MACON COUNTY, GA - OBITS Rev. William Henry Rice 1885

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The Christian Index - Pg. 3 - Column 3 -
 6-4-1885 by the
Marshallville Baptist Church Committee: 

Mrs. Dr. Cook, Mrs. L. M. Felton and Mr.
Hriam Hargrove 

REV. WILLIAM HENRY RICE -
Another link is broken, another tie severed
in friendship's chain, formed long years
ago, in youth's happy days, by the writer,
in her native state, South Carolina, and
nurtured during years of close and intimate
association. A pleasant friendship, truly,
but like all earthly things, evanescent in
its nature! Death has invaded our midst and
borne away our beloved friend and sadness
and gloom over our entire community.

He died at his home near Marshallville, Ga.
on the 15th of May, 1885, after a brief but
severe illness, being confined to his bed
about ten days. He bore with great patience
and fortitude his sufferings, and when told
that he could not survive them, he said: "I
have no preparation to make now; I have been
working and living for this hour all my
life."

Brother Rice was born in Barnwell District,
South Carolina, on the 24th day of March,
1817, where he was raised, educated partly
at the Furman University, near Winnsboro;,
Fairfield District, and graduated from the
South Carolina College with honor in 1839.
In his studies, he sought after truth alone.
It was the giant brand of flame that pointed
him upwards to the proud and rugged steep of
knowledge. Kind and gentle in his manners,
impressive in conversation, he invited and
won frankness and candor from all he came in
contact with; while he enriched them with
his mature counsels and elevated them by his
purity of life. Friendship with him was
synonomous with loyalty, justice and virtue.
He was as true to his friends as the "heft
to the blade." His allegiance to virtue
illustrated his life and made his character
as beautiful as the bow which is seen in the
clouds. His sincere sympathies bound his
friends to him with hooks of steel, while
they diffused over his conduct and a glow
and warmth like"morning around the mountain
spread." Above all, he was a true Christian,
and "ipistle known and read of all men." The
Church, Sunday School and prayer-meeting
will miss him; his dear ones at home wuill
look sad and heartbroken upon the vacant
chair, never again to be occupied by that
loving and devoted father, while this entire
community now mourns for him as did David
for Jonathan. Grief forbids my saying more,
and I forbear.

He married Miss Emily Buckner of Woodlawn,
Beaufort District, S.C,., and now rest by
her side in the Baptist Church Yard in this
place. He leaves five sons, and an only
daughter, with many friends, to mourn his
loss.

[Note: Rev. William Henry Rice - Born March
24, 1817 - Died May 15, 1885 is buried in
the Marshallville Baptist Churchyard in a
fenced in Rice Family Cemetery Lot, beside
his wife, Emily Ann Rice [1821 - 1875]

[The five sons: Edward Howard Rice, Marion
Dayton Rice, William Henry Rice, Jr., George
B. Rice, Joseph Morrison Rice and only
daughter Evelyn Rice]