The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-05-28

of his uncle, the Rev. J0hn Wltherspooh.
He was soon after elected ruling elder in
the church. At this time he was engaged in
the study of law in his fathers Office. After
passing through the regular course he was
licensed as attorney at law. Very soon al
ter this, his mind became deeply impressed
with the thought that God had called him by
the renewal and specification Of his nature
10 higher destiny, even to become minis
ter of the Gospel OF Jesus Christ. After
much thought and PRAYER and counsel, ne
decided to abandon the Law, and devote
himself entirely TO the service OF the sa-
yiour. For this purpose he was soon re-
ceived as candidate for the gospel minis
try, under the care Of Orange Presbytery,
April oath, 1855. and Immediately commenc'
ed his theological studies in Union Semina-
nv, at Prince Edward.
April s2d, 1887, he was licensed to preach
the gospel. April 18th, 1888, he was at his
own request, dismissed from the Presbytery
OF Orange, to put himself under the care q
the Presbytery of Morganton, within the
bounds Of which he was then laboring. On
September 18th, 1883, he was received as
licentiate from the Presbytery Of Orange,
under the care of the Presbytery OF Morgan
ton, and on the same day the church Of Uni.
ty Lincoln county, presented 10 The Presby-
terry call for his pastoral services. He ac-
cepted this cali, and was on the 18th day Of
November 1898, ordained and installed as
Pastor of the church of Unity. December
l4,h ls4l, he received call from The church
in Charlotte, which he did not accept.
March 5lst, 1912, he asked his Presbytery
to dissolve the pastoral relation existing be-
tween himself and the church Of Unity,
which request was granted, al the next meet
ing Of Presbytery, October 2sth. 1912. Dur
ing the year l845. he seems to have had no
regular charge. During The years 1874 and
ls45, he sbored as stated supply in the church.
es of RutherfordtOn and Little Britain. in
Rutherford county. lie was dismissed at bis
own request from Concord Presbytery. to
connect himself with the Presbytery 81 Fay
etteyille. April 4th, 1916.
He commenced his Iaburs 10 Centre church
in the Spring of 1916, though he did not
connect himself with the Presbytery Il Fay
e,teylle until October lst, 1916. He was
installed Pastor Of the church April oath,
l847.
You perceive that the bulk and prime 81
his ministerial life was spent amongst you.
Ii Is to Centre church that we must look
mainly for The fruits of his ministry. II he
found the church strong and prosperous, he
| left il more so. During his pastorate this
edifce, in which we now worship. was erect
ed and dedicated to the worship III God.
During the same period, culonisis from this
church have assisted ID founding aud build
ing up two neighboring churches and yet
Centre has steadily increased IN numbers
and in other elements of strength. The
eolored part Of the congregation aud mem
bershp has greatly augmented within the
/ last few years. This, under God, has been
the result Of his special laburs in their be-
half. As a Pastor, he was attentive, kind
and faithful. Many Of you can testify to
his skill and tenderness 10 handling the
word Of God. not only in III pulpit. but in
the house Of mourning aud al the bed side II
the sick aud dying Is preacher he had
but few equals. lll mind anl lis heart had
I taken iifm hold OF the great doctrines of DUr
holy religion, anil whether men would hear
or whether they would forbear. ne feare.sl,'
proclaimed 20 them tie whole cnunsel Of
God. II VA not Ms practice to introduce
UuNH " lArNuAisErs liz WtiNe
| the Bible IL own interpreter Ills preach.
ing was clear, logical, practical aud pungent.
/ Ii can hardly be sad thst hr was fluent and
vet, his command u langpage--the right
words in the right plaee-aas remarkable.
His very hesitation often gave iprce 10 what
/ he said
a. Presbyter. his loss il severely felt.
He loved the order, a. be did the doctrine.
Of his church. In Presbyiers aud 10 synod,
/ he was a most useful member. In these
bodies, hc has vacated a seat which il will
be hard ID ill. That bis Presbytrry appre.
ciated his worth may be inferred from the
| fact that al their last meeting before his death
they assigned TO him two very important
services. They made him chairman Of tile
committee TO draw up The minute se,ering
! their connection with the PRESBYTERIAN church
IN The United States Of America--and they
appointed him a. one Of their commissioner
10 the Southern Assembly, soon 10 meet II
Augusta, 90 Law anew the foundations Of our
beloved Zlpn. We need not tell you thai
these we're services for which the Presbytery
would be likely 70 appoint lts abIest and bes,