The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-12-06
work Of the Great Reaper.
REV. b. +. BENSON.

REV. b. +. BENSON.
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.
M, November 30. He attended Sunday
school and church services in the morning,
and his last act as a 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.
DR.. Benson entered the ministry of the
Methodist Protestant Church As years age and
from that time until bis 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 be
was pastor of the congregations of Denton,
Easton, Pocomoke City, Crisfeld. Towson,
Belair. Frederick and also of churches in
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 be was a 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, Seaford, Del, and Wye.
Since 1897 he has been training students at
Westminster Theological Seminary in syste-
matte theology.
In 1860 Dr. Benson married Miss M. e.
Thomas, daughter of the late John b. Thomas,
of Queen Anne's county, who survives him,
with three chidren-Mrs. Z. j. Merrick, of
Crumpton; Rev. Frank Benson, pastor OF st.
Johns Chapel Independents Methodist Church,
Baltimore, and Prof. Howard /. 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 Annual Conference. Prayer was
offered by Rev. A. D. Melvin, D. 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.
DIR. Kinzer, Rev. F. I. Little, D. d., presl-
dent of the Annual Conference; Rev. DR.. d:
L. Elderdice, president of the theological
Seminary, and by DIR. J. W. Herring, Comp
troller 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 clergymen present were Rev.
DIR. F. T. 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 G. Starr and
others of this city. Thomas A. Murray, of
the Baltimore Bar, was among the prominent
laymen 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.