The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-07-28
A Sketch Of the Life Of Bishop Ellison Ca


know. the new Bishop of the Diocese Of South
Carolina:
The Right Reverend Ellison Capers, b. d.,
just csnsecrated Bishop Coadjutor of the
Diocese OF South Carolina, bears a name
already honored in Christian annals in South
Carolina.
A son of that eloquent aud able divine of
sanity memory, Bishop William Capers, of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. he was
born on the 18th OF October, 1887, in Char.
lesion. Possessing in his youth like Rob-
srtson, of Brighton, decided military in
stiDcts, he received his scholastic training
at the South Carolina Military Academy,
whence he was graduated in the class of
1867, his cadetship revealing the germs of
those noble tiaits that adorn his Christian
character. At once true and tender he was
both gentle AMI strong and emiueutly loyal
in his syUI athies.
He was successfully Major aud Lieutenant
Colonel Of the 1st Regiment of Rifles, S. q.
M and Colonel of the 24,h South Carolina
Volunteer Infantry in the Confederate ser
vice. His was brilliant war career. No
officer bore himself more gallan,ly,
After brief civil service as Secretary of
State, Col. Capers was ordained to the sacred
ministry in the Protestant Episcopal Church
by the Right Reverend Bishop Davis, in
May, 1867. Having ut this time accepted O
call to Christ Church, at Greeuville, S. c.,
he now began his life work as q minister of
the Gospel.
Says Col. Thomas in the sketch of DR..
Capers in his History of the South Carolin
Military Academy:
"For twenty years during the prime of
his life, between his 30th and Doth year, bc
labored assiduou,y aud effectively in that
parish by the mountain. Nor was his earn
est and discreet ministry without the visible
fruits Of the grace of God. His Citadel
training served him well in the offices of
Christ. He organized vic;ory in the cause
Of the Prince Of Petce.
"The discipline that he introduced in the
workings of his parish brought blessed re!
suits. His parish that he found weak and
divided he made strong and united, becom-
ing one Of the most important of the diocese
1T was while engaged in this Cody >rk
that, obeying the call to u larger field and q
moro abundant promise Of Christisn harvest,
the Rev. MIR. Capers came to Columbia
to assume charge at the capital of the
State--the centre of much iutiuence-of
the old parish of Trinity, consecrated to him
and TO bis new flock by the Cody, half
century ministry of DR.. Sband aud the earn
est labors of n Stringfelow and Il Judd.
With the herald of good name aud a career
both gentle and strong, the Rev. Ellison
Capers began his new work with the sympa-
thies Of an appreciative parish. Here for
the last five years he has repeated the work
Of his Greenville ministry, with the SUPER
added force of the experience that comesl
with observaut years and the opportunities
OF q broader sphere of influence from the
environments of the capital of the State. As
preacher Of the Word with power and elo-
quence; as rector with q sympathy coevist-
ant with human needs, as citizens, alive to
every duty of high citizenship, DR.. Capers-
made doctor of divinity by the South Caro-.
lima University IN lSS8-occupies q CON-
manding place in the hearts Of good people
as well as in the caunselI of the church of
his ministry.
''Stroug alike with clergy and laity, the
mantle Of larger responsibilities than any he
has yet borne may, in Gods Providence,
await him 10 the future That his mind is
strong enough, his soul sweet enough, and
his shoulders broad enough for the heavy
churchly burdens. this would seem attest ed
by his character and career.
%. Capers has been the recipient of not
few ohurch'y honors. In 1886 he was
offered the Bishoprio of Eastop He is the
efficient secretary and treasurer Of the board
of missions of this diocese of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, AMI is member of the
general convention from South Carolius.
$50 many times on account of his graceful
oratory has he been called upon to address
his fellow citizens, especially upoa Confed-
crate occasions, that he might iitIy be con-
sidered as having earned the title Of orator
laureate of the Confederacy."
The suggestion Of the biographer of Dr.
Capers that the mantle Of Bishop awaited
him was realized in May last when he was
promptly elected Bishop Cjadju utor of this
..ll 4
flee took place Thursday.
1t is, perhaps, rarely the case that Bish-
>op has been Invested with his prisstly robes
amid such auspicious circumstances.
a brave soldier, patriotic citizen, u man
ly man, DR.. Capers now appears in The robe
ofa shop, loyal to his own chura Aand at
the same time commanding the syffpathies
OF Christian people Of all denou. inations.
Above all, does the new Bishop illustrate in
his life and in his character the gospel grace
Of love-ihat love which embraces in its
scope both the brotherhood mon and the
fatherhood Of God. ~
Though baptized MetApist in early life,
and reared as such unJ5f the impressive
influences and strong admonitions Of pious
par ents, yet his independent connections led
him to ally himself with the Episcopal
Church, with whose admirable liturgy be
Was especially charmed as blending in
seriptural union the religion Of beauty with
the beauty Of re igiJn.
While Bishop Capers is q decided church.
man in his principles, and~wiH doubtless
maiutain in its Integrity "lhe faith once
delivered to the saints" yet the strength
and the beauty of his Christian Creed-his
Apostolic crown characteristic that will
give him power to enlarge the bounds of his
church, and promote The cause of Christ-is
that ho honprs nnl loves fellow Christians
OF every name, holding i 10 be the doctrine
OF Gods Revelation OF Grace, that 'all who
are baptized in Christ have put on Christ,
and are fellow-heirs Of the promises of God
aud fellow Christians in His grace aud ssr-
vice. .
y lavested with the Management under God
OF the Bisho oric Of South Carolina, Bishop
Capers brings to his sacred trust such ad-
ministratiys ability, such disciplinary pow.
ers, such love Of State as, united with his
Christian zea', must make HIM q fit instru-
ment TO promote the good Of the diocese and
the glory Of God. Certain it is that he goes
into his sacred office upborne by mighty
wave OF Christian sympathy, the pure cur