The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-10-09
In Menoriam.

ROBINSON BANKS, on Jne morning OF
the 23rd September, 1890, at his
home in Rocky Mount, Bossier Par,
La, after an illness of two months,
which he bore with unmurmuring
patience, submission and acquies-
cence to the will of the Master, whom
he loved and served so faithfully and
SO long.
| He was. born in Fairfield District,
South Carolina, June &c, 1903, con-
sequently he was in his 83rd year
He was of Scotch.Irish parentage,
his father, Samuel Banks, having en-
igrated from Scotland about 1897,
and settled in Chester District, S. G.
His mother was a woman of strong
character and possessing wonderful
energy. Eleven children were born
and grew up to man and womanhood
except one, who died in infancy
There were five sons, our dear friend
being the second. Although com.
paratively poor, their father deter
mined to give them good education.
Mr.. Banks having greater thirst for
knowledge than the rest, went to
,clerking in Winnsboro, S. c., saved
his money, and went to Hopewell
Academy, in York District. While
There be became serious on the sub
iect of religion, and united with the
church under the preaching of D. L..
Gray. This was in the summer of
I 1881. Soon after this he went to
Tuscaloosa. Ala, to enter college
there. He did like the discipline,
however, and took charge of a school
at Pickinsville, Ala. It was while
teaching this school that his mind
turned to the work of the ministry,
and after prayer, deliberately made
up his mind to become an Ambassa-
dor of Christ. As soon as convenient
he turned his face homeward to con-
vey the ''glad tidings" to his aged
mother, which was received with
grateful Joy, for he was child of the
covenant, and had been raised in the
faith, like Timothy. The Bible,
shorter Catechism and Creed being
being taught him as soon as he could
lisp After due deliberation he en-
tered the Theological Seminary al
Columbia, S. G. The Seminary was
then under that trio of good and
learned men, Drs. Leland, Goulding
and Howe. He remained there three
years. While there he witnessed that
, startling phenomenon, the 'falling
stars" In April, 1885, he was
, licensed by Bethel Presbytery tc
!, preach the gospel, and having de
termined to take a missionary tour
through Arkansas, he was ordained
as an Evangelist. He had received
a commission from the American
Home Missionary Society to labol
/, one year In Arkansas In April, 1886
he set out all alone for the Far West
Soy with tears, but a strong heart an(
. an abiding faith in his Master, b,
q babe farewell to kindred and friend
and entered upon his ife's work =
After long and tedious journey, h
j landed at Little Rock, where he hat
n letter of introduction to Rev. Jas
n. Moore, then the only Presbyterian
. minister in Arkansas. He immedi
:. ately began his work under man
i disadvantages, undergoing hardship
and privations that would have dis
couraged many men, travelling TO
9 days on, horseback, through wild
unknown regions, swimming creek
and rivers, through tempest and sur
> shine, but always finding kind heart
Q and hospitable treatment. All thi
t he endured as good soldier of Jesu
I Christ, working to win souls tina
were thirstiDg for the Gospel. H
u organized and assisted in organizing
: over twenty churches. He lahore
" in Arkansas from 1886 to 1866. Ate
the war, being completely broken W
. he moved to Rocky Mount, where h
# has since resided, over Is years. H
b was married in June, 1888, to Mis-
Elizabeth Pratt, a native of Hebron
New Hampshire, who was then prir
= cipal of the High School at Sprin
:, Hill, Ark. She was the sister of Davi
and Luther Pratt, and aunt of th
+ Sheriff of Webster parish, Mr.. D. "
Pratt. They had two children, Henri
Howard, an able minister, who die
x Few years ago, in Ashville, N. c
J. and Alexander, who died when
10 was five years of age. He moved t
. Minden in 1847, and took charge c
the Female College, but his wife
n health failing, they travelled throug
b the Northern and New England State
4 till her health was re.established.-
They then moved to Ell Dorado, Ark
s. and took charge of the Female In
stitute; there she died Sept. S, 1876:
. On the 10th May, 1866, he marie
Mrs. Mary B. Macon, widow of job
d I. Macon, of Hardeman, Tenn
It They had seven children, four sons an
:. three daughters; all survive him bu
one son Edmund Samuel, who die
8 in 1880. His wife was the dauohte