The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-10-18
Central 4rtsbptuIan,
REv. FRANCIS MCFARLAND. D. D.

Dr. Mcfarland was born January the Sth, lISS,
in the county Of Tyrone, Province Of Ulster in
the north part Of Ireland. His parents, who were
members Of the Presbyterian church, emigrated to
the United States IN 1898, and settled in western
Pennsylvania. His pastor was that excellent man
the Rev Elisha McCurdy, D. D., whose memory
is still precious in the whole region in which he
lived His collegiate education was at Jefferson
and WASHINGTON Colleges, from the latter of which
he received the degree of A. b, in 1878, and sub.
sequently the degrees Of A. N. and D. d. la the
spring Of 1878, he entered the Theological Semi
nary at Princeton, where among his fellow stu
dents and intimate friends, and some of them, at
least, his classmates, were Drs. Charles Hodge,
William B. Sprague, Joseph Smith, and Bishop
Johr Johns. He says in a communication writ
ten about two years ago "Iregard it as one Of the
kndest dispensatiOns Of divine Providence towards
me that was led to that institution, where | en-
joyed the esteem of those wise and holy men, DR..
Archibald Alexander and Dr. Samuel Miller, then
the only Professors in the institution and who
honored me with their friendship as long as they
lived"
lie was licensed TO preach the gospel by the
Presbytery Of New Brunswick, n Jersey, October
9th, 1919, but remained for some time in the Sem
mary prosecuting his studies and preaching as a
missionary in the surrounding country. In 1920
he received an appointment from the General As
sembly's Board of Missions to labor in Indiana and
Missouri After fulfilling this mission he spent
FIVE months in Georgia as a missionary under the
Synod Of South Carolina and Georgia. In the
summer of 1922, he spent three months preaching
TO the lst Presbyterian church, Brooklyn, n Y,
then recently organised. While aboring there be
was August l. 1872 ordained, sine titulo, by the
Presbytery Of New Brunswick, which at that time
met in the Presbyterian church in Princeton.
The Rev. Dr. John Woodruff, then in the 10Th
year Of his age, preached the sermon, and Rev
Dr. Miller delivered ''the charge
In the fall Of that year he had severe attack
Of typhus fever accompanied with hemorrhage
from the lungs; in consequence Of which, as soon
as partially recovered, he was advised by his ply
sician to travel to the South on horse back. Upon
reaching Stanton, Va, where he was the guest
Of that noble Christian gentleman and eminent
physician, DR.. Addison Waddel for whom he
ever cherished the warmest regard, It was found
that his health had been greatly improved. The
ton, being at that time vacant by the removal of
the Rev. DR.. Chapman, Mr. Mcfarland was inyi-
ted to preach there After supplying the pulpit
for three Sabbaths he returned to Pennsylvania,
where he soon after received unanimous call from
that congregation to become their pastor. This
call be accepted, and in the year following was
duly installed, the Rev. DR.. Rufner Of Licking.
ton, preaching the sermon, and Rev. DR.. Speece
Of Augusta church, delivering the charge
In the winter Of 1885 he was elected Cores
ponding Secretary Of the Board of Education,
which important office be felt il his duty to accept
The pastoral relation was dissolved in January,
1886 and on March lst he entered upon the duties
ofbis ofoe in Philadelphia IN the faithful per-
Torrance Of which ne continued til August LIST,
ISL Ii may as well be stated here that, although
it was period Of very great financial trouble aud
in which the great Church controversies were in
progress, which eliminated in the rupture of 1885,
the service Of DR.. Mcfarland was highly useful
and upon his resignation the Board Of Education
adopted a paper expressing their great apprecia-
ton Of him personally and officially.
The church Of Bethel had Just become vacant by
the removal Of Its PASTOR the Rev A. B. McCor-
kle to Georgia, and by a unanimous vote of the
congregation the old pastor was again invited to
settle among them. He had not contemplated re-
firing from the work in Philadelphia quite so soon,
but the prospect Of returning to his old home, and
among associations in Virginia so congenial, was
decisive. a small farm was purchased, which his
practical turn soon shaped into very comfortable
home for his family, and there the good man
dwelt til called to the house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens"
During most of his Efe-certainy from the time
of coming to Virginia-the subject of this notice
was a man Of very in6rm health. His aflictiou
from asthma was exceedingly distressing He
very seldom knew the luxury Of uninterrupted
sleep. Often for many nights in succession the
only posture Of rest was in a chair 1t was con-
slant wonder to his friends that long ago both
body and mind did not sink under the pressure of
disease. But in the midst Of growing infrmities
his laboTs were continued as far as he could, till
about FIVE years ago, they were relieved by the
settlement Of the Rev. James Murray as a collie
giate pastor. Having lived to welcome this broth
er, between whom and himself there was a rea-
ton Of constant harmony and affection his pasto-
raj work ceased. He was almost constantly con-
fined to bis home for years past, and much Of the
time to his couch About a year ago Mrs. Nc
Farland who had so long and faithfully walked
the way Of life by his side, was called to the heav
enly home before him. He most patiently waited
all his appointed days till his own change should
come.
His end, which ne had been long expecting, and
in perfect peace, " is announced BY the Rev Mr.
Murray, in a brief note written on the 10th inst
"He breathed his last this morning, about
O'Clock, in his Sleep so that he was spared all con
seriousness Of the death struggle, and indeed all
pain in the act Of dying. For the last few weeks
his decline has been more marked and rapid, and
was attended with much suffering; but in all of it
he was not only sustained by the grace Of Cod so
as to endure it without murmuring, but was ena.
bled to rejoice in God his Saviour, with the full
assurance Of a blessed Immortality beyond the
grave"
The sketch Of DR.. Mcfarland life here given,
is of necessity very imperfect Having known him
vel for nearly fifty years. and in intimate friend
ship for about thirty our feelings plead for much
fuller expression than the space suitable for it per-
mits. This aged and good minister of Jesus
Christ, was no common man. lie was man of
great worth, and has been so esteemed wherever
known His long life was not only without stain,
but was adorned with gifts and graces which mark
It as one to be had Sin everlasting remembrance.
To sum it up coneisely:
He was a wen read theologian; ayerse to specu-
atons but inQuisitive and fond Of friendly discus.
sion His preaching, when in his prime, was
hiqhY attractive and often with great mower of |