Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-05-05

wounded and preach the everlasting
gospel to the well and strong. Bishop
Lay planted in the soldier heart Of
Gen. Capers the seed that soon after
the war closed sprang up and bore
fruit in his resolution to enter the min
istry of the church, to the preparation
for which he gave himself at this pc
riod of his life. But so highly was he
held in the esteem of the people Of
South Carolina that, notwithstanding
the fact that it was known he had be-
come q candidate for holy orders, they
elected him secretary Of state in De-
cember, 1866, an office which he held
until May. 1867, when, being then or
dained, he resigned to take charge of
Christ Church, Greenville. Governor
Orr declined to accept his resignation
until the legislature should meet, and
it was not until July, 1868, that he fl
nally and formally turned over the Of
flee to his successor.
After a service Of twenty years at
Greenville he accepted a call to Selma,
Ala, but at the end Of a year he re-
turned to Greenville, where he re-
mained until called to Trinity church,
Charleston. 1t was while ministering
to that congregation that he was elect
ed bishop coadjutOr, Bishop Howe's
health having failed to such a degree
that he felt obliged to ask for assist
ance. The record Of his service in this
high office has already been briefly re-
ferred to in this address. Like as with
his war record, 1t needs no repetition
here-it Is fresh in the memory Of all
as an apostleship of peace and good
will and prosperity for the church Of
his love. In his enforced retirement
from active service as the result Of
illness, for many weary months, he
was followed by the thoughts and
prayers Of many sorrowing and COM
passionate hearts. testifying to an in
terest and affection accorded to very
few of those that walk lfe's throng-
ing highway. 1t was given him also
from that sick bed to preach a mes
sage Of courage, faith and patience
unequalled in force and power by any
deliverance. however eloquent, in the
days of his strength and activity.
He showed his people how to live un-
der conditions more than ordinarily
trying and in circumstances calling
for faith we'll founded and trust that
falters not when the night Is dark and
the way leads
Ger moor and fen, DER crag and tor
rent.
But we were glad at length to know
that for him the might was gone,"
that the light Of the eternal dawn had
kissed his brow, that having died in
the faith, his soul Is enjoying rest and
felicity. as 1t awaits it's perfect con-
summation and bliss in Gods eternal
and everlasting glory.
Bishop Capers, the Man.
Bishop Capers had a nature in which
were combined elements that made
him truly a many sided man. He was
brave yet gentle, daring yet tender,
valiant for what he deemed the right
and the truth, yet considerate
and conciliating towards them
that differed from him; man
who often distrusted himself and as
often sought counsel Of those whose
opinions he valued, yet never shirked
an issue or hesitated to throw himself
into the breach when occasion called
for such action, no matter how un-
pleasant the consequences, not even
when 1t caused him to be misunderstood.
A man of most generous sympathies, OF
most wonderful adaptability, he was
at home everywhere and won friends
without effort. Possessing keen sense
of humor, he never allowed 1t to rob
him Of dignity nor to betray him into
the Jest that was unseemly. He could
not abide coarseness of thought or ex-
preston, and on occasion boldly yet
with perfect courtesy rebuked the
trespasser upon good breeding. No
man ever excelled him In appreciating
the psychological moment; none was
quicker than he to catch and voice an
assembly's sentiment and lead 1t on to
crystalline its action. or striking
presence, with face that radiated be-
nightly, with a voice that could plead
or command, entreat or order, in his
public utterances he would often run
the whole gamut Of human emotion,
and bow the hearts of all as one man,
while in more private intercourse few
were more genial, attractive and de-
lightful. A born leader, he was great
also in the role Of peacemaker, and 1t
was largely due to his having volun-
tarily mediated at a critical time In
the history Of his diocese between his
brethren divided in opinion on burn
ing question that when occasion offer
ed they gratefully chose him their
trusted leader. Bishop Capers loved
his native state with deep and devoted
loyalty. He mourned over her when
shackled and trodden underfoot Of the
alien and the faithless. He exulted
when she threw off her chains and
emerged triumphant after bloodless
war for the preservation Of her rights
and liberties.
As Priest and Bishop.
But it is as a priest and bishop that
he will linger longest and most ten
derly in our memory. For more than
forty years had he served in these sa-
cred offices, truly a father to his cler-
gy. a good shepherd to his sheep. a
faithful servant of GOD and an humble
follower Of his Master. Never again
in this life shall we see his face or
hear his voice, but as a people, poor
er for his going, yet the richer by rea.
son of his life and example, we shall
cherish his memory and hold him In
our hearts as one who in life upheld
all that Is highest and best in our ira
ditions, and in his death found the
peace that overpasseth understanding.
It is fitting that here should be
erected to his memory this house or
shelter for the orphan children over
whom our holy mother spreads her
sheltering wings. He loved the or
phanage and the orphans. perhaps II
would he true to say that this work
appealed more to his great and loving
heart than any other institution IN the
diocese. | feel sure that II he couid
be consulted he would give to this
undertaking his most cordial approval
and sanction. feel also sure that II
in his present resting place he Is per,
mitted to know what Is going forward
here today, he rejoices in this labor OF
love that testifies that he has not been
forgotten. When those who knew him
in the flesh have all followed him,
this memorial Of him will remain,
witness of his peoples love, a shelter
for the fatherless, a home OF peace
wherein the love of God Is shed abroad,
a sanctuary redolent with the sweet
SAVIOUR of prayer and praise. May 1t
abide as a visible token of our belief
in the communion of saints, as con-
stant reminder of one Of those VINO
have been the choice vessels Of GODS
grace and the lights Of the world In
their several generations.
WILDCAT RACE.
The big Wateree swamp wildcat, re-
Gently mentioned as having been pro-
n others