The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-17
Rev. James Martin.
A MINUTE ADOPTED BY THE PREsBYTERY OF
ARKANSAS.

a MlNJIE ADOflED ID lib AA''~''D' 1870 -
ARKANSAS.
Rev. James Martin was born in Union Dis
trict, South Carolina, May 18th, 1901. Moth
ing special is known of his early life When
about twenty years of age he united with the
church of Salem, then under the pastoral care
of Rev. Aaron Williams. Sometime after this
he entered Chapel Hill College, North Caro-
lima, where he graduated in the year 1926.
At what place, or under whose instructions,
he pursued his Theological studies, is not
known to the writer, neither has he been able
to learn in what year, or by what Presbytery
he was licensed He commenced his ministe-
rial labors as a Domestic Missionary in the
Southern part of Alabama He has been often
heard to speak of these labors as the most
pleasant and profitable of his ministry. In
that State he was married to Miss Nancy R.
Gillespie, in the year 1880. About this time
he took charge of the church Of Clinton, Ala
bama; still continuing to preach In various
churches in the Southern part of that State.
From Alabama he removed in 1886 to the
State of Mississippi, where he had charge for
some time of the church Of Lanesville In
lS4S he removed to Tennessee and settled in
the vicinity of Memphis; whence he removed
to Arkansas in 1857. Soon after his arrival
there, he organized a church in Prairie county,
few miles South of Hickory Plains which he
supplied until he removed from that county.
His last residence was in Pulaski county, about
fifteen miles East of Little Rock.
The occasion of his death was as follows =
In the autumn of 1868, soon after the occupa-
ton of Little Rock by the Federal army, no,
in company with his aged wife, had rode out a
few miles to visit an afflicted family. On their
return, when approaching their residence, they
were led to believe from the frequent report Of
firearms in that direction, that it was sur
rounded by soldiers. Knowing that the sol
diers of that army had, in many instances, i'm
prisoned and treated with cruelty, citizens who
had fallen into their hands, without regard to
age or circumstances, he drove his buggy some
distance from the road into dense grove and
sent forward faithful servant to ascertain the
state Of things. When the servant returned he
reported that the house was surrounded by
soldiers who were plundering and destroying
their property. His wife insisted upon his re-
naming where he was, and permitting her to
20 forward and explain the cause of their abb
sence, hoping thus that she could induce them
to desist from their work of devastation, and
permit him to return unmolested. When she
approached the house she found it occupied
with armed men who we're appropriating to
themselves whatever they could carry away,
and destroying much that they could not
While mildly demonstrating with them, she
beheld her husband approaching, led and
guarded by armed soldiers, as though he had
been a felon. He was permitted to remain
but few minutes at home. When bis wife
perceived that they were about to take him
away, she pleaded with the officers, reminding
them of his advanced age, his unwarlike pro-
fession, and his freedom from any participa-
ton in the causes which had brought on the
war, as well as his infrm state Of health But
all was of no avail. He was hurried away
without permission to take with him such arti-
cles Of clothing as were necessary to his COM
fort He was led to Brownsville and kept in
confinement compelled to sleep on the ground
or hard floor, without bed, anfdenied COM
Portable virtuals to subsist on. This treatment,
in connection with his age, his sensitive mind,
and feeble condition of bodily health, soon
brought on disease, which his enemies perceiv-
ing as likely soon to terminate in death, re-
leased him, with permission to return to his
home, which he reached with difficulty. Here
he fingered for about week, when he was re-
leased from his earthly suferings, and received,
as we trust, into that rest which remaineth fol-
the people of God. During his last days his
thoughts dwelt much upon his absent children,
breathing the most earnest supplications fol
their future welfare, and speaking much on the
blessedness of eternal rest.
Brother Martin possessed mind peculiarly
adapted to the acquisition of knowledge. His
education was sound and classical. He wa;
sometimes disposed to carry his speculation;
farther than was profitable for practical pur
poses; but he still returned to the infalliblC
Rule, and submitted his judgment to the un
erring instructions of the Great Teacher
During the last years of his life, he had nc
particular charge and did not preach frequent
". For this he was sometimes censured by
his brethren. Some, however, who were init
mately acquainted with him ascribed this fail
ure to depression of spirits, arising from the
peculiar condition of his health His spirit
seemed to be always solemn and devotional
He was ever ready to converse upon subjects
of practical religion, for in his later years it was
his habitual practice, like Daniel, to retire
three times day for devotional exercises.