The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-07-05
Rev. DR.. James Purviance.

DIR. Purviauce died at Natchez, Miss, on the
18th of June The Natchez Courier says:
'He was in the sixty fourth year of his age. and
has spent more than half of his life in the South
west, in the prosecution of his useful calling as
minister of religion and teacher OF youth. Ills
decease will send pang OF sorrow through wide
circle of friends in Mississippi and louisiana
The church to which he belonged has to mourn
the departure of one of its most devoted cham
pons and its purest ornaments.
DR.. Purviance was native OF Baltimore, and
was the only surviving brother of Commodore IL.
Y. Puryiance. In early life he was for two years
cadet at West Point and a member of the same
class with Gen. Il. E. Lee and JOS. b. johnson
President Davis was also q felow-student being In
the class in advance of him.
Abandoning his intention of entering military
profession, he returned to his native city and en-
barked in the study Of law, for which his talents
we're eminently fitted, and through which there
seemed to be an inviting opening to fame and for
tune. He was admitted to practice at the bar,
but before becoming inextrcably committed to its
duties, underwent so profound change in his re-
igious convictions and the purpose of his lite, that
he resolved to resign the competitorship for the
honors of the world and embrace the self denying
Office of Christian minister.
After completing his theological studies at the
Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, he accepted
an appointment as domestic missionary, and
commenced his pastoral life by assuming the charge
of the Presbyterian congregation at Baton Rouge,
La. The embarrassments connected with minis
try among the heterogeneous population OF that
old French town, soon developed those traits OF
| heightened manliness clear-sgbted common sense
and infexible integrity by which he was character
ised in all his subsequent career, and which won
him even in his youth, the confidence and respect
of his acquaintance From Baton Rouge he was
called to succeed the late Dr. Chase, in the pasto-
rate of the Carmel church in Adams county, Mis-
he established for himself during his long incum-
bency of this latter charge led to his election in
1854, by the Board Of Directors of Oakland Col
lege, to the Presidency OF that institution. In this
position he continued till impaired health con.
strained him to resign it in 1860. The period Of
DR.. Purviance's Presidency constitutes one of the
brightest chapters in the history of Oakland Col
| lege. His accurate apprehension OF what young
men are-of what they ought to be, and of what
it is the Office of education to make them, qualified
him to conduct the institution with the happiest re-
suits. Hundreds of bis pupils will attest how sue.
cessiully he impressed his own strongly marked
character upon them; and how literally, in re-
spouse to his generous bearing towards them, their
generous affections were accorded to him.
For the last three years he has been resident
Of this city, devoting the strength which the pro
gresslve lnroads or disease left hun, TO the work
assisting in the instruction of the Female Semi
nary, conducted by his daughters. He foresaw the
issue OF the battle for life, which for ten years he
had been compelled to wage and few. months
ago withdrew from all active labor to await with
composure, which was almost sublime, the sum
mons which was to call him to his heavenly home
His sick-room verified the poets picture:
"rhe chamber where the good man meets his fate
Is privileged beyond the common walk
Of virtuols life quite on the verge of heaven"