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.

SPARTA, GA, September 3.-Bishop
Geo. T. Pierce died at his house at Sun.
shine, three miles East of Sparta, this
morning at 9.45 o'clock. He had been
in feeble health for some time, and had
been in constant and rapid decline
since bis return from the Culverton Camp
meeting on the 18th of last month, where
he preached with great earnestness and
power.
For fourteen years Bishop Pierce has
been troubled with an obstinate throat
disease that during the last few years has
been the occasion ola 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 afiiction knew
little of the Inconvenience and distress
be often suffered. The proximate cause
of his death was low continued fever of
some three weeks duration, but the real
cause of his death is believed to be the
chronic trouble with his throat. People
who heard his great sermon on the second
Sunday in August at the camp meeting
near his home are amazed when they are
told that at that time bis emaciation was
80 great that he only weighed l0S pounds.
He preached
HIS LAST SERMON
at Thomson, Georgia, sitting in a chair
during part of the sermon. He had an
appointment to preach at Walkers
Church, in Greene County, Ga, only
three days before his death. Here he
preached bis first sermon, in 1880, but on
that day he was sick unto death.
1t is 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 rs pain.
less as death can be. No man was more
loved by his reighbors. aud Hancock
County not only mourns the departure
of its 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 his last consecutive
utterance were we'll chosen after his
manner ofspeech.
He did not at first think that he was
going to die, but when it became evident
to him be spoke of it just as he 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 neice and a
granddaughter are in a 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, to 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 at 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 full
and clear directions as to all matters that
needed his attention. The day before be
died he dictated letter to Bishop Nc
Tyeire concerning the interests of the In.
dian Mission Conference, giving minute
and business directions for carrying out
what he had in hand. 1t is known that
many of Bishop Pierce's friends have
almost censured him for taxing himself
so heavily. His view of this matter will
be of interest. In reply to friend who.
on last Monday, intimated that he had
overworked himself, he said: II have
not overdone it. I only went on in the
regular drift of duty. l did not make
occasions. Many I visited. | went as
far as I could go and stopped"
The thousands who knew the loved
and honored Bishop expected him to die
as be had lived, but they will be glad to
hear from
HIS CLOSING EXPERIENCES.
On Monday he said to a friend: II
think if | could talk we would have q
glorious love. feast here, but I am too far
spent. You must take it for granted. |
know that my Heavenly Father is not
angry with me about anything at all.
He knows that it has always been my
highest pleasure to serve Him and would
be again. My heart is full, all is serene
and bright" All bis surviving children
ard many of his grandchildren were
with him when he passed from the sight
of men, also his 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 we're present.
THE FUNERAL.
Bishop Pierce will be buried in the
Sparta cemetery on Friday, September s.
There will be delegations of ministers
and church officials from adjacent towns
and cities and also from Nashville, Tenn.