The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-04-02

where they had refugeed in November,
1865. The next year, upon the solicita-
tion of Bishop Davis, he went to the
North, presented the forlorn and desti-
Jute condition of the Church and
clergy in the diocese, and returned,
having secured most substantial aid.
That same year he obtained Mr.. Tren-
holm's pardon from President John
son. The next year, at the grave of
his little boy, he reached the deter
mination to establish school for the
education of the youths of the State
left orphaned and impoverished by the
war, thus translating his sons dying
prayer into a most benefcent and
beautiful reality, which for thirty-fve
years has continued, until nearly two
thousand boys who otherwise would
have grown up in ignorance, have
been clothed, fed, educated and pre-.
pared for the battle of life, fact and
a record to which there is no parallel
in the history of educational institu-
tions as the result of one mans labors.
Altogether more than three thousand
boys have passed through the school,
thirty Of whom are now in the minis
try of the Episcopal Church. Begin
ming with nothing, Mr. Porter opened
his school. Pupils poured in, gener-
Gus friends, South and North, came to
his aid, and soon the Holy Commu-
Mon Church Institute became recog-
nized as an important factor in the
educational world of this city and
State. With an energy almost super
human, a faith that never failed, an
indomitable will and persuasive pow
ers seldom excelled, Mr.. Porter toiled
on in the midst of difficulties great
and numerous, carrying on and extend.
ing his school until it gradually out
grew its accommodations.
In 1879, the Government having ad-
vertised the Arsenal grounds and
buildings for sale, Mr.. Porter, through
the cooperation of Senators Hampton
and Butler and of Gen. Sherman, who
had never forgotten his kindness to
Lieut.. Mcqueen, obtained the prop
erty on a lease of ninety-nine years,
which later was converted into a title
from the Government to the Porter
Academy trustees, in fee simple, upon
the sole condition that it should be
used for educational purposes. The
name of the school was changed to
'' the Porter Academy" and the entire
institution removed to the Arsenal,
where it continues to flourish. Mean
while. Mr.. Porter, under physicians
advice, went to England. There many
influential persons became interested
in the work of the school, and large
sums of money we're given for years
by them for its support. Friends at
home also continued their gifts. Year
after year large classes were graduated,
until now its list of alumni is a long
one.
It is necessary now to trace Mr..
was never the rector of any but the
one parish that he founded. For
forty-four years he served the Church
of the Holy Communion, resigning
January 8, 1898, having carried that
burden and also that of the Academy
together all these years. For twenty
eight years he was member Of the
standing committee of the diocese.
He served as clerical deputy to the
General Convention from 1870 to 1898,
with the exception of that held in
1889. He was clerical trustee of the
University Of the South for this diocese
for many years. He served also on
the diocesan board of missions for a
number of years and was archdeacon
of Charleston Convocation for like
length of time. He received many
fattering calls to important parishes
at the North and narrowly escaped be-
ing made Bishop of the Episcopal
Church's missions in Africa. Through
his efforts the influential parish of st.
Marks, this city, was enabled to
build their present church edi6ce, and
it was he who founded the House Of
Rest, now known as the Church Home
and Orphanage. st. Timothy's
Chapel. on the Arsenal grouds, was
also built by him and is used for the
daily services of the Academy, which
have been a feature of it from the be-
ginning. In other ways DR.. Porter
has contributed largely to the history
of the Episcoapl Church in South
Carolina. He received the degree of
doctor Of divinity from Union College,
Schenectady, in 1875.
For several years it has been appa-
rent that DIR. Porter's health was Civ
ing way under the tremedoUs strain to
which it had been subjected for SO
long period. After long and seri-
Gus illness last year he rallied in the
fall and resumed charge of the Acad-
envy. Despite partial blindness and
physical weakness he has gone on with
his work-a moving spectacle to con-
template, compelling respect and SYM
pathy.
It is impossible to reflect upon such
a life as this without admiration and
wonder. To few men has it been
given to accomplish so much. It is an
example of industry, energy, faith
fulness and fruitfulness hardly sur
passed even in this day of great
achievement. With his death a figure
is removed that for many years was
conspicuous in the history of this city,
that for many years was the
scene of his life's labors and
trials, throughout the country at
large, across the Atlantic, he will be
,,,;ccod ,,1 ,,oo1-po1 Tho rooor1 Of