REV. ROBERT HOWELL HOLLAND.

EV. ROBERT HOWELL HOLLAND was born in Nansemond county, Virginia, near Holland, October 16, 1819, and died at the home of his son Dr. J. G. Holland, Holland, Virginia, November 9, 1908, aged eighty-nine years and twenty-four days. He was the oldest son of Zachary and Matilda Ann (Howell) Holland. His paternal grandfather was Job Holland and his maternal grandparents Edward and Ann (Phillips) Howell. His father died in early manhood, and his mother married Rev. Uriah Rawls, a Christian minister. He had two brothers, Zachary Everett and Dixon H., the former dying in 1893, the latter in 1901; one sister, who married the late Albert K. Rawls. There were three half-brothers, David, James and Uriah, none of whom married; three half-sisters, Mariah and Louise who were never married, and Emeline the first wife of the late Andrew Jackson Rawls,--all died young.

      At an early age he professed faith in Christ and joined Holy Neck Christian church. Little of his boyhood can be known, for the companions of his childhood and youth [400] have passed on before. One thing we chanced to know. His honor and integrity was such that he would always own the truth even when it brought punishment. He was reared on a farm, and attended the schools of his community, Quaker Church school and one about three miles from South Quay in Nansemond county, taught by a man named Willis Holland. He improved his opportunities, received a good education for his day, and became a school-teacher.

      His first marriage was to Elizabeth Everett, sister of the late Thomas Everett. She lived only a few years. His second marriage was to Margaret Rebecca Oberry, daughter of the late deacon John Oberry. She died July 20, 1902. Eight children were born to this marriage. He was happy in domestic life, devoted to his family, and gave his children educational advantages. His superior education rendered him specially helpful in his community. He wrote contracts, petitions, wills, deeds, and even speeches for his neighbors. He served his district as supervisor and magistrate, and was for several years postmaster at Holland.

      At the Eastern Virginia Conference held at Providence in Norfolk county, in 1852, he acted as secretary and served as chairman of the committee on Sunday schools. During the Conference year he had served as itinerant and had received for his services $137.08. The committee on the ministry and ordination reported: "That in compliance with the wishes of the churches at Holy Neck, Barrett's, and Spring Hill, we do hereby recommend Bro. Robert H. Holland for ordination at this meeting." On Sunday morning following he was ordained by the presbytery composed of Revs. Mills Barrett, Joshua Livesay, William B. Wellons, and William H. Boykin. He was appointed a messenger with Rev. S. S. Barrett to the next session of the North Carolina and [401] Virginia Conference. Again, at the Conference at Cypress chapel in 1853, he served as one of the secretaries, and was chairman of the committee on temperance of which cause he was a faithful advocate. He was strong in his convictions and stood for what he believed to be right regardless of its popularity. The report on temperance which was submitted this year by him concludes with: "Resolved, That we will do all in our power to suppress the evil of intemperance and cast our influence in the scale of temperance; and that we will use every honorable means and make every laudable effort to induce our friends to cease the manufacture and traffic in ardent spirits and to cease its use as a beverage." While he had been itinerant for the past year for $135, he declined to serve the next year. He had also served Union in Southampton county as pastor and organized Hebron. He was appointed to deliver the opening address before the Conference in 1854, at Holy Neck. In 1856, he was a delegate from the Eastern Virginia Conference to the Southern Christian Convention at Union chapel in Alamance county, North Carolina. "A committee of five was appointed to prepare a declaration of the principles generally held by the Christians in the South," of which Robert H. Holland was chairman. The committee on Principles of the Church reported the five cardinal principles, saying that we in convention assembled "re-assert that we do strictly adhere to the leading principles which have ever distinguished the Christians from all other denominations, and will not depart from them."

      At the Conference at Bethlehem in 1866, he served on the committee on Education, which endorsed the Graham Institute and Holy Neck Seminary. In 1858, he attended the Southern Christian Convention at Cypress chapel, which met May 5th, and was appointed on the Executive committee and also on the Board of Visitors [402] to the Graham Institute. The Christian Sun was turned over by the Southern Christian Association to the Southern Christian Convention, and in accordance with plans adopted for its publication, Rev. R. H. Holland was appointed a member of its Executive committee. He had been also elected vice-president of the Southern Christian Convention.

      In 1859, at the Conference at Providence in Norfolk county, he served on the committee on Education, and was appointed a fraternal messenger to the North Carolina and Virginia Christian Conference. In 1860, he preached for the churches at Holy Neck, Hebron, and Union. He attended the Conference at Cypress chapel served on the committee on the ministry and ordination and was re-appointed on the Executive committee. No regular session of this Conference was held during the Civil War. In 1865, he preached the introductory sermon before the Conference at Holy Neck from Rev. 1:13, 14. He was chairman of the committee on Temperance and submitted a strong report. The committee on ministerial supply reported him to preach at Holy Neck and Hebron. At the Conference at Spring Hill in Sussex county, Virginia, in 1870, he presented the report on temperance. At the Conference held in Suffolk, in 1876, the Executive committee in its report states that it had taken into consideration the resolutions passed by the church at Spring Hill, suggesting a centennial work for our Church, and the committee, composed of Revs. R. H. Holland, M. B. Barrett and J. T. Kitchen, decided that the work should be home missions. Thus, he was ever on the lookout for whatever would conserve the best interests of the Church.

      From the time he was first appointed on the committee on temperance, he served almost continuously up to 1880, when the Conference met at Bethany, and was usually chairman of the committee. His last regular [403] pastoral charge embraced the churches at Holy Neck, Union and Damascus, in 1873, but he continued to supply as occasion demanded or opportunity offered. At the Conference at Windsor, Virginia, in 1879, he served on the committee on Sunday schools, and on the Conference Executive committee. He attended the Conference at Antioch, in 1885. And from this time on he was regular in attendance upon the conferences. It is worthy of note that from 1890 to 1906 he attended all the conferences except two possibly. The last that he attended was the Conference at Holland in 1906. This, no doubt, delighted his soul. When the town of Holland was established, he devoted his energy and means to removing Hebron church to that place. This church was dear to him, he having organized it in the early part of his ministry, and having adopted it as his home church he moved his membership from Holy Neck to it. To the building and rebuilding of this church he gave between $500 and $600. The Berea Christian church, at Driver, Virginia, traces its history back to the preaching of Rev. R. H. Holland in the 1850's at Yates' school-house, a few hundred yards from the present site of the church.

      "He was gifted with the pen and did the church much service in this line. He wrote for the 'Sun' from its beginning in 1844 to within about two months of his death. He contributed much to the 'Herald of Gospel Liberty' and was for a time its Southern correspondent. He also wrote the biography of the late Dr. W. B. Wellons." This was published in the year 1881, and is a volume of 448 pages. "Assisted by Dr. Wellons and others he ordained Justin Copeland, the first colored Christian Elder in this section. He organized Corinth chapel and Laurel Hill, colored Christian churches, giving the land for the latter and otherwise aiding; he helped in the organization of Zion (colored) Christian church,--all of these in upper Nansemond county. He helped in the organization of [404] the Eastern Virginia Colored Christian Conference and was ever ready to help and defend their cause. His memory will be tenderly cherished among them."

      "After retirement from active service 'Uncle Robert' continued to preach, conduct funerals, marry, visit the sick, write for the papers, and work in his local church, where some of his best service was rendered. Through his influence and help Hebron church, weak and ready to perish, was moved [in 1899] and rebuilt at Holland, and Holland Christian church with its commodious building and large increasing membership is a monument to his wisdom and fidelity. He was for many years superintendent of the Sunday school and was secretary of the church till his death. He was a regular attendant at all the services to about two months before his death. When too weak for connected thought he gave testimony in familiar scripture verses, his favorite being, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." In all these years of retirement he manifested a spirit of loyalty and took keen interest in all the affairs of the church. He was happy and cheerful, rejoicing in the superior advantages and success of the present. He always had a kind word for the young minister and all who came under his influence were cheered and strengthened. His delicate and grateful spirit let no kind word or deed pass unnoted. Among the sweet experiences of his last days was the reception of letters of sympathy and appreciation from friends, many of whom knew him only through his writings. These letters were carefully preserved and often re-read. At times a tinge of sadness came over him as he contemplated his dissolution, but never a wavering of faith. 'In the evening time it was light.' Many times would he exclaim, 'The Lord has been very good to me.' And again, 'My work is done. I have nothing special to live [405] for I am ready, just waiting my time.' And so after a long and useful life, having reared and provided well for his children, having served his church and community, without disease and with little suffering, he comes to his grave in full old age, beloved by his family, honored by his community, revered by his brethren in the ministry and respected by all." Young people loved him and found him bright and interesting. In this he was exceptional and exemplary. [406]

[LCM 400-402]