Dr. A. D. Sear reorganized the church here, at the close of the civil war, with 27 members, mostly females. His was a most remarkable career; serving the church over 25 years. During this period he built our splendid church edifice, organized a strong body of spiritual worshippers; thoroughly indoctrinating his people and they regarded him as a father as he truly was. As Dr. Sears advanced in years, he grew stronger in the affections of his people and mellowed with age in his preaching - his last being perhaps his strongest, most sympathetic and touching appeals for the Master's cause. He died at the age of 87 years, literally in the harness, with what he thought himself, the best prepared sermon of his life on his mind, and said if he could have preached that sermon, he could have welcomed the messenger of death more submissively but as it was God's providence he felt reconciled. It was the surrounding circumstances that brought forth these expressions from the patriarch. His ambition was to live to see the house so long under construction, and for which he had worked and prayed unceasingly, finished in all its parts.It was Friday evening, as I remember, the workmen were rushing to put the finishing touch on the handsome spire, and with a heart full of joy and the burden of his intended sermon for Sunday on his mind, he went in to inspect the work, and stepped on a small block of wood, which threw him to the floor, breaking his hip, and from the accident, or rather the act of Providence as he would have it - and not an accident - his career ended and he was gathered to his Father in peace.
The church was convulsed in the deepest sorrow. The question was where to find a preacher or pastor to fill his place. After a short time, it seems that by Providential guidance Bro. A. U. Boone was invited to supply the pulpit for one Sabbath. He was quite a young preacher, with only 3 years experience in the ministry and no one thought of him as a suitable pastor to follow such a man as Sears. He came and preached two sermons and the congregation was unanimously moved to the conclusion that he was sent of the Lord. Of course he accepted the call with great trepidation, but blessed of God, he has filled the place over 7 years with great satisfaction and success. The church has prospered both spiritually and financially under his ministry until now, he goes as above stated to take up the work in a larer field for development, leaving a vacancy here for another like unto what he himself was seven years ago- in need of a mother to bring out his splendid talent, develop his strength and usefulness. Verily I believe the Clarksville Baptist church, indoctrinated by Sears and further developed by Boone, is a mother or training-school for young preachers and it is be hoped that the Lord will send the right man very soon to take the place.
Clarksville, Tenn.A short biography of A. D. Sears.
========== [From The Baptist Argus, December 22, 1898, p. 12. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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