The gold leaf., 1897-05-27


and missions. In 1890, a, Greenvllle,
the Baptist State Convention was Or
ganized and the board of Missions ap-
pointed.
In 1884 the BibHea! Recorder was
founded py Thomas Meridith. 1t was
published in Edenton and Raleigh,
and about the year I845 1t was re-
moved to Raleigh, which has since
been its place of publication. The
Recorder has been a tavorite ins,i,u-
tion among the Baptists of North Car
olina, and into it they have put their
ablest men. Thos. Meredith, the foun-
der, was native of Pennsylvania and
a graduate of the university Of that
state. He came TO North Carolina
and settled in Edenton in 1917 and
from that time until MS death he was
one OF the most prominent figures in
the denomination. His fine reason
ing powers, thorough training and
skill in the use of the pen fitted him
admirably for the work of journalism,
to which his life was mainly devoted.
1t was day Of controversy, and as
theological swoIdsman he had few
equals among the men of his day. He
was succeeded by ]. ]. James, man
of great force Of character, rugged
common sense, excellent education,
and ready writer. For seven years
]. H. Mills, a singularly versatile man,
filled the chair and gave to the Re-
e0raer new position and influ
ence among the Baptist journals OF the
south. c. L. Bailey, man of pre-
eminent gifts, was editor for twenty
years and he gave to the paper the
largest circulation and the greatest in
| fluence that it had held. OF his son,
the present editor, it is enough to say
that he bids fair to 60 beyond the sue
cess of his father.
In 1892 the first steps were taken
toward establishing Wake Forest Col
lege and in February, 1884, it was
opened as Wake Forest Institute. DR..
Samuel Watt presided over the institu-
tion eleven years. He was succeeded
by DR.. William Hooper and he by DR..
Jno. B. White. The latter was sue
ceeded by DR.. VIM. Wingate native
of South Carolina, who held the office
for twenty-five years and won for him
self an extensive and enduring reputa
ton as teacher, preacher and admin
istrator. On his death DR.. Thos. H.
Pritchard was called to the presidency
of the institution and he was succeed
ed by the present incumbent, DR..
Chas. E. Taylor, who is a native of
Virginia and an alumnus Of Richmond
College and of the University of Vir-
ginia. His administration has been
singuIarly successful. The endowment
has been increased to S2oo,ooo; new
schools have been added and the pat
ronage increased. Within the last
two years schools Of the Bible and of
law have been established and it is
likely that school Of medicine will
be added during the present year. The
enrolment Of students for the year is
275. President Taylor is still in the
prime Of life and his administrati IN
gives promise Of even larger success in
the years to Come.
The Baptlsls have two female semi
naries. One Of them is a, Murfrees-
boro, which was founded in IS4S. The
other is at Oxford. The buildings tor
the Baptist Female Un vers,ty in Raj
eigh are in prJCe 5 of erection. 1t is
probable tina, the first of them will
be completed during the present
year.
While the Baptists have been push
ing the work of education in its va
rious branches and have been sustain
ing the Recorder, their chief strength
has been expended in the work ofmls-
sions at home and abroad.
The prosecution Of this work is en-
trusted TO a board located in Raleigh.
the chief executive officer is also cor
responding secretary Of the coventlon
1t is perhaps the most important office
within the gift Of the denomination. 1t
has been filled by men whose names
are held in high esteem among their
brethren. OF them we may mention
Jas. S. Purefoy. B. +. Marable, A. ].
Emerson, ]. 3. Richardson, Jno. f.
Ray and G.. Durham. Of them all the
last named was the most eminent. He
was Cut down at the very zenith OF
his power and influence. The presen,
incumbent, Rev. Jno. E. White, now
in the second year of his admlnis,ra-
ton, is young man of brilliant intel
lect, trained and conseCra,ed, and the
success he has already achieved justi
; fies the expectation OF great thing
from him.
) The orpha, age at ThomasvIlle is the
newest and probably the most success
ful OF all enterprises which have beer
. projected by the Baptists Of North
Carolina.
, 1t is situated within a mile Of Thorn
asvllle, in Davidson county. II include:
/ farm of about 400 acres with build
: ings and accommodations for I4o chill
, dren, which number will soon be in
: creased to 200. J. H. Mills, the foun
j.. der and for several years superintendent
, Of the Oxford Orphan Asylum, was alst
I on his retirement from that institution
S the organizer and general manager O
/, the Baptist orphanage. Two year
: ago he was succeeded by ]. B. Boone
+, VINO is admirably fitted for the higl
b. position.
a Since IS45 the Baptis,s west of ,h'
: Blue Ridge have had convention o
their own. 1t includes ten associations
= 23I churches and about $4,000 mem
s bers. They also have a newspaper q
! their own which is published a
? Waynesvlle and some small schools
e But no college with adequate equip
!. ment or endowment