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ANOTHER GOOD MAN GONE

On Wednesday, June 12, 1867, at his home in Sampson County, Elder Lewis

F. Wi 11 iams ended his pilgrimage on earth, to enter as we believe on those

heavenly mansions which our Saviour has gone to prepare for the redeemed.

Having suffered for some time from what his physicians termed disease

of the heart, his death was not unexpected to his friends. On the morning

of the twelfth inst., he was stricken on one side by paralysis, and though

speechless, his attendants supposed conscious, died about 5 o'clock PM.

In regard to the I ife and character of our venerable brother we ask per­

mission to say a few words.

He was born in the county of Sampson on the 22nd day of March 1793; was

married March 17th 1825; made a profession of religion under the preaching of

Elder Robert McNabb and was baptized in 1832. He attached himself at first to

the people known as Free Wi I I Baptists, and among them was ordained to the

work of the Christian Ministry. About the year 1842 he joined the Missionary

Baptists, as Elder McNa5b had done, who was himself a Free Wi I I at the time

Elder Wi I Iiams professed conversion.

EI der Wi I Ii ams is represented as having been in his ear I y Ii fe wayward

if not reckless. But being arrested by Divine grace, its influence produced

a radical change of I ife, and resulted in an entire consecration of his energies

to the service of his Redeemer. The Union (now Eastern) Association was the

field of his labors. A very large number of our churches have been under his

pastoral care. Of a cheerful and social temperament, he was uniformly beloved

and respected, especially by those who knew him best. One of our oldest and

most substantial citizens said on hearing of his death, "All men have their

faults, but Lewis Wi I Iiams had as few as any man I ever knew."

He was one of the few men against whom the tongue of slander is not raised,

and who die without enemies. With fair natural endowments, but without the

J. L. STEWART

advantage of early mental culture, he made himself largely acquainted with

bib I ical knowledge. His ministerial labors were ardious and abundant. Being

zealous and patient in his efforts to advance the Redeemer's kingdom, his

influence for good was great and his loss wi I I be deeply felt. His I ife and

character bespoke the Christian Minister and deserve more than this sketch and

it is hoped that some of his associates in the ministry wi I I give us a com­

plete account of the same.

May the same God that tempers the winds to the shorn Lamb, sanctify this

affliction to the children left to struggle alone with the difficulties of an

unfriendly world.

Clinton, N. C., June 1867.

BIBLlCAL RECORDER, July .3, 1867, p , 2:5

L. F. WILLIAMS

The death of Elder L. F. Williams, which occurred on the 13th day of June,

1867, in the seventieth year of his age, or thereabout, presents itself to our

consideration, as worthy of record in our report.

Elder WILLIA.~S was converted under the ministry of Elder R. McNabb, about

the year 1932, at which time he connected himself with the Free Will Baptists,

and soon after commended preaching. He continued with the Free Will Baptists

about ten years. Becoming dissatisfied with their doctrines, especially that

of open communion, he untied with us, and continued steadfastly in our doctrines

until his death, possessing the esteem and confidence of his numerous acquaint­

ances. He was a devoted and useful minister: his usefulness increasing as he

approached the end of his earthly journey. He was signally useful in the last

few years, in building up, increasing and strengthening several churches, in the

counties of New Hanover and Bladen, enfeebled by adverse circumstances. His last

moments were peaceful, and we believe he has passed from his toils on earth, to

the rest prepared for the people of God.

EASTERN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION MINUTES, 1867, p. 18.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OBITUARIES

The death of Elder L. F. Wi I Iiams, which occurred on the 13th day of June,

1867, in the seventieth year of his age, or thereabout, presents itself to our

cons i de ration, as worthy of record in our report.

Elder Wi I I lams was converted under the mtntstry of Elder R. McNabb, about

the year 1832, at which time he connected himself with the Free Wi I I Baptists,

and soon after commenced preaching. He continued with the Free Wi I I Baptists

about ten years. Becoming dissatisfied with their doctrines, especially that

of open communion, he united with us, and continued steadfastly in our doctrines

unti I his death, possessing the esteem and confidence of his numerous ac­

quaintances. He was a devoted and useful minister: his usefulness increasing

as be approacb.ed the end of his earthly Journey. He was signally useful in

tbe last few years, in bui I ding up, increasing and strengthening several

Cburcbes, in +he counties of New Hanover and Bladen, enfeebled by adverse

circumstances. His last moments were peaceful, and we believe he has passed

from his toi Is on earth, to the rest prepared for the people of God.

EASTERN BAPT[ST ASSOC[ATfON MrNUTES, 1867, p. 18

REV. W. T. TALBIRT.

I was away from home when the ·sad intelligence reached me that Brother Talbirt

had gone to rest.

His zeal, his love to build up the Master's Kingdom was an inspriation and

his ministry• a benediction to all who knew him. Whit e I thought of his life

and his achievements, though wrought through many tribulations, nzy- mind most

naturally went back to nzy- boyhood days, and in memory gazed upon even the features

and the mighty works done by two old saints of the east--Reverends LewissJ'.

Will~~P!i="'and Alfred Guy. As the former was never married he had nothing to

interefere with his ministerial tours, and he visited every hamlet in the

Eastern Association. A most pleasant and companionable old man in the home;

in the pulpit he was vigorous. His usual theme was the condition of the soul

a~er death--picturing heaven in all its glory--then turning to the le~ of

the pulpit he would figuratively souse a pitchfork in the sinner and toast him

over the pit in language never to be forgotten.

Brother Guy was not only different in physique and in manner, but in

his style of preaching, "G6d' s great love" was the foundation of alL his

sermons. The saints were strengthened and the sinner made to realize that

God was using every means to save him. He was cheerful in his work and

seemingly contented with his lot, yet he was a wodower and having the care

of two maiden sisters, one an invalid, living on the borders of a frog-pond

near Warsaw, not able to own a horse, he frequently walked eighteen or

twenty miles to fill an appointment.

What these holy men did in the East for little, and o~-times no pec­

uniary aid, Brother Talbirt did for the West. He not only gladdened the hearts

of thousands during his active ministry, but he left monuments in church

organizations and in church buildings that will endure until time shall be

no more.

He was born in the year 1840 in Lancaster County, South Carolina, of

humble parentage; but he inherited and retained to the end all the qualities

of a gentleman.

When the war broke out he enlisted and served until the surrender at

Appomattox.

While he never attended school but three months he was well informed and

had a knowledge of the Bible surpassed by none. His sermons were his own,

thoroughly- original, but using God's love and mercy as the great if not the

only force in moving sinners.

In Associational discussions he was practical, shrewd, and cunning with

a vein of humor running throughout which always embarrassed his antagonist.

He leaves a devoted wife and seven children (five sons and three daughters).

So far as I know, he was the last one of the old-fashioned preachers. But the

world was blessed and benefited by his having lived in it.

H. C. HERRING.

Concord, N. C.

BIBLICAL RECORDER, JULY 25, 1913, p. 8.