The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-04-03
Fer the Bolivar Bulletin.
An Anniversary Letter from the Veneer
bic Rev. WIN. 81. MeFerrin-

Z
An Anniversary Letter from the Veneer
bic Rev. WIN. 81. MeFerrin-
was born in the year of our Lord 1909,
and am consequently 20 years old to-day.
How many important events have transpired
since, to me that important epoch. Untold
millions have been born and untold millions
have died. The number living and dead no
man however learned in the arts and sciences
or skilled in arithmetical calculation can
accurately tell. During nay pilgramage,
what sufferings have been endured, what for
tunes have been accumulated and scattered
both by the living and the dead, are prob
lens which no scientist can solve. Many
have fallen by earthquakes, tornadoes, cy-
clons, plaques, famine, shipwrecks, wars,
railroad casulties, bandits, chills, fever and
a thousand ailments TO which human ma
ture Is heir. Through all these eommo-
tons and agitations extending through
period Of three score and ten years Is.have
been mercifully preserved Having travel
ed in public and private conveyances,
among acquaintance and strangers, friends
and foes, in the North and South, in healthy
and sickly regions of the country, 1 have
never met personally with any serious mis-
fortune. True I have been sick occasional
ly and once or twice TO all human appear
ance was near the hour of my dissolution.
BY the interpOsition of merciful Provi-
dence, however my disease yielded to medi-
cal treatment, and my general health is
now good and my constitution unimpaired
considering my age.
In early life-while in my Twelfth year, I
consecrated my young heart to God. Fifty
years have in feeble and imperfect man
ner tried 10 serve God and the church in the
capacity Of a preacher OF the Gospel.
Through heat and cold, wet and dry I have
gone from appointment to appointment, alb
senting myself much Of the time from wife
and children, which to me has always been
my heaviest cross 10 bear and greatest sacri-
fee to make. Thrice have led to the by
menial alter the woman of my choice, where
our VOWS were mutually plighted each to
other in holy wedlock, and thrice have the
bands uniting US, been strangely severed. |
Seven children out of ten have been mown
down by the great sythe of time, two dying
in one day and four within twelve months. !
One son died during the late war whose |
body now fills soldiers grave, although |
his grave cannot be identified it will not be |
overlooked in the great resurrection morn.
but will be raised by the marvellous power |
of God. Some are buried in Middle and |
West Tennessee, some in North Miss, but |
when the voice Of the arch angel shall echo |
through the dark damp vaults of death, my /
dear companions aRd precious children will !
leave their gloomy beds and all having part |
in the first resurrection wi IL rise and shine
more glorious than an army with banners,
and all meet in the great metropolis of God.
When we all meet in that sweet "bye and
bye" what happy greetings and pleasant
congratulations will there be, nothing to
mar our peace and nothing wanting to con-
'umate our happiness.
Notwithstanding the many dark clouds
through which I have passed and the many
leath bed scenes l have witnessed l still
niger upon the shores OF time. Like the
,ooing dove or the lonely swallow robbed
If its mate 1 am left almost alone in my
I'D age and declining years to fight the
'attles of life the best l can. But l do not
nurmur, / will not complain. Having
passed through so many battle fields and
Iaving never yet been conquered by the
-reat enemy of God and man. feel encour-
ged to fight on till the last enemy is con
gercd and the last victory achieved.
Courage may save thy bitter cross,
In all thy bitter trials here,
Shall bear, thee to thy heaven above,
But shall not enter there"
Will l now to turn traitor to my God,
ftcr fighting so long and hard it would =
e the foolishness Of folly. No indeeG
lousand times no. Ny feet being fixed up
4 the Rock of Ages ''ncver will give up '
" shield" The last battle ground will
,on heave in sight, when the last enemy
i'll be vanquished, me thinks he end Of
y journey ] can almost see. Standin- on
le margin of time l imagin l can al
ost behold the tree of life waving to and
o famed by the gentle zephyrs Of heaven
hon uuder its beautiful foli,ge and pen
ant branches I see my loved ones waiting a
nd watching f,r n,e, h,clou;ng me on
ard ana upward. WM VI. McFERRGS ;,
BoiivaF, Tenn, March llgb, 1879. r