Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-11-08
The Death Of Bishop Early.

The venerable Bishop John Early died at
his residence on Court street, 10 Lynchburg, at
quarter to nine o'clock yesterday morning.
Had the Bishop lived until the first day OF
January next, he would have been eighty.elghtt
years DID, Bishop Early became incapactate:d
for the active work of the Bishopric about SIX
years ago, since which he has been coohned to
his house the greater portion of the time. ln
lieu of anything We might say about the great
and good man who has just passed, IN full faith
to the mansions above, We clip an Interesting
biography from the Memorials OF Me- hodlsm
in Virginia, written 10y the Rev. DR.. Ben
nett:- LLwchJrg Republican,.
1.-THE name Of John Early has been as familiar
as household word among American M"tho-
dists for the last fifty years. Since the death OF
Bishop Soule, perhaps 10 man among US Is
more fully acquainted with the history and
achievements of MethodiSu during that period
than this eminent minister.
''EIe was born in Bedford county, Virginia.
January lst 1856 His parents were members
of the Baptist Church, 10 af1ueut circumstances
and occupying high social position. He was
converted under the ministry of Rev. Stith
Mead, at Flat Rock Church, Bedford, now
Campbell county, April 22d, 1904. He soon
united with the McthoGists, and his youthful
zeal found scope in the subordinate Offices OF
the Church, which he filled with signal useful
ness Que of the scenes of his early labors was
the large estate Of President Jefferson, many
of whose slaves the young preacher instructed
and led to Christ. La April, 1906, he was
licensed to preach, and was employed by the
Presiding Elder on Bedford circuit He preach
I'd his first sermon at Wilson's Church, and
when he entered the pulpit, the tears he had
shed Oh parting with his loved ones at home
were frozen on his ovcrcoat. lie spent the
rest of the year in earnest labo:s on this
circuit, and at its close gave himself to the full
work of the iliueraucy. From this work be
has never turned aside. His labors were great
ly blessed in the various fields of toll. lu Greens
vile he received five hundred members into
the Church. At famous camp meeting. held
by him at Prospect, Prince Edward county,
while Presiding Elder Of the Mchcrrin Dis
trict, it is said that in seven days about one
| thousand persons protessed conversion. Under
sermon delivered by him at that meeting on
the words, And if it bear fruit, well; and if not
then after that thou shall cut it down. to an
audience of three thousand, not more than
hundred remained unmovcd.
'1is administrative talents attracted the no
ticc of Bishop Asbury, and be was called to
the office of Presiding Elder, after he had
travelled only seven years. lie was offered Varl
Gus civil appointments by different Presidents,
but declining them all. he abored as Il man of
one work. lie felt that he was doing great
work and could not come down.
''PosscSsing physical frame Of wonderful
powers Of endurance, he has been able to do
the full work of an itincrant preacher for almost
sixty years With MUD bold, strong, clear
and comprehensive, he gathered Il vast fund Of
knowledge in reference to the practical opera
tons Of Mcthodism, and was living encyclo-
pedia Of all facts, prccedents and examples
which have occurred in the Church, since he
first took his seat in an Annual Conference. 10
every department to which the Church has
called him, he served with zeal, success, and
underwriting devotion to all her interests. As
circuit preacher, Presiding Elder, Conference
Missionary, College Agent, Book Agent, and
then in the high office of Bishop, he has shown
himself to be a mao ready for every good work. "