Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-04
BISHOP PIERCE AT REST.
THE END MET WITH THE FOR
TITUDE OF A CHRISTIAN.

SPARTA, ga, sept. .3.-BiShOp George
F. Pierce, Senior Bishop of the NJ. E.
Church South, died at his house, "Sun-
shine," three miles east of Sparta, this
morning about O'Clock. He had been in
feeble health for some time and had been
in constant and rapid decline since his
return from the Culverton camp meeting
on Aug. Is, where he had preached with
great earnestness and power. His throat
had given him great trouble, making the
taking of uOurishmeDt extremely
difficult. In this enfeebled condition
he was stricken with fever, the
force of which his weakened constitution
was unable to withstand. Grand In the
devotion of every energy of his life to the
cause of religion and the best interests of
his fellow men, triumphant in the full
consciousness of peace with God and his
fellow man, he was rational to the last,
recognizing with his usual princely
courtesy every visitor even up to the hour
of dissolution. There were present at the
time of his death, besides the members of
his immediate family, DR.. A. G.
Hayg0Od, DIR. w. II. Potter, Hon. Frank
L. Little, DR.. James l.. Pierce,
Rev. Thomas Pierce, and many other
relatives and friends. The funeral ser
in Sparta Friday morning at II O'Clock.
Memorial exercises will be held at the
same church on next Sunday morning. A
cloud of sorrow rests on the whole COM
munity, and all mourn a good man gone.
None ever lived more universally beloved
or was stricken with death in the midst
OF an old age more fruitful Of good to his
fellow men. His death was calm, quiet
and peaceful.
George Foster Pierce, d. D., Senior Bishop
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
was born in Greene county, Georgia, Feb.
3, 1911. He was the son of LOvick Pierce,
ID. d., who was contemporary with Bish-
Op Asbury, and died in 1879 at the ad-
vanced age of "a. Father and son were
both equally illustriOus as preachers, but
essentially unlike in their mental charac-
teristics.
The father has already received glowing
tributes to his lifelong service to the
church.
The son was no less gifted and great
and deserves no less glowing tributes.
Bishop Pierce received the instructions
of the common schools in the various
charges served by his father till he was
sent to Franklin College. Athens, Ca,
where he graduated, in 1929, at the early
age OF Is. He had at college as one of
his classmates the gifted and honOred
IL
formed a friendship for each other
which knew no abatement.
On the contrary, their friendship grew
with their years, and the growth of their
powers of mind and heart, till it ripened
into mutual admiration and love such as
is seldom found among mep. Immedi-
aIely on graduation both began the study
of law, with the intention, it is said, Of
forming a partnership in its practice.
a, II
But the Great DispOser of men had other
and greater uses for young Pierce.
About that time lie was most
clearly and powerfully converted.
Feeling in his heart a Divine call to the
work OF the ministry, he Obeyed it. He
conferred not with "fesh and blood" nor
yielded to the alluring, tempting offers of
worldly ambition. He was admitted on
triaP' as a travelling preacher in the
Georgia Conference at its session held in
Macon in 1880. In 1882 he was stationed
in Augusta as junior preacher under Rev.
James o. Andrew. In the spring of that
year Mr.. Andrew was elected Bishop, and
young George Pierce was left as preacher
in charge. No young man, perhaps, ever
made reputation as a pulpit orator
as fast as he. From there
he was sent to Savannah and put in
charge of the church in this city, and
.
In very few years he was made Pre-
siding Elder in his conference. In this
field he had ample range for his magniti-
cent powers as an orator. The magic of
his OratOry insured him large cOngrega-
tions at all of his appointments. He was
especially famous as camp-meeting
preacher. In those days thousands would
assemble at these gatherings of Method
ism. This gifted young minister, who
was the delight of the polished
city congregations. was the idol of
the masses. ''The common people heard
him gladly" Many and marvellous
stories are told of his power over these
immense gatherings. Tall, finely formed,
handsome, a bright, restless flashing eye,
a full, rich, melOdiOus voice, he was
born orator. His distinguishing charac-
terIstics as a preacher at that time was
the wealth of his diction and the richness
and beauty of his rhetoric. Those who
knew him only in the later years of his
life. can hardly realize or credit the state
ments which are made concerning his
power as preacher when he was in his
manhOOd's prime.
In 1888 he was elected President of the
Georgia Female (nOw Wesleyan College
at Macon, Ga. This position he occu-
pied for two years. He then returned to
the work of the pastOrate. AS Presiding
Elder and stationed preacher, he filled
most of the important appointments in
his conference. In 1S4S he was elected
President OF Emory College at Oxford,
Ga. Here he remained till 1854. At the
General Conference held in Columbus,
Ga, in that year he was made Bishop.
Though very young for this distin
guished position, he had been voted
for, and came near being
elected as Bishop four years before. He
was beaten, by a small vote, by DIR. Bas-
com, the most famous orator the West
ever had in the church. As a debater
Bishop Pierce was ready, efficient, and
sometimes overwhelming. He was a
member of the historic General Confer
ence of 1874. held in the city of New
York. 1t was at this conference that the
Methodist Episcopal Church was divided.
No one of that body saw the necessity for
a division more clearly, or labOred
more earnestly for 1t than
he. During the discussion he and
DR.. Peck, afterwards Bishop Peck,
measured intellectual strength. 1t was
war of young giants. or course both
sides claimed the victory for their respec
tive champions. The speeches made by
Bishop Pierce on that occasion were
largely labors of love for his venerable
friend, Bishop Andrew. These speeches
made for him a national reputation.
Few, if any, of the officers of the church
have Travelled so extensively through tne
connection as he. From Virginia to Flor
ida, and from Georgia to California, he
has travelled several times. holding the
annual and visiting the District Confer
ences of the church.
One of the most memorable incidents in
the Bishops life occurred this year. Mrs.
TOombs, the accomplished Christian wife
OF Gen. TOOmbs and lifelong friend of
the Bishop. died in Clarkesville, Ga. Gen.
TOOmbs, broken-hearted and disconsolate,
turned to the altars of the church to seek
that consolation which he so much needed.
He sent for his friend to come to Wash
ington, Ca, to receive him into the
church. The men and the occasion will
hardly be forgotten by the citizens of that
community for long years to come.
Amid the joyful, fearful thrOng they
met at the feet of Him who
came to seek and to save, and there
pledged themselves to meet in Heaven.
A few months ago Bishop Pierce cele-
brated his golden wedding. Fifty years
ago he married Miss Ann Walden, OF Sa-
yannah. Ga. For half a century they
walked the path of life together. They
were both righteous, walking in the ordi-
nances and commandments of God,
blameless. Children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren, with hOnored rela-
tives and friends, were there to enjoy the
occasion and to tender their cOngratula-
tons to the happy couple. Col. and Mrs.
r. d. Walker, of this city, were among
the number present.
AIasl how soon the scene is changed.
Now the griefstricken wife watches the
Isro1o-- Forp, of him VhC SO long has hppn