As the war clouds began to rise and thicken in 1860, W. S. Glass, a stalwart, noble young man, presented himself to Marshall Presbytery at Pine Tree Church, October of the same year, and in 1861 was licensed to preach at Coffeeville on July 13th
The terrible struggle between the States and amid the smoke and din of battle, in which he took an active part and the war with its demoralizing influences, effected not his beautiful, clean character. And when the notes of peace began to sound abroad in the land, our young hero continued his studies, until on January 27th, 1866, he was ordained to the whole work of the ministry, at Coffeeville, Texas. Rev. Ben Spencer preached the sermon and Rev. L. B. Wilson presided and gave the charge. Thus it can be seen that he entered his work amid the strong men of his church, and ever retained his integrity and standing as a wise and safe counselor to his death, which occurred May the 25th, 1906. He was a true Cumberland Presbyterian to his last hours.
The writer last saw him the day before he started to the Assembly at Decatur, Ill., and he said: "I may not see you again, I do not think I will, but go, my Brother, and stand firm for our beloved Church." I wired from St. Louis, "Unionists gone; C. P. Church retained." The message was read to him for his comfort. I hastened to him only to bury him.
Thus it may be seen that he was our last and first. We shall enter upon our Minutes his name the first to fall as a true son of his church. W. S. Glass for many years was a widely known practicing physician, and for more than 40 years an active Mason. And now standing above his home is a beautiful church building, on a lot which he gave, and much of the expense of this building was met from his own hands, and all the children's names, but one, are on this church roll, and his dear bereft companion has her name at the head of the roll. One son, an elder, and his three daughters are our brightest and most lovely characters. A great and a good life will live on. "Their works follow them."
Dr. Glass had the courage of his convictions, and at no time did he ever compromise with sin or wrong doing in this community. His Bible shows that he had read it through numbers of times; it was his daily companion. "Truly a great man has fallen in Israel."
[Source: The Cumberland Banner, October 19, 1906, page 3]
W. S. Glass, Marshall Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1907, page 60]
William Shepherd Glass was born near Saulsbury, Tennessee, October 14, 1836; died at Hughes Springs, Texas May 25, 1906.
Through the influence of a godly mother he gave his heart and life to God at the tender age of eight years. When only thirteen, he felt a distinct call to the gospel ministry. The impression grew as he neared manhood, and he determined to secure an education and prepare for his life work.
With limited means and very little knowledge of text books at the age of twenty-one he entered Chapel Hill College, at Daingerfield, Texas, then under control of Dr. Beeson, who later taught in Trinity University.
For several years he remained in school, but when war clouds gathered, Dr. Beeson raised a company of school boys-Mr. Glass was chosen as Lieutenant. For four years he fought under the "stars and bars," and it is the testimony of those who were his comrades during these years in which men were "tried as by fire," that never on any occasion did he display any except the highest Christian character, and lofty ideals. It was his custom to gather his army friends about him and preach to them-ever admonishing them to live for God.
One of his chief characteristics was his unswerving loyalty to the cause he believed to be right. Nothing could shake his integrity, or cause him to vary from his conscientious views of the standard of righteousness. His conversation was always pure and chaste, for he lived close to God.
On December 14, 1865, he was married to Miss Anna E. Hoss, at Dalton, Texas. For more than forty years she walked beside him as true friend, wife and companion.
He was ordained to preach at Pine Tree Church, in Marshall Presbytery, in 1866. For a number of years, he preached and taught school in North East Texas. Held many revivals, and organized four or five churches-the Hughes Spring congregation, to which his wife and five children now belong, being one of the number.
It was his custom to open and close school with prayer. Some of the most successful business men in East Texas were his pupils, and all testify that his high standard of Christianity was among the greatest influences for good in their lives.
When the question of Union was being discussed he often said: "Well I shall live and die a Cumberland Presbyterian," and would sit with head bowed in grief, that he had lived to see the day when his church, it seemed, was to be destroyed. Just a few days before the Decatur Assembly he said to his pastor, Rev. W. M. Robison, as he left the home: "Well Brother Robison, I shall not live to see you again, but go my brother, go and vote to save our church." From St. Louis Brother Robison wired the result of the Assembly, and we read the message to him. He was then past speaking and on May 25, just a few hours after the cruel declaration that the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was to be no more (Thank God this was only the statement of erring humanity), his spirit passed into the Great Beyond, forever free from corroding care, heart-aches and strife; but his prayers were indelibly recorded, and are now being gloriously answered in behalf of his church.
His body was laid to rest in the Hughes Spring Cemetery, the funeral rites being performed by Rev. W. M. Robison, and the Masonic Order, of which he was a devout and loyal member from early manhood. It was said that there was never more profound grief, by every class of people, over the entire country, than when the news went out that Dr. Glass is no more and truly a"Great man in Israel" had fallen.
He never lost an opportunity to speak for his Master, and during his last illness admonished all who came in to his presence to make ready for the life to come. His was not a sad gloomy religion, but one filled with hope and happiness. The influence of his life will live on, long after his name has been forgotten. The words of Daniel Webster may be appropriately applied to the life and memory of this dear saint: "If we work upon marble it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds-if we imbue them with just principals with the fear of God and love of our fellow men, we engrave upon these tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.
[Source: Our Senior Soldiers, The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages151-154. [Also printed in The Cumberland Presbyterian, July 1, 1915.]