The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-24
DEATH OF REV. B. r. HALL
One of the States Most Prominent
Methodist Divines Passes Away at
Fayetteville.
Especial to The Messenger.)

ASDtCldl 10 1hC
Fayetteville. y. c.. February d.
Rev. Benjamin r Hall. presiding ell
der OF the Fayetteville district of the
Methodist Episcopal church, died at
7:3e o'clock asst night in the Marsh
Highsmith hospital on Green street. A
few weeks e Mr.. Hall went to the
far recovered as to resume his minis
terial duties. but a few days ago was
forced 10 return.
Rev. p. r. Hall was about ffty-one
years OF age. the eldest son Of Mr.. and
Mrs. H. c.. Hall, of Shelby, Cleveland
county: and, coming Of a family prom
inent In the Methodist chuch. was him
self an influential clergyman and a
strong factor in ministerial work. He
married Miss Fannie Stedman. daugh-
ter Of DR.. Stedmar. of Germantown,
n. c., who survives him with four chill
dren, and for some years past has been
living on his farm on the east side Of
Cape Fear river. a few miles from this
city. The funeral services will take
place at 3 o'clock tomorrow Sunday
afternoon, from Hay Street Methodist
church, of which Rev. T. A. Smoot is
pastor. Mr. Hall received his prepara-
tory education at the Donaldson Acad-
envy and other private schools of Fay
etteville, and was graduated from
Trinity college before its removal from
Randolph county to Durham, and never
missed > conference. He was in the
ministry thirty years.
FFrOm Fayetteville Obseryer)
1t was Rev. Mr.. Halls wish tina his
body be taken to the church. Accord
fngly. his body is lying in state at Hay
Street Methodist church. where his
friends are invited to call.
He met death like a brave man. There
was not a trace of fear in his heart
as he looked into eternity. A stroke
of apOplexy rendered him unconscious
Friday morning about 4 O'Clock. and
from this he never rallied.
y host of friends throughout the
state will mourn the loss of a courage
Gus and true minister of the gospel and
= lover of our common humanity.
For eight years he has been presiding
49, - mig IL NAlNS. III IpI ut 80
three Las been on the Fayetteville dis
trfct- He was one of the leading men
IN he cabinet. and his Judgment was
Away respected by the bishop and his
colleagues In 1875 he Joined the North
Carolina Conference of the NJ. F
church, south. and has never since then
missed an annual session of that body
As a preacher he was strong. forcible,
and logical. His preaching was always
practical. and full of love and sympa-
Ghy for humanity.
During his ministry Mr.. Hall flle7
some Of the most important stations in
his church. Trinity church. Durham
st. PauI's. Goldsboro. being among the
number OF leading charges he served.
The deceased leaves besides his pa
rents and family. three brothers and =
sister % mourn their great loss. as fol-
bows. Mr.. Edward Hale Hall. Of Waco.
Texas; Mr.. Herman r. Hall, Of Fay
~etteville; Rev. John H. Hall. of Rock
ingham, and Mrs. c.. P. Roberts, Of
Shelby, N. C.
Rev. John n. Hall and his mother.
Mrs. H. G. Hall. and Mrs. Roberts, will
arrive here this afternoon or tomorrow.
1T IS not known whether the aged
father will be able to come or not.