OBITUARY: Rev. M. D. Blocker, 29 Aug 1887 - Smith County, TX Submitted by Vicki Betts 1 January 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************************** TEXAS CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, September 8, 1887, p. 4, c. 5 DEATH OF REV. M. E. BLOCKER. I write to inform you, as well as the members of the East Texas Conference, that our beloved brother and co-laborer, M. E. Blocker, died last night, triumphantly, and is now at rest. He leaves a young wife whose brow is yet sweetened by the aroma of the bridal wreath. He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost. The earth is poorer on account of his absence from it. An obituary will be furnished at some time in the future. N. B. Philips. Tyler, Texas, Aug. 31st. TEXAS CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, November 3, 1887, p. 7, c. 3 REV. M. E. BLOCKER. Rev. Michael Erastus Blocker, son of Rev. Micajah Blocker and Mary East, was born of the flesh in Calcasieu parish, Louisiana, Aug. 8, 1860, and was born of the Spirit at the age of twelve years, at which time in the State of Louisiana he joined the M. E. Church, South. At the age of nineteen he was licensed to preach in Terrell, Texas, July 26, 1879. Received on trial into the traveling connection in the East Texas Conference in 1881, and into full connection in 1883, at which time he was ordained deacon by Bishop Linus Parker. He graduated in theology in 1885, and was ordained elder by Bishop McTyeire at Beaumont, Texas. On the second day of February, 1887, he led to the hymeneal altar as his bride Miss Ella May Clay, who, with the aroma of the bridal wreath still lingering upon her brow, laments his early demise. Six months after the happy nuptials, on August 19, at 8:12 p.m., the young wife, faithful mother and devoted brother, Rev. R. M. Blocker, with other friends, witnessed their loved one lay down the cross and receive his crown. Thus faded away one of the most promising young preachers of the East Texas Conference. Had he lived even until prime manhood, I hardly think he would have had his equal in the conference as a scholar, theologian or preacher. His early educational advantages had been limited, but he belonged to that class of men that we find in all of the higher professions, who make themselves heard and felt by self-education. In this respect he had lain a broad and sure foundation for rearing in himself literary attainments that would have, in a few years, made him a man of authority among his brethren. His knowledge of the classics was rapidly increasing as his days rolled by. His deliverances on the standards of the peculiar people called methodists gave forth no deceiving sound, but were always in accordance with the Book. And yet, he did not deny himself the right to differ with the illustrious theologians of the past whenever his opinions were strengthened by "Thus saith the Lord." He felt that as a traveling preacher, the only prerogative the church of which he was a servant had a right to exercise or require of him was his practice, and not his opinions. Hence, while in some instances his opinions differed widely from some of the teachings of the books, h is practice was in accord with our disciplinary requirements and in harmony with his ordination vows, to keep the rules, and not to mend them. In social life he was modest and retiring, yet always at ease and confident. As a pastor, he was much beloved and very popular. Several works traveled by him are within the bounds of the Tyler district. In almost every parlor or sitting room you enter, you will find among the clusters of cherished and family relics the photograph of our beloved brother. I have entered no home this year located on the circuits he had traveled without hearing from the inmates remarks of the highest esteem for him, and expressions of condolence at his premature decay. Two years ago his health was so impaired that he asked the conference to grant him a supernumerary relation. He then moved to Tyler. It was not long before the impress of his Christian nobility was felt in every heart of this good people. A young men's prayer-meeting organized sometime before by Father W. N. Bonner was in successful operation. This organization soon developed into a Young Men's Christian Association, with Bro. Blocker as secretary. This providential opening afforded him ample time to keep up his regular course of study, and the salary maintained his family. In this new field, so wide and propitious for doing good, he seemed to excel. Around him gathered the young men of the community; and lessons were imparted that will emblazon his eternal crown. But, alas! in the zenith of this new field of usefulness, disease pierced him with one of its most fatal arrows, and the sad news soon prevailed that his work was ended. For weeks and months before his demise he was closely confined to his room and bed, sometimes hopeful of recovery of health, and then despairing; and though at times suffering intensely, he could always kiss the hand that held the rod, and say: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." The last interview between us I remarked that I would leave the ensuing day to be in attendance at a camp-meeting, and that probably we would not meet again in the flesh. He remarked: "That is so, my brother. I know not how soon the end will come. I am waiting for something to develop that will make me better, or take me home." As I left him, he said: "Farewell! if you do not find me here on your return from the camp-meeting I will be up yonder. When you get there, look for me; I will be sure to go there when I leave this bed of affliction." These were his last words to the writer. On the 29th of August just as the stars of the great upper deep came forth as higher sentinels, his star emblazoned the diadem of the world's Redeemer. U. B. Philips.