The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-12
REV. ROBERT A. FAIR DEAD.
AN AGED SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
GONE TO HIS REWARD.

An Invalid for Many Years, Death
Relieved Him of His SuIferings
Yesterday at the Residence of His
Son, Rev. j. Y. Fair, ID. D.-The
Funeral to Be at the Independent
Presbyterian Church This After
nOOn-The Interment at the Old
Family Home in AbbeviIIe, 5. c.
The Dead Minister'S Call to the
Ministry Was From His Brethren
in the Same Manner as That of
John Knox.
Rev. Robert Anderson Fair died yester-
day morning at the home of his son, Rev.
James Y. Fair, at the manse of the hide
pendent Presbyterian Church. Death came
peacefully. and was not unwelcome. The
deceased had reached an advanced age.
and had been an invalid for many years.
Death came to one to whom the words
of the psaimist, with long life will sat
isfy Him. were especially applicable. He
was truly satisfied with life.
The deceased was in his 18th year, having
been born Dec. II, 1920. His birthplace was
at Abbeville, S. c., where in later years
he was called to the ministry, the call be-
ing urged upon him by those among whom
he had been born and reared, and who
knew him best. Mr.. Fair was a graduate
of Erskine College at Due West, S. c., be-
ing member of the first class to graduate
from that institution. There is said to be
now one other member of that class liv-
RI no IA IN
the practice of law at his home at Able
vile, in partnership with the late Judge
Thomas Thomson. AT the beginning of the
war he offered mis- services to the Confed-
eracy and was made lieutenant colonel of
the Seventh South Carolina Regiment This
position he held until failing health, due
TO exposure in the service, compelled him
to return to his home.
Mr.. Fair had always taken deep inter-
est in the affairs of the church of which
he was a member and had been especially
active in the Sunday school work. After
the war there was great religious desti-
tuition in South Carolina and Presbyter-
ians were without sufficient number Of
ministers to carry on their work In this
state of affairs that the South Carolina
Presbytery called upon Mr.. Fair to enter
the ministry. Under the law of the Pres
byterian Church no one can be ordained
a minister of the church who has not had
both a collegiate and theological edu-
cation. There is a provision in the church
laws, however, for extraordinary cases."
where in time of special need, a person
of approved piety and unusual gifts may
be ordained without a seminary training.
The South Carolina presbytery felt that
Mr.. Fair met these requirements and that
the occasion demanded his services. 1t was
accordingly decided TO ordain him to the
ministry. He declined this invitation of
the presbytery on account of a feeling Of
unworthiness and lack Of preparation, for
presbytery would not take no for an an
swer, however, and he was accordingly
ordained.
The case was similar one to that of
John, Knox, the great Scottish divine who
was a teacher by profession when called
to the ministry by the Scottish Presbytery
Mr. Fair was ordained for the special
work of organizing churches and supply
ing destitute fields in South Carolina and
in pursuit of this work he labored widely
and acceptabIy. His ability and success
attracting attention his services were in
demand and he was called to the settled
pastorate of the Church of Newberry, S.
c., one of the Presbyterian strongholds of
that state. In this field he labored for
twelve years when his failing health COM
PEELED him to desist from further work.
He then made his home with his son, DR..
J. Y. Fair, now of Savannah, who was
then pastor of Grace Street Presbyter-
ian Church of Richmond, Va, and with
whom he has since resided.
When Dr. Fair removed to Savannah
two years ago to accept the call of the
Independent Presbyterian Church his ia
Their came with him. 1t was just previous
to coming to Savannah that he lost his
wife who had been his lifelong companion.
For some years previous to his death the
| deceased was helpless invalid, rarely be-
ing able to leave the house and not hav-
ing had the pleasure of hearing his son
In the pulpit since coming to Savannah.
His trouble was an affection of the heart,
and the fact that he survived to such an
age IN his condition can only be attriou-
ted to the unceasing attention which he re-
ceived from a dutiful son and a devoted
daughter, supplemented by the best med
ical skill. The pain and loneliness of his
many weary years of suffering were cheer
ed and comforted by the skilful and I'M
firing ministratlons of his daughter Miss
Josephine Fair, who through day and
night frightened his sick room, and was
to him as a ministering angel.
The deceased leaves one other son, Mr..
Warner A. Fair, now a resident of At
lanta He is expected to arrive this morn
ing. The funeral services will be held at
the Independent Presbyterian Church this
afternoon at $50 o'clock, Rev. Arthur ].
Smith, of the First Presbyterian, and Rev.
w. A. Nisbet of the Second Presbyterian
Church. officiating The active pail bear
ers will be the deacons and the honorary
nall bearers the ruling elders and trus-
tees of the independent Church. The body
will be taken tonight to Abbeville for in
terment in the old family burying ground
there.
The deceased was of a family noted for
generations for its rugged strength and
L-.lAL Df oinInt hrnt hers all 1nere over