USA > Alabama > Memorial sketches of the lives and labors of the deceased ministers of the North Alabama conference, Methodist Episcopal church, South (1870-1912.) > Part 3
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On July 25, 1867, Dr. McCoy was married to Miss Annie E. Vaughn, of Blount County, Ala. To them were born six children, one of whom, little Gurley, preceded his father to heaven several years.
Dr. McCoy was licensed to preach in November, 1869, by the Quarterly Conference of Marshall Cir- cuit, A. F. Driskill, presiding elder. The next year he traveled the Marshall Circuit as a supply. In 1870 he became a member of the North Alabama Confer- ence at its organization, and was appointed to the Sand Mountain Mission. The work was too poor to furnish him a home, so he had to provide one for himself. With a little help from some of the breth- ren he built a log cabin, into which he moved his family and small belongings and consecrated him- self, wife, and children, with all that he had, to God
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and the Church, and never removed the offering from the altar. In 1872 he served the Coffeetown Circuit. That fall he was ordained deacon by Bishop Doggett at Tuscaloosa, Ala., and appointed to the Van Buren Circuit, which he served for four years. In 1874 he was ordained elder by the same bishop (Doggett). He next served the Jones Valley Circuit for four years. In 1880 he was appointed presiding elder of the Birmingham District, and here he also re- mained four years. His next work was on the Deca- tur District, which he served only about six months, when Bishop McTyeire appointed him Financial Agent of Southern University. In 1886 he was elected editor of the Alabama Christian Advocate, where he wrought faithfully and well for another four years. In 1890 he received his last earthly ap- pointment, which was the Decatur District.
Nature was very lavish with her gifts to Dr. Mc- Coy. Blessed with a strong body and an uncon- querable will, he was not easily turned aside from whatever he undertook by ordinary obstacles. Grace did a much greater work for him by endow- ing him with a holy ambition to do and die for his Lord. He was a great preacher from the very be- ginning of his ministry, which made him exceeding- ly popular wherever he went. As a camp meeting open-air preacher he had few equals. On such occa- sions vast multitudes were swayed by his impas- sioned eloquence as he painted the scenes of Sinai at the giving of the law, or Calvary's tragic agony,
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REV. WILLIAM CLARK M'COY, D.D.
or the vivid picture of the triumphant ascension and crowning of the Prince of Life.
As a presiding elder he was a brilliant success as elsewhere. He was always in full sympathy with his preachers, and his help was equal to their needs. As a college agent he was at his ease-full of zeal, confident, inspiring, wise, and prudent. What a man he was to take a collection! Few men ever did so much for a college in so short a time. One of the surprising things connected with his agency for the Southern University was the fact that while he did the college good, he also got much good out of it. He drank in the influence of college culture like a sponge, and held it with an iron grip. How fortunate for him, since he was deprived of this great advantage in his early days! It told mightily in his short future.
As editor of a religious paper he was true, loyal, and fearless-true to his convictions, loyal to his Church, and fearless in his utterances. He was quick to form and ready to express his opinion on all live subjects.
In January, 1890, he was seized by the fearful malady known as la grippe, and never fully recov- ered from its effects. Constitutionally strong, he fought the monster manfully, but at a great disad- vantage. After moving to Decatur and being re- lieved of the strain of editorial work, he seemed to gain somewhat in strength, so that his friends had hope of his recovery. But no; it was not to be so.
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For nearly four months he lingered, a great suffer- er. One day his physician said to him: "Doctor, it seems hard that you have to suffer so much." But Dr. McCoy stopped him, saying : "Hold on, doctor. For forty-six years I had uninterrupted health, and shall I now complain of my afflictions? No; I will not." His only expressed desire to live was that he might help to rear his children and work for the Church he loved so much. But it was beautiful to see the patience with which he bore his great suf- fering.
With all his mental faculties unimpaired, on Fri- day evening, August 14, 1891, the spirit of Dr. William C. McCoy went to God who gave it.
The Church delighted to honor this her gifted son, which fact is shown by the many high and responsible posts to which she called him. In June, 1886, the honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him by the trustees of Emory College, Oxford, Ga. In 1889 the North Alabama Conference sent him as one of its delegates to the General Confer- ence. The General Conference put him on the Board of Missions. In all of these responsible po- sitions he was faithful to the high trust reposed in him.
Bishop James H. McCoy is the worthy successor of his ascended and glorified father, Dr. William C. McCoy.
REV. HARDIE BROWN, D.D.
R EV. HARDIE BROWN, D.D., died at his home in Birmingham, Ala., August 27, 1887. Much could be truthfully written of the life, ministry, and moral character of this great and good man, if it were necessary ; but only a brief sketch of what he was and did can be given here. We knew him. well and loved him much. Such was his mod- esty as to personal notoriety that if he were stand- ing by our side as we write he would likely say : "Brother, I am not worthy. Please do not write great things of me." Humility was one of his peculiar characteristics. This writer was his pas- tor when he was President of the State Normal College in Florence, Ala. He was regularly in his pew on the Sabbath. His attitude was to lean his head on the back of the pew in front of him as though he was not interested in the sermon. This troubled the preacher till he knew him better. After the services were over, he would put his arm in ours as we walked and talked together, and he would say: "Brother, you fed me to-day." His- great brotherly heart was full to overflowing with tenderness and sympathy.
Dr. Brown was a native Tennesseean, and was educated at Cumberland University. Soon after his graduation he was called to fill an important
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position in Dallas Academy, located at Selma, Ala., and was afterwards elected Principal of that in- stitution. Having filled this position for one year, he was elected to the professorship of Greek and Latin in the Centenary Institute at Summerfield, Ala., which position he filled for two years, at the expiration of which time he was admitted on trial into the Alabama Conference. About this time the War between the States commenced its fear- ful work, and he volunteered for army service and went out as chaplain of the Twenty-Eighth Ala- bama Regiment. He then took charge of Pratt- ville Academy, where he remained for several years. At the first session of the North Alabama Con- ference, which was held at Gadsden, Ala., in 1870, he was stationed at Florence, Ala. At the close of his second year's work in this charge he was ap- pointed to a professorship in the State Normal College at Florence. This position he filled con- secutively . for eight years, when he was elect- ed President of that school, which position he held for three years, when he resigned to ac- cept an appointment in the North Alabama Con- ference. His resignation was accepted, and he was appointed to the First Methodist Church at Birming- ham, where he had almost closed the third year of his pastorate when death ended his earthly career.
It was Dr. Brown's good fortune to be born of pi- ous parents-a fact in connection with his history to which he often tenderly alluded. The wise counsel
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REV. HARDIE BROWN, D.D.
of a devout father and the prayerful breathings of a consecrated mother had much to do in shaping and directing his career of usefulness in this life and his final destiny. He had a strong constitution and a vigorous intellect. His perception was quick, his ability to analyze was vigorous, and his application was in proportion to the demands placed upon him. As a student he wrought for himself by personal effort, and did not rely upon the inspiration of an occasion for success; hence he made no failures in the halls of education nor in the pulpit.
In social life Dr. Brown seemed to be distant and reserved, this being the result of his habits of study and the continued consciousness of his re- sponsibility. Those who knew him intimately rec- ognized in him the sincere friend, genial, warm- hearted, unselfish, and companionable. He was a man of great reverence. He ever felt that he was in the immediate presence of the supreme God; hence he was humble in heart and in life, and it constituted his beauty and his strength. He had a just appreciation of the rights of all men. It was his purpose never to speak disparagingly of an ab- sent person; and though he may have been wronged, he would never permit unkind feelings to grow in his heart. As a scholar Dr. Brown perhaps had no superior in the State, and as an educator he was clear in communicating his thoughts and apt in il- lustration. As a minister of the gospel he realized the magnitude of the work assigned him, and in pro-
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found humility concealed himself behind the cross of Jesus Christ as he proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation to dying men. As a sermonizer he had but few equals. His mind took hold of subjects that are full of the marrow and nutriment of the gospel. His invention was peculiar to himself, his logic close but pleasant. His style was argumenta- tive, clear, and forcible, imparting instruction with spiritual energy and solicitude. His sermons were full of vigorous thought, polished and chaste in expression, yet free from studied ornament. Each sermon was symmetrical in its proportions and com- plete in its structure, bearing evidences of prayer- ful preparation. His sermons were generally ad- dressed to the intellect rather than to the emotion; were calculated to instruct and build up the Church rather than to arouse.
Dr. Brown was a man of deep, earnest piety who enjoyed conscious communion with God and car- ried with him the influence of the Spirit. This in- ward experience of grace gave him access to the hearts of the rich and the poor, rendered him at- tractive in the pulpit, clothed his utterances with beauty and power, and was the motive force within him that sent him as a messenger of mercy to the homes of the poor in Birmingham. As a precious tribute to his memory let the record be made: "He was more frequently in the houses of the poor than in the palaces of the rich." He has fallen, though not as the ripe fruit at maturity, for he was in the
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REV. HARDIE BROWN, D.D.
prime of a noble manhood; but he has fallen as the brave warrior upon the field of battle. He seemed to have a premonition of his approaching end, but he was calm amid surrounding depressions. He preferred to live that he might care for his af- fectionate, devoted family, but said: "The will of the Lord be done.". Disease did its work, and the final hour was approaching. Realizing the situa- tion with all its interests, he said: "For this hour I have lived. I shall soon be in the shining world." On August 27, 1887, at his home in Birmingham, Ala., he fell quietly to sleep in the arms of Jesus, and the angels conducted his spirit to the home of the faithful. He rests sweetly in Oak Hill Ceme- tery, there to await the resurrection of the just.
REV. THOMAS GAINES SLAUGHTER.
R EV. THOMAS G. SLAUGHTER, M.D., was born No- vember 5, 1836, in Putnam County, Ga .; and died at Standing Rock, Chambers County, Ala., January 9, 1910. Dr. Slaughter was of English descent. His ancestors on both sides were among the first settlers of Virginia. Mention is made of several of the Slaughter family as soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Two of the name lost their lives in the bloody struggle for American independ- ence, and one was present at the surrender of York- town. His grandparents moved from Virginia to South Carolina in 1794, and two years later they moved to Georgia, where they reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. Among the sons was William Allen Slaughter, the father of the subject of this sketch, who was born June 24, 1804. On May 29, 1833, he was married to Mary Susan Mathis, a relative of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Of this union were born seven children, four sons and three daughters. The second of these sons was Thomas G. Slaughter, whose life and labors are closely interwoven in the history and progress of Methodism in North Alabama. In 1852 his father moved to Alabama and located at Dudley- ville, in Chambers County. Here Brother Slaugh- ter grew to manhood, assisting his father on the
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REV. THOMAS GAINES SLAUGHTER.
farm. He availed himself of the best advantages for an education that the village school could af- ford. He then studied medicine under Dr. Mar- tin Slaughter, a distant relative. Later he grad- uated in medicine at the Philadelphia Medical Col- lege, and, returning, located at Pinkneyville, where he soon became a successful and popular physician. He remained there three years, and perhaps would have remained there for an indefinite time had not the war cry of '61 stirred his young patriotic soul into military activity. He assisted in raising a company in Clay and Tallapoosa Counties, and was made first lieutenant of the company, which was mustered into service at Talladega, Ala., October 14, 1861, by Gen. W. B. Mcclendon. This com- pany formed a part of the Twenty-Fifth Alabama Infantry. They followed the struggles of the South till the last gun was fired at Bentonville, N. C., in March, 1865. William G. Slaughter, a broth- er of Thomas G., was killed in the last charge.
On April 6, 1862, while leading his company in a charge on Shiloh's bloody field; Lieut. Thom- as G. Slaughter received a wound which shivered the bone of one of his legs below the knee joint, and another severe flesh wound in the other. He lay on the battle field all night and into the next day, when he was removed to Corinth, Miss., where he lingered for six weeks with little hope of life. In the providence of God his life was spared, but he never recovered from the wound. At times it
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gave him great pain and frequently forced him to walk with a staff. With the Battle of Shiloh, his first and last with carnal weapons, closed his mili-
REV. T. G. SLAUGHTER, M.D.
tary career. He then returned to his home in Tal- lapoosa County, and did what he could to help the wives, widows, and orphans of those who still
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REV. THOMAS GAINES SLAUGHTER.
followed the "Stars and Bars" or had fallen in the conflict. Not long after this he enlisted as a sol- dier in another and different kind of warfare, in which he followed the peaceful banner of the Man of Galilee and fought with weapons that are not carnal. In this conflict we saw him at his best. A more courageous soldier never wielded blade or crossed swords with the powers of darkness. In him the Christian and Cavalier met and, thus united, made a knight of the Cross whose sole aim was to love, serve, and die for his Master.
Brother Slaughter was baptized in infancy by Rev. Dow Perry on November 4, 1837. His father and mother were devoted Christians and loyal mem- bers of the Methodist Church. His home training was in keeping with the Methodist usage of that day. He openly professed faith in Christ in 1860, and his conversion reversed the whole current of his life and being. He was licensed to preach in 1863; Rev. J. W. Talley was his pastor and Rev. Daniel Duncan his presiding elder. During 1864 he served as a supply on the Fayetteville Circuit, in the Talla- dega District. In December of that year he was received on trial into the Montgomery Conference, held at Tuskegee, Ala., Bishop Andrew presiding, and was appointed to the Talladega Circuit, which he served for two years. At the session of his Con- ference that year, held at Jacksonville, Ala., he was received into full connection and ordained deacon by Bishop Wightman. He then asked for the su-
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pernumerary relation, which he held for one year. He was then appointed to the Jacksonville Station. At the next session of his Conference he was or- dained elder and appointed to the Gadsden District, which he served two years, 1868-69. In November, 1870, the North Alabama Conference was organ- ized at Gadsden, Ala. Dr. Slaughter was present at its organization to cast his lot with this new Conference, and was, therefore, one of its charter members. In this Conference he received the fol- lowing appointments : In 1871-72 he was appointed to the Elyton Station; 1873, White Plains Circuit ; in 1874 he was located at his own request; in the autumn of that year was readmitted; 1875, Fay- etteville Circuit; 1876-77, Gadsden Station; 1878, Gadsden Circuit; 1879, Cedar Bluff Circuit; 1880- 81, Northport Circuit; 1882-85, Tuscaloosa Dis- trict; 1886, Guntersville District; 1887, Fayette Courthouse District ; 1888, Bessemer District ; 1889-90, South Birmingham District; 1891-94, An- niston District : 1895-96, Camp Hill Circuit ; 1897, Sunny Side Circuit ; 1898, Agent Alabama Or- phanage; 1899, superannuate; 1900-01, Goodwater Circuit ; 1902-03, Fredonia Circuit ; 1904-05, Helena and Saginaw: 1906-07, Tabernacle Circuit; 1908, North and West Gadsden; 1909, Rockford Circuit. For 1910 he was appointed to the Standing Rock Circuit, in Chambers County, the same county in which he settled when he came to Alabama. Here, as was his custom, Dr. Slaughter began his work
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REV. THOMAS GAINES SLAUGHTER.
with faith and hope, but soon was called from labor and toil to his reward above. On Sunday, January 2, 1910, he preached at Standing Rock. A few hours later he took to his bed. His suffering was of short duration. Sunday morning, January 9, just as the gray streaks of the dawn were ushering in a new day, he yielded up his spirit to God who gave it, and went to spend his first Sabbath in heaven. He fell at his post, as was his long-ex- pressed desire.
For forty-five years Dr. Slaughter did faithful and effective work as a preacher of the gospel. From the time he professed Christ he was his faith- ful servant. Multitudes all over the North Ala- bama Conference bear witness to his self-denying, Christlike spirit. His memory lingers like an in- cense sweet in many homes where he has dispensed his blessings, beneficent and otherwise.
Dr. Slaughter's preaching was of a high type. At times he rose to sublime heights. While pray- ing he was as one face to face with his Lord. He talked and pleaded with faith and confidence in the promises of God. He possessed the courage of his convictions. He rebuked sin in a bold and fearless manner, yet in tones so tender and pathetic as to make the sinner love him. Candor and sincerity were dominant elements in his character. All who - knew him knew where to find him. He was very pronounced in his purposes, positive in his utter- ances, and dared always to stand by his convictions.
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He served as a delegate-elect in the General Confer- ence of 1886, which met in Richmond, Va. This service was rendered with credit to himself and honor to his Conference. He was a delegate-elect to the General Conference which met at Asheville, N. C., in 1910.
Dr. Slaughter was never married, yet took the place of a father to the children of a widowed sister. Upon this charge he bestowed a parent's fund of love. The same was reciprocated by the children of his care, as though he were indeed their real father. How well he performed his duty is seen by the stamp he left upon them and the safe positions they have taken in the varied pursuits of life.
The writer of this tribute was with him dur- ing his illness. Only a few hours before his death did he speak of the approaching end. He was not disposed to talk upon this subject. He knew that his life was ebbing out; and seeing the anxious expres- sion on the face of a lifelong friend, he spoke these words in a voice clear and distinct : "Well, I have done about the best I could. If I live, I live ; if I die, I die; and it is a matter of little concern to me which." Then a peaceful calm seemed to set- tle over his brow, and he looked as though he saw far away beyond the sunset and the night some- thing more entrancing than earth's transient bliss. Perhaps he was listening to a Voice which said :
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REV. THOMAS GAINES SLAUGHTER.
"Well done, good and faithful servant : . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
When the future historian shall chronicle the labors of the heroes who have toiled and suffered to plant the gospel of the kingdom of our Lord in Alabama, Thomas Gaines Slaughter's name will occupy a large place upon its pages. Dr. Slaughter was in many respects a very unique character, but conscientious in his uniqueness and perfectly sin- cere in all that he said or did either in or out of the pulpit. A more warm-hearted, loving Christian gen- tleman has never lived. No one had ever trusted him and been disappointed or deceived. He was always tender and kind, but never afraid to oppose what he thought to be wrong.
Peace to his ashes and immortality to his mem- ory !
REV. RUFUS W. COONS.
R EV. RUFUS W. COONS, son of Charles and Nancy Coons, was born in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., August 4, 1829. During his childhood his parents removed to Pickens County, Ala., and in that coun- ty at a camp meeting in 1846 he was converted and joined the M. E. Church, South. June 3, 1854, he was licensed to preach on the Frankfort Mission by the Quarterly Conference held by Rev. J. D. Barbee.
In 1861 he entered the Confederate army and remained there until the war closed. In 1866 he joined the Mobile Conference. In 1867 he was or- dained deacon at Marion by Bishop James O. An- drew. In 1873 he was ordained elder by Bishop Marvin at Talladega.
During his ministry he served the following charges : Blount Springs Mission, 1867-68; Cahaba Mission, 1869; Murphree's Valley Circuit, 1870- 71; Blountsville Circuit, 1872-74; Asheville Circuit, 1875; Murphree's Valley Circuit, 1876; Maysville Circuit, 1877-78; Lentzville Circuit, 1879; Socapa- toy Circuit, 1880-82; Pinckneyville Circuit, 1883- 84; Talladega Circuit, 1885; Daviston Circuit, 1886-87 ; Murphree's Valley Circuit, 1888-89; Som- erville Circuit, 1890-91; New Decatur Mission, 1892; Coosa Valley Circuit, 1893. He entered the
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Elkmont Circuit in 1894 with his usual zeal and earnestness to do a faithful year's work for his Master; but his health failed, and he lingered there only a short time. He filled his appointments with- in two weeks of his death, which occurred March 4, 1894.
Brother Coons loved the Church, and was never happier than when holding up the cross of Christ to perishing sinners. He was married twice, first to Miss Sarah A. Burnet, of Jefferson County, and then to Miss Bettie Crump, of Blount County, Ala.
Brother Coons was truly a devoted and tender husband and a kind and loving father. He loved his brethren sincerely and highly appreciated all his friends. As a preacher he was sincere. He was true to his convictions, true to himself, and true to the people to whom he preached, neither fearing their frowns nor courting their smiles, but faith- fully warning them when he saw them in danger. It was his joy and delight to urge Christians to greater diligence and faithfulness and to point pen- itent sinners to the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." But he has heard the welcome "Well done." He now rests from his labors, and his works will follow him.
"How beautiful it is for man to die, Upon the walls of Zion to be called, Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel, To put his armor off and rest in heaven !"
REV. LARGUS R. BELL.
R EV. LARGUS R. BELL was born in Gainesville, Ga., April 15, 1834; and died at Warrior, Ala., December 17, 1889. He was the son of W. M. and Elizabeth Bell. His father was of Scotch- Irish parentage, and his mother was English. Be- ing cultured in mind and heart, their children en- joyed the blessing of moral and religious training and the refining and elevating influence of scholas- tic advantages.
Largus was the youngest of six sons and the one upon whom the Lord laid his hand to preach the gospel. Under the ministry of Rev. J. W. Cotter, of the Georgia Conference, he was con- verted at Hickory Flat Camp Ground in his six- teenth year, and from that time on to his last day he never faltered in faith nor slackened his zeal for his great work. In 1853 his father moved to Alabama and settled on the Tallapoosa River, in the bounds of the White Plains Circuit. Here Largus served for nearly five years as a class leader, stew- ard, and Sunday school superintendent. In the faithful discharge of these responsible duties he grew in grace and the knowledge of God. In the early part of 1854 he was licensed to exhort, and later in the same year was licensed to preach. In November, 1858, he was admitted into the Ala-
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