Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-09-11
WHOLE NO. 2,731.

~NN~~Ne0~~
DIR. Sears in GAINESVILLE. There were
then twenty-five Baptists in the city.
DIR. Sears called them together and re
organized the church, and commenced
protracted meeting in the old church
on what is now part OF the Court House
square, which was successful, and he
was chosen pastor in January, 1866,
which relation has never been changed,
and in no probability will be until he is
called to that blissful reward which
awaits Gods faithful servants. DR..
Sears set on foot al once move to build
good church house 10 cost about
$4,000. Notwithstanding the congre-
cation was weak and the membership
poor, the work was prosecuted with
untiring zeal and energy, and by de-
grees the work was accomplished and
paid for as it progressed, and the
cause prospered greatly in his hands
during the time, the membership soon
increasing over two hundred. The old
saying, and generally true one, that
new churches always change pastors,
was not verified in his case. He had
become SO engrafted in the affections
OF his congregation, that nothing could
separate him from the love OF the church
and the ties have continued to grow
stronger with each succeeding year.
AS illustativeoi the esteem in which
ne is held, the the writer will relate
circumstance which brought the church
to the test. About ten years ago the
pastor was subjected to severe attack
OF pneumonia. Physicians pronounced
the chances against him from the be-
ginning, and he seemed to grow worse
daily. His situation was discussed with
deep concern by the congregation, and
solemnity was depicted on every face.
Finally on the afternoon on the ninth
day, the doctor said the crisis had come,
and withoutc remarkable change for
the better by midnight, he was bound
to die. The deacons sent around notice
for the congregation to assemble at the
church for united prayers for the pas
tor. The house was filed; ii was the
largest prayer-meeting ever Witnessed in
GAINESVILLE, and the most agonizing pray
ers offered that was ever heard. The con-
gregation for an hour was greatly exer-
cised, and suddenly feeling OF calm-
ness came over the audience, and the
meeting adjourned, and that very hour
the doctor examined the patient and
said TO the nurses present, che is decid-
eddy better, and will get well"
DR.. Sears is now in his eighty-third
year. His face is little furrowed, and
his hair slightly gray, but his eyes are
bright and be stands erect in the pulpit
and breaches two sermons every Sun
day with more power OF eloqueEce and
Gospel sweetness than ever. His meet
ings are we'll attended, and good at
tention paid to his ministry. He rare
ly ever breaches over forty minutes,
and never reads sermon. He is a
student, prepares his sermons well, and
often when enthnsed with his subject
takes lofty flights, thrilling the hearts OF
his hearers by mis- Gospel eloquence.
One characteristic which gives force to
his preaching, is that he knows when
he has made point, and leaves it for
his hearers to digest without undertake
ing to show what the point is, presum-
ing upon the ignorance OF his audience,
therefore his sermons are short and APP
preciated. Heicommands the greatest
respect and attention from any audi
ence. The writer never heard him adj
minister reproof to any one in the au-
dience for disrespect. His preaching
is plain and easy Of comprehension. He
exercises a wonderful influence over
children. He Is always urging mem
bers to bring their little children to
church. Few congregations have go
large proportion OF children, and 1t is
astonishing how attentively the little
ones listen to his teachings, and how
soon they catch his points and learn to
| repeat something said that has impress
ed them. He is thoroughly imbued
with the missionary spirit, and rarely
breaches without emphasizing the COM
mand TO spread the Gospel. He uses
tevery opportunity TO indoctrinate his
people, and spares no occasion to
reprove the sins that are constantly
creeping into the churches. No matter
who is guilty, he does not spare the
rod, and is afterward thanked for 1t
People never tire Of hispreaching; there
is always freshness, something new
and original in his sermons.
DIR. Sears and vile celebrated thei
golden wedding eight years past, AMI
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