 | Annals of Henrico parish |  |
RT. REV. JOHN B. NEWTON, D. D.
BY REV. R. A. GOODWIN.
The Rt. Rev. John Brockenbrough Newton, D. D., Bishop
Coadjutor of the Diocese of Virginia, was born in Westmoreland
county, Va., February 7, 1839.
He was educated at the Episcopal High School near Alexandria,
the Edge Hill School, and Schouler's School, near
Fredericksburg. He attended a Medical School in Winchester,
Va., and afterwards graduated from the Medical College
of Virginia, at Richmond.
At the beginning of the war he entered the Confederate
army as a private in the Fortieth Virginia Regiment, Gen. A.
P. Hill's division. He was soon appointed assistant surgeon;
afterwards was promoted to full surgeon, in which
capacity he served till the close of the war.
He married Miss Roberta Page Williamson, November
5, 1862.
At the close of the war he settled in his native county, and
began to practice his profession. In the absence of a rector,
Dr. Newton conducted lay services. While thus engaged,
he felt the Master's call to enter the sacred ministry. He
studied theology privately, and supported his family by
practicing medicine.
He was ordained deacon by Bishop Whittle, June 25, 1871,
and presbyter the following year by Bishop Johns. He
commenced his ministry in South Farnham Parish, Essex
county, Va., where he did excellent work for four years. His
next charge was St. Luke's, Norfolk, Va. In this church
his work was much blessed. During his rectorship of eight
years the congregation grew so steadily and rapidly that it
was twice necessary to enlarge the church building. In September,
1884, he accepted a call to the Monumental church,
Richmond, Va., where he worked earnestly, faithfully and
Dr. Newton was elected Assistant Bishop January 31,
1894, by a special Council which met in St. Paul's church,
Richmond, Va.
He was consecrated in Monumental church on the 16th
of May, 1894.
Within less than one week he was off on his first visitation
through the Diocese; and from that time until his sudden
death on the 28th of May, 1897, he grew in the respect, the
confidence and the love of the clergy and laity of his Diocese.
For several years Bishop Newton had represented the Diocese
of Virginia in the General Convention. His clear judgment,
high character, earnest manner and sound churchmanship
won the confidence of both clergy and laity of all schools
of thought.
That he was called to the Episcopate in Virginia, where
his whole life had been spent, and, consequently, where he
was best known, shows that his brethren loved and revered
his manliness and piety.
As a preacher his style was simple, earnest and energetic.
He preached "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified" with the
true eloquence of a loving heart. He was sought for as a
mission preacher, and he led many to Christ.
He was a man of gentle, modest, simple habits. His heart
was warm and affectionate. His mind was clear, and led
straight to the truth. His life was pure, true and faithful.
He was buried in Hollywood, Richmond, Va., by Bishops,
clergy and laymen, who felt that a dear brother and faithful
servant of God had gone to be with Christ.
| Annals of Henrico parish | |