James Hervey Otey Papers Box 1 Folder 2 Document 8

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duty imposed. But he lived to see the fruits of his spiritual husbandry in the erection of Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Arkansas into episcopal sees, and faithful, earnest men appointed to the duties of the episcopal office in each of these dioceses. A rich heritage this, for the Church; but purchased "with the blood and manhood of this true warrior for Christ."

He was the patron of learning and Christian education.

The valuable papers which he has, from time to time, contributed to the promotion of his noble enterprise, and the unwearied laborious efforts, unduanted by opposition or indifference, to establish Church schools and institutions in the Diocese, bear witness to his enthusiastic love and life-long devotion to the cause of sound learning and religious education.

Though fitted by nature and high culture to tread with grace the higher walks of literature, yet was he never decoyed from the chosen work to which he had coonsecrated himself, body, soul and spirit. To the sterner duties which attend the rugged way of his sacred calling, all else was subordinate. Dipping the pencil in his own heart, in so strong colors did he sometimes paint the singleness of aim, the dauntless self-denial, and unrelenting self-immolation--if need be--the burning seal, the active, vigorous faith, the inflexible purpose, the resolute perserverance, the purity of intention, and the personal holiness of life, indespensable in him who aspired to the service of the altar, that many a candidate presented to him for Holy Orders trembled and, almost shrank from the assumption of such tremendous vows, such fearful responsibilities, until strengthened and encouraged by words of holy cheer from that kind heart which beat beneath the robes of office. These wise counsels were oftentimes as salutary to the robed priests who sat around him, as to those who tremblingly stood waiting for the laying on of his hands, and the solemn investiture of a Deacon's misson or a Presbyter's prerogatives.

By genera; consent his name has been enrolled among the great minds of the American Church, and occupies a proud eminence in that order of the ministry which has ever been distinguished for talents, learning, and piety. He acquired, under difficulties that few students of theology at the present day are called to encounter, a store of sound theological learning which any one might covet. Of him it can truly be said, "he was mighty in the Scriptures;" and few could apply them with with such marvellous skill and quickness. In some departments of theology he had few equals, and fewer superiors. In

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