The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-01
REV. is. K. ARSON DEAD.
TaE VENERABLE MAN PASSES
PEACEFULLY AWAY.

Unconscious Of Suffering in His Last
Hours He Greeted Death With a
Smile-Ths Unblemishe1 Life OF a
Holy Man-His Early Days aud Min
istry-His Long Passionate in Savan-
nah and its Reward-His Funeral to
Take Place This Afternoon.
Rev. /. s. K. Arson, d. D., pastor emer-
titus Of the Independent Presbyterian church,
diei at Sis O'clock yesterday morning at
the residence of bis son, Randolph Arson, at
Hall aud Barnard streets
DR.. Axson's health had been failing for
several years, the result Of bis advanced age.
About two weeks ago he suffered paralytic
shock from which it was seen that he could
not recover. He failed gradually from then
until he died. His last hours were quiet
and peaceful. He had been unconscious for
several days, and he died without a strug
gle and with a smile on his face. Mr.. Ran
dolph Arson and his family and DIR. Dun
can were present at the bedside when the
end came, which simply marked the passing
of the remarkable man from this life into
the life to come.
Realizing that his END was approaching,
DIR. Arson called his grandchildren around
him one day the latter part Of last week,
and gave each tender and loving advice as
to how they should live in order to gain
heavenly reward.
DIR. AxsoN's LIFE.
DR.. Arson was born in Charleston, s. c.,
Oct. 3, 1878. He spent his boyhood
days there. After finishing his education
at the Charleston College he entered the
theological Seminary at Columbia. s. c.
After concluding its course DIR. Arson spent
the first year of his ministry at Sum
merville, In the same state. From there
he was called as co-pastor of the old Mid
way church in Liberty county, where he
served for eighteen years. His health
failing him there, he resigned. and
was called as principal Of the Female
at the same time the pulpit in
Washington and other churches adjacent to
Greensboro. He was called from Green's
boro to the pastorate Of the Independent
Presbyterian church Of this city in De-
cember, 1857, and for the lastathirty-fiv
years has been the faithful and jealous
under shepherd Of the great Shepherd OF
souls.
As preacher and thinker DIR. Arson was
the fuldllment of Chaucers ideal parson,
''gladly would he learn and gladly teach"
He was one who cared little for the praise
of men or the emoluments Of life. His
chief aim was to devote his talents to his
Masters service; to work in that portion OF
the vineyard allotted to him. 1t is related of
him that on one occasion when a delegation
from a northern church waited upon him
with formal call, and an offer of salary
four times greater than the salary he was
then receiving, he replied with his usual de-
cision and courtesy that he was not working
for money particularly. He was endeared
by many ties to the people among whom be
lived and labored, and he was satisfied that
his then present sphere of usefulness offered
opportunity enough for doing good"
NOBLE MAN.
His social qualities revealed and orna-
mented his higher and nobler qualities
Personally he was happy compound of
dignity and cordiality. His chief charm,
perhaps, was a manly suavity. 1t was not
assumed, but was the simple expression of
genuine feeling. In his comments upon
others he was gentle and charitable. In
treating Of religion and religious matters he
was most reverenJial and learned.
In dealing with men, white or black, he
was frank and pleasant. In the presence
of women he was courtly and respectful.
One of his singular traits was his courtesy
20 strangers. When he knew a man was
stranger in strange land, or a strange city,
his heart opened to him and he endeavored
to make the stranger feel at home.
DIR. Arson enjoyed the respect aud ven>
Grafton not only of his own church and con-
gregation. but of the community at large.
Even the children recognized in him man
of sanity life and attachments. If to be
christian is to be honest, to be gentle, to be
generous, to he charitable, and to have firm
faith in the Christ and in ''the life beyond
iife," and possessing all these qualities 60
exercise them in the most gracious and
kindly manner, DIR. Arson was certainly
true christian and gentleman.
INCIDENTS OF HIS PAsToRATE.
On the completion of his twenty-five years
of ministry in Savannah in October, 1882, he
was presented with a souvenir of the occa-
sion by his parishioneTs and friends. The
presentation speech was made by his devoted
friend, Col. G. H. Olmstead.
About this time he was made pastor
emeritus of the Independent church, and
Dr. Bacon was called to the pastorate.
During DR.. Axson's long pastorate he re-
cejved many tokens of esteem from his con-
gregation. In 1868, on account of the high
prices OF everything, caused by the war,
the church presented him with 81 900, and
in 1864 with SO, 500 more. In the latter year
the trustees added 81 900 to this amount, be-
SIDES his regular salary, which was So ,00O
In 1865 the trustees insured his life for IS 900
for the benefit of his family.
The venerable pastors great hope was that
he mightli live to attend service in the restored
church, the congregation of which he was
for SO many years the head. The burning Of
the church in the fire of April 1889, was
great sorrow to the devoted minister, and he
prayed that be might live to see the sacred
editice rebuilt. During bis last illness
prayers were offered for him at every service
of the church.
DIR. Axson's beloved wife died In 1887. He
leaves one son, Randolph Arson. ESQ.
The funeral will take place this afternoon
at $3.50 o'clock from the Trinity Methodist
church, where the congregation of the Inde-
pendent Presbyterian church has wor-
shipped since the destruction of their church.
Rev. DIR. Dripps will perform the funeral
services, and all of the ministers of the city
have been invited and will probably attend.
The interment will be in the family lot at
Laurel Grove cemetery