Creek. They were soon separated by her death, which took place in September of the same year. He was again married in November, 1842, to Miss Nancy J. Jacoby, of Clifton. She was taken away by death in August of 1843. His third marriage was to Miss Abigail F. Newell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in October, 1844. After eleven years of happy, useful life, with him, she was stricken from his side, in December, 1855. She left him five children, all of whom survive their parents. These three, "having obtained a good report," died in faith, their earthly expectations unrealized-"God having provided some better thing for them."

His last marriage was in December, 1856, to Miss Phoebe J. Estle, of Clifton. Pleasant was their life together. She proved herself a devoted wife to him-to his children a true mother. They had four children, the two youngest of whom soon followed their father to the grave.

This servant of God" was pleasant in his address, and well calculated to gain an influence over others. Many were the friends he made, and his friendships were lasting. Possessing a kindly heart, much humor, and a sprightly style, he was eminently a fine conversationalist. This was one cause of his influence as a man and as a Christian minister. His company was much sought by young and old, and indeed by every class of society, for he had developed, in a wonderful degree, that power of adaptation which enabled him to enter with zest into the feelings, and tastes, and habits of all whom he met. In a social point of view, he was the very life of every gathering at which he was present, formality fled, and all seemed to reflect the sunshine of his good-nature. This stood him good service in the cause of Christ, for he thus prepared the mind for the willing reception of truth, and by his kindness won a way to the hearts of sinners.

As a minister of the word he was active, faithful, diligent. His preaching was doctrinal and practical, he clearly comprehended in his own mind and made plain in his preaching the distinctive doctrines of the cross. Others were more brilliant and showy, few more scriptural and pointed in the presentation of gospel truth. Clear as a thinker, and forcible as a speaker, his teachings" words fitly spoken"-were often the "power and wisdom of God" unto the salvation of many. Of him, it was written by one who had long been a constant attendant on his ministry, and whose intelligence and godliness fitted him for judging: "His sermons were rigidly systematic, at once instructive and edifying; they were formed after a Scripture model, his proofs, his figures, his illustrations were nearly all drawn from that book, and but few men could excel him in deducing the obligations to holiness of life from the doctrines of divine Sovereignty and salvation by grace, those stumbling-blocks to the unlearned and unstable." During his life he preached more than three thousand times; and has left about one thousand sermons written-most of them, a small proportion in full notes. While in health he was never idle, and during his whole ministerial life he never requested leave of absence a single day for pleasure-seeking.

For an "under shepherd" of the flock of Christ he was peculiarly fitted by nature and grace. Having all his life been a sufferer from sickness, and often called to pass through the "deep waters of affliction," he was able to truly sympathize with the suffering and the afflicted, and point them to the great Comforter, for experience had taught him that God was indeed "a very present help in time of need and trouble.” For about twenty-four years, almost a quarter of a century, he labored among the beloved people of his only charge-the bonds of love that joined pastor and people constantly growing firmer. Those who were the Fathers" when he came had fallen asleep," and many whom he had

"

baptized at the beginning of his ministry, were the strength and prop of the church at its close. But few, very few of the original members of the church survived his death, and the weeping congregation who laid him to rest"in the house appointed for all living," belonged almost entirely to another generation from that which welcomed him to his field of labor.

During his pastorate the church increased greatly in numbers and strength, and erected a large and commodious church edifice. Well may it be said of him that he was a workman needing not to be ashamed of his work, rightly dividing the word of life." Long and faithfully did he break the bread of life to his people, and draw water for them "from the wells of salvation!" Of the fruit of his labors, as an humble instrument in the hand of God, much may already be seen-eternity will reveal more!

He preached his last sermon on the 23d of August, 1863, immediately after a communion season. The subject of that discourse was Christian zeal. Those who heard will not soon forget it. At the close of the services he stated, that owing to his weakness and fatigue, there would be no service on the next Sabbath, but that he would rest. Little did we then think that God was calling him to that unbroken "rest that remaineth for the people of God." A low fever prostrated him for the next few days, which was immediately succeeded by a violent hemorrhage of the lungs, and for weeks he lay in a very critical condition, palpitating between life and death, yet perfectly resigned to the will of God, triumphant in that faith in which he had so long instructed others. His physician said to one of his family, "Though I have witnessed many death scenes, I have never before known the Christian's love of Christ gain so complete a victory." And his own words were, "As I have lived in the faith of God, I can die in it; God has never deceived me, and he will not now; my belief is Christ and him crucified. Christ is my all and in all."" Contrary to all expectation he so far regained strength as to be able to attend church again, and even began to indulge the hope of preaching again, but God willed different, and on Thanksgiving evening he was attacked by another hemorrhage, while pronouncing a marriage ceremony. From that time until the day of his death he endured much suffering, indeed constant pain. His confinement to his bed developed a disease of the stomach, which, together with his weakness of lungs, carried him surely and steadily into the arms of that conqueror who knows no friend and shows no pity.

As the end approached his mind, at times, wandered, and he seemed in feelings to be living over his younger days. He imagined himself surrounded by his college friends and classmates, and often touching to those about him were the remarks he made to and of those friends. Gradually the symptoms of dissolution came on. No human skill could

now arrest the progress of disease, and with painful anxiety, family and congregation, waited the certain issue. On the morning of the 22d of March, 1864, without a struggle, he quietly slept into death, and woke with God. As the morning sun arose the tolling bell announced to a sorrowing congregation that the ties that bound pastor and people were severed only to be reunited when they and he should awake in the light of the resurrection morn. Thus lived and died a devoted servant of God, whose character may be summed up in the words of a fellow-laborer in the bonds of Christ. "Brother Russell was a good man, a wise counselor, and a faithful minister;" of such it has been written, "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."

SHANE, JOHN DABNEY-Was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1812. He was educated in Hampden Sidney College, Prince Edward, Va., and studied Theology in the Union Theological Seminary, Va. He was licensed by Cincinnati Presbytery, May 31, 1842, and shortly after ordained by West Lexington Presbytery, and labored until 1855, at North Middleton, Ky., and with other churches in that region of country. He returned to Cincinnati in 1857, and since that time labored as occasion presented in the bounds of Cincinnati Presbytery with which he was connected.

He died in Cincinnati, February 7, 1864, of inflammation of the lungs. He never married; from his earliest years he revealed a passion for collecting and hoarding every thing that had any direct or indirect bearing upon the planting and history of the Presbyterian Church in the Mississippi Valley. In this respect his zeal was remarkable; to carry out the great object of his life, he declined the pastoral office, as he had that of the family relation, so that he could roam untrammelled over that broad land. He preached to many congregations, and when visiting among the people he invariably sought out those of age and experience and would note down their reminiscences, invariably finishing with a peculiar inquiry after old barrels, trunks, chests, and family records, all of which he carefully searched. He had an excessive fondness for his collections, so much so, that he never parted with any of his treasures; it mattered not how insignificant the thing appeared to the uninitiated eye, with him it was sacred. I well remember an interview with him; we had been correspondents for several years, and met in the book-store of J. D. Thorpe, in Cincinnati. It was my first and only visit to his collections; they were on the upper floor of Moore, Wilstach & Co's. large building on Fourth Street, and an interesting place it was; the rooms, three in number, were shelved all around from floor to ceiling, divided and subdivided by partitions, pamphlets arranged by subjects and then by years, newspaper clippings carefully rolled up with a memorandum to each stating the name and date of paper and place of publication, magazines, reviews, and periodicals of all kinds having any reference to Presbyterianism, especially in the West; scrap-books, in which were collected what are known as "Broadsides," being circulars, prospectuses, &c., printed on one side only. After I had been fully impressed with the extent of the collection, he took me to a favorite end of the room near his bed, (for he not only labored and lived but lodged there,) and showed me some choice specimens of nearly forgotten lore, regular nuggets from the antiquarian mine, some of his great successes; these old volumes he would deal with most tenderly; each one had a distinct pedigree-this one he got from an old lady whose grandchild he had been off some fifteen or twenty miles into the country to baptize; that one was secured from the wreck of some family that "had seen better days;" and that he obtained at a funeral, bunting with the zeal of a trapper through the garrets and cocklofts of the disconsolate mansion. Being attracted by piles of papers and pamphlets in the middle of the floor, they, he said, were his unarranged material, pointing to a good sized bundle that he obtained on a small "raid" a short time before when he went to help a Methodist brother at a campmeeting in an old Presbyterian region; then came his extensive correspondence with many whose names are well known in the "Republic of Letters," as well as those who are justly deemed Fathers in the church.

Though absorbed in this apparently one idea, he had a heart full of sympathy with all that was human and of good report. He kept himself thoroughly acquainted with the current history of the times, and never forgot that he was a Presbyterian, and that he believed his mission

was to save as much as he could of the past History of the Church he loved. He was a genial companion, and where he felt that the freedom of a true Christian friendship could be indulged in, his conversation gleamed with sprightly thought and pointed anecdote, and yet he was not fully appreciated. He was greatly interested in my labors, especially in my Presbyterian Historical Almanac and MANSE scheme, and over the suggestive influence of a good dinner at a neighboring restaurant, we talked long and earnestly upon matters relating to the Church. He joined with me in the belief that the time was coming when Presbyterian ministers would (as they most certainly should) live in MANSES free of rent. All that is needed is for the people to help on the good cause, and co-operate with every effort made to produce such a desirable result.

His collections were sold at auction after his death, and realized about three thousand dollars; a large portion of them were secured through the attention of Samuel Agnew, Esq., of Philadelphia, for the Presbyterian Historical Society.

SIM, WILLIAM RONDAU-The son of Dr. William and Elizabeth (Jack) Sim was born in Golconda, Ill., Nov. 25, 1831. His father was a native of Scotland, and came to the United States, landing in Philadelphia in 1817. He soon after removed West, settling in Golconda, Ill., in January, 1818. His son entered Hanover College, Hanover, Ind., and was graduated, August 9, 1854. He studied Theology in the Danville Theological Seminary, completing his course in 1857. In the autumn of 1857 he was licensed, and the year following was ordained by Kaskaskia Presbytery. His first field of labors were the congregations of Jordan Grove and Lively Prairie, Ill., where he was installed as pastor in 1858. In October, 1860, he took charge of the church in Golconda, joining Saline Presbytery, where he remained until his death.

He died, July 7, 1864, of consumption, in his native place, Golconda, Ill. His health failed in the fall of 1862, and his labors from that time were very much interrupted. He married Miss Maria Pinney, of Princeton, Ind., September 20, 1861, who, with one son, survives him.

Rev. BENJAMIN C. SWAN, of Shawneetown, Ill., writes as follows:"He was characterized by a very remarkable degree of refinement, in thought, expression, and deportment, and amiability, rarely attained, which won for him the admiration and love of all his acquaintances, especially of those who were privileged in knowing him best. He was a pure-minded man, a cheerful Christian. And yet his earnest love for souls often seemed to fill him with the most agonizing distress. I have no recollection of any manifestation of sinfulness in word or act during my whole acquaintance with him. One of his youthful associates said to me, 'he was the best boy that ever lived in Golconda.' All the people of his native place loved him, and he loved them with an ardor altogether inexpressible. His premature death was no doubt brought about by his unwearied exertions for their salvation."

SMITH, JOHN FARIS-Was born in Chanceford, Pa., in 1822, and was reared up under the ministry of Dr. Samuel Martin. He made a profession of his faith in Christ at the early age of sixteen, in Chanceford, the congregation of his birth. He was an Alumnus of Jefferson College, having graduated there in 1842. He attended the Theological Seminary of Princeton, N. J., and was licensed in 1844 by the Presbytery of Donegal at its first meeting. After some travel he located in Owensboro', Ky., as a supply for nine months. After the expiration of

this time he was ordained by Louisville Presbytery and was settled as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bardstown, Ky. After remaining here one year, he accepted a call to the Church of Vincennes, Ind., in 1847; after laboring there about ten years, he removed to Richmond, Ind. There he remained three years, and in the fall of 1859 he was called to the Church of Hopewell, Johnson County, Ind. This was the last field he occupied on earth. During four years of his ministry here, he enjoyed good health. Being of vigorous constitution and of active tem perament he did not spare himself. And perhaps the exposure to which he subjected himself during these four years, had much to do in produc ing that exhaustion or debilitation, which marked the last year of his labor. Early in the spring of 1864 he left for the army at Chattanooga, under the auspices of the Christian Commission, where he remained a few weeks earnestly engaged in ministering to the spiritual comfort of our soldiers. Taking camp fever, he came home sick, and was confined for several weeks-so low that his family physician and friends despaired of his life. He seemed apprehensive of death himself, spoke of it, and seemed prepared for it. But God was pleased to spare him at that time, and he was partially restored. During this attack the Presbytery of Indianapolis held its spring meeting in his church, and he was elected Commissioner to the General Assembly. His heart was bent upon going to it, as he had all along desired it in connection with a visit to his relations in Pennsylvania. He was unable to go, God intended his attendance upon the sessions of another "General Assembly." As soon as able to travel, however, he started for Pennsylvania, where, after three weeks confinement he fell asleep in Jesus, at five o'clock, A. M., July 4, 1864, while the guns of Grant and Sherman were welcoming the advent of our national birth-day. Coming death threw its shadows before him, and at the first of this last attack, he told his wife he must go. There in the old cemetery of Chanceford, beside the moss-grown grave of his father, lie the remains of the lamented Brother Smith. But, "I know that he shall rise again, even at the resurrection."

A friend who lived intimately with him the last three years of his life, part of the time in his family, and the whole of it under his ministry, writes as follows:-" He was a modest, unassuming man, making no attempts at display, either in the pulpit or elsewhere. A man of good judgment, he could be trusted in a sermon or a business transaction. His sermons were sound, chaste, and unctuous-many of them were fine. He addressed himself faithfully to his work. The state of his nervous system the last few years made it quite a task for him to wait on the sick and dying. His sympathies would be so highly awakened that he passed restless nights. As a friend, he was kind and faithful. He was always in his place and at his post-never being absent from a Synod or Presbytery since its ordination. His large and flourishing church lose an acceptable pastor, the adjacent Academy a warm friend. As a husband and father the lonely hearts of a widow and five children can describe better than this pen.'

TAYLOR, ROBERT-Was born in Ballynarig, County Derry, Ireland, August 12, 1830, of humble and devoted Christian parents. In his infancy the family removed to this country, and settled in Philadelphia. Here he enjoyed up to his early manhood the special instructions and influence of a sorely afflicted and most faithful mother, and often while he was very feeble in his physical constitution and light and even wayward in ripening years her calm, assured, and as after years proved her prophetic saying was," My boy will live and yet be a minister of the pre