Obituary of Romulus Swift

Rev. Romulus S. Swift 

            Rev. Romulus S. Swift, a worthy superannuated member of the Memphis Conference, died at his home in Scott’s Hill, Henderson County, Tennessee., on Monday, April 29, 1889.  He had been sorely afflicted with partial paralysis the past five years, which hindered him very materially in his life-work—preaching the gospel of the Son of God—in which he delighted and gloried, knowing that it was the “power of God until Salvation to every one that believeth.” 

            He was born in Orange County, N.C., July 13, 1818, and at an early age was brought by his uncle to Giles County, Tenn., where he was brought up, and at the age of nineteen years embraced religion at a camp meeting at Prospect, and one year after joined the Methodist Church.  At the age of twenty-one years he was happily married to Sarah S. Paine, and moved to Dyer County, Tenn., and, being an active,  efficient, and aggressive member of the Church, he was licensed to exhort by Rev. Thos. J. Lowery.  He was efficient and useful as an exhorter, and was soon licensed to preach by John Randle.  He remained in Dyer County about two years, exercising his gifts as a local preacher, then returned to Giles County and traveled as a supply on the Shoal Circuit two years; then moved to Henderson County, Tenn. And was employed as supply on the Decaturville Circuit.  He joined the Memphis Conference, which convened at Jackson, Oct. 15, 1856; was admitted into full connection at Trenton, Tenn. Nov. 10, 1858; was ordained deacon by Bishop Paine, at Somerville, Tenn.; Oct. 29, 1854, and elder by Bishop Pierce, at Aberdeen, Miss. Nov. 11, 1860.

            Brother Swift was an active and faithful traveling preacher more than thirty five years; was frequently placed on hard circuits, but he always went to his charge, whether good or bad, without complaint, trusting in God for success and support.  He was a successful preacher in winning souls to Christ.  His style of preaching was earnest and impressive.  Multitudes were often held spell-bound, and moved to tears, and often shouts were common while he was preaching.  His sermons were strong, and gave no uncertain sound.  He, like the grand old apostle, preached Jesus Christ and him crucified.  He preached a free and full salvation from all sin.  The universality of the atonement he preached with power and demonstration.  Redemption was a favorite theme with him, and his discourses on the resurrection of the body were such as to inspire and thrill the children of God with joy. 

            R. W. Swift was a popular preacher, especially among the cultivated and refined of all Christian churches or denominations.  He was not a bigot, but a sincere Christian, and had a kind word and a warm, loving heart for all God’s people, and could say heartily and conscientiously, “Whosoever doeth the will of my Father, the same is my brother, sister, and mother.”  And when he was stricken down with paralysis and would soon be with Christ in his “Father’s house:” and after many days of affliction, and he was told that he would not die then, he wept much at the thought of being an invalid, and not being able to preach the unsearchable riches of the gospel of Christ. 

            He served as Chaplain in the Thirty-first Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, C.S.A.; was taken prisoner and carried to Alton, IL and when released returned home and started again and at once into the itinerant ministry, and was actively engaged until Dec. 23, 1882, when he was, as above stated, stricken with paralysis, with which he suffered until a few weeks before his death, when he had an additional stroke, from which he never recovered.  So on Monday, April 29, he fell on sleep, and went home to God, leaving his blessed old wife who had with him stood the storms incident to the traveling preacher more than thirty-five years; also seven children to grieve for him, and a large number of grandchildren.  We “sorrow not as those who have not hope; for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so also them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

                                                                        W. A. Cook 

Publication Unknown

Saltillo, Tenn.; May 4, 1889

 

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