Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-12-14
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Successful Career of One of Hopkins
ville's Young Ministers.

OL the lith of May, 1884, the Hop
klnsville Baptist church secured the
services ofa young minister named
J.N. Prestridge, who entered upon
his duties as pastor of the church.
lie had previously had but two years
experience, having gradual d from
one Of the leading theological semi
naries in 1882. lie came as the i'm
mediate successor of the late Rev. DIR.
Thos. q. Keen, one of the ablest and
Oldest diyines in his denomination in
the West, who had for many ears
held the pastorale Of the church, but
whose falling health forced him to
resign. Mr.. Prestridge found the
church with membership Of 2l0 and
though a stranger to his coDgrega-
ton and charge he began work with
zeal and earnestness that soon be-
gan TO tell in results. In a short
time he had eudeared himself to his
entire membership and under his
able ministry the church began to
grow steadily in mem bership. Sew
eral revivals have been held within
the last four years, the last being in
the months OF October and Novem-
Der of the present year. Mr. Pres
fridge conducted the meeting with
out assistance for two weeks, during
which time the,e were "A professions
and as many additions to the church.
Rev. ii. NJ. Wnarton, Of Baltimore,
then came TO his assistance for ten
days and 80 other persons united
with the church. Since that time
there have bten other additions,
making an increase in the member
ship of 81 within thirty days. P.ob-
ably 20 other persons professed re-
ligion during this great revival who
have since united with other churches
At the beginning Of The meeting the
services were held in the prayer
meeting room, but it was soon nee
essary TO move TO the main room
above and later as the interest in
creased the meetings were held in
the Opera House, hich, with seat
ing capacity of more than 800, was
packed to overlooking night after
night. Mr.. Prestridge's entire min
istry since coming TO Hopkinsville
has been eminently successful AL
though many of the older members
and a number of the younger ones
have died and others have moved |
away, the net increase in the MEM
bership during his pastorate has been
10 aud the church now has 4l0 mem
bers.
Mr.. Prestridge is yet young man,
being about 30 years Of age. lie is a
of great force aud fervency
aud has special adaptability forevapg-
ellis work. Heis pleasant captivating
speaker and never breaches
long enough 10 tire the most impa-
tient congregation. He does not use
manuscript in the pulpit, but speaks
from notes only aud often without
references of any kind. He is close
student and his discoursts are all the
result of careful preparation. So
cially he is genial, affablc and uni
versally popular. lie exerts a great
influence for good over his members,
the young men, TO almost
all of whom he has personally en-
deared himself.
During the present year Mr.. Pres
fridge has received two ilattering
calls to churches in other states
at largely increased salaries. One of
those was in Los Angeles, California,
to a church paying $1,000 a year. Be-
lieviug that this is the field for his
greatest usefulness, Mr.. Prestrldge
dec ined to leave his church here,
though his salary still remains at the
figure fixed when the church had
only about half its present wealth
and membership.
Mr.. Prestri1ge WAS married about
two years ago to Miss Fannie Clardy,
only daughter of DR.. Jno. ID Clardy,
one of the leading citizens of Chris
Iian county.