Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-02-16
DAILY VIRGINTAN.
From the Columbia Is. C.)Times
The late Bishop Capers.

inferred in the burying ground attached 10 the
Washington street NJ. T.. Church, ON Saturday
morning last, in presence of a large circle Of
friends and acqunintances.
Previous to theinterment, solemn and impress
sive ceremonies were held in the church, by the
Rev. DIR. Whiteford Smith
The corpse was borne from the hearse to the
altar by the several ministers officiating in the
different churches in our city. The fncc of the
deceased was there exposed, and around the bier
OF that good man n scene presented not often
witnessed thore stood Reverend Doctors of The
ology, Pastors and Ministers OF different denom-
nations, and members Of all churches, who had
laid aside sectaran feeling, aml were assembled
around the bier of an old and faithful follower and
servant of their common Lord and Master, who
Ind fought his last fight
Alas how changed that face was; the same
soft benign appearance only was left. The man.
ly form was cold and stiff; the eyes that flashed
with fire ns no wont TO speak Of the glories of
n heavenly home, or which melted in tears when
he spoke of the love of n Saviour were now sight
less; tho lips that once spoke music clos
ed, and tho tones of that captivating voice were
silenoed forever on earth.
After singing and prayer, DIR. Smith based
his remarks upon tho following appropriate text,
being portion of tho 36th verse of the 10th
chapter of the Acts of the Apostles
"For David, after he had served his own gen
Grafton, by the will of God, fell asleep"
Tho eloquent orator prefacod his sermon by n
fow appropriate remarks, in which he said, that
there were occasions upon which II seemed pre-
sumtuous to preach that there times when
tho feelings of the preacher and his hearers were
too big for utteranoe. and that the present one
was of that kind. Tho assemblage had not
gregated together for the purpose of hearing n
sermon, but to reflect upon and pray for resigna-
ton TO the Same dspensation Of Providence which
had befaen the Church by tho loss of one of its
shining pillars
Bishop Capors was called from sin into life by
the providence of God in the year 1908, then be-
ing in his eighteenth year, and soon after enter
ed into tho work of the holy ministry. In 1919
aud 1890 he was stationed in Savannah, Gcor-
gia.
During his ministry in that city, that dreadful
soourge, the yellow fever, staked through tho
streets, and pmmitted awful havoc. The young
Capers, like true disciple of his meek and low
ly Master, stood herocally Mt his post, minister
ing 10 tho wants of the sick; soothing the pill
lows of the dying with one hand, and with the
other pointing their failing vision to home mot
made with hands eternal in the heavens" and In
closing tho eyes the dead. He, however
hut man, and fatigue and exposure made him
fit subject for the prevailing epidemic, and soon
stretched him on n bed of pain. An associate
friend and pastor, of n sister church tended him.
and watched by his bedside day and night, un
ill he recovered but the seeds Of that fa-
tai disease had been in the veins of his
friend and tho patient became the nurse and the
nurse the patient The prayers and efforts of
young Cnpers were alike unavaling. and his
friend and CO worker died 'I
In 1891 and '22, Bishop Capers sent out
as Missionary to the Indians "talking to the wild
and untutorcd red man about the Great Spirit"
and of His Son, who had died to save them.
His attention had long been directed to the
neces ssty of stated preaching to our slaves and
Ga, lno haI 4, a,,,,o ot, 10 tIn
slaves established, Within tho bounds of this
ference and thousand of the sable sons and daugh
ers of ETHIOPIA have since that period raised their
eyes aud hands to Heaven, and thanked God that
"Massa" Capers came among them. But for him
the colored missions might have not yet been
heard Of. He attended the Convention, cpmpo-
sed of the most learned and eminent divnes in
his church, which assembled in Louisville, in 845
for the purpose of forming and organizing the M.
f. Church South, and in 1916 he was, with great
unnnimity, elected one of the bishops ofhis church
which post he accepted with unaffected difidenoe
and with full knowledge of the solemn and high
responsibility which would rest upon him. He
acted bishop, exhibiting more patience and
self denial than fall to most of his race, until he
had served his own generation" after which by
tho will of God, no fell asleep at the age of
IS.
There was peculiar fitness (said the eloquent
orator. in tho interment of Bishop Capers in this
place. His name was inscribed upon the corner
stone of this very church as pastor, and in the
innermost courts of his heart; one whom he loved
in life, and now in death they you'd not be div-
! ded. Rev Mr.. Kennedy.
lie will sleep in the capitol of his own native
state, which he loved next to his God.
Dr. Smith, in reviewing the life of Bishop Ca
pers, called attention to the fact that he had
been sent to dispense the bread OF life to the
white man in all his refinement and culture; to
the red man in his wild and savage nature, and to
the negro in his low estate.
After the sermon the choir sung in feeling
manner, that fayorite piece OF sacred music,
known by the name of "Scotland," get to the
words Thou art gone to the grave but we will
not deplore thee" &c.
The negroes and colored persons who crowd
cd the galleries, then asked and obtained per-
mission to be allowed a last look at the face of
their good old Bishop" after which his precious
remains were deposited under the green sod,
whore they will quietly remain till the last great
day.
"Servant Of God. we'll done,
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Masters joy.
The voice at midnight came;
He started up to hear;
mortal arrow pierced his frame.
He fell, but felt no fear
AT midnight came the cry'
To meet thy God prepare;
| He woke-and caught his captains eye.
| Then strong in faith and prayer,
His spirit, with bound,
Left its cumbering clay;
His tent, at sunrise, on the ground.
| darkend ruin lay.
The death of Bishop Capers was sudden. and
to all but himself. unexpected. Two weeks be.
fore the day on which his remains were Inferred
he left our city on his way to the bosom Of his