p. 14 | Death of Elder E. R. Williams by R. C. Porter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 29, 1910

Death of Elder E. R. Williams

By R. C. Porter

ELDER E. R. WILLIAMS, president of the Cape Colony Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, South Africa, was born in New York State. His parents moved to Michigan when he was a child. He died very suddenly near Worcester, about one hundred nine miles from Cape Town, on Sunday, November 20, aged forty-three years.

Brother Williams was well known in both America and Africa, having labored in city work in America and in official work in Africa. At the close of the Claremont Union College year, he came to Claremont to attend the commencement exercises, and to confer with the Cape Conference Committee with reference to future plans of work. Elder D. C. Theunissen had requested the organization of a church at Worcester, so it was thought best for Elder Williams to go there and organize the church, and visit some other churches, en route for Ladybrand, Orange Free State, where he would join Elders D. F. Tarr and D. H. Groenewald in starting a tent-meeting. Accordingly, Brother Williams went to Worcester, spent the Sabbath, and organized the church. He then decided to go on his bicycle to Wellington, Malmesbury, where his sons were canvassing, before proceeding on his tour up country, which would separate him from them for some time.

The day was hot, and the distance was about sixty miles. He left Worcester about ten in the morning, and evidently rode quite fast a distance of nine miles, when he fell by the roadside stricken with apoplexy, occasioned by overheat and the bursting of a blood-vessel in the brain. A passing farmer found him, and proceeded at once to arrange for the removal of the body to the undertaker's in Worcester. Brother Clark and the canvassers at Worcester learned the sad news, and from there brought the remains to Maitland Cemetery, near Cape Town, for burial. There he now rests, beside other fallen missionary comrades, awaiting the call of the Life-giver to his eternal reward.

The funeral was a very sad occasion on account of the suddenness of the calamity, which was deeply felt by the many friends who were present, and all the more because Sister Williams and Hugh could not be reached in time to attend.

A memorial service was held in the church at Claremont on Sabbath, November 26, after the arrival of the family.

Elder Williams will be greatly missed in this field and in his home on account of his kindness of heart, which endeared him to his fellow laborers as a brother, and to his family by the closest ties of earthly kinship.

While the field mourns with the family our great loss, we have the fullest confidence that soon we shall meet him, when the message has finished its mission. He fell at his post in the triumph of faith, in the midst of his most active labors, and at a time when he was laying plans for a vigorous campaign in response to the Lord's call to work the cities. Sister Williams and four boys, the eldest nineteen years and the youngest eighteen months old, are left to mourn their loss.

While we humbly bow in loyal submission to the will of God beneath the heavy stroke that has fallen upon us, we arise in faith to close up the ranks, and press the battle more vigorously until the work is finished, and the Master returns to bid all who are faithful in their labors to enter into rest.

R. C. PORTER.