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Emmerich, Earl Burton
6/10/1968
April 2, 1905 - June 10, 1968 |
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| Earl Emmerich served with distinction in many places of ministry— missionary, pastor, executive secretary, Council Director. He was beloved as a counselor, eagerly heard as a preacher, everywhere respected as a represent-ative of the Christ. He was known as a builder of churches, spiritually and architecturally. His example was a constant inspiration of youth, especially to a number of those who considered him a “father in God” in the ministry. His ministry and life might be focused in a quality that was recognized by all and attested to in many communications received by Katherine, his widow, in the weeks following his death. That quality can be expressed in this way: “he was always alive and growing!” Change, newness, passing of the familiar — these held no tenor for him. He learned early in his life the deeper meaning of education as growth. He encountered in his days in the family home the reality of God’s love that never changes, but which accompanies each movement of life. He dared to see the possibility of freshness and creativity in the new. This is a rare quality in our world, among old and young alike. He treasured the past, but he did not bow down to it. He did not live as if his security were fastened there. Through his trust in God he was set free to greet each new present as a gift to be handled with imagination and hope! This attitude never left him, even on his hospital bed. For he looked beyond that to the tomorrow given by Him who makes all things new. Death held no threat—perhaps a disappointment that he could not finish incomplete tasks here—but no threats, for he knew that his life was grasped by a living God in whom was a splendid future. He demonstrated to all that as a man advances in years, his dreams and plans need not stop in some past moment or experience. Earl came to his last appointment with far greater experience and wisdom than when he set sail as a young missionary forty years ago, but he did not come to that appointment with any less enthusiasm’s, vigor and hope! To combine the maturity of experience with the daring of youth was his enriching gift to each of us who knew him and loved him. He showed us the excitement of an ever-fresh ministry. Constantly at his side and sharing in his vital ministry was Katherine Hull Sells, whom he married, August 16, 19~29. He took his bride to the Korean mission field, and there they served until 1934. He was ordained both deacon and elder in Korea. Two daughters came to this home, Edith (Mrs. Ludwig C. Mulling) and Elsa (Mrs. Lawrence A. Jamison). Earl Burton Emmerich was born at McComb, Mississippi, on April 2, 1905. He did undergraduate work at Mississippi State College and completed the Bachelor of Divinity degree at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Earl served the following appointments: Korean mission field; Osyka, Mississippi; Oak Grove; Parker Memorial, New Orleans; Executive Secretary. Louisiana Conference Board of Education; Rayville; University Church, Lake Charles; First Church, West Monroe; First Church, Pineville; Associate Director of the Program Council He built and dedicated the present sanctuary at Rayville. While pastor at Rayville he organized the Holly Ridge Methodist Church and built the sanctuary there. He organized the Morningside Methodist Church in Shreveport and built the first unit while he was Executive Secretary of the Board of Education. While he was pastor at University Church, Lake Charles, the present sanctuary was built. He died at Shreveport, Louisiana, June 10, 1968. His funeral was conducted by Bishop Aubry C. Walton and the Reverend John Winn in the Brown Memorial Chapel, Centenary College campus. A second service was held in Centenary Methodist Church, McComb, Mississippi, by the Reverend Ray Branton and the Reverand C. B. Watson. |
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| Source: Journal of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, Pages 226-228, 1969 by Robert Ed Taylor. | |
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