The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-10
September 2Sth, 1866.
Rev John A. Barr and Rev. ]. M. Wilson

The Presbytery of Arkansas appointed a
committee to prepare Obituary Notices of Min
listers who have died within their bounds, since
the Presbytery had been able to hold any regu-
lar meeting The following notices have been
sent to us for publication. One other will ap-
pear next week.
Rev. JOHN A. BARR was born in Rowan
county, North Carolina, in the year 1882. His
parents, who were exemplary members of the
Presbyterian Church. dedicated him to God in
his infancy, and trained him up in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord. In early
life he became, as is believed, a subject of re-
newing grace Having desire to live for the
glory of his Divine Master, and believing that
he could accomplish most for that object by
entering the ministry, he began course Of
classical studies in Davidson College in his ma
tive State, where he graduated with distinction
in 1851. After spending some time as teach
er in Georgia, he spent the year at Union The
illogical Seminary, and then he entered Column
bia Seminary, where he graduated in 1851
and was licensed to preach by Concord Pres
bytery. He labored for some time in North
Carolina, after which he came as a missionary
to Gaines Landing in Arkansas, and labored
for year or two, preaching principally, as fan
as is known, to the colored population and 9
few planters
In 1860 he settled in White county, Ark,
where he continued until his death, which oc
Cured July IS, 1868.
The church in Searcy, being few in mum
bers and composed of elements not the mos
concordant in spirit, did not afford the mos
inviting field for a young and inexperienced
preacher. Consequently, after some time he
ceased to preach in the town, and confined his
labors to church ten miles farther west, il
what is called Searcy valley. To this church
he continued to minister until the Master o.
the vineyard called him home.
There was nothing very marked in the char
acter, or eventful in the life of our deceased
brother. He belonged to that class of mer
who hold on the even tenor of their way, con
tent to walk in the path which Providence
seems to prescribe His discourses were plair
and practical, and in many instances very edi
flying. In the labors of such man, especi
ally if his years in the ministry are few, we are
not to look for immediate or striking results
By such instruments the Great Husbandmar
seems rather to sow the seed, and water the
plants, than to gather in an immediate har
vest
Brother Barr was taken away by an attack
of typhoid fever which lasted about eight
days. As soon as he perceived that the at
tack was likely to prove fatal, he sent for the
writer of this article Owing to delay in the
message, [ did not reach him until few hour:
before his departure. The cold dews of death
had then settled thick on his forehead, yet he
was conscious, and fully aware that he was al
ready in the valley of the shadow of DEATH
His aged mother, and few sympathising
friends, sat around his bed. He repeatedly
requested all in the room to sing, his OWL
voice sometimes joining audiby in the exer
cises. He once or twice said, Jesus ha:
come, and long to go. In exercises of thi:
kind he continued until his physical nature be-
came exhausted, and he seemed quietly to fall
asleep.
Rev. JAMES NJ. WmsoN.-Although it is
our custom to record the death of those only
who have been members of our Presbytery
there are some instances in which departure
from this rule seems demanded.
The Rev. James NJ, Wilson was native Of
Virginia, and son of the venerable DIR. SAM
B. Wilson, professor in Union Theological
Seminary. He received his Literary and The
illogical education in his native State, where
he spent the first years of his ministerial life.
In the Autumn of 1862 he came to Arkansas,
and took charge of the churches OF Des Arc
and Wattensaw, which he continued to supply,
intending to unite with the Arkansas Presby-
terry as soon as an opportunity would offer.
His premature death, however prevented an
opportunity.