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 8
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Dr. Carver was no ordinary man. He did not move in grooves cut out by other men. He was a man of strong intellect and untiring mental indus- try. No man ever saw him in the pulpit unpre-
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REV. ROBERT D. CARVER.
pared or with an apology for a sermon. None ever sat under his ministry but felt that a master was be- fore him. His sermons were far above the aver- age; in the true sense they were learned, profound, and logical. Few men had more true pathos and spiritual unction in the pulpit than he. His ser- mons all had design and meant something. No congregation had him for a pastor one year with- out knowing the doctrine of Methodism and the .
Pauline way of life. He was a man of much prayer and true humility. Like his Master, he did not strive nor cry ; a bruised reed he did not break, and smoking flax he did not quench. Yet he set forth the claims and doctrines of his Church so forcibly and clearly that none were ready to join issue with him; and those who honestly differed with him never became offended, but would go again to hear him, saying that he was honest in his opin- ions and fair and able in his statements.
All these facts being true, it may be asked why Dr. Carver did not come to the front and fill the highest grade of appointments in our Conference. Indeed, why did he not? Who on this side of the river can tell? Many mysteries are to be solved by the light of the judgment. Jesus says: "What I do thou knowest not now, but shall know hereafter." In this providence no one is to blame. Why was Clay or Webster or the great Calhoun not Presi- dent? Why was not Lovick Pierce or J. B. Mc- Ferrin bishop? It was because God had other
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spheres for them to glorify himself in. For this purpose God sometimes keeps good men in ob- scurity and duty that we can approve only by faith. In Christ's own way he has glorified our ascended brother, and now before the angels he is glorifying him "who loved him, and washed him in his own blood, and made him a king and a priest with him forever."
REV. GEORGE L. HEWITT.
R EV. GEORGE L. HEWITT was born in Blounts- ville, Blount County, Ala., August 22, 1854; and died at Oneonta, Ala., July 17, 1898. He was converted in young manhood and soon afterwards received a license to preach. He was admitted on trial in the traveling connection of the North Ala- bama Conference at Athens in December, 1878; ad- mitted into full connection in 1881 ; ordained dea- con by Bishop McTyeire. He was ordained elder by Bishop McTyeire in 1883. He served the follow- ing. charges : Clear Creek Mission, 1879-80; Jasper Circuit, 1881-84; Warrior Mission, 1885; Vernon Circuit, 1886-88; Jasper and Cordova, 1889; Coal- burg and Horse Creek, 1890; Morris Circuit, 1891; located at the close of this year and continued in the local ranks for two years. He was readmitted into the traveling connection in 1893. In 1894-95 he served the Carbon Hill Circuit; Oneonta Circuit, 1896-98.
Brother Hewitt's early life was shadowed by the loss of his father. Upon him rested the support of a widowed mother, thus being deprived of edu- cational advantages. But possessing a vigorous mind, a genial disposition, and a magnetic person- ality, sanctified by divine grace, in the itinerant min- istry, that matchless school, he became more and
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more efficient with advancing years. The experi- ence of his early life broadened his sympathy and fitted him to minister to the wants of his people.
Of him Brother R. J. Wilson thus writes: "He possessed in the true sense that rare nature which gives no offense, is free from everything repul- sive, and awakens the feeling in others which knows naught but to confide and praise. Being thrown with him as a sort of helper the last two years of his ministry, and appreciating the fact that some of the conditions affecting his work as a pas- tor were unusually hard, I looked very naturally for alienation at some point or in some particular. But so prudent, so Christlike was he that he was able to dispose of the most delicate matters affecting his charge, and to heal the tenderest wound without awakening a breath of suspicion as to his ability and sincerity or the purity of his motives. He was truly the shepherd of his flock, and no one in this relation ever enjoyed more fully the unquestioning confidence of those over whom the Lord made him overseer. He was a pastor to the people. He drew all to him. All loved him. And when he died, not only the members of his own charge but the members of other Churches in the community and the irreligious people were placed under a deep sense of loss."
In the vigor of manhood, while giving promise of many years of active and efficient service, he was prostrated with typhoid fever, which rapidly
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developed fatal symptoms. During these hours he was conscious of approaching death and spoke with confidence of his ultimate triumph, which faith was justified in the issue. Having sent messages of love to his brethren and committed his family to the trust of his Conference and to the providence of God, he entered joyfully the ranks of those who share in the triumphs of redemption.
Brother Hewitt gave eighteen years of faithful and efficient service to the Church in the North Ala- bama Conference.
REV. CHARLES D. BROOKS.
R EV. C. D. BROOKS, son of Hon. Leslie Brooks, was born near Columbus, Ga., June 27, 1872. His people have been prominent in Church and State, and young Brooks inherited from them a good name, strength of will, and determination of purpose. He was reared in Mobile, Ala., the home of his parents, and early in life joined the Metho- dist Church and began to serve God. He took great interest in the Epworth League and did faith- ful service in helping to establish some of the younger Churches about the city. Having accept- ed a business position in Columbus, Ga., he removed to that place, where he lived for some time, devoting most of his spare hours to the Y. M. C. A. and Epworth League. An opening occurring in the Mobile Y. M. C. A. work, Brother Brooks re- signed his business position and became associated with Rev. Mr. Hart in the great work done in that city for the young men. Later he was transferred to Birmingham, where he was assistant to the State Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. In Birmingham he joined the St. John Methodist Church and became one of its most earnest and efficient workers. From Birmingham he was sent to Florence, Ala., to take charge of the Y. M. C. A. interests at that place. On March 6, 1901, he married Miss Louise Mc-
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REV. CHARLES D. BROOKS.
Gehee, of Birmingham, who made him a most wor- thy companion, entering enthusiastically into all his plans for the salvation of others. Feeling that God had called him into the regular ministry, he gave up his work at Florence, was licensed to preach by the Selma District Conference of 1902, and intended to join the North Alabama Confer- ence at its session at Lafayette. Stricken with ty- phoid fever, he was unable to attend Conference, but asked for work and was sent as a supply to Har- grove, Ala. Here he did good service for a year, and was then admitted on trial at Tuscumbia. He was sent to the Lincoln Circuit, where he made many friends, and the report of the Conference showed the year's work to be very successful. Then he was sent to the Wilsonville Circuit. At Athens Brother Brooks passed the necessary examinations, and was admitted into full connection. He was glad to be returned to Wilsonville, and the people were glad to have him. Entering upon his work for the new year with his accustomed zeal, in visit- ing the sick he exposed himself to some very se- vere weather, contracted pneumonia, and after a few days' illness he went home to heaven on December . 20, 1905. After a prayer service in the Wilson- ville parsonage, the body was carried to Mobile, where it sleeps in the cemetery of that historic city. The funeral service was conducted in the Govern- ment Street Church by Rev. J. B. K. Spain, assisted by Drs. McGehee and Frazer.
REV. OLIN W. SAMPLES.
R EV. OLIN W. SAMPLES, son of Judge V. and Mar- tha Samples, was born on May 25, 1857, in Cumming, Forsythe County, Ga. He was one of a family of nine children, seven daughters and two sons. Olin was always considered a good boy. The religious impressions of his childhood were as early as his first recollection. In fact, he could not remember when he first began to pray; but though only six years old when his father went off to the army, he remembered praying for him. The ab- sence of his father from home so long made him feel like the responsibility of taking care of the fam- ily rested largely upon him, and he often prayed to God to help him. He was converted at the age of seven years, and at once joined the Methodist Church. In his private journal he refers to this as one of the happiest periods of his life. From that time on his habit was to conduct the family worship when his father was absent.
When he was fifteen years old his father moved to Jefferson County, Ala. About that time his pas- tor, Rev. R. G. Isbell, having observed his marked devotion and discreet, intelligent piety, appointed him class leader, and he proved to be one of the most successful leaders on the work. At nineteen years of age he was licensed to preach, and then
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returned to Georgia and entered the Sandersville High School, where he spent the greater part of three years. He worked at something during the vacations each year to get means to continue in school. During all of his school days he maintained a good character for diligence and piety.
On December 31, 1878, he was married to Miss Lilla Anthony, daughter of Rev. J. D. Anthony. The next year he was in charge of the public school in Pratt City, Ala. In 1880 he was admitted on trial into the North Alabama Conference and appoint- ed to the Fayette Circuit, which he served for three years; then to the Yorkville Circuit, which he served two years. During those five years he wit- nessed the conversion of more than three hundred souls. On the Yorkville Circuit he finished his earthly career. Before the session of his Confer- ence in November, 1885, he was with his Lord and the redeemed in heaven.
Brother Samples was a sweet-spirited Christian and a faithful minister of the gospel. He was buried at Crumley's Chapel, in Jefferson County, November 15, 1885. Dr. T. G. Slaughter, his pre- siding elder, conducted the burial services. Dr. Slaughter preached a sermon on the occasion from the text: "Enoch walked with God, and was not, for God took him."
Olin W. Samples's career was brief but brilliant and useful. About six weeks before his death he delivered an address to the young people at Crum-
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ley's Chapel, taking for his subject: "If we would be pure and good, we must keep company with the pure and good." He spoke with unusual liberty and earnestness, and no doubt he will see the good fruit of this day's work in the great day of ac- counts and rewards.
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REV. THOMAS MELVILLE WILSON.
B ROTHER WILSON was born into the Christian home of the late lamented Judge W. L. Wil- son, in Blount County, Ala., September 18, 1847, where he was taught to honor God and love the Church. His Christian life began at the early age of nine years, near Village Springs, Ala., where he joined the Methodist Church, to which he gave his uninterrupted service to the end.
At Pleasant Hill, Ala., January 17, 1872, he was fortunately married to Miss Jennie Lind Morris, who, with four children, faithfully shared all his toils and trials and who now sits in the shadow of a great sorrow. He was licensed to preach at Smith's Chapel, in Jefferson County, January 17, 1874, and for nearly ten years he served in the local ranks, during which time he was the faithful friend and helper of the pastor, ever ready to join heart and hand in all good works. At Birmingham, Ala., November 14, 1883, he was admitted on trial into the North Alabama Conference and sent to the Pel- ham Circuit, where he remained three years. After- wards he served the Gordo Circuit two years, Ver- non Circuit two years, Warrior Circuit one year, Montevallo Circuit three years, Columbiana Cir- cuit three years, Calera Circuit two years, Gordo Cir- cuit one year, and Plantersville Circuit two years.
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At the session of the Conference in 1902 he was sent to the Piedmont Circuit, where, after a severe illness of ten days, he died, June 8, 1903, having in this brief period gained a large place in the confidence and affections of his people. In these various fields he received into the Church seven hundred and eighty-three, baptized two hundred and twenty adults and two hundred and twenty-five in- fants, and married fifty couples, and in all these years he never missed a roll call.
This brief summary is a bare outline of his life (the tears and temptations, the heart throes and painful vigils, the burdens and battles are written in heaven), but the facts reveal a busy, fruitful minis- try and a successful career.
As a man Brother Wilson was modest, upright, genial, kindly. As a husband and father he was faithful, unselfish, considerate, tender. As a preach- er he was sound, sensible, practical, earnest. As a pastor he was diligent, painstaking, sympathetic. As a Christian he was humble, happy, optimistic, missionary.
His last text was the Great Commission. His favorite promise was: "My grace is sufficient for thee." His abiding purpose was voiced in the brave words of the heroic Job: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." He was a true itinerant, and never gave his presiding elder trouble. He loyally and quickly took his marching orders. He had no lips for murmuring and no bosom for discontent.
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REV. THOMAS MELVILLE WILSON.
With his rich heritage of energy and common sense and the great opportunity of earthly gain in his native county at the time, he might have made much of material things; but he preferred the lot of a plain Methodist preacher, with its life of joyous sacrifice here and its rich rewards beyond the river. He chose wisely and has wrought nobly and well. He died in the harness, in the meridian of his use- fulness, leaving in the halls of memory to his breth- ren and his stricken family a sweet life picture un- clouded by the possible lapses and infirmities of age. Blessed are our dead. Thank God we shall see them again.
It is a mournful pleasure to chronicle the virtues of one who lived so well and fell at his post with these last words of triumph whispered back as he ascended : "All is bright; all is well." We are not surprised at such a victorious shout over the last enemy when we carefully consider the career of such a man with such a life behind him. “All is bright; all is well."
REV. JOHN SAMUEL MARKS.
R EV. JOHN SAMUEL MARKS was born in Giles County, Tenn., December 27, 1831 ; and died at his home in New Decatur, Ala., December 6, 1904. He was married to Miss Sallie Ann Rebecca Ne- vill on October 5, 1858. Nine children were born to this union, six daughters and three sons. At Pisgah Camp Ground, in his native State and coun- ty, in 1846 Brother Marks entered into the happy experience of a regenerated soul, and in his seven- teenth year he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. By the official action of his Church he was licensed to preach in September, 1851, Rev. John Sherrill, presiding elder, signing his license; and in October of the same year he was received on trial into the Tennessee Conference. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Capers at Frank- lin, Tenn., October 16, 1853, and was ordained an elder by Bishop Soule at Nashville, Tenn., Octo- ber 14, 1855. As an itinerant preacher he was ap- pointed to the following charges: Shoal Circuit, as junior preacher, 1852; Rock Circuit, 1853; Mill Creek Circuit, 1854; Russellville Circuit, 1855-56; Trinity, 1857; for the next five years super- numerary ; Decatur Station, 1863. For two years following he was in and around Decatur and in Morgan County, as his Conference held no session during those years on account of the war.
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In 1866-67 he was a supernumerary; Prospect Cir- cuit, 1868; Danville Circuit, 1869-70; Cypress Cir- cuit, 1871; Oakland Circuit, 1872; Athens Circuit, 1873. At the end of that year he was transferred
REV. J. S. MARKS.
to the Tennessee Conference. In 1875 he served the Bon Aqua Mission; Oakland Mission, 1876; supernumerary during 1877-79. He was then transferred to the North Alabama Conference, and in 1880 served the Russellville Circuit; Colbert Mis-
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sion, 1881; Oakville Circuit, 1882; supernumer- .ary, 1883; Falls Mission, 1884; Oakville Mission, 1885; Flint Circuit, 1886. He was then placed on the superannuate list, and continued in such relation the remainder of his life. In 1900 he supplied the Danville Circuit, and had a very successful year. During the whole time that he was on the super- annuate list he preached and administered the sacra- ments as occasion offered.
Brother Marks was a man of striking personal appearance and bearing, and withal a man of pecul- . iar order of mind which molded his thoughts, gov- erned his actions, and gave tone to his conversation. He seldom discounted results ; he magnified matters. The landscape expanded before his eyes, and the ob- jects in the landscape increased in number and size as he gazed upon them. With increasing light and improved vision he saw trees as men walking. He attached startling importance to the commonest themes and the most trivial things, and his narra- tives were stated in the superlative degree and paint- ed in gorgeous colors. In protracted meetings and in camp meetings he was at his best. On these oc- casions he led the assembled worshipers in singing the incomparable songs of Zion, and with enthusi- astic shouts he pushed the conquest of the Cross. He was always in the lead in enlisting recruits for Zion's hosts. He has joined the army of the skies, and sings with the triumphant hosts who are tent- ed on the Elysian fields.
REV. JOSEPH DUDLEY ELLIS.
R EV. JOSEPH DUDLEY ELLIS, son of Rev. George F. and Martha J. Ellis, was born in Maren- go County, Ala., March 29, 1866. He was cradled in a Christian home and grew up under the culture and piety of his noble and honored parents. The influence of that home and the touch of those par- ents were upon him until the day of his death. After completing the course of the elementary schools, he entered the Southern University, in which institution he acquitted himself with rare credit and from which he honorably graduated with the degree of Master of Arts in 1887. On Novem- ber 7, 1888, he was married to Miss Mamie Chad- wick, of Greensboro, Ala.
Brother Ellis was converted when a boy and was licensed to preach on May 4, 1889. In No- vember of that year he was admitted on trial by the North Alabama Conference, and was appointed to the New Market Circuit. As pastor and principal of the Huntsville District High School he remained in New Market four years. For four years, 1894 to 1897, he was pastor at East Lake; at Avondale, 1898-1900; at First Church, Decatur, 1901-04. In November, 1904, he was appointed pastor of First Church, Anniston. He remained in that charge only one year, as he was elected editor of the Ala-
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bama Christian Advocate on October 10, 1905. In the capacity of editor he served less than five months. On the afternoon of March 1, 1906, with scarcely a moment's warning, he was called from his labors to his final rest and reward.
The above facts but draw the feeblest outline of the events of a nobly successful life which has been brought to such a sudden and untimely end- struck down in the very morning of a splendid life, a morning which gave promise of a still more bril- liant day ; snatched away ere his ambitious feet had touched the unclouded meridian of his career or be- fore the noble elements of his character had time to ascend the highest throne of maturity and influence. Amid the duties of an active and eventful life and amid the unfinished tasks to which he had resolutely set himself he has fallen. But he lived long enough to leave the impress of his high thought and char- acter upon a vast multitude who waited upon his ministry and to set in motion mighty forces which will inspire and strengthen human life through suc- ceeding generations.
Brother Ellis was a man of deep convictions; his life was controlled by them. They were not born of impulse or caprice, but were begotten of thoughtful and painstaking investigation. They were not hastily formed; but when once reached, he was not afraid to stand by them at any cost. While he was courageous and ready to strike, no tenderer heart ever beat in human breast. While
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he was quick to resent a wrong, his heart of sym- pathy was as easily touched as that of a little child. To every task of duty, high or low, he carried a spirit of unwavering fidelity. He sought to escape no duty, to avoid no task, nor to lay his burdens on other shoulders, but with a spirit of absolute sur- render he gave himself to his work with zeal and gladness. This spirit of fidelity was inspired and sustained by a lofty faith in God and the abiding confidence he had in himself.
Love was one of the beautiful elements of his character. His love in ardor and passion was like that of a mother's heart. It was this deep love for the souls of men that led him to forego the vi- sions of temporal success and consecrate his young manhood to the service of God and humanity. Preaching was to him a sacred task, and he always tried to prepare both head and heart for it. In the pulpit he was the ambassador of God, never sub- stituting his own for God's message. His preach- ing was practical, thoughtful, logical, and persua- sive. The people heard him gladly, not only be- cause he was a man of marked ability in the pulpit, but also because of their unbounded confidence in the man. As a pastor he was kind, sympathetic, and helpful, and therefore very popular as such. His work as an editor, though brief, was brilliant. It was a revelation to his closest friends. He had already attracted the attention of the whole Church
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as a brave but prudent leader of thought and the defender of truth and righteousness. His success proved the wisdom of those who placed him in that high and responsible position.
The Church cannot but regret the untimely tak- ing away of so young and brilliant a life. But the will of God is accomplished.
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REV. JAMES T. BARTEE.
R EV. JAMES T. BARTEE was born July 11, 1817; and died April 23, 1895. He professed reli- gion at Yellow Creek Camp Ground, in Tennessee, in September, 1842. He joined the Tennessee Con- ference at Huntsville, Ala., in 1844. He was or- dained deacon at Murfreesboro, Tenn., by Bishop Soule in 1847, and was ordained elder by the same bishop at Shelbyville, Tenn., in 1849. He was mar- ried to Miss Maria S. Sullivan on January 23, 1855.
Brother Bartee spent the greater part of his ac- tive ministry in the Tennessee Conference; but he became a member of the North Alabama Confer- ence when it was formed, and did several years' work in this Conference. He was a feeble man in body and was a great sufferer at times. For this reason he was on the supernumerary roll a large part of the time that he was connected with the North Alabama Conference. For quite a number of the last years of his life he was on the Honor Roll, unable to do ministerial work.
Brother Bartee was a good man in the very best sense of that term. He was conscientiously strict in his observance of the rules of his Church, and when in charge of a pastorate endeavored to en- force them. His last sickness was brief and pain- ful, but endured with Christian patience and resig-
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nation. He did not fear death, but said: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."
James T. Bartee was seventy-eight years old- fifty-three years a Christian and forty-eight years a preacher. This is a glorious record. He has left the world an example worthy of imitation.
REV. JAMES WRIGHT TUCKER.
R EV. JAMES WRIGHT TUCKER was the son of Harvey Armstead and Eliza Tucker. He was born in May, 1849, near Florence, Ala., in the neighborhood of which place he spent the greater part of his boyhood and young manhood. He went to school a few years in the community where he was born, and later on attended the State Normal College at Florence. Early in life he felt impressed with a call to preach, but, like most men who are really called to that work, resisted it for several years. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade and worked at it for a few years. He with his family removed to Tennessee and settled near Nashville, where he was converted under the min- istry of Dr. R. A. Young. He then returned to Florence, Ala., and was licensed to preach. J. B. Stevenson was his pastor and Joel W. Whitten his presiding elder.
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