The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-02-07
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE MISSIONARY SOON GETTING HIS
CROWN.

The writer of this was led, by visit to
Union Seminary two or three years ago, to
write for the Central Presbyterian some re-
miniscences of his Seminary days spent there.
In the course of these, mention was made
of the interest felt among the students in the
foreign missionary cause, and some reference
to the same fact as existing, at the time just
preceding, at the Princeton Seminary, when
the writer was there. Then after speaking
of Adger u. B. as an active promoter of it,
Jos. w. Barr is spoken of as having pre-
viously completed his course at that Semina-
ry, coming back on a visit, and making a
very solemn address in the chapel just before
his departure as missionary to Africa, and
his being soon after cut off by cholera in
Richmond-the Master accepting his conse-
Grafton in lieu of the work.
A mistake made in the article, in the name
of Mr.. B., drew forth letter from that
venerable and excellent man, Mr.. John N.
Gordon. There are many who remember
the rather attenuated figure, the palid but
placid .@nd benigHant face, ae2 the high
pitched, musical voice, very much chat of the
Alexanders, to whom he was kin-which
marked him. And there have been many of
"the brethren" who ever remembered that
house on Franklin street which he and his
esteemed partner made so much an abode of
piety and unaffected, cheerful hospitality,
and which was SO peculiarly the ministers
home. 1t will now be seen that it was the
last, though transient, home of one of them.
l have thought that few extracts from Mr..
Gordon's letter might be of interest, as a
memorial of him and brief record Of what
may be called remarkable incident of mis-
sionary history, which now few are old enough
to remember. Says Mr.. Gordon:
"In the fall of 1882, the Rev. Jos. W.
Barr, of Ohio, died at my house in Rich
mond, with cholera, and his was the last case,
so far as 1 know, that occurred in the city
during that fatal year. He was young
man, about twenty-five years old, in perfect
health, with black hair and ruddy complex
ion. Having an appointment to preach Sab
bath afternoon at o'clock, he came to my
house from Petersburg, on Saturday, to din
ner, and we were much grati6ed to have him
as our guest.
About midnight we were walked up by
him, and soon found that he was suffering
from that dreadful scourge of the human
family. Physicians were Immediately called
in, but he had passed beyond the aid of all
human instrumentalities. His sufferings ex-
ceeded the power of language to describe.
No medicine which he took, or any thing else
which was done for him, seemed to have the
slightest effect in arresting the disease
Early in the afternoon the color had left his
face, his eyes were sunken, and he had the
appearance of very old man, except his
beautiful black hair.
About the time he was to preach, the Mas
ter came and released him from his suffering
The next afternon devout men carried him
to his burial and made great lamentation over
him. -
He was buried in the Richmond Cemete
ry, and a suitable monument erected over his
remains by the late David l. Burr, of Rich
mond, whose praise is in all our churches.
Our pastor, the Rev. DR.. Armstrong, was
absent from the city; and the funeral scr
vices, as well as remember, were conducted
by Rev. Stephen Taylor. The Rev. Mr.
Pinney, who intended to accompany Mr. Barr
to Africa, wrote his life.
Thus far Mr.. Gordon. The guest and the
host of the missionary's twenty-four hours
soiourn in that Richmond minister's home
are now met in the happy "Mansions" above