Memphis Conference, November 17, 1852

Rev. Singleton J. Henderson, the subject of this memoir, depated this life on the 11th of September, 1852, in the faith and hope of the gospel. He was born of pious parents in the year of 1815, in Garrard County, Ky. Subsequently his parents removed to the state of Tennessee, and settled in Haywood County. He was designed for the practice of law, and his brother, Col. Henderson, was conducting his education for that purpose, but God had a higher and more important work for him to do.

He was early the subject of religious impressions, and, when quite a youth, sought and obtained pardon and salvation through faith in the merits of Christ. Soon after his connection with the church he was deeply impressed that it was his duty " to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ." To this call he was not disobedient, but yielded a ready compliance by asking and receiving at the hands of the church a regular license to preach. In the capacity of local preacher, he was faithful, acceptable and and useful for a number of years, but had frequent admonitions that he was not doing his whole duty. He earnestly desired to enter fully into the ministerial work in the traveling connection, where he could give himself wholly to this high and holy vocation and such were his convictions of duty he would not consent to take orders in the church until he had given himself wholly to the work. Accordingly in the year 1840, his way being opened, he was admitted on trial in the Memphis Conference at it's first session in Jackson, Tennessee. He received his first appointment on Lagrange circuit; second and third on Tishamingo circuit; fourth, on Coffeeville circuit: fifth,on Grenada circuit; sixth, on Aberdeen circuit; seventh and eighth, In holly Springs station: ninth and tenth, in Memphis, Wesley Chapel; and eleventh and twelth, in Memphis, Asbury Chapel, which was the last appointment he received in the church militant.

Our lamented brother Henderson had been in descending health for several years, but it was not until a few months previous to his death that he could be prevailed on to give up his charge and travel in quest of health in more salubrious climes. At the advice of friends, he repaired to the Hardin Springs, for the purpose, and in the hope of improving his health and prolonging his life in usefulness to the church, his rising family and fellow men in general; but this was not to be. The Great Bishop of souls, in His inscrutable wisdom and Providence, saw that he had finished his probation on earth., and it was best for him to be transferred to the church triumphant.

Brother Henderson was possessed of a high order of intellect, and he was diligent in developing, expanding and cultivating his mind the utmost of his opportunities. Hence he was emphatically an able, spiritual, popular and useful minister of the Gospel. He was agood English scholar- had made some profiency in the Latin and Greek languages, and had also received the degree of doctor of medicine from the medical college in the city of Memphis. He was a warm and constant friend- possessed of a noble and generous heart, and was willing to divide his last dollar with suffering necessity. He died from home, but among friends and brethren who gave him every attention which kindness and love could suggest. His only desire was to return home and die at his post in the bosom of his charge; but as this could not be he resigned his all into the hands of God and died in the peace, hope and faith of the Gospel of Christ which he had for so many years preached with eminent ability and sucess.