The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-06
THE LAVE bR. BRowNsoN.
Sketch Of the Lie of Prominent
Presbyterinn Divine.

Presbyterian Divine.
Rev. DR.. James 1. Brownson, who
died at washington, Pa, on Tuesday,
was born at Merceraburg. Pa, March
Il, 1917. After some study Of the class
les In an academy taught by Rev. Rob
ert Kennedy. he entered the freshman
class Of Washington college in Janu-
airy. 1888. As college student he ac-
quilted himself with credit. After
graduation, he taught for Q year 10 the
Bucks county academy, Newton, Pa,
Having spent q few months IN the
study Of Hebrew under DR.. r. A.
Rauch. president Of Marshall college al
Mercersburg. he entered IN the spring
Of 1888 the Western Theological SEMI
nary, Of Allegheny. He was licensed 70
preach by the presbytery Of Carlisle IN
October. 1870. In the spring Of 1871 he
accented an invitation TO supply TOR SIX
months the churches Of GFeensburB and
Mt. Pleasant, and the succeeding au-
tumn wns ordained and installed as
their Joint pastor upon unanimous calls
from both congregations. In this field
he remained q little over seven years
his labora being very successful. In the
fall Of 1913 he was called to the pastor
ute of the Presbyterian church OF
Washington, now the First church. He
assumed this charge In January, 1919,
The relation between DR.. Brownson
and the members of his congregation
were always pleasant ones. The relG-
lions between his church and the col
lege largely extended the sphere Of his
influence. Hundreds OF young men
have sat under his ministry, who later
rose to prominence in the various pur-
suits Of life, and In every part OF the
land. He was a trustee OF Washington
college In 1S49, and served In that ca
pacity until the uniting OF JEFFERSON
and Washington, when he was contin-
ued as member Of the united lnstitu-
ton. Shortly afterward he was made
vice president OF the board, and after
the death Of Rev Charles s. Beatty, D.
D., LII. D., Of Steubenville. in 1882, he
was made president of the board, and
continued at the head until his death.
He was appointed president pro TEN OF
the faculty of Washington college after
the resignation Of DR.. James Clark In
lS52,an as such graduated two classes.
He performed a like service In WASH
Ington and Jefferson college, FIRST as
vice president and atterward as presi-
dent pro tenn, previous to the election
in 1870 Of DR.. George P. Hays. He
taught at various times. both in the
college and seminary. For over forty
years he has been president of the
board OF trustees OF the Washington
seminary. He rendered important SER
vice as a director Of the Western The
illogical seminary, and was vice presi-
dent OF the board Of trustees.
DR.. BrownSon was moderator OF the
a 80 JR, fpEO oPH thu
reorganization Of the synods. OF the
synod OF Pittsburgh in 1871. While in
the presbytery Of Redstone he was
elected a commissioner to the general
assembly, and six times the presbytery
of Washington chose him MS one OF the
Representatives on that court. By the
appointment Of the general assembly he
was a member Of the Presbyterian al
lance, which held its second council at
Philadelphia in 1880. He was also
member OF the body, which met at To-
ronto, Canada, in 1891. He was one Of
the committee Of fifteen to represent
the general assembly in the Joint COM
mittee OF the American churches which
met in New York in 1874 to arrange for
the organization OF the alliance in Ed
Inburg in 1877, but he felt constrained
to decline the appointment.
In 1871, by the appointment OF PreSi-
dent Grant and the secretary OF the
navy, he represented Pennsylvania in
the board OF visitors Of the United
States Naval Academy at Annapolis to
Inquire into the management and con-
troll OF the institution. DR.. Brownson
was frequent contributor to the relIg-
Ious newspapers. as well MS to the secu-
lar press. and wrote number OF his
torlcal and biographical sketches. His
literary attainment and ability ms a
theologian were recognized by Lafay-
cite college. which in 1858 conferred up
on him the honorary degree OF D. D. In
1891 he waB given the degree Of LII. D..
by Hanover College, Ind.