BATES, Rev. George W. (1840-1901)

BATES, BEST

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 2/16/2015 at 13:59:21

Malvern Leader
Thurs Feb. 21, 1901

OBITUARY - - Rev. George W. Bates was born in Dark [sic] county, Ohio, April 1st, 1840, and departed this life from his home in Malvern, Iowa, Feb. 14th, 1901.

On the 9th day of June, 1870, he was united in marriage with Emily H. Best, who devotedly shared with him over thirty years of his thirty four years spent in the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The last charge served by Brother Bates was Pittsfield, Ill.; this charge he was compelled to surrender on the first Sunday of April 1900.

He spent three years in the active service during the Civil War. He went out as a private, but later received the commission of First Lieutenant for meritorious services. He was held in highest esteem by his comrades.

His old Colonel at one time remarked in the presence of a large company of Methodist Preachers, "Here is a man whose Adjutant always sought to be near him while in battle for he was too good a man for the bullets to hit." His old Chaplain stated the same fact at a table where a number of preachers were at dinner. So general was this motion that it was a proverbial saying among the soldiers.

He was converted when about sixteen years of age. His was a sunny winning manner, his faithfulness and loyalty to the church of his choice, justly occasioned his being held in high esteem by the churches he served, while at the same time his passionate love for souls marked him as an earnest man, ardently devoted to every influence which made for righteousness, and has left behind him many a pleasing memory. One of his old presiding Elders wrote him not long ago; in this letter he said, "I thank God that I have ever known you; your even tempered Christian character, glorious sermons and steady friendship have deeply impressed my life."

I asked Brother Bates at the time of our last quarterly love feast if he had any message for us, he not being able to attend. He said tell them "I have found every promise true. If I had my life to live over I would be a Methodist preacher, and try to do more for the Master. I had rather be a poor Methodist preacher than to be a king."

During his sickness he suffered greatly, at times his mind was clouded, but again clear and bright, during these moments, as was so characteristic of him, he manifested unwonted interest in his family, his friends and the church he so dearly loved. During these times he would give expression to words life the following: "The morning dawns, the night shadows go. All is well, all is well." Addressing his son he said, "Good bye George, be a faithful good man, faithful to God, faithful to your poor mother. I go with no regrets, I cannot get well. I go with the love of God in my heart and with the peace of God in my soul."

His end was peaceful and seemingly painless, quietly closing his eyes to things of earth he entered into rest.

His face redolent with sunshine and cheer, will be missed at the annual roll call of his conference, but they who knew him best are sure that he is "present with the Lord."

He rests from his toils and his works follow with him. Thus there has passed from us one who was pure and gentle, whose life as we knew it, was the expression of the mind of Christ to men.

A good man, a good husband and a good father has gone.

"Another hand is beckoning,
Another call is given,
And glows once more with angel steps,
The path that reaches heaven.
We miss him from the place of prayer,
And by the hearth fire light,
We pause beside his door once more,
To hear his sweet "Good night."
Alone unto Our Father's will,
One thought has reconciled,
That he whose love excelleth ours,
Has taken home his child."

The family desire to express their gratitude and thanks for the many kindness of friends during their recent bereavement.