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THE LATE REV. T. W. TOBEY, D.D.

This faithful and distinguished minister of the gospel died at Lake Weir

in Florida, on February 7, 1885. For some years his health had been failing,

and he had removed to Florida in the hope that the balmy and sunny climate of

that State might prolong his days. But God had otherwise ordered the steps

of his servant. About a year ago, his voice began to fail, and realizing his

condition, he said: "My work is done. I am ready when the Master calls."

His last days were marked by the sweet, submissive spirit of the true Christian,

and drew from a lady friend who stood by his bedside the exclamation, "0, such

a saintly face"! Fully prepared, conscious that his hour had come, he

committed himself in full confidence into the hands of his Saviour, whom he had

loved and served so well. Loving hands laid him to rest beneath the moss covered

oaks in full view of the lake, in which he baptized one year ago.

Prof. Tobey was born in Providence~ R. I., in 1819, and was baptized early

in life, by his father, Rev. Zalmon Tobey. He was graduated from Columbian

College, D. C., in 1844 and was ordained to the ministry in 1845, while tutor

at the same College. He was appointed a missionary to China by our Foreign

Board in 1846, and in the following March sailed for China, in company with

Rev. Messrs. Shuck, Yates and Johnson. Previous to his departure, he married

Miss Isabella Hall, daughter of Rev. Addison Hall, of Lancaster, Va. After a

few years, he was compelled to return to this country, on account of the con­

tinued ill health of Mrs. Tobey. He became pastor of the church at Raleigh, N. C.,

and edited the BIBLICAL RECORDER. He subsequently removed to Yanceyville, N. C.,

where Mrs. Tobey died.

In 1858 he removed to Alabama,;and was married to Mrs. Hattie Howard, and

served the church at Sumterville, until called to the chair of Theology in Howard

College. In 1869 he removed to Kentucky and engaged in teaching at Paducah, and

REV. T. W. TOBEY, D. 0.- Continued

afterwards became a professor in Bethel College, at Russellville. In 1878 he

removed to the South andl' finally located in Florida, where he was engag~d in

preaching and teaching up to a year previous to his death. Few better men have

ever lived. His record is on high. Pure in life, consecrated to his Master,

kind and affectionate to all about him, his death has produced a void in his

family, in the community and in the Baptist denomination. When a boy, the

writer of these lines shared in his love and confidence, his wise counsels, his

timely help in every possible way, and his name will always be held in the most

affectionate remembrance.

"Servant of God, well done! Rest from thy loved employ,

The battle fought, the victory won, Enter thy Master's joy."

Paducah, Ky. L. H. SHUCK

RELIGIOUS HERALD February 26, 1885

Page: 1-5

MARRIED

In Tuskegee, Ala., Dec. 13, 1858, by Elder S. Henderson,

Elder Thomas W. Tobey, formerly of Yanceyville, N. C., now

pastor of Sumterville church, Alabama, and Mrs. Harriet A.

Howard of Tuskegee.

BIBLICAL RECORDER

December 23, 1858

Page 3:3

DIED

In Yanceyville, July 6, Susan Caroline, daughter of Rev. T. W.

Tobey, aged 6 months.

BIBLICAL RECORDER

July 12, 1855

Page 3:3

DIED

In Yanceyville, N. C., on the night of the 11th of October,

Robert H., infant son of Rev. Thomas W. Tobey, aged one month.

BIBLICAL RECORDER, October 22, 1857

Page: 3:4

IN MEMORIAM

Thomas William Tobey, D.D.

On the 7th of February, 1885, Dr. Tobey, who, from 1847 to 1850,

was a missionary of the Convention to China, passed quietly from this

life, at Lake Weir, in Florida, in full hope of a blessed immortality.

A DECADE OF FOREIGN MISSIONS

By: H. A. Tupper

Page: 374

DEATH OF MRS. TOBEY, FORMERLY MISSIONARY TO SHANGHAI

We have received, since our last issue, the sad intelligence of the

death of sister Tobey, of Yanceyville. We knew her health was very in-

firm, but did not expect that she would so soon be called away. It will

be remembered that this sister accompanied her husband, Rev. T. W. Tobey,

to a heathen land, some years since, as a christian Missionary, where her

health was so much impaired as to render their return to this country in-

despensable. Since that time her sufferings bodily and mentally, have

been very great, in which her husband has deeply sympathized as well as

other relatives and friends. Her death, we learn, was peaceful and happy;

and while it ended her mortal sufferings, it opened to her, as there is good

reason to believe, the joys of the heavenly rest. Our afflicted brother,

who has heretofore been called to give up several infant children, and now

another with the wife of his bosom, has our heart-felt sympathies and humble

prayers. May an all-wise God, who has seen fit to lay on him the band of

affliction, give him many years yet of usefulness and happiness.

We subjoin a notice of our deceased sister, penned by one who lived in

the same community and knew her well. The Religious Herald of Virginia, is

requested to copy it.

Died in Yanceyville, on the 11th instant, 1 o'clock A.M., Isabella Hall

Tobey, wife of Thomas W. Tobey, formerly Missionary to China, but for the

last four years Pastor of the Baptist church here. Seldom has it fallen our

lot to record the death of a more estimable lady, endowed by nature with

a superior order of intellect, extreme sensitiveness, and a highest sense

of honor and rectitude towards her fellow-creatures. It is to be supposed

that when she gave her heart to God, (which she did in early life), she did

it with that unreserved devotion which none but a noble spirit can feel;

and had she been blessed with health of mind and body, none would have

MRS. T. W. TOBEY - 2

surpassed, and few equaled her in zeal and activity in her Master's cause,

either in her native or in a foreign land. But He, who doeth all things

right, saw fit to afflict. Yea, she was the child of affliction, none save

her God knows to what extent. A few hours before she breathed her last,

she asked for her husband--he kneeled beside her--when she in the most composed

and collected manner said, "My dear, I am dying". He asked her how she felt.

She said, "Very well." He becoming too overpowered to converse, a friend by

asked her if she felt happy at the prospect of death. She, with the countenance

of an angel, and the soul of a woman heaving from her eyes, looked into her

husband's face and replied:

110, glorious home! 0, blest abode!

I shall be near and like my God!

'I have sinned against heaven and before Thee,

0 God;' but,

'Jesus can make a dying bed feel soft as downy pillows are, While on his breast I lay my head And breathe my life out sweetly there'."

She then raised her hands and arms, which she had not been able to move

for days, and clapping her hands, sang two lines---

"Jesus lover of my soul", &c. ;

and being unable to proceed, lamented that she could not sing and praise her

God. She then remarked, that she was very feeble, and thought she would say

but little more, but would pass off quietly. She lingered but a few hours

longer. Her funeral services took place on Sunday afternoon---

'Tis true, she has died in the home of her adoption without one tie of blood

beside her; but the deep feeling manifested both by the presiding ministers

as well as the very large congregation present, proves that she was surrounded

by FRIENDS that spared no efforts for her comfort in life, and lingered to

MRS. T. W. TOBEY - 3

pay the last farewell. Her infant son, just a month old, survived her

death by only a few hours. Thus is our brother doubly bereaved.--Will not

the prayers of christians rise in his behalf.

BIBLICAL RECORDER

October 22, 1857

Page 2:2

A3 has been stated, Mr, Tobey was associated with the origin of the 8l1anghai Mission. Hew prominent a part he took in the founding and fostering of this station appears in the published records of the Board of Foreign Missions. At present we propose only a bare (JUt­

line of his anie and _pos(m!~sionary life.

nfterw-nd, :.fr. : Sbuglni. v !:c·i·

FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE SOUTHEHN BAPTIST CONVENTION by H. A. Tupper

·--~-·-

168 FOREJO_Y 1lIISSIONS.

ONE OF THE FOU:KDEI~S.

The pnblic <'~:­

introductory pr .. Scriptures. · 1:., S. P. Hill pr~~.:'. ing prayer. I:v· :hcv. G. w. Du: the coucludiug tion,

After "fore,, Mr, Tobey :lli•i ·

the ship }-.~hl.·.Y Shuck. ~ Ir.. ·:· the :Flf'v. _\,;;1· ·

the 2-3th 1..t' .Iu..

her husband, the whole responsibility of this mission has been thrown ll!"fln her nnd the native pastor, 'Wong Ping San; and the business­ like manner in which affairs Lave been managed and accounts ren­ dered has been so marked as to elicit the express comrucndation of the Board. J. Stuart :Mill was brave enough to say, that he was in­ debted to a woman for his best ideas. And Dr. Yates, standing six feet, four inches, is too manly not to be equally just to his "better-

half."

THOMAS WILLIAM TOBEY, D.1).

.Ar:TE.

On il"'~·~'t'1t America ;11 1 c..:.~

Mr. Tobey was born at Fort Hill, North Providence, R. I., on the 15tl1 of September, 1819-the same year as his missionary colleague, J\L T. Yates, · He professed conversion in Bristol, TI. I., in February, 1;):37, and was baptized on the lust Lord's D.1y of tLt 1J:0:cth by Rev. ~aln1on Tobey, pastor of the Bristol Bup:.i~t Church. H~~. first colle­ giate :·ear was spent in Brown University, under the prc=idcney of Dr. :r.~·:>.Ecis 1·c r-yland. ffo was gradu:it.;d at the Cohnubiuu Ccll?ge, of \Y:isbii.:.i;;zm1 City, 1TI J):l-11. In 18-H, he was licensed to pt\·;1ch hy the I,;eba.1wci Rtptist Cb.,1rch, of Ln,!1caster County, Ya. On ~he 4tli of At•[tL:t, 18-hiJ, h~ \las accepted ..... .-~lh ~.le.offs. Ytitrs ~1.J F. 0 .. fohn~'.!n by th.:; Bom·d o-~ Foreign ilfod0ns as a rni~~io11m·y to Chin:i. Ffo •rn.s or­ J:iined in \Y '.1Sl1.ington, D. C., cu Aug11st 25th, 1816, by a c1rnncil. cnller.l by the :E ~:itreet B:.1ptd Church, 0f "·hich Rey. G. 1.\'. 8a1n::o11, D. D., was pr..stor.

CIIINA-SIIAXUIIAI .illISSIO.l{. lGD

FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION by H. A. Tupper' I I

The public exercises were as follows: Rev. A. Samson offered the introductory prayer. Rev. Franklin \Yilson, of Baltimore, read the Scriptures. Rev. George F . Adams offered the opening prayer. Rev. S. P. Hill preached the sermon. Rev. J. B. Taylor offered the ordain­ ing prayer. Rev. G. ·w. Samson gave the right hand of fellowship. Rev. G. \V. Dorrance read the hymn. Rev. C. Ii.. Hendrickson offered the concluding prayer. Rev. T. ·w. Tuuey pronounced ihe benedic­ tion.

After." fare-well sen-ices" in the Bowdoin Square Church of Boston, Mr. Tobey and wife sailed for China on the 11th of March, 1847, in the ship Ashburtou, with Rev. F. C. Johnson and 1\Ir. and ::'.lfrs. J. L. Shuck. Mrs. Tobey was the sister of Mrs. Shuck, and <laughter of the Rev. Addison Hall, of Virginia. They arrived at Hong Ko11g the 25th of June. Awaiting Mr. and :Jirs. Yates, who arrived shortly afterward, ::)'fr. ~:.:id Mrs. Tobey, proceeded to their proposed station at Shanghai, where they arrived September '25th, l8cl7.

:. < '. (•f

.• :: • ': x 1. ::. :-

I POST.

:: I. · d.•.

On account of the ill health of his wife, 1\Ir. Tobey returned to America in 1850. In August of that year, he became the pastor of the Raleigh Baptist Church. In 1853, he accepted the pastorate of Yan­ ceyville and Trinity Churches in Caswell, N. 0. At .the former place, Mrs, Tobey died. In 1858, JHr. Tobey was pastor of Sumterville and Jones' Creek Churches, in Sumpter County, Ala. In 1858, he was elected Professor of Theology in Howard College, Marion, Ala. In 1868, he moved to Paducah, Ky. In' Scprnmber, 1870, he cuterecl upon his duties as Professor of Ancient Laugungcs in Bethel College, Russell ville, Ky. He made '.L donation of about six thousand dollars to that institution. Ile is now pastor of the Baptist Church at Union Springs, Ab.

!IUSSIO~ARY LIFE 1-'REFEHRED.

It will be seen that Mr. Tobey, on his return from China, entered upon the work of the ministry, and continued in the pastorate from 1850 until 185~, when he 'IYe11t to Marion to teach theology. The war

. ..

FOHEIGN MISSIONS CF THE SOUTHERN" BAPTIST CONVENTION by H. A. Tupper

. ..

170 FOREIGN 11IISSIORS. '

in 1862 broke up the College, and he took the professorship of Belles Leiires in the Judson Female Institute, mid for eight years was en­ gaged in teaching young ladies in Marion and Paducah. Since 1870, he has been teaching young men and preaching. Thus he has been eleven years a pastor, three years a professor of theology, eight years a teacher of young ladies, and six years Greek and Latin Professor. Had it been left to his choice, he" would have much preferred to spend those twenty-eight years among the heathen; but God in his pro­ vidence arranged it otherwise;" and he has cheerfully submitted to his will. But is there not important liome-labor in behalf of the nations?

·will not Foreign Missions ever have earnest advocates in Alabama while that State includes among her citizens our three returned mis­ sionaries, Whilden, "Williams, and Tobey?

Reynolds gave t!. r briefl y add re·'°''"' l t 1. On the 17th (•l _ · Crawford, saibl ;:. Ilong Kong "ia .: of February, is.-.:!.

The foilu11in,: :, "The mcclic:d , r stitutcd a n imp···•.: Xot only am011..: : . available, hut al-

that he -hnl l r• a- he di--p· n-. - : become tht nu •1:.-,

tions of tin' p•:· ·p!,·. they t<·:i.ch h:1·;,, !,

Shortly after 1i:. by brain fever. return to this c~1·1:1 )fr. Yates wrote: ' in this ' fl1it:ti011, :· return. \\'..,.-."' cn.l, have been ! ~t:t a foot ing in i..: -ixty or li:'" re ··~ ·· tl1!rty mil.« fr .. H. •

GEORGE W ASHIN"GTON BURTON, :Th1.D.

This gentleman who occupied no unimportant place in the Shanghai Mission, was born near Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tenn., cu the 8th of September, 1827. He was educated at Union College, located at Murfreesboro. Under date of July 1, 1850, the following record of the Board appears: "Letters_ were received from Brethren Whilden, Crawford, Day, Cheeseman, Bowen, and also from J. II. Eaton, recommending Dr. G.1"'\V. Burton for missionary appointment." March 17th, 1851, Dr. Burton "was duly examined and accepted as a medical missionary to labor in connection with the Shanghai :;\lission." At the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, on the Lord's Day

evening of May 11th, 1851, "Brethren B. IV. \Yhilden, A. B. Cab­ aniss, T. P. Crawford and Sister Crawford, and Dr. G. W. _BurLou were publicly set apart to the work of Foreign Missions before a large and interested assemblage. Brother S. Baker read a portion of Scripture and prayed. Brother Taylor, Corresponding Secretary, gave the charge to the missionaries. Brother Dawson .prcsentcd the Bible. Brother i·. t • •· ·: r i: .;