USA > Georgia > Biographic etchings of ministers and laymen of the Georgia conferences > Part 2
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In a word, by reading and absorption as well, he acquired a large fund of miscellaneous informa- tion which he handled to advantage in the pulpit. As a conference preacher he was most esteemed as a revivalist and pastor in its old-timesignification.
In his younger days he was a flaming evangelist, and the conversions under his ministry were num- bered by the thousand. His singing was one ele- ment of his strength. He was, however, his own Excell and Sankey, for while he knew but little of music as an art, he had a voice of vast compass and exceeding sweetness. He knew just when and where to bring in "Wrestling Jacob" and "Amaz- ing Grace" and the best of the camp-meeting melo- dies. The masses of his day preferred such sing- ing to the "fugue tunes" and other operatic airs so much in vogue with fashionable church choirs. To this gift of song he added the gifts of prayer and exhortationin a notable degree. In the former he might be classed with Sam Anthony and John P. Duncan ; in the latter he was almost without a peer, unless amongst the old-fashioned laity, like Uncle Jimmie Stewart and Matthew Rvlander of Southwestern Georgia. In his happiest mood these hortatory appeals were punctuated by amens and hallelujahs from the enraptured congregation. But perhaps his greatest distinction was his house to house visitation. In Augusta, Savan- nah, Charleston, Columbus and Macon the whole population in this way felt his magnetic touch.
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Many a time, even at the dead of night during seasons of pestilence, did his ponderous footfall wake the slumbering echoes of Green and Broad and Bull and other less aristocratic quarters, as he hurried to the bedside of dying saint or re- pentant sinner. At this point the Methodism of today has sensibly weakened. Nor has this lack of apostolic service-witness Paul at Ephesus- been supplied by more elaborate pulpit prepara- tion. If usefulness is the end of aim and en- deavor it will be best attained by blending pulpit preparation with pastoral visitation, giving the latter the preference. At one period of his life Brother Evans was regarded, notby himself, but others, as good "bishop timber." When many years ago, he was elected to a connectional office, he was thought to beon the high road to the distinc- tion. But after a brief experience as a book agent, he resigned and returned to the pastorate. This we have always thought was a wise decision. Having been twice in his district, we cheerfully bear testimony to his rare administrative ability, and what is better still, we can testify to his sym- pathetic nature, which greatly endeared him to the preachers of whom he had a quasi-episcopal oversight.
We have before intimated that to us his death .seemed premature. Certainly it was sudden; so that it might be almost literally said that he ceased at once to work and live.
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It was but a single step from the pulpit to his death chamber. All through the latter years of his ministry he held a conservative view of the holiness question, which, after all the pros and cons of subtle disputants, is thoroughly Wesleyan and to the same extent scriptural. Thousands of old friends hailed the coming of this saintly man to his rest and reward on the other shore. May Georgia Methodism never lack for men of his sort, who understand the needs of our Israel.
ALEXANDER M. THIGPEN.
I desire, in this connection, to speak briefly of another dear friend and most useful minister, Alexander M. Thigpen. He first came prominently into notice as a chaplain in the army of Northen Virginia. In all of the campaigns of Lee and Jackson, he was noted for his devotion to duty and his unflinching courage in every emergency. Such was the brilliant record he had made during the war, that in 1865 he was appointed to Wesley Chapel, Atlanta.
I saw a great deal of him during the two years of his Atlanta pastorate and at his request, assisted him in making a roll of the membership, the old
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church register having been destroyed during the Federal occupation of the city. He exhibited great energy in looking up the scattered flock and in bringing them back to the fold. His preaching was quite satisfactory to his charge ,and a goodly number were added to the church.
In after years he held several responsible posi- tions, chiefly the Dalton district and the Rome sta- tion. In these, and other important charges, he fully sustained his reputation as an able preacher and as an efficient worker in all departments of ministerial duty.
In his social and domestic relations he was a model for the Christian minister. His tenderness to his invalid wife through years of suffering was one of the most beautiful traits of his noble character. And so in the sick room of poor and rich, his presence was like a sunbeam, and his prayers had help and healing in their utterances.
On the street he had a pleasant greeting for every acquaintance, so that when the eye saw him, it blessed him, and when the ear heard him, it honored him.
Strangely enough, such a life of usefulness and unselfishness was deeply shadowed in its closing days.
Let us not stumble at these mysteries of Provi- dence.
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JOHN W. GLENN-THE CONFERENCE ILEADER.
Forty years ago there were three men, W. J. Parks, John W. Glenn and Samuel Anthony, who were the recognized leaders of the old Georgia Conference. In some sort they formed an ecclesi- astical triumvirate whose influence was prepon- derant on all important conference issues.
This was not the result of personal ambition or of any striking intellectual brilliancy. It was due largely to their thorough consecration to the work of the ministry and only in a less degree to their judicial mindedness. It was a high compli- ment that Bishop McTyeire paid to the memory of John W. Glenn when he regretted that he had not known him longer and more intimately, for, said McTyeire, "he was endowed with legal ability on church questions beyond any man of my ac- quaintance."
These illustrious Georgians, especially Parks and Glenn, had passed the meridian of their lives when I met them at the Atlanta Conference in 1854. At that time, Walker Glenn, as he was familiarly called, was rotund in figure, with a head of almost preternatural size, which he carried on one side, indicating, as the phrenologists would say, a com- bative disposition. The proof of this was seen in
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his capacity and fondness for doctrinal disputa- tion. Let it not be supposed, however, that because of this leonine look he was wanting either in graciousness of manner or sweetness of temper. Indeed the lion, couchant, is the most amiable of beasts. It is only when deeply aroused that he passes into the rampant stage and fairly shakes the desert with his roar. So with Walker Glenn. In his better moods, a child could fondle him, but when confronted by some great error of doctrine, or when in the presence of some great practical wrong, he was a most formidable antagonist. While his mastery of invective was thus remark- able, he was uniformly courteous in debate. He neither scolded nor railed, but yet, spoke with both deliberation and emphasis. These special gifts fitted him in an eminent degree for the work of a preriding elder. This seems to have been fully realized by the Bishop and his cabinet. Strangely enough, he was assigned to the charge of an im- portant district at the very conference that admit- ted him into full connection. Nor is it less note- worthy that in this office he spent four-fifths of his active itinerant life.
He was one of the General Conference delegates as early as 1844, having for his colleagues such men as the Pierces, father and son, Judge Long- street and W. J. Parks. He retained a lively re- membrance of the autocratic methods of the majority on that memorable occasion, and never,
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BIOGRAPHIC ETCHINGS
to his dying day, had the slightest fancy for the organic union of the two Methodisms. As a con- ference debater he was never self-assertive, and stuck closely to the specific matter in hand. He seems to have thought with a famous parliament- ary leader that the one aim of a speaker was to forward the business of the house. For this rea- son, chiefly, he was always listened to with great deference, and, as already suggested, seldom failed to carry a majority with him. I can now recall but one sermon which I heard him deliver. It was in Rome, where he was a universal favorite. It was an able discussion of the character of Abra- ham, with special reference to the sacrifice of Isaac. There was no effort at pulpit pyrotechnics, and yet there were some portions of this sermon which quickened the religious sensibilities of the congregation to a most fervent glow, eliciting warm responses from the "Amen corner."
Father Glenn died at his own residence, near Cave Springs, in the seventy-first year of his age. Bishop Haygood, who was with him much during his last illness, wrote and published shortly after his death a charming memoir of this master in Israel. From this we take but a single excerpt bearing exclusively on his domestic life. Says the Bishop: "He was unlike those public men who spend all their good humor upon society, reserving all their moodiness and unsociableness for the fireside. He was genial and entertaining everywhere, but the
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very life and center of the home circle. There he offered the richest. libation of cheerfulness, light and love." This tribute, based as it was on frequent personal observation, is one of the highest he could have paid to the memory of this venerable minister. It quite naturally recalls to the student of Christian biography, the scenes at the English fireside of Matthew Henry. It revives likewise the memory of the moss-grown manse of Samuel Rutherford where he was wont to catechize the family, not forgetting the servants or the wav- faring guest, when on one Saturday night he un- wittingly had amongst his catechumens Arch- bishop Usher, the Lord Primate of Ireland.
This incident is deserving of reproduction at a time when the household altar has greatly fallen into decay, even in Methodist families. While this "Saint of Scotland," as Rutherford was worthily named, was catechising his wife and chil- dren and servants, there was a sudden and sharp rap at the door. Mr. Rutherford supposing that some belated wanderer craved his hospitality, at once suspended the services, opened the door, inviting the stranger in and furnishing him a chair at the ingleside. Explaining to the visitor that they were in the midst of their Saturday night devotions, he proceeded with his work. In his turn he questioned his unlooked-for guest as to the number of the commandments, who modestly re- plied, "eleven." Mr. Rutherford answered, "I had
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supposed there were but ten in number. If you please, which is the eleventh?" In an instant came the rejoinder : "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another." Of course in due time the mystery was cleared up. Thenext morn- ing the Irish Archbishop occupied Mr. Rutherford's pulpit, and spoke charmingly on the eleventh com- mandment.
Mr. Rutherford often referred to this strange 'occurrence as one of the gracious providences of his life.
SAMUEL ANTHONY.
I hive hardly space left in this article for a proper etching of Samuel Anthony, a contempo- rary and bosom friend of Walker Glenn.
General Toombs, who was not addicted to ex- travagant laudation, was heard to say that at times Sam Anthony was the greatest orator he ever heard in the pulpit. It was my good fortune to be much thrown with Brother Anthony during the middle period of my active ministry, and with less than a half dozen exceptions I could indorse the statement of that great Tribune. In personal courage "Uncle Sam" was as brave as Mar-
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shal Ney. He was indeed a stranger to fear, and yet I have seen him shake like an aspen leaf for the first five minutes of a sermon. On one oc- casion I ventured to expostulate with him, because of. this nervous trepidation. He replied that it was a weakness he could not control.
Not unfrequently, however, these physical tremors were followed by such Holy Ghost preach- ing as I never heard from any lips but his own.
Talk of "Hallelujah licks," a phrase of question- able propriety, but when this great man was fully anointed, his face shone like that of St. Stephen before the great council, and every tone and ges- ture and utterance, however ungraceful and un- classical, seemed inspired.
His gift of prayer was one of his transcendant endowments, only equaled, in my experience, by John W. Knight. In a camp-meeting altar, or kneeling at a mourners' bench, he prayed and spoke with a power and pathos that was often- times overwhelming. He had an abundance of that charity which "thinketh no evil." His breth- ren, indeed, sometimes thought that his intense sympathetic nature led him astray. But while he had pity for the wrongdoer, no man was less dis- posed to compromise with moral evil or less spar- ing in his denunciations of the incorrigible offender.
Brother Anthony was often elected to the General Conference, but his native modesty restrained
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BIOGRAPHIC ETCHINGS
him from taking a conspicuous part in the actings and doings of that great Senate of Methodism.
In the Church Conference at Louisville, Ken- tucky, in 1874, he had an almost fatal illness. In my turn I was called upon to nurse him through the night which proved to be the crisis of his dis- ease. The next morning the attending physicians pronounced him decidedly better. He continued . to convalesce until his health was re-established. But it is not improbable that the Louisville at- tack of pneumonia was the remote cause of his death.
ALFRED T. MANN.
Alfred T. Mann was an acknowledged leader in the old Georgia Conference. His education was thorough, and in general literary culture he had few equals in the Methodist ministry. His par- entage was distinguished for its old-fashioned zeal and consecration. His father, Uncle John- nie Mann, was one of the pillars of the "old St. John's" church of Augusta, from the early years of the present century, and his mother was one of the elect ladies of that Gideon's band, composed of Sisters Waterman, Mckean and Glasscock, who
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never faltered in their church allegiance. With such an ecclesiastical pedigree, it would be strange indeed if Brother Mann had been otherwise than "blameless in life and in official administra- tion:'' My personal acquaintance with him began at Columbus in 1855. We were, on the occasion of his visit to that city, often thrown together in a social way, and I learned both to love and admire him as a genial companion and a high- toned, Christian gentleman.
It was probably in 1857 that, while stationed in Marietta, I renewed my intercourse with Dr. Mann. He and his accomplished wife, a daugh- ter of Dr. Lovick Pierce, spent two or more weeks with Mrs. Mildred Waterman, who had known Bro. Mann from his childhood. During his stay in Marietta he twice occupied the Methodist pulpit, preaching to the delight and edification of packed houses. A few years afterwards I heard him deliver a sermon of great power during the first Annual Conference held in Rome. His theme was the Divinity of Christ, which he handled with con- summate ability. Some of his leading observa- tions I was able to recall until recent years, but they have now dropped out of my memory. My estimation of Dr. Mann, as a pulpit orator, is based largely on these discourses heard when he was in his intellectual prime.
His style on these great occasions seemed to me a trifle too ornate and his elocution a bit too
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BIOGRAPHIC ETCHINGS
dramatic, for the average audience. But there was no lack of spiritual fervor in his classical ut- terances, nor was there in his delivery any sein- blance that he was acting a part.
On the contrary, all through the period of his active ministry he was a favorite, not less with the ruder population of the Rome district than with the more cultured congregations to whom he minis- tered at Macon, Savannah and Augusta.
For a few years he was put in charge of the leading church at Memphis and won fresh laurels amongst the denizens of the Bluff City.
Returning to Georgia somewhat broken in health and enfeebled by increasing years, he contented himself with less responsible positions.
I had him but once as a presiding elder, and found him dignified and discreet in his administra- tion, and both in and out of the pulpit an ecclesi- astical functionary of rare ability and strict per- sonal integrity. He survived to a green old age and at last, "leaving no blot on his name," joined the great majority on the other shore.
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EDWARD H. MYERS.
Edward H. Myers was a contemporary and bosom friend of Dr. Mann. If I mistake not they were fellow collegians at Randolph-Macon College in the old days of President Garland. At any rate, they were not unlike in their personal tastes, nor in their mental make-up.
Dr. Myers was most widely known by his six- teen years editorship of the Southern Christian Advocate, and his subsequent presidency of the Wesleyan Female College. He filled both these responsible positions with credit to himself and with great profit to the church.
As an editorial writer he compared favorably with his distinguished predecessors, Bishop Wight- man and Dr. T. O. Summers. Whilst he was neither so ,earned as Summers, nor so brilliant as Wightman, he was quite the equal of either or both of them in real journalistic ability.
As an educator, Brother Myers was deserving of high praise. Indeed, no president of the Wes- leyan, from Bishop Pierce downward, did more for the discipline of that institution and to improve its standard of scholarship.
As already intimated, his labors in these two great departments of church work brought him fame, and what is better still, secured him the
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sincere respect and cordial admiration of his brethren throughout the boundaries of connec- tional Methodism. As respects his pulpit work, it was of such merit as to place him in the front rank of the Georgia ministry. This, not so much because of his oratory, as on account of his clear cut conception of Gospel truth, which he was care- ful to apply and enforce with great fidelity. This holds good especially of the later years of his ministry, when, disconnected with the worry of the editorial sanctum and the wearisome hum- drum of the recitation room, he seemed to acquire fresh inspiration for his ministerial work. Thence- forth his preaching was emphatic and pro- foundly impressive. Sinners were often cut to the heart and believers seemed to get more than a taste of the grapes of Eshcol.
The crowning success of his life was his Savan- nah pastorate, where he was in great favor with the McIntyres, the Heidts, the Walkers, the Mil- lers, and others who had long been leaders in the Methodist circles of the Forest city.
In 1876, being infirm in health, he went North for a month's recreation. Hearing, however, that the yellow fever had become epidemic, and some of his own parishioners were amongst the sufferers, he abandoned his summer vacation and returned to the city against the protest of his official members. He entered at once on the work of visitation amongst the sick and dying, and
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contracting the disease, became a victim of that terrible epidemic. Such heroism well deserves to to be perpetuated in church history.
It would be inexcusable to omit all reference to the services of Dr. Myers in connection with the General Conference and the Cape May commis- sion .. In both positions he won no little distinc- tion as a judicious and safe counsellor and legis- lator.
W. H. POTTER-THE PRINCELY MIS- SIONARY.
The life of Dr. Weyman H. Potter was compar- atively quiet and unobtrusive, but it has left a broad and strange influence that will abide and work its results in the history of the world. He was a master in many circles, and in them all his presence was felt by a sense of sanctification and safety, and his words were ever honored as the words of wisdom.
As we usually estimate the powers of thinking, Dr. Potter was often considered a slow thinker; but when we understand how he thought the marvel is that he thought so rapidly. His mind was a comprehensive one in the true sense; grasp- 3
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ing all, or more nearly all than is usual, that per- tained directly or indirectly to the question at issue. Many times I have looked into his face as he was revolving a question, and noted the signs of intense mental action in the effort to reach the truth in its fullness. To many of his hearers, too, . the first parts of his discourses were often heavy and tedious. But to those who followed him from the beginning there was always a rich re- ward not to be had from the more brilliant but surface discourses of the day. He had a clear appreciation of the range of questions and the many elements that entered into the truth in regard to them. Because of this, time was neces- sary to bring these elements into their proper relation and to consider their bearing on each other and on the point before him.
Hence while he may have appeared to be slow, there was compensation in the end, in that his opinions were generally correct, and his presenta- tion of themes was rich in the material gathered along the way and in the triumphant conclusions to which he lead.
Something of the elements of the Iron Duke comes to the mind of one who was well acquainted with Dr. Potter as he contemplated the trend of his character and life. He was by no means perfect, but looking at his life as we mortals have the right to look, the virtues of this man rise ยท hrough and above his imperfections like a splen-
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did temple amid the rubbish that was left from its structure. His virtues were great in them- selves but taken together, blended and fitted into each other, they made for him a character of iron integrity and a life of more than ordinary sym- metry and power. 1998956
But, it was in the career of a missionary that the life of Dr. Potter shone most conspicuously. He realized more fully than most men that he and all others had a divine commission to accomplish in this world and in every department of duty that commission seemed to be before him. The great command-"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel"-seemed to have taken hold on him and possessed him wholly, and to have given shape and direction to all of his doings. He gave intelligent and earnest consideration to the busi_ ness and incidental details of the church, because he regarded them as a part of the subordinate machinery that was to work out the divine com- mission and carry the gospel to all men.
The great thought that seemed to consume his . whole being, as he grew older, was to present the advantages that we had for spreading the king- dom of God, and to arouse the church to an ap- preciation of its high calling in the royal mission of sending the gospel of salvation to all nations . When the Master went away and said, "Occupy till I come," he left to humanity an enterprise, the highest that is known to man, and as royal in its
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dignity as the eternal kingdom itself. It is .the enterprise to lift every head with hope and inspire every heart with the desire for the true life. No man can ever be himself or enter upon his high estate until he hears that command and turns his life, with some earnestness and energy, to its , elevating and royal ends. No church can ever attain to the dignity and character of a true church in any degree, unless there is in it some lively appreciation of the scope of meaning in this command as it reaches out after the fallen world and impels the heart in that direction. Dr. Potter manifested his princely nature by entering into this great truth and trying to appropriate its divine virtue to his own life and to get all others to do the same.
For many years before his death, he saw the magnitude of the gospel work; he saw the royal mission of the church and its human and divine fitness for that mission; he accepted the promise of Cod for blessings on the cause, he realized the beauty and glory of the final triumph; and he made the great commission the theme, the sweet and soul-inspiring song of his life. No one could doubt that who heard the broad, comprehensive, fervid discourses which he delivered during his latter years, and the triumphant tone that ran through them all. Those discourses were like mighty torrents, sweeping toward the gates of God's kingdom and carrying every hearer with
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them, while music from the heavenly city was falling on their ears all the time. They were the soul-stirring shouts of a great general, with the banner of victory in his hand, trying to lead a hesitating army to sure and complete triumph.
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