|
Edwin Alexander Elam
Biographical
Sketch On The Life Of E. A. Elam We
are not far enough removed from the life and
work of this great man to estimate the permanent
good that he accomplished; and, again, his passing has been of such
recent date that it is difficult to select just the kind of matter from the
great bulk that is before us to crowd into a short biographical sketch. It is
right to remember the good that men do and pay just tribute to them. We should
cherish their memory, emulate their example, and teach their virtues in so far
as they followed Christ and blessed the world. We have before us such a
character in E. A. Elam.
Brother
Elam first received educational training in the county schools near his home. He
began teaching in the public school in his neighborhood at the age of seventeen.
He was a success as a teacher from the beginning. After teaching one term, he
entered Franklin College in 1872. The college was then run by Prof. Jack
Fanning, a half brother of Tolbert Fanning. He attended school for one session
and then taught for a session. He continued this for a few years. In February,
1876, he entered Burritt College, which was presided over at that time by W. D.
Carnes. He would attend school for one session and then teach in the public
school for a session, continuing this until he graduated from Burritt College in
1879, when T. W. Brents was president of the college. In the fall of 1879 he
went to Mars' Hill, Ala., and began teaching with the lamented T. B.
Larimore,
and continued his work with Brother Larimore for one year. During this time he
began preaching. He preached his first sermon in the courthouse in Florence,
Ala. There was no church house owned by the disciples there at that time. At the
close of the school year there he entered into evangelistic work and gave all of
his time to preaching.
Brother
Elam was a peacemaker. He loved peace, and he gave much time to teaching peace
and helping others to come into a fuller knowledge of the blessings which come
to the life of those who love peace. Perhaps he did more to bring brethren who
were alienated together in peace than any man during his generation. His wise
counsel and godly influence were sought by many in settling church troubles. He
traveled extensively and visited numerous churches in order to bring about peace
and good will among brethren. He strongly opposed Christians' taking part in
carnal warfare. He did what he could to keep the Lord's people out of war and
encouraged them in all of the avenues of a quiet and tranquil life. He collated
all that the Bible teaches on peace at the beginning of the World War and
published to the world what God has taught about peace. He wanted his brethren
to know that which God had taught about peace. The last article that he wrote
for the Gospel Advocate was on the subject of peace. Great
as E. A. Elam was as a preacher of the gospel, he was as great as a writer. He
wrote the Uniform Lessons for Sunday-school literature for nearly thirty years.
His lessons were clear, convincing, thorough, and Scriptural. There are many
still living who can say that they have learned more Bible from studying the
lessons written by E. A. Elam than from any
other source. He began writing for the Gospel Advocate soon after he began
preaching and continued for nearly fifty years. He wrote, as he spoke, with
grace and ease, and his writings were filled with Scriptural quotations. His
instruction through the Advocate was appreciated by many, and his timely
admonitions and rebukes have saved many from error and destruction. He was a
prolific writer and wrote upon a great variety of subjects covering the whole
counsel of God. Brother Elam appreciated the importance of teaching young
people aright. He became interested in the Nashville Bible School because of the
good that it was doing under the guidance of J. A. Harding and
David Lipscomb. At
the strong solicitation of Brother Lipscomb, he became a member of the board in
1901. He served on the board until his death. He filled many important positions
connected with the college. He served as a member of the board from 1901 for
twenty-eight years; he served the college as president for six years; he served
as president of the board for six years; he served the Truly, he left a rich heritage to a younger generation, of
honesty and integrity, uprightness and faithfulness, loyalty to God and love for
his truth. The writer of this sketch received a large share of blessings through
association with him. It was his privilege to be acquainted with Brother Elam
for nearly thirty years. He sat in his classes and studied the Bible, preached
with him and labored with him in settling difficulties in churches, worked with him as a member of the
(ward of directors of David Lipscomb College, and assisted him in his last days
in writing Sunday-school literature and "Elam's Notes." Brother Elam died on March 14, 1929, at his home in
Bellwood, near Lebanon, Tenn. He was just a few days more than seventy-four
years old. Funeral services were conducted by the H. Leo
Boles and S. P. Pittman. Many
living today can truly say that E. A. Elam led them into a fuller knowledge of
God's word and encouraged them in a closer walk with God.
No one is able to estimate the value to society of such a
life as that lived by E. A. Elam. By precept and example, for more than half a
century, he consecrated all that was in him to further the cause of
righteousness. -
--Biographical Sketches Of Gospel Preachers, H. Leo Boles,
Gospel Advocate, c.1932 pages 421-425
The Home Of E.A. Elam The Elam farm still stands today. Elam's granddaughter, Jane Elam Hundley, and her husband Jim, have renovated the old farmhouse, and have preserved many of the personal effects that belonged to E.A. Elam. Most of the books in his library, along with a number of antiques that were bought new for use by the Elam family are still in the house. Early in February, 2003 it was my joy to spend the afternoon with Mrs. Hundley, along with C. Wayne Kilpatrick and Joe C. Hopper. Jane was a wonderful hostess, showing us around the beautiful home. She had many old pictures of Elam as well as those of other well known gospel preachers of his day. The house is located at 1954 Old Rome Pike, Lebanon, Tennessee. East of Nashville, Tennessee on Interstate 40, go to Exit 245, Linwood Road Exit and turn left across the bridge (road North becomes Bobo Rd.). You will continue traveling on Bobo, then come to a 4 way stop. Cross Trousdale Ferry Pike. The road now is called Big Springs Rd. When you've gone 3.2 miles from the Interstate, you will then cross Hwy. 70 (Carthage Hwy.) and continue straight on Big Springs Road 7/10 mile to stop sign and turn left on Old Rome Pike. Go 3/10 miles and the farm will be on the left. GPS
Coordinates Of House
Location Of The Grave Of E.A. Elam E.A. Elam is not buried on the property were the home is located. Leaving the home come back to Hwy. 70 and turn right. Go 3.2 miles back toward Lebanon (west) and you will see a large two-story log home on the right. Then the next street on the right is Spring Creek Road. Immediately across from Hwy. 70 from the Spring Creek Road entrance is a little farm road. You will take that road, crossing a cattle grate, proceeding 4/10 miles up the hill. The Elam Thomson Cemetery will be on your left (east) encircled by a fenced. There are cedar trees all around. A number of people are buried in the little cemetery, but what will strike the visitor more than anything is the lack of headstones. The Elams and Thomsons did not believe in headstones, so all but one grave in the cemetery has no headstone. To find the grave of E.A. Elam, go to the stone you see just below. Just behind the ELAM/THOMSON stone is the graves of Brother and Sister Elam. Two field stones mark the graves (one on each grave). Just behind the graves is a broken tree trunk. It was E.A. Elam's desire that no stones be used. Some wanted him to be buried in a big cemetery with a large monument, but his feelings were that the Bible describes man as being from dust, and to dust he returned. In his humility he did not want his remains to be enshrined, and given undeserved honor. GPS
Coordinates Of E.A. Elam Grave
|
