The Portland daily press., 1895-05-22
DEATH OF A NOTED MAN.
Rev. b. Luscombe Falls Victim to the
African Feyer-WeI1 Known in This
State and Massachusetts,

Rev. Benjamin Luscombe. died recently
at Makomp. Vest Africa, where he has
been stationed only about five weeks. He
was we'll known in this city and in Massa-
chusetts, and was regarded as a very able
man and devoted Christian worker. He
came to this city and in a few months
gathered congregation about hin and was
compelled in short time to engage larger
hall. A finely educated man, he was plain
and direct preacher and had marked sue
cess in revival work.
he was interested in the work carried for
ward under the leadership of the famous
Rev. DR.. Simpson of New York, and was
for two years one of the leading spirits at
the great annual Old Orchard campmeeting.
He led the notable all night meeting there
in 1893, meeting that practically extended
over twenty-four hours. and the influence
of which was felt long after the meetings
closed.
lie was succeeded in charge of the Eman-
uel church in this city by Rev. T. J.Camp-
belle. and decided to devote his life to MIS-
sionary work in the Dark Continent. 10
which he felt himself especially called. He
offered himself for this work TO the Inter
national Alliance. and was accepted. He
was a man calculated, it was thought, to
make his way anywhere. and was given a
difficult and responsible field by the
direct ors of the work, but his splendid con-
stitutio1 was apparently not strong enough
to stand up against the fatal African fever,
to which he fell victim.
While in this city, MIR. Luscombe was
aggressive, as it was his nature to be, and
at one time was involved in controversy
with the city marshal. His people were in
the habit of holding all night meetings,
greatly to the discomfort of some of the
guests at the preble house. At last it was
limited that he might be arrested. ''all
rig ht. responded the pastor, then you
can count on one thing, you will have an
all night serl ice of prayer at the police
station. 1t may be that God wants me- to
work right there for Him." He carried his
point and was not disturbed, but shortly
other and larger hall.
Mr.. Luscombe had some peculiar views.
he felt himself called to preach. and would
not break off from his regular work for any
thing else, not even to deliver a temperance
address. He believed in The strictest con-
formity to The word of Gcd. ana those who
attended his church heard a very plain and
direct GOSPEL preached.
When he was here, and alter his trouble
with the police authorities it was suggested
to him that ii might be worth while to re-
port one of bis sermons. His reply was like
the man. 'Republish the sermon On the
Mount. The servant is not better preacher
than the Master" When it was suggested
that he might be called upon to preach a
series of sermons defending his views, he
replied that one sermon would be enough
Tor the ordinary man who would be tolo to
repent. and to save Lis soul from hell. "a
thousand sermons would only give the same
advice" he added.
When he offered himself for the foreign
work he said that he was willing to go
wherever the providence of q od might lead
him, whether that wou1dsbe life or to death.
In thai spirit he was sent out. and after
few months in the mission field, and five
weeks where he died, he completed his
course. In many respects he was a re-
markable man. and will be long remembered
in this city where he was SO well known. He
was here but few months. but b. accom-
pllshed ii great work, and gathered about
him church mem hership that still rema ms
true to the church. For weeks, so great
was the revival spirit be Aiadled, that he
held a public bApstIm every Sunday at the
old shipyard.