The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1916-09-29


man lived who fought good fight,
who kept the faith, and who finished
the course, that man was Thomas
Moody.
By every test that this world knows
he had been tried. He had been sent
to starvation missions. He had eaten
the ashen crust of poverty. Unworthy
ervants of the church had sought to
humiliate him even in his old age, but
no word of criticism or compliant ever
fell from his lips Somehow with i'm
plicit faith in the goodness of God
with love for his Master. that the
winds of adversely could not prevail
against, this Man of God met every
trial and emerged triumphant He
has left to Tennessee Methodism, to a
thousand homes, a memory that will
be the sweetest of lifes treasures.
Now after the storms OF life all who
know that he is
Safe in the arms of Jesus
Safe on His gentle breast"
Mr.. Moody was an able preacher.
He told the simple story of Jesus and
his love with the earnestness and sim
plicity of a child He clothed all of
his utterances in the choicest diction.
He was a student. There was always
a reason for the faith that was in him
Hundreds and hundreds have found
the way to better life here and eter-
nal salvation thorugh his preaching.
The fact that he walked always in the
ways of his Christ increased immeas-
urably his power as minister He
was once heard to say that he had
always tried to keep step" with his
Maker, the only time that an intimate
friend ever knew him to refer to his
own life of purity and righteousness.
No better pastor has been known to
the century and more of history of the
Old Jerusalem conference. He minis
tered to the needy; he soothed the af-
flicted; he visited the sick; he divided
with the poor; truly, he fed my
lambs" He loved humanity. Great
er love hath no man." In and out
among the poor, the neglected, in and
by ways and the hedges this good man
went for five and fifty years leaving
a blessing, bringing benediction to
all who came in contact with his sweet
personality. He did not live apart
from the world but was of the world.
He believed that the kingdom of Jesus
Christ meant something in this world.
He was broad enough to see conditions
as they were and to labor to make
them nearer the ideal. He was a good
citizen, taking always lively interest
in the government of his state and his
country Although, holding like ST.
Paul, continuing ministry he never
failed to cast his ballot unless dis
qualified by the frequent moves which
an itinerant Methodist preacher must
make. He took a lively and intelli-
gent interest in all the affairs OF life.
He was a delightful companion and
visit from him was rare privilege
Mr.. Moody will not rank with the
greatest of Tennessee Methodist
preachers. There have been more
eloquent exhorters; more finished
speakers, but in all the long and hon.
orable history of this conference, in
the years that are to come no name
will embody more of the great vir-
tues that make the ideal, well-rounded,
self sacrificing, devout man of God
than that of Thomas L. Moody.
For this man life's faithful fever is
over. It's storms, its vicissitudes will
know him no more His oft-repeated
prayer, Lead, Kindly Light; Lead
Thou me on" has been answered. He
died as he would probably have
wished. in the full possession OF his
faculties; still in the armor of a fight.
ing soldier of the army of the Lord;
upon the very battlefield of his labors'
The funeral arrangements for Mr.
Moody will not be made until the ar
rival this afternoon of relatives from
shelbyville, who left at noon in auto
mobiles for Culleoka. The remains
will he inferred either in Nashville or
Shelbyville.