The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-09-28
IN MEMORIAL.

In NMEMOhlAh
Rev. Lewis A. Atkinson was born in Gallfa county,
Ohio April "a, 1921.
From early childhood he had strong religious con-
victions and his affections were drawn out toward
God.
At the early age of eight years. under the ministry
of Rev. Benjamin Ellis, he united with the NJ. E.
Church. of which he remained faithful and consist
ent member until death. In his boyhood he had fair
school advantages and well educated for that
early day. He was always energetic, and spent his
boy hood and his early manhood in school and at
work the home farm. 1t was noticeable that from
childhood he always conscientious in the choice
of his associates, and all through his boyhood and
manhood his associates were of the very best and
purest character. He experienced religion near Rod
ney, Ohio, under the ministry of Rev. Samuel Bate
man, about the year 1913. Though having been a
member of the church for many years. he seems not
to have experienced change heart until this time
In his conversion the power of God came upon him,
while the Holy Spirit led him out into glorious eX-
perience salvation. After his conversion he en-
tered upon life of prayer, and it was his custom
daily engage with God alone. An old chestnut tree
his home marked the place of his devotons and
sheltered by its branches he began and continued
of secret prayer, that resulted in habit and
largely nodded his Christian experience in after fe
No he converted to God than he felt it at
once his duty to preach the Gospel of Christ. Ac-
cordingly we find that year that he became an
exhorer his license to exhort being signed by Rev.
Samuel Bateman, and bearing date Sept. 18th, 1s43
Just thirty-ntne years from the day In whlcn ne
his paper of authority to preach Jesus
God gave him higher call to better country After
working faithfully exhsrter he received license
local preacher May 9th 1915, signed by Rev. j.
NJ Jameson.
He Joined the Ohio Conference 1916. His certifi
of ordination deacon bears date Oct 1st 1Si
signed by Bishop Hamltne His certificate OF ordna-
tion elder is dated Sept 2d 1885, signed by Bishop
Morris. Brother Atkinson was married to Miss
Amanda Long Nov. 18TH 1850 They have been blessed
with four children, and three daughters, all
of whom living, except the second daughter who
infancy 1859. 1t needs hardly to be written
here that the widow and her children, the two aged
brothers, and the weeping friends have the sympathy
and prayers Of the entire community and of large
circle of friends in this great sorrow of their life
After his marriage Brother Atkinson continued in
the ministry for several years. until bodily afiction
compelled him to retire the active work to the
superannuated ranks. He suffered from throat
trouble, which untitled him for preaching, that
Oct 3d. 1865 he took certificate of location from the
conference, signed by Bishop Ames. His ministry
very earnest and very successful. His soul was
on fire with love and zeal for God, and he preached
with force and vigor that oyertaxed his physical
power Had he been less earnest his ministry might
have been longer.
His energy greater than his physical strength,
that he compelled to give up the regular min
stry while yet comparatively i'll early years. though
he never ceased to preach Jesus through all these
years up the time of his DEATH preaching often at
the expense of his health All through this country
every neighborhood, he has been called to preach
funerals is estimated that he has buried 800 pee
pie.
The sorrowing have felt that In him they have
found a sympathizing father and brother, and his
ministry of help and comfort to great host ofmourn
ing families, be measured in its results only by
his reward in heaven. He received authority to SOL
emnze marriages in Scioto county, Oct. 2th, 1s4s.
We find no record at hand to show how many people
he joined in marriage to the time of his entering
the army. But the papers he has preserved, which
have found since his DEATH show that since the
war he has Joined in marriage 2i6 couples. In his
life local minister Brother Atkinson
was always ready to respond to every duty and the
various pastors of the Church in jackson unani-
mously testify not only to his efficiency in aid of
their work. also his acceptabily with the people,
based very largely upon splendid moral and relg-
ious character, which gave universal confidence We
lovel to hear him say good things because we knew
they came from the lips of good man. He was al
the right side af every great moral question
He was always ready 10 say amen to the truth, and
ready to take hold and help the truth along Deeply
sympathy with the church of his early choice, to
which he had given many years of his vigor and
he while located of the pillars of
the church. His presence assured at every meet
Ing unless prevented by circumstances of physical
debility, and his presence was an inspiration. In
preaching he enthusiastic. Of imaginative
mind he reveled in the riches of promise, and
delighted in the glories of ultimate salvation.
In prayer he fervid, earnest and impressive.
In both he sometimes very eloquent. As coun-
sellor he judicious and discreet, without being
too conservative, and personal friend he was
BILE and enthusiastic; true to the last.
He gave his life sacrifice to his country and his
God, and citizen and Christian we only accord
him in this expression of esteem an honor hon.
estly deserved and gloriously won, only to be fully
rewarded in the heaven for which he lived and to
which he true TO the last.
He has lived III jackson since the year 1856
In these years he has greatly endeared himself the
people. Though not having the pastoral care of any
one church, he has always been regarded practic
ally one of the pastors of town and county, and
he has perhaps done as muc h preaching and much
pastoral work any regularly appointed pastor. The
ministers of town through all these years have
looked upon Brother Atkinson brother with them
in the pastoral of the people. He went gladly
nywhere, on any mission, accounting it his high
calling, after the fashion of his Divine Master to
go about doing good"
The last sermon that he preached in the VI. E..
Church of jackson, Of which he has been member
Tor twenty-five years, and among the last
Of his life on the doctrine of the ton of
the dead, and very many who heard him that
Easter day, remarked that he preached with won- |
lrous power and that his words very full of |
comfort and help to the people. Yet little did they
hink that he whom they heard and loved would |
called into the Valley of death, and brought
ace to face with Jesus, who is himself the resurrec-
ion and the life.
Going back in this review of his life to the |
ear 1862, find him enlisting In the army in de- :