The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-08-07
IN MEMORIAM.
REV. JOHN H. BooOcK, D. D, AGED 50.

REV. JOHN II. BOCOCk, ID. D., AGED %.
Another standard bearer in Israel has
fallen. Another bold, earnest, faithful
leader Of the saeramental host of Gods
elect has been called to rest from the Ia
bors and suferings of earth, and enter into
the 10y Of his Lord. On Monday, July
18th, the writer Of this babe the deceased a
silent adieu at his home in Lexington, fully
impressed with the idea that the Master was
near aud would soon call for his servant
On Wednesday evening the telegraph an
nounced that the hour Of his departure was
at hand This intelligence was received with
mingled feelings of gratitude and grief,-
grief that one who had been his neighbOr In
the ministry, his co-presbyter for years and
a bosom friend, was no more-and gratitude
that the long conflict, the drear eclipse of
his rare mental powers was ended, and the
shining ones whose convoy he often spoke
Of and looked for, had come down to attend
him up to the gates of the Celestial City.
From memoranda in the writer's posses.
sion he is able to give sketch of the life Of
DR.. Bocock He was born January 31sr,
1913, in Buckingham county, Va. His fam
liz are too well known among the thousands
Of Israel to require any notice 1t is rare
that the same amount of talent is ever cen
tered in a single family. AT the early age
of seventeen Mr.. BOcock became deeply i'm
pressed on the subject of personal religion
under the powerful preaching of Rev. Jesse
S. Armistead, D. D., man for whom he
ever cherished the highess'regard. He has
often spoken to the writer of this of the
struggles, the doubts and fears, and alternate
hopes that characterized his religious history
at this early period in his Christian life
As soon as he entertained hope Of his ac-
csptance with God through the merits Of
Jesus. he united with the church, and as an
inmate for some time in the family of DIR.
Armistead, he enjoyed the instruction and
counsel of that eminently judiciOus Chris
tian teacher.
After leaving Dr. Armistead's family he
went to Amherst College, where he was as,
soeiated in his studies with many who have
been distinguished for their gifts-among
these are Rev. Stuart Robinson, of Ken
tucky, and Henry Ward Beecher. After
completing his course of study at Amherst,
he returned to Virginia and engaged for a
short time in teaching. He then entered
Union Theological Seminary, and pursued
his studies preparatory to the ministry un-
der DR.. Baxter and his associates of that
institution. He always regarded DR.. Bax-
ter as the greatest man whose mind ne had
ever come in contact with. Those who
heard. or have read his address delivered al
Union Seminary on L" The Times Of the Frs
Presidents remember his sentiments on
this subject.
Mr.. Bocock was licensed to preach the
gospel at Charlottesville, October, 1888, anc
ordained to the full work of the ministry
in 1889. He spent some time after his Ii
censure and ordination in Amherst, Camp
bell, Buckingham and AppomattOx counties
as an evangelist. Thence he went for
short time to the extreme South and preached
in Louisiana. The climate not suiting hi
health he returned again to Virginia, ant
was settled in Parkersburg for a short time
The readers of the Central Presbyterian
viii call to mind letter from the Editor 0
one of the secular papers in that city, il
which he speak of the transcendant intelec
tual power Of Mr.. Bocock, together witt
some humorous alluson to his popularity o
gesture.
From Parkersburg, Mr.. BOcOck removed
to Louisa county, Va, and took charge 0
Providence church, which had recently be
come vacant by the death Of Rev. Jane
Wharey. Here his labors were muc
blessed. He preached at several points i
the county of Louisa and extended his Ia
bors into the adjoining county Of FluVanna
Here the writer of this tribute first kne7
and learned to love him. While at Prov
dence his church was blessed with one of tn
most remarkable reviyals of religion in whic
it was the writer's privilege ever to labor
Some of the incidents connected with tht
work of grace were recorded by Mr.. BocOc
in a series Of papers contributed to the Gen
trail Presbyterian under che title "MemOrit
of Aud Lang Syne." From Louisa count!