The Rev. Thomas Elihu Kirkpatrick, the subject this of notice, was born in South Carolina, Aug. the 15th 1805, and departed this life, at his residence on Duck river, Maury county, Tennessee, 6 miles below Columbia, on Sabbath morning, December the 9th 1842, at 8 1/2 o'clock A.M., in the 37th year of his age. He was first attacked with billious fever in Aug. 1840, which was followed with pulmonary consumption, by which he was removed to that "house, made without hands, eternal in the heavens."

When a child, his parents emigrated with him to this section of the country, where he was brought up and lived during life. Brother Kirkpatrick was blest with pious parents who, in the religious training of their children, manifested their faithful obedience to the word, and humble reliance on the promise of God, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." They lived to see all their children witness, and adorn a good profession of godliness. When Bro. K. was about eighteen years old, although he had been strictly moral, yet he was convinced of the exceeding sinfulness of his heart and life, during a campmeeting at Mt. Carmel, at which meeting he professed religion. His convictions were pungent, his conversion powerful, his evidences clear, and his joys unspeakable and full of glory. He was received into the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at said place, when he enjoyed the faithful ministrations of Father P........ whose son he was in the gospel. He soon gave evidence of his growth in grace; and such was his piety, zeal, and devotion to his masters service, that, in two or three years after he professed religion, he was chosen and set apart to the office of ruling Elder in that society. In that capacity his usefulness was increased. In prayer and exhortation he was unusually gifted, and often did the Lord bless his labors, give him souls for his hire, and much comfort in his own soul. But he felt that he had not performed, nor attempted to perform all that was required at his hand. But he had now the charge of a family; his literary qualifications were limited. He was poor in this worlds goods; feeling every way insufficient for these things, therefore he hesitated; was desirous to be excused; was in much perplexity; wept much; and prayed much "Lord what wilt thou have me to do," until, at length, in the Spring of 1833, he communicated his feelings to the Presbytery on the subject of preaching the gospel, and was received as a probationer for the ministry, under the care of the Elk Presbytery, by which he was licensed the spring following. When the Richland Presbytery was stricken off from the Elk, he was attached to it; by which he was ordained to the whole work of the ministry on the 11th of March 1837.

His career was short; his labors abundant; his success in winning souls to Christ very great. His zeal and perseverance was only measured by his love for God and souls. His preaching was plain, pointed, experimental, practical, applicatory and in power and demonstration of the Spirit. Few ministers have shared more largely than he in the affection of acquaintances; both religious and irreligious. He notwithstanding and his imperfections. Yet it is but justice to his memory to say, that he was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, a loving husband, a tender father, a faithful minister, and an humble christian. For some months before his death he was almost entirely confined to his room. He suffered much but bore it patiently. He had no fear in view of approaching death. A short time after midnight previous to his death he called to his bed his wife and children gave them his last benediction, and took his last farewell. After this a while he was struck with blindness of the eyes; but, with ecstatic joy, he said "I see angels around my bed--my Jesus is come for me, and I will gladly go with him!" And often did he say, "Farewell, vain world, I'm going home, my Saviour smiles and bids me come." A young brother, who was present, said to him just before he closed his career, "Bro, K. you are almost gone, and there is a crown prepared for you with many stars." "Yes" said he "Sweet angels beckon me away to sing Gods praise in endless day." As I have often heard him sing he hoped to do--so he "died a shouting." He has left a beloved companion and seven children to lament his loss, together with many relations and acquaintances. But our loss is his gain. Commending his family and the churches for whom he labored, unto the Lord, I close this very imperfect sketch, in the language of the inspired historian, "He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."

July 26th 1843.
[Source: Banner of Peace and Cumberland Presbyterian Advocate, August 25, 1843, page 2]