The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-04-28
Another Prominent Citizen OF the
EbeneZer Section.


MIR. EDITOR: Another ofthe prominent
citizens of 18th Ebenezer neighborhood"
on my acquaintance with it, was the
Rev. Amaziah Rice. who lived and died
about a mile below the Church. He was
about five years the junior of Col. John
Martin. In my teens l saw Mr.. Rice, for
the first time, at Peniel Church in the
northwestern part Of Abbeville County.
After the lapse Of some years my lot was
cast in his neighborhood, where l had
the opportunity to become more intimate
ly acquainted with him. He was one of
nine children Of Hezekiah and Polly Left
witch Rice, settlers in this County from
Virginia, and was born the Goth day of
June, 179S. nearly one hundred years ago.
In his youthful days be obtained as good
an education as the country then afford
ed, and when about nineteen he entered
the store as clerk for his father and uncle,
Christopher Orr, at Craytonville. Here
he imbibed those strict business princi-
pies, which afterwards contributed to his
own GIccess in life, and enabled him to
ulSCudlS . laAsLioi3J oaa SolloloStOAllJ luC
many trusts committed to him.
Ia his 22nd year he was united in mar
riage to Miss Sa!lie Thompson, daughter
of the elderly James Thompson, and aunt
of our clever friend, DIR. NJ, A. Thomp-
son, all of the SLoreville section, in this
County. To them were born nine chill
dren, eight of whom lived to be grown,
three sons and five daughters, five OF
whom have ''crossed Over the river"
with their parents. In the days of Mr..
Rice's young manhood the State militia
was a big thing, especially to those who
aspired 10 Office, as it was a good stepping
stone to official position. Mr.. r. entered
this field and was elected Colonel of the
4th Reg't. s. G. Militia, and served for
several years. The title thus obtained
stuck to him during life, and though he
afterwards entered the gospel ministry
and became a"Reverend " it still seemed
natural and easy to call him Colonel"
The next step in public life was that of
a representative from the then Pendleton
District to the Legislature, in which ca
pacity he served wisely and faithfully for
six years, from 1896 to 1882. 1t was dur
ing this time that he shared in the honor
of giving q charter to the first railroad
that ever was built in the world, especially
in South ~Caroliua-the South Carolina
Railroad. Col. Rice not only succeeded
in public life, but also in private life-as
a farmer and general business man. No
doubt much of his success was due to his
temperate habits, combined with tact,
push and economy. If the young men
of the present day would practice sobrie-
ty, industry and economy, as did their
forefathers, success would also crown
their efforts. I am glad to know that
many are so doing. May their number
be greatly multiplied. Though encum-
bered with public and personal cares,
Col. Rice found time to devote to other
and more important interests.
When in about his 22nd year he madea
public profession of religion and was re-
ceived into the fellowship of MEALS Creek
Church. Some years afterwards he felt
1t to be his duty to enter the gospel min
istry, and was accordingly ordained elder
at this church on the 9th day of May,
1887, and for upwards of forty years was
q faithful and successful preacher of the
gospel the Baptist Church. During this
time he served as pastor various churches
in Anderson and adjoining Counties: at
First Creek, Bethlehem, Poplar Springs,
Peniel, in Abbeville County, Cross
Roads, Rocky River, Walnut Grove,
Bolton, Williamson and various other
churches. Many persons still living at
these various places well remember him.
Besides this pastoral work he took several
missionary trips in adjoining Counties
and over into Georgia and North Carroll
ma. It is said that he preached his first
sermon in Georgia, and was so ashamed
of his effort that for a long time he kept
it q secret from his friends here.
Socially, Mr.. Rice was the equal of
most of men. He was thoughtful and
considerate, yet free to express himself
whenever occasion required. At one Of
his services a man in the congregation,
thinking him personal in bis sermon,
said, "Do you mean me, sir?" Mr.. Rice
answered that he "meant no one in par
ticulsr, but if the shoe fit he could wear
it." The man put on the shoe AID became
q Christian. On one occasion I attended
his ministry, and at the close Of the SER
vices, extending his hand, said: 81 don't
suppose you believe the doctrine l preach
ed to-day" I answered, eyes, / do, ev-
cry word of it, for, as you say, If we hold
on to Christ by faith, I fully agree with
you that we will never fall" On another
occasion he attended my services, and at
the close, again extending me bis hand,
ed one of your best sermons to-day"
Just as I was getting ready to receive, as
I thought, a compliment. ne took the
wind out Of my sail by adding: at was
all that I could do to keep awake"
In 1845 the board Of foreign missiohsin
Boston refusing to appoint shareholders
as missionaries, there was held in Angus
ia, Ga a convention of Southern dele
gates (about 3OO) to take the matter into
consideration, and form a Southern
Baptist Convention" Rev. A. Rice was
was one of that number He was one of
the first and strongest advocates OF for
eign missions.
Thus lived and labored a good and USE
full man.
On the 3lst Gay of July, 1878, his spirit
took its flight into the spirit world, and
on the following day his body was laid to
rest in what is known as the Rice grave
yard, in the presence OF many sorrowiug
friends, the funeral services being con
Quoted by the late Rev. ]. S. Murray.
SENRAB.