The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-09
Memorial OF Rev. William AieKa nder Hem
ingway.

| FROM Ire southern CHTiSttuH <iuVVNN''J
(Adopted by the Quarterly Conference Of the Man
ming Circuit, held at Manning, S. C., July 27th,
1871
| Another good and worthy man has fallen upon
the walls of Zion. The Rev. William Alexander
| Hemingway has finished his warfare on earth and
| has been called away to that glorious rest when
| remains for the people of God. The record of his
| life s honorable and gratifying, and that OF hls
death is consolatory to all who knew and loved him.
| Entering the service Of his Lord and Master as
minister of the gospel, at the early age OF nineteen
years, he connected himself with the South Caro-,
| lima Conference of the NJ. E. Church, South, an l
entered with characteristic energy and zeal upon
the abors before him. In the pulpit. he command
ed the attention and the respect OF all who attend
| ed upon his ministratons. He had not only the
confidence of the people of God, but his character
was so pure and unsued, and his conduct so cir-
cumspect and upright, that he had good report
among all men.
Upon the breaking out OF the late war, he left
behind him all the comforts and attractions OF
home that WAS doubly dear to him, and accepting
the post Of Chaplain to the 21st S. c. Regiment OF
Volunteers, entered upon new and most lmpor-
tant field of usefulness. His heart was touched
by the spiritual deprivations Of tho brave defend
ers OF the country, and ne endured all the hard-
ships and exposure incident to the camp, that he
might preach the Word,of Life to those who were
falling in the service Of their country 1t was to
him a blessed privilege to visit the sick and Tho
wounded, to tell them the story OF the cross, and
to point them to the Lamb OF God wto taketh
away the sins OF the world. No hardship was
counted grievous, so that he could out warn the
careless, comfort the mourning, and cayry the
words of blessedness and hope to the dying:
1t was wide field " usefulness which the camp
opened to this ardent minister OF the gospel and
he toied in it with the devotion Of one who knew
that the night cometh when no man could work.
Death was rsapng his harvest every where around
him the battlefield and disease were gathering
them in one after another and stimulated this
of tha CIR N aO6u nj
tolls and hardships beyond his strength. The ex-
posure to which he was necessarily subjected,
during these days Of self-sacriicng labor, Ill al
probability implanted in him the seeds OF that M
sidious disease (consumption) which closed his
useful career.
During the progress of the war, the people OF
Williamsburg District, to whom he was we'll known,
attested their confidence in his patriotism, ineli-
gence and discretion, by calling him 10 serve them
in the Legislature Of mis- State, At 8 still later
period, when the forces OF the enemy were pene-
trating the State from various quarters, an addi-
tiona testimonial OF appreciation OF his usefulness
was found in the fact, that he was elected Lieu
tenant-Colonel Of Regiment Of Reserves formed
to defend the section OF the State in which he re-
sided. All these calls to various spheres OF use
fulness, made by those who best knew his charac-
ter and capacity, are convincing evidences Of In
tegrity and talents.
With the close Of the war, he again entered the
Conference, but with health greatly impaired. At
the beginning of the present year. he was assigned
to the Manning Circuit, and entered hopefully
upon the discharge Of his duties His frsi sermon
in the Church at MSnning was delivered 10 an audi
tory that conceived high hopes OF his labors among
u.s. Though it was evident that he was broken
in health, no one dreamed that the endof his pub
lie ministratons was so nigh. Alter OH interval OF
o fortnight second sermon was delivered by him
from the same pulpit, when it was evident TO mary
of his sorrowing congregation that the hand OF
death was upon him, and that his labors were
drawing to their close. Yet few then thought
that they mad listened TO his last sermon. 1t was
bis last public message to the COMMUNITY and the
people Of his charge. All that medical skill and
experience could do, was done to ameliorate his
condition; but they only availed to smooth the in
evtabe passage to tho tomb. He fingered amid
the sympathies offs people who sorrowed over him
as friend brother and pastor, until the 10th
day of June, when after brief struggle, smile of
inefable peace settled upon his lips, and his spirit
passed away forever. During his Illness and up
to his closing moments, no cloud OF darkness OF
doubt rested upon his pathway; all was peace and
hope and JOY.
he died in the morning lfe having yearly at
tanned his thirty-second year. He left widow
and three children, who are commended - the
prayers and the syrlpathies Of the Church.
Oil for the death of those
Who slumber in the Lord
Oh, be like theirs, my last repose
Like theirs my last reward
Their bodies in the ground
In silent hope may lie,
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound
Shall call them to the sky.
| Their ransomed spirits soar
| On wings Of faith and love,
| To meet the Saviour they adore.
| And reign with Him above.
| c. H. PRITCHARD,
| Presiding Elder.
G. ALLEN HUaaINGs. Secretary.