Obituary for Elihu Randolph Childers (1832-1905)
Uncited Clipping.
From the papers of Mary Omahundro Hutt Walker

ELIHU RANDOLPH CHILDERS

For Fifty-Two Years a Minister in the Christian Church

DIED- at the home of his son in Troy, Missouri, at 12:45 p.m., Sunday, August 20, 1905, Elihu Randolph CHILDERS, after an illness of eleven days, aged 72 years, 9 months and 12 days.

The subject of the above notice was born in Franklin county, Missouri, November 8, 1832. His father died when he was but a youth, leaving the care of a large famly to him and his mother, he being the oldest child. His early education was had under the most adverse circumstances, as his means permitted attendance only upon the common schools of that day, which continued only three months of each winter. He borrowed books from teachers and friends and by the light of the pine knott fires stored his mind with their contents. So earnest was he in his efforts to educate himself, that when but a boy in his teens, he was deemed by the neighbors to be qualified to teach school.

He was converted when in his 20th year and in the year of 1853 before he was 21 year old, began preaching the gospel of his LORD and MASTER. From that time forward his life was devoted to the cause that he loved, his last service being held at Marion, Ky., the first Sunday in June of present year. His last pastorate was at Middlesborough, Ky., where he labored from Jan. 1, to Oct.1, 1904, his efforts being greatly blessed in spite of his advancing years and failing health.

He was married in the year 1858 to Miss Mary C. SMITH, of Washington co, Mo. and to them were born two children, Henry F., publisher of this paper, and Mary Lee, the wife of Jerome BAILEY, of Moutain View, Cal. He moved from Columbia, Mo., to Kentucky in 1865, where he remained until 1869, taking a course of study in the Bible College of Christian the Church at Lexington, Ky., where his wife died in September,1868. Returning to Missouri in 1869, his ministerial labors were in this state until 1885, when he went to Illinois, but remained there less than two years, removing to California in 1887 on account of his sufferings from asthma. He remained in that state until the fall of 1901, when he returned to Missouri, making his home with his son in Troy from that time until his death.

His health has been poor for the past four years, but he was never content to be idle if he could labor in the Master's Vinyard and often went to --------- to preach against the advice of the family because of ---frail health. On the 9th of the present month he had a severe attack of kidney disease, from which he had suffered several years; the physician gave no hope for recovery from the first, as there was an evident breaking down of his entire system and heart action was especially weak and unfavorable. Without a murmur of complaint he underwent his last illness, being graciously spared from bodily suffering and just as the sun reached meridian height on the Lo ---------- the day of days in his heart and mind- he passed -------------just as he had lived upon it peacefully and quietly. The----- ----no struggle, no pain; he fell asleep in Jesus just as quietly----infant in its mother's arms. Funeral services were conducted by Eld. E.J. Lampton Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, after which the remains were interred in the family lot at the city cem.

May not a son, arrived at the years of mature judgment, form a true estimate of his father's life and character? Who can have better opportunity to judge even with all the limitations of human nature and a finite mind? May I not, therefore, be permitted to record here in printed characters that I hope may never perish, my sincere belief that my father was a humble, consecrated servant of Christ whom he professed to love. His humility was shown ---a rational moment but a short time before his death when he ----"Oh! my life has been so imperfect! But God is merciful and will forgive all our mistakes," Such was his spirit after over a half a century of loyal, loving ministry of the Word. His labors were greatly blessed, fully 2,000 persons having given their hearts to Christ under his preaching.

By nature he was modest, unassuming and unaffected. Never, within my remembrance, did I hear him say aught in unkindness or in censure of any fellow creature. My earliest recollection of his teaching in the family circle is that we should never express an opinion of anyone unless it to be a good one- to always leave unsaid the unkind word. He lived the life which he tried to teach. He has left to those who loved him and who will ever cherish his memory the most precious heritage we can receive from human --ands and human lives - the heritage of a pure, sincere, Christian character, washed and made white by the blood of the lamb.

Transcriber's Notes: Cemetery record for Elihu & Mary C. Smith, Childres "Gone But Not Forgotten" Vol 9 page 26 Troy City Cemetery
CHILDERS Elihu R. 1832 - 1905 Mary C. 1842 - 1868
Henry F. 1859 - 1934 Nellie McK 1859 - 1928

also was listed: Elihu R. 1887 - 1948
Alida H. 1893 - no date ]

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by June Groshong, 30 November, 2003.

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