The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-17

CONDUCTED BY DOCTORS CAR
TER, SKINNER, SIMS. HUI
HAM AND GWALTNEY.
BEAUTIFUL FLORAL OFFERINGS

BEAUTIFUL FLUnAL ufFEniNuo
A Large Gathering Meet at the First
Baptist Church to Paw Sad Tribute
of Respect to the Missionary and
Sunday School Secretary of the Bap-
fist State Convention--War arm Tribute
| From Friends.
A large congregation gathered at the
First Baptist church yesterday afternoon
| to paw last tribute of respect to the
| memory of Rev. G. Durham, d. d. The
services were CONDUCTED by DR., Carter,
assisted by Dr.. Simms, DR.. Skinner, DR..
Huffman and DR.. Gwaltney.
The services opened with hymn, then
DR.. Simms read appropriate selections
from the Bible. DR.. Skinner led IN
PRAYER. Then the choir sang, chow
Firm Foundation" which was DIR.
Ourham's favorite hymn.
%.The funeral sermon was then preached
by DR.. Garter from John 81: 10. The
sermon was impressive and appropriate.
He spoke of how widely known DR..
Durham was, and read telegram from
the General Association in session at
Petersburg, Va, sent to Mrs. Durham,
showing the high appreciation they had
| of his abundant labors. His delineation
of DR.. Durham's character was re-
garded as just and perfect.
DIR. GwALTNEYs TRIBUTE
DIR. Garter then announced that one
who knew him best in his association
with Wake Forest College interests
would next speak
DIR. Gwaltney spoke of DR.. Durham in
his relation to Wake Forest H. entered
college in 1867, and was graduated at
the end of four years.
81 have known him intimately from
that time to this, and know that from
the day of his graduation to this he was
true to the interests of the College. In
1878, there was general eff )rt made to
Increase the endowment of the college to
| 800, COO, and he canvasse1 number Of
counties without compensation, and with
a great deai of hard work to raise the
desired amount, and from that day to
this he has always been ready to respond
to every call to work or to give for the
extended usefulness of the college. He
was for fifteen years member OF tho
Board of Trustees, and for the last two
years has been President Of the Board.
He looked upon the college as neces
sary for the advancement and glory Of
the kingdom of Christ. Speaking to me
about the college he said: IF there
should ever come time when Wake
Forest should not serve and glorify God,
want it to dien He always believed
that it would become great institution,
and he used all his strength and energy
for its promotion. | have never seen
such devotion to any institution.
have been thrown with him in work,
and canvassed the State three years with
him and heard him speak to thousands
of people at the time, and never have |
seen man who exerted greater infiu-
ence or exhibited more power in speak
ing, or attained more popularity. He
| never seemed conscious of his
popularity. He had before him
always the accomplishment of his
Master work, and for it he would
| have died, and died readily. have had
a great msny co-workers in the State,
but never one more congenial, nor one
| upon whom | would rely or trust with
such confidence. He never had before
bis mind but one question. and that was2
"What is my dutyp' and he ever set that
before him and devoted all his energies
| to its accomplishment. He had no bit
| terness in his heart, nor personalities.
| He loved man and | know it, for ! have
| heard him pray for men who were not
| his friends. Whenever he denounced any
thing it was the principle, which he
| thought was harmful not the man,
whom he denounced. Wake For
est has lost its strongest man
and IT'S most efficient supporter.
But God knows His business, He knows
| To us it seems hard that he should have
been taken, but God doeth all things
well. Some years ago DR. Durham was
called to another State, and | believe
| that the main reason why he did not
| leave the State was his devotion to the
college as well as TO other denomina-
! tionaI interests He laoored and sacri
feed all his life for the glory of God,
giving no thought to gathering wealth
/ for himself. There never lived more
unselish man, more humble or meek
one, and after all his labor and sac
rifce he never thought himself anything
but an Improbable servant. We cannot
estimate the loss. His place cannot be
filed, but God does al for the best and
will raise somebody to carry on the
/ work.
| He expressed Dr. Taylor's regret that
he could not be present, but pressing
business in the interest of Wake Forest
College demanded his presence in New
| York.
DR. HUFHAMS TRIBUTE.
DR. Garter then said: DR.. Durham had
charge of the State mission work" DR..
| Hufham who precaced him in that
service spoke. DR.. Huffman is pastor in
the town where DR.. Durham lived 80
| long.