The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-11-06
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his 5piacc Or IesiueHSEI5ANeY' D'''of 49,
EARLY, d. D., of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, in the eighty.eighth year OF
his age. He was born In Bedford, in 1880,
and would have completedbi Gig MY eisntn
year on the LIST Of January next.
Bishop EARLY was one of the most re-
markable men of his times, not only>for his
career as minister of the Gospel, but for
his active and energetic, participation IN pub
! lie works and in the municipal affairs Oh tue
community in which he lived. '""
He came to the ministry In 1903, when
twenty years Of age. as member OIL Tue
virginia Conference of the Methodist Epls-
copal Church. He Immediately, by his In
domitable energy and spirit, and bis earnest
devotion to his Office, became man OF note
| in his community. His bearing was SO brave
and confident, his teaching so jealous, ana
| his style so simple and emphatic, that he
is said to have had more power oyer: those
within the circle of his influence than any
| minister of his persuasion of his time. lie
added immensely to his Church. In 1914, at
| a camp-mecting at Prospect church, Prince
| Edward, he is said to have converted I'VE
hundred persons by force Of his iervor ana
stirring appeals. .~-..
He became presiding elder in early life.
His field of duty was vast, and be filed it
| with wonderful energy. lie became, per
| hars. as widely known and as much beloved
! in the southern and western States as any
man of his calling ever did.
lie was as early as 1923 prominently con-
ncclcd with the first great educational move
mcnt in the Methodist Church in Virginia.
He was the father of Randolph Macon Col
Ierc. and was the president of the Board Of
| Trustees Of that institution until his death.
| IIe was also connected with the publication
department of the Methodist Episcopal
| Church for several years, filling the office Of
what was called book agent.
AT the General Conference held in Column
bus, Ga, in May, 1854, he was elected one OF
the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, which office he filled till the
| dav of his death.
| Bishop EARLY was prominently connect
ed with the legislation Of bis Church, and
was looked upon in this relation as one of
its wsest and most Jealous servants. The
benefits of his ministry cannot be syer-esti-
mated by his Church.
1t was not little wonderful that man so
devoted to his Church, and who performed
such prodigious labor in canrassing the vast
feldallottcd to him, should find time for secu-
lar occupations at once important and labo.
riuls. His solicitude for the general good
WAS irrcprcSsible, and his strong intellect was
always given with alacrity to whatever work
of Improvement that promised good results
TO his people. He was great advocate OF
the james River and kanawha canal in its
infancy, and struggled ably and persistently
in its behalf for many years. He was the
right.hand man ut the late JOSEPH {. CAB
ELL, the father of the work. Bishop EARLY
was, indeed almost indispensable to the To-
cal government at Lynchburg, and forty
years ago we saw him figuring in the coun-
ellis and public proceedings of that town
with zeal and influence that showed the
public devotion that could not rest, and the
love of doing good that was untiring. 1t is
this which marked him especially indeed as
a great man, whose bearing often rose to the
height of heroism.
| The presence of the Bishop was fine !;
erect, stout, frank, bold-he moved with All
evident consciousness of a rectitude Of pur-
| 4 IF 1Ilfv Of
dauntlesS, he never lost an opportunity to
advance any cause he espoused, and was
never deferred from the discharge Of duty
that he felt called upon to perform. He
was possessed Of genuine personal valor,
and of the exigencics Of extensive travel to
which he was exposed in pursuit Of his mis-
sion, in frontier districts amongst rude pop
uations, there are numerous "reminiscences
showing his sef-possession and strong will i'll
trial and peril. He had nothing ornate in
language or manner: but for manhood, en-
ergy, strong ideas, strong language, and that
earnestness which influences men because Of
its honesty and truth, Bishop EARLY was in
deed very rare man. .... !
For the last four years he has been "su-
perannuated," and has been confined to his
home by falling health; but bis yigorousin-
tellect continued unclouded until brief
period before his death. His eyes closed
upon the romantic city so long his home, in
the midst of the community by which,
without distinction of sect, he was almost
idolized. -r-.s .a-: ...f.
Bishoy EARLY's funeral will take place In
Lynchburg tomorrow. - ,t.i /