The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-12-06
Work of the Great Reaper.
REV r. F. HENSON.

W. d. r.
Rev. Benjamin F. Benson, D. D., we'll
known clergyman of the Methodist Protestant
Church, and Professor of Systematic Theology
at Westminster Theological Seminary, died
suddenly at his home, in this city, at $50 p.
NJ, November 80. He attended Sunday
school and church services in the morning,
and his last act as minister was to pronounce
the benediciion in the Sunday school. His
death was caused by heart disease and apo
plexy. He was in his sixty eighth year.
DIR. Benson entered the ministry of the
Methodist Protestant Church 45 years ago and
from that time until his death was connected
with the Maryland Annual Conference of that
denomination. He was widely and favorably
known throughout the territory included in
the Conference limits. Previous to 1884 he
Easton, Pocomoke City, Crisfeld, Towson,
Belair, Frederick and also of churches III
Virginia. While at Belair he took an active
and prominent part in the temperance move
ment which gave local option to Hartford
county.
From 1884 till 1886 he was member of the
Faculty and Vice President of Western Mary
land College and then returned to the active
ministry, serving congregations at Warwick,
Chesapeake circuit, Seatord, Del, and Wye.
Since 1897 he has been training students at
Westminster Theological Seminary i'll syste-
matte theology.
In 1860 DR.. Benson married Miss NJ Z.
Thomas, daughter of the late John b. Thomas,
of Queen Anne's county, who survives him,
with three children-Mrs. E. j. Merrick, of
Crumpton; Rev. Frank Benson. pastor Of st.
Johns Chapel Independent Methodist Church,
Baltimore, ard Prof Howard T. Benson, of
this city.
His funeral took place Tuesday afternoon
at the NJ. p Church, and the services were
in charge of Rev. John ID. kinzer, ID. D., of
Georgetown, d. c., former pastor of the
Westminster church and an ex-president OF the
Maryland Annua! Conference. Prayer was
offered by Rev. A. ID. Melvin, ID. d., also
former pastor and an ex- president of the Con
ference; the Scripture lesson was read by the
pastor, Rev. l.. F. Warner, and remarks in
eulogy Of the deceased were made by Rev.
DR.. kinzer, Rev. F. r. Little. ID. d., presi-
dent of the Annual Conference; Rev. DR.. ii:
l.. Elderdice, president of the Theological
Seminary, and by DIR. j. w. Herring, Comp
trolIer of the Treasury of Maryland, who is
prominent member of the boards Of trustees
of the educational institutions of the Metho-
dist Protestant Church in this city and an ex.
president of the General Conference of the
church.
Among other cergymen present were Rev.
Dir. +. 7. Tagg, editor of the Methodist Prot
estant, Baltimore; Rev. j. W. Kirk, pastor
of Allnut Memorial Church, Baltimore; Rev.
S. Reese Murray, d. d., of the Methodist
Episcopal Book Concern, Baltimore; Rev.
Hammond S. Leas, of Fairfax, Va; Rev:
William A. Grouse, Rev. Jesse c. Starr and
others of this city. Thomas A. Murray, of
the Baltimore Bar, was among the prominent
Iaymen present. The remains were inferred
in Westminster Cemetery. The pallbearers
were members Of his class at the seminary.
The faculty and students Of the Seminary
and College attended the services.