The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-09-11


York, and distinguished himself in de-
bate, though he was perhaps the young
est member of that body. He was a
delegate to the Convention held in
Louisville. KY, in May, 1S45, which or
ganized tile Methodist Episcopal Church
South. In 1889 he was appointed presi.
dent of the first female college in the
world, located at Macon. Owing TO
financial embarrassment he subsequently
resigned and accepted the agency to col.
lect funds for the institution. In 1S42
he was stationed in Macon, whence he
was reappointed to Augusta for the years
1S43 and 1874, during which time he
built St. Johns Church. He was then
appointed for three years presiding elder
of the Augusta circuit, and then in l84S
he was transferred to Columbus. That
summer Judge Longstreet resigned the
presidency Of Emory College, aud he
was appointed to fill the vacant chair,
which he held until 1854.
During all these years he never med
died with affairs of the world, never be
came entangled with outside questions,
and never allowed college or other duties
to interfere with the regularity of his
preaching. He held to the old fashioned
idea that there was only one safely for
a preacher-unremittir work and never
ceasing preaching. In 1854 the General
Conference of the Methodist Episcopa!
Church South met in Columbus. BY
that body he was elected to be one of the
Bishops of the church. His official du-
ties occupied all of his time, and called
him from sea to sea. He was absent
FROM home months at q time, spending
weeks OH the cars and undergoing many
hardships of travel. He made the over:
land route to California in 1859, and
spent one year there preaching in all
parts of the Slate.
In 1884 Bishop Pierce was married to
Miss Annie NJ. Waldron. of Savannah,
who still lives. Bishop Pierce was man
of fine presence, and presided with
suavity and greatly becoming dignity.
lie was one of the ablest men the Meth
od:st Church in the South has ever pro.
duced, and was ever devoted to the ex-
tension of the church and the education
of the people.
In February last, Bishop Pierce cele.
brated his golden wedding at Sunshine"
his residence, which is situated in de-
Iigbtful valley, about four miles from
Sparta, Ga. The aged Bishop was at that
time in quite vigorous health, and talked
at length about the leading incidents of
his life and the progress of church work.
He thought that the church had neither
declined in power or capacity for good,
and that it had never been more active
or enterprising, or the outlook more
hopeful or Inspiring. The ministry
were never more loyal to church govern
ment than TO day. The Bishop said {:
"The outlook of the future as to the
material advancement of the country is
hopeful. The influence Of the churches,
wisely directed, will save the country
from the dangers into which unsafe lead
ers would bring it. | believe that the
people of the United States will remain
church-loving people. Ore great
danger of the United States is the lack
of broad, controlling craftsmanship in
its legislators-4nen who allow local and
personal motives to be the guides by
which their conduct is gauged. The
same danger is to be feared in our courts"
TIE comfy of the church, all meeting
peacefully and recognizing each others
good work, be regarded as q hopeful sign
of the future.
The Bishops life was in itself an open
epistle, known and read of al men with
whom he came in contact, and thoug b he
is dead yet does he still live and will he
ever live.