The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-06
JURISDICTION OF AsHEvILLE+
Convention of Morganton Held It's Ses~
sion at Vale Crusis.

sion at Vale Crusis.
TO the Editor; The convention of
Morganton met-it St. Johns church,
Vale Crusis, on Wednesday, Aug. 10
1896. Present: the Dean, the Rev. Dr.
Jarvis Buxton, Lenoir; the Rev. James
4. Weston, Hickory: and the Rev. Mil
nor Jones. Vale Crusis. The Rev.
Julian Z. Inele, Henderson, n. c., and
the Rev r. w. Barnwell, Charleston,
S. c., were present as visiting clergy
men. and were invited to honorary
seats in the cOnvocation The opening
sermon was preached at il a. mi by the
Rev. James \. Weston, after which
the Holy Communion was celebrated
by the Dean. the Rev. DR. Buxton, Bust
ness session at ) p. m. Subject: Sun
day schools. The Rev. Minor Jones
stated that ne had a Sunday School at
a building about two miles distant,
centrally located, and that the atten--
dance was large and most encouraging,
He also had a large and fourishing
day school. taught without compen-
satiOn by the Misses Capehart, two
young ladies of education and culture.
The sermon was preached by the Rev.
Julian +. Ingle. Service at 3 p. m. Ser
mon by the Dean. the Rev DIR. Buxton,
on the First principles of the doctrine
of Christ. Business session at 4 p. M.
Subject: The success of missionary
work as illustrated by the life and Ia
bors of the Rev William w. Skiles. Adj.
dresses were delivered 10y the Rev.
Messrs. Weston, Buxton, Ingle and
Jones. The congregation, many Of
whom were intimately acquainted with
the Rev. Mr.. Skies was deeply touched
by the allusion Ito the heroic life of the
missionary, his generous self-denial,
his loving ministrations to the poor
and sick. and to all who were in any
sort of need, his unselfish wholesome
ed conversation to the Masters SER
vice. The body of the Rev. Mr. Skiles
lies but a few yards from the church
door The grave is plainly marked.
There is no stately monument to tell
of deeds of earthly greatness, but this
humble, faithful man of God has erect
ed i'm the heart of humanity itself a
monument more durable than brass
or marble and which will simply defy
the ravages of time.
After the transaction of other
regular business the convoca-
ton adjourned to meet in WilkesbOrO
in November neNt-the day to be APP
pointed by the Dean. The cOngrega~
tions were at all times very large,
many persons walking six or eight
miles to attend the services of the
church. The Rev. Minor Jones is do
ing work at Vale Crusis, and in Mitch
ell and Ashe counties. It is touching to
witness the deep affection which the
people everywhere have for Mr.. Jones'
do not hesitate to say that he has
stronger hold upon them than had
Bishop Ives in his palmiest days. Mr..
Jones is a model missionary physically
and mentally, and strong and pure in
heart, earnest, untiring, self-denying,
gentle, manly and loyal to the church
and her standards. He is man of in
finite tact and talent. He knows where
to work and how to work. His meth
DDS are not my methods, nor is his
success my success. Where hundreds
of clergymen would fail utterly to ac-
complish any good, Mr.. Jones is pre-
eminently successful. He is remark
ably well informed, a ready speaker,
requiring little preparation, and per
fectly fearless in presenting the doc
trines of the church. He seeks no con
troversy, but accepts every challenge
which is sent him, and stays at the
place of discussion until his oppo-
nents, being convicted by their own
consciences, or overwhelmed by argu-
ment, unable to 'resist the wisdom
and the spirit" with which he speaks,
go out one by one. leaving him in un-
disputed possession of the field Mr..
Jones's opponents claim that he calls
them hard names. Perhaps he does.
But audi alteram partem. The people
tell me that when Mr.. Jones began his
labors in the mountains his treatment
was simply Shameful He was inter-
rupted at every service, ridiculed, pub
licly insulted. and no epithet was
deemed too vile to apply to him. He
was called an impostor, hyPocrite
scoundrel, cut throat, ruffian, black leg,
sheep rogue and wife killer. Mr.. Jones
says he has in a certain sense been
compelled to fight his enemies with
their own weapons. But, to use his own
language he has cleaned them up"
and now has no trouble. "A few weeks
ago he preached with "great boldness'
at the school house from which Bishop
Cheshire was so rudely and violently
repulsed, and no one ventured to raise
a finger against film or to disturb him
in any manner whatever Surely. the
land is ours.
JAMES A. WESTON.
rn4~