I met him at Nashville, Tenn., at the Southern Baptist convention, May, 1893, and knowing that a large proportion of our family in the South were Methodists, I asked him how it came he was a Baptist; his answer was:
I became a Baptist by a careful reading of the Scriptures, though I suppose a good Baptist mother, who died when I was nine years old, but whose memory I still fancily cherish, made it easier. I joined the church at eighteen years of age, and was ordained at twenty. I lost all I had in a land investment just before the panic brought about by the resumption of specie payment. I then practiced law and traded for twelve years, and having regained what I had lost, and feeling that I was safe for a support for my family, I re-entered the ministry seven years since. and hope, by God’s grace, to continue in the harness to the end.
In May, 1894, I met a relative of his at Dallas, Texas, and asked him about Rev. S. C. Hearne, and he said:
In early life he entered the ministry and was eloquent anti earnest from the beginning and took high rank as a young minister; the war between the States followed soon, and he entered the service as a private soldier. not to preserve the institution of slavery or as a rebel against the Government of the United States, but to repel invasion and preserve the constitution as bequeathed by our fathers and the rights of the States: he was soon commissioned chaplain, and served as such to the close of the war. By his eloquence and zeal hundreds of rough soldiers were led to Christ. In 1863 and 1864 it was wonderful to see the revival meetings carried on bv him and his assistants. After the surrender he located in Georgia and successfully employed his time in preaching for the churches at and near Opelika. He then moved back to his native home, Henry Co., Tenn., and made an effort to quit the ministry, and studied law. His power before a jury was wonderful and his success phenomenal. After serving in the State Legislature he made the race for Congress, but was defeated because of his financial views. Soon after this he gave up law and politics, feeling that he could have no peace of mind if he preached not the blessed gospel of Christ. His eloquence and force of character enabled him at all times to hold the profound attention of his hearers. It was once said of him, by the Hon. J. D. C. Atkins of Tennessee, that he had more power over his
Copyright (c) 1999, 2007 Brian Cragun.