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DEATH OF BISHOP GREEN.
Four score and nine measured strokes upon the sweet-toned bell in the tower of the old Christ Church, in this city, at noon Sunday, announced that that which was mortal of William Mercer Green had put on immortality, the venerable prelate having expired at the University of the South, at 6 o'clock, on that morning. Although his departure was to have been expected at any time within the last five years, death at last came suddenly and with but little previous warning, a letter written as late as two p.m. of Friday stating that he was sitting up partially dressed, reading the papers.
The death of no man in this State would carry sorrow tomore hearthstones than that of Bishop Green does. For more than a generation he made his pilgrimage of love throughout the bordersof this State, going not alone to populous centers where large congregations were to be found to admire his eloquence, and praise his learning, but quite as assiduously to the most obsure hamlet, wherever a son or daughter of the Church was to have been found to receive his ministrations, and his venerable form was known from Tennessee to the Gulf and his name was a household word with all sorts of people. Men and women, who were not of his church, loved and honored him wherever he want and [?] with his own people pay [?] name and memory. [?] Green.
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months after his graduation, he mar- ried Sarah W. Sneed, of [?] county, young in years, but most lovely in person and character. He there commenced a course of study for the Ministry, but without the aid of the many advantages now at hand to the Theological student. For the "General Seminary" existed then only in the hopes and prayers of the Church. In 1821 he was admitted to Deacon's Orders, and in 1823 to those of the Priesthood, by the Rt. Rev. Richard Channing Moore, Bishop of Virginia, at who hands he had previously received the Rite of Confirmation.
During the first four year of his Ministry, he was in charge of St. John's Church, Williamsborough; but at the same time acted as chief Missionary of the Diocese. In 1826 he removed to Hillsborough, and founded S. Matthew's Church. Here, after a happy union of twelve years, he lost his wife; and three years after, married Charlotte Isabella Flemming, a woman of most saint-like character. In 1837 he was appointed to the chaplaincy, and the chair of Belles-Lettres, in his Alma Mater, the University of North Carolina; in which position he continued, until unexpectedly called, in 1948, to be the first Bishop of Mississippi. He was consecrated int S. Andrew's church, Jackson, Miss., February 24th, 1850, by Bishops J.H. Otey of Tennessee, Leonidas Polk of Louisiana, N. H Cobbs of Alabama, and George W. Freeman of Arkansas.
The degree of D. D. was conferred upon the Bishop in 1845, by the University of Pennsylvania; and that of LL. D., more recently by the University of his native State.
The Bishop has written but little for publication, besides a few sermons and addresses, a memoir of Bishop Ravensscroft, and a similar memoir of Bishop Otey.
Of the Bishop's first marriage, two children out of five are spared to him. Of the second, four are still living, the youngest of whom is the Rev. Stephen H. Green, rector of S. John's church, St. Louis, Mo. Another son, the Rev. Duncan O. Green, fell a victim to the yellow fever in 1878, whilst nobly ministering to his afflicted flock at Greenville, in this State. Mr. Berkeley Green, another son, has long been a resident of and engaged in business in this city.
The Bishop's remains will be interred beside those of his wife in the cemetery at Jackson, probable on Thursday, the funeral taking place from St. Andrew's Church, and by express direction of the Bishop will be as simple as possible.