The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-07-16
Rev, Alexander Sprunt.

greatly beloved pastor OF the Henderson
church, has severed his
connection Herewith While this action
on his part is much regretted it has been
known Tor some time that it would be
taken, but it was not expected that he
.wouid be called to the work which he
assumes until some time in the fall. The
enforced retirement of Rev. Egbert
Smith, on account of impaired health,
makes it necessary that Mr.. Sprunt
should enter upon his new duties at once,
or the evangelistic work would suffer in
consequence. Mr.. Sprunt has for the
past IL months been chairman of the
COMMITTEE of Evangelistic Labor of the
synod OF North Carolina, of which Com
mttee ex-Gov. Scales is member, and
IL is 70 the management of the work of
tins COMMITTEE that he is now called
from his present charge. He is more
iamliiar with the work than any other
man in the Synod and his selection of
course is most fit one; and however
much we regret to lose him the Commit
tee has done well in calling him to it.
At this time the following brief sketch
OF Mr.. Sprunt will be of interest to our
readers. -
Rev. Alexander Sprunt is the third son
and nth child in a family of nine children
OF the late Alexander Sprunt. OF VIII
mlngton, N. Z. He was born in Glasgow
Scotland, and when about O. wear old
his father emigrated to America and SET
tied In Wilmington where he lived until
his death years ago. Mr.. Sprunt was
prepared Tor college principally in Will
mington, after which he spent eighteen
months in the Upper Canada College.
Toronto, Canada. He then entered Da.
wilson College, in Mecklenburg county.
and graduated in 1875, the Centennial
year OF the Mecklenburg Declaration of
Independence. Then he entered Union
Theological Seminary, Hampden-Sidney.
Va, and graduated in 1878, after finish.
ing the prescribed course of studv there
He was licensed to preach the GOSPEL bv
Wilmington Presbytery in Mt. Zion
church in Duplin county, April Goth.
1873, the Rev. B. F. Marable. D. d.
being Moderator of Presbytery. On the
10th OF the following October Mr.. Sprunt
was ordained to the full work of the Min
lstry In Round Hill church in Frederick
county, Va, by the Presbytery of Win
chester IN the Synod of Virginia. His
hrst field OF labor was as assistant to
the Rev. II. NJ. White, D. D., of the Lou
don street church, Winchester, Va.
Mr.: Sprunt was most carefully reared
by the strictest Scotch parents, and
grew to boyhood and manhood with a
high reverence for the ordinance of reli-
glon and early connected himself with
the First Presbyterian church of Will
mington, without being able to say
when ne underwent the regenerating
power OF Gods Holy Spirit. Growing
up IN the nurture and edmonton of the
ia hob L.
regenerate soul in his infancy, as he has
no recollection whatever of any time
when he did not entertain "repentance
toward God and faith in our Lord .Tesus
Christ"
On the 3Oth of April, 1879. he WAS
married to Miss Ellen Richardson Peck.
the second daughter of the Rev. Thos. e.
Peck, D. D., Ii. D., Professor of Didactic
and Polemic Theology in Union Theolog-
lcal Seminary, Hampden-Sidney, Va. Mr.,
and Mrs. Sprunt have had four children
born to them, three girls and one boy,
! and all of them living.
MIR. Sprunt was called by unanimous
| vote to the Henderson PRESBYTERIAN
| church while he was pastor of what is
commonly known as the Old Stone Church
in Augusta county, Va, where he had
been stationed six years. He arrived in
Henderson on the 18th day of March
| 1885, his family following him the next
week. His connection with the church in
Henderson has been one of uninterrupted
| pleasure and good will, not a single Incl
dent arising to mar the unity of senti-
ment and harmonious relations existing
between pastor and people,
| Since he has been in Henderson Mr.
Sprunt has received many overtures
! looking towards a removal elsewhere
and Notwithstanding the increased sal
airy and larger field open to him he pre-
| ferred, to remain here. But when thu
present call came he felt constrained to
obey. In addition to his regular duties
as pastor OF his young and energetic con
gregatiOn Mr.. Sprunt has occupied a DO.
sition in Albemarle Presbyter of which
he is a member, which entails a great
deal OF labor and anxious thought. 1t il
the position of Agent of Home Missions
the most responsible position in tn,
Presbytery. There is more Home Mission
territory in Albemarle Presbytery thar
in the other five Presbyteries in tn,
Synod of North Carolina combined, ant
the entire charge of this work is placed
in his hands. Upon him devolves the re
probabilities of raising ways and means
engaging men and fixing appropriation
for this vast field. This position tt
which he is elected from year to year is E
mark of the respect and confidence of hi!
brethren in the ministry of which h
Justly feels proud Since Mr.. Sprun
came to Henderson the membership O
his church has trebled and solidiied
growing, we believe, in grace as in mum
bers, and it is needless to say that hi
congregation part with him with SINGER
regrets.
The following is the resolution adopted
by the Evangelistic Committee calling
Mr.. Sprunt to the work upon which
he is about to enter:
In view OF the increasing pressure o
the administrative duties of the Chair
manship of the Synodical Committee, il
view OF the necessity of taking up tn
work OF soliciting funds for the prosecu
ton OF the work OF Evangelization, il
which Rev. E. W. Smith was provider
italy interrupted,
RESOLVED, That the Committee call tn
Chairman of the Committee, Rev. Alex
ander Sprunt, to devote his whole tim
to the superintendent of the work {
Synedical CHARACTERIZATION; and that b
be instructed to discharge the admins
trative duties of the office as heretofore
to visit the churches and Presbyteries i
the interest of the cause and do sue
evaHgelistic work as is found consisten
with his other duties.
; There is general regret at the loss {
, Mr.. and Mrs. Sprunt as citizens OF GU
town. Both were exceedingly popula
and greatly liked. Their usefulness an
, influence extended beyond congregations
or UNCONVENTIONAL lines, and the so
\ O.
church or creed. Intensely in earnest
, his work as minister, of q genial an
!; oompanionable nature, especially soil
. itous about the spiritual welfare of tt
+, young men, positive in his conviction
OF right, yet conservative in speech, NJ
Sprunt was popular with all classes
| our people and the impress OF his mani
:. bearing and high Christian character hi
= been felt for good in the communit
And his most estimable wife welded &
infence no less potential in her own p