The Press., 1884-04-03
(From Zion's Herald.) REV. ERASTUS BENTON.

Rev. Erastus Benton died ill Stafford Springs, Ct., Jan. A, 1884, in the 80th year of his age. He was the son of Adon- ijah and Anna Benton, and was born in Holland, Ct., Jan. IT, 1895.
 He was baptized in infancy and was trained by christian parents to walk with God. In the early part of autumn in the year 1915, when but little more than ten years of age, he was converted, and soon after united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Holland. For time, in his early manhood before entering tho minis try, he was engaged in teaching. His widow was one of his pupils. He was very conscientious young mana charac- teristic that clung to him as long as he lived. It was settled principle with him always to do right. He hated all sins and all shams. When God called him to preach, he consented, feeling that 'dis- pensation of gospel was committed to him." He was licensed to preach Dec. 22, 1882, at Belchertown, Mass, Palmer and Joseph A. Merrill, presiding elder. He was received on probation in the New England conference, at Providence, R. l., June, 1883. He was ordained deacon at Lynn, Mass, by Bishop Emory, June 7, 1885, He was ordained elder at Nantuck- ct, Mass, by Bishop Waugh, June II, 1887. His appointments were: '33- -'34,
 Plainfeld and Sterling, Ct. '35-'36, Frank lin circuit, Ct., '37-38 Eastford, Ct. {; '39,
 Mansfield and Coventry, Ct 4O-41, Un- casville and Montville. Providence con- ference: '42, Thompson, Ct; 43-'44,
 Woodstock, Ct. 45-'46, South Glaston-
 bury, Ct. AZ, AS, '49, 50, presiding elder
 of the New London district '51, '52, Nor | ,ol>
 Mass. '54-'55, Wellfeet, Mass '56-'57,
 vile, Ct 60, Portland, Ct '61-62 pre- siding elder of the New London district i;
 3-'64, North Dighton, Mass. '65-'67,
 Rockville, Ct. This was bis last appoint
 ment. In this charge he was greatly bless ed with revival interest. He broke down
 under the extra labor that was required in
 the prosecution of the work, and felt con-
 pelled to ask for & superannuated relation
 at the conference of '67, which relation he
 sustained until his death. He was an
 able minister of Jesus Christ, plain, clear
 and faithful in his preaching. He always
 had the respect and confidence of the peo-
 pie, and was looked up to and trusted by
 his brethren in the ministry. In 1852 he
 was delegate to the general conference.
 He was twice married, May A, 1927,
 he was married to Miss Almira Town, of
 Belchertown, Mass, by whom he had two
 children-Rev. Josiah T. Benton. a mem
 Der of the New England southern confer
 ence, and Mrs. Mary F. Scranton, residing
 in Ohio. The posterity of this godly man
 are among the honored and useful of this
 and other lands. A grandson, Rev. s. O.
 Benton, IS a member of the New England
 southern conference, and grand -daugh-
 ter, Miss Emma Benton, is a missionary in
 Japan-worthy representatives of godly
 ancestry. In fact, all the descendants of
 this honored servant of Jesus Christ ara
 members of the church and of the house.
 hold of faith. Nov. 20, 1872, he married
 Mrs. Louisa T. Phelps, sister and worthy
 successor of his first wife. She smoothed
 his way, and ministered to him with much fidelity during the last years of his earthly life
 In 1867 he purchased house in staf
 ford Springs, where he lived until he died He spent his time in cultvating his gar den, reading, and occasionally supplying the pulpits of the neighbeFing ehuTchel
 with much acceptability. For some tim. before his death he was unable to preacl e or even to attend church. He was presen 7 at church the last time on the first Sab e bath in July, 1883, and assisted, thougl l very feeble, in the communion service. q He always expressed much interest il s the local church. His clear understanding e and long experience qualified him to be e valued and helpful counselor of the pas f tors, who will greatly miss him. He re l. tained his interest in the cause of Chris g in general also. One of his last acts wa ,, to send from his limited means generou | contribution for the benevolent work 0 l the Methodist Episcopal church. He mad l 1t matter of conscience to give one-tenth |. He suffered much during his last sick 3 ness, which was somewhat protrac cted, ant ,, often expressed Ca desire to depart and t. . be with Christi" Near the end he wa e heard to exclaim, "Bless the Lord 1! | ''Praise the Lord p As he was breathin, t his last one said, "The gates are wid n open there will be an abundant entrance. f He responded, ''Yes, yes Jesus is near l. The tones of his voice were full of assur e ance and holy triumph. His funeral wa il held ill the church, Jan. 29. Presiding ,- Elder Robinson conducted the service, ant
 was assisted by Revs Brewster, Leavitt < James, Palmer, Ela and Hawkins. It wa II II an impressive service; it could hardly hay u been otherwise.
 p Father Benton, as he was familiarl, > called, was greatly respected by all classe :, of citizens. Romanists as we'll as Protest y ants attended his funeral All felt that
 good man was gone, and that he would b. " greatly missed. When grand old tree O y the forest is removed, there is a large va q cancy not soon and easily filed So it i l. |. felt that there is large vacancy in tn Q Q home, the church, and the communit, ', II where the influence of this good servan | of Jesus Christ was so long felt for good :. .- ''He served his generation by the will o .- God" He died in faith. "He bein. s dead, yet speaketh," and is spoken of. ' J. B. HAWKINS.