Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Bell, William Thomas 1852 - 1930 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Iris Thompson Fry IrisAngelLink@aol.com March 11, 2005, 12:54 pm Author: 1930 Official Journal of Methodist, North Georgia Conference. The 1930 Official Journal of Methodist, North Georgia Conference. Roll Of Our Dead Rev. William Thomas Bell Rev. William Thomas Bell was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, March 8, 1852. He was reared in a Christian home and amidst religious environment. At an early age he surrendered his life to the Lord, was converted, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. While a young man he felt called of God to preach and was licensed in 1876. At Augusta, Dec., 1979, he was admitted on trial in the North Georgia Conference, Bishop Keener presiding. Dec., 1881, at the Conference held in Athens, he was admitted in full connection held at Dalton, Dec., 1883, he was ordained Elder by Bishop Pierce. The following charges were served by him: Jasper,1880; Cherokee, 1881-2; Alpharetta, 1883-5; Chipley, 1886-8; Hoganville, 1889-91; St. Paul, Atlanta, 1892-3; Jackson, 1894; Thomaston, 1895; Kingston, 1896; St. Luke, Atlanta, 1897; Palmetto and Fairburn, 1898-9; Bolton, 1900; Harmony Grove- now Commerce- 1901; Harlem, 1902-4; Newborn, 1905-6; Stone Mountain, 1907; Battle Hill and West Side, 1908-10; Culloden and Yatesville, 1911-12; Hepzibah, 1913-14; Hanleiter,Griffin, 1915. At the Conference of 1915, owing to failing health, he requested to be placed on the superannuate list, and it was done. This record reveals only a small part of our Brother's fidelity and zeal for the extension of the Kingdom of God. Some-yea most- of the charges he served paid meager salaries, and some were difficult, yet with joy and bright anticipation he went forth in the name of the Master and succeeded. Brother Bell was a good preacher, sound in the fundamentals of Divine truth and clear in the proclamination of the Gospel of Christ. He was evangelistic in his preaching and many were converted, back-sliders were reclaimed, and the Church, edified. He had one purpose, viz; to do the will of the Father. He was faithful as a pastor, visiting and praying with his people in their homes and becoming identified with them in every interest pertaining to their welfare,- social, intellectual, moral, spiritual. He administered to the sick and bereaved, inspiring them with hope of a better day. He scattered sunshine along the pathway of life. Many are the homes that were brightened by his visitations. Many will call him blessed at the last day. He had the gift of impressing the masses for good, and all- saint and sinner- had implicit confidence in his sincerity as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ. In the latter part of his life he was greatly afflicted, but amidst it all he was patient and submissive; realizing that the Father doeth all things well. With the blessed assurance of an inheritance in the City of the King, on May 14, 1930, he fell asleep on the bosom of the Savior and went home to God. Brother Bell was twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Georgia Young; Dec.9, 1869. Ten children blessed this union, four of whom survive him. His second marriage was to Miss Emma Cox, Jan. 14, 1897, who is now living in Decatur. By: C.V. Weathers Submitted by: Iris Thompson Fry File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/unknown/bios/bs297bell.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb