1903-06-04—Millennial Star—Death of President Ephraim H. Nye

Death of President Ephraim H. Nye

Millennial Star, June 4, 1903, pp. 361-362.

To die on the field of battle was always felt by brave soldiers to be an honor. To die in full armor was the end desired by knights in the days of chivalry. To pass away from mortality in the midst of one's activity for the cause of righteousness brings glory to the true soldier of the cross. Such was the death of Elder Ephraim H. Nye, president of the Southern States mission. He closed his useful career at Columbia, South Carolina, in his field of labor, early in the morning of May 15th. The cause of death was heart disease, and his friends at home did not know that his health was not the best, until the sorrowful news came that he was dead.

Elder Nye was born at Ashford, Kent, August 6, 1845. He accepted the Gospel in this land in his youth and spent most of his life among the Saints in Zion. Three years he has labored in his native land as a missionary, and during that time had remarkable success. During the last seven years he has been at home only nine months. For four and a half years he labored in the California mission, most of the time as president. He was then called to preside over the Eastern States mission, and later over the Southern States.

Brother Nye will be missed, for he was an able and a fearless advocate of the truth. The vigor of strong manhood had not left him when he was called home. His good works were numerous and will not be forgotten. He stood in his ministry on earth with his loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. He possessed the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Such armor he needed not to leave behind to rust in the grave, but bore it forth to larger and more glorious fields, where greater spoils may be won from the enemy of truth, the adversary of men's souls.