One of Richmond's grand old men passed peacefully away last night in the person of Dr. Zaccheus Test, A.M., M.D. His death was the result of an accident at an early hour Thursday morning and he remained in a comatose condition until the end came about seven o'clock last evening.

About four o'clock Thursday morning Dr. Test arose from his bed for the purpose of going downstairs to see if there was a fire in the base burner, which had been recently installed. He tripped on the top of the stairs and fell headlong to the ground floor. He was able, with the assistance of his wife and daughter, Mrs. Gifford, to return to his bed. About an hour after the accident Dr. Test suddenly became unconscious and Dr. G.H. Grant was at once summoned. He found on examination that a blood vessel in the brain had been ruptured, superinducing apoplexy. He remained in an unconscious condition all day yesterday.

Dr. Test was one of the best known men in this city and his loss will be keenly felt by both young and old. His life was an ideal one and his nature warm and loveable, which won for him hosts of friends.

In 1866 he accepted a position in Holland School, Union Springs, N.Y., where he remained until 1879. During all these years the Doctor was closely occupied in studies, especially in the line of history and systems of philosophy. In 1861 Franklin and Marshall College, Pennsylvania, conferred upon him the degree of master of arts. In 1875 it was his privilege to spend a year abroad, at the University of Tubingen, southern Germany, occupying his vacations more or less in European travel. Dr. Test was appointed supervisor of German in the public schools of Richmond in 1879 and he served in this capacity until 1898. As an educator he met with the greatest success, his heart and mind being devoted to his work.

In 1878 Dr. Test, who had been born and raised a Quaker, became a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church and a year later was ordained a deacon. In 1883 he was admitted to the priesthood and for three years he was rector of the Episcopal church at Connersville. Since 1886 Dr. Test acted in the capacity of assistant rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church of this city. In his religious work, as in everything else which he undertook, he put his whole soul and talents and by the strength of his noble personality wielded an influence for good that can never be estimated.

In 1857 Dr. Test married Miss Elizabeth M. Pray of Dublin, this county, who died in 1870. The two children by this marriage were Miss Alice Test and Mrs. W.W. Gifford. Miss Alice Test is a graduate of the State Normal School and for several years has been a successful teacher in the local public schools. In 1876 Dr. Test married Miss Sarah Anthony of Union Springs, N.Y. Mrs. Test survives her husband. She was a cousin of Miss Susan B. Anthony, the famous suffragist.

The following appreciation of Dr. Test, contributed by the Reverend Hadley, was published by the Palladium Friday morning:

It was with sorrow that the friends of Dr. Zaccheus Test heard of his affliction and critical condition.

Dr. Test's life is the simple record of a faithful soldier and servant of Jesus Christ. Conscious as we are of the unfitness of any eulogy of one so modest and unassuming, still we want to pay our tribute to his strong Christian character. Sincerity of thought and action stood as the foundation to a superstructure of sterling Christian character. Endowed by nature with an active mind he became a man of unusual intellectual attainment. A devoted husband and father, a loyal friend, a conscientious and faithful priest of the church, his life remains an inspiration to all who knew him.

HENRY H. HADLEY,

Rector St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

In St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond there is still today a memorial stained glass window given by the Sunday School in memory of Dr. Zaccheus Test's youngest daughter, Margaret Adelma Test, who died of typhoid fever in 1892, when she was fifteen years of age.