Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-04-02
From the North Carolina Presbyterian.
A Brief Autobiography.
Ry REV: ROBERT TATE.-NO. II.

From the North Carolina Presbyterian.
Brief Autobiography.
By REV: ROBERT TATE.-No. II.
church was organized at an unoccupied house in
the lower settlement, New Hanover county, the hope
well house not being built then Thos. Murray and
Danl Henderson having been dained ruling elders and
on the next day he Lords the sacrament of the Lords
supper was administered to few, not exceeding eight
persons This was in the month OF May, 1900. For
the use of this little band the HopeW ell Church Edce
was built shortly after this In the summer of 1900
undertook to supply the people of Black River Chapel
with a service OF one sabbath in each month This
church had been organized by the Rev. Colin Lindsey,
from Scotland, who continued few years with them,
but had gone to the West not long before succeeded
him. On my accession to this church found John An
derson VIM Robinson John Devane and c. Henry
ruling elders all DID, but intelligent noble and pous
There were other elders here, but L do not remember
their names About the same time commenced preach
ing at the Widow Moores Creek in private houses No
house of worship was yet built However, they soon
went to work, and ere long good comfortable house
was reared John Jones, Cornelius Murphy, and Allen
Shaw acted elders in this church, though not ordained
here Such was the will of this people. How long
continued to labor for them cannot tell If not twenty
years it was not much short of it. This people left
with great grief They were dear to me. A goodly
number yea little army of brave soldiers of Immanues
rallied around the standard OF the captain general
of their souls salvation before | left them. In 1905
and 1906 aborcd on the upper part of Long Greek,
preaching in private houses. This inconvenience was
soon superseded by the erection of house of worship
near Keith branch, from which it took its name. This
house dedicated and church organized in the
mer of A d.. 1907 Jas. Moore and Jno. kener having
been previously elected and ordained to the office of ruling
elders. These men Of distinguished vaor in the
revolutionary war; house built and given for
house of worship the east side OF the North East
River by the generosity of Henry Williams, Esq, and
was organized and dedicated think sometime in A d.
1929. John Gilman having been previously ordained to
the cdershp this church, by the voice of the people,
named Mount Williams from respect to the donor
Some years before and after this me with much pleas
ure and apparent success, preached and administered
the ordinances of the Gospel to this respectable society,"
fourteen fifteen in number The day of parting
was time of sorrow to me.
By the kindness of the late Isham Armstrong ESQ.,.
was invited to preach in his neghborhood twenty miles
north of Wilmington and when no other house could be
readily obtained for that purpose he rendered in his
own yard, which was accepted. 1t was cause of re-
jocing to witness goody number of worshippers sit
ting here under the droppngs of the sanctuary sab
bath in every month After aborng in this place about
two years before and sometime after the year 1910, by
the same gentleman house was provided as soon as
practicable on his own land and presented to this Soce
ty Presbyteran and shortly afterwards it dedica-
ted to the service of God and known by the name of
Pike Greek Church For this people and in this house
abored occasionally under the smiles of Heaven until
the Rev. D. 3. Black indicted into this and other
fields of labor, when | withdrew.
The building of the present Black River Chapel was
commenced A. d., 1917, and completed the following
Fall 1915 under the superintendent of select com
mttee consisting of the following gentlemen VIM. III.
Beatty, Rob't Murphy, John Colvin, George Banner
man and Daniel Kerr. The pulpit was planned, made
and presented to this congregation by the late Robert
Murphy, Esq 1t was think dedicated to the glory of
God on the first sabbath of October, 1878 When
first become acquainted with this people, in the midst of
whom have lived, and for whose souls salvation have
abored so long, although there diversity of char
acter very visible found many of them to be men and
women of great Kindness Openhearedness and aability
and also OF intelligence and polished manners However,
found some given to intemperance-some to horse
lacing-some to gambling and to sabbath dissertation
in variety OF ways one by hunting, gun in hand
another by shing-a large class by Westinghouse by
jumping and ballplaying On muster, and election and
saledays, another class was given to combating with
their fellowmen. 1t the custom Of some people in
certain parts of this my field of labor funeral occasions
with the friends of the deceased to prepare stew spr-
its warmed and spccd &c., the attendants being placed
in nc and blessing pronounced upon the liquor and
the people by minister, il present. some of this stew
given with biscuit and some cheese to each ndi-
vidual until all served In some places has been
customary after the dead buried to invite the ae-
dants to the house of the deceased table with spirits
upon it being set out all invited to partake of it.
For the suppression OF this CUSTOM Gods eope prayed
hard and constantly, and thanks be unto His name it
has long since fallen into disuse On marriage OCCASIONS
dancing, for some time after my settlement here was
much In vogue by the young, and for its innocence and
continuance they pleaded stoutly.
/ In the first days of my ministry recoect very we'll
uncharltabe sentiments entertained and hard words
anon expressed. The following is a specimen by some
characters against and all learned preachers They
preach from the head and not from the heart Gut oil
the head, and soul and body will drop into he'll" They
preach for money and therefore they are perfect hire
j ngs." The hireling feeth because he is a hirelng
and careh not for the sheep In this instance acted
in accordance with Of SolOmons wise sayings -
! Answer not fool according to his folly" Happily
for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ such sentiments
and language have long since been repudiated. All de-
nominations OF Christians far as know do appreci-
ate learned ministry, and contribute willingly of their
substance to its support This change of Sentiment
not Of recent date. ITO be continued9
Soon after the organization of this church, (KeithO
venerable gentleman Thos Lamb Joined the church here
and when he parook of the Lord supper he compel
led to corn bread instead of -four owing the that
little loose -four the taste of bread made of it, had
most deadly effect upon him. by producing unusual
swelling, accompanied with very painful sensation his
bodily organs
The taste of egg had similar effect though not so VIC
lent lady of the church. These precious
as to their bodily parts have long since fallen asleep in
Christ, and their SOULS trust, with Jesus Chi feast
ing on the bread ofe and that wine which he has
. give to all who are his, in his triumphant church.
i From Washington.
Il WASHINGTON, March 26.-The Kansas debate has
nearly out in the House. which dourned at O'Clock
this afternoon desiring to speak the subject
The treasurers last weekly statement shows the re-
ceipts to have been nearly $4,O0O,OOO amount on de
post $85OO0OO; subject to draft upward of $1,000,
GOO; increase of three and one-ffth of million
since the previous week.
The Turkish Admiral and suite have accepted an in
vitation to visit Red River the north of which is the