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 PRUAIINENT PERSONS

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church. During the civil war he was pastor ot the Broad Street Church in Richmond, and throughout this period preserved a con- servative attitude, never permitting politics to enter into his religious discussions, and eiideavoring in every way, after the strug- gle, to promote good feeling between the stctions. From 1868 until his death he was president of Randolph-AIacon College. Dr. Duncan was a leader in the councils of his church. For many years he was editor of the "Richmond Christian Advocate."

Dickinson, Alfred Elijah, born in Decem- ber, 1830, in Orange county, Virginia, and came of a strong and sturdy stock. At an early age he entered Richmond College, from which he was graduated. He then at- tended the University of V^irginia for spe- cial courses, and while there, became inter- ested in the Baptist church at Charlottes- ville, and at the conclusion of his course of study became its pastor. In this work he was eminently successful, reaching many of the university students, and building up the church in every department of its work. L.ater he became superintendent of the Sun- day school and colportage work of the Bap- tist General Association of Virginia, and in his nine years in this position, he organized many new Sunday schools, strengthened those already in existence, enlarged their libraries, and improved their facilities for work. During this period he was especially active and useful in colportage and mission- ary work in the Army of Northern Vir- ginia. Dr. Dickinson finally resigned to ac- cept the pastorate of the Leigh Street Bap- tist Church in Richmond, which grew rapidly and steadily under his ministry. In 1865 he formed a co-partnership with the

late Dr. J. B. Jeter, for the purchase of the "Religious Herald." This paper, founded in 1S27, had been published continuously ex- cept for occasional interruptions during the war. The close of the war found it greatly crippled and the labor of re-establishment was a discouraging task, but under the guid- ance of these strong men it soon entered upon a prosperous career. Dr. Dickinson's editorial connection with it has continued since 1865 until the present writing, making him, in period of service, the dean of Bap- tist editors in the whole world. Alore than half of his long life has been spent in this work, and his editorial career extends over more than one-half of the life of the paper itself. Dr. Dickinson's work on the paper was only one form of his activities. He was frequently engaged in special meet- ings ; churches all over the state, seeking to rebuild their houses of worship and to gather their scattered membership, had his help. His success in regathering members, in collecting money, in enlisting the sym- pathy and securing the help of generous persons outside of the state, made him a notable and useful figure in those trying days. After the death of Dr. Jeter, it was decided to erect a building on the grounds of Richmond College to his memory. Dr. Dickinson was the active agent, and speed- ily brought the movement to a successful issue. In his earlier years he visited the slate meetings of his denomination through- out the South and a great many in the North. In physical proportions Dr. Dickin- son was notable. Of unusual height, broad shouldered, deep chested, with a massive head, he would command attention in any assembly. As a speaker, his style was col- loquial and familiar. A keen sense of humor