Linder, Lee Rev. ~ Obituary

The subject of this sketch was born in Spartanburg district, South Carolina, in 1839. He grew up on the farm amid its joys and stern activities. He was soundly converted and joined the Baptist church in early manhood; was licensed to preach in young manhood.

At the age of twenty-six he was happily married to Miss Martha ? Lipscomb, of Spartanburg. In this union of happy hearts and lives, they marched down the pilgrimage of life together for nearly fifty years, and had born unto them and reared four children, namely: Frank T. of Rosenburg, Texas; Robert, of California; Mrs. Ula Ross, of Lambert, Miss., and Dr. Forest H., of Oxford, Miss.

Brother Linder removed from South Carolina with his family to Banner, Calhoun Co., Miss., in 1873. Here he lived many years, preaching the gospel in various parts of that county and seeking to save the lost and heal the broken hearted. There was always a warm and strong attachment between him and the flock he served. Some of his pastorates therefore were long, even as long as thirty years. His people knew him and loved him and had such confidence in his integrity and character that they refused repeatedly to allow him to cease his pastorate when in his loving judgment another would have been able to do more for them.

He was several times elected moderator of his association and always had the deepest interest in the saving power of the gospel. His brethren in the ministry and out of it had the warmest love for him.

He enlisted in the Confederate army at the outbreak of the war, while he was yet in his 'teens and his record as a soldier was marked by courage and distinction. He was an officer in a cavalry company, and won praise for his daring devotion and loyalty to duty.

He was a faithful minister of the gospel of Christ for forty-five years and what he did to point men the way of life and lift up and cheer and brighten can never be known this side of the City of Light. He loved men. He loved to preach. He was never so happy as when engaged in revival meetings.

He was an uneducated man in the schools, but by indefatigable industry, perseverance and relentless midnight toil he grew to be a man of fine and keen insight, of deep and firm grasp of broad and liberal knowledge and genuine philosophic turn of mind. He was a man of superior common sense and rare judgment.

He passed from life terrestrial to celestial at his home in Taylor, Miss., in October, 1915.

Thus the chapter closes of a good and helpful life, rich in years, labor and achievements. A stroke of apoplexy and three weeks of suffering preceded his release.

He was a strong, upright, just and righteous man, one who loved God and served his fellow man with signal sincerity and unselfish devotion. He was ruggedly honest, royally true and nobly pure. He despised "can't" and double-mindedness and all forms of hypocrisy. A true husband, a devoted father, a charitable loving friend, a kind, generous neighbor, an Israelite without guile, a thorough believer in Jesus as the Savior of all men, an unctuous preacher of the Word, a true lover of men and a faithful witness to all good, worthy, noble things.

I loved him for his rugged honesty, his tenderness of soul, his large-heartedness, his guileless spirit, his warm, sympathetic soul, his unstilted, untarnished and incorruptible honor and faithfulness in every relation of this mortal life.

He is gone but we know where to find him. The Good Father of all our mercies sustain and guide and bless his inconsolate companion and his children to the end.

One who loved him,
L. M. Lipscomb.