| Rev Ner H Phillips |
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Ner H Phillips was born in Randolph County, Indiana, September 11, 1829. He died February 17, 1902, aged seventy-two years, five months and six days. His parents were Thomas and Rebecca Phillips, early pioneers of Indiana, stanch, loyal Methodists and devoted Christian people. On his father's farm he spent his early years. In May, 1844, when he was but a lad of fourteen years, a lady in the neighborhood was instantly killed by lightning. He was strangely moved by this sudden calamity, and great questionings about life, duty and destiny thronged his mental and moral sky. To this lad this was an hour of awakening and enlargement, when his soul cried out unto God for light, illumination, assurance, liberty. On the Sunday following he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and avowed his purpose to lead a Christian life. A little later he found peace in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. He knocked, and doors of hope, of mercy, of pardon, of assurance, of peace, of joy, of life, were opened to him. Christ came and satisfied his longing soul, and henceforth they were one. His early life was a busy one. He toiled on the farm, he learned a trade, he went to school, he mastered books, he taught school — but all the while there was a conviction, which strengthened with the passing years, that God had not only called him to discipleship, but also to be His ambassador — to carry and preach His gospel to dying men. He hesitated and shrank from such high and holy calling. He cried out : " Who is sufficient for this work? Who am I, and what warrant have I to be a steward of God's own mysteries — of His mercy and love and salvation to men?" With greater power and clearness the conviction came to him, and convinced at last that God called him, and that he must preach the gospel, he commenced his ministerial career. For nearly half a century the name of N H Phillips has been a familiar one to all Methodists of Northern Indiana. His tall and commanding figure, his strong face and manly bearing marked him as a person of unusual intelligence and strength of character. The pulpit was his throne. His sermons were logical, analytical, and were delivered with great power. In the days of his strength, of his effective ministry, he often thrilled and inspired congregations by his eloquence and great utterances and lofty periods. He was a mighty preacher of the gospel. He was a strong and influential personality in the North Indiana Conference for many years. His ministry commenced at Selma, six miles east of Muncie, Ind, in 1853. He was thirty years in the regular pastorate. He served the charges in the order following: Selma, Windsor; Third Street, Peru ; Selma, Albany, Marion, Pendleton, Centervllle and Williamsburg, Knightstown ; Pearl Street, Richmond ; Berry Street, Fort Wayne ; Muncie, Muncie District; Wabash District, Goshen, Knightstown, Hartford City, Kendalville, Fishersburg; and, during his superannuation, organized and had charge of Madison Street, Muncie. He served two full terms as presiding elder in the Muncie and Warsaw Districts. He was twelve years superannuated. He was twice a delegate to the General Conference of his Church. He was loved and honored by the Church and his brethren in the ministry. In his early manhood he wooed and won the heart and hand of Mary Garrett, and they were married August 14, 1851, in Bloomingsport, Ind. Five children came to gladden their home and hearts, three of whom survive him. The eldest, Mrs Kate Thatcher, lives at Spokane, Wash; Mrs Mary J Cline, at Bluffton, Ind; and Emma G Phillips abode with her father until he closed his eyes in death. For twenty-seven years Mary Garrett Phillips aided her husband by her ready sympathies, her wise counsels and her strong aflfection. She was the hopeful, faithful, earnest, devoted itinerant's wife and helpmeet — the tender, loving mother of their children. During their pastorate at Goshen, Ind, she was called to the upper mansions. April 13, 1880, he was united in wedlock with Mrs Nancy E White, at Scircleville, Ind, and for nearly twenty-two years she shared his love and lot and home. She tenderly ministered to him in his affliction in these last years of his life with all the love, constancy and devotion that a true and faithful wife can give to the man she loves. Brother Phillips was gentle and graceful in thought, speech and act. He was a kind neighbor, an affectionate husband, a wise, loving father, a loyal, patriotic citizen and a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. He always carried with him the marks of a Christian gentleman. His ministry was characterized by a broad, catholic spirit that drew all hearts to him and to the Christ he loved and served. The time of his ministry was all too brief though it covered nearly half a century. On Monday night, February 17, 1902, he answered his Master's call, and triumphantly swept through the gate into heaven. But our brother is not dead. His mortal life is ended, but not so his work and influence and power among men. He has an immortality on earth that death can not touch nor time disturb. He lives in every Methodist Church and congregation where he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and inspired men to nobler, better, holier living. He lives in the lives of those who, under his eloquent preaching and ministry, were brought out of darkness into light, out of bondage into liberty, and who live to help and bless and uplift their fellows. The funeral services were held in High Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Muncie. The memoir was read by Rev C U Wade, and the sermon was delivered by Rev A W Lamport, D D; text, Acts viii, 2. Forty-one ministers were present, mostly members of the North Indiana Conference. The Ministerial Association of the city of Muncie, of which the deceased was a member, attended in a body, and, through the secretary, offered and read beautiful resolutions. The interment occurred at Goshen, Ind, where Rev C C Cissell, D D, Rev F T Simpson, D D, and Rev S Light officiated at the final services. -C U Wade |