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REV. JOHN MARTIN SAUNDERS.
HAS genial Saunders an enemy in the world? An old man, as years go, but young in spirit as
a boy, and with a face unwrinkled by time. How fond was Duncan, (whose like we shall never
see again.) of his cheery and mellow friend! And how Bishop Peirce, at our Conferences, was
pleased when a cover was laid for Saunders at the dinings, and how he, our Chrysostom, (the "golden-mouthed." by the way, slept with comedies of Aristophones under his pillow,) was regaled by the quaint, often tearful humor of the preacher, full of Irish blood.
The early years of Mr. Saunders mark the bitter period of orphanage. Parents, uncle, aunt
and brother were in the grave while he was yet a little child. The hand of avarice and cruelty wrought its pitiless will upon him. The story of these sorrowful days demand the pathetic pen of a Dickens to portray them. The Father of the fatherless led hint to the Sunday-school of Cumberland Street Church. Norfolk, where he continued and advanced from the primary class to the
superintendency.
He was converted under the ministry of Dr. W. H. Smith, and joined the church in his
seventeenth year. He was placed under the spiritual direction of Andrew Scott, the Great Heart of that day, whose sunrise class-meetings on the Sabbath were means of great grace.
The old time leader was a theologian. He expounded and illustrated the doctrines of the
church. Under such tutelage the young man was well grounded in divine knowledge. The Rev. D. S. Doggett, now Bishop, succeeded Dr. Smith in the pastorate at Cumberland street. He took the young Christian by the hand and aided him in following the call of God to the ministry. For eighteen months in his study the pastor taught Mr. Saunders daily in the English branches. and started him in the classics.
Mr. Saunders was licensed to preach during the pastorate of Dr. Waller, the successor of Dr.
Doggett, and was put in charge of it large colored congregation. He at the same time attended school, and used his advantages to improve his knowledge of the dead languages. He became the assistant of Dr. Waller at Trinity, Richmond. In 1812 he was admitted on trial into the Virginia Conference. in a large class, of which four only remain on the roll. In these thirty years Mr. Saunders has not had a week's vacation, nor any serious affliction, working on circuits, stations, and in the eldership. e began under Rev. J. W. Childs, on Cumberland. circuit in 1832. and in 1880 is serving the people of Brunswick.
He was born in Norfolk. Virginia. 23d April, 1817
Source:
Sketches of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. by Rev. John J. Lafferty Richmond, Va., Christian Advocate
Office 1880.
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