The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-23
DEATH OF REV. DIR. M'PHEETERs.

1t was melancholy duty to announce last week
the deceaSe Of one of the most useful ministers IN
our Church, and we are now called to record the
death Of another. The Rev. Samuel Brown Nc
Pheeters departed this life at his home near Shell
byville, KY, on Wednesday, the 9th instant. He
was son Of the late Rev. DR.. VIM. McPheeters,
of North Carolina. The father was native Of
Augusta county, Va, was first cousin to Mary
Moore, the wife Of the Rev. Samuel Brown Of
New Providence; hence the name borne by the
son whose death is now so deeply deplOred.
Our impression is that he pursued his literary ed
ucaton chiefly at the University of North Caro-
lima; his theological course, we know, was at
Princeton After heensuIe, about the year 1916,
his first field Of labor was in the county Of Anne
liza, Va, where his memory is to this day precious.
In 1851 he removed to st. Louis, Missouri Here,
as pastor Of the Pine Street Church he spent ten
years, happy not only in the admiration and love
of his people, but also in the blessing Of God upon
his work Upon the failure of his health he visited
New Mexico, from which place he returned in
1862, when the whole county was in the throes of
the civil war; This is not the place to bring under
a minute review the trials he endured during the.
memorable contest through which he was led for
conscience sake. He absolutely refused to be
drawn into the work of war in any shape. He was
careful to 'obey magistrates, as he felt in duty
bound, and to exclude politics and war from his
pulpit The relentless persecution he underwent
in consequence, from tyrannical military power
was bad enough, but was slight compared with his
''perils from false brethren" The cor 9ict through
which he passed in striving to maintain for Chrsts
sake his rights as a minister Of the Gospel, will
form one of the most interesting chapters in the
history Of the times. The shameful wrong culmi-
mated in the General Assembly OF 1864 in the out
rage there inflicted upon this pure and righteous
man-"an injustice" said Dr. Hodge in the
Princeton Recieio of July-"which has few, if any
parallels in the history of our Church" But let
this pass; our beloved brother has gone to the
final tribunal where his prosecutors and traducers
military, civil and ecclesiastical viii have to give
their account. 1t is due to his memory to say
that in all this fiery trial he bore himself with the
nobility of Christian gentleman. Where he be
heved principle was concerned, he was immOvable;
but was under all circumstances ooneiliatOry and
meek.
As soon as the condition of the country left his
church in St. Louis free to act, they recalled him
by triumphant majority-t0r never, perhaps, was
a people more devoted to their pastor. But the
shattered state of his health forbade the labor
needed there, and in the good providence of God
they secured the Rev B. I. Lacy, d. D. his class
mate and intimate friend whose ministry God has
greatly blessed to their edi6cation in all respects.
Broken down in health and the victim of disease
"a spinal affection, never to be removed, the kind
providence of God brought him in 1865 to Null
berry church, in Shelby county, XIV. Here his
ministry was wonderfully owned Of God both in
the conversion of sinners and in comforting the
souls of believers. From the first he was to a
large extent unable either to walk or to sit up, and
for the last three years he was unable to leave his
couch 1t was an affecting sight to see his faithful
elders and other devoted friends place him every
Sabbath day in an ambulance and carry him to
the church not far distant. There feeble and ema
ciated propped up by cushions in haIf-reciniDg
posture, he preached the unsearchable riches of
Jesus Christ with power never, perhaps before
equaIed in his life. He could not visit his people.
but they visited him their very hearts were knit
to him. and there was hardly a home in the cOngre-
CATION so cheerful as his
For some time bis frail health had been giving
way, and it was evident his end was drawing near.
We extract and condeE7e from a correspondent Of |
the Christian Observer, of Louisville, such state
ments concerning 1t as viii convey to his numerous
kindred and friends in Virginia and elsewhere a
deeply interesting impression Of the scene. Most
Of it seems to have been prepared by the Rev. /
Dr. Stuart Robinson.
To-day all hearts are stricken. A whole con.
gregatiOn come together as one household to bear
with gentle hands, to It's silent resting place the
remains Of one whose very dust Is more precious