Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-09-06
DEATH OF DIR. GRIER.

college, is dead. The shocking news
was first brought to Yorkville in a
telegram received last Sunday after
noon by the doctors brother, Rev. B.
H. Grier, of this place. DR.. Grier
preached at Bethlehem, short dis
tance from Due West, last Sunday
morning. He reached his home in
Due West at 2 o'clock, was taken i'll
with appoplexy shortly afterward and
died at 8 o'clock. He was in York
vile only about 10 days ago, and at
that time was in the best of health and
spirits. The following carefully writ
ten outline of DR.. Grier's career ap-
peared in The News and Courier of
last Monday:
William Moffatt Grier was born on
the 18th of February, 1S49, in York
county, South Carolina near the little
little town of Glover. At the time of
his birth, his father, the Rev. R. G.
Grier, was pastor of Pisgah and Beth
any churches; but in the year 1S47, he
was elected to the presidency of Frs
kline, and removed to Due West, the
scene of his future labors and success
es. 1t was here, under the shade of
the college groves, under the sound of
the college and church bells, that w.
NJ. Grier grew to manhood. 1t was no
small advantage to him during these
years when character was in its forma-
tive and plastic state to be under the
eye of DR.. R. G. Grier,
master in training and educating the
youthful mind. But the college studies
were suddenly interrupted. The tocsin
of war was heard over the land and
from field and forge and college city,
the young men responded to the call.
Among those who laid aside the pen
and took up the sword, was W. M.
Grier. A STRIPPING of II, the youngest
boy in the Sixth South Carolina volun-
teers, be went to the front in Virginia,
and was shot down in battle at Will
May 5, 1862. This ended
his career as a soldier, and when ex-
changed he returned home and resumed
his studies as best he could amid the
terrible din of the great Civil war.
His studies were henceforth chiefly in
the department of theology, and in
April, 1866, he was licensed to preach
the Gospel. In August, 1867, he ac-
cepted call to be pastor at Allentown,
Ala, and resolutely set himself to what
he supposed and desired to be his
life-work-the Gospel ministry.
Here he remained until September
16, 1871, when the Associate Reformed
synod elected him presi-
dent of Erskine college. At the time
of his election, DR.. Grier was quite
young man for so delicate and respon-
sible position, being only % years of
age. But in addition to unusual ma
tural qualifications for the duties of the
office DR.. Grier had the added advan-
tage of many years of familiarity with
the methods and administration of his
father, who was an ideal college pres
ident. Hence his friends hoped and
believed that the mantle of the father
would fall on the son. The event has
justified their expectation. DIR. Grier
was formally inaugurated president in
November, 1871.
In addition to the presidency DR..
Grier took the chair of mental and
moral science.
During the first 20 years of DIR.
Grier's administration no very perplex-
ing or important questions arose save
those inseparable from any well.order-
ed college; but in the past seven years
and perplexing questions
come to the front. Among the nota-
BILE events of the recent past was the
celebration of the semi-centennial Of
Erskine's history. Historic old Lind
say hall witnessed many notable gath
erings in its day; but possibly none
more so than the semi-centenniaf of
Erskine. But possibly the most i'm
portant event in the past 25 years was
the movement to enlarge and beautify
the old college building. This enter
prise originated with DIR. Grier himself.
The Rev. ]. C. Galloway says: "In
one of the annual meetings of the
Alumni Association DR.. Grier proposed
that we raise $4,000 to enlarge and
better equip the old building. The
proposition did not meet with a very
hearty response. 1t was said $4,000
was large sum. How can we raise
so much? / suppose the reception of
The proposition would have been even
ess cordial could some of us have
foreseen that it was the entering wedge
for the expenditure of $4,000 in COL
ege and dormitory buildings. Some
Of the members of the college board
still have a most vivid recollection Of
;he awful silence which fell on the
-oom in the town of Chester when we
heard that we were $685. 900 in debt,
md practically nothing with which to
meet that debt. We can smile at the
situation today, but did not that night.
am sure DIR. Grier remembers it well.
But sall's we'll that ends we'll AS we
,it here in this splendid auditorium
and look out at the new buildings
across the way we feel that we have
,uilded more wisely than we knew,