The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-01-04
A Tribute to Maj. Dean.

Tribute to Maj. Dean.
Maj. Bal. D. Dean was born in An
derson County, S. c., 1924. He joined
the Baptist Church when about 81
years OF age and soon thereafter was
made q deacon, which Office he filled to
the satisfaction of the churches Of
which he was a member till he finished
his earthly course. With the excep-
ton of several years. sojourn in north
Mississippi. Mai. Dean lived in South
Carolina until five years since, when
be became a citizen Of Tyler. Texas.
Many years since he married Mrs. Rice,
who preceded him to 1.-THE Fathers
house several years. He had no chill
drcn. Two brothers and three sisters
survive him. He answered the sum
mons -'Child, come homc,' at 1870 Il.
M. Friday, Dec. 9th, 1898. His going
wasa great shock to his friends. 4
severe cold troubled him for several
days, butno one thought the end was
near, until a few hours before he fell
in sleep. Unexpectedly bronchial
pneumonia set in during the night Of
Dec. s. This fortified by enfeebled
heart and kidneys overmastered the
strong-willed man. No tired child ever
more sweetly fell asleep on q mothers
bnsOm.
In an acquaintance Of eight months
the writer never more completely
learned the inner life-the soul pulse
of any man than that Of Maj. Dean.
Some facts of his life demand special
emphasis, few of which are recorded
here, not in fulsome compliment to
him who sleeps, but for the good they
may do. Maj. Dean was man of he
roic mold and pronounced convictions.
He was not swayed by the tide of pop
ular opinion, nor moved by the fear Of
the solitude that is often the heritage
of the minority. He would abide by
his enlightened convictions if it meant
isolation and ostracism. And yet no
man more gracefully abandoned a po-
sition than he, when convinced that he
was wrong. But it required a clear
conviction of duty to change him. The
tapestries of mere sentiment played no
part in his decisions, where principles
were involved.
His loyalty to friendships golden
bands was of the most beautiful and
striking character. Nothing save the
painful conviction Of unworthiness
could drive him from one to whom he
gave his trustful abandonment, his
substantial friendship. Nothing, save
his honor, was too good for his friends
to receive at his hands. No disaster
that left honor untarnished ever drove
him from friendships enchanting bow
er. Neither pelf nor poverty separated
him from his friends.
He was generous, even lavish, with
his means. Scores of poverty-stricken
ones in this city and elsewhere will
sorely miss his benefactions. about
which he, they and the all-seeing One
knew anything. Every interest he be-
lievet to be good and uplifting to hu-
manity had his unstinted support in
every way available to him.
His loyalty to and his love for his
church was unfeigned and unceasing.
He believed that his church was the
city's greatest institution. 1t, there
fore, held the first place in his affec-
tions, thoughts and purse. He believ-
ed that all his co-laborers in church re-
lations were wiser than he, and what
ever decisions they reached on ques-
tions of expediency he heartily acqui-
esced,. whatever his personal views.
He had an abiding aversion to Offend
ing his fellow church members. More
than all he feared to offend the Holy
Spirit which presided over church mat
ters.
He knew his imperfections and they
grieyed him sorely. These he frankly
confessed to those he believed sympa-
thized with him, and would help him
overcome them. But two weeks be-
fore he bid this world good night, he
said to his pastor, 81 have prayed more
this year than in all my life before,
and have been happier. Our meeting
this year was the best, most helpful
one ever attended. would like for
us to have one more like it before go
home" So he grew in grace to the
very end. This is obedience of the
best sort.
Many there are, of kindred and
friends, who, for many day, will sigh
for a touch of the pulseless hand and a
vision of the vanished stately form.
Full many there are in Tyler who
will greet Bal. D. Dean again in the
eternal morning.
J.. H. GAMBRELL.
Tyler, Texas, Dec. 18th, 1893.
Buttermilk In Tin.
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