Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-12
BENJAMIN MORGAN PALMER.

For more than half a century Benjamin
Morgan Palmer has been one OF the most
eminent preachers in the country. His
wonderful mental and physical vigor have
enabled him to sustain a shock which
would have proved suddenly fatal TO most
men OF hts age. and yet it seems likely
that his great and useful life viii be still
further prolonged.
The announcement that he had been
knocked down in New Orleans by a street
car; that his leg had been broken, and
that he had been internally injured, arous-
ed apprehensIons that he could not sur
vive
Few men have done so much service TO
the church and country, and few have
won such high and permanent renown. His
life has been one long incessant and vic
tOrious battle for the right and for the
benefit OF mankind. His superb mental
endowment has been used with unrelent-
ing vigor and unfailing fidelity for many
noble objects. AS a pulpit orator for the
lifetime OF two generations he has been
equaled by very few OF his contemporaries.
He was born in Charleston. s. C., Janu-
airy 8, 1913, and is the nephew Of the
Oldest Presbyterian minister In America
He was graduated at the University of
Georgia I'm 1885, and at the Theological
Seminary Of Columbia S. c., in 1S4l. He
has held Presbyterian pastorates I'm Sa-
vannah, Ga, and Columbia, 8. C., and
since 1856 has been in New Orleans. La In
1856 he was professor of church history
and polity In Columbia Theological Sem
mary, S. c., Of which he was director
h,- eli a
rector of the Southwestern Presbyterian
University, Gainesville. Tenn, since 1873
and OF Tulane University. New Orleans,
since it's organization in 1854 He has
frequently served as commissioner to the
general assemblies of his denomination.
He received the degree Of d. d. from ogle-
thorpe University In 1852, and that Of Ii.
d. from Washington College, Fulton No.
in 1870.
Since 1871 he has been an editor and con-
tributor to The Southern Presbyterian
Review, published IN Columbia, S. c., Of
which journal he was a founder. In adj
dition to numerous pamphlets and adj
dresses, he is the author of THE Life and
Letters OF Rev. James Henry Thornwel,
d. D., IL d." (Richmond, 1879; Ser
mons q vols. New Orleans. 1850; and
THE Family in its Civil and Churchly As
poets" New York. 1870.
He belongs to a church which has pro-
duced many Of the most wonderful men
in this country. but few OF them have
made so deep and lasting impression upon
their times. At the age when most men
would have long ago completed their
services and Jagged superhuous he has
continued active and vigorous In the min
istry.
Only about a year ago he preached the
commencement sermon OF his alma mater
at University Of Georgia and also deliv-
cred a powerful sermon at the North Ave-
nue. Presbyterian church Of this city. On
both occasions he showed that he still re-
tanned the force and fire of his younger
days. A complete volume of his sermons
would be one Of the richest and most in
spring contributions TO the pulpit litera-
ture of his time.
In 1854, when the Southern Confederacy
had been brought to desperate straits. he
and Bishop George F. Pierce. OF the Meth
odist church, in response TO invitation
from the Georgia legislature, preached
sermons in the capitol Of this state which
are worthy to be cherished by future
Georgia generations ... ..-.
one OF Dr. Palmer's most remarkable
achievements is TO be found in the record
of his persistent and irresistible attacks
upon the Louisiana State Lottery, an in
stitution which had laid such strong hold
upon the state government that it seemed
to defy all opposition. Dr. Palmer. more
than any other man. is due the honor
OF having crushed that powerful and inso-
lent combination. On other notable oc-
casiOns he has given himself to the ser
vice of government and society in a man
ner that has ennobled his name as much,
perhaps. as his service in the pulpit. His
eloquent logic and imprisoned zeal have
often proved irresistible even when con-
fronted by forces and influences which 1t
seemed impossible to overcome. He must
be ranked among the great men of his
time and country. He IS honored and be-
loved by hts fellow citizens OF all shades
OF religious opinion. Their sympathies and
prayers go out to him in his affiiction and
they hope to see him spared for further
service to the church and country, both of
which owe him an inestimable debt OF
gratitude.