EV. RICHARD H. COSTEN died May 1, 1887, having been sick for several weeks. He was about fifty years of age at the time of his death. His last days were spent at the carpenter's trade in and about Suffolk in Nansemond county, Virginia.

      In 1865, at the Eastern Virginia Conference held at Holy Neck, the committee on the ministry and ordination submitted its report, whereupon it was decided to ordain Rev. Richard H. Costen to the office of Elder. On the Sabbath following, "in the presence of a large concourse of persons Bro. R. H. Costen was solemnly set apart to the office of Elder in the Church, Elders W. B. Wellons, John N. Manning and M. B. Barrett officiating as the ordaining presbytery."

      In 1870, he preached in Portsmouth and at Liberty in Norfolk county, and attended the Conference at Berkley, [354] Virginia, in 1871. He reported to the Conference in 1872, that he had been forced to retire from the regular work of the ministry, but preached occasionally in Atlantic City, Virginia. In 1874, he reported work at the Alms House in the city of Norfolk.

      In 1876, Elder Costen, being summoned before the Executive committee to answer charges seriously affecting "his moral and ministerial character," "sent a letter surrendering all authority as a minister in the Eastern Virginia Conference; the committee accepted said authority, and declared the said Richard H. Costen no longer a minister" of the Christian Church.

[LCM 354-355]