A STANDARD BEARER HAS FALLEN.

"George Daniel Russell, son of Elder George and Leah Jackson Hudson Russell, was born April 29, 1824, in Franklin County, Alabama, converted at the early age of 14, and united with the Missionary Baptist Church, at Mt. Nebo, in the county of his nativity. At Moulton, Lawrence County, Alabama, August 11, 1842, he was married to Emily Menville Stovall, A.L. Stovall the bride's brother, officiating. He was called to ordination September 17, 1849, by the Macedonia Church in Franklin County. The Presbytery ordaining him consisted of A.L. Stovall and J.C. Vincent.

From September 17, 1849 to 1853, his labors were confined to North Alabama. In 1853 he moved to Lee County, Mississippi, where he preached and taught for eighteen years, having charge of from two to four churches all the time.

In the fall of 1870, on account of declining health, he moved to Texas. His physicians also advised him to stop preaching, but his constantly burning desire to preach the gospel of the Son of God, to lost souls, impelled him to preach. He settled near Lexington, now Lee County, Texas.

A man of his ability could not remain long without a field. He was soon called to the Lexington and Prospect Churches, which he served successfully for three years. He also preached one year at Middleton Springs. His health declining early in the year of 1874, he moved to a point near Davilla, in Milam County. Here he remained about one year and was pastor of Davilla and San Gabriel Churches. In the winter of 1875 he moved to Williamson County, near Circleville. He soon had all of the churches that he could possibly attend to. While there he was the pastor for a while at least of Friendship, Macedonia, Indian Creek, and Prairie Springs churches.

Last September, one year ago {1882}, he reached Lampasas. His condition was now broken down. He must at last give up the work which lay so near his heart. He could preach no more. Only once or twice after moving here did he attempt it. He was able to attend church but a few times. He was a great, but patient, sufferer. February 16, 1884, he breathed his last. Thus passed away a good man, leaving a wife, seven sons, five daughters, nineteen grandchildren, and a host of friends to mourn his loss.

A loving husband and a good father, self educated, but well educated, never having gone to school but five months. His wife taught him his first lesson in grammar. He was a strong friend of education. As a preacher he was logical, forcible, earnest, popular and successful. I will never forget the text of the first sermon I ever heard him preach-"If the righteous scarcely be saved, etc." This was at Liberty Church, in Burleson County. How I loved to hear him sing-"There is rest for the weary"--the rest to which he is now gone, but "Rock of Ages" was his favorite.

Loving wife, forty two years his bosom companion, weep not! Soon you will meet him where separations are no more. Fatherless children, remember his loving counsel-meet him in Heaven. You have the earnest sympathy of his pastor.

James M. Carroll

(James M. Carroll was a Baptist minister in Lampasas. The obituary was printed in many the Baptist papers in Alabama and Mississippi.)

Contributor: David Hereford Surles (48188940) with a couple addition by Judy Clayton Hagberg.