The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1855-03-21
Obitllarn.
- ~ - Dnmocratic senunel.
Death Of an aged Minister.

ms saline ume, expressed q hOpes '"@'
regular Obituary would be prepared; and
\ willingness to publish the same. which
was doubtless eommendable on your part;
for the character, and standing Of this ex-
~cellent man and able divine are jusils enti-
tied to something more than a mere pass
ing and ordinary netice.
The Rev. JouS REA, D. D. departed this
life, Feb. 12th. A. D. 1885. at his residence
n q U~nionva'e, in the midst OF the people,
with whom he first settled. in the 93l year
of lis age, and 5lst of his ministry, greatly,
and %deservedly beloved, and esteemed, as a
citizen, a christian, and a faithful minister
of the Gospel lie, only remained a few
months, after the death of his beloved wife;
and companion of his youth, leaving behind
him four sons, and one daughter; ali mar.
ried and settled in life; to whom, as a pa
tent he was Warmly attached.
The deceased entered this State, imme-
diately after It ceased to be a territory; and
We learn from an old manuscript letter; from
under his hand furnishing ''his;orIcal col
lections" for Mr.. Howe. That Harrison
County was not ye: struck off from Jeffer-
son; "and l saw" sal h he, ''the place now
occupied as the seat OF justice for this couh-
ty; when the oak trees stood where the
Court House, streets and magnificent build
ings now range; and when all this surround.
ing country was a forest; except here and
there a little opening in the woods."IIe far
Their states: "The first place of my regular
ministrations was at the Beech Springs, in Il
log cabin not more than % feet square; but
this house being destroyed by fire; it was
replaced by another capable Of containing
one thousand peoples; which was soon filed,
and become the largest Presbyterian church
in the state. At the pteseat, however, lis
membership is not more than the one third
of what ii once was; this has been bought
about by new organizations, and removals.
DR.. REA was among the first alumni, o.
Je lferson College, and studied Theology un-
der the direction of Mr.. Mcmillan, was Ii.
censed to preach the gospel By the Pfssby
tely of Ohio, June 1904, and after some
three months iliAerating in the wilderness
and among Indian en%campments, he was
appointed by his Presbytery, to supply the
churches Of Beech Springs aud Crabapple:
which were organized lie year before; and
both at that time on the confines of civil
cation, but now ii the midst Of an old, and
denseIy populated country.
In the sping of 1905, a united call was
put into his hands, from the above named
congregation ,qui be was ordained and in
stalled; thus commenced the pastoratc OF ,sis
failh.ull and worthy man; the field Of his
labour was then a frontier settlement, and
spread overa larseAis'r riot Of country thinly
inhabited; and suijedtiny him to more tLan
ordinary hardships and privations.
The history OF the Presbyterian branch
of the church IN eastern Ohio, is closely
identified with the Biography, Of the Rev
JouS REA. In the early part of his minis
try he was remote from his clerical breth.
rem; and in the whole region that now cm
braces two presbyteries, there were blu
two ministers besides himself, where there
are at present 30 pastors and 81 congrega-
tons; hence we infer, that the work Of
faithful ! shepherd in those days was nc
Leasy undertaking, and in the language o
t1c deceased, we have the following, wher
speaking of his early toll, wherever one
was found, or wherever we heard of one il
our connection; him we visited; by day an,
by night, summer and winter; all seasons o
he year, and without aroad in most places
save the the mark Of an axe, on the bark .
a tree, or the trail Of the Indian.
In connection with all this self denial, hi
charges increased rapidly, and in 1910 III
union existing between Beech Spring ant
Ctabapple churches, was dissolved, that h
might labor all his time in the former, wit
the exception, that some OF his service
might be occupied in fostering those it'll
i, vines, springing up in the vicinity an
bounds Of his charge; for in those bounds
this devoted servant, and faithful watchma
was instrumental in raising up some half
dozen. of separate societies, that are no
self.sustaining and prominent congregation
a In the spring Of 1913, in consequence
. age sud infrmity, this tried, and holy ma
Of God. appeared in prcsbytery. and wit
christian frmness, mingled with the tear {
s mpathy, resigned his pastoral relation
which had been tremendously maintained
for near a hali-centary, and retired to pr
,ats life, with the good will of his peopl
and no dou't with heavetl' ) benediction ;sti
he was not idle; he spent the remnant Of h
\, DAYS in close application; true, he hads 5iy'
up the pulpit, but had not cast off his ma
tie, nor laid down his pen; his time "
2 principally taken up ill within a short pei
O Cd Of his death, in transcribing; and arran
ne ing his manuscripts from which we will,
ny doubt hear in future.
1e Tbs Rev. JoHS REA, when in his acti