Buckingham Notables: Egbert Bolling Winfrey, Part II

Egbert Bolling Winfrey.  Courtesy Winfrey family.

Need to catch up? Click here: Buckingham Notables: Egbert Bolling Winfrey, Part I

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Because Egbert Bolling Winfrey did not die suddenly, his parents and his brother, Rev. E. W. Winfrey, were able to join him in Richmond as he lay dying. In this vivid obituary we learn the effect across the campus at Richmond College where E. B. Winfrey was an exemplary student.

DEATH OF E. B. WINFREY.

The fifteenth instant was a sad day at Richmond College. No classes met, no studying could be done, all spoke with baited breath of the fatal struggle going on in one of the upper rooms until it reached its crisis soon after noon. Then a stricken father, a brokenhearted mother, and a crushed brother [came] slowly down the long stairway and left their dead to be by kindly hands prepared for burial at the old homestead in Buckingham.

Egbert Bolling Winfrey was in his twenty-third year, had been, during two sessions of college, a faithful and successful student, and had won great acceptance as a simple, earnest, sympathetic preacher of the gospel. His pleasing, modest address, his excellent native gifts, his [studious] habits, his devoted spirit, gave promise of abundant usefulness in the ministry. The services of such a man were in great demand, too great perhaps for his good.

During the whole of last summer’s vacation, except a week or two, he was engaged in protracted meetings. All through the current session, besides full work in four classes and one regular monthly appointment, he has been very often called on for extra labors. If it be that the wear of incessant toil and the burden of anxiety for souls made his body an easy prey to disease, there is this consolation, that he laid his life a willing sacrifice on the altar of what he conceived to be his duty to God and his fellow man and we have the express promise of Him who said, “Whoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” We mourn his death as untimely; he who orders all things saw that his work was done, his character ripe, his mansion prepared.

We offer heartfelt sympathy to the sorrowing household in their country home, to the bereaved brother at Culpepper, to hundreds of loving hearts to whom he had endeared himself by his simplicity of soul and his unselfish devotion.

H. H. Hart [?]

The burial took place on Saturday, and on Sunday at Sharon, the church of which the dear, devoted young man was a member, a memorial service was held. Brethren Loving, Hoover, Ryland and Hickson, from the College, were present and spoke in warm place of the dead. The venerable and beloved W. C. Hall, himself a member of Sharon, also made an address and Bro. Thornhill, of Manchester, closed the service by calling the comrades and friends of the young man to the Savior whom he had trusted. Ten responded to the invitation and the scene was memorable in its tender impressiveness.

We send the stricken ones assurance of our sympathy and affection. Nor can we withhold our sincere congratulations that God gave them a son, so simple-hearted so devoted, so consecrated. — [Eds]

Coming Next: Buckingham Notables: Egbert Bolling Winfrey, Part III