Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1862-08-14

the approach Of manhood, when he called by his
friends to the instruction of YOUTH and taught very
useulIy on several districts of the county, until no
entered the itinerant work of the Church His early
opportunities of education had been very limited,
the schools abroad being unavailable to him, and
those of his neghborhood offering only the rudiments
of learning. But owing to the peculiar cast of his
mind and early thirst for knowledge, his exemplary
thoushtlullness and inquring disposition, and his
diligent application to reading and writing, he ac-
quired considerable fund of sound and useful learn
ing. His prominent mental trait was the power Of
investigation, analysis and reasoning.
lie commenced writing journal of his life in his
fourteenth year. and has left twenty small manu-
script Volumes containing very interesting account
of all his mental exerciscs-his repentance, faith,
convcrion, religious progress, call to the ministry,
and entire conservation to God and his Church
besides many loose papers various subjects.
He converted at the Union Camp-meeting,
conducted by Revs. l. r. Cooper and ]. Care, at
Camden, in August, 1913; and joined the church at
Willow Grove, September 10th of the same year.
lie was licensed to exhort by Rev. Daniel Lambdin,
on the 18th of February, 1854 and to preach in
October following. He received trial by the
Philadelphia Conference, March, 1855; ordained q
deacon by Bishop Waugh, 1857, and an elder by
Bishop Scott, 1859.
He labored year on each of the following cir.
cults :-Sudlcrsvie, Talbot, Centrevlc, Mlllington,
Kent, supcrnumcrary at Dover, 1860 superanuated
under the new rule, 1862.
AS preacher, he was concise, clear and religious;
his sermons short, systematic and Instructive
and but very few young ministers have acquired
more general popularity, in and out of the church
than he possessed on his fields of labor His reli.
gous experience was not loud but clear and abiding
His labOrs were faithful and successful. His short
life devoted 10 the Church. and to all her insttu.
tons and enterprises for doing good especially the
class-mectng, Sunday school, missions. and educa-
ton lie lived and died in all the faith experience
and life of young evangelist.
His remains accompanied to Dover, Della.
ware, by his triends-amOng whom are pleased
to mention his sympathizng and faithful physician,
DIR. Hcigh, of Gaena-1nd there buried in the min.
isers' lot ofWesey Cemetery, on Monday afternoon,
the Both ult. A funeral discourse was preached by
thesRcv. Solomon NJ. Cooper, from Acts A: IL, "a
text chosen by the dcceascd,) who was assisted in
the services by Rcvs. ]. d. Curtis and w Bishop.
The deceased provided by will for the erection OF
suitable square 1umn of marble over his grave,
to be inscribed follows On the east side Rev
Ezekiel F. Cooper, born May 18th, 1880, Died June
25th, 1862" the north side, e was born, lived.
died !" on the sunny side, sinned, but repent
ed | believed in Jesus, and went to heaven"
In the death of brother and knsman, the
Church has lost another Of her intelligent pop-
ular and successful ministers. We loved him very
dearly, and often conversed with him of life death
and eternity. We mourn, in our o,on a6fietiOn.
over his early deceaso yet we are consoled with g
lively hope that he is in fellowship and union with
his friends and ellow-laborers on the eternal shore
where we are joyfuly expecting to Join him in in
dissOlubc bonds. Let us follow him as he followed
Christ, till We meet to part no more.
"SOldiers Of the Cross, arise,
Look upon that glorious prize
!. Christ has set before your eyes,
= lfyou gain the day.
"There the old soldiers all shall meet.
There their old companions greet
Wave their crowns at Jesus feet
When they gain the day.
July 22D, 1861. LT.C.