The colored American., 1903-04-11
A LEARNED BISHOP
Continued from first page.

WarmneSS of the people but with his
eloquence and his earnestness he soon
found his way into the hearts and
consciences of the people, and before
surrendering his charge to go into an
other field, he had built a commodius
church edifice, conducted a number of
revivals, collected large sums of
money and made large accessions to
the church's membership.
His next charge was at Augusta,
Georgia, where he was stationed at
Trinity church. Here his previous
experiences were repeated. Apathy
and absence OF progression, a dulling
of spiritual sense were at once appar-
ent and he again set 10 work manful-
ly. He in a very short time had so
stirred the blood of these people, and
aroused them to such activity that
they became first ashamed of their in
adequate and unhandsOme place of
worship and under his leadership
built a beautiful new church edif1ce,
but took new and higher views of the
potential forces of compact and har-
monious Christian organization in
attracting converts and in elevating
the character and the modes OF life
of people who are brought into con-
tact with them, even if not of SINH
lar faith.
Such men as Elder Williams, cou1d
not be permitted, however successful,
to remain in purely pastoral work
when the growing numerical and
financial prosperity ard the higher
consequent status of the. church de-
manded men of his character and
calibre in her highest seats. 1t fol-
lowed therefore. that in 1894, while
still serving Trinity Church, he was
elected the Sixth Bishop OF this church
when he was but thirty-six years OF
age and had served but thirteen years
as deacon and elder.
Strong features in Bishop Williams
life are the warm friendship and ad-
miration accorded to him by his
fellow clergymen, and his unusual
popularity in the General Conferences
of the organization. His election as
Rishop was accomplished on the first
ballot by a substantial majority, and
the vote was later made unanimous.
This Is the tribute accorded to him
by the men who know him best. When
one seeks to discover the causes under
lying this almost unprecedented sue
cess OF so young man as the Bishop
and considers how, step by step, with
out substantial error, his life has gone
forward from one degree of grace and
usefulness to another and a loftier,
eliminating at so early an age in the
realization Of what must be the aim
of every aspiring servant in the Mas
ter'5 vineyard, he comes to perceive
that something greater than pulpit
oratCry something loftier than mere
grace of manner, something grander
even than the expression of faith in
an over-ruling Providence, was essen
tial to the accomplishment of this
result.
Bishop Williams would have been a
success IN any career; his forceful per-
SCnahty would have compelled for him
the rewards this world yields to the
successful man. We find the solution
in Bishop Williams personal character
in the maintenance of his high moral
tone IN his popular appreciation of his
exalted call to the saving Of souls, the
power to impress upon both clergy and
laity his absolute sincerity and singu-
larity Of purpose; and above and be-
yond all else his eminent and sound
common sense. The Bishop gives evil
dencc of living for a long period of
years to adorn the pulpit, to bring
honor to his race and to be an ex-
ample of the higher life which is pos
sible of attainment even here amid the
temptations. and narrowing cares of
our daily life.