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

Rev. Thomas l.. Moody, pastor OF
he Methodist church at Culleeka,
he oldest minister in point OF service
n the Tennessee conference, was
struck and almost instantly killed by
southbound passenger train No. just
before II o'clock this morning. Dr.
Moody was walking down the railroad
track just south of the station at
Pleasant Grove when the train, which
was in the act of coming to stop at
the station, struck him. He was
thrown to the side Of the track and
is believed to have died instantly.
Trainmen at the station and Hardy
Park Immediately rushed to him, but
he expired almost before they could
reach the scene. He was hardly
bruised.
The body was at once taken to the
residence of Mrs. William l.. Wilkes,
Just across from the station and Mrs.
Moody, who was at home in Culleoka,
was summoned. The news of the
death of this greatly beloved and high
ly esteemed preacher was a terrible
shock to all of the Culleoka and Glen
dale communities. He was just finish
ing his third year as the pastor of the
Methodist churches at those places
and his return for the fourth year had
been asked by all the members. He
was not only beloved by his own but
was popular with all who esteemed a
saint. He is survived by his wife,
who was Miss Simpson, of Sparta and
two brothers, at Shelbyville.
Thomas L. Moody became an timer
ant Methodist minister fifty-fve years
ago October 2, next, joining the Ten
nessee conference at Athens, Ala, on
that date. For half century and five
years beyond he had been an active
and jealous minister of this confer
ence, record attained by only few
in it's history. In point of continuous
active service he is not surpassed by
any member of the conference at this
time. He has served upon all of the
various kinds of charges given to the
itinerant preacher. He has been =
pastor in the larger charges, upon the
circuit, in the missions and presiding
elder of the largest districts.
All of his life Thomas L. Moody
walked with God. He had the faith
of child; in adversely and in pros
perity he was ever the devout soldier
of the cross. He bore his burdens
without complaint No man ever
heard him deplore his lot, or speak
evil of his fellow. He was the ideal
OF the itinerant Methodist minister,
ready ever to accept any assignment
no matter how unpromising the pros
pect or barren the field. To whatever
task he gave himself he put forth all
Of the powers with which God had
endowed him. No more earnest, con-
secrated, Christian soldier ever car
ried the cross of Christ or followed the
blood red banner afar" of the Master,
than he who this day came to an end
While going about his duties as pas
tor Just as he had for fifty-five years.
To him the gospel of Jesus Christ
was all in all. He never made com
promise with sin, but he was never a
Ojgot He would have gone just as
readily to the stake as ever Cranmer
Or Latimer did. His call to the minis
try was a divine command. When he
enlisted in the Methodist itineracy, he
enilSted for life, and right earnestly
did he meet every issue that confront
ed him, Truly death loves a shining
mark.
Thomas L. Moody now a saint in
glory was saint in this life. Gentle
as woman; kind and charitable to
all, ever ready to sympathize with the
Uailjies of human flesh; true and
faithful to every obligation, his life
stands as incontrovertible proof of the
truth of holy writ.
When the spirit of this man, after
abiding in the flesh for seventy-six
Years, winged its fight to the God OF
all, the God whom he served with such
answering fidelity upon this earth,
one Pop ix.ocIrn khok kho o-oo1o 70