Lynch, Thomas M

Lynch, Thomas M., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was born in Wilkerson County, Mississippi, August 1, 1826, was converted at Oxford, Ga., while a student at the university, at once joined the Church, and was licensed to preach in 1847, and shortly after was admitted to the Alabama Conference. His cultivated mind, his rare gifts in oratory, and his deep piety at once commended him to the love and confidence of the Conference. Enon Circuit was his first, and Marianna and Appalachicola his second appointment, when, in 1849, his health failed, and it became necessary for him to locate. By 1858 he had sufficiently recovered to re- enter upon his life-work, and he now consecutively served his church at Lowsndesboro, Pineville, Prattville, and the Socapatoy Circuit. In the last-

named place his health was again affected by the extent of the work and arduousness of its duties, and he retired from active work. He died in Coosa County, Alabama, April 18, 1867. "In all the relations of life he sustained the character of a gentleman of the highest type. Possessing a rich fund of knowledge, and gifted with conversational powers that statesmen and courtiers might envy, he ever drew around him, by the affability of his manners and sweetness of his spirit, a large circle of friends, and held them by an indissoluble cord." As a preacher his word had power and unction. See Minutes of Conferences of M.E. Church South, 3:128.