The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-01
mrs + pAsgoE n SIXTEEN.
The Rev. Henry Van Colt Banta's Charge
j. ian Charlotte. y. 4.


il in Charlotte, y. 4.
The Rev. Henry Van Colt Banta, six
teen years old. is pastor OF a Methodist
Episcopal church al Charlotte n c. Ills
father. mother. brothers, and sisters i've
al 227 Nineteenth street. Brooklyn.
He was born I'm Kingston, Ontario,
where his father was preaching. lie met
with an accident in early life, anu hFe
wears ago he was operated upon in the
Seney Hospital. lie was educated III the
public schools Of Brooklyn, and was
taught Latin and Greek by his father
He was present at a revival service
held in Bethany Mission. Fourth ana At
lantic avenues. Brooklyn, last night and
preached a sermon on the text: Lord,
what wilt thou have me dd?'
The best answer 10 this" he said.
was love thy God with an thy soul, ana
thy neighhOr as thyseif"
The young pastor then told Of his con-
version. and said that prior 10 that the
Bible had no particular interest for him,
but since he had found Christ, he could
appreciate the truths the Bible told, and
il was a pleasure now 10 read it.
In the South. he said. az least in the
backwoOds the people knew very little
Of the Saviour, and were glad 20 hear
any one speak Of Him.
"They throw open wide their doors"
he continued. ITO any one who will tell
them something Of the Saviour They
believe in Him. and love Him. and are
only too glad TO hear about Him. They
are rich spiritually, but poor IN finances.
But they are happy
He then told of the methods pursued
by the poor Southern people. and then
spoke of the great work the missionaries
were doing IN Africa. A large map was
suspended from the ceiling, and on IL
were placed golden stars. The stars he
said represented missionary stations, but
there were 40 stars in the interior tie
said that in the interior Of Africa Were
thousands of souls who did not know
there was o Saviour
"Thoy worship images" he said. "but
only do so because they believe that by
making proper sacrifices and many OF
these sacrifices are OF human beings they
will escape injury from snakes and wild
animals"
lie implored his hearers 10 seek Christ
at once. Christ" be declared, lis
friend and friend i'm need is a friend
indeed"
The young preacher has a ierky way
Of speaking, and frequently repeats, but
he appears 10 be very sincere. and tries
TO impress his hearers lie said he was
converted while accompanying his father
on an evangelizing tour among tho
''moonshiners' in the mountains Of the
Southern States. The work was being
done under the auspices OF the Red Cross
Society. Immediately after being convert
ed he began 20 preach.
On one occasion he said. he was stopped
by "moonshiners, who surrounded his
wagon. with pistols drawn They de-
manded to know who he was and then
he and his father and the Rev. Mr. Hy-
Gema. who was IN the party. started a
service. read the Scriptures, and prayed
for the 'moonshiners." After the services
the ''no0nshiners" ,l,anked them for
their service. and went away
Speaking Of his first sermon. the reve-
rend hoy said 1T was when We reached
the cabin Of an old man named Carney
who claimed 10 be IL years Old in the
Pine Mountains Of North Carolina that
7 preached nv first sermon. 1t was from
John L.. Is: For God so loved tho world
We passed through Wilmington end
Charleston where I continued 10 preach.
Arriving az Charlotte. y. C.. . city Of 1000
church. and so much religious interest
was aroused that the congregation de-
tormined 10 call me to preach permanent
ly.
ct was necessary that 7 should become
member Of the Southern Conference.
The rules for admission TO that body are
not so strict as 10 learning rs I'm tho
Northern Conferences. and | was speedily
admitted As z preacher The city Is COM
posed largely Of an old slave-holdlng
class. who are highly educated and are
typical Lutherans, hospitabe and some
what aristocratic. The whites and blacks
do not worship in the same churches. as
they do I'm the North"
The hoy preacher will shortly return
TO the South.-New York Times.