The leader., 1901-04-03
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.

DIED.-On Sunday evening. Feb. "a.
1901, the Angel with the key of death
unlocked the door of the home of Rev.
w. III. BAILEY and took him from the
loving embrace of his companion,
children and friends, all of whom are
left to mourn their great loss.
This faithful old servant of God was
born in Lawrence county, Miss, in
1916. His father, Rev. James Bailey,
was one Of the old pioneer Baptist
ministers of Lawrence county. Rev.
w. III. Bailey moved with bis father
from Lawrence county to Copiah
county when about grown. At the age
of about twenty-one he married Miss
Emily Davis, who was devoted Chris
tian and to him faithful companion.
Shortly after his marriage he was con-
verted, and on the first day of Jan
uary, 1888, was baptized by his father
into the fellowship of New Providence
Baptist Church, Copiah county. After.
wards he felt impressed with duty to
preach the Gospel. He entered the
work, and on July IS, 1852, was ordain-
ed to the full work of the ministry and
has been actively engaged in the ser
vice of the Master as long as he was
able.
He has served as pastor of fifteen
churches. in the counties of Copiah,
Franklin, Amite, Lincoln and Law
renee. Some of these churches he
served many years. He did a noble
work in his field, ever standing for the
right. Full of the Holy Spirit, his
preaching was with great earnestness
and was irresistible. He was very
zealously devoted to his ministry. He
gathered many converts wherever he
went, and hundreds of them we're bap-
tized into the churches that he served
| His education was limited, though
he took great pride in studying his
| Bible. He was a lover of religious pa
pers and read the secular papers much,
thus keeping himself abreast with the
onward movement of the times. He
owned and read many good books.
For some eight or ten years past he
was unable to serve churches, and for
| the last two or three years he had
been great sufferer, with an eat
ing cancer on his face, yet without
murmuring. Notwithstanding his great
suffering, he was keenly alive to all
the interests of the Masters Kingdom.
Being honored with the pastoral care
of his church the last year of his life,
the writer never failed to visit him,
and always found him anxious to know
the condition of the work. Though a
great sufferer, he was great coun-
sellor. Indeed, we shall miss his coun-
sci, though we shall not grieve for him,
feeling assured that our loss is his
eternal gain. He rejoiced to know
that the Lord had raised up others to
carry on the good work in which he
had been so actively engaged.
Nearly sixty years ago he connected
himself with the Masonic Fraternity
and had ever since been lover of its
moral principles, ever ready to vindi-
cate the character of our ancient
order, realizing that it was supported
by wisdom, strength and beauty, and
that the pursuit of it's virtues was ever
noble. He loved these moral princi-
pies because they are founded on the
truths of Gods Holy Word; hence they
are exceedingly beautiful. Though
secret order, it has medium of COM
munication among our brethren of all
nations, tribes, kiDdreds and tongues.
1t portrays the beautiful loveliness and
simplicity of virtuous and holy life.
His first wife was taken from his
for while he lived in loneliness.
Afterwards he married Miss Martha
Jones, who also was an excellent
Christian and was indeed faithful,
devoted companion, ministering to
him in his sad atfliction with unmur-
muring Christian fortitude and tire
less patience. But the end came, the
Lord took him and he is with US no
more.
He leaves companion and three
children, son and two daughters,
several grand children and many rela-
tives to mourn their loss.
He was member of the Fair River
Baptist church, and of the Topisaw
Lodge, No. Alb, which he helped to con-
stitute by resigning his membership in
Fair River Lodge, and at the sad news of
his death the craft was summoned to-
gether and he was buried with Ma
sonic honors BLESSED be the dead who
die in the Lord. They shall rest from
their labors, and their works do fol
low them" A. f. DAVIS.