The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-13
W Wednesday, June 13, 1906.



Rev. William L. Presley, ID. D., died at his
home in Due West Friday, June Sth, 1906. in
his 10th year.
DR.. Pressly had slight stroke of paralysis
about q month ago, and at one time he had
so much improved that he was able to write
the address TO his graduating class. Strange
as 1t may seem. the address has all the marks
of force and vigor that have characterized his
public utterances. At time when he could
not recognize some of his own children he
would often pray aloud, fervently and In
faultless English and perfect terms. Prayer
and preaching were part OF the warp and
woof OF his being.
Daring the long delirium through which
the sufferer passed, he uttered no word that
was out OF harmony with the sanity life that
he had lived.
Early in life DR.. Presley entered the minis
try, most of the time serving as pastor OF the
Due West congregation. He also taught He.
brew and some other branches in the Associ
ate Reformed Seminary at Due West and
after the death OF DR.. James Boyce was made
president OF the Institution, which position
he filed for about fifteen years, and up to the
time Of his death.
No man within the scope Of the Associate
Reformed Church has left a deeper i'm press
upon that people An accurate authority
stated In the course Of remarks touching the
deceased, that there were not more than fve
ministers ofthe Associate Reformed Church
living today who had not been taught by
him. To say that they were taught by him Is
to say that they reflect, In large measure, his
theology; and so he continues TO speak
through the hundreds who have come under
his tuition. His profoundness OF thought,
his deep religious conviction. his lite OF love
and charity have gone straight to the hearts
OF his pupils, and have left Impressions
that will be cherished for all time. Plato was
proud toiaoknowledge Socrates as his teacher,
and Alexander took pride in the precepts OF
Aristotle. 80 those who have studied under
DR.. Pressly are proud to acknowledge his
influence In precept and example
D.. DIR. Pressly as q preacher, was always earn.
est. always instructive. always logical. In
illustrations, he confined himself to the sa-
yea, in citing its very language his ability
was little short OF wonderful.
From childhood, he walked In the foot
steps OF the Master. Humble, yet conscious
OF strength. teacher and leader of men. yet
without the sem blance Of ostentation, pure
and upright, yet ever charitable and sympa-
thstic, his life was one long benedlction.
What the father is to the family he has been
to the people of his town. Never has the
community ofsorrow been more evident than
at his funeral. To each individual there was
something OF the feeling OF personal loss.
Early in life DR.. Pressly married Miss Fran
ees Wideman who Is descended from an old
honored family in the lower part Of this coun.
ty. Through all the years of their married
life she has held up his hands, strengthening
him in his efforts.
Eleven children were born to them, eight OF
whom survive. An only daughter married
Prof. P. L. Grier. Their sons, as ministers. as
professional men or as business men have
taken first rank.
The fact of death Ia sad, but for some the
grave hath no victory. Severance OF the
marriage relation left a lonely heart.
In the morning Of life, in the ardor OF youth
full love, two lives were Joined, and time
welded the relation into unity OF being. II
at the even.tide the shadows gather, the
widowed heart should not see darkness,
but the light of that life that has passed TO
the higher existence. There is balm for the
beresved heart. She has reason to be thank
full, and the community of his home has rea-
son to be thankful, and the church has reason
to be thankful, for the example OF such q
pure, unseldsh, good life. While there
Is great sorrow In the bereaved heart, all Is
not shadow. Though the head is bowed by
the severance OF the sweetest ties, none
should forget to be thankful for the long Ca
reer which Is so complete, so we'll rounded, so
rich in Christian example.
Rev. o. Y. Bonner, the pastor, being sick
the funeral services were conducted in the
Associate Reformed Church, by Rev. G. g..
Parkinson. In opening the services, Mr..
Parkinson called on Dr.James Boyce. Presi-
dent Of the Female College. to pray. DR..
Boyce responded in an appropriate and i'm
pressive manner.
Thoughtful remarks were made by DR.. F.
Y. Pressly, DR.. D. G. Caldwell and Rev. g. G.
Parkinson. The speakers we're all Intimately
associated with DR.. Pressly and knew him
we'll. Each spoke OF different characteristics
OF his life.
With bowed heads and loving hands he
was laid to rest. Among the flowers that
covered the newly made grave was sheaf OF
ripe grain. This life gathered by the Master.
was full OF golden fruit and there were in 1t
no tares. He went to his grave in a full age,
season.