Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-12-17
SABBATH RlEADlMG.
Communicated.

NJ. ENtor: The announcement of tho sud
den dcccnsc of the venerable and Reverend
GIDEoN ELLIS, has east profound gloom over
the entire community To which he was attached
1t may we'll and truly be said that great and
gool man has fallen in Israel. Enioying the
incstmabIc blessing Of piou5 parents, he was
early instructed in the duties aud requirements
pertaining to Christianity. Deeply impressed
with the great truths Of the Gospel, he deter
mined in early life. to consccratc himself to the
service of Cod Shortly after this dctcrmina
ol. was formed, lie found peace with God
through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and
during The remainder of his life, was q dcvout
devoted AMI exemplary Christian. Identifying
himself with the people of God, he laborcd
chcerrully and arduouSly to promote tho inter
csts of the Church, and was ever firm. liberal
supporter Of the Gospel. Devoting himself who'll
ly and unrcservcaly to the service Of his Ma!:or,
he esteemed no sacrifice too great, no task too
severe, no duty too trivial, tD be performed. 10
the latest period Of his life he continued faith
fully to discharge, with unabatcl vigor, the va
rious dntIcs which religion re"ognizcs To II
mind deeply imbuCd with religious principles
and heart susceptible of the kindlicst emotions.
and glowing with tho nobicSt and most gnncr-
Gus impulses, he united many excellent traits
Of character. Amiublo in his Department, eX-
Gee lingly urbanc and unassuming in his man
nerS, scItdcnying in his conversation, cXcmpla-
ly in his walk he cndcarcl himself to all who
knew him. The whole tenor of his life was in.
dicatiHe of the deepest pietv, the most fer"cnt
charity, sincere and unaffected Kindness. With
mind and heart moulded by the sweet intlu-
cnccs Of the Gospel Of Christ, he contributed
not u little to the happiness and encouragement
OF those with whom lie associated, FcarlcsSly,
firmly aud consccntously discharying the
NyN'~ltv pllipnt rpS lin, Ia
mandcl the respect and csteem Of NIL who
knew him.
lie entered upon the Ministry in the spring
time of life, and discharged the solemn duties
of his Office with unabatcd vigor until his death
which occurred in the seventy -th year of his
age His abilities were ordinary, his education
limitcd-neycrthccss the lorvor of his devotion
to the cause of religion, his pcrscvcring zeal.
and the irrcproachablc purity of his character,
caused his abors to meet with general accept
ance. Plain and practical in his preaching. he
enforced earnestly and zcaously the truths of
the Bible, and abored indcfntigably in the vine
yard of his Lord and Master. The appearance
of this aged servant of God, in the pulpit, with
his tnrrowcd cheeks and silvery locks, in con
ncction with his deep unaffected pety was it.
self an impressive sermon. Prior to his dcccaSc
he seemed TO have strong rrcscntimcnt that
his end was rapidly approaching. Not unfre-
qucntly in the pulpit and in familiar convcrsa.
tions he referred, in the most affecting manner,
to this singular impression offering it as an
additional reason why he should be earnest and
faithful in the prosecution of his duties, and in
warrant Gg thc living 10 prepare Tor death. The
prcscntimcnt OF the good old man has been full
filled. lie often prayed that God "would per-
NIT him TO die at home. in his senses aud leave
II testimony behind that he had gone to lIcav-
en-" His requests were heard. He died at
homo. in his right mind and surely long hap
py, uniform Christian life is sufficient assurance
to his friends that he has gone to his reward
Useful in his day and generatin- hc has been
summoned from his work of faith and labor of
love to tho rest that remains for Gods people
No eulogy is wanted to enhance his virucs.--
Ills good qualities, bis sterling worth, furnish
II noblcr and higher eulogy than tongue can ut
ter, or pen indite. No imposing monument is
needed to pcrpetuatc his memory His good
than the costest marble pile reared by the hand
of man possibly offer. The impcrshnblc
tablets Of eternity will bear testimony to his
virtues when the towering monuments. pomp
and vain glory Of earth shall have forever passed
away. In his death his family have lost n kind
and loving husband, q tender and affectionato
father the Church useful and honorcd servant,
=, '"trv q valuable and esteemed citizen.
TGapE God, wa. g we dcH'ore his loss, we
snourn not as thoso who ha, no hope hclying
on. the gracious p:ou)sos and tno 'n"n 'n"nO';'p'e Z
truths Of the volume of iDspirRtion. we w,oK ior
n blessed Immortality. When tho last trump
shall pierce the oar Of sleeping humanity, and
summon tho living and the dead before the t'i,,
bunal of God, we feel assured that our departed
brother will exchange tho habiliments Of tho
grave for the brightest robes Of the saints.
= Peaceful and sweet be the slunlbersoN tao
departed Christian warriorl lie has fouklie q
good fight, finished his course-~hencetdtthyh yhefe
Is q crown Of glory laid up for him. which The
l;ord. the righteous judge, has progisea th9
faithful, J. 1U