Reames, I.T.
1/19/1947
December 2, 1862 - January 19, 1947 |
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| Rev. I. T. Reames, born in East Feliciana Parish, December 2, 1862, died in Vivian, Caddo Parish, January 19, 1947 is the earthly span of the life of this good man; but Brother Reames had more than an earthly span to his good life, for he was more than “of the earth earthly”, he was a child of God, born from above, led by the Spirit of God. Indeed, A Minister of God in whom there was no deceit. His early boyhood was spent in and around Clinton, La. He was converted in early manhood and at 26 years of age joined the Louisiana Annual Conference at Baton Rouge in December 1889. This was the beginning of forty years in the itinerancy of the Methodist Church, and every year was a joy and blessing to him, and with God’s spirit, he made them a joy and blessing to others. His life was given to service and he rejoiced in every phase of the church life. His ministry was acceptable and he was sought for on different occasions by the Elders for tasks that he was quite efficient in. Always he did his work well and with an eye single to the Glory of God.. Brother Reames life seemed to say: “I expect to pass this way but once; any good, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show, let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again”. His heart and mind was ever alert to the fact that the Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone who believes. Constantly in his ministry he was proving the truth of the Gospel to the people to whom he ministered, and bringing them to know Christ in the forgiveness of their sins. His people loved him, and he loved to bring them to a saving knowledge of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because he felt the need of a dryer climate, in 1903, he asked to be transferred to Montana and spent several years in the Northwest. However, upon his return to Louisiana he found that he was not completely recovered, and in a year asked to be transferred to Oregon, which was granted. In 1908 he returned to Louisiana completely recovered and remained an itinerant preacher until his retirement in 1929. On October 14, 1886 he married Miss Emily Jackson of Clinton, La., and they lived happily together for 60 years. She too, was active in every phase of church work, and at one appointment served as Sunday School Superintendent, which was out of the ordinary for those days. However, when a task was to be done, and Sister Reames was asked to do it, she gave herself unreservedly to its accomplishment. Brother Reames was a gospel preacher, evangelistic in spirit, who ministered to the needs of his congregation and community, and faithful in every good work. Truthfully do we say: “Servant of God well done! Thy glorious warfare’s past; - The battle’s fought, the race is won, And thou art crowned at last.” |
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| Source: Journal of the Louisiana Conference of the Methodist Church, Pages 111-112, 1948 by Van Carter. | |
