the person of his wife, an old acquaintance. Sister Roberts is a native of the Old North State, and a niece of the Brothers Harden, of Graham, N.C. With this kind family we spent a short time pleasantly. - After dinner, we went out to the church, to attend their second quarterly conference for the present Conference year. Owing to the great amount of sickness in the community and the inclemency of the weather the number present was small. The Conference, however, was one of unusual importance, and more than the customary amount of business was transacted. A delegation from Windsor Chorch was present to confer with this church with reference to securing the services of a pastor for the remainder of the year. Steps were taken to supply the entire field, which we hope will be successful. At present, however, we think it best to make no announcement. A part of what was due Bro. Beale for services as pastor was collected aud forwarded to his family, and a determined effort will be made at once to collect the whole amount, which we doubt not will be successful. Bro. B.F. Roberts, was appointed soliciting agent to raise funds for the benefit of our ministerial students. The most perfect harmony prevailed throughout the entire session. Saturday night we spent most pleasantly with Bro. T.J. Clements and his interesting family. Several of Bro. Clements' children were suffering with measles. Sunday was one of tbe most lovely days, Sundays especially, that we have had for a long while. At the cbnrch we met quite a large congregation, to whom we tried to preach. The attention was all that could be desired. The subject of the proposed monument to the memory of Bro. Beale was presented, and the congregation subscribed $37.80, and we were assured that the amount would be swelled to at least $50.00. A collection was also taken up for the benefit of a certain young man preparing for the Christian ministry, whioh amounted to $6.67. The saerament in commemoration of the sufferings and death of our blessed Saviour was celebrated, and we left old Antioch feeling that the day had not been spent in vain. May the Lord bless and prosper the good people of this church and congregation both temporally aud spiritually. After services we were taken in charge by Bro. W.H. Gay, who took us out to his old home, near Windsor, where we made the acquaintance of his wife and other friends. After a hearty dinner, he brought us to Suffolk in time for our evening services. Our congregation at 7 P.M. was good and attentive, though we were so tired as not to be able to address them as wo might have done under more favorable circumstances; but, trusting the Lord for a blessing on the labors of the day, we stop not to lament any failure, but address ourself to the work before us. [...] SHALL I SEE HIM NO MORE? IS BRO. BEALE DEAD? Sad news came in the first letter I got from Virginia after my arrival at this place. It said, "Bro. Beale is dead!" How it shocked me! My mind was crowded with questions: "Is Bro. Beale dead?" "Is it possible?" "Shall I no more see Bro. Beale, my most intimate, warm-hearted personal friend?" A second letter by the same mail was opened, and it, too, said, "Bro. Beale is dead." It must be true and yet it sounds like some mistaken dream. My soul sat down and wept, covered in a mantle of darkness and gloom. How can I give him up? How can I resign myself to the fact that he is dead? Yet I know, I must. God has so ordered it and I must yield - I do yield, and may God help us to bear our loss as Christians, and may He mercifully protect and bless the family left behind, to whose temporal aud spiritual interests he was so much devoted, and by whom he was so tenderly loved. Outside of his own family, I believe that none will miss him more than myself. There is a reason for this. We were not only brothers in the ministry, not only co-labors in the Lord's vineyard, but we were warm bosom friends. We conversed freely and confidentially on whatever either of us was interested in. If one was in joy, the other knew of it and rejoiced with him, and more especially, when one was in trouble, the other knew it, and deeply sympathized with him. In all my troubles I went to Bro. Beale for consultation. Frequently he would say: "In this case I cannot advise you; let us seek the Lord's guidance in the matter." While he sometimes failed to advise, I never knew him to fail to give me a warm personal sympathy, and this he had for all, for I am persuaded that he never refused sympathy to any friend who sought it. Since the death of our lamented WELLONS, no man has had my confidence as has EDWIN WILLIAMS BEALE. He is no more, and my soul weeps because of tbe parting. The parting! I bade him "Farewell" on Tuesday morning, March 1st, as I was leaving Suffolk for this place. In his parlor that morning we had our last interview, discussing our plans and prospects for usefulness in our future labors on earth. Of a most important work for the Christian Church I spoke to him as I was about to leave him, asking him his opinion of it. With an earnest expression from the lips and that peculiar firmuess of his eyes, he said to me: "O there is no question about it! - it is the finest field in all the church." Here our conversation closed, he followed me to the door, and then to the yard gate, where we lingered a few moments, and then we parted. My last words to him were: "Good-bye, I hope we shall meet again." But it was our last meeting on earth! To-night as I trace these lines through blinding tears, one sweetly solemn thought comes home to my heart: I still hope we shall meet again - beyond the river of Death. O! blissful hope - blessed thought! I have never known but one E.W. Beale. Someone has said he was not a great man. It is a mistake, at least, in one important particular: He was 'great' in his 'goodness'. It was well said that he exercised a most wonderful vigilance over his tongue. That is true. In my most confidential interviews with him, he was exceedingly cautious in what he said - very prudent; and in this he has left all of us a good example. May the Lord help us to follow it. We have all sustained a heavy loss in his death. The loss to his family is irreparable! How we shall miss him in our church work! The world, too, is a great loser in the death of this godly man. His influence over the worldly and ungodly was remarkable. In that sphere his death will be as the going out of one of the brightest stars in the firmaments. Sin and darkness and satan will do more to ruin the souls of men because of the absence of E.W. Beale. His Christian life was truly as a city set on a hill - it could not be hid; like the light on a candlestick it gave light to all in the house - in reach of his influence. Everywhere he was a living, moving power in the hearts of his fellowmen. But he still lives in Heaven, and on earth his works do follow him, and his influence like the on-rolling wave will long continue to spread and do good in the world. And now as I close these thoughts in memory of this dear brother, I want to ask all of his friends who may read this, to adopt as their constant prayer, the words Bro. Beale so often sung as the desire of his soul, with so much delight: "Jesus keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain Free to all - a healing stream, Flow from Calvary's mountain. In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river." No doubt he has found that rest beyond the river. O! blessed city of God, the home of the soul. We have dear friends waiting and watehing for us. O Jesus, keep us near the cross till we reach the golden strand just beyond the river, and strike glad hands with loved ones gone before. J. PRESSLEY BARRETT. Stanfordville, N.Y. ****************************************************************************** "Virginian-Pilot" Norfolk (VA), Vol. 3, No. 13, Apr. 15, 1899, p. 8 THE TOWN OF SUFFOLK Council Ticket For Monday's Primary Completed. SOUTHAMPTON NOMINEES Removal of Dust of the Dead - Murderer Awaiting His Doom - Southampton Primary Nominees - Almost Ancient History - Row Over a Game of Marbles - About People Our Readers Know. (Special to Virginian-Pilot.) Suffolk, Va., April 14. - [...] TAKING UP DEAD MEN. A step has been made towards the interment in one cemetery of the hallowed remains of most of Suffolk's dead. Ever since the Wellons-Star controversy there has been more or less feeling among their respective friends. Wellons' closest adherents were laid away in Willow Hill, a private burying ground, and that has caused a division of attention on memorial days. Now that the town controls Cedar Hill some of the remains in Willow Hill may be removed. All that is left of the late Rev. Edwin Beale was taken to Cedar Hill yesterday. [...] ****************************************************************************** "Virginian-Pilot" (Norfolk, VA), Vol. 3, No. 14, Sun., Apr. 16, 1899, p. 10 TOWN OF SUFFOLK News Notes From the Capital of Nansemond. Death of Mr. W. W. Goodwin - Robbery - Help For the Veterans - Explanatory - Baseball - Drawing to a Close - Personal Mention. (Special to Virginian-Pilot.) Suffolk, Va., April 15. - [...] NOT A PARTICIPANT. In the story in to-day's Virginian-Pilot about the removal of Rev. Edwin Beale's remains from Willow Hill to Cedar Hill Cemetery a mention of the Star-Wellons controversy was made, and some readers have construed it to mean that Rev. Mr. Beale was connected with the controversy. To those who have gotten that inference it should be said that Mr. Beale was not connected with the controversy. He was residing in North Carolina at the time. [...] ****************************************************************************** "Norfolk (VA) Landmark," Vol. 48, No. 86, Sun., Apr. 16, 1899, p. 6, clipping posted with Find a Grave Memorial #112050689, by Martha Fontaine Byrum Suffolk, Va., April 15. - [...] The remains of the Rev. E.W. Beale, deceased, have been removed from Willow Hill to Cedar Hill Cemetery, where his widow, Mrs. E.J. Beale, had purchased a burial lot beside that of her son-in-law, Mr. W.G. Farrar. The removal of this revered saint's remains brings back fresh to our memory the devoutness of his life and the beloved esteem in which he was held, for perhaps, no man had lived around our section who was loved more than he, nor in whose word more trust was reposed. The removal of the remains was, doubt, stirring indeed to the feelings his loved ones, but owing to the distance to and the dilapidated condition of Willow Hill Cemetery, they desired have him where they could keep fresh and green the mound above him and place flowers upon the same in loving remembrance. Rev. Edwin Williams BEALE, Christian minister & columnist, b. 1 Jan 1834, Southampton Co.*, d. 6 Mar 1881, at home, Suffolk, interred in Willow Hill Cemetery, Suffolk, 8 Mar 1881, re-interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery (Block F, Lot 106*), Suffolk, 13 Apr 1899 *Additional information: Cedar Hill list, an extension of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_a.txt A photo of Rev. BEALE - added by James Maynard - and one of his monument - added by Rhonda Golden Cowan - are also posted with Find a Grave Memorial #112050689. Nansemond Co. D.Reg. 1881 #4 gives b. NC. His widow's obit ("Christian Sun," Nov. 22, 1905, pp. 4 & 5) is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/b400e27o.txt His mother Jane was the daughter of William & Lydia WILLIAMS. She 1m. Matthew WILLIAMS 5 Dec 1818. (Southampton Co. M.Reg. 275, 730) She left will 2 Apr 1859, pr. 16 Jul 1866. (Southampton Co. WB18:481-82) Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/b400e26o.txt