Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-06-28
OBITUARY.
"A FRAGRANT MEMORY

WILLIAM C. GIST.-The subject of this
sketch was born in Union county, South Car
olina, November ls, 1870. He was the young.
and of Mrs. Fannie Crenshaw Gist. His fatht r
died when he was only five years OF age. His
mother then moved to Yorkville with the
children, where they M nave resiaed & ever c since.
in Yorkville; after which he spent one year
at the Banks High school, In Fort Mill, and
also one year at the South Carolina college
His tastes did not take an especial literary
turn; but being sufficiently equipped for his
life work, after leaving college, he entered bus.
iness, first as q clerk, and then on his own
responsibility. He was not permitted to en-
9TH day of June, 1898, he was called, in the
Providence Of God, from the scenes OF active
life in this world, we trust, to higher service
in the other world.
of William c. Gist. But let us see something
of his character and innerlife. He was modest
and unaSSuming, yet firm and courageous
when duty called for the exhibition Of these
traits. He was generous ana liberal, put aooye
ali Just and careful of the rights Of others. He
was honest and equitable in all his business
transactions, spurning to do anything that was
mean or reprehensible, positively refusing to
take ADVANTAGE OF another IN 40 business Ira trahs s.
honor-a true man, indeed. He was in an
eminent degree truthful. This trait was con-
spicuous in his life and character, not only as
ing straightforward, there was no deceit In his
heart and conduct, no hypocrisy but he was
open-hearted, candid and true. His behavior
towards his seniors in life was indeed beauti-
ful and worthy Of Imitation, always IN n the hie
bearing towards them. He was always ready
to lend q helping hand to any who needed bis
help.
friends, and his life eXemplfles the truth:
THAT best portion Of gOod mans life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts
or kindness and Of love"
Hence 1t is not surprising that he was uni
versally popular in the comm unity where he
| lived. He was beloved and respected by all
who knew hiu, by white and black, rich ana
poor, high and low. The circle Of his friends
ances. m To be loved and admired, he was but
TO be known. There are few young men who
have more friends than did VIII Gist. He
showed himself friendly, and hence reaped the
deed, he seemed to be friend to everybody
and everybody was friend to him. He drew
people to him and held them by the strong tie
Of true and lasting friendship. When the
people were invited to meet in Gods house 10
pay their last tribute Of respect to his memory
and to recognize the hand of Providence in
his death, there was assembled one OF the larg-
est congregations ever gathered together IN
Yorkville under liar circumstances. This
was beautiful testimony Of love and admira-
ton on the part Of the people for their young
friend.
But it was in the home, with his mother and
sisters, that Mr. Gist's true self was seen to the
best advantage. Probably the best place to get
a correct estimate of q man is in his home life
Our young friend was truly q lover OF hon @
and home life-a person OF strong local attach
ments. Here in the home, he was, indeed, "at
home" Here his kindness and love, courtesy
and consideration were manifested as they
could not be elsewhere. There was no sacri-
flee too great to be n ade, no burden too heavy
fnr NC nfh n
always had for them pleasant smile kind
word and n helping hand. Such was his hab-
itual disposition and the invariable rule OF MS
conduct in his home life. He brought sun
shine into the home and his presence was
perennial benediction to his loved ones.
While he had never been received into the
communion Of the Church, yet he manliesteo
an interest in the cause Of religion ana IN the
welfare of the Church. Having been brought
up 20 believe in the efficacy OF prayer, IL was
his daily custom to appear before throne OF
grace to ask for Fathers blessing. during ms
last sickness he prayed earnestly Tor nimseil,
for his family and his friends, and "haVlng
done all he could" he left himself trustingly,
as little child. in the hands OF covenant
keeping God. $3.50.
sad and untimely, being cut off In the Vigor OF
Young manhood; but If we could see the event
from Gods point Of view, 1t would all be ciear
and plain. Jesus says: What 1. 40 hauol tnou
knowest not now but thou shalt know mere,
after" Gods providence extends over all
events, and it is all ordered and conducted In
the highest wisdom and the deepest love. He
never makes mistake, and He Is u aklng all
things work together for good to His children.
Being filled with this truth, we can S ~ from
the heart "Thy will be done;' and resting IN
the glorious hope of a blessed immortality, we
can commit our dear young friend ana MS m
tereStS into the loving care or our heavenly
Father, believing that,
"His day has corc, not gone;
His sun has risen, not set;
His life Is now beyond
The reach of death or change,
Not ended but begun" ". g. \.