The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-28
Death of the Rev. Brice Benton Blair-From

the Valley Sentinel (Shippensburg, Pa. } Of June
%, and also from THE Broad Ace (Cleversburg,
Pa } of the "a inst, which have been kindly fur
nished us-the melancholy intelligence is received
that this devoted minister of our Church has de-
parted this life. He died at the residence of the
Hon. Thos. P. Blair, near Shippensburg, Pa, on
Monday morning, the 10th inst His age vas
few months over thirty.two years.
From our own knowledge of Mr.. Blair and from
the articles in the papers referred to usng without
special quotation much of their language) We are
enabled to present brief notice of his life and
DEATH for the satisfaction of many Christian friends
in Virginia, who knew and loved him, and who
will deeply mourn his loss.
Mr.. Blair was born in the state of Pennsylvania,
near Shippensburg, we believe. Of his early his.
tory we have no particular information Soon after
entering Jefferson College he professed conversion
to God, during revival Of religion. For some
time after he was graduated in 1859, he engaged in
teaching in private family in the Kanawha Val
ley, West Virginia In 1860 he entered the Theo-
logical Seminary at Princeton, and was taken un-
der the care of the Presbytery of Carlisle. In the
fall of 1860, Tor perhaps during the winter follow
ing) he entered Union Theological Seminary
When the war came on he honestly embraced the
cause of the South and early in the summer of
1861 entered its army. In 1862, he was licensed
to preach the gospel by the PreSbytery of Green
brier, and served in the army as chaplain.
At the close of the war he spent some time as
Principal Of the Academy in Charleston, Kanawha,
and then returned to Union Theological Seminary.
His ordination to the ministry was by the Pres
bytery of Greenbrer in 1867, and soon after he be-
gan his labors at Point Pleasant and Buffalo on the
Kanawha river To these fields, and to other
points within reach, his energies were devoted till
within very short time before he died.
Mr.. Blair was possessed of good capacity for
acquiring knowledge, and it was well cultivated.
He had uncommon huency of speech, and was
everywhere an acceptable preacher. He was a
man of fervent piety and devoted himself to his
work with uncommon ardor; to his power, yea
and beyond his power he was willing of himself +"
His efforts were greatly blessed in building up the
churches specially under his care, and he was
abundant in abors at other points in the surround
ing country. Having spent few days with him
at Point Pleasant, in May, 1870, we had some op-
portunity then, as well as from other sources, of
knowing how faithful he was in his work, and how
much he was loved by the people to whom he
ministered.
His health ,.long feeble, began more decidedly
to fail about six months ago: Consumption
marked him for her own" But such was his zeal
for the work he was engaged in, and which he
loved better than fe that he would not yield to the
entreaty Of kind friends to take season of rest,
and therefore continued his ministerial duties I'M
til within few weeks of his death. He returned
to his fathers house on the 10th inst, where he
DEPARTED nine days after, to his Fathers house on
high" eternal in the heavens" A few moments
before his death, when reason was no longer on
her throne, he was in Imagination among his peo-
ple and offered a prayer in their behalf, the
most solemn and impressive" it is said, ever
heard by the heart-Stricken friends at his side.
Scarcely had the "Amen" which was pronounced
in voice strong and eloquent, passed his lips,
when his eyes closed and his heart ceased to beat
forever On Wednesday his remains were taken
to their resting place in Spring Hill Cemetery.
followed by large concourse of bereaved and sor.
rowing friends and acquaintance. -
The death Of this beloved brother is great loss.
1t will be deeply felt not only among his immediate
kindred and by the devoted people of his pastoral
charge, but by the brethren of the Presbytery aso
and large circle Of attached Christian friends 1t
is bereavement in which, with many Others we
sincerely sympathize. May He who has stricken
and bereaved so many, heal and comfort them !;
and especially may He soon send another good
shepherd to that afflicted flock among the noun
tains and the valleys.