The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-10
REV. SIDNEY SMITH MURKLAND.

Died, March LIST, 1880, at the. residence of his
son, s. R. Murkland Farmville, Va.
He was born in Kilmarnock, AYRSHIRE Scot
land February 4th 1907. He was country
man of Robert Burns, who sung of his aunt as
the Divine Miss Murkland. Soon after his
conversion to God, his heart was strongly turned
to the missionary work, and the salvation of the
poor and ignorant in heather and Christian
lands became the master passion of his soul, and
continued to be the supreme motive of his minis
try as long as he could speak word or WELD a
pen. One of his earliest friends was the com
panlon of the devoted martyr missionary John
Williams, who was killed and eaten by the can
nlbals OF one of the South Sea islands while en-
deavorlng to land and preach the gospel unto
them
Mr.. Murkland was married to Mary Mac
Gregor on the 9th of February 1885, by the
Rev. Ralph Wardlaw, D. D. She was the
daughter of a Highland House which had kept
the faith OF God for many generations, and had
been the companion of his childhood. Like her
devoted husband, she counted not her life dear
unto her, II only she could serve the Master.
For forty -four years she was his companion in
labors more abundant, in journeyings often in
perils of waters, in perils by the heather, in
perils IN the sea, IN perils among false brethren
suffering shipwreck for more than a night and
day in the deep
Mr. Murkland spent nearly eleven years in
Demerara, South America where his missionary
labors were abundantly blessed He built three
large churches taught large schools in which
the natives were trained to teach their country
men, and for several years supported his own
work, ana sent large sums of money to the Lon
don Missionary Society to help other missions.
Finally the health of himself and wife became
utterly broken down, and they were compelled
TO save life by going to the severely cold climate
of Nova Scotia. There he preached the gospel
ior TOUR years his health was restored, and for
the sake of his family, he determined to come to
the United States. HI preached two wears in
the West then in Petersburg. Va. then in Rich.
mond and then in Prince Edward and Appo
mattox counties. In 1861 he was called to the
Old Bethany church in North Carolina. where
he bought house, and remained until 1877. At
the close OF the war, his desire to labor once
more among the colored people became so strong.
that he gave up the Bethany church and de-
voted himself to the evangelzation and amelio-
ration of the Freedmen. He may almost be
called the father of the Synod of the Atlantic.
lie built eight churches established many
schools for secular education and in coniunc-
ton with other honored brethren, founded the
fiddle University at Charlotte, n. c., of
whose Trustees and Directors he was the Presi
dent. Ministers and people, white and colored
called HIM lovingly and reverently, Father
MuTkland. At first he labored among the col
ored people unaided and at his own expense
and then for many years was heartily supported
~ the committee OF Freedmen and of Home
M Missions OF the General Assembly of the Presby-
terrain Church North
In the autumn Of 1877, on Sabbath morning
as ne was preparing to ride to one of his churches
he was stricken with paralysis Soon after
wards he was brought TO the residence of his
son, ). K. Murkland, Esq, Farmville, Va. where
he continued to live until his decease Eighteen
months ago ne was thrown from buggy and
fractured his thigh. Then other physical in
hrmlties were added. But he lived on in I'M
clouded Christian hope, writing largely for the
press with his left hand, (the right arm was par
aiiyzed striving thus to preach the gospel of the
blessed God The loving care Of kindred the
society and correspondence Of many friends. the
unbroken interest in all which concerned the
Masters kingdom, comforted and filled his heart
On the 4th Of February 1880 his birthday. all
his children and grandchildren gathered around
him. After this he began to fail, and he put
his house in order" His unfaterinp testimony
me-" "'"'
Leaning upon the breast Of his Lord. and of
the beloved companion Of his life. he sweetlv