The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1855-04-18

IN 40 81 namnrrnhn -

REV. JAMES KERR, died at mis- residsnce. in
Cadiz. Ohio; in the prssence Of his family, and in
the midst Of his beloved people, afnohg whom he had
diligently lobofed for the past 10 years. lie felIa.
sleePin Jesus on the morning Of the ninth Of April,
1856 being ia the 49ti year Of his age; and in 18th
year of the Gospel Ministry.
Hisdis,ase was Bronchial affection, which, de-
fed the skill Of many able physicians, who attended
him during his sickness. The deceased was a M.
tive OF Scotland, and received his cole giate eauca-
lion in the university ofGlasgow, Scotland.
He emigraJed to tms Country, in the year 1882,
and entered upon a course of Theological training
preparatory to the Gospel Ministry, at the Western
Theological Seminary in the fall of 1888. Hs was
licensed to preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of
Baltimore, Aprl27, 1886 About one year after his
icensure he was ordained as an evangelist by the
Presbytey of Winchester and contlaedhis mission.
airy labors in The same part OF Virginia, till the sum.
mer of 1898; when he left and directed his steps to.
wards the "Far west, with the intention Of se.t.
ling there, ard employing his talent in building up
the desolations Of zion; but God who orders and di.
rects all our steps, directed him to a different field.
In travelling westward be preached cf Saturday
25th of August, 1888 ut Crabapple, and on Sabbath.
at ST. Clafrsviihe, and lie Saba III following at
Cadiz. These Churches were all vacant at that
time.
He received an invitation from the Cadiz Con-
g~regation to preach for them six months, AT the end
of which time he received a unanimous call from
them, to become their pastor. He also received a
call from the church at st. Clairsville; but as the
call atCadiz was made first, he accepted that, and
was installed their pastor, by the Presbytery of S t
Clairsville, May 6, 1899.
Tinse 10 linI was always precious. He never
idled away a moment. Always active, and indus
trious. He seemed TO- be influenced az all times,
by Psul's charge to- Fimothy.-"Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering, doctrine.n Hegave
himself wholly TO the work of the ministry, and
his profiting appeared to all. He could say with the
apostle, Il would very gladly spend and be
spent for your so lls.'' He was a diligent stu
dent of the Holy Scriptures. A thorough schol-
ar in all bran ches of literature. He published two
works, both OF which were handled in a mastery
manner, one on PsaImody, the other on Baptism.
Els strong intellectual powers, his habits ofclcse
thinking and accurate investigation, his business tai.
cnts, readiness and willingness to employ bis best
powers in the defence of the cause of truth and re-
figion raised him deseryedly high in the estima.
ton of his brother Presbyters, and indeed all who
kilewhim were C )nstrained to acknowledge that he
possessed talents Of no ordinary character. lie al
ways loved to attend Presbyteries and other Church
Courts, that with his f,l,ow laborers in the gospel,
he might Ienl his all in prom oting the best int rests
ofChrist's Kingdom.
He highly enjoyed the social relations of life, and
was deeply interested in all that pertained to the
welfare ofhis iamlly. A most aifectionate husband.
A father ardently devoted to the welfare of his
children; always taking a deep interst in their NOR
al, religious aud intellectual training, which were
chiefly directed tnder his own supervision.
He followed three Of his children to the grave, and
leaves a beloved wife and four interesting children
to m 3arn his loss.
His m,ral character was irroproachlble. Scru-
paIously upright an lho1ost in all his dealings, he
scofned all tricks of trade and every thing like ia
king advantage Of the circumstances Of his fellow
men. Ho abhorrei every thing like deception and.
equivocation.
His iety was OF no ordinary characte ter. The
love Of Christ ant his cause was the oil pervading
sentiment of his soul. All other in terests were made
subseryieat to this. He was deep ply grievcd to
hear of professors walking disorderly; 'hus bringing
u reproach upon the cause of Christ. lie loved all
the people Of God, by Whatever mana allied, if in
them hs discovered the i'm tge Of Christ that was
enough. H. was an incorporating enemy to all
error; an liz )atsnde earnestly for the truth delivered
to the saints. In the pulpit he spoke not with en-
ticiag words, but with great 81 plicity an plain
mesa, warning the sinner, AMI encouraging the hum.
bic p%enitent.
The frs; sermon but one that he preached in Ohio
was delivered at St. Clairsville, and the last but one
was delivered in the same place, from this appropri-
ate text. so teach US to number our days, that
we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" Ps. 9; II.
The last sermon he ever was permitted to preach
was to his own people on the last day OF last year,
from the text. ''The harvest il past, the summer
is ended, and we are not saved." Jer. s, 90.
The gospel which he so earnestly preached, and
recommended to others now sustained and comforted
him, during all his sickness, and enabled him fiIal-
" to triumph over death, and leave an %undying ties
timony to the preciousness of the religion of Christ,
often during his illness, and about the last words he
uttered, were portionsof the hymn,
Jesus lover of my soul, letm; 10 thy bosom fly: &c
His last breath was spentin prayer. His end was
peace. Il. D.