The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-14
MEMOIR OF BISHOP ELLIOTT,

Of the South Carolina College, in Charleston, who
had been members Of the cassos If tho Right Rev.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Bishop Of Georgia, lately dc
ceased, while ho tho Professor OF Sacred
Literature aud the Evidences Of Christianity in
that Institution tho following paper was read and
It was
Resoyued That VIC unanimously accept tho Mo
moir which has becn submitted to us. rs express
! ing our conception of the character and endow-
ments Of the Right Rev. STEPHEN elliott, late
Bishop Of Georgia, who was oncc our loved and
honored teachor-our very high appreciation OF
his exalted vrtues-our grateful recollection OF
and the example Of his holy life, and deep
sense OF the loss which the country, his Church,
and the cause Of education has sustained in his
Resolued further, That the city papc,s be re-
spectfully requested to publish these proceedings
with the accompanying
MEMOIR.
ssThe Right Reverend STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Bishop
evening"" were the sad tidngs which, on the MORN
ing OF the 22d Of December, 1866 borne
through the land on the wings Of the swift and
mysterious messenger Of these latter days
Thrice during the past Year has this honorcd
name been borne in mourning on its wings, and
profoundest respect. On the FIRST occasion tho
young hero and soldier t'laid gently and
reverently upon the bosom OF tho State he loved -
But a few days later and his honored and scholarly
father, who had trained him for his high du-
ties, and who could truly and proudly
tendom," was laid by his side, and now again tho
shining name OF bis noble kinsman, Georgia's
great bishop is added to the fatal list. This last
startling message carried gloom and sorrow
throughout the limits OF Georgia and South Caro-
lima, and we have reason to believe to many otbor
portions of our Southern land besides. and oven,
perhaps, to some hearts and homes OF the North
ern cline. Men seeking for sympathy met and
but eloquent gesture Of grief gave token Of their
love AMI reverence Tor great and good man thus
snatched away, and OF their bitter seusc OF irrc.
parable loss and bereavement.
It was keenly felt that brilliant light and
shining representative OF southern life, society,
tradition and history was suddenly gone, and that
from churches, ana States, and disciples, and
friends, prop upon which they had used to lean,
had silently sunk away, and that they must honce-
look elsewhere for support And in the first
blindness Of their grief they knew not where
to look. The Church which he, governed will
mourn the loss of the oalm, clcar, just and
graceful wisdom which guided her, aud the
great heart which cheered her. The society
liant representative will lamont that its prido and
7 ornament is yelled. Many younger man, struT-
Cling in the battle Of life will miss his voice from
reward, whose praise is wealth. Ahd d' % hundreds is
have lost forever thoir friend, example, teacher,
sweet, happy voice of itself brought cheer and
hope amidst sorrow and despondency. @
It has seemed to us very sad but grateful
duty, and not without its healthy, uses to fix in
the memory Of those who knew and loved him. a
brief outline of the life and character of tLc dis.
tinguished Prelate, whose death is thus recorded,
and whose funeral obsequies have just been
closed; and to preserve for the use and guidance
OF younger generation who never saw his face or
this pure teacher OF truth and graceful leader Of
men, standing like SAUL in stature and intellect
t1rom his shoulders and upwards, higher than
The lsight Reverend STEPHEN EIL1orr Bishor
OF the Diocese OF Georgia, was born in tho town
Of Beaufort South Carolina, on the s1st August,
He uaa IA aOn OF Sr-Epr EryT
OF South Carolina, who was known in that day as
the ripe scholar tho eloquent talker and tho en-
beautiful science of Botany, whose name and
character is among the grateful traditions Of the
day and the society in which he lived. His mother
was ESTHER HABERsHAA. OF Georgia; and his
family have over since maintained close and affec-
tionate relations with that great State. He him.
SELF, always claimed that he belonged to both
States. And especially after he was called to pre-
side over the Diocese of Georgia, with that gra-
cous wisdom which was enninently characteristic
OF the man. it his habit freely and heartily to
declare that he wasa 8 true, son of Georgia, and
that he was ready to serve her with the love of a
grateful child as we'll that of faithful Bishop.
Wnen his father removed to Charleston, in 1872,
to become the President of the Bank Of tho State
OF South Carolina, he came With him and WAS pre-
pared for College at the school of Mr.. HuRLHuT,
at that time distinguished and successful teach
er in this city. In the fall of 1892, ho went to
Harvard College and entered the Sophomore Class
until the fall Of 1928, when, at the desire Of lis
father. who wished him to graduate il his native
State, he returned home, and in November of that
Gee Rmong lis nf
there were the gifted writer and eloquent orator,
and distinguished Judge the late Hon. THOMAS T.
WrrHERs. He graduated in 1925 with the third
honor OF his class Upon his graduation he was
, JAMES L. PET1aRu, !os whon, he retained through
life most afectionate reverence and regard. He
was admitted to practice, it is believed. in 1927.
It was at this period OF his life that the great
political questions Of State Sovereignty and Free
Trade arose, and shook the country by the tre-
rnendous weight and magnitude Of the argument.
The ardent and talented young scholar and lawyer
took keen and active interest in the naomentous
esues Of that high debate. Ho was States
and was through Life the warm and unwavering
supporter OF that school OF political doctrine. He
believed in the simple story of the sovereignty of
1he States, as told in every chids history Of the
early settlement Of the Colonies and the later in
dependence Of these States. He believed that this
sovereignty was the true, and almost the only con-
servative element Of the Constitution and tue only
effective check upon the usurpatons of the central
government, when the latter should be control
OF the popuiace-that conservative element which
alone made free and magnificent Republic posi-
BILE. He believed that the liberties OF the states
the heaven-given shield of the liberties Of the
peoples; that the freedom of the Union was the
resi- strength and perfect health Of the Union. He
tpa Gvea ns own state very desry ana ne S beloved
country was best felt and expressed in q just and
generous love Of the State. Call this weak, call
sAls sAToNs IL you pAedSos Dut IL ~ tnc Weakne Ss
and the narrowness of nature, which is stronger
and broader than the fctions OF men, which is
deeper than the creed of the philosopher and
wiser than the calculations Of the statesman
It IS natures sacred and Interchangeable love of the
child for his home, and through his home for his
tather-land. But we will not wrapgle over his
bierto pass Judgment on these opinions. 1t is
enough that they were held, and are now held by
men who have served the whole country with un.
questioned devotion and ilustrious success and
OF whom history must speak with unqualified
honor ana respect, and it may be, the true
prophets Of the land.
It was at this time, too that, as the friend and
companion Of the gifted LEaAnE, he took q warm
and enthusiastic interest in the fortunes Of the re-
brilliant literature lit illustrated. 1t ID believed
that be wrote often and we'll for it's columns, and
helped to make it what it was. In after years he
always spoke with pride and enthusiasm Of the
power and career OF that famous journal, as a
noble monument Of the scholarship Of The State =
that day " ~ >4t a & s@4
he practised law in Charleston for sav. -
Wei. l.;on saH .ue OF ,eral years,
r r. ~ ~ Iatta. ~ a,e o - -. " distinguished
s 0a 49,; ~ VIC :eA rI: . Pa.tseo - oeaufort, he remov-
happy hour TO- sut:s'I l: 80, ~ III - Soo 80 au
P..sc - go. :. - him. He dearly loved the old
-" !. It's people. he loved the bright waters
III :. the broad bays OF the country round; and
through lie it was the delight of the stately
Bishop to come back among those scenes from
s.:27 t. time, and vsnaerins along the neighbor-
breath of the Atlantic, while he gathered with the
keen zest Of no mean naturalist the beautiful
shells and the curious things which the see,hing
anrf brought to his feet-nothing 10th either to
ioin with eager energy in the bold and stirring
sports Of the sturdy, young boAtnen around