The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-25
A BAPTIST MEMORIAL.
Tributes to Chancellor Nell and Presi-
dent Campbell.


dent Campbell
BRUNSWICK, April 23--One of the most
interesting occasions of the present meeting
of the Georgia Baptist Convention was the
memorial service held last night to the
memory of those two noted Baptists, who
have passed away during the year, DR..
Patrick H. Nell and DR.. Jesse II. Campbell.
The m citing was opened with prayer by
DR.. A, j. Battle, who earnestly entreated
the presence and guidance OF the holy
spirit.
DR.. j. G. Ryals occupied the chair, and in
an impressive manner stated that the OBJ
lect of this meeting was to pay tribute to
the memory Of two of the noblest sons of
the State, who had spent their lives for
their church. working in the harness for
over half century. Different periods of
their lives, he SAID, had been opportuned to
speak briefly In regard to the same. The
brother, who was delegated to tell of the
boyhood of DR.. Nell, had been unexpectedly
called away, but had left a few
facts on paper, which were read by the
chairman, to the effect that the great man
was born in Wal hourville, Liberty
county, poor boy, and soon after lost his
parents. He attracted the attention of Mr..
G. w. Walthour, who sent him to Amherst
term, at the expiration of which he refused
any further aid, preferling TO earn his own
way. He supported himself by teaching,
finishing his studies in the meantime, his
first poSiti n of distinction being his con-
nection with Mercer University.
DR.. Mccall now took up the thread of the
story and covered that period of his life
while Professor of Greek and Latin in Mer-
Ger University, then located in Penfield
DIR. Mccall was Student at that time, and
as such was thrown in intimate connection
with DR.. Nell, and a glowing tribute indeed
he paid to him as a CHRISTIAN and a pro-
fessor. DR.. Mccall also alluded to his own
personal relations with that other great
| divine, Jesse Campbell, which covered a
period in his later life.
DR.. Mcintosh was requested by the chair
man TO speak OF the boyhood of DR.. Camp
bell, which showed him another son of old
Liberty, and man of the most sterling
integrity, and worth
DIR. Thomas, of Athens, spoke at some
length upon the life, and character of Dr.
Nell during his long residence in Athens, and
seldom ever man received such a eulogy at
the hand of a friend. He told OF his devo-
ton to duty, his love of the noble, his love
for humanity, his deeds of charity, and
wlthal, his refinement, and learning.
DR.. Battle followed, relative to his con-
nection with this convention during period
of twenty-five years, in which he was its
President, and during which time every
member had learned to look upon him as a
perfect mana man who stood above his
peers and was born to be leader. He was
also for fifteen years the presiding officer of
the Southern Baptist Convention, EN-
bracing the entire Southern States.
Mr.. Bernard, of Athens, who had been
quite intimate with DR.. Nell, spoke of the
| closing scenes of his life of his devotion
and ardor for the success of the State Uni
versity, Of his last illness, of the final disso-
luton, when tire life of the great man went
| out. His last words were: Lift up the
banner" showing that the character of his
| life showed itself in death-urging men to
DO better and nobler. AS a matter
of interest to every one, the speaker
alluded to the pecuniary condition of the
family. The doctors estate, he said, had
been left free of dollars debt, and with a
fair competency for the support of the
family All of his affairs were left in such
pc. feet order that a l5year old boy could
wind up the estate.