The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-10-31
RICHARD GAMALIEL PEARSON.
THE GREAT EVANGELIST AND HIS
WORK.
An Interesting Interview With Rev.
r. G.. Pearson who is Now Preach
ing in Henderson.
[Tarbnro Southerner.J !

L
Robert Gamaliel Pearson, known to
every reading man in the United States
simply as Evangelist Pearson, is a
modest, shrinking, retiring man and
shuns every sort of publicity except
that directly in the line of his work.
A close student, in delicate health,
finding it necessary to exercise the
greatest caution and husband all his
physical resources, he is naturally averse
to anything like the hippodrome bust
ness in the public prints. A consecra
ted, earnest, Jealous man of God, he
addresses himself to his evangelical
work with all his heart, mind, body
and soul, intent only on the end in
view-the pointing of souls to Jesus.
Therefore, he thinks little and cares
less what is said about him in the
papers or on the streets.
So, it was quite a compliment to the
SoutAerner and its habitual fair and
impartial methods of reporting, when
the Evangelist granted an interview.
After an introduction and cordial
greeting from the celebrated Evange
list, the reporter said:
Southerner readers, and they rep
resent all phases of very large COM
munity, would like to know something
about yourself, as one who has attract
ed the largest crowds and made pro-
founder impression than any preacher
who ever visited Tarboro. Then, too,
you are North Carolinian by parentage
and this imparts additional interest,
you are almost an Edgecombe man.
The Evangelist smiled, and 1t was a
warm, pleasant, cordial smile, and re-
piled that his father and mother we're
both born in Nash county-his mother
near old Ing's mill on Swift Creek.
His parents removed to Starkville; Ok
tebbehe county, Mississippi, where the
Evangelist was born.
He was ordained in the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church in 1872 and was
pastor of the church in Torpedo and
West Point, Mississippi,and also of the
church in Columbia. two years, and
Nashville, Tenn, one year. In 1876
he was graduated from the Theological
Department of Cumberland University,
Lebanon, Tenn, and in 1882, having
been granted permission by his church
he began his Evangelical work.
In 1873, however, he was married
with Miss Mary Bowen, of Oxford
Miss. Mrs. Pearson is pious, most
accomplished woman in the truest and
best sense. She assists her husband
in his grand work and the ladies of
Tarboro, with whom she held Bible
readings every afternoon, will attest
her excellence as consecrated lady
and a teacher. AS an evangelist he
has worked the field thoroughly in the
South, Southwest and as far Northwest
as Illinois and Indiana.
He has received many urgent invi-
tations to go North, but, as he states
it, he thinks the North is better sup
piled with evangelists than the South
and homogeneous man can get
along better, knowing the people.
"What are your rules for making
appointments and how many engage
ments ahead have you?"
The Evangelist said the only rule he
lad adopted was to make an engage
ment for any town where three, OF
| more, of the pastors united in the in
vitation, and there was cooperation
with the different churches. And he
desired the reporter to punCtuate the
fact that no amount of money for his
services was ever asked by him ano
none was stipulated by any community
he had ever visited. While, of course
funds are required, to defray the expen
ses in doing his work, yet whatever
amount he receives is entirely voluntary
I on the part of contributors.
| "Do you have any means of know
ing how many conversions have beer
recorded during your various meet
ings?"
| "Well' answered the Evangelist
"I have no data here to count then
up, but for the past few years the,
have averaged about 5000 year."
"By the way" said he, "I'll tel
you how became an evangelist. Whel
1 was pastor, there would be unio1
meetings and revival work with tn
various churches in as many sections
From working and preaching at thes
meetings l got into the general evan
gelical work. When l first started
preached the doctrine and did tn
revival work for my own church, bu
I have long since left that off and
work for no particular church now.
| "What is the special doctrine c
your church, Mr. Pearson
every simple responded tn
preacher, "t is this: Salvation Pos
sible to AL men and Certain to Be
| levers"
| "What are your engagements now
es I am alwavc enuaoed for fweIy