The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-09-11
a GREAT PREACHER GONE.
The Death of Bishop Pierce, Near sparta,
Georgia.

Georgia.
SPARTA, Ga. September 3.-Bishop
Geo. f. Pierce died at his house at Sun.
shine, three miles East Of Sparta, this
morning at 8.45 O'Clock. He had been
in feeble health for some time, and had
been in constant aud rapid decline
since bis return from The Culverton Camp.
meeting on the 18th of last month, where
he preached with great earnes,ness and
power.
For fourteen years Bishop Pierce mas
been troubled with m obstinate throat
disease that during the last few years has
been the occasion of q constant drain upon
his system. His indomitable will and
tireless zeal kept him so constantly at his
great work that even friends who had
some knowledge Of his afiliction knew
little OF the iuconveniences and distress
he ofte0 suffered. The proximate cause
OF his death was low continued fever of
some three weeks Duration, but the real
cause Of his death 10 believed to be the
chronic trouble with his throat. People
who heard his great sermon on the second
Sunday in August Of tho camp meeting
near bis home are amazed when they are
told that at that time bis emaciation was
so great that he only weighed lOs pounds.
He preached
HIS LAST SERMON
at Thomson, Georgia, sitting in chair
during part of the sermon. He had an
appointment to preach Mt Walkers
Church, In Greene County, Ga, only
three days before bis death. Here he
preachea his first sermon, in 1890, but on
that day he was sick unto death.
1t Is a matter OF profound gratitude to
the Bishops friends that he WAS free
from acute suffering of any sort during
his last sickness. His death was ia pain.
lcss as death can be. No mnn was more
loved by his neighbor.. and Hancock
County not only mourns the departure
OF it's chief citizen, but Of every mans
friend. The Bishop retained his con.
sciousness perfectly to the last. His
mind never lost its poise or clearness,
and his words to bis last consecutive
utterance were well chosen after his
manner Of speech.
He did not at first think that he was
going to die, but when 1t became evident
to him he spoke of just as no had been
speaking of his projected visit to the In.
dian Mission Conference. He did not
until two days before his death entirely
relinquish his plan Of going to the terri.
tory and holding the Conference. His
mind was much on this
MISSION WORK OF HIS CHURCH
and this year it had special hold upon
him for the reason that q neice and a
granddaughter are In few weeks going
out to engage in the work of the mission
schools. On the Monday before his death
be requested his friend, Dr.. A. G. Hay.
good, who WAS with him the last three
days, 20 write to Bishop McTyeire, Of
Nashville, Tenn, requesting him to hold
his Conference and to arrange for the
work of his present episcopal year. He
desired also that Bishop Wilson, of Balti.
more, be Informed Of his condition and
OF his inability to preach the opening
sermon Mt the centennial commemoration
OF the organization of the Methodist
Episcopal Churches in America. He
could not talk much ON account of the
weakness of his throat, but he gave fill
and clear directions as to all matters that
needed his attention. The day before he
died he dictated q letter to Bishop Nc.
Iyeire concerning The interests of the In-
dian Mission Conference, giving minute
and business directions for carrying out
what he mad in hand. 1t ia known that
many Of Bishop Plerce's friends have
almost censured him for taxing himself
SO heavily. His view of this matter will
he of interest. In reply to friend who,
on last Monday, intimated that he had
overworked himself, he said: II have
not overdone it. Ionly went on in the
regular drift of duty. did not make
occasions. Many Visited. l went as
far as / could 60 and stopped"
The thousands who knew the loved
and honored Bishop expected him to die
as he had lived, but they will be glad to
hear from
HIS CLOSING EXPERIENCES.
On Monday he said to friend: II
think If could talk we would have a
glorious love. feast here, but am too far
spent. You must take It for granted.
know that my Heavenly Father il not
angry with mo about anything at all.
He knows that 1t has always been my
highest pleasure to serve Him and would
be again. My heart Is full, nll ia serene
and bright" All bis surviving children
ard many of his grandchildren we're
with him when he passed from tie sight
OF men, also bis two brothers, the Rev.
DR.. j. l. Pierce, and the Rev. T. F.
Pierce, of the North Georgia Conference.
The pastor Of the circuit in which his
home was. the Rev. DR.. Haygood, Col.
Paul and Mrs. Walker, of Savannah, and
others were present.
THE FUNERAL.
Bishop Pierce will be buried in the
Sparta cemetery on Friday, September 6.
There will be delegations of ministers
and church officials from adjacent towns
and cities and also from Nashville, Tenn.
BY request of Bishop Pierce's family, the
Rev. DR.. Haygood, his longtime friend,
will preach the funeral sermon.
A Short Story OF tho Bishop's Life.
The tidings of Bishop George Foster
Pierce's death will be heard with sincere
sorrow throughout the South, and par
ticulaIly in the Southern Methodist
Church will his departure be sadly de.
plored. He was one Of the greatest
preachers In tho land, and bis name was
a familiar word in every Methodist house.
hold. He was born In 1911, near Greens.
boro, Georgia, and was the son of the
great Lovick Pierce, who died In 1879.
In his childhood Bishop Pierce attended
the schools in Greensboro, where he was
fitted for college. At the age of fifteen
he was sent TO Athens University, and
was graduated in 1929, at the age of
eighteen. Among those who were his
companions in college were Robert
Toombs, Alexander II. Stephens, How.
ell Cobb, and several others whose
names have since become impressed
upon the history OF the Nation. While
hn a. a. A 81, L.