The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-04-22
An Old Soldier of the Cross.

, georgia Is great Ctate. Untl the adnllS-
sion of Texas-Virginia, Michigan Missouri,
and Georgia were the largest Of our States,
each having about sixty thousand square miles
/ the days of Oglethorpe down, she has had a
succession of great men, In civil life, her list
of worthless is long and brilliant.
In her churches, too, she has had many Won
derful men who have passed from earth. A
long list of such men might easily be made.
Some were Baptist some Presbyterians, some
Moravians, some Epscopalans, and some
Methodists The memories of these men are
greatly cherished, especially by the neighbor-
hoods or denominations to which they special
ly belonged. Some of them are historic char
acters.
But my object at present is to speak of a liv-
ing man, who has risen to great eminence in
one of the churches. You are soon asked if
Some say they would rather hear him than any
other living man. 1 have heard him and was
not at all disappointed. 1 hope to hear him
again. A friend, who belongs to the same
branch of the church with himself, said
"When hear him, l am satisfied that he is the
best preacher | know, until hear his son
then like the son best until again hear the
father"
This remarkable man of God was born in
Halifax county, North Carolina, on the 24th of
March, 1885. While he was yet boy his fam
lily removed to Barnwell District South Caro-
lima. In his sixteenth year the Lord drew him
with the cords of love and the hands Of man,
and led him to behold the Lamb of God. His
exercise of mind were strongly marked His
conversion was followed by an early profession
of religion. Not long after this his family re-
moved to Washington county, Ga. In 1904 he
| lorI,y tn
pensed Gods words with much zeal and accept
ance in many parts of South Carolina and
Georgia for eight years. The old people on
Lynch's Creek, Great Pedee, Oconee, and other
places, tell you of having heard him in child
hood or of hearing their parents talk of him.
The cities of Columbia, Miledgeville, and Au-
gusta, also have pleasing traditions of his early
ministry.
Pretty early in the war of 1872 he became
chaplain in the army. 1t is seldom that he
now meets with any of the heroes of that day
They have generally passed away During the
war he studied medicine, and after the war was
phia, took his degree of Doctor of Medicine
settled in Greensboro, Georgia, and practiced
the healing art for six years. But it is not in
man that walketh to direct his steps God had
other and better work for him to do. He re-
turned to the pulpit with new zeal, and de-
termination to spend and be spent in proclaim
ing salvation His labors have been chiefly in
Georgia, though often rendering good service
to the cause of God in other States especially
in South Carolina.
His early education was very imperfect. He
went to school not more than six months. But
his mind was active, eager and inquirlng. he
cried after knowledge, and lifted up his voice
for understanding He sought her as silver,
I - | r.. l.
course he found the knowledge ofGod. He has
not sighted philosophical studies. At times
he has paid much attention to mental science.
But his reading through life has been chiefly
theological The fountain of all-saving knowl-
edge-the word of God--has claimed most at
tenton
In his constituent elements his mind seems
to be rare combination of the poetic and met
aphysical. He has very unusual power of at
tention. For hours he can fix his thoughts on
one subject. He is very happy in incorpora-
ting practical remarks with abstract thoughts.
He thus makes dry theme attractive to pro-
miscuous congregation. His style, far re-
moved from meretricious ornament, is yet al
ways neat aud quite ornate. But he never so
wreathes the sword in flowers as to hinder its
cutting power For mere ornament he seems
not to care at all. His fingers are part of his
argument. They explain his meaning and
deepen the impression he seeks to make.
He has had one of the finest voices. 1t is
now a little broken But still it is pleasant.
1t is commonly clear, full and sonorous. For
hours he speaks without wearness or change.
He always gives pleasure and not pain by his
manner of speaking. Of course he is natural
At times he says very terrific things in very
solemn tones; but commonly his utterances are
winning and tender.
His early ministry was attended with won
derful effects. At times he expresses concern
that his ministry has not the signs toloring
that once accompanied it. In this he is not
alone Others are much of the same mind re-
specting their labors
This venerable mans piety is the charm of
his character The Bible, the Church and the
Saviour are the themes of his thoughts Out
side of Christ's kingdom he appears to have
but passing notice; but he will talk by the
hour of the Church-past, present and to come
His old age is serene and cheerful, and the
mellowed light of his long day promises
clear sunset and blessed, glorious eternity.
His history is blessed his person is blessed ;
his influence is blessed thousands call him
blessed Yet should he read this but for
dates) he would never suspect that it was OF
himself he was reading His humility hides
his excellcnces from his own eyes:
Perhaps l ought to say that I have been
writing of Rev. DR.. Lovick Pierce, the father
of Bishop George Foster Pierce, both of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South. Dr.
Pierce has been an active preacher for seventy
years, and WILL in few days, be ninety years
old. Grace, mercy and peace be unto him al
ways !-Nc,c York Observer.
- The present rage for spelling schools
revivcs an anecdotc of Gen. Scott He had
drawn up the rough draft of an order, in
which the word wagon occurred The Gen
eral inserted one ''g'' too many, and his clerk
on discovering it, tmidly asked on what
authority he spelled "wagon" with two "g's.
"On the authority of Lieutenant General Scott;
tLa iaS Of tlc I.nitel StateS