The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-11-21

"a, l1oO, unu'u Suo trFS go a., /
riinety: :taw yesrs. Old. Esriy IN 'rs Gis
parents moved to, Baroweil County, .. ",
whore with only sig months previous
schooling, be, ,eutefed the Method,st minis
try. The following passageis taten from
rTke Hstory of ltstkodirn IN Me t'arottnd'
The csBGsa h -. :. ch,,,s..
Nton on January sss 8isk Asbary presid
ing. Attic Cdt6re6cs Kedaick and Low.
ick Pierce werc 5dmittsd Oh trial. Reddiok
was twenty-five, and Loyick not quite TWEEN
y years old. Keddick was sent as junior
preacher on the Little River Circuit, Geor-
kp Losick on the Great Pee Dee, in
Seuth atolina, There Was striking con-
asviesrous ~ BODY as ia nsif'd 4seo.~n "as
.stses brdse; ddfin - Hasn khsr kpioyed
fnhn fssUsssk-p TPurils.S II cared little
for Refinement or culture, never aimed at
polish, or sought for elegance of manner or
speech. Lovick, on the contrary, was gen.
tie as a woman, shrinking, sensitive and
timid. His desire for culture Of the high
est kind was inteuse, and his taste was for
all the refine ments of life.
Lovick Pierce was sent to the Few Apa-
laohee Circuit with Joseph Tarpcy. This
Circuit included Greene, Clark and Jack.
son. He was but little over twenty years
old and as timid as fawn. His seusibii-
ties were unusually acute, aud his aspira-
tiors Of the highest and noblest kind. He
had an exalted idea of the responsibilities
and of the lofty demands Of his ministry,
and painful sense Of his deficiencies
His circuit threw him into the presence of
people as highly cultivated as any in Gcor-
gia. He was born preacher aud he was
in school to make one. Ho began his
Georgia ministry a plain, uututored, but
highly gifted boy. He never left the State
for any length of time afterwards. a few
appointments he had outside of it, but his
home was always in it. save for one year.
For over seventy years the life Of Georgia
Methodsm and Of Lovick Pierce moved on
together. Two generations and more are
gone since he came to Georgia in 1906
A few old men may remember when they
were children to have heard the good and
gifted young circuit rider preach wonderful
sermons, but they are fcw. He left his
home in South Caroliua to travel q circuit
which led him to the very wigwam of the
Indian, and, without a teacher, TO secure by
constant diligence that knowledge for which
he had such craving appetite. Hope Hull,
whose criticism the young preacher so feared,
was at Hulls meeting house to hear him,
and as from beneath his great overhanging
eyebrows his pierciuS eye fell upon Loyick
Piorce: be saw-a man who was to bless the
church, and he took him to hi. homo and
heart. When Hull dies, twelve years after
this, young DR.. Pierco, Ven in tho bright
ness Of his fame, preached the funeral ser
mon of the old hero.
Some years ago the Illustrated Record
and Repository, which had published
portrait'oS DR.. Pierce, said:
DR.. Piefce has been ON active, laborious
preacher fof ixty eight years. He filed
two appointments in South Carolina--6rst,
the Pee Dec Circuit second, Columbia, and
while yet very youngman laid the founda-
ton Of Methodism in the Capital Of the old
Palmetto State. He married in Georgia,
and there became resident citizen. In
Georgia he has lived for more than sixty
years. Theimpress Of his mind and char
actor is upon tho civilization, education and
'feligion of tho people. The State owes him
more than she will ever pay, albeit n, man
in her borders commands moro of public
confidence and respect.
The early advantages Of this venerable
man were scanty. Six months would cover
the entire term Of his scholastic education.
What he is as q Divine is due to native gen.
ius, judicious reading, intelligent observa-
ton, an6 life consecratcd to one work. The
Church and the>country. with one consent
assign him the front rank auasDg preachers.
He is now an old man. far beyond his four
score. His wonderful physical powers be-
gin to decline, but his mind abides in all its
freshness and force without the decay OF a
single attribute.
Although not able to preach as long nor
so often as in the days Of his strengtb, he
still breaches by day or by night as opportu.
nifty offers. Pulpit labor is q necessary
tonic to his system. Unless too feeble to
stand, nothing tones him up like preaching.
1t is his life aud his joy.
On the 24th Of last March, his birthday,
DIR. Pierce wrote to the Church the follow
ing greeting: =.
"MY NINErY-FIPru sIRrrfpAy." =.
"Truly the light is sweet and pleasant
thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun !;
but if man live many years and rejoice in
them oil, yet let him remember the days Of
darkness, for they shall be many.
Life as whole, is like light--it is en-
phatcaly sweet. But there is always some
Observation-Disclosures pretty large. Yet the
world, as home for probationers, is very
good and it has fitted me so we'll that /
have never been packing up and hurrying
away because the old, fine boat of Saints
on tho river of Death, all the time going
and coning-leaves on its embarking wha, f
no one uncalled for.