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DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
DURHAM, N. C.
Rec'd.
_J^^!U^^^M_\i^^^
No.
76^. 2:1
PRIVATE LIBRARY
kRD James Parrish
Durham, N. C.
FIRST ANNUAL PUBLICATION
OF
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OF THE
IRortb Carolina Conference
Methodist Episcopal Church (South).
JOHN S. BASSETT. Editor.
Price, Twenty-five Cents.
1897.
/
Sch.R.
'/if
'2 e>
PREFATORY NOTES.
At the meeting of the Conference Historical Society at
Elizabeth City, N. C, 1895, ^^ was decided to begin an annual
publication of historical papers, and an editor was elected.
For more than one reason it was not thought wise to issue
such a publication last year. In compliance with further
instructions from the Society, the present work is now pre-
sented to the public. It is hoped that it will meet the expec-
tation of its friends and that it may arouse the spirit of history
so that this modest collection will increase with each succeeding
year till at last it will become an annual bound volume of
considerable size. I ask indulgence for its imperfections and
united efforts for its future improvement.
John S. Bassett,
Bdt'tor.
Trinity College^ Durham^ N. C. ,
November 25, 1897.
247444
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Earlt Methodism in Wilminoton, N. C 5-24
Our Historical Problem 25- 41
Life and Labors op Rev. H. Q. Leigh, D. D 42-63
The History of Trinity Church 64-89
Methodism in Beaufort 90-106
Book Reviews 107-109
Advertisements 110-112
EARLY METHODISM IN WILMINGTON, N. C*
BY A. M. CIIREITZBERG, D.D.,
OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.
Highly honored by the call to address this Historical
Society on "Early Methodism in Wilmington. N. C,"
your speaker claims no higher merit than that of Scott's
"Old Mortality" in relettering the monuments of de-
parted worth. Methodism, as we all believe, was a great
revival of pure religion, and it is still blessing the earth.
The Reformation was another, causing even Rome to share
its benefits. Looking at Rome before and after, we see
the Papacy, the holy Roman empire, Latin Christianity
and crime orthodoxy lame bulls contradictory doctrine
unsettled. A great reformation was needed, and it came,
putting Rome in line with evangelism opposing its errors.
The Church of England needed revival, as much so as
Rome itself. Of greater purity it is true, and truly Scrip-
tural in rubrick and creed; the dry-rot of formalism had
deprived the truth of its power; and glorying more in her
historic episcopacy, royal patronage and power, had ceased
to regard the divine spirit as at all necessary to worship.
Holding to the right divine of king, she seemed, like Fes-
tus, lightly to esteem "One Jesus which was dead, whom
whom Paul affirmed to be alive," and who is "God over
all, blessed forever more." Abiding in spiritual death,
blindly she cast forth her sons, who by that faith would
have made her incorporate with life. And yet the Wes-
leyan revival awoke her to the life she now enjoys.
The people called Methodists were never troubled by the
*An address delivered at the first regular meeting of the Conference
Historical Society at Durham, N. C, December 2, 1894.
247444
6 Conference Historical Publication.
arrogant claims of either the Anglican or Romish churches,
but building on the apostles, prophets and martyrs "Jesus
Christ the chief corner-stone," have wrought mightily
through God unto this hour. In their advent they met
with little favor. Even co-religionists shunned them.
Like PeJ;er and John the most of their preachers "were
unlearned and ignorant men," yet "notable miracles"
being wrought through their ministers "they marvelled,"
and men were obliged to acknowledge "that they had
been with Jesus."
These men were entirely unselfish in their ministry.
They sent out no pioneers hunting golden placers, ran no
lines of circumvallation, built no fortresses on rich alluvial
sites, hung not around commercial centers waiting for
goodly openings ; but in the city and in the wilderness
raised the cry : ' ' Repent, for the kingdom of God is at
hand." The charge that they were turning the world
upside down never ^moved them. Mountains towered and
rivers rolled in vain to stop them. They wrestled with
floods of water, but neither floods of water nor floods of
ungodly men made them afraid. They slept by camp -tires,
saddles their pillows, the heavens their covering ; explored
forests, traversed sand hills, their dainties the homeliest
fare, their theme "Jesus and the Resurrection, the Lord
working with them, and confirming the word with signs
following. ' '
Truly at first some of the old church forms affected them.
Even Asbury for the while essayed a surplice, gown, and
bands ; but all this frippery soon fell off. Crape and lawn —
poor symbols of saintliness anyhow — were much in the
way in the holes and corners, dens and caves of the earth
which they sought out. But with all their sacrifice of
ease, slanderous tongues were busy. Reports crossed the
Atlantic concerning Csesarism, bishops strutting, soaring,
etc. Dear Mr. Wesley, dazed by what his eyes saw of the
glare and splendor of mitred priests, gorgeous palaces and
Early Methodism in Wilmington. 7
mighty revenues, had his wrath excited and exclaimed :
' ' Men may call me a knave, a fool or a rascal, but never
with my consent a bishop."
In a book entitled, "Dialogues of Devils," it is said at
a council in Pandemonium the question was once up how
they should stop the Wesley an revival. Among many
schemes proposed, one sleek, knowing little imp, with
piping voice, advises: "Make John a Bishop." Pity it
had not been done, then had the grand old English church
been sooner leavened. The brilliant Junius in the matter
of Johnson's "Taxation No Tyranny" and Wesley's
"Calm Address" declared that Wesley " had one eye on
heaven and the other on a pension." Pension ! forsooth !
the poor earth worm saw nothing else so desirable. And
yet indeed that was in Wesley's thought; he would have
men pensioners on heaven, and God's exchequer their
source of supply. And to do it he would have them
"Count all things loss that they might win Christ."
To the accusation about soaring, Asbury mildly replied :
"That he did soar, but it was over mountains;" and we
know that his episcopal palace was often some hut, the
stars shining through its roof, his gardens and pleasure
walks the grand old forests, and his couch of ease at the
foot of some old pine, his dainty fare fat bacon and coarse
bread, his episcopal revenue sixty-four hundred — cents.
You and I have been along that road, dear brethren, happy
too in the love of God. And didn't we soar? If no more
it was in thought to the palace of our King. Asbury
writes : " Two bishops in a thirty dollar chaise, a few dol-
lars between them in partnership. What bishops ! " But
he adds : ' ' Prospects of doing good glorious. ' ' Ha ! they
knowing that joy, know it to be more moving than the
gold of Ophir. But how great the changes of a century !
A few years ago, being a sort of sub-bishop, I stepped into
a Pullman sleeper to greet a real bishop on his way to my
district conference. He was all alone in all the glory of its
8 Conference Historical Publication.
rich upholstery. We were there but a moinent or two, and
we had to pay for the privilege. It was worth the quarter
to see the difference between the now and the degenerate
past.
But to our proper theme. It was several years after the
entrance of Methodism into the Carolinns that Wilmington
was reached. During or before the Revolution a small
society was formed by Philip Bruce and James O'Kelly on
the Cnpe Fear, somewhere nenr Wilmington. The preachers
being comi)elled to leave, it was broken up, only three
godly women remaining. In 1784 a cultured, polished and
afterwards wealthy man Avas appointed to Wilmington.
His was the unenviable notoriety of being the first apostate
Presbyter of American Methodism, Beverlj'' Allen. In
1785 John Baldwin was sent. He was a man of mark,
undoubtedly, being afterwards book steward for the con-
nection. He died some time after 1820.
There is no other mention of Wilmington in the General
Minutes until 1800. The canse for this is not far to seek.
Mr. William Meredith, formerly a Wesleyan missionarj'^ in
the West Indies, oomins: over with Dr. Coke and Mr. Bra-
zier, and not affilinting with Mr. Hammer, set up for him-
self and pre-empting the territory wrought exceedingly
well among the negroes. Mr. Jenkins, at the Conference
in Charleston in 1798, was sent that year to Bladen Circuit,
partly in North and partly in South Carolina. It included
Conwayboro, Lumberton, Elizabeth, Smithville and Old
Brunswick Circuit. James Jenkins that year visited Wil-
mington, and Mr. Meredith told him "as he was passing he
had found these sheep without a shepherd and had con-
sented to serve them." A small house had been built in
the then suburbs of the town ; it was surrounded with negro
shanties. Persecution raged, the house was burned, the
preacher was imprisoned, and from the window of the
prison preached to his afflicted Hock. Soon after the town
was nearly destroyed by fire. The released preacher gath-
Early Methodism in Wilmington. 9
ered his flock in the market place and told the people:
"As they loved fire so well, God had given them enough
of it." One of the leading persecutors had a Nenif^sis
following him to the bitter end. Look at all religious
persecutions on this earth. Is it not a solemn fact,
" Truth forever on the scaffold,
Wrong forever on the throne ;
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
Ami besides the dim unknown
Standeth God!— within the shadow
Keeping watch above His own."
If permitted to digress I would say that James Jenkins
was a pioneer preacher, belonging to the "thundering
legion." At the session named above he had preached in
polished Charleston precisely as he would have done to a
backwoods congregation. Some said "it had loo much
fire in it." Of what sort we are not told, but any one
knowing the man would know it was not of the fox-fire or
sheet lightning sort. At this twelfth session George Daugli-
erty, said to be "Carolina's great Methodist preacher" and
flrst martyr, was admitted into the Conference. In 1807 he
died in Wiluiington, and his dust, with William Meredith's,
long lay under the porch of the Front Street Church, until
scattered by its burning.*
The time had come fi)r Meridith's removal — not into some
earthly arch-episcopal p.ilace — how ridiculous the thf)ught
for any poor negro preacher — hut into the highest heaoens.
He willed to Bishop Asbury his little domain. It was not
much then in a worldly point of view, but looking at it in
the light of a century's work, well may we sing with
Deborah: "O, my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
Then was the horse's hoofs broken by means of the pranc-
ings, the praaci/ifjis of their mighty ones."
*Mr. W. W. Shaw, of Durham, N. C, tells me that this is an error.
After the fire the ashes of these two honored men were removed by a com-
mittee consisting of W. H. Parker. Geo. H. Kelly, and W. W. Shaw, and
buried under the pnlpit of the new Grace church. — Editor.
10 Conference Histoeical Publication.
To realize this fully think of what Wilmington was then
and what it is now. And to make it so, remember "That
Zebulon and Naptali Jeoparded their lives unto death in
the high places of the field." So doing, then may you
continue the song of triumph :
"Awake, Awake, Deborah:
Awake, awake, utter a song : Arise, Barak,
And lead thy captivity captive.
Thou son of Abirioam."
There was some small trouble in the transfer of the
property as may be seen in our Conference journal of 1799.
All happily arranged in its unconditional surrender. Then
came the appointment of Nathan Jarrett, a native of North
Carolina, who was soon after transferred to Virginia, where
he died in 1803. The Minutes say : "A man of great zeal,
pleasing address, and greatly beloved." Awakening from
seeming insensibility just previous to his death, he sang
in a rapture of joy :
" Arise and shine, O Zion fair,
Bahold thy light is come,
The glorious conquering King is nigh
To take his exile home. "
No lo Triumplie of victor athlete or belted knight can
exceed it.
In 1801 and 1802 that Prince of Methodist preachers,
Bennett Kendriclc, was in Wilmington. When editing the
Conference Minutes in 1880, the editor wrote to Dr. Lovick
Pierce, of Georgia, for sketches of the earlier preachers
known to himself, and he kindly furnished several.
From them we gather that Kendrick "was beautifully
symmetrical in person, attractive in address, pure in style,
liberal in thought, easy in delivery, indeed, there seemed
to be a harmonious sympathy between his mind and his
nerves in their influence on his muscles. His whole body
seemed to preach, and every motion was a grace. He was
then the brightest star in our Conference constellation. ' '
Early Methodism in Wilmington. ii
At the Sparta Conference of 1807, he, having been again
in Wilmington in 1806, essayed location. It was sorrow-
fully granted, but he could not get away. The third day
he begged to be put back as before, which was joyfully
done, and he was made Presiding Elder on Camden District.
But in a few months he died. Such a spirit was needed
doubtless in the upper sanctuary.
In 1803 Joseph Pennell and Thomas Jones had the
charge. The hrst transferred to Virginia, the other dis-
appeared. They were followed in 1804 by Jeremiah Rus-
sell, who located in 1806, and in 1805 by Zachariah Madox,
who located in 1806. The only pictures we get of this time
we find in the Bishop's Journal. "On Saturday, 19th
January, 1805, crossed Northeast before sunrise, and to
our own house to breakfast. Our chapel in Wilmington
is excellent, sixty-six by thirty-six feet. Sabbath our en-
larged house was filled with both colors.'' You will see
presently, ten years after, he grieves over "broken" win-
dows and "the house a wreck." On his visit the next
year : "We had about 1,500 hearers in our chapel, galleried
all round. I gave orders for the completion of the taber-
nacle and dwelling house according to the charge left me
by William Meridith. In 1807 Joshua Wells was the
preacher. He transferred afterwards to Baltimore.
In Asbury's Journal, January 16, 1807, we find :
"Through Lumberton, in North Carolina, lodging with
Peter Gautier, we found ourselves obliged to ride on the
Lord's day, through the cold to Wilmington, crossing the
river in a snow and hail storm. " "O, dear ! a bishop, and
on the Lorcfs day, iooV says some judaical, puritanic soul,
with possibly nothing to show for his religion but a Sab-
batical strictness, forgetting that Jesus is Lord of the
Sabbath. "Why, where was his conscience?" he asks.
Said an old covenanter once: "Noo Sandie as one o' the
elec', you can never fa', so work, get money; marry, get
children ; drink, get drunk — sometimes, but never, nen&r
whustle on Sunday.''''
12 Conference Historical Publication.
Asbury's Journal continues under same date : ''Sunday,
25th January, 1807 : A high day on Mount Zion. At the
rising of the sun John Charles began, his subject : 'Now
no condemnation.' At 11 a. m. I held forth on the 'Evil
heart of unbelief.' At 3 p. m. on 'Seek ye the Lord.
Stith Mead closing at night." Now, think, what was the
Mount Zion over which he exults? That man had seen
England's Baronial castles, its gorgeous cathedrals and
ministers. How did they compare with that humble tem-
ple ; its rickety parsonage, that waste of sand and clus-
tering negro hovels? To worldly eyes it was "Hyperion
to a Satyr," or fair mountain to a barren moor. But this
man had the eagle eye of faith and the warm heart of love.
To him : "The hill of the Lord was as the hill cf Bashan —
a high hill as the hill of Bashan." And with David, look-
ing upon lowly Zion in contrast with towering Bashan, he
cries exultantly : "Why leap ye, ye high hills?" "This
is the hill that God desireth to dwell in ; yea, the Lord
will dwell in it forever." And who was John Charles?
A negro brother, an unlettered slave, but the Lord's freed-
man. And he talks of freedom and "no condemnation"
through Christ Jesus. The same spirit that struck the
shackels of sin from your soul and mine, breathed in the
African, giving him the hope long since realized, and for
which we patiently wait.
But there are lights and shadows in every earthly pic-
ture, and under the same date we read: "We took our
flight from Wilmington. What I felt and suffered there,
from preachers and p«-ople, is known to God." What
troubled him we can only conjecture. The people, they
may have been clamorous for Kendrick's return ; they are
so sometimes. The preachers, they may have wanted bet-
ter appointments ; such, of course, rarely happening now.
It may have been connected with that fruitful topic of
trouble, matrimony. He was, as you all well know, averse
to that. Once he wrote of a small congregation at Rock-
Early Methodism in Wilmington. 13
ingham, N. C, and says: "Here the people would have
assembled, but there was a wedding afoot. This is a mat-
ter of moment, as some men have but one during life, and
some iind that one to have been one too many." Did you
ever hear the like? Again he writes, with a sigh : *'Wm.
Capers is married, himself twenty-three and his wife eigh-
teen years old." Just as if one should put off that awful
event until near seventy. Philip Bruce once consulted
him on the subject, and he advised against it. And at
Travis in this very Wilmington, where he married, he
gravely shook his head on seeing him sitting near his in-
amorata, and on his marriage wrote him : "/ told you so.''''
He once said he "was afraid the devil and the women
would get all his preachers." Brethren, bishop as he was,
he was afraid of the devil, as you and I well may be. if far
from our Shepherd's side. He was never brought under
the yoke, although he came near it once. Strickland, in
his life, tells of how once Asbury was compelled to accept
the escort of a young lady to an appointment, reluctantly
yielding to her father's proposal for her accompaninient,and
hoping to shake her off. Coming to a wide gully, he made
his horse leap it, and turning in his saddle to bid her good-
bye, said: "You can't do that. Miss Mary." Sad banter
to a noble Western girl. "I'll try, Frank," was her re-
sponse, and in a second was at his side. And the dear
man, as is usual with us all, had to submit. Oppose a
woman? 0, no.
"For when she will, she will,
You may depend on't ;
And when she won't, she won't,
And there's an end on't."
As to '■'■Home Rnle,'''' to be sure you favor it. But come,
now, will the madam allow you to practice it? Talk of
'■'■Woman Suffrage,''^ as the colored sister said: "I want
no more suffering; I'se had enough of it."
This is but a silhouette of Francis Asbury. He rever-
14 Conference Historical Publication.
enced the sex, almost worshipped motherhood ; but as for
marriage — well, the church was his bride, and in her some-
times waywardness he felt he had just as much as he could
manage. Dear, noble man of God, with the spirit of the
gospel-winged angel flying in mid heaven ! He compassed
the earth in weariness weighed down with life's intimities,
but weighed down no longer since his spirit soared to God.
Said the friends of Socrates as he drank the fatal hem-
lock : "How shall we bury you?" "Any way you please,
if you can catch me;" and he, mark you, a heathen.
In 1808 Samuel Dunwoddy was appointed to Wilming-
ton. Of him much could be said, but we forbear. In
1809 Richmond Nolly was in Wilmington. He, with his
own hands, built the little place of worship on the sound.
Nolly thought the poor, however degenerate, had souls
to save, and he tried to save them. He died in the West —
you remember it — frozen on his knees while on a mission-
ary tour. In 1810 James Norton was the preacher, a man
of deep piety, indefatigable as a worker, and much be-
loved. He died in Columbia, S. C, in 1825, in great peace.
In 1811 and 1812 Joseph Travis was stationed in Wil-
mington ; and his reception bears away the palm. None
in this presence, I presume, ever had a whole congregation
to rise en masse on their entrance into a church. This
they did to Travis. Reaching the town late on Saturday
night, few had seen him. The news of his arrival had gone
abroad, and it was announced that he would preach at 11
a. m. Sunday. None of the congregation knew that he was
a lame man. The eyes of the crowd were ever and anon
cast towards the door to see him walk in. He says : "Ul-
timately I hopped in, when behold, the congregation was
about rising en niasse, supposing I was boioing to them.
And believing me to be the most polite preacher they had
ever seen, believed it was but right to bow in return.
They soon found, however, that my act of politeness was
from necessity, not of choice." Surely a luminous smile
Early Methodism in Wilmington. 15
must have rippled over each countenance on discovering
the mistake.
In the year 1813 there was stationed in Wilmington a
young man who afterwards was long revered among us as
Bishop William Capers. To him we are indebted for
memorials of the time which none would willingly lose. Of
Hugenot descent, with great beauty of person, and a man-
ner denoting the Christian gentleman, with an eloquence
of speech that was charming, he was well calculated to
captivate any with whom he associated. The parsonage to
which he brought his bride of a few weeks was not pala-
tial. It is best described in his own words :
"The parsonage, which I might call a two story dwell-
ing-house or a shanty, according to my humor, was a two
story house, actually erected in that form, and no mistake,
with its first story eight feet high, and the second between
six and seven ; quite high enough for a man to stand in
with his hat off, as men ought always to stand when in a
house. The stories, to be sure, were not excessive as to
length and breadth any more than height ; each story con-
stituting a room of some eighteen by twelve or fourteen
feet, and the upper one having the benefit of a sort of step
ladder on the outside of the edifice, to render it accessible
when it might not rain too hard, or with an umbrella when
it did rain, if the wind did not blow too hard. And be-
side this, there was a room constructed like a shed at one
side of the main building, which, as madam might not rel-
ish going out ef doors and up a step ladder on her way to
bed, esyecially in rainy weather, was appropriated to her
use as a bed chamber. But we were content. A palace
might scarcely have been appreciated by us, who, by the
grace of God, had in ourselves and each other a sufficiency
for happiness." This house, the church, and the lot they
stood on (the church a coarse wooden structure sixty feet
by forty) and several adjoining lots, rented to free negroes,
had belonged to Mr. Meredith, and had been procured for
/I/,
16 Conference Historical Publication.
the most part, by means of penny collection among the
negroes, who almost exclusively had composed his congre-
gation."
There you have fully the pi^'ture of your first church
and parsonage in Wilmington. Mr. Capers speaks further
of his flock, it will not bear condensation.
'"Of my flock much the greater numbers were negroes.
The whites were very poor or barely able to support them-
selves with decency. Here, too, none of the wise men
after the flesh, nor mighty, nor noble were called. Indeed,
of men of this closs, I know not that there was one, and
believe that if one, there was but one, who belonged to
any church at all as a communicant. They were very gen-
erally at least, too much tincture with the French deistical
philosophy for that. Of churches in the town claiming for
mine to be one, there was but one other, the Protestant
Episcopal church, of which the Rev. Adam Empie was
rector. Comparing- numbers between the churches as lo
white members communing in each, I had the advantage
of Mr. (since Dr.) Empie, having some ten or a dozen males
to his doubtful one, while the females may have been about
equally divided as to numbers, giving him, however, and
his church the prestige of worldly wealth and honor.
"At that time it was admitted that the Methodists on
the whole were a good sort of enthusiasts, their religion
well suited to the lower classes, especially the negroes, who
needed to be kept in terror of hell fire. It was called the
negro church, long after the blacks had left the lower floor
for the galleries. And by those of the historic episcopacy
it was especially considered the proper cognomen. They
from the difficulty, as a plain countryman phrased it, of
learning to 'rise and sot,'' failed in capturing the masses.
And though wanting the earth, this did not seem to trouble
them. But as far as position, power or the spoils of office
go — ah! that was another matter. And that high claim
is not abated yet in this year of grace. Reminding one of
Early Methodism in Wilmington. 17
the resolutions of the Puritan Conclave : Resolved 1st, The
earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof. Resolved 2d,
The Lord has given it to the saints. Resolved 3d, We are
the saints. You can count upon your fingers the Presby-
terian, Baptists and Methodists in high public office, while
the historic folk are legionary.
"But better than all political place and power, what was
the doctrine proclaimed from that plain pulpit? There
had come down the ages from a master theologian, the
warning: 'Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine.'
Was there 'anything of foolish questions and genealogies,
contentions and strivings about the law,' so vain and un-
profitable? Anything of 'vain babblings and oppositions
of science falsely so called.' Anything of priestly func-
tion (save the One Great High Priest), baptismal waters,
genefluctions to east or west? Candles lit or unlit, or
aught of upholstered haberdashery? Not a whit! But
the grand doctrine of Justification by Faith, and its cog-
nates of original depravity, regeneration and the witness-
ing spirit. These rang through those old walls and caught
the understanding of the philosophic and unlettered, the
white patracian and the negro plebian were alike moved to
repentance.
Mr. Travis just tvt-o years before Mr. Capers gives an in
stance. The Hon. Benjamin Smith, Governor of North Car-
olina, meeting him in the street, at Wilmington, desired
him to call and see his wife, supposed to be unbalanced in
her mind, her head shaved and blistered, who, after all her
seeking physicians, grew worse. The preacher diagnosed
the case at once and administered the proper remedy,
instruction and prayer. In a few days a carriage drove up
to that humble parsonage, and Mrs. Smith entered it ex-
claiming, "0! Sir, you have done me more good than all
the doctors together. You directed me to Jesus. I went
to him in faith and humble prayer and confidence. He
has healed my soul and body. I feel quite well and
18 Conference Historical Publication.
happy." Anything of hypobole and eastern romance in
this. Is it not entirely in accord with the doctrine?
William Capers gives another example. "Mrs. G. of the
first-class of the upper sort, deeply interested in what she
had head, under cover of a call upon the preacher's wife,
came to consult the preacher. The doubt on her mind
was as to the possibility, since the Apostles' day, of com-
mon people knowing their sins forgiven. The preacher
gave the scriptural proofs freely, received with the "How
can these things be?" Mrs. G. was accompanied by her
sister, Mrs. W. better established in the old creed. And
Mrs. W. as a last resort, turning to Mrs. Capers said :
"Well, Mrs. Capers, it must be a very high state of grace,
this which your husband talks about, and I dare say some
very saintly persons may have experienced it, but as for us
it must be quite above our reach. I am sure you do not pro-
fess it, do you?" Mrs. Capers blushed deeply and replied
in a soft tone of voice, "Yes, ma'am, I experienced it at
Rembert's camp meeting year before last, and by the grace
of God I still have the witness of it." That was enough.
This witness is true, and glory be to God, millions still
testify to it on the earth.
But let us glance at this preacher's exchequer. To have
looked at him, who, "though poor, made many rich," and
having nothing yet was in "possession of all things," to
have seen his seraphic smile, and heard his persuasive
speech uncovering the glory many an earth worm witling
would have considered him a bloated bond holder. And
without being bloated, such indeed, he was. Why, breth-
ren, you and I — I speak it reverently — have sued the Al-
mighty on His own bond, over and over again, and intend
to do it until we come into full possession of our vast es-
tates in heaven. And mark you, at this very time of a
drained purse, his presiding elder coming. All itinerant
preachers know what that means. It was the supreme
moment when the best foot was to be foremost. And only
Early Methodism in Wilmington. 19
a thrip in his pocket to entertain him. There was nothing
better than the apostolic fare of a '-fish on a fire of coals,"
and to that last analysis it came. But to his great surprise
$200.00 was handed him by the presiding elder. God's
economy and wealth is seen in surprising contrast in the
sacred word. Behold the prophet at the brook Cherith :
' ' Bread and tiesli in the morning and bread and flesh in
the evening." And the bird's God's almoners; a widow
woman his hostess for long, long years of famine ; a hand-
ful of meal in the barrel her sole supply. Ahab's princes
and Ahab himself would gladly have cared for this man of
power, who held the rain of heaven at his command. But
no. God hath chosen the weak things of earth to confound
the mighty. And so He deals with His own to this very
hour. He might make them ride upon the high places of
the earth and pour into their lap the treasures he consumes
in flame and sinks into the sea. But no. Although they
fear bankruptcy He is determined not to give them the
shadow of independence from himself. And it is still the
handful of meal and the drop of oil in the cruse to many
of his b&loved children. How true the child's remark :
"Ma, I do believe God hears when we scrape the bottom
of the barrel." And He does, brethren, as you and I have
often proved.
Now look at the means for living in 1813, eighty years
ago, in Wilmington. From all sources class and church
collections ^'^ six or seven dollars a week for all purposes,
amounting to the enormous sum, in figures, of (350,000)
three hundred and fifty thousand — mills. Does it take
your breath away? Well it might. Financial Methodism
was projected on the most economical scale. The penny or
the cent was always the highest algebraic factor. Why it
was so may be traced to the preachers themselves. So
anxious were they to show that they did not preach for
money as to be content to do without it. Of course the
people were willing, and the same men that gave a dollar
20 Conference Historical Publication.
or two for ministerial support gave away hundreds in a
generous support of camp and other meetings. For ten
years of itinerant married life your speaker received but
$300.00 per annum on an average. It was not until he
reached Wilmington in 1847 that it ran up to $700.00, and
then fully one-third came from the colored membership.
The green baize-covered table in his office at colored lead-
ers' meetings used to be covered with greasy coppsre.
Fielding said as a magistrate his income was made up of
the dirtiest money in the British kingdoms. Not so here,
dear sirs. Every copper bore the impress of heaven and
had the blessing of Him who immortalized the 'widow's
mite" and Mary's box of ointment. It was the product
of the self-denying slave given for the love of God.
But let us take a last look of the W'ilmington of an early
day, 1815, nighty years ago. The bishop writes, January
22, 1815: "'Went forward thirty miles to Wilmington. I
preached in the chapel. 0 wretched appearance of broken
windows. Were I a young man I should not wish to be
stationed in Wilmington. Our funds are low here, and our
house a wreck." Think a little, will you ! " Broken win-
dows," "a wreck" and " undesirable for a young man."
And who were the young men of that day ? William Capers
and J. O. Andrews, both of them bishops afterwards. The
young Thomas Stanly, then the preacher, must have been
somewhat well known. But how about the "broken win-
dows?" Oh, say you, the man could hardly live himself.
Pshaw! Could he not have fixed the windows with his
ovn hands? But, think again! What young man now,
or for that matter any old one either, thinks Wilmington
undesirable now? I am sure some would almost give their
eyes to get there.
But at this rate we shall never have done. "Time
would fail to tell of Gideon, of Barak, and of Sampson,
and of Jeptha, of David also and Samuel and the prophets,
who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteous-
Early Methodism in Wilmington. 21
ness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, * *
who out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in
fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."
Of one of the lesser lights, because we know more of
him, >ve may speak. He was greatly surprised when he
was read out for Wilmington in 1847. Doubtless others
were also. He felt his deftciency. Often has he walked
on Saturday evenings the aisle of that church and poured
out prayer before that chancel. Often he seemed deserted,
for God
"Hides himself so wondrously,
As though there were no God ;
He is least seen when all the powers
Of ill are most abroad ;
*' Or he deserts us in the hour
The fight is all but lost ;
And seems to leave us to ourielves
Just when we need him most.
"It is not so, but so it looks;
And we lose courage then ;
And doubts will come if God hath kept
His promises to men.''
But we met such noble men as James Cassidy, Henry
Nutt, Dr. Bellamy, the Berrys, the Bowdens, Smiths,
Kellys, Casons, the patriarch, Jesse Jennett, the St. John
of Wilmington ; of elect ladies not a few — Mrs. Kennedy,
Mrs. Miller, and not least Mrs. Poisson, an invalid long
but a great strengthener of many in the faith and patience
she exhibited ; and others too numerous to mention. Of
the colored of saintly character in olden time were William
Campbell and Roger Hazell. In modern days Harry Mer-
rick led the band. Many on the close of service on Sunday
nights, by his power of song, were carried up to the very
gates of gold.
A revival begun at Old Brunswick camp-meeting was
carried on for weeks in the city, resulting in doubling the
membership. A week night meeting was held at the Dry
Pond, resulting in such success that the next year an assis-
22 Conference Historical Publication.
tant preacher was sent, Rev. Hilliard C. Parsons, of pre-
cious memory, the outcome finally leading to the elegant
Fifth Street Church.
All this some forty-five years ago. Of what has hap-
pened since you tell me much more than I could tell you.
Nobly has the old North Carolina Conference carried on
the work the Southern Conference turned over to her.
Historical records! You do well to gather them up
When I regard the past and now, it is matter of amaze-
ment. Do yoa remember Jacob at Bethel? A wanderer,
homeless, fatherless, nay, not Godless. Take him then
when at Penial he wrestled with the angel ot the cov-
enant and hear his words: "With my staff I passed over
this Jordan, and now I am become two bands." Do you
ask for its counterpart? All I say is, Circumspice.
And now with a little small talk I will close. When
your speaker came to Wilmington our country was at war —
don't start, it was the Mexican war. Everything was in a
stir. Many thought it was a huge affair ; they saw a bigger
one not long after. They called my State the Palmetto State ;
yours the Pine Tree. Mine some called after Harry Percy —
Hotspur. Right ; I reckon she was hot enough and did
spur folks alarmingly. Her attempt to dissolve co-part-
nership resulted like that famed commercial enterprise
where one party had the capital and the other the expe-
rience, turning out in the final issue in that vice versa
arrangement by which the South got the experience and
the North all the capital. Poor, dear Old South Carolina,
it rather looks like she is a nice place to leave; at least so
some of our preachers seem to think. Virginia got one
and North Carolina got two. They are not by nature ' ' Tar
Heels, '^ but if you treat 'em well they'll stick. Hope you
will say Esto Perpetua.
They called your State once, almost fifty years ago,
remember, "Winkle," not Dickens', but "Van" — "Old
Rip," that sturdy youth of the twenty years nap. But if
Early Methodism in Wilmington. 23
she ain't awake now I'm greatly mistaken. Some daring
miscreant called you '''-Tar Heels''' a cognomen indicative of
sticking proclivities. You did it in the Civil War undoubt-
edly. I never heard of a North Carolina regiment flinch-
ing. And I have no doubt that to all things " true, hon-
est, just, pure, lovely and of good report" you will hold
on to the very end.
And now a last advice. This is Durham, ain't it? You
have a college here? Endow it quickly. A word in your
ear : Forty years ago in Edgefield county, South Carolina,
a brother Holloway gave $20,000.00 to Cokesbury School.
It was before Wofford gave his $100,000.00 to Spartanburg.
A modicum of the interest on that money put two boys
through Wofford College. They are men now ; one is now
in Norfolk, Va., the other in Asheville, N. C. If they
ever ' ' achieve greatness or have it thrust upon them ' ' it
may be traced to that bequest. I say to your men of
wealth. Do likewise. Hunt up your boys for the founda-
tion. By so doing you build memorials more enduring
than sculptured bust or monumental marble.
Running back to 1830 there was not an academy of high
grade in all the South. Cokesbury, near Baltimore, was
burned; Mt. Bethel, in Carolina, was a ruin, two chimneys
standing as the only memorial. New England got the
start of us long before that ; sterile as she was, she built
school houses and reared men. Wilbrahan Academy, in
Massachusetts, was the only Methodist school of note in
America. Under the peerless Fisk she drew patronage
from far and near — one boy from Virginia, the late Leo
Rosser; one boy from Baltimore, J. C. Keener, and one
boy from Charleston (nameless), were there from 1830 to
1833 and '34. It is on record that he from Baltimore, full
of innocent mischief, climbed the lightning rod on the
high boarding house to the very top. As the senior bishop
of the Southern Church he is deservedly at the top yet.
The last named, whether deservedly or not, is at the bot-
34 Conference Historical Publication.
torn still, where many of you, beloved, if you only live
long enough, will assuredly be likewise. But what of it
all if at the end of the days we shall stand in our lot and
hear the well done of our Master and Lord. And yet
"01 It is hard to work for God,
To rise and take His part
Upon the battle fields of earth,
And not sometimes lose heart ;
But right is right, since God is God,
And right, the day must win,
To doubt would be disloyalty,
To falter would be sin."
OuB Historical Problem. 25
OUR HISTORICAL PROBLEM.'
BY JOHN S. BASSETT, PH. D.
\Vheii your kind letter, Mr. President, came to rae with,
the information that I had been selected for the duty of
this occasion I had many misgivings as to my right to
accept the honor. I had great difficulty to select a subject
which would be satisfactory either to you or to me. Pass
ing over subjects connected more immediately with our
church history I at length chose to speak of the ideal that
is embodied in this Historical Society, to show its grounds
for existence, to urge on you its importance, and to sug-
gest, if I may, some means of realizing its greatest suc-
cess. In the beginning of the existence of our Society we
cannot too deeply impress on ourselves the nature of our
work and how it is to be accomplished.
Somehow the thought is to-day filling the minds of
Americans that the South is entering a poriod of new life.
The intuition of our continent is aglow with idea of
Southern development. The beginnings of the process are
easily to be discerned in industrial lines. Many people,
also, are earnestly scanning the horizon for the dawn of an
intellectual renaissance. Such a movement indeed is slowly
beginning to be. We can feel it in an increased desire for
education and in a better demand for a better kind of
education. The building of towns, centers of life and
centers of thought, conduces to it. The gaining of greater
wealth and the consequent endowment of colleges and the
increase of a leisure of class facilitates its coming. A
hundred other forces of our more prosperous life may be
» An address delivered before the North Carolina Conference Historical
Society at its second annual meeting, Dec. 14, 1895, at Elizabeth City, N. C.
26 Conference Historical Publication.
expected to make for its development. I rejoice at the
thought that it may not now be far distant. Of this, how-
ever, we may be sure: It will never come of its own
accord. If it is in the air it will never be visible till it is
distilled through the product of our own personalities. It
will never come till the manhood and the womanhood of
the South — you and I and other intellectual force in our
country — can realize in our souls the great ideas of those
that long for life. It will come when we as individuals
shall form the serious resolve to live, not merely during
our college periods, but throughout our entire lives, with
most earnest efforts for true self-culture.
Let us then as an Historical Society talk seriously about
the future. What will such a movement mean for the
purposes that we have in view? If it means anything, it
will mean that we shall throw in our efforts to build up a
greater interest in, and a greater love for, the past. When
I stand to-day in the presence of our past, unrecorded
and forgotten as it largely is, I find my heart all lit with
a great call to duty. From the Potomac to the Rio
Grande there are piles of documents, records, reports, cor-
respondences, memoirs, files of newspapers, and occasional
publications — all rich in the experience of our ancestors.
Yet is there no hand that is set to transform this richness
into active life force. So far as the advantage posterity is
reaping from this experience is concerned the majority of
our distinguished men, both in religious and civil life,
might as well never have lived. We have failed in any
vital sense to perpetuate their lives. As a solitary hut in
a vast plain, as the single house of the poet that looked
out over the ruins of desolated Thebes, so are the few
books we have produced in reference to our history. Let
the name of Southerner be a reproach among peoples if we
let this condition continue.
Will you allow me to tell you why we need this con-
sciousness of the past?
Our Historical Problem. 27
We need it, in the iirst place, because the New South
must be built out of the Old South. The shattered frag- .
ments of the old structure must be replaced in better posi-
tions in the new ; but they will be the old fragments still.
The ideas and habits of our people must be what they have
been, only they must be lit with a new radiance. This is
especially true in our ideas of public affairs. It would be
a sad mistake if we forgot the spirit of government that
our father's had and went suddenly atield after some new
and crude thing, for whose workings we are by no means
prepared. Our statesmen have always been characterized
by a spirit of solid English conservatism. Vain and false
will be the progress that suddenly leads us away from it.
And yet there is danger that we shall have just such pro-
gress. We expect a number of immigrants. They will
be welcomed, yet they will bring new habits of thought.
Our thinking men are bein<.' educated abroad, where dilFer-
ent conditions warrant different ideas ; and that is a good
thing. Yet if from either of these influences there should
come a concept of government based on the socialistic
idea, the result would be calamitous. To guard against
such a result we should so fill our common thought with
the spirit of the past that it will be impregnable against
such ideas. If we know our history we shall have this
spirit, and what has for a century been noted as a strong
individualistic democracy will be in no danger of becom-
ing a social democracy.
History is valuable to us, not only as a means of getting
good government but also as a means of culture. By cul-
ture I mean the enlarging of man's noblest nature to its
greatest extent. The mission of man, his only excuse for
existence, is the ennobling of his own soul and the souls
of others. I should not have to make an argument to
show you that the mission of the Church is to do good.
Assuredly elevating man in his finer nature, in his soul, is
doing good. It is in keeping with the very purposes of
28 Conference Historical Publication.
the Master. To save the world from sin, to free human
hearts from baser tendencies, to teach man the dominion
of the spirit over the body, finally to record in all its inef-
fable loveliness the purity of a god-like soul ; this is doing
good. This is also true culture.
Our ideas of what culture is have not always been the
clearest. Man's nature is two sided. It is intellectual and
emotional, if I may so say. If we cultivate the intellec-
tual side solely we shall become rationalistic, I use the
term in its broader significance. If we cultivate the emo-
tional side exclusively we become aesthetic and possibly
fanatical. Either extreme should be avoided. We have
at times been disposed to say that a man who is cultured
has cultivated the intellect solely ; and so we have had a
tendency to say that culture has nothing to do with reli-
gion. This idea, I admit, has been aided also by the asser-
tion of many whom we are accustomed to put down as the
apostles of culture. Yet I conceive that the finest and
truest type of culture is not this intellectually developed
man, with no emotions, no religious impressions. Only he
is cultured who has developed both sides of his nature in
the best way. Furthermore, I shall venture to say that we
of the South have not followed this idea as strictly as I
could wish. We have not cultivated the emotional side of
our nature too much. Speaking absolutely I should say
that we could hardly do that, provided we kept in the
bounds of common sense ; but we often fail to cultivate the
intellectual side enough. As a result we are generous,
loyal, religious, and that is a good thing ; but we are not
so calm, judicial, or self-contained as we ought to be. I
stand here to plead for that kind of thought that will
advance equally the intellect and the emotions, the mind
and the heart, and that will give as a result a perfectly
poised soul.
This can be attained very successfully by the study of
history. I should not say it is the only way to get it,
Our Historical Problem. 29
but it is certainly one of the most excellent ways, and in a
certain kind of development it is the only way, of getting
it. History gives the mind a culture grasp on the life of
the world. To live over again the life of a great man, to
trace the growth of an institution which is indeed the
•product of the successive lives of many people, is the con-
tribution of history to the educational process. In its
scope it is as broad as humanity and to master it broadens
the soul till it embraces the life of the world. A book
thoughtfully mastered becomes in a healthy mind a part
of one's soul. Such a soul broadened by a knowledge of
the past is as great as all the great qualities of all the
great men of the past. It not only broadens but it gives
fineness. Your great historian is an aristocrat in the cul-
ture world. He takes the best wine from a thousand
presses. By observing the hollowness of the evil and the
permanency of the good, he learns to despise all that is
untrue. I confess to you that until I became to a certain
extent acquainted with the experiences of the peoples of
the past, I never realized for once the force of that tine
Biblical thought, "righteousness exalteth a nation." If
I were asked to name the general law that underlies the
science of history, I should say unhesitating that it is the
law of the ultimate survival of the righteous. It is just
as accurate as a law as the most ardent evolutionist could
claim for Mr. Darwin's law of natural selection. To get
this broadness and this intenseness of the finer feelings is
history's contribution to culture.
Perhaps you may say that this is all good enough in
reference to secular history and for the secular reader, but
that preachers have to do with church history only. I do
not believe it. I cannot see how a teacher could send out
a boy into the world well equipped in the field of general
history who did not know the great facts in reference to
the part religious life has played in developing our civil-
ization. I confess, I should be as little able to see how he
30 Conference Historical Publication.
could send out a man, be he preacher or not, who had a
just knowledge of history who did not know the parts that
law, politics, art, and industry have played in that same
development. History is a unit and he who knows the
history of the religious past and nothing of the secular
past is as poorly equipped as he who knows the secular-
part and is ignorant of the religious. Our ideas must be
no smaller than life and life is as broad as human thinking.
Some evil, I fear, has come in these latter days from the
habit of shutting off a young preacher's line of study from
the thoughts that reach other people. Against this I pro-
test. I beg that you do not shut him up in history to the
contemplation of dogmas, and their defenders of councils
and their work and of popes and their privileges. Let
him, in common with all other historical students, take
for his motto to know the life of the past and by it to in-
terpret the present.
Such a thing affords the preacher an opportunity to
guide culture. As a layman standing on the outside of
your ranks, but as one on whose heart has weighed se-
riously the problems of our society, I beseech you that you
will put your finger on the culture life of our country.
Hallow it with the Christ ideal. Consecrate it with the
great purpose of the Son of Man. Be cultured yourselves
and so teach those who are coming into the great stream
of our culture, that history, fiction, verse, dialectics, and
all other literature shall throb to the great common object
of a clearer, and sweeter, and stronger manhood. If we
are to have a renaissance in our literature let us see that it
be turned the right way from the first!
The preacher does not always realize his power. No
people has ever risen superior to their priests. The state
may boast of its battles, its glories, its progress ; but he
who stands guardian over the individual conscience con-
trols the state and its destiny. Laws may be effective
without being good, industry may succeed without being
Our Historical Problem. 81
just, literature may be beautiful without being enobling,
art may be skillful without being helpful ; but in propor-
tion as laws, industry, literature or art have in them any-
thing great it comes from the elevating effect they have on
the common life. Show me a people's faith and I will
write its history. Give me the power to appeal to their
ideals and I will shape their destiny. I will say more :
Show me the ideals that appear in their literature and I
will tell you what their priests believe or what influence
their priests have over them. Too often, I fear, I shall
find that the priests have lost control over the literary class.
Such a thing is vicious in its results. It is a fearful thing
when our writers have begun to lose the impulses of relig-
ious conviction. Vain and false is this modern purpose-
less art. It gives no soul development. It is as a beauti-
ful garment that clothes a skeleton. To be valuable a
book should not merely please or a picture be merely
graceful. They each would by that leave unused an op-
portunity for reaching the soul. May the day be not far
distant when our literature and art shall be the embodi-
ment of conscience.
I have said this much on the subject of what I conceive
to be a preacher's opportunity in order to show what rela-
tion our Historical Society as a part of the larger culture
life may have to that opportunity. I have in this spoken
of the abstract side of my subject. I shall henceforth be
more specific. Let us first enumerote the advantages that
may come to us from the development of this society :
1. It will teach us self-knowledge. "Know thyself" is
an old Greek maxim that summed up a great deal of wis-
dom. To know history is to know ourselves, our race,
in all its progress and trials. The religious body that
knows its past is broader and stronger by reason of it.
Furthermore, a man, or a church, never knows himself or
itself till he or it knows others. Knowledge is compara-
tive. On considering ourselves we are led to ask by how
32 CONFEEENOE HiSTOEIOAL PUBLICATION.
much we differ from others. If we do not measure up to
others we want to renew our efforts. Thus will history act
upon us and re-act upon us as a church through the agency
of this Historical Society.
2. An historical society will help to make us cosmopol-
itan in thought. The progress of the world is toward unity
of thinking. Provincialism of ideas too often means crude
and undeveloped minds. Strengthened and enlarged is
the mind that can hold in its grasp the experience and the
import of the experience of a number of different social
groups. If we know the histories, present and past, of
other churches we shall know how to correlate our own
church policy to the development of the religions of the
world. We shall the more clearly know how to take our
place in the vast cycle of influences that make for civiliza-
tion. Would that every christian had the enlarged ken
that he should have in order to see as our Master saw the
plan by which a score of distinct forces could be brought
into harmonious operation to effect the redemption of
humanity from sin.
3. I am led to say also that a vigorous historical society
will help us better to appreciate present conditions. There
comes a time in every man's life when he asks himself if it
pays to struggle any longer. He is like a man swimming
on the surface of the billows. As the waves leap up aroand
him he has no appreciation of direction and surroundings.
He must be elevated above their surface if he desires to
understand the waves. So it is in life ; we can never gauge
properly our difficulties while we are battling with them.
We need to look down on them in the light of past expe-
riences before we may know how to estimate their forces.
This much I need only remind you, will come to us through
our Society.
4. An effective historical society will develope the read-
ing and writing habit. To show you the importance of
this I need only refer to a recent utterance of that able
OuE Historical Problem. 83
editor, Dr. Hoss. A young minister complained that he
did not have time to read. It took him all of his time to
prepare his sermons. At this the editor exclaims : "What
a notion ! As if the reading of good books were not the
very best way of making preparation of sermons a delight-
ful and uplifting task. Reading alone will not suffice.
Some people may do too much of it, but it is sure that
many do too little. The higher mental processes cannot
go forward without material on which to work, and this
material is drawn very largely from contact with literature.
There is no possible method of threshing a noble thought
out of an empty mind." Besides setting us to reading it
will also set us to writing. If it is a good thing to speak
a great thought, surely it is a better thing to write a great
thought. By the former means you may reach several
hundred minds ; by the latter you may reach several thou-
sand. In these modern days a movement is in a way
measured by the printed literature it produces, t want no
better way of judging of our Conference than by going
through the files of our Conference paper.
6. We shall need this Historical Society because it will
cultivate in us love for the past. The reasons I have
already given are purely utilitarian. This reason is not
utilitarian. Let us love history for its own sake. If it
yield me nothing in return then will I love it for the mere
sake of loving it. If I get no boon from it, then will I
give it one, hoping that there may be somewhere in the
broad expanse of the empyrean a divinity to whom the
incense of my altar may be grateful. I will love it because
a rich soul full of reverence must love what is pure, and
noble, and wise.
But why carry this enumeration farther? I take it that
you need only to be set thinking and you will see many
more advantages of this nature. The point to which I
desire now to direct your attention is how to make our
Society attain to its best work. Will you alfbw one whose
34 Conference Historical Publication.
experience is, perhaps, not as broad as yours, but who yet
has a rather definite idea of our needs to recount some of
these needs?
1. We need to get a deep and broad historical spirit.
We must love truth for truth's sake and we must most
zealously sift all evidences before we are satisfied that we
have the truth. We must not go about writing it in a
spirit of self-glorification. Healthy research will not come
that way. These patriotic investigators who take it for
their task to defend some disputed points of history merely
on the basis of local pride most generally fail to accom-
plish anything lasting. Your true historian has another
idea, although it does not preclude that of local pride. He
takes as his object the discovery of truth. He assumes a
judicial attitude and carefully avoids the methods of an
advocate. His purpose is expressed in the words of von
Ranke, the great modern German historian, who said that
the aim of an historian is to tell a thing wie es geweseh isl,
that is to say, to tell a thing as it was. To accomplish this
requires a great deal of impartiality, a great deal of imper-
sonality. It demands that we hold in subjection our feel-
ings and previously formed judgments until we have
exploited our evidence. It demands that we handle facts
as acutely as a lawyer and as carefully as a Chief Justice.
It demands that we take nothing for granted, that we never
grow weary, that we use hands, ears, eyes and tongue to
arrive at the truth. Such is the clear, chaste, and impas-
sive spirit of history that I should like to call into the
bosom of this Historical Society.
2. The objective point of our activity must be life. We
must distinguish the things that concern life from those
that concern death. We must catch the genius of the
growth of mankind. We must be able to mark out the
processes by which we have gone forward, and those whose
tendency has been to draw us backward. When we shall
have done this there is no danger that we shall go to the
Our Historical Problem. 35
world with a measure of chaff instead of a measure of
good grain as a result of our labors.
Will you pardon me for a digression into the realm of
the secular? I am the more willing to make it because I
want us to guard against an error that the secular history
of our State has fallen into. Our State history has suf-
fered because investigators have gone afield after doubtful
points. Outside of our own borders we are chiefly known
in an historical way by reason of the controversies over the
Mecklenburg Declaration, the Lost Colony of Roanoke,
the conduct of the North Carolina militia at Guilford
Court House, and the claim that the Regulators began the
Revolution ; and, unfortunately, in addition to all of these
there is now threatening us another controverted point,
viz. : "Was Peter S. Ney Marshal Ney?" To settle these
questions, even though they could be settled in favor of
our most ardent patriots, would be a matter of small im-
portance in the face of the laws, the religion, the industry,
and indeed the life of our past. Permit me to say that so
long as I have the honor to preside over the department of
history in that institution which is so dear to the hearts of
us all, I will never consent to lead the boys that come
to me away from the meat of life to the husk of renown
merely.
3. We need also to strive to discover not only the life,
but the lives of the past. History should be read for two
purjDoses : (a) to get experience in the conduct of affairs,
that is to say, for the lessons of statesmanship, and (b) to
get its great influence on the inner life. In view of this
latter purpose read biography. There is no surer way of
transfusing goodness into the heart than by the example of
a good man. The surest impulse to nobleness comes from
the impact of one soul on another. Therefore for this rea-
son, as well as for a reward for services for which no reward
was asked, we ought to perpetuate the lives of our great
preachers. We have not done it. What assurance is
36 Conference Historical Publication.
there that fifty years from to-day our children shall have
any siifiicient means of knowing the lives of our Burkhead,
our Craven, our Bobbitt, our Robey and a hundred more
whose toil has enriched our church and our State?
4. We need also to get the spirit of collecting materials.
In our State there are, both in the fields of secular and
church history, a vast number of documents, newspapers,
magazines, printed addresses, fugitive articles, books that
are rare, and in many cases out of print — all absolutely
essential to the correct writing of our history. These
ought to be collected in some central accessible place.
Those that relate to church history ought to be placed in
the archives of this society, and, if you will allow me to
say it, those that relate to secular history will be very
gladly received by the Trinity College Historical Society.
The opportunity we have to collect these is exceptionable.
The members of this society scatter themselves over half
of our State. They possess the confidence and love of a
large number of our people. From these two facts I
should say that all we need is the effort on their part, and
we shall have in the rooms of this society the richest col-
lection of historical material in the South. I would that
each of us could go out to his place with this purpose
deeply graven in his heart. There is the greatest need
that we get materials now — and to that end I should like
to request any hearer who knows of anything that is val-
uable in this line to communicate such knowledge to the
ofl&cers of this society before he leaves this place.
5. I should suggest also the establishment of an histor-
ical museum. We desire to arouse general interest in our
work. Not every one can write a sketch of a church or a
preacher ; but nearly every one can find something of inter-
est to Methodists that he should like to preserve. This
may appear to be a small affair, but let us not despise the
day of small things. Will you permit me to give you an
example which has come under my own observation? A
Our Historical Problem. 37
year and a half ago the Trinity College Historical Society
was languishing. Some of its members were much dis-
couraged. A movement for an historical museum was
undertaken. It was rather a matter of a joke at first. A
few relics were, however, brought in ; a few more were
soon added. A case with a glass door was then provided.
It was seen to be a matter of earnestness, and a great num-
ber of relics then came in, and to-day we have enough
relics to fill two large cases and more are coming contin-
ually.* From the day the Museum was founded the inter-
est in the Society sprang into new life. I am satisfied that
it was the turning point in the life of the organization.
We have now no trouble to get papers for our monthly
meeting, and the spirit of research with which they are
prepared shows that the future is very bright. Just what
our college students have done we who are met here
may do.
6. Lastly, we should have a publication. An historical
society without a place in which to publish the results of
its research can only half fulfill the purposes for which it
has its existence. It is not suflBcient that we publish in
newspapers or in occasional pamphlets. Such methods are
better than not publishing at all, but they lack the element
of permanency. A year ago in a certain city in our Con-
ference bounds, a certain newspaper published the history
of the Methodist church there. Not more than a month
ago I heard the author of that history say that he did not
have a set of the papers, nor did he have any idea who did
have them. If we had a yearly publication that history
would appear in it. It would be preserved along with
other similar sketches that have been prepared. Such a
publication would not only preserve history, but it would
give the world a definite idea of what we are doing, and for
our own membership, it would be a center of interest and
*There are now, 1897, five cases and more room is needed. —Editor.
3
38 Conference Historical Publication.
effort in every respect beneficial. It would rally the pride
of Methodists at large, and while it spread among them a
more general knowledge of our own history, it would
make among them many a friend to our enterprise. In-
deed, I do not see how we can get along in any satisfactory
way without such a publication.
Historical societies have not been ordinary affairs in our
Southern Conferences. Of the few in existence one is in
South Carolina. In 1856 the Methodist preachers of South
Carolina, at the suggestion of the Maryland Conference, met
in Yorkville and organized an historical society. For thirty
nine years that body has struggled on with great success.
Who shall say what influence it has had on the type of
Methodism of that State. It is certainly true that one of
the most influential Conferences in our whole Southern
Church has been that of South Carolina. Its preachers
have been marked by a culture influence that have made
them leaders wherever they have gone. Its Wightman,
its Duncans, its Kirklands, its Carlisle, its Capers, and
many more are evidences of its vitality. I do not think I
should be too sanguine if I should say that I expect that
when this Society shall have reached its full fruition,
North Carolina Methodism will be as generally prominent.
I think I may at least predict with confidence that the
spirit of progress that will go with the development of our
organization will be felt in a thousand reactions on our
whole intellectual life.
Without any intention to discredit the South Carolina
society, I must yet say that the working of such societies
with us is in a certain sense experimental. We may find
features in which we can improve on other societies. The
item of a publication is something that the South Carolina
society has not reached. There is presented to us an
opportunity to lead in this direction. Some years in the
future when the South shall have come to the conditions
of a thickly populated country, there will be historical
Our Historical Problem. 39
societies and publications too throughout our Conference.
In that day it will be worth something to have led in this
movement.
Before I take my seat I am impelled to speak of the
interest these surroundings have to those who have at heart
the cause of North Carolina history. When our ancestors
left their homes in Virginia, in New England, and indeed
in Old England in order to settle in this State, they came
first of all to the banks of the streams that empty their
waters into the Albemarle Sound. You need not be told
that you stand on historic ground. The story of white
supremacy in our State began in this region to which the
Methodist Church is now come with glad messages on its
tongue and with rejoicings in its heart for a rich harvest of
good. The very atmosphere which we here meet is historic.
I have heard that the warm hearts of the people who live
here are rich with the flavor of the past. We up-country
people will have much to learn while here. Let us of all
things carry away an abiding consciousness of the histori-
cal which we find. An incident in this connection may be
worth reciting :
One day in December, 1677, there came sailing up the
river that flows by this hospitable little city "a pretty
ship," as the Proprietors called her. She was a trader
from London, and it seems likely that she was trading with
little or no regard for the English navigation laws. Thomas
Miller was then, by no very certain right, recognized as
President of the Council and, as such, was temporarily chief
executive of the colony. He had made himself very un-
popular by doing, as was alleged, "many extravagant
things, making strange limitations for the choice of a par-
liament, getting the power in his hands of laying tines,
which 'tis to be feared he neither did nor meant to use
moderately, sending out strange warrants to bring some of
the most considerable men in the colony alive or dead
40 Conference Historical Publication.
before him, setting a sum of money upon their heads,"*
Now when on that crisp winter morning of 1677 Captain
Gillam sailed his ' ' pretty ship.' ' up the Pasquotank river
the President, on a charge which the people considered
unfounded, proceeded to arrest him and to treat him in a
violent manner. The captain had brought in his vessel
three times as many goods as he had brought the preceding
year. These he expected to sell to the planters as they
came down to his ship, taking in exchange their tobacco
and other produce. The people were as anxious to get his
goods as he was to sell them. When, however, he suffered
so badly at the hands of the President he threatened to
take his cargo elsewhere. This was doleful news to the
men of Pasquotank. In genuine alarm they induced Capt.
Gillam to abandon his design, and then with an armed
force they arrested Miller and the Deputies, locked them up
in a log house, and issued a call to the inhabitants of the
other precincts for a new assembly. They were grimly in
earnest, and a short time afterwards when the Governor of
Virginia was preparing to subdue them as rebels, they made
ready for a stout resistance. The remonstrance they pub-
lish to arouse their neighbors is the first document in the
cause of local liberty in our State history. Whatever we
may think of their motives, we must agree that they stood
for self-government. It is worth a great deal to have been
the first people in this State vvho resisted by force the con-
trolling hand in England. I should be unjust to the men
of Pasquotank as well as to this body if I let this occasion
pass without reminding you of this most important event
in our history.
Now my task is done. I have endeavored to show you
the need of historical study in the South, the relation of
such study to a broad culture life, indeed its relation to
our church life. I have stressed the advantages we shall
*Col. Recs. of N. C, vol. L. p. 287.
Our Historical Problem. 41
get from our Historical Society, and I have suggested some
means by which I think we may realize very fully our
opportunity. If I have so dwelt on these things that we
have gotten a better concept of the work before us, the
effort will not have been in vain ; and if it is not in vain,
I shall be satisfied.
42 Conference Historical Publication.
LIFE AND LABORS OF REV. H. G. LEIGH, D. D.'
BY REV. W. H. MOORE, D. D.,
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.
To honor the living who deserve our esteem on account
of their virtues, is both a duty and a pleasure. We are
not slow to recognize the worth of those who have put us
under obligations to them, by enriching us in material
things, whether their services have been rendered to us as
individuals, or as the benefactors of mankind. But, to
hold in grateful and loving remembrance the names and
virtues of our sainted dead, and to keep these fresh in the
minds of the living, making of them an inspiration to a
nobler life for ourselves, and coming generations, is a duty
we owe both to the dead and the living.
It has been said that the refinement of a people can be
judged of by the care they take of the graves of their dead ;
and, it may be more truthfully said, that a people's appre-
ciation of a noble life is manifested by the sacredness with
which the memory of that life is cherished.
Nations build monuments of brass, and stone, to perpet-
uate the memory of those who have rendered signal service
to their country, and the Church should not be less slow
to embalm in grateful remembrance the memory of those
who have wrought well in her interest. It is piety, not
patriotism, which says, "The righteous shall be had in
everlasting remembrance."
I could have wished, at the time your partiality devolved
on me the task I am now attempting to perform, that it
had fallen to the lot of one more competent worthily to
I An address delivered before the North Carolina Conference Historical
Society at the third regular meeting, at Kinston, N. C , December 8, 1896.
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 43
fulfill your wish; for surely, a life so consecrated, and
useful should have a rarely gifted tongue to perpetuate its
memory. But, however far I may fall short of a worthy
performance of my task, I shall be conscious that I have
brought to its accomplishment a heart loyal to the purpose
of the Society, and as earnest a desire as any can cherish
that the picture of our distinguished brother's life should
have a frame as noble as itself in which to hang it on the
walls of our memory.
Like some tall peak which lifts itself far above the moun-
tain range and which seems to grow taller by recession
from it, so does the life of this eminent servant of God and
the Church in the lengthening distance of time grow larger
and more impressive to those who contemplate it.
In reviewing the life and labors of him who is the sub-
ject of this address, his family history will naturally claim
our attention first.
HIS FAMILY HISTORY.
Hezekiah Gilbert Leigh was born in Durand's Neck,
Perquimans County, North Carolina, November 23, 1795,
and was of Scotch-Irish descent. His early ancestors came
to "the James River section" of Virginia, and settled
there soon after the establishment of "the Jamestown
Colony." Gilbert Leigh, the grandfather of Hezekiah,
moved from the James River section to Durand's Neck, in
the year 1760. He bought lands near the New Hope M. E.
Church, and built a residence there, which is still standing,
and occupied as a dwelling. It was in this house that
Hezekiah was born. Richard Leigh, son of Gilbert Leigh,
and Elizabeth, his wife, was born October 14, 1773. Rich-
ard was married to Charlotte Spruill, December 18, 1794,
and their son, Hezekiah Gilbert, was born November 23,
1795.
Of Hezekiah's childhood I have not been able to gather
anything of public interest. Imagination must fill a gap
44 Conference Historical Publication.
of fifteen years ; but we may well believe him to have been
a bright and healthy lad, with more than ordinary ambi-
tion for mental culture. Socially, his family ranked
among the best, and, having both lands and slaves, his
parents were able to give their son the best educational
advantages offered by the schools of that time.
The old colonial town of Edenton, though not then so
populous as now, was, nevertheless, a place of great im-
portance. It was the rival of any town in the State for
commerce, culture, and social life. There was an Academy
there, and, as this school afforded better facilities than
could be obtained nearer home, Hezekiah was entered at
this Academy in 1810, at which time he had attained the
age of 15 years. He remained in this school two years,
and, on leaving it, returned to his home in Durand's Neck,
where he taught till he was about 22 years old.
What purpose in life he may have cherished, what avo-
cation, or profession he intended to follow, is unknown.
Though his education was only academical, it was equal to
that of any of the young men of his section, and placed
him far in advance of the multitude. An honorable career
might have been his at the Bar, in Medicine, or in the
halls of Legislation. For the first, and the last named, he
was pre-eminently endorsed. But, whatever may have
been his purpose, this year was remarkable as the one in
which occurred the event which proved to be the turning
point in his whole subsequent life. God had a great work
for him to do, and this was the year of his conversion. He
who took David from the sheep-cote, and anointed him to
be the King of Israel, took this young man out of the
school-room and anointed him with divine power, as a
preacher of the gospel of His Son.
Tradition says "he was converted in an old-fashioned
Methodist Camp -Meeting, held at Nag's Head Chapel,"
one of the appointments of the present Perquimans circuit.
The meeting in which he was converted was conducted by
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 45
the Rev. Henry Holmes and others. Doubtless there were
others converted at this meeting, but had young Leigh
been the solitary convert, as is said to have been the case
in Georgia, where young James Osgood Andrew was the
only convert, the meeting would have been a great success.
The conversion of one such soul is worth a life -time effort.
Who but God can tell what shall be the result, in all its
bearings, on the Church and State, or on individual souls?
At the time of his conversion, much the larger part of
the territory now embraced in the North Carolina Confer-
ence, was in the bounds of the Virginia Conference. Be-
lieving himself to be called of God to preach the gospel, he
' 'conferred not with flesh and blood, ' ' but devoted himself
at once to the work, offered himself to the Virginia Con-
ference, in the bounds of which he was living, and to
which, under God, he was indebted for his conversion.
His application was favorably acted upon, and he was
"received on trial," by the Conference at its session in
February, 1818. He remained an honored, as he was a
distinguished member of that body, till the creation of the
North Carolina Conference in 1836. At that time he
became a member of this Conference, which membership
he retained till his death, September 18, 1853.
On January the 5th, 1830, he was married to Miss Mary
Jane Crump, a daughter of Major Richard Crump, of North-
ampton county, in this State ; and soon after his marriage
bought a plantation, and settled his family near Boydton,
Mecklenburg county, Virginia, which was the seat of Ran-
dolph-Macon College, of which institution he was founder.
There were born to him six children. The oldest child,
Lieut. Col. R. W. Leigh, of the 43d Mississippi Regiment,
was killed in the battle of Corinth, October 22, 1862.
H. G. Leigh, M. D., now resides, as he has long done,
in Petersburg, Va., and is an honored member of that
community, and distinguished in his profession.
J. E. Leigh, whose surpassing eloquence crowned him
46 Conference Historical Publication.
as "the silver-tongued orator of Mississippi," died Novem-
ber 7, 1891.
Louisa C. Leigh married Judge John B. Sale, of Missis-
sippi, and died in the summer of 1864.
Mary Alice Leigh married Capt. James E. Craddock, and
is now a widow, living in Columbus, Mississippi.
F. M. Leigh, the youngest child, lives in Columbus,
Mississippi, and is now a man of 52 years, having been
born in February, 1844.
Mary Jane Leigh, widow of the Rev. H. G. Leigh, D.
D., died in Columbus, Mississippi, April 14, 1881, and is
buried in the city where she died. The mortal remains of
her husband rest in the old Randolph -Macon cemetery,
Mecklenburg county, Virginia. Widely separated is their
sleeping dust, but they rest well after life's toilsome day,
and he who watched over them so tenderly while living,
shall one day call them thence, and glorified together, they
shall be forever "present with the Lord."
HIS LABORS.
Having given this much of Dr. Leigh's family history, I
may be permitted now to speak of his labors, and the emi-
nent success with which they were crowned.
As we have already seen, he was "received on trial" by
the Virginia Conference at its session in February, 1818.
His splendid physique and his mental and spiritual endow-
ments brought him into prominence at once, and so well
did he meet the responsibilities of his position, in all places
where he became known, that he was held up by the Laity
as a model for his successors. There were giants in those
days, and Hezekiah G. Leigh stood at the head, the peer of
any, and the most influential of them all.
A list of the appointments he fllled in both the Virginia
and North Carolina Conferences will abundantly confirm
this statement. His appointments were : Bedford, Raleigh,
Gloucester, Norfolk, Petersburg, Meherrin District, James
Life ai^d Labors of Eev. H, G. Leigh. 47
River District, Agent for Randolph-Macon College, Peters-
burg District, Raleigh District, Henderson Circuit ; and,
finally, he was for a second time Presiding Elder of the
Raleigh District, and Agent for Randolph-Macon College.
For eighteen years he was a member of the Virginia, and
seventeen a member of the North Carolina Conference;
nearly six years of which latter period he was without an
appointment, on account of bodily affliction, which inca-
pacitated him for active work.
With the mental endowments he possessed, and the
academic training he had received, added to by an exten-
sive course of reading, which made him familiar with the
English classics, and gave him a readiness of speech in
conversation, and an elegant diction in public discourse, it
is not to be wondered at that his broad mind should be
pained at, and keenly sympathize with, the masses who
were not only living in ignorance, but were indifferent to
their surroundings. Still less is it to be wondered at that
he should be pained to see a young man entering the min-
istry of the Church, with every qualification for success
save that of mental culture, and doomed by its lack to an
almost barren ministry.
An "experience of grace" — a sound conversion — to
"know God in the pardon of sins," has always been re-
garded by the church as the -first necessity for a preacher.
In the earlier days of her history a man who had none of
the subtile forms of sin to figlit, but only its grosser ones,
could, by "telling his experience" out of a warm heart,
win those who were out of Christ. But the times were
changing, had changed, in so many places, that if Method-
ism held her own as a spiritual force in the world, particu-
larly in the towns, and more thickly settled rural sections,
the education of the ministry, far beyond what it then
was, had become a necessity.
Dr. Leigh was one of the first men in the church to see
this necessity, and, with him to see a thing, was to act.
48 Conference Historical Publication.
His action was along two lines, both of which looked to
the accomplishment of the same result. He first secured
the raising of the standard for admission into the Con-
ference, and then a wider compulsory course of study for
the four years preceding ordination to the full duties of
the gospel ministry.
This was of incalculable benefit to the churches, and to
the men themselves. It sharpened many a battle-axe, and
tempered many a trenchant blade, which otherwise would
have remained as dull as a hoe, and as untempered as mor-
tar into which no lime had been put.
But, to get the best results, he knew that more thorough-
ness was essential than this "Conference Course" would
give. He saw that an institution of college grade was
necessary, in which at least a good proportion of young
men called of God to preach might receive a more liberal
education. Some younp men who believed themselves
called to preach, hesitated from lack of preparation.
With Dr. Leigh a call to preach, meant a call to get ready
to preach, for those not already prepared ; and he earnestly
desired to put a liberal education in reach of all who could,
and would take it. And, besides this. Dr. Leigh saw the
disastrous effects of educating our young people in colleges
of other denominations, or, worse than that, of educating
them in colleges where religion is ignored. His motto
was: "Religion and learning must go together." But
state institutions did not offer such, and those of other
denominations did it with a bias that tended to alienate
our young men from the church of their fathers. His
watchful eye detected these influences at work against the
progress of the church in the more intelligent communities,
and he set himself to remedy them. But how could it be
done?
To raise a sum sufficient to put up such buildings as
were desirable, was, indeed, an herculean task. The mass
of the church were then, more than now, indifferent to
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 49
higher education ; and it was questionable if the minority
who were interested and had the means, could be induced
to contribute it. A man without faith in God would not
have thought of taking on himself such a task ; but, actu-
ated by that faith, Dr. Leigh began to talk the matter of
a college in private, and to preach about it in public. He
met with many discouragements (and who has not in any
great and new enterprise?), but he triumphed over them
all. Such was his success the Conference, at its session in
3829, determined to build a college, and appointed a com-
mittee to select the site.
Several communities competed for the prize; but the
college was located near Boydton, Va. One strong reason
for locating it in Virginia was the hope of getting some aid
from the State treasury ; there being a law that as soon as
the School Fund reached a certain point, the residue should
be disbursed for the benefit of other schools in the common-
wealth. That proved, however, it is said, to be only "a
trick of political demagogues for securing offices." The
college has never received any help from the State.
Disappointed in this expectation, the enterprise was
threatened with disaster. Virginia and North Carolina,
together, furnished only from one hundred to one hundred
and fifty students, a part of whom came from South Caro-
lina and Georgia. The income was not sufficient to meet
expenses, and we hear the great-souled founder exclaim-
ing : ''Why do not our men of head and heart come to the
rescue? Why do they not send in their offerings to the
Lord, and whilst they live, rejoice in the good their liber-
ality is effecting? Dying I — Why do they not remember
this great interest of their beloved church? Has not Ran-
dolph-Macon another friend like Jesse Harper of Orange,
in all our bounds? Oh! have we no Wofford among us
who would be the benefactor of his race? Let him rear a
monument to his memory which shall last as long as reli-
gion and learning shall be honored amongst a free and
happy people."
50 Conference Historical Publication.
He had borne the college on his heart ; he had contrib-
uted to it liberally of his means. It was the child of his
prayers and toils, and he who had never failed in any other
undertaking, could not see it struggling for life, and be
indifferent to the cries. It needs were his needs ; and all
the fires of his great soul were kindled by its neglect, till
they poured themselves out on the ears and into the heart
of an unwilling church, and compelled her to nurse the
starving infant into healthy life.
The gift of such a man is one of God's best boons to men.
Oh, for one such in every Conference of Southern Method-
ism to-day! One such, to shame the rest with the magni-
tude of his gifts from a scanty store, and scorch with fiery
eloquence the consciences of those who hoard, till all the
church needs to meet this demand shall be put at her dis-
posal.
To Dr. Leigh more than any other, perhaps all others, is
the church indebted for the existence of Randolph-Macon
College, with the stream of beneficent influences it has
been pouring into her church life since it was founded.
It was the enterprise he cherished most of all, and one
that shall perpetuate his memory as one of the wisest men
with whose labors the church has been blest.
It is not claimed, however, that he was the sole instru-
ment in the establishment of this, the first successful effort
to found a distinctively Methodist college. The name of
G. P. Disosway deserves, as it will always have, honorable
mention in this connection, as an ardent friend and sup-
porter of the scheme ; but Dr. Leigh was its first promoter,
as he was its most influential and life-long advocate. The
College stands to-day a monument to his wisely directed
zeal for the upbuilding of Christ's Kingdom in the world,
and none better could be desired to perpetuate his memory.
Its buildings may decay in the lapse of time, but others
shall take their places; and when "storied urn" and
bronze, or granite piles, in silence point to some forgotten
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 51
liero of the world, lier walls shall ring with the glad voices
of those who seek in them not only the wisdom of this
world, but that which cometh from above, and which makes
its possessor doubly blest — the inheritor of this world, and
of that which is to come.
In 1868 the college was removed from near Boydton to
Ashland. Va., wherewith new buildings and equipment, it
has had a career of which its most exacting friends may
be Justly proud. The plant now includes the Woman's
College, located at Lynchburg, Va., with an endowment of
more than an hundred thousand dollars, besides the acade-
mies at P>ont Royal, and Bedford City, which cost an
hundred thousand dollars each to erect them. These
schools, attended by five hundred students, are all the
property of the Church, and controlled by one Board of
Trustees.
Great as are these results, the services of Dr. Leigh to
the cause of higher education would be but imperfectly
conceived did we stop here. He was a member of the first
Board of Trustees for Greensboro Female College, and by
his labors made Trinity College an easier possibility. The
tree which he planted is filling both States with its fruit-
age. The name given to the college wisely sought to bind
to its interests the two States, the liberality of whose citi-
zens had given it existence, and to which it must look for
its principal patronage. Randolph was a name as illustrious
in Virginia as was that of Macon in North Carolina; and,
indeed, the two were of national repute. The blending of
the two names in one gave each State an identity of inter-
est in the institution, and a common pride in its successful
career.
Dr. Leigh was a North Carolinian by birth, and a mem-
ber of the North Carolina Conference by preference ; but
he had fixed his residence near the college in Virginia, and
was so fully identified with both the Church in North
Carolina and the college in Virginia that to him there was
no divisional line in feeling or in fact.
62 Conference Historical Publication.
The church in North Carolina was, by this means,
brought to feel that the college was her property, in com-
mon with the church in Virginia ; and so fully was this
sameness of interest felt, a large share of its patronage was
obtained from this State, and a strong feeling of affection
engendered for it, which remains with many among us to
this day.
Let the college stand in the future, as it does now, and
has stood in the past, for "Religion and Learning," as
differentiated from culture divorced from religion, and
North Carolinians must feel a genuine affection for it, be-
cause of their identification with its history— its having
been founded by one of our noblest citizens, and bearing,
in part, the name of one of her most illustrious statesmen.
The founding of the college being the great work of his
life, it is by that he will be chiefly remembered ; but this
great work was carried to success while he was doing full
and exceptionally distinguished service in the pulpits and
at the altars of the church. Multitudes attended on his
ministry, and to hear him preach was reckoned among the
greater privileges of life. The larger part of his ministry
was spent in the Presiding Eldership, and the Quarterly
Meetings of his district were seasons of gracious visitations.
It is said he never preached three sermons, consecutively,
at a church without having a revival. Of course he did not
preach at all times with equal effect, but his sermons were
always carefully prepared, and left no feeling of disap
pointment with his hearers, except that which arises from
comparative excellence.
They never compared him with others, but always with
himself ; and, sometimes, when he had finished, they were
satisfied, but knew he could do better. Under one of his
sermons, in Franklin county, it is said that sixty souls
were converted at a single service — the service continuing
through the day, and all of the following night.
I remember to have heard the late Luther Clegg, of
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 53
Chatham county, tell delightfully of two sermons preached
by Dr. Leigh, while Presiding Elder of the Raleigh Dis-
trict. One of these contained a description of the resur-
rection of Lazarus. The tomb, the crowd about it, the
difference of feeling which actuated them; the weeping
sisters, and their touching address, "Lord, if thou had
been here, my brother had not died ;" the agitation of the
Saviour, himself in tears, was so graphically described
that the congregation became oblivious to everything save
the voice and thought of the preacher. Repeating the
command of Christ, ' ' Take ye away the stone, ' ' he then
exclaimed in trumpet tones, "Lazarus, come forth !" The
congregation was startled. The scene was as real to them
as it was to the Jews of old. They looked to see the dead
man come up before them, and when he added in a gentler
but authoritative tone, ' ' Loose him and let him go, ' ' some
involuntarily left their seats to unbind him.
The other instance occurred in Johnston county. It was
a Quarterly Meeting occasion, and Dr. Leigh had preached
one of his masterly sermons. Among his auditors at that
service was an infidel, attracted to the service by the fame
of the preacher. As he left the church he made this com-
ment on the sermon : "I have heard other men preach, and
they have struck me sledge-hammer blows ; but Dr. Leigh
throws at a man hammer -anvil-and-all P''
The Rev. John E. Edwards, D. D., writing his personal
recollections of Dr. Leigh, says: "I first saw Rev. H. G.
Leigh at the Conference held in Norfolk, Va., February,
1836. His personal appearance impressed me favorably.
He was then in the prime of his life. He was, I should
say, five feet ten inches in height, perhaps six feet. At
that time he was not so fleshy as at a later period of life.
His face was radiant, and of a very handsome cast and
mould ; his nose a striking feature ; his eyes clear, calm,
and full of expression; his head magnificent; his hair
rich and lustrous, inclining to ringlets; his complexion
54 Conference Historical Publication.
ruddy and bright ; his whole physique perfect ; his voice
unsurpassed in melody, intonation, and compass.
"I heard him preach but once during the Conference
session. His text was, ' I am crucified with Christ ; never-
theless I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me ; and the
life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of
God, who loved me and gave himself for me.' His exegesis
of the text was delivered in a quiet, natural manner. The
statement of his text was distinctly announced, the doc-
trine strikingly illustrated and enforced ; but it was not
until he came to the application of his subject that he
reached the highest power as an orator and public speaker.
' ' In this department of his great sermon on that occa-
sion he made climax after climax of surpassing grandeur
and sublimity. He had a peculiar shrug of the shoulder,
and a peculiar breathing, approaching a suppressed cough
(I can't describe it), that always preceded these great and
overwhelming outbursts of eloquence. In describing the
man who 'lived after the flesh,' in opposition to the one
* crucified with Christ, ' he had occasion to allude to the
sensualist ; and, in speaking of a certain sin to which this
character was addicted, he raised his voice to its high
trumpet tones, and in the most impassioned manner pealed
out the sentence: "This is the sin that deals damnation
round the land ; what I should call the very steamboat of
h,ell !" The effect of his sermon was powerful and impres-
sive.
"He possessed an extraordinarily magnetic power over
his audience. I have seen vast multitudes, under his camp-
meeting, out-door sermons, sitting and gaping — tears fall-
ing— lips quivering — apparently unconscious of anything
around them ; and then, suddenly, by a striking gesture,
and a corresponding utterance of the wonderful voice that
never broke, I have seen a whole crowd swayed and moved
like the forest before the storm.
"On one occasion, which comes up distinctly to my
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 55
memory, at a camp-meeting, held at Soap Stone Church, in
the Raleigh circuit, some twelve miles from the city of
Raleigh, he was preaching to a very large congregation.
The subject led him to describe the perilous condition of a
sinner, unconscious of his danger. This he illustrated by
one of his inimitable figures of speech. He represented a
little child in pursuit of a butterfly. In its chase, around
and around, it came to the brink of a deep well — for a
moment it paused ; then it was in the act of extending its
hand to pluck a flower. It toppled Just at that moment
he sprang across the platform, and cried out in a most
startling and plaintive voice, 'My God, it's gone!' The
whole congregation, by a common impulse, sprang to their
feet, and many shrinked as if they had seen the child
actually disappear in its downward descent. ' '
For nearly six years preceding his death he was without
an appointment. The strong, well-knit frame, of which a
Grecian athlete might have been proud, was tortured by
rheumatism ; but his zeal for the glory of his Master was
unconquerable. He preached at the College and in the
neighboring churches as often as his health would permit
and occasion offered. Once when the college chaplain was
absent he had engaged Dr. Leigh to fill his puljnt for him
on the following Sabbath. The Doctor prepared a sermon
for the occasion, but, as he entered the pulpit, a different
text from that which he had selected impressed itself upon
his mind, and the conviction came that he should preach
from that, instead of the other. What the one first selected
was we do not know. The one from which he did preach was,
' ' He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall
suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. ' ' One
who was present says : ' ' The sermon was one of remark-
able power, and, at its close, he called for penitents. A
large number of students, with streaming eyes, went to the
altar of prayer ; and that service was the beginning of a
revival which embraced nearly all the young men in the
college."
5»^ Conference Historical Publication.
We must not suppose from this incident that his ser-
mons were not carefully prepared. Many of his discourses
were not only thought out, but they were written in full.
He had too high a sense of ministerial responsibility to go
before a congregation without having made the very best
preparation his circumstances would allow, and too much
respect for the intelligence of those who came to hear him
to think they could be entertained and benefitted by "airy
declamations." His sermons in manuscript constitute
about all of his literary remains ; yet his mind was of a
high order, capable of grasping the most abstruse themes
of science and theology.
It has been a matter of surprise, to which those who
knew his fitness best, have not failed to give expression
since his death, that he did not give the world a volume,
or volumes, on some of the great themes with which he
was familiar, and for which he was so eminently qualified.
But we really need not wonder at this. If he had any
ambition for authorship he had no time to gratify the
desire. His hands and heart were full of work on lines
that Providence had chosen for him, and he wisely con-
centrated his energies on his pulpit work, and carried to
a successful issue the educational matters he had enter-
prised.
Dr. L. C. Garland, late Chancellor of Vanderbilt Uni-
versity, regarded him as one of the greatest minds of the
age, and this opinion is echoed by Drs. W. A. Smith and
J. E. Edwards, and, indeed, by all who knew him and
were capable of judging.
Rev. W. A. Smith, D. D., said of him in a funeral dis-
course delivered at the time of his death, ''The first time
I saw Dr. Leigh was at the Portsmouth Conference, Feb-
ruary, 1826. His movements in social life, his speeches
and bearing in Conference session, and particularly his
preaching, engaged my special attention. I soon determined
in my mind, that in many respects, he was by far the
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 57
most prominent member of the body. I have known him
well since that period ; served with him in important pub-
lic positions ; broken many a lance with him in debate ;
and have found to the present time no reason to change
my opinion. Dr. Leigh had few equals in the pulpit.
Sound in theology, bold in conception, often brilliant in
all his efforts, no less to the heart than to the head, he
stood a prince among pulpit men."
Bishop John C. Granberry, says, "My personal knowl-
edge of Rev. H. G. Leigh was slight, chiefly confined to
the years of my student-life at Randolph-Macon College.
I counted it a great privilege to hear him preach at a
camp-meeting in 1848. He had then passed the meridian
of his power ; but that sermon sustained his fame as one
of the foremost preachers of his day, and it was a day of
great preachers. The text led him to dwell on the judg-
ments against sinful men and nations which the Holy
Scriptures record. His discriptions were graphic, vivid,
terrific. He stirred and swayed the multitude. Dramatic
genius was possessed by him in an eminent degree, with-
out affection, without seeking, almost without conscious-
ness. The stories he told, and the scenes he depicted
seemed present to the senses of the congregation, as they
gave themselves up, eye, eat, and soul to the impassioned
speaker. When I was a young man, I heard Dr. Landon
C. Garland remark that of all the men he had met, he re-
garded Dr. Leigh as by nature the most highly gifted. I
repeated this remark to Dr. Garland while he was Chan-
cellor of Vanderbilt University ; he had forgotten it, but
said he would not take back the judgment which he had
expressed so many years before."
Rev. C. F. Deems, D. D., who was himself a master of
assemblies, says: "Dr. Leigh was great as an orator. I
have heard Summerfield, Bascom, Maffitt, Breckenridge,
Hawkes, Bethune, Cookman, and Henry Clay and his com-
peers— and I have never heard a man who seemed to me
58 Conference Historical Publication.
to approacli Hezekiah Gilbert Leigh as a natural orator.
I never saw him try to produce an effect, but the magnetic
power of his genius seemed naturally to shoot itself into
his audience whenever he was fired with the themes of the
Gospel. This power was wondrous, and wondrously unap-
preciated by its possessor."
If other testimony be needed to convince the most scep-
tical, I may point them to the commanding position to
which he so early attained among his brethren of the Vir-
ginia Conference, and which he held in that, and, after-
ward, in the North Carolina Conference, to the close of
his life. Within six years of his reception on trial, he
was elected by hig Conference a delegate to the General
Conference — a very unusual occurrence — and was re-elected
at each succeeding election. He was a member of the
ever memorable General Conference of 1844, but sickness
prevented his attending. He was also a member of the
Convention, called upon the "Plan of Separation," for the
organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
He was elected to the General Conference, the most august
body of the church, as soon as he was of eligible age, and
this fact, and the one to which allusion has already been
made, that he was re-elected as long as he lived, in proof
beyond question of the high estimate put on his abilities,
as well as of the affectionate regard of his brethren.
"But in the midst of a glorious career of usefulness, it
pleased God by a most painful and prostrated affliction, to
command him to comparative retirement." About ten
years before his death he was attacked by a painful rheu-
matic affection, which soon became chronic, and, for the
most part, disqualified him for any very active service
as an itinerant preacher. At intervals his sufferings were
very great. Eighteen months before his end he suffered a
partial paralysis of his left side, and in July following, a
paralysis of fhe kidneys, which it was thought at the time,
would prove fatal in a few hours. He rallied, however, so
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 59
far as to encourage the hope that he might recover his
usual health. On the 9th of September he was seized with
a violent attack of dysentery, which so prostrated him
that he sank into a comatose state, from which he never
recovered, only as he was aroused for a few moments at a
time, till he slept in death on the 18th of September, 1853.
His life and labors here have closed; but "'he, being
dead, yet speaketh." " His works do follow him, " and a
grateful Church rises up to repeat the commendation which
the Master long ago gave him : ' ' Well done, good and
faithful servant!" Happy shall it be for us if the recol-
lection of his life and labors shall stimulate us to fulfill in
our measure the ministerial office with such fidelity that he
and co-laborers shall not be ashamed of us in the kingdom
into which he, and they, have entered.
I shall close this address with some reflections on the
sources of Dr. Leigh's great usefulness to the church in
which his life was spent, and to the cause of Christ in
general. \ > )
Among these sources of usefulness 1 would specify the
following :
1. A sound body and an active, well trained mind.
The description of his bodily appearance by Dr. Edwards,
given in the body of this address, though highly wrought,
is but the sober truth. A medallion likeness of him,
struck by Randolph-Macon College, and furnished me by
Richard Irby, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer of the College,
(and which I have the honor to present to the Historical
Society in his name), and a crayon portrait which I per-
sonally present, shows the head and bust of an Apollo.
The masters of art could desire no better model after which
to fashion a likeness of one of the gods. Revs. S. Lea, J.
B. Martin, and 1. W. A vent, each of whom knew him
well, declare him to have been " the handsomest man they
ever saw."
But to this symmetry of form was added a vigorous con-
60 Conference Historical Publication.
stitution, which gave him great power of endurance, and
enabled him to perform, with comparative ease, tasks
which would have been impossible to men less fortunate
than he.
A strong mind in a weak body is not to be despised, but
a strong mind in a strong body, is one of nature's most
priceless gifts. An oil lamp soon burns itself away, but
the sun shines on forever.
To a mind not only bright, but strong, he added the
embellishments to be obtained by cultivation, in the study
of text books, and an acquaintance with what has come to
be denominated for their worth — the "English Classics."
This gave him not only the readiness of speech which never
allowed him to falter for a word, but an elegance of diction
which was a delight to all, and a never failing charm to the
more cultured ones among his hearers. And, above all,
his intellect had received the anointing of the Holy One ;
and this gave him an insight into the truth of God which
made his thoughts luminous, and gave to his sermons a
directness and power not to be obtained by ' ' the trickery
of art." He wrote much, and, by this mental discipline,
gave to his discourses a methodical arrangement, an accu-
racy of statement, and a beauty of expression, impossible
to extemporary speech.
2, He had a clear, and deep, religious experience.
He was converted at an old-time camp-meeting. His
experience was satisfactory after the songs, prayers, and
shouts of the meeting had died away. The root of the
matter was in him, and in the joy of a conscious posses-
sion of salvation, he longed to tell others
" The old, old story
Of Jesus and his love."
His heart was full of it, and he never wearied in telling
about it. Justification, Adoption, and the Witness of the
Spirit, were themes on which he delighted to dwell, and
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 61
were the solace of his hours of affliction. Dr. W. A.
Smith, President of the College, was with him much dur-
ing his last illness. He tells us : " The topics which inter-
ested him most were the faith of assurance, inspired by
the Holy Spirit ; the rich comfort it afforded him as he
drew near the Jordan of death; the bright and glowing
light it threw over its otherwise dark valley; the glory
that awaited the children of God in the heavenly rest ; the
curious and interesting inquiries which would be answered
in the heavenly state ; the difficulties in both mental and
moral nature which would be solved ; and the glorious ad-
vance of mind along the illimitable fields of infinite know-
ledge, developing at every step of the vast progression;
the amazing wonders of Deity, filling the ever- in creasing
capacities of the immortal soul with that large measure of
heavenly joy which the eternal fountain of light and love
could alone supply."
At the period when it was supposed he was in a few
hours of his dissolution, I spent some time with him. The
conversation turning on his state and prospects, he dwelt
with peculiar interest on the rich comfort afforded him by
the great Bible truth of the Witness of the Spirit ; and
though he felt confident of a safe trust in Christ, a sweet
assurance of acceptance, there seemed to open to his view
so bright and glowing a prospect of the truths yet to be
revealed in the fields of knowledge and comfort provided
by the love of Christ, that he narrowed down, by compari-
son, the attainments already made to a point so contempti-
ble in his own eyes as to cause him to loathe himself, and
exclaim: "Oh, if there were not a days-man betwixt God
and me, how could I stand his searching eye ! Thank God,
bless God, for such a Saviour.'*
The day before his death I visited him, and found him
fast sinking. Just before leaving, as it was not deemed
proper to fatigue him by conversation, I only sought to
enquire: <♦ Watchman, what of the night?*' He turned
62 Conference Historical Pubwcation.
his fading eye upon me, and with a smile of triumph play-
ing on his countenance he softly said in reply to my inquiry
if he still felt that his trust was in his Saviour : "Oh, yes !
What should I do without that? Jesus is with me! My
trust is in him alone.''
"Calm on the bosom of his God "
He leaned his weary head ;
And passed beneath the chast'ning rod
To where the Christ had led.
3. Another^ and the final source, of his great useful-
ness, which 1 shall mention, was his consecration to his
work.
He was a man of one work, and seems never to have lost
sight of the vow he, in common with all our ministers,
take, to " draw all their cares and studies this way." The
words of St. Paul, ' ' This one thing I do, ' ' might have
been the motto of his life. He did not fritter away his
life in indolence nor dissipate his energies on that which
had no immediate connection with his labors as a servant
of the Church. His ministerial life, for the most part, was
spent in ministerial work. At that time the districts were
geographically much larger than now, and, as there were
but few railroads, they were more laborious to travel. The
exposure necessary, under such conditions, was doubtless
the main cause of the rheumatic affection to which, after a
struggle of ten years, other complications having risen in
the meantime, he succumbed in death, at an age when he
should have been but little beyond the prime of life.
He died in his fifty-eighth year, eaten up by his zeal for
God's house and for the glory of His name.
The sword never rusted in his hands. He kept it sharp
and bright by constant use, and when it was wrested from
his grasp by death ' ' it was warm with recent fight. ' ' It
has been forty-three years since he left us to be " present
with the Lord," and near a half century since his voice
and the sound of his battle-axe were heard on the fields of
Life and Labors of Rev. H. G. Leigh. 63
conflict with ''powers of darkness;" but the influence of
his life and labors still lives as an inspiration to his suc-
cessors in the ministry, and an ever increasing blessing to
the Church.
"The memory of the just is blessed," and, though his
works shall give him immortality, ungrateful shall we
be, if we fail to keep his memory fresh in the minds of
men. To this purpose I consecrate this effort, in behalf
of the Historical Society, and of myself, to whom its prep-
aration has indeed been a labor of love.
The memory of such a life can not perish ; but it were a
crime in us to contribute to its neglect !
64 CoifFBRKNCE HISTORICAL PtJBLICATIOK.
THE HISTORY OF TRINITY CHURCH.
BY JAMES SOUTHGATE, DURHAM, N. C.
Previous to the year 1861 little influence was exercised
in this community by the Methodists. The few members
who were in this section worshipped about two miles and
a half east of Durham, in a church known as Union Grove,
which was in the Orange Circuit, and visited regularly by
the preacher in charge. On Saturday before the first Sun-
day in June, 1861, Rev. Jesse A. Cuninggim and others
contracted for the building of a church on the site now
occupied by Trinity. Captain William Mangum, one of
the principal builders in the vicinit}^ contracted to build
this house at a cost of $650.00. It was built of wood with
a shingle roof, and furnished with plain seats and plain
altar and pulpit, just such a church as might be found in
those days in the country. It had a seating capacity of
about 200 persons or perhaps 250, Previous to its com-
pletion and dedication there was a great excitement on a
subject of Secession and Anti- secession. Party lines were
closely drawn and some of our greatest men, honest in
their convictions, presented the question to the people with
all the earnestness of their hearts, and in this house ex-
Governor Graham and Captain John Berry spoke against
the Ordinance of Secession and in favor of the preservation
of the American Union. Hon. Henry K. Nash and Dr.
Pride Jones as earnestly discussed the question in favor of
Secession. These were troublesome times and the Methodist
pulpit would frequently allude to the injustice of the
North, and especially to the bitter animosity on the part
of Northern Methodists, which now and then cropped out
in the secular press and church papers of the North. There
was no more faithful advocate of the Southern side of the
The History of Trinity Church. 65
question than the Rev. J. B. Alford, who served the church
here about that time. During the years 1861, '62 and '63
he was faithful in the discharge of his duty as minister to
this people, and gave every evidence of his devotion to the
cause of the South, which men were then upholding on the
field of battle and in the tented camp. With their minds
excited by war and the rumors of war, there was no room for
much revival interest, but many were added to the church
during the ministry of this faithful man of God, both
by certificate and by profession of faith. His work upon
the circuit, known then as the Orange Circuit, was emi-
nently successful, and his name is now held in high esteem
by the old Methodists who knew him in that day. He was
heard to say on one occasion • ' that he was pretty sure the
Yankees had a through ticket and their baggage checked
for sheol." This is given to show his great devotion to the
cause of the South, and that he was ready at all times to
sacrifice even his life in its behalf.
About the years 1864-'65 Rev. W. M. Jordan succeeded
to this charge. He was a devoted servant of God, and at
one time professed sanctification. He was ever ready to
hold up the standard of his Lord and did efficient work as
a revivalist. He kept up all the interests of the church in
these times which tried men's souls. The records have not
been obtained of the years in which the church was served
by this pastor, but there was some increase in the member-
ship, until the house was taken by the Northern army and
used for hospital purposes, and otherwise rendered unfit
for public worship.
In 1866 Rev. R. S. Webb was assigned to the Chapel
Hill church, with Durham, Orange church and Massey's
chapel attached. In 1867 the Durham Circuit was formed,
consisting of Durham, Orange Church, Massey's Chapel,
Pleasant Grove, Mount Hebron and Fletcher's Chapel.
Brother Webb continued in this work through the years
1867, '68 aad '69, when he took charge of the church in
66 Conference HiSTORicAi Publication.
Durham. He informs the writer that in 1866 the village
was small and the church, which had been built a few years
before, had been badly damaged by the armies, but that the
few noble Methodists in the village and surrounding country
rallied and reseated the church, from which time its growth
was steady. He also stated that he had frequently to walk
from Chapel Hill to Durham to serve the church, as the
war had left the country so destitute that the preacher
could not afford to keep a horse. Only two Methodists
were living in the village at that time, viz : R. F. Morris
and Mrs. J. R. Green, and from all accounts Methodism
owes a great deal to that energetic man, R. F. Morris, who
had some excellent traits of character. He loved the
church and made many sacrifices for its promotion. The
following families, besides others living in the surrounding
country, held their membership in Durham, viz : Wash-
ington Duke, Z. I. Lyon, James Stagg, N. W. Guess, John
and Grey Barbee, William Proctor and Wesley Cole.
During this pastorate Rev. John A. McMannen and D. C.
Parrish moved to Durham and united with the church.
These families composed the body which formed the nucleus
out of which the Methodist church grew. There were
many glorious revivals during the four years of Brother
Webb's administration and many added to the church,
some of whom have become quite prominent. A few may
be mentioned. On the 20th of August, 1869, the records
show that the following persons united with the Methodist
church, viz : Maggie L. Guess, Ben N. Duke, J. B. Duke ;
and on September of the same year, Nannie B. Lyon, Ann
E. Durham, Mattie E. Lyon, W. J. Lyon, R. F. Morris,
and several others. Brother Webb refers to an incident
which occurred just at the close of the war. President
Johnson and others were on their way to attend a com-
mencement at Chapel Hill, and had just walked out on the
piazza of the hotel when old Mr. Pratt, a well-known pio-
neer of " Ye Olden Time " (dressed in a blue spiked-tail
The History of Trinity Church. 67
coat with brass buttons), who had been greatly troubled
about the curtailing of his liberties by military orders,
walked up to President Johnson and said; "Mr. Johnson,
can I make brandy?" The President smiled and turned
him over to General Sickles, who was standing hj.
Brother Webb made an effort for jirohibition in Durham
in these days of her infancy, and at an election held the
prohibitionists came in one vote of succeeding. The saloon
men turned the tables on the preacher and drove him from
the town in the following way : There was but one house
for rent in town, which he had been occupying for two
years, and they offered $20.00 more for it then he could
j)ay. The result was that he had to live in Chapel Hill the
last year he served this people. As a consequence he has
appreciated living in a parsonage ever since.
Rev. John Tillett was preacher in charge of Durham Cir
cuit during the years 1870 and '71. After making one or
two rounds and many pastoral visitations he found some
irregularities, and at a quarterly meeting held at old Bethel
church about April, 1870, he made complaint, in his report
on the general state of the church, that some of his mem-
bers had not been conforming strictly to the rules of
the discipline. At this some took exception, and a
discussion ensued. This gave rise to much disaffection
and many were aggrieved that the preacher should carry
the matter into the pulpit, although some concluded that
it was owing to his zeal for the purity of his flock. In
order to bring the matter to a settlement charges and spec-
ifications were preferred against Brother Tillett. and an
investigation was made by the presiding elder and a com-
mittee of preachers. The charge was immorality, in that he
had made statements from the pulpit which could not be
sustained. They, however did not find him guilty of the
charge, whereupon thirty-one members of the church with-
drew. Among these were R. F. Morris and family, Rev.
John A. McMannen and family, Col. D. C. Parrish and
68 Conference Historical Publication.
family — except Mrs. Emma A. Lockhart — John and Grey
Barbee and their families. Under the leandership of Rev.
J. A. McMannen several members united with him in a so-
ciety of nineteen members, and they established a church
near Lipscomb's Cross Roads. The attempt was made to
form other societies to be called independent Methodists,
but in this he failed. His plans ended by his being re-
stored, together with his Lipscomb congregation, to the
Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he died in its
communion at peace with God and man. This occurred
during the first and second years of the ministry of Brother
J. J. Renn, who followed Brother Tillett; in fact the
former succeded in restoring the thirty-one members which
had left during the former pastorate. These difficulties
threatened at one time the dissolution of the church at this
place and injure the advancement of Methodism, but Time,
the preat healer of all things, and the spirit of love and
conciliation displayed by Brother Renn, saved much bick-
ering and strife, whereby the church was doubtless made
stronger than ever and went forth conquering and to con-
quer. Enough has been learned from those who were
actors in these scenes at the time to prove that Brother
Tillett was conscientious in the administration of the dis-
cipline and left the church upon a higher plane of piety
and better prepared than ever for the revival seasons which
followed. He has gone to his reward and has doubtless
many stars in the crown of his rejoicing.
In the year 1872 Rev. J. J. Renn was sent to this charge
and served four years. We learn from him that when he
came to this place, Durham had about 300 inhabitants
and all of Methodism was embraced in one congregation.
About that time the town took a rapid growth and Meth-
odism with it. During the year 1872 the church building
was an unfinished shell, but through the efforts of the La-
dies' Aid Society the first fair and festival ever seen in
Durham was held. It continued for two days and nights
The History of Trinity Church. 69
and was immensely popular. Enough money was secured
to make important repairs to the church, such as plaster-
ing, remodeling the pulpit, furnishing new pews and
painting the building inside and out. This church in the
same year was one of nine composing the Durham circuit,
the other churches being Orange Church, Pleasant Grove,
New Bethel, Mount Bethel, Hebron, Stagville, Fletcher's
Chapel, Massey's Chapel. At the end of the year New
Bethel was taken out, leaving eight. Near the close of
1873, Durham, Orange and Massey's Chapel were set off in
one pastor's charge and remained so until 1875. At the
Conference of 1875 Durham was made a station. When
Brother Renn took charge of the church in January, 1872,
the membership was 57, and during his four year's pasto-
rate there were added to the membership : By restoration,
27 : certificate, 67 ; baptism and ritual, 68 ; which added
to the former members, 57, made a total of 218. Removed
by death and otherwise, 17 ; leaving a total at the end of
the year 1875, 201 members. He informs the writer that
during these four years there were many gracious revivals
every year, and from the summer of 1872 the general state
of the church was very good. The members were divided
into small classes under competent leaders, and prayer
meetings were held regularly in private houses. Visible
results followed and spiritual strength developed rapidly.
The church paid annually for the support of the ministry
in 1872, $162,30; in 1873, $169.40; in 1874, $696.95; in
1875, $781 .10. Its contributions to other objects developed
in proportion to the above. We find the following breth-
ren on the official board during this pastorate, viz : James
Stagg, exhorter; W. W. Gruess, R. W. Cole, Washington
Duke, D. C. Parrish, J. S. Lockhart, W. B. Proctor, S.
A. Thaxton, J. W. Gattis, Alexander Walker, A. Nichols,
Sr., J. S. Carr, J. T. Driver, John A. McMannen, local
preacher, A. Nichols, Jr., A. D. Wilkinson, Wallace Sty-
ron, exhorter, Wm. Halliburton, G. F. Watts. The fol-
70 Conference Historical Publication.
lowing marriages are recorded : J. S. Carr and Miss Nannie
G. Parrish ; Robt. E. Lyon and Miss Mary E. Duke ; T. G.
Cozart and Miss Bettie F. Walkert B. L. Duke and Miss
Mattie V. McMannen; William Halliburton and Miss
Fannie V. Parrish ; Rev. E. R. Raven and Miss Annie E.
Styron; Dr. A. G. Carr and Mrs. Annie E. Moore. The
following deaths of prominent members are recorded, viz :
R. F. Morris, Mrs. Annie E. Whitt, R. W. Cole, C. H
Lyon, Sarah Barbee, A. Nichols, Sr., W. J. Green, Mrs.
Rebecca J. Morris, Mrs. Caroline Morris, Rev. John A.
McMannen. The last act of Brother Renn was to read the
burial service over the remains of Brother McMannen.
The text of his first sermon to this charge was "God is
Love," and the last, "The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy
Ghost be with you all, Amen. ' ' He states that the memory
of those years is a precious benediction to him now. The
light of heaven seems to shine on him from the alter place
of the old church, from the homes of the truest friends he
ever had, and from the cemetery where the ashes of some
of them are sleeping. Through many of the members who
were the parishioners of this devoted preacher of the
Gospel of Christ, we learn that Methodism took a new
and firm hold upon this community and that under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit many were consecrated to the
work of the Master. Through his influence also, some of
the most prominent men in Trinity church of to-day, and
who have in great measure dictated its policy and watched
with concern its progress from year to year, were brought
to Christ during the refreshing seasons of revival in the
years just mentioned. Probably the most important work
of Brother Renn was to harmonize the discojdant elements
of the community and bring back to its communion several
prominent families who had left in 1871 to form other con-
gregations. This policy sremed to be in accordance with
the injunction in Holy Writ, "If a brother be overtaken
The History or Trinity Church. 71
in a fault ye which are spiritually-minded should restore
such a one in the spirit of meekness and brotherly love."
Rev. J. A McMannen was one of the most noticeable of
those restored, and he lived thereafter in peace with all and
died in the faith of that Gospel which he had so often
proclaimed to others.
Rev. W. H. Moore succeeded Brother Renn in the year
1876, when the church had been made a station, and the
principal work of these years was its organization as a
separate charge, and Brother Moore states that it was pos-
sibly the most uneventful year of all his ministry. There
was some revival interest during the fall and a few acces-
sions were made to the church, but they were mostly young
people. There was not a death in the congregation during
the year, nor was there a marriage celebration by Brother
Moore. His preaching was of a high order and greatly
enjoyed by his people. He was sincere in all his actions,
faithful in the performance of duty, and left with the good
will of the entire church.
He was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Call, who stated in a
letter to the writer that when he reached Durham in June
1877, he found the social element of the church needed
special attention. It was a town of strangers collected
from all sections of the country, of all sorts of dispositions
and training, and it taxed his time in gathering many of
these into the Methodist Church, and he believed that his
labor in this direction was not without its fruit. During
this pastorate Rev. Dr. Leo. Rosser, of Virginia, labored
with this church in a meeting lasting about six weeks, and
although there were not a great many converts, much good
was done. Many consecrated themselves to the service of
their Master and some valuable members were received into
the church ; prominent among these was Brother Thomas L.
Peay, who was converted in this meeting and cast his lot
with the people of God. The preaching of Dr. Rosser
won all hearts. It was of a superior order and always
72 Conference Historical Publication.
accompanied with the demonstration of the Holy Ghost.
He was a man of great faith and has gone to his reward,
doubtless carrying many sheaves with him. Brother Call
says in his letter to the writer : "Your sainted father died
during the year and it was my good fortune to have the
privilege of visiting him often during his last illness, and
it was a benediction to go to his room." This pastor was
much attached to the people of Durham and he now
remembers them most kindly.
The ministry of F. H. Wood was embraced in the years
1879 and 1880, and it was during these years that the found-
ing and building of Trinity Church were projected. Brother
Wood and his faithful coadjutors among the laymen,
worked hard upon the congregation before the plans were
submitted and the contract made for the new building.
The corner-stone of Trinity Churh was laid in the year
1880, and the address upon that occasion was delivered by
Hon. A. H. Merrimon, now dead. The subject of his
address was, "The Influence of Christianity on the Mental
Interests of the World." It was listened to with undi-
vided attention by a large audience, and the verdict was
unanimous that it was a masterly effort. Two marriages
were celebrated during this pastorate on the same day, viz :
the 13th of November, 1878. Not one of the parties to
these contracts were members of Trinity Church, and all
were of different churches. They were Henry T. Jordan,
of Henderson, N. C, Methodist, and Miss Annie I. Wynne,
a resident of Durham, Episcoi)alian ; Chas. P. Howerton,
Baptist, and Mrs. Ducey, Catholic. Both of the latter
lived in Durham. It was during this pastorate that one
of the greatest revivals that the church had yet passed
through was held by the Quaker preacher, Mrs. Mary
Moon. Large additions were made to the membership and
a deep work of piety and consecration was the result.
A young man's prayer meeting was started after this
revival and kept up for many years. One of the impor-
The History of Trinity Church. 73
tant events of Brother Wood's pastorate, besides the
projection and building of Trinity, was the building of
McMannen Chapel, three miles west of Durham, and the
organization of the society by him. He was a zealous pas-
tor, well acquainted with all the details of station work,
and ever to uphold the doctrines of the church of his
adoption. He has always been a Methodist in the true
sense of the term. Although he worked with greatest
assiduity for the completion of the new church, yet it was
destined that the dedication should be under the admis-
tration of another, for after three years of faithful service
he was succeeded in December, 1880, by Rev. Jesse A.
Cuninggim, who remained two years.
During the first year about thirty-five persons were con-
verted and added to the church, and about fifty during the
second year. On the first Sunday in June, 1881, just
twenty years after the occupancy of the first church, new
Trinity was dedicated by Rev. N. H. D. Wilson, the Pre-
siding Elder. This was an occasion which had been looked
forward to with great pleasure by the entire congregation,
who had worked so hard and prayed so fervently for the
success of the enterprise. Several of the old pastors were
present and took part in the Service, viz: Revs. R. S.
Webb, J. J. Renn, F. H. Wood and W. H. Moore. About
$4,000 was raised to finisli and furnish the church by the
arduous labor of Brother Cuninggim. During this pastor-
ate, among others, the following were brought into the
church, viz : Samuel H. Turrentine and family, Chas. C.
Taylor, James and Bettie Gibbons, Mrs. Luena McCabe,
J. B. Whitaker, Jr., Charles Whitaker and family, L. W.
Grrissom and wife, H. N. Snow and wife, Mrs. Emma An-
derson, Mrs. Decie H. Proctor, Mrs. Laura C. Middleton,
Geo. S. Scruggs and wife, J. Scott Burch, Louisa M. Perry,
Mary E. Perry, Emma Leathers, Lena Cox, E. W. Ken-
nedy. It was about this time that the plan was projected
of using the old church for a female seminary, and it was
74 Conference Historical Publication.
soon carried into effect, and for several years there was a
good patronage by the Methodists of the town. The seminary
continued until the year 1893, when it was abandoned, the
building was removed and a parsonage erected on the site.
One of the most interesting incidents of this era of Meth-
odism, was the reception of Chas. J. Soon, a Chinese boy,
under the patronage of Trinity Sunday-school. Rev. T.
Page Ricaud gives the following account of him : "He was
born in one of the Eastern provinces of China, where his
social position was good, judging from the fact that his
uncle was a Mandarin, which is considered no ordinary
position, there, in social circles. Being of an adventurous
spirit, at about 16 years of age he ran away from home.
He took position on an American vessel as cabin boy, came
to the city of Boston, and being considered very preco-
cious, he was taken charge of by Captain Gabrielson, who
was in command of the steamer Colfax, then stationed at
Boston. While in port, he was noticed by a pious Presby-
terian lady, viz : Miss Harriette Carter, 14 Western avenue,
Cambridgeport, Mass., went to her Sunday-school, and
was instructed in the principles of the Gospel. After
awhile the steamer was sent to North Carolina, and Charlie
was appointed steward. On board there was a pious man
by the name of Jones, filling the position of boatswain,
who took an interest in him (Charlie), and whenever
ashore, attending Divine worship, he always induced him
to accompany him. At a meeting held by me at South-
port, on a Sunday night I called for mourners, and he
came forward for prayer, but was not converted. The
next week, at Fifth Street M. E. Church, on Wednesday
night he found forgiveness, and the following Sunday
morning was baptized and taken into the church, and be-
came a faithful member. After awhile he became exer-
cised concerning his relatives in China, and anxious for
their conversion. I at once felt convinced that God
had work for him to do in his native land, and took
The History of Trinity Church. 75
him into my family, where we endeavored to train him in
the elementary principles of onr blessed religion. The
question now arose concerning his preparation for the
great work before him. I at once consulted with Col.
Julian S. Carr, who, with his usual generosity, invited him
to his home, most cheerfully, and the Colonel induced the
Durham Sunday-school to become enlisted in his behalf,
and got him entered in the fall seszion of Trinity College,
and from there he was sent to Vanderbilt University, all
the time showing his aptness for the acquirement of knowl-
edge. After spending two years at the University, he
attended Conference at Charlotte, N. C, passed the usual
examination very creditably, was ordained Deacon, and in
due time left for China, as a Missionary from our Confer-
ence. After his arrival there (China) he labored a few
years on circuits, but in the meantime having married, he
found the amount allowed inadequate to his support, and
was forced to locate. Fortunately, immediately following,
the American Bible Society employed him as their agent
at Shanghai, which position, with teaching school, aided
by his good wife, enabled him to live. He also is pastor
of a large church in the city, as I have been informed, and
is very useful. I have always, since knowing him, regarded
him as both wonderfully precocious and gifted, and not
lacking in moral courage. The prayers of Trinity Sunday-
school have often ascended in his behalf, and it still prays
that the Holy Spirit may help him in his work and finally
bring him to the abode of the Saints in Light.
For the years 1883 and 1884, Rev. T. A. Boone was
pastor, and gave faithful service to the church. There
were two revivals of some interest. One conducted by
Miss Paynter, of the Quaker church. It was thought by
some that her preaching was of a higher order than Mrs.
Moon's, though the results of her meetings here were not
so manifest, nor were so many brought into the church as
in the revival by Mrs. Moon, during the pastorate of F. H.
76 Conference Historical Publication.
Wood. Brother John F. Butt had heard both of these
Quaker ladies referred to, and was asked which he con-
sidered the better preacher and the greater revivalist.
After considering awhile he said that it was difficult to
decide, but finally remarked, "Mrs. Moon sings." He
therefore gave the verdict in favor of Mrs. Moon. In a
report made by Brother Boone, at the Church Conference
on July 16, 1883, he gave the number of members on the
church register as 293, twenty -nine of this number having
been added recently. Unusual interest was taken about
this time in the Sunday-school, and large additions were
made. At this same Conference the Superintendent of the
Sunday. school reported 7 officers, 20 teachers, 215 pupils,
or a total on the roll of 242, and the total collection from
the Sunday-school for that year was $211.24. In the year
1884 a revival was held. Rev. Dr. John T. Bagwell assist-
ing. In May, 1883, Wallace Styron, an exhorter in the
church, died. This aged man of God came from near
Ocracoke, in Eastern North Carolina, in the early days of
Durham, and by his faithfulness and pious walk, endeared
himself to many in our community. He died in the tri-
umphs of the Christian faith, and left behind him a large
number of friends to mourn his loss. In August, 1883,
Minnie Moore, the beloved daughter of Mrs. A. G. Carr,
died, and little Mary, the daughter of Col. W. T. Black-
well, in the same month. Mrs. Wilkinson, the mother of
Mrs. A. B. Cox, died sometime in the spring of this year.
Col. D. C. Parrish, one of the most prominent members
of the church, died in June, 1884, and in token of love by
his family and friends, and his life of usefulness to the
church, a beautiful memorial window perpetuates his mem-
ory. Thomas D. Jones and Miss Mattie L. Southgate were
married during this pastorate, also Robert L. Walker and
Miss Eva P. Halliburton, and J. S. Mesley and Miss Maid
Turrentine. During the year 1884 Brother Boone began
agitating the question of dividing Trinity congregation and
The History of Trinity Church. 77
the building of a new church in West Durham. He was
rebuked for so doing. But time has proved the wisdom
of the movement. He also divided the city into nine parts
and appointed eighteen official men to hold monthly prayer
meetings, which brought about some good results. Action
was taken toward the purchase of a parsonage, and Brother
Boone secured, by subscription, $2,800. The house known
as the William Halliburton dwelling, near the church, was
purchased and used as a parsonage until the present one,
on the seminary lot, was occupied by Brother Beaman in
1893. At the fourth quarterly conference Brother J. S.
Carr, who had for several years served the Sunday school
with distinguished ability, resigned his superintendency in
these words :
Rev. T. A. Boone:
My Dear Sik— I beg to tender to you my resignation as Superintendent
of the Sunday school at Trinity Church, I beg to thank you and your
Board of Stewards for the confidence heretofore reposed in me, in esteem-
ing me worthy to fill this very honorable position. May the love of God
and che grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the communion and fellowship
of the Holy Ghost rest and abide with Trinity Church in all her relations
and connections, and may an abundance of love and grace abound in the
hearts of her elder, pastor and all her membership, is the humble prayer of
Your Brother in Christ,
J. S. Carr.
This resignation was accepted, provided he would serve
in his capacity as superintendent until the close of the
conference year. He was succeeded by E. J. Parrish, who
was elected at the first quarterly meeting the following
year, and has served the school continuously to the present
time (1895) most acceptably. His great success in this
department of church work is evidenced by the steady
growth of the Sunday school during his incumbency.
At the Conference held in Wilmington in November,
1884, Rev. B. C. Phillips was stationed at Trinity Church
by Bishop Parker. No pastor, up to this time, had entered
upon the duties of his charge with brighter prospects of
success. His sermons evinced careful and prayerful study.
78 Conference Historical Publication.
He was a deeply pious man, fully consecrated to his work,
energetic and active in pastoral labor, but exposing him-
self in bad weather, he contracted pneumonia and died in
March, 1885, a few months after his term began. A mem-
orial window in the church testifies the great esteem in
which he was held by those who mourned his untimely
death. It was indeed a sad affliction to the congregation,
and there are persons who now remember with love and
affection his kind ministrations during his brief sojourn
among us. The sum of $500 was donated to his widow for
her support during the unexpired part of the year.
Rev. W. S. Davis was called to occupy the pulpit made
vacant by the death of Brother Phillips, and filled it with
acceptability to December following. There were a goodly
number received into the church by certificate and profes-
sion of faith, and more than usual interest in infant bap-
tism was manifested, the record showing a larger number
of children baptized during the year than for several years
previous. All the interests of the church were kept up by
Brother Davis until the conference year closed. At the
fourth quarterly conference he reported the Sunday school
as the pride of the church, well organized, growing in
numbers and interest, and doing a glorious work. Its in-
fluence was seen during the revival, at which most of the
converts were pupils of the school. On October 31, 322
pupils were on the roll, which was a gain of 47 during the
quarter. The incident of greatest interest during this
pastorate was a union meeting held by Methodists in con-
nection with the Baptist and Presbyterian churches under
a gospel tent, located east of the church in front of the
Hopkins House. The meeting continued seventeen days
and resulted in great blessing, both to the church and com-
munity. Thirty- three members joined Trinity Church by
profession of faith and twenty-one by certificate. Sixteen
adults and two infants were baptized. Great harmony pre-
vailed between the several denominations representing the
The History of Trinity Church. 79
union meeting, and the Christian people are reported as
praying for and confidently expecting a more glorious
meeting during the coming spring under their gospel tent,
which had been paid for and stored away. (We regret to
state that it was not insured when burned in the Parrish
warehouse.) Mrs. Pattie Walker and Mrs. Luena McCabe
are recorded among those who died this year. The trustees
report at this time one brick church building and lot valued
at $20,000, one frame parsonage and lot bought this year
for $3,000, and one female seminary and lot valued at
$2,000. It was during this same quarterly conference
that a committee, informally appointed, secured $1,625 in
pledges for a new church to be erected in "West End
Durham," and a tender of five different lots from which
to select a site for the church. On a motion of Rev. A.
Walker, the following building committee was appointed
for the "East End Church," known afterwards as Carr
Church, viz. : Brothers J. M. Odell, J. S. Carr, J. B.
Walker, A. H. Stokes, W. Duke, T. D. Jones and J. C.
Angier, and for the "West End Church," W. Duke, J.
W. Gattis, S. A. Thaxton, G. W. Burch, A. Wilkerson,
J. Ed. Lyon, B. N. Duke, J. S. Lockhart and J. H.
Southgate.
Rev. W. S. Creasy took charge after the Conference
held in Charlotte in November, 1885, and proved to be one
of the most popular preachers which had yet served the
church. Large congregations assembled at the morning
and night services on the Sabbath, and the weekly praper-
meetings were well attended. A gracious revival occurred
during this pastorate, which resulted in the conversion of
about one hundred and twenty-five souls, one hundred of
whom joined the church. The meeting continued in Trin
ity for five weeks, and was then transferred to Main Street
Church and continued there for three weeks. Eighty pro-
fessions were made and most of them joined that church.
During the pastorate of Brother Creasy about one hundred
80 Conference Historical Publication.
and seventy-five persons were received into our communion.
The funeral of Miss Annie M. Southgate, who died on the
21st of September, was conducted by Brother Creasy. She
had been an active member of the church, and was noted
for her kindness to the sick and afflicted. By the unani-
mous request of the ''Ladies' Aid Society," of which she
was an active member, a memorial window was placed in
the church. Z. I. Lyon, for many years a devoted Meth-
odist, died during this pastorate ; also Mrs. Annie Hender-
son and Dr. R. W. Thomas. The following marriages were
celebrated by Brother Creasy, viz. : P. W. Vaughan and
Miss Emma Leathers; A. H. Stokes and Miss MoUie
Angier. These two years, said the pastor, were successful
in many respects. The church was in a harmonious con-
dition and the spiritual state was good. The churches
known as Carr Chapel and Main Street were organized dur-
ing the year 1885 as East and West Durham. Next year
they became separate charges, each having a pastor. There
was a grand union rally of the three churches held at
Trinity, at which more than $6,000 was raised to liquidate
the debt on all of them. It was a memorable and success-
ful day, never to be forgotten by those who were present.
Bishop Galloway preached at and dedicated Main Street at
11 o'clock A. M., preached at and dedicated Carr Church
at 3 p. M., and at night preached to a crowded house in
Trinity Church with great power. This writer has often
heard that one man cannot be expected to preach but one
good sermon the same day. This, however, was an excep-
tion. The three sermons by the bishop on this interesting-
occasion were all grand displays of oratory and impressed
the hearts of the hearers, and were accompanied with the
unction of the Holy Ghost. Under all the circumstances,
this visit of Bishop Galloway, the foundation of two addi-
tional societies, and the building of two churches by the
Trinity congregation, made this pastorate one of the most
interesting to Methodism in Durham that had ever occurred,
The History of Trinity Church. 81
and stamped its influence upon these people as never before.
During the revivals alluded to above, Dr. Creasy evinced
the power of endurance in an eminent degree. He did all
the preaching, except five days at Trinity, and nearly every
night for three weeks following at Main Street, and he
asserts that taking all in all these were the best meetings
he ever attended. Main Street Church has been enlarged
and its borders extended so that nearly all of the western
portion of Durham worships there. Carr Church also has
made substantial advancement in its work in East Durham,
and is to that people a power for good. Revivals have
occurred in both of these churches and many souls been
brought to a knowledge of the truth.
Rev. Dr. E. A. Yates succeeded Rev. Dr. Creasy, and
for the years 1888, 1889 and 1890, filled the pulpit of
Trinity Church with great acceptability. His sermons were
powerful and impressive, There were, jierhaps, more per-
sons taken into the church during this pastorate than at
any other time, for it was during his administration that
the renowned Sam P. Jones held most remarkable meetings
in Durham, beginning on the 17th of October, 1888, by
which the church was revived and hundreds of souls con-
verted and added to the various churches of the town.
Parrish warehouse was used during this meeting. Throngs
of people crowded from the various parts of the city and
surrounding country to hear this wonderful preacher of
the Gospel. He visited Durham two years in succession,
and while the revival interest at the second was not so
great as at the first visit, yet larger crowds attended his
ministry, and a most profound impression was made upon
the church. A cordial invitation was extended to all de-
nominations to take part in these revival services, and all
seemed to be deeply interested. Probably more attention
was paid to the holding of church conferences by Rev. Dr.
Yates than others who preceded. The work of class-
leaders was more particularly attended to as a result of the
82 Conference Historical Publication.
Jones meetings, and tlie reports that were brought in from
time to time from the leaders were most encouraging. The
condition of the Sunday school was also healthy. The
attendance upon its sessions were also good during the
years 1888, 1889 and 1890. Prom a statistical report made
of Trinity Sunday school for Sunday, August 14, 1889, we
find the membership of the school consisting of 9 ofiicers,
31 teachers, 272 pupils ; a total of 312. For 1888, 298,
and the same number for 1887. The average attendance in
1887 was 222 ; in 1888, 235, and in 1889, 244, showing a
slight increase. The contributions during 1887 were
$502.84; in 1888, $504.29, and in 1889, $470.30. In view
of the fact that large drafts were made on this Sunday
school from Main Street and Carr churches, these figures
are remarkable. The following deaths occuiTed in 1888 :
J. T. Driver, who had been a trustee and oflicial member
from the very earliest days of the church here. Samuel
A. Thaxton went to his reward. Although he did not die
in the communion of Trinity Church, he was a member for
many years, and wrought hard from 1872 for the upbuild-
ing of Methodism in Durham. He engaged earnestly in
its pioneer work, and being one of the officiel board, in-
sisted that they repair the old church, and was one of the
most energetic advocates of the building of the new church.
Living in the West End, he considered the necessity for a
new church in that portion of the town, and was among
the first to advocate the building of Main Street, and when
completed, thought that he should cast his lot and influ-
ence there, which he did. He was a zealous worker in the
Sunday school and in all the interests of the church. He
died in peace and his funeral was conducted from Trinity
Church by Rev. Dr. Yates. In the same year died also
Dr. T. W. Harris, who came here from Chapel Hill
church, Daisy L. Robbins, Effie Rollins and Numa Dur-
ham. In 1889, Mrs. James Southgate, Cora L. McMannen,
Mrs. W. H. Stephens, Miss Pearl Yates and Mrs. J. C.
The History of Trinity Church. 83
Younger passed from the church militant to the church
triumphant.
One of the most important undertakings during the pas-
torate of Dr. Yates, was the projection and completion of
Trinity College, which will for ages stand as a monument
to the benevolence, energy and enterprise of the city of
Durham. While many devout Methodists in various parts
of the State were deeply interested in the success of the
college, and a great many friends of "Old Trinity" were
bitterly opposed to its removal to Durham, yet it must
be admitted that the greater burden of the expenses of
this huge enterprise was borne by our citizens. It is
well known that our liberal, and enterprising friends,
the Dukes and J. S. Carr, contributed largely and
almost entirely the money and land required for the
college, and it was a grand time for Durham when the cor-
ner-stone was laid. We are indebted to the Trinity Archive
for the following account of this interesting occasion :
"According to the announcement, the corner-stone of the
main building of the college was laid at Durham November
11, 1890, under the auspices of the Masonic order. The
evening was beautiful and inviting. Early in the afternoon
the people began to assemble on the grounds, when the
procession, which was formed in town, arrived on the spot.
There had already an immense crowd gathed to do honor
to the occasion. Trinity College suspended operation at
the old stand in Randolph county for that day, and a large
number of the boys, as well as several members of the
faculty, were with glad hearts in attendance to catch a
glimpse of the new scene of operations, and for the pur-
pose of witnessing the ceremonies, which were to them
peculiarly interesting and important. The military com-
pany was on parade and the band interspersed the exercises
with delightful music. The two orators of the day, Gen.
R. B. Vance, who delivered the Masonic oration, and Hon.
T. J. Jarvis, who favored the attentive audience with the
84 Conference Historical Publication.
"Educational Address," were listened to with interest.
Both orations were excellent productions and in every way
worthy these talented gentlemen. Altogether it was a day
not to be forgotten in the history of the college, but will
ever stand to mark another epoch in her onward march
toward still higher and greater success." The work was
prosecuted »vith vigor by C. H. Norton, the contractor,
and the beautiful structure was dedicated on the 12th of
October, 1892.
Rev. R. J. Moorman succeed Rev. Dr. E. A. Yates and
served the church during the year 1891 . In his report to
the second Quarterly Conference, he stated that the general
state of the church was encouraging, the condition of the
finances gratifying, and from all the indications, progress
had been made. Fifteen conversions were reported as the
result of a revival, most of whom joined the church. A
goodly number were received during the year by certificate.
He reported the Sunday school in good condition, and the
number on the roll showed an increase over the last year.
He called attention to the contracted facilities for the
accommodation of the Sunday school, and advised the
building of a new Sunday school room. In his final report
for the year, he called attention to the fact that all the col-
lections ordered by the Annual Conference had been paid
in full, and that the collection for Foreign Missions far
exceeded the assessment. He reported on the roll of
members 452, which was a net gain of 24 over the previous
year. He reported the congregations as good as usual, with
some indication of divine power and blessing. The mar-
riage ceremonies performed were: Prof. Thomas J. Sim-
mons and Miss Lessie M. Southgate ; Louis Barnes and
Miss Uva Lyon. The following deaths were among those
recorded, viz: Emma A. Lockhart, Ruth A. Parrish.
These had been members of Trinity Church from its early
beginning, and were faithful to every trust. Father, mother
and daughter are now united in the church above.
The History of Trinity Church. 85
Rev. R. C. Beemau served the church during the years
1892 and 1893. Early in his pastorate he saw the neces-
sity of building a new church or making such repairs in
the old one as would give more seating capacity, and
better facilities for the Sunday school, and in general to
have a building more in keeping with growth of Method-
ism in the town. It was soon determined to have estimates
made, and the opinion of the best architects was obtained,
plans submitted and the contract was let out to Messrs.
Porter & Godwin, builders at Goldsboro, N. C. The con-
gregration engaged the court house as a place of worship.
Conducting this immense undertaking and the inconven-
ience of the court house for accommodating the congregation
comfortably handicapped the pastor very considerably :
yet, in spite of all hinderances, he kept his people together,
and there were a goodly number of accessions during the
pastorate. Of the Sunday school he reports to the Quar-
terly Conference that it was well equipped and doing faith-
ful and efficient work. He also reports the Sunday school
in North Durham, in charge of Brother P. M. Briggs as
superintendent, as doing faithful work. He reports that
there were more family altars among the membership of
Trinity Church than any other of his acquaintance, and,
taking all in all, he did not know a church of larger pos-
sibilities and better outlook than Trinity. While not per-
fect, and having peculiarities as all churches have, yet it
has a large constituency of true, godly, consecrated men and
women who count it all honor that they have been given a
place in the Kingdom of God's dear Son and endeavor to
glorify Him in their bodies and their spirits, which are his.
The following deaths, among others, are noted : Thomas C.
Goodson, John A. Cox, Lena Perry; and in 1893, Mrs.
Robert E. Lyon, who had been for several years an active
member of the Ladies' Aid Society, and prompt in the
performance of all her church duties. A beautiful altar
rail has been placed in the church in memory of her great
6
86 Conference Historical Publication.
worth and service in the cause of Christ. Mrs. James H.
Southgate and Mollie Whitted died in peace and "have
gone up to join the church of the first born, whose names
are written in heaven." Among those who united with
the church by certificate may be mentioned Rev. W. H.
Pegram and family, A. B. Cox and wife. May Allen,
Charles C. Weaver. The Epworth League was established
in the latter part of this pastorate, but an account of the
organization will appear later on. The friends of Trinity
College realized to the fullest extent their fond anticipa-
tions in seeing this noble structure completed and dedi-
cated, as before announced, on the 12th of October, 1892.
We also acknowledge our indebtedness to the college
Archixie for the following account : ' ' Trinity College has
been formally set apart for the great work for which she
was intended. The ceremonies took place on October 12,
and surely the participants could not have celebrated the
discovery of America in a more appropriate manner. The
dedicatory sermon was preached at 11 o'clock a. m. in
Main Street Church, by Br. Hoss, of the Nashville Advo-
cate. The sermon was in keeping with the occasion; a
discourse pregnant with logical reasoning, rather than with
flights of eloquence. At 2 p. m. the parade formed in the
city square and marched to the Park. The city band came
first and was followed by the different fraternities ; military
company, and a throng of citizens. In front of the main
building the column was met by the faculty, students and
visitors. The whole crowd then proceeded to the Inn,
where Captain Parrish delivered a warm address of wel-
come, to which Dr. Crowell, the president, responded. Mr.
Washington Duke then formally presented the main build-
ing and the Inn to the board of trustees. Next, Hon. J.
S. Carr, in a very neat and appropriate speech, presented
Trinity Park. Dr. Crowell presented the technological
building, erected in memory of Laura K. Crowell. Dr. F.
S. Reid presented the furniture in behalf of the donors.
The History or Trinity Church. 87
The board of trustees made suitable acknowledgment of
the various donations through their spokesman, Rev. Dr.
E. A. Yates. Long may Trinity College live to bless the
young men of this State, and be instrumental in training
thousands for the pulpit, the press, the bar, the school-
room and the farm."
Rev. B. R. Hall became pastor in 1894, just about the
time of the completion of New Trinity. The first occur-
rence of interest during this pastorate was the opening of
the church. These interesting services were held on the
fourth Sunday in January, 1894, and as Rev. R. C. Beaman
had nearly completed the work before his term as pastor
expired, he was invited to officiate on that occasion, and
preached able sermons both morning and night, to the de-
light and gratification of his many friends in the congre-
gation. The interest in the Epworth League being on the
increase, a report was called for at the first quarterly con-
ference in this year, and that we may get an idea of the
work of the League we insert the report made by the
President, M. W. Reed, at that meeting :
Organized in Trinity Church September 28th, 1893, with
104 members; received since, 28; total members, 132.
The League is composed almost entirely of the young peo-
ple of the church and congregation, and the interest and
enthusiasm shown are remarkable. It has truly been a
success from the beginning.
The devotional department has been arranged for and
had devotional meetings every Sunday afternoon at 4
o'clock. The character of these meetings has been discus-
sion of Biblical topics, prayer, praise and experience meet-
ings, and have been participated in largely by the members.
The attendance varies from 75 to 125.
The literary department, so far, has only attempted to
have such meetings every Tuesday night as would tend to
entertain and cultivate the social features of the church.
We have given one public entertainment for the benefit of
the poor.
88 Conference Histobigal Publication.
The charity and help department has done a good work
among the poor and sick, so far as our time and means
would permit. Besides contributing to their necessities we
have tried to encourage parents to send their children to
Sunday school, as well as to attend upon the preaching of
God's word themselves.
We have raised during the quarter $43 11
Have expended 33 22
Leaving balance on hand $ 9 89
Some revival interest has been manifested during the
year, and as a result there were several accessions to the
church. The following were reported at the second and
third quarterly conference by certificate or profession of
faith: Mr. H. N. Snow and wife, Mrs. Boggess, J. W.
Jenkins, and three sisters, Mrs. H. Cobb and M. Cobb, the
Misses Cozart, R B. Crawford, R. B. Boone, Arthur Cobb,
Maude Lambe, Mary Piper, Alice Lamond. L, L. Cham-
berlain and wife, C. E. Turner, Profs. M. H. Lock wood and
Edwin Mimms, and Rev. R. H. Black.
The following died in peace : Mrs. Mary Whitt, an old
and faithful member of this church. Prof. B. C. Hinde,
of Trinity College, after great suffering, passed to his re-
ward, and Mrs. Fannie B. Stone and Mrs. Agnes Cooper
are also found on the list of those who passed beyond the
river. In his report to the fourth quarterly conference,
Brother Hall states "that his intercourse with the board
of official members of the church has been exceedingly
pleasant, and to them he has been indebted for much kind-
ness." All the interests of the church have been kept
well in hand. Our congregations both morning and night
have usually been good, and the general welfare of the
church seems to dwell in the hearts of its members.
To sum up all, Trinity Church has impressed itself upon
Methodism in this community in no uncertain way. Com-
ing as it did. almost from the throes of war and famine, it
emerged from one of the darkest periods in our church's
The History of Trinity Church. 89
history, and like a steady light has illuminated the path-
way of many a traveler to the grave. It may truthfully
be called the Mother of Methodism in this community. It
has given forth some of the very best material in the for-
mation of two other churches, it has established union
meetings in North Durham which have been productive of
much good and may eventuate in the establishment of a
society and church in that community ; it has projected
plans for the formation of a mission in South Durham and
committees have been appointed to erect a chapel building
in the near future. Its local preachers, notably Alex.
Walker, J. A. McMannen, W. H. Cuninggim, and others,
have made their impression upon this community, and es-
pecial mention might be made of Rev. Alex. Walker, a
member of Trinity Church, who has been abundant in
labors, faithful in service, punctual in ministering to three
or four charges in this immediate vicinity, and he will
doubtless receive a rich reward for unremitting efforts in
spreading the gospel of his Lord. Time fails to make men-
tion of all the prominent men who have taken part in the
great and successful work of projecting and maintaining
Methodism in Durham. They have each performed their
part in the good work, and their devoted services will not
only be a source of gratification to them in the hour of
death, but will doubtless enhance their reward in the world
to come. The hope of the church is in the young, and we
bid God speed to the Ep worth League, which is a school
for bringing up and training in Christian labor those who
must take the place of men and women who have fought
Trinity's battles heretofore, and we pray God that the
members may be armed with the whole panoply of the
gospel and go forth as valiant soldiers in the army of the
Lord.^
*Thi8 article was published in The Trinity Eptvorth League, December,
1894— April, 1895. The Conference of 1895 assigned Rev. J. N. Cole to the
Trinity charge and he has since filled it. — Editor.
90 CONFEEENCE HISTORICAL PUBLICATION.
METHODISM IN BEAUFORT.
BY REV. ROBAH F. BUMPASS.
Beaufort is one of our oldest towns. There are records in
the court house dating as far back as the second decade of the
eighteenth century, being grants of land from the Lords
Proprietors, John, Lord Carteret, and Henry, Duke of Beau-
fort. The oldest graves in the cemetery date back to the first
quarter of the eighteenth century.
Among the early colonists there was established a Church
of England ; how early we do not know. There is a record
of the vestry meetings beginning in the forties. In those
early days ' ' tithes ' ' were collected by law and placed at the
disposal of the vestry. There is repeated mention made in
these minutes of the payment of ;^5 to sundry persons for
reading the services of the church for one year at various
points, as Hunting Quarters, Davis Shore, Straits, Harker's
Island, North River and Newport. There is also mention
made of the payment of money to the poor. Names of the
vestrymen of a century and a half ago are the same as those
of prominent men in the county to-day. The church build-
ing belonging to this denomination stood about fifty yards in
the rear of the spot upon which Anne Street Methodist Church
now stands. It is remembered by many persons now living,
and is thus described, in a manuscript history of Methodism
in Beaufort, by L. A. Potter :
"This building was what we would now consider a quaint,
old-fashion affair, with immense stone under-pinning for a
foundation. The superstructure was of native pine, heavy
sills, joists, and plates, and doors calculated to insinuate that
supernatural strength would have to be exercised by the
emissaries of the Evil One who effected an entrance with
felonious intent.
Methodism in Beaufort. 91
"The seats were straight benches with centre supports but
no backs, one half being assigned to either sex, and he would
be considered a bold bad man who ventured to walk up the
aisle set apart for females in search of a comfortable seat.
The pulpit, for it was then a pulpit and not a rostrum with a
stand, was a structure resembling somewhat the watch-tower
on an ancient wall, erected at one end of the church near the
ceiling and approached by a flight of steps. It was enclosed
by a tight box about as high as an ordinary man's waist and
contained a bench seat and a desk for the Bible and a prayer
book."
At the close of the Revolutionary war this building was
occupied by preachers of different denominations, and also
used for school purposes.
This building was purchased a short time before the late
war by Mr. White, who moved it to the front part of the lot
on which his residence stood, on Water street, and used it as
a store house. It was blown down by the great storm of 1879.
The material of it was afterwards constructed into a wood
house, which still stands in the rear of the White residence.
The early Methodists sometimes worshipped in this church
and sometimes in the court house, which stood in Market
street, a short distance south of the present residence of Mr.
W. S. Chadwick. This building was moved to the northeast
corner of Anne and Turner streets, and is the Cramer resi-
dence.
At the outbreaking of the struggle of the colonies for inde-
pendence most of the Engli.sh clergy retired to Great Britain,
and this pajish was left without a minister.
Methodism was very early introduced into this section of
the State. In October, 1769, Joseph Fillmore landed in Phil-
adelphia, and soon after, says Bangs in his history, visited
North Carolina, "where he preached with success and formed
some societies." Fillmore again visited North Carolina in
the early part of 1773, and so did Robert Williams. In 1774
Williams came again and had "a most remarkable revival "
92 Conference Historical Publication.
and formed societies. In 1775-76 there was a great revival,
resulting in the formation of the Carolina Circuit at the
Conference at Baltimore, May 21, 1776, and Edward Drum-
gole, Francis Poythress, and Isham Tatum were appointed
preachers.
Bishop Asbury visited Beaufort in 1785. I find the follow-
ing in his journal : "Wednesday, December 21, 1785, sailed
down to Beaufort and preached in the church ; the people are
kind but have very little religion. On the same evening I
pushed down to the Straits, and the next day preached at
Straits Chapel ; thence I returned to town and preached
again ; after which we sailed back to Col. Bell's, whence we
first started."
There is a tradition that among the earliest Methodists to
visit Beaufort was the Rev. Jesse Lee, and "l\is memory has
been wafted down from generation to generation, so that some
of our present members seem almost to have personally re-
ceived his blessing." Enoch George, afterward Bishop, served
as second man on the Pamlico Circuit in 1790. Beaufort was
at first included in the Goshen and Trent circuits, the former
of which first appears on the minutes in 1792.
In tracing the rise and progress of Methodism in Beaufort,
I discover that once in each decade, and near the middle of
the decade, occurred a great revival of religion. Other revi-
vals were held, resulting in much good, but those to which I
refer were attended by larger displays of divine power, and
left more permanent impression upon the community. These
I will especially note as we pass along, for the revival is the
life and power of Methodism.
The great revival which swept through Methodism in the
early days of the present century visited Beaufort in 1806. I
quote the following from brother Potter's manuscript :
"Philip Bruce was Presiding Elder, and William Barnes,
James E. Glenn and Bridgers Arendell were the preachers on
the circuit, then almost as large as some presiding elders'' dis-
tricts are now. During this powerful awakening, in which
Methodism in Beaufort. 93
the meetings in Beaufort were for the most part led by Rev,
James E. Glenn, Caleb Bell and Jacob Bell were converted at
the home of Mr. George Reed, who was the clerk of the court.
He had carried them to his residence from the church, where
they had been brought under deep conviction. Their father
and mother, Caleb and Susanna, with an elder sister, had
been the first in this section to join the Methodist church.
' ' Caleb and Jacob began exhorting at once and were soon
licensed as preachers. Joseph Bell another member of the
same family, also became a preacher and together the three
brothers wielded a powerful influence for good. Caleb joined
the Conference while in session at Tarboro, N. C, and in the
year 1809, he was the pastor in charge of the circuit in which
Beaufort was located. He moved to Kentucky about the
year 1820, and lived until 1872, being widely known as one
of the Fathers of Methodism in Kentucky. Perhaps no
more brilliant man has ever gone out from Beaufort, and
the fact that the Methodist Church at this place sent out
such an examplary christian and such an eloquent preacher,
such a useful instrument in the hands of Providence for the
salvation of souls, is a chapter in her history of which we
may well be proud. "Bell's Chapel, in this county, one of
the first Methodist houses of worship in this vicinity, was
built by his grandfather; and Bell's Chapel in Todd County,
Kentucky, built by him and afterwards replaced by a large
brick church, through his exertions and contributions, is an
appropriate monument to his memory."
Bishop Asbury mentions this revival: "Wednesday June
2 2d, 1806. A heavy storm of rain, I rode to Eli Perry's,
son of John ; here is a son of faith and prayer ; I walked with
his dear good father — now, I trust, in the Paradise of God. I
met Elder Bruce: all our talk is. What hath God wrought !
In Beaufort the Lord hath put forth his power ; the whole
town seems to bow to the scepter of the Lord Jesus, after be-
ing left and visited again, within the last twenty years by his
faithful ministers." The name Beaufort first appears on the
94 Conference Historical Publication.
minutes in 1810, with Bridgers Arrendell and William
Crompton as preachers. Bridgers Arrendell was from Frank-
lin county. He married in this section, and as was customary
with early Methodist preachers, located at the first Conference
after his marriage.
He settled in Beaufort, remained a staunch Methodist, and
the Quarterly Conference Records from 1815, in his hand-
writing, are still extant. His numerous descendants are to-
day, as they have ever been, firm supporters of Methodist
doctrine and polity.
These were followed by Robert Thompson, Humphry Wood,
James Avant, Erasmus Stinson, R. F. Carney, Thomas Mann,
Jas. Thomas, Richard Wright, John Doyle and Joshua Law-
rence ; with Jas. Boyd, John Weaver and Canellum H. Hines
as Presiding Elders.
In 1816 Beaufort and Straights were joined together and so
remained until 1830, when Beaufort was made a separate sta-
tion. Waddell Johnson was the pastor in 1816, and Wm. H.
Starr in 1817. Under the latter's ministry occurred the second
Great Revival. I quote again from Brother Potter : "During
his ministrations, the church was pretty firmly established.
Ask some of our older Methodist, Did you ever hear of Brother
Starr? 'Oh ! yes,' they will reply, 'I have heard my mother
or my father often speak of Starr's prayer." At the close of
the second war with England, the people of Beaufort were
the victors of extremely hard times. Small crops were raised,
no markets could be found for naval stores or fish, and
although the government offered a bounty on all fish that
weie exported, exportation could not be done with profit.
Money was scarce, the luxuries of life were dispensed with, the
comforts were relinquished, the necessaries became limited in
supply, and bread was an object looked upon as a friend soon
to be seen no more. Brother Starr, in his pastoral visits, saw
the destitution and became much exercised about the temporal
condition of his people.
One day while visiting one of the very poor families he
Methodism in Beaufokt. 96
interspersed his usual prayer with the followiug plea for Divine
interposition : "Oh ! Lord, I do not ask that somebody may
suffer injury, or that some one's property may be lost to them,
but if it must be that a vessel shall be stranded, send her to
these shores, may she be cast on our beach and may her cargo
be food for these poor destitute ones who are so near to the
door of starvation." Was his prayer answered, do you ask?
In less than a week a vecsel, laden with flour, was cast on
the beach, and all over the town could be seen smiling faces
and whitened clothes as the relieved citizens spread the staff
of life on piazza floors and impoverished platforms to receive
the benefit of the sun's rays,
Brother Starr was followed by Stephen Rowe and Enoch
Johnson.
From the Journal of the Quarterly Conference of this early
period kept by Rev. B. Arrendell, I transcribe some striking
entries. June 24, 1815, a camp-meeting held at Chadwick's
Point : "The Camp-meeting was conducted with as much
prudence as the situation of the case admiited. There were
some professors stirred up to more diligence, and some few
converts to the faith, principally with the children of the
Methodist." March 38 and 29, 181 7, Quarterly Meeting at
Beautort : "On Saturday, a few of the members of society
attended, and a sermon preached by our assistant preacher,
and in the evening at candle-light, the house was crowded,
and Freeman Ellis, a local preacher from the Straits, deliv-
ed a sermon, and the meeting was concluded by Wm. Starr,
the assistant preacher of the Circuit. Sabbath day, the 29th,
proved a rainy day, and so concluded ourq. m." July 8-12,
1819, Quarterly-meeting and Camp-meeting at Adams Creek.
Ten Methodist preachers present, "and preaching at the stage
four times a day;" thirty converts. July 22, 1820; Adams
Creek. Quarterly-meeting and Camp-meeting. "Power of
God was wonderfully displayed in the conversion of nearly
an hundred souls."
The membership on the circuit fluctuated as follows: 1819,
96 Conference Historical Publication.
white, 240; colored, 230. 1820, white, 320; colored, 256.
1 82 1, white, 192 ; colored, none. 1822, white, 205 ; col-
orred, 36. 1823, white, 313; colored, 170. William Har-
ris reported an increase of 80 white and 26 colored, the year
the church was erected. These were chiefly, doubtless, from
the Adams' Creek Quarterly-meeting already mentioned.
This report embraced the entire circuit, and whether some
churches were taken off in 1821, reducing the membership
so largely, or what else became of the colored members, I
know not.
In 1820 came William Harris, during whose pastorate the
first Methodist church in Beaufort was erected, on the north-
east comer of the cemetery lot, and is now known as Purvis
Chapel. This was dedicated January, 1821, by Rev. Lewis
Skidmore, whose great sermons are still held in memory, and
Lewis Skidmore Forlaw, of the present board of stewards, was
the first infant baptized in the new church. In regard to this
building I find entries on the Quarterly Conference records as
follows: ''Tune 19, 1825, trustees resolve to appoint J.
Pigiot, Thomas Murray, E. Whitehurst, and O. Barnes to
superintend, carry on and have said house completed." Jan-
uary 2, 1830, trustees report: "The house needs immediate
attention. It has never been plastered, consequently is decay-
ing fast. And the wind has blown the sand from about the
church so much that after a large or heavy fall of rain it is
difficult to get to the church dry-footed. Of course the safety
of the house is somewhat endangered." The house was re-
paired in 1836 and reported out of debt in 1840.
For the next four years the preachers were : 1821, Robert
Wilkerson ; 1822, Marm Dulton ; 1823, Joseph Carle; 1824,
Joshua Leigh, with William Compton, Presiding Elder.
Thomas Howard served as Presiding Elder on this district in
1825 and 1826, and was reappointed for 1827. His memoir
contains the following : "The manner of his death was very
affecting. On his way from the Conference, held in Peters-
burg, Va., in 1827, he was overtaken by a tremendous storm,
Methodism in Beaufort. 97
and it is supposed was thrown from his carriage, as he in-
formed the people he had been entangled in the reins of his
horse. His face was stained with blood, and such were the
bruises he received that he survived but a short time. He
died, however, in great peace. He was gifted as a preacher,
and eminently useful." He was greatly beloved, and mothers
named their children for him. While he lived in Bpaufort
one of his boys was drowned while bathing in the sound.
Upon the death of Thomas Howard, Moses Brock was
taken from the Charlottesville, Va., Circuit and sent to his
district as Presiding Elder, remaining three years, an oflfice
he administered with eminent ability for many years.
In 1825 Thompson Garrard was pastor; in 1826 John Pen-
nabaker, under whose ministry occurred the third great revi-
val. He was a young man of thorough consecration and
great power. He had joined the Conference in 1824, serving
first the Culpeper Circuit, where he was useful. In 1825 ^^
was sent to Granville Circuit, where three hundred souls were
converted. Next he came to Beaufort and Straits, "at which
place also," says his memoir, "his labors were much blessed."
Brother Potter says: "He is still remembered as the thunder
and lightning preacher. It is related that during his pastor-
ate he held a protracted meeting, but for a long time without
a visible spirit of awakening. At length, weary and discour-
aged by the apathy of the people and their utter disregard of
his pleas and warnings, he prayed earnestly at one of his
meetings that the Almighty might manifest to the congrega-
tion as he did to the children of Israel at Mount Sinai, with
a voice and appearance of thunder and lightning. Almost
immediately the reverberations of the thunder were heard in
the distance. Peal followed peal in quick succession, ap-
proaching nearer and nearer, and soon the flashes of lightning
became almost a constant flame, lighting up the church and
disclosing a congregation livid with fear and trembling under
the convicting influences of the spirit of God upon their
awakened consciences. Then started a revival which spread
98 Conference Historical Publication.
through the community and many conversions resulted there-
from." The following year Brother Pennabaker traveled the
Princess Anne Circuit, and between seven and eight hundred
persons were added to the church, and two years later he died
at the early age of thirty-one, having garnered many sheaves
for the kingdom of God. While in Beaufort he boarded with
George Dill in the house now owned and occupied by Joseph
Robinson. Many children in Beaufort were named for him.
The preachers were : 1827, Irvin Atkinson; 1828, James
W. Bell. This name binds us in touch with the living pres-
ent. We have seen among the records, signed in a beautiful
hand by Brother Bell, a certificate of the marriage of one
who still lingers among us, with mind clear and bright, at
the ripe age of 89. May her presence long continue, a bene-
diction to the community.
In 1829 came George A. Bain. The following year Beau-
fort was made a station, and has so continued to the present.
The preachers were : 1830, John D. Hal stead ; 1 831, Abra-
ham Harrell ; 1832, F. D. Tompkins, with Joseph Carson,
Presiding Elder. I notice that David S. Doggett, afterward
Bishop, was on the Mattamuskeet Circuit in 1830.
The next four years, James Reid was Presiding Elder. In
1833, Thompson Garrard was pastor. Then in 1834 came
James Pervis, who left his impress indelibly engraven upon
the religious life of the community. A great revival still
remembered and talked about, was conducted by him. At
times the interest became so absorbing that the people would
stay all night long in church, going home by day-light next
morning. At this revival, was converted the late Rev. John
Rumley, one of the most useful and faithful members this
church has ever had. To the fourth Quarterly Meeting held
January 3, 1835, Brother Pervis reports on the state of Sab-
bath Schools : "The Superintendent, one male and two
female teachers, seven female and four male students and the
librarian have professed religion during the year. This school
is in a more prosperous state than heretofore." The Super-
Methodism in Beaufort. 99
intendent was Isaac Hellen, who taught a day school and
had charge of the Sunday School. Brother Cicero Bell, who
remembers this meeting, tells me that Isaac Hellen was a
Master Mason, and when he started forward he turned to his
fellow Masons and said : "Brethren of the Square and Com-
pass, you have followed me on the Square, now follow me to
the Cross," and many of them followed and joined the church.
In 1835, W. H. Kelly was pastor, and in 1836, J. M. Boat-
right, who received into the church Mrs. Sallie Thompson,
who is now the oldest member. Brother Boatright had small-
pox soon after his arrival. Ke was placed in an isolated house
np the creek, and Alice Oliver, one of the members carried
him his meals. He soon recovered.
In 1837, came James E. Joiner, who received into the church
Mrs. Nancy Prior, at present the next oldest member. James
Jamieson was Presiding Elder in 1 837-' 38.
Now came a cluster of names that are household words.
In 1838, William Closs, greatly admired and beloved, a man
of strong original character, thoroughly consecrated to his
work, whose bright utterances are often repeated and who left
his impress upon all this section of the State. 1839, John
E. Edwards, a brilliant preacher, an able writer well known
throughout the South.
In 1840 Sidney D. Bumpas, the father of the present writer,
of whom Dr. Deems says : "Brother Bumpas was a man of
acute mind. He was a laborious student. He sought to cul-
tivate his intellect to his highest capacityr He was a theo-
logian— a clear, discriminating, original and impressive
preacher. He had few equals in succsssful pastoral labor."
He wrote in his Journal of his year in Beaufort : "The past
has been the most dull and fruitless year of my ministry.
Till the 6th of July, I was able to labor ; and as many as six
or seven professed conversion. On the 6th of July, I was
taken with fever, and was able to do no more efficient labor
until it became necessary for me to leave," viz: on Septem-
ber 10. A year later when sent to Raleigh, he prayed God to
give him two hundred converts ; a prayer more than answered.
100 Conference Historical Publication.
In 1 841, came John Tillett, an earnest, consecrated, faith-
ful preacher, and firm disciplinarian. In 1842 came R. P.
Bibb, who in his prime, wonderfully moved his audience, and
in 1848, John Todd Brain, of blessed memory. He was one
of the youngest preachers ever sent to Beaufort. He was
unmarried. His widowed mother accompanied him in his
itinerancy and was his house-keeper, companion and admirer.
In 1844 came Chas. P. Jones, who still lingers in a green old
age, on the Pacific Coast. In a recent letter to the writer he
says: "The Board of Stewards had engaged board for me
with Capt. Manson. Dr. Arrendell, J. Davis, William Bell,
E. Piggott and John Forlaw were students. I preached one
Sabbath in each month to the colored people in the audito-
rium, who at all regular services occupied the galleries.
Many of the members, both white and colored, were deeply
spiritual. No special revival blessed the charge during the
year. There were a few communions and accessions. A camp-
meeting was held on Harker's Island in the Summer. Tenters
were few and congregations, except on Sunday, were small.
Preaching by D. B. Nicholson, Presiding Elder, William E.
Pell, Thomas Lowe and others was very good, but few turned
to the Lord. The church however, was refreshed and strength-
ened. As Beaufort was a summer resort for health and rec-
reation, large numbers visited the place in the summer
months and early fall, increasing the congregations, at times,
to overflowing. Altogether, it was a pleasant and profitable
year." The Presiding Elders of this period were, 1839, Ben-
nett T, Blake ; 1840, Robert I. Carson ; 1841, William E.
Pell ; 1 843-' 46, D. B. Nicholson.
In 1 845-' 46 the pastor was T. Page Ricaud, who after more
than half a century of active itinerant labor is still a benedic-
tion to North Carolina Methodism, — his name being now the
second on the roll. Brother Ricaud, writes : "We had revi-
val work both years, but the first was, indeed an extraordinary
work. I was aided by Rev. W. I. Langdon, and his cousin,
W. S. Langdon, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister ; also
Methodism in Beaufort. 101
by our sainted Brother John Jones. There was then but one
organized church in Beaufort and the membership was gener-
ally true and faithful. The first year, I obtained thirty odd sub-
scribers for the Richmond Advocate^ we having no paper of
our own. These two years were among the most pleasant of
the early days of my life." This was one of the great revi-
vals, and at it, the Rev. Samuel Lander, D. D. , of the Soutli
Carolina Conference, who at that time was attending the
school of his brother-in-law, the Rev. William I. Langdon,
was converted, also some of the best members. From 1847
to 1850, William Closs was Presiding Elder. In 1847, W.
J. Parks was pastor. He married Mrs. Buck Hill, and spent
his latter years in this county. A marble shaft to the mem-
ory of his son Charles, who married a Miss Lecraft but died
young, stands near the present church.
In 1848 Joel W. Tucker was pastor, and in 1849 William W.
Nesbitt, who is described as, '*a bashful man, always fearful
of attracting too much attention, and whenever he bought a
new suit of clothes or a hat, he would put them on and take
a long walk in the country, that he might get use to them
and cover up the gloss with a coat of dust." In 1850, Rev.
J. B. Martin was sent to the station. He says, "I remained
there but two or three months, owing to a throat trouble with
which the climate did not agree, and was succeeded by the
Rev. J. P. Simpson, from the Baltimore Conference."
Brother Simpson's labors were blessed with a good meeting
in which Mrs. Elizabeth Buckman and Miss Elizabeth
Gabriel joined the church.
From Brother Potter's sketch, I copy the following: "About
the year 1850, a Rev. Mr. Rolfe, of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, came to Beaufort and seeing an opportunity to build
up a congregation, he made several visits and preached to the
people using the forms of worship of his church. A history
of the Methodist church would be incomplete without this
mention, for Rolfe was succeeded by a Rev. D. D. Van Antwerp,
who was pastor for a number of years. A church was organ-
102 CONFEBENCE HISTORICAL PUBLICATION.
ized and a membership, made up almost entirely of the mem-
bers of the Methodist Church, was soon secured. It is a
noteworthy fact that the Methodist Church of Beaufort has
contributed largely toward the elongation of the work of other
denominations. Liberal in her teachings and doctrines, she
has recognized sister churches to be what they claim, the
Church of God, and believing that those who were truly con-
verted, should find a home in the church in which they could
do most good and receive most help in a spiritual life, and
with whose doctrine and forms of church government they
would most nearly perfectly accord, that church has had no
incentive to be or to become a seeker after proselytes. She
has tried to fulfil the missions of Christ, to seek and save that
which was lost, and going out into the highways and hedges
she has at most compelled the sinners to come in. At her
altars the shouts of happy hundreds have been heard, and the
welkin has been made to ring with the Hallelujahs of sin-
ners redeemed and made to rejoice because of the conscious-
ness of a full and free salvation ; but in a history extending
into three score years or more, not a dozen names have been
inscribed upon her roll of those who have withdrawn from
other churches, or have been persuaded to change their mem-
bership from other denominations. Can any other church in
Beaufort show such a record of Christian soldiers recruited
from the ranks of the arch enemy of our souls?"
From 1851 to 1854 D. B. Nicholson was Presiding Elder.
In 1 85 1, T. B. James was Presiding Elder. It was during
this year the Baptist Church in Beaufort was organized. A
Baptist minister, Rev. Nathan Askew, visited Beaufort and
by permission of the the trustees made an appointment to
preach at night in the Methodist Church. After the congre-
gation assembled, Mr. James walked into the church and said,
it was his night to hold prayer meeting, whereupon the Bap-
tist minister, followed by most of the congregation walked
out. Elder Wade said, "you can preach at, my house," the
minister preached, and organiged a church with five or six
Methodism in Beaufobt. 108
members. In the next few years the Baptist Church was
built, which has since been enlarged and beautified.
In 1852, Albert Weaver was pastor, and in 1853, James A.
Dean, who in the summer, at the solicitation of Rev. John
A. McMannen, took charge of the South Lowell Academy in
Orange County, and the Rev. LaFayette W. Martin was
appointed in his place. Brother Martin married a Miss King,
of Beaufort. He was afterwards located and made Beaufort
his home, engaging in the practice of medicine, and filling
several distingished civil offices. Some of his descendants
still live in the community. He was succeeded in 1854, ^Y
Rev. D. C. Johnson, who preached plain, very short sermons,
and drew, I am told the largest congregations the church has
ever had. Men of intelligence and talent of other commun-
ions frequently waited upon his ministry. On one occasion,
while he was taking a collection, a prominent lawyer, who
greatly admired him, cast in a fifty dollar bank note. He re-
ported a $102.60 Missionary collection. It was during his pas-
torate that the Anne Street Methodist Church was erected. I
think it quite remarkable, that the Quarterly Conference Jour-
nal contains no record of this new building. No mention
is made of the appointment of a building committee, or of
the collection of any money for the building. However, the
late Rev. John Rumley had charge of the work, and it was
largely through his indefatigable labors the church was erected.
From 1855 to 1858, the Rev. Ira T. Wyche was Presiding
Elder and in 1855, Rev. Thomas W. Guthrie was pastor.
Under his labors and following immediately upon the erec-
tion of the new church, there occurred a great revival, which
is often spoken of as the "Laughing Revival," as most of those
converted manifested it by laughing. Upon the completion
of the new church, the old church building was turned over
to the colored congregation, and from that time forward
known as Pervis Chapel. Uhder date of November 20, 1894,
Brother Guthrie, wrote me of this revival, embracing both
white and colored congregations, of which he was pastor, as
104 Conference Historical Publication.
follows : "All ages and sexes were its subjects. I have never
in all my ministry seen such a display of divine power as I
witnessed. Beaufort, from that time on was considered one
of the strong appointments of the Conference."
In 1856 and 1857, Rev. L. L. Hendren was pastor, and in
1858 and 1859 the Rev. Joseph H. Wheeler, both lately fallen
on sleep. Brother Wheeler, served a second term as pastor,
from 1872 to 1875, and was greatly attached to the people,
as they were to him. William Closs is again Presiding Elder.
In 1859 ^"^ i860, Isham H. Hill was appointed pastor in
charge of Pervis Chapel, and in 1861 John Jones.
In 1859, the Annual session of the North Carolina Confer-
ence was held in Ann Street Church. The venerable Bishop
Early presiding. In i860, James L. Fisher was pastor, and
in 1861-62, R. G. Barrett. Brother Barrett, remained until
after the fall of Newbern, when he withdrew within the
Conference lines.
A parsonage had been erected near the west end of Anne
Street, and was occupied by the last four mentioned pastors,
but owing to the accumulations upon a debt contracted in its
erection, had to be sold, and the church lost the money
invested in it, "a misfortune for which the civil war is held
responsible." It was at this period, when the dark clouds of
war hung over our land, and Beaufort was cut off from the
Conference, Rev. John Rumley stood by the flock preached
to them, and conducted the great revival ot 1865, receiving
into the church 105 white members, and perhaps as large or
larger number of colored members. He commanded the con-
fidence and respect of all classes. The Northern people, who
had settled in the town, contributed liberally to his support,
making up for him, atone time, a purse of $200.00. Brother
R. C. Beaman, writing of him, says : he was "a most saintly
man, whose prayers sometimes lifted me into the third heaven.
He had an unction and power in prayer I have seldom known
surpassed. ' '
When the way was opened by the surrender, the late Rev.
Charles F. Deems, D. D., then Presiding Elder of the Dis-
Methodism iic Beaufort. 105
trict, came to Beaufort to look after the interests of the church.
He wore a shabby Confederate suit and the people made up a
purse and purchased a handsome new suit for him. Carta-
ret County has contributed her share of distinguished men to
the nation. Among them I may mention the late Edward M.
Stanton, Mr. Lincoln's great War Secretary, whose relatives still
reside within her borders ; and Commodore Cook of the United
States Navy ; but perhaps no more distinguished son of hers
has gone forth to bless the nation than the late Rev. Thomas
W. Mason. He was received on trial in the Virginia Con-
ference and first stationed in Fayetteville, N. C. Then in
South Carolina and Georgia, for a few years, he ranked in
his appointments with such men as Lovick Pierce and William
Capers. He was sent to the General Conference and elected
along with Lane, agent of the New York Book Concern, a
position he filled four years. Then for some years he was
stationed at New York City, and Presiding Elder on the Dis-
trict. He was re-elected Book Agent and died in 1844.
Some of his children and grand-children were and are among
the prominent ministers of the New York and Philadelphia
Conferences.
Rev. John Jones was a native of Beaufort, was for four-
teen years a local preacher, and for twenty-seven years a
member of the Conference, toiling successfully as pastor
and Presiding Elder. His children and grand-children still
love and foster the work that was so dear to his heart.
Beaufort has also given to the church, Revs. M. C. Thomas
and Julian Rumley of the Conference, and Levi W. Pigott
and Needham Canady of the local ranks. Beaufort has also
furnished the church with many faithful preacher's wives.
Brothers Parks, Clegg, James, Ricaud, L. W. Martin, E. A.
Yates, J. O. Guthrie, N. M. Journey, G. F. Smith and possi-
bly others have married here.
There is in existance a remarkable document, conveying a
half interest in a slave, named Enoch Wallace, to the trus-
tees of the Methodist Church. The same also is a matter of
record in the Journal of Quarterly Conference of April 39,
106 Conference Historical Publication.
1859. The explanation of this, is as follows : Enoch had
saved enough money to buy one-half of himself and that he
might get one-half of his time to work for himself and so
make money the faster, to own himself he had the title to
one-half interest in himself conveyed to the Trustees of the
Methodist Church as those in whom he had perfect confidence,
feeling that they could never abuse the right thus conferred.
Beaufort church has had, comparatively speaking but few
janitors or sextons, and has employed two whose terms of
office embraced a period of about forty years. "Mrs. Lee,
the first of these, was a widow who for years officiated at
Pervis Chapel, and when the new church was built trans-
ferred her labors with the moving of the congregation. She
would take her little boy with her to the church when meet-
ings were to be held during week-day evening, and building
her fires and trimming the lamp, and snuffing the candles,
would sit quietly at her knitting waiting for the coming of
the congregation." She was succeeded by "Uncle" John
Henry, who for more than a score of years filled the position.
The strength of the church is somewhat indicated by the
following table of membership: There were reported from
the entire circuit in 1816, white, 268 ; colored, 228. 182 1,
white, 320 ; colored, 256. 1827, white, 258 ; colored, 87.
And in 1830, when Beaufort was first made a station, white,
164 ; colored, 94. 1854, white, 202 ; colored, 152. 1866,
white 343 ; colored 200.
When I wrote these sketches three years ago, I closed with
a statement of the following remarkable fact : In the forty
years this building (the old Anne Street Church,) has stood,
the North Carolina Conference has appropriated to it nineteen
pastors, all of whom are now living^ at the present writing,
November 21, 1894, except J. T. Arrington, who died while
stationed here, and J. L. Fisher, of whose later history I am
not informed. Three pastors of the old church are living :
Charles P. Jones, stationed here fifty years ago, now in
Washington, on the Pacific slope, T. Page Ricaud (1845-46),
j^ndj. B. Martin (1850).
Book Reviews. 107
BOOK REVIEWS.
A Manual or Chriitian Doctrine. By John S. Banks. Edited by John J. Tig ert, D. D.
(Nashville, Tenn. Barbee & Smith, Agents. 1897. Pp xxii, 391. Price $1.50.)
As the editor remarks, "The interest of the Christian Church in dogmatic
systems is perennial." Never was that interest more necessary than iust
now. In the face of modern latitudinarianism it is important to understand the
doctrines of the past. Every intelligent man wants to think for himself
He has a right to want it. But he has no moral right to think for himself
unless he fully and firmly understands the matter on which he proposes to
form a judgment. If we essay to become thinkers we must become readers.
The present work is written by a leading Methodist. It is not elaborate. It
is edited by Dr. Tigert, after the fashion of his edition of Summers's System-
atic Theology. It has been put into chapters, etc. in such a way as to make
it more readable by students and by young ministers. Dr. Tigert's name is
warrant for thinking that the editing has been ably done.
SouTHBHN Writbrs. By William M. Baskerville, of Vanderbilt University. (Nashville,
Tenn. Barbee & Smith. Agents. Vol. I., I897. Pp. viii., 401. Price 75c.)
The promising literary movement in the South to-day has demanded a histo-
rian and a critic. No man is better fitted to meet this demand than Dr. Basker-
ville. His educational work has long been for the progress of literature
among our people. This volume of essays is all that was demanded. It
deals with Irwin Russell, Joel Chandler Harris, Maurice Thompson, Sidney
Lanier, George W. Cable, and Charles Egbert Craddock. Others to follow
are James Lane Allen, Thomas Nelson Page, Richard M. Johnston, Mrs.
Burton Harrison, Grace King, "Sherwood Bonner," Margaret J. Preston>
Samuel M. Peck, and Madison Cawein; and a closing chapter is promised on
other writers. There is little fault to be found with Dr. Baskerville's judg-
ment or with his style. He is clear, sympathetic, interesting. He makes
his characters live. Perhaps the opening of the chapter on Irwin Russell is
so put that the reader will conclude that Russell and not Randall wrote "My
Maryland ;" but if one will read carefully page 8, he will see that the former
was not quite eight years old when this stirring song was written. Take it
all through, every Southern man and woman of literary taste ought to own
this book.
PiONBBRS OF SoVTSBRM LrTBRATURB. By Samuel A. Link. (Nashville, Tenn. Barbee
& Smith, Agents, 1897. Pp. 221. Price 10 cents each.)
This is a series of four booklets corresponding in a way to Dr. Basker-
ville's "Southern Writers." The writers treated, however, are those of the
old regime. These four booklets are "A Glance at the Field," "Paul Ham-
ilton Hayne," "Dr. Frank O. Ticknor and Henry Timrod," and "William
Gilmore Simms." Prof. Link has a clear and attractive style. His work is
108 Book Reviews.
not prosy. At times it has the facility of the modern newspaper reporter.
His eyes are Southern and his heart also. He feels a mission, as every good
writer ought. On the whole he has done Southern readers a clear service in
bringing these writers up before them. The weakest of the pieces is "A
Glance at the Field." There is a tendency to claim too much for the South.
For instance, it is too much to claim Lincoln as a product of Southern intel-
lectuality. While he doubtless inherited some traits of character that were
distinctly Southern, that which made him distinctly Lincoln was not South-
ern. It is not accurate to say : ' ' Southern skill directed all the land fighting
Americans care to remember of the war of 1812." There was good fighting
at Lundy's Lane and Jacob Brown was not a Southerner. There was bad
fighting and good running before Gen. Ross when he marched on Washing-
ton, and Gens. Winder and Alexander Smyth were Southerners. Moreover
it is a little too much to say : "The history of Southern oratory is the historj-
of one of the most splendid periods of the world's history." In oratory, and
in fighting in the war of 181 2, we did well. We are justly gratified that we
did not flinch. But we do ourselves no good to take more credit than is due.
Suspect a man or a nation who boasts.
The books of Dr. Baskerville and Prof Link are designed for use in con-
nection with Epworth League work. They ought to be widely read. In
publishing them our Publishing House has conferred a real benefit on our
people.
The Spiritual Dkvblofment of St. Paul. By Rev. Geo. Matheson, M. A , D. D., F*
R. S. E (T. J. Gattis & Son, Durham, N. C. Pp 293. Price |i. 00. To Ministers, poat
paid 85 cents.)
This is a great book, thought-provoking, soul-stirring, mind -stretching.
You will not agree with the author in all his positions, but you will be better,
broader, stronger and have a larger conception of the character of St. Paul
and get nearer the Christ who made Paul truly great by reading and re-read-
ing it. The author begins with Paul as a converted Jew, he gives us some
autobiographical reminiscences and follows him through all his conflicts
with self. His prejudices are preconceived notions until he presents him as
overleaping the walls of orthodox Judaism itself, transcending the limits of
Palestine and penetrating the very heart of Paganism. Each stage was an
expansion, each step was a step nearer to man until he was "ready to preach
the gospel to them at Rome also."
Paul ascended into the third heavens and heard unspeakable words,
but this vision humbled him, and broadened, deepened, heightened his
character, and made his the best form of humanitarianism because it began
with the divine and not the human side of the question.
Paul touched every side of life, human and divine, and the vital questions
of every age, theological, domestic, social, national, are being adjusted by
what God revealed in and through him. He fought the fight, kept the faith,
finished his course and was ready. G. A. O.
A Young People's History of the Chinese. By Rev. W. G. E. Cunninggim, D. D.'
Nine Years Missionary in China. (Barbee * Smith, Naihville, TeEn. Pp.285. Price
$1.00.)
This book is in the doctor's best style, and while written for young people
is exceedingly interesting and instructive to old as well. It is illustrated with
some of China's representative characters and with cuts showing her peculiar
customs. The author discusses the antiquity, population, people, language,
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ture, the sciences, diet, dress, and many other questions giving a clear insight
into the habits, customs and ways of this wonderful people. He discusses
mission work in China, and concludes with a chapter on the present condi-
tions in China. Persons wishing information about China and not having
time to read the large standard histories, cannot do better than to order and
read this succinct history. It ought to be in every Sunday school library.
G. A. O.
Book Reviews. 109
Cbild Lips in Ocr Mission Fields; Oa Pbn Pictukbs Pkok Bust Wokkbks gath-
ered By Daity Lambeth and Kate Harlan. (Barbee A Smith. Nashville, Tenn.
Pp. 159. Price $1.00.)
Who is not interested in child life ? There is nothing more cheering than
to behold children under the best influences develop into noble, pure man-
hood and womanhood, and nothing more Christ-like than to contribute what
we may to the freedom and development of unloved and neglected children.
This little book puts you in touch and sympathy with this last thought.
But few more helpful books have been given to the public by the Southern
Methodist Publishing House in recent years. Get it and read it, and have
the children read it. There is much in it that missionary workers need and
can use to advantage. G. A. O.
A Mam's Valub to Socibtt. Studies on Self-culture and Character. By Newell Dwigh
Hillis. (T. J. Gattis & Son, Durham, N C. Pp.320. (Price $1. as, to Ministers pre-
paid |i.io.)
This is one of the happy hits in book-making. It has passed the fifth edi-
tion and the end is not yet. It is a book for the bookish man and for the
busy man, and will compel the interest of the non-reader if he will give it a
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fixes the attention at sight and grows on you with every page. The author
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It is a suggestive book, tells you much, makes you see more. It warns
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to better advantage. G. A. O.
ABNOLD'S PaACTICAL COMHEMTABT ON TIB ImTKRKATIONAL SUNBAT SCHOOL L^^SSOKI rOS I898. A
practical and comprehensive Commentary with Hints to Teachers. Illustrations.
Blackboard Exercises, Question Maps, and Class Registers. (T J. Gattis & Son, Dur-
ham, N. C. Pp.335. Price 60 cents.)
The notes are equal to the best furnished on the International Lessons,
while the "Practical applications are prepared by a specialist and are very
fine." The "Blackboard Exercises" and Hints to Primary Readers are very
helpful.
I think this volume equal to any, Peloubet's possibly excepted.
G. A. O.
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her third bottle, and is nearly as active as ever, and has been in the front yard with
"rake in hand," cleaning up. Her improvement is truly wonderful and immensely
gratifying. C. H. Montgombrv, M. D.,
For sale by Druggists. Jacksonville, Ala .
110 Advertisements.
WM. E. SPRINGER &. CO.,
WILMINGTON, N. C,
IMPORTERS, JOBBERS AND MANUFACTURERS AGENTS
American, English and German Hardware!
COIfSISTIIfG OF
Cutlei-y, Guns, Ammunition, Tinware, Earthemware, Agricultaral Imple-
ments, Stoves and Ranges. Agents for the Celebrated Buck Stoves
and Ranges, the fiuest line of goods made.
PURCELL BUILDING.
ROGER MOORE,
104 N. Water Street,
WILMINGTON, N. C. ,
MANUFACTURER OF BRICK
AND DEALKR IN
Common, Re-pressed and Fire Brick. Lime, Plaster of Paris, Portland and
Rosendale Cements, Salt, Glazed Vitrified Sewer Pipe and Drain Tile,
Fire Clay Pipe, Thimbles and Chimney Hoods, Laths, Shingles,
(sawed and rived), Aluminite, Calsom Wall Finish,
Paints, Oils, Brushes, Etc.
03
bo
bo
W
OQ a
O
•i-i
O
S. \A/. SANDERS,
RETAIL DEALER IN
Select Family Groceries!
"THE UNLUCKY CORNER,"
WILMINGTON, N. C.
The Most Complete Stock of Fancy Groceries
in the State.
ST n
^ i
►a o
CD 2
The United States School Furnishing Co.
Have made us their General Agents for North Carolina.
Those in need of School Desks or Assembly Chairs, will do well to cor-
respond with us.
We are also Sole Agents for Remington Standard Typewriters, the Gram-
ophone, Eastman Kodak Co. and Amateur Photographic Supplies, and
Waterman's Ideal Fountain Pens, etc.
We are Leaders in Books, Stationery and School Supplies.
Pictures, Frames and Fancy Goods.
Write for prices. C. W. YATIB^S & CO.,
Wilmington, N. C.
Advertisements. Ill
ELLIS, STONE & CO.,
DURHAM, N. a,
Dry Goods, Carpets and Mattings
Leading Store of the City in our Line.
tSS' Sample requests will have prompt attention, "^n,
El^hlS, STONH & CO,
— ^ H. JONES,^^
WATCmKER AND JEWELER,
DURHAM, N. C.
Buy my Goods from f II ^ TT 00/^ r^T/^ D ^ **^ *' ^"■'' '^^ IiM««ift«
PROCTOR YY. n, 1 KUUIUK, and don't you forget it
^ OC PROPRIETOR OF THE ^ -
W. K. .*C=D§t=-. T. B.
TV ^1
)
®v> Motto: "Quick Sales and 'Small Profits" <i^
FOR casii.
PRESCRIPTIONS
■I TO —
YEARBY'S.
J7 Years a Drug Clerk.
112
Advertisements.
K-
WHENEVER YOU ARE
ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A
HIGH-GRADE PIANO
On accommodating or cash terms,
please see what we can do for you.
We handle the well-known
CHAS. M. STEIFF,
DAVIES & SON,
and BEHR BROS'.
— E^ I -A- 3^T O S ! —
which are too well known to need any
recommendation. We also sell the
ESTEY ORGAN.
W. J. RAMSEY & BRO.
lnt«r«State Phone 44. Bell Phone 137.
—HEADQUARTERS FOR—
Fine Furniture of all Kinds, Buck Stoves and Ranges,
Wheeler it Wilson and Standard Se^intf Machin»s,
CRAWFORD BICYCLES.
> When you want to Furnish your OflSce, Room or Home, or if you only wamt a nice odd
piece of Furniture please call in, we will try to suit you.
ROYALL & BORDEN,
Durham, N. C.
Il^ebster's Internationall
Didiionary
A THOROUOH REVISION OF THE UNABRIDOED.
The purpose of which has been not display nor the
provision of material for boastful and sno-wy adver-
tisement, but the due, judicious, scholarly, thorough
perfectiiif^ of a work which in all the stages of its
RTowth has obtained in an equal degree the Favor and
confidence of scholars and of the general public.
It is the Standard of the U. S. Supreme Court,
all the State Supreme Courts, the U. S. Government
Printing Office, and of nearly all the Schoolbooks.
Warmly commended by State Superintendents of
Schools, and other Educators almost without number.
The International is Invaluable in the household, the school-
room, ami to the teacher, scholar, professional man, and self -educator.
IT IS THE BEST FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, BECAUSE
Words are easily found * * * Pronunciation is easily ascertained.
Meanings are easily learned * * » The growth of words eaailjr traced,
and because excellence of quality rather than auperfluity of quantity
characterizes Its every department. • * * * • QET THE BEST.
'Specimen pages sent on application to
G. & C. ME^RRIAIII CO., Pnlillsliera,
Springfield, Mass., IJ. 0. A.
Date Due
DEC H Ul
W
Sch.R, 975.6 N875H 1st 1897 24744^
C.2
Schooi ui Kci-fe^*^
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