The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-24

members tnaC between tnlrty anu AoiU ~ 0"io
ago, he was shown by Mr.. Kerr, and after
he had moved to Kentucky, letter from his
old friend Kelly among other matters, con-
veying to him five hundred dollars, to be
used in the education of his young 'name-
sake John Kelly Kerr.
Soon after Mr.. Kerr settled in Kentucky,
perhaps in the year 1914, he was licensed to
preach the Gospel, and soon thereafter was
ordained to the full work of the ministry.
Until 1923 he was pastor of the church at
Glasgow, ministering with great efficiency
to devoted and attached congregation,
universally respected and honored by all who
knew him, when he was called by the trus-
tees of the Kentucky Institution for the In
struction of the Deaf and Dumb, to preside
over that school. Here he remained until
1888, when God called him &c mis- rest, and
to his crown.
While presiding over this important instl-
tuition, it was his custom to open and close
its exercises daily with prayer, and usually
to lecture or preach to the pupils in the mute
language once week. Many of them by
the blessing of God, were in this way
brought to saving knowledge of Christ
During Mr.. Kerr'S connexion with the Asy-
lum, he was not idle as minister He
preached to the day of his last sickness regu-
larly to two congregations, both of which
were repeatedly visited with the gracious
outpourings of the Holy Spirit, and were
greatly strengthened bynumerous accessions,
among whom might be mentioned number
of active, useful, and some of them master
workmen in the ministry. At Danville also,
where he resided, in connexion with the
several pastors of the church there, he per-
formed large amount of ministerial SER
vice, known tohave been remarkably blessed.
The writer of this sketch remembers to have
heard Mr.. Kerr, about thirty eight years
ago, preach in Danville from l Cor, 47-49
verses inclusive. 1t was on Sabbath even
ing in the month of July. The congrega-
ton filled the church-edifce to its utmost
capacity. The face of the noble man of
God, was radiant with thought and feeling;
and as in the case of Peter at the house of
Cornelius, whilst he was yet speaking the
Holy Ghost was poured out upon the i'm
mense assembly, and then and there com
menced one of the most precious revivals of
religion ever experienced by the people of
that singularly favored village.
Mr.. Kerr was an unusually fine looking
man, nearly six feet tall, most symetrically
formed, and weighing about 223 pounds.
Exceedingly social in his disposition, digni-
fed and courteous in his bearing, he was the
star of every circle in which he moved; and
it is believed was respected, honored, and
beloved by every human being who knew
him, white and black, rich and poor.
Mr. Kerr in early life married Sarah
Henderson, daughter of Col. Bennett Hen
derson, an officer throughout the whole of
the Revolutionary war, and close neighbor
and kinsman of Mr.. Jefferson. He was the
chosen instrument in the conversion of his
wife, who died soon after the birth of their
eleventh child. Of these children FIVE only
are now living, Of these four are sons, one
a minister, the others elders in the Presby-
terian Church. The daughter, Mrs. G., is
an intelligent, active member of the Pres
byterian church in Vicksburg, Miss.
Mr.. Kerr's piety was not only intelligent,
butremarkably deep, consistent, humble; and
as might be expected, his death was singu-
larlly triumphant.
CORRESPONDENT.