The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-05

axated position. The following article,
from the Nashville Christian Advocate,
shows the high stand Mr.. Edmuudson
las taken.
'The following letter written to Bishop
Tohn p Newman by Rev Thomas B.
Wood, a missionary in South America,
bears high but well-deseryed testimony
to the career of Rev. w. e. Edmundson,
chaplain in the United States Navy,
Brother Edmondson is an old Wesley
Hall'' man, and member of the North
Carolina Conference. one of the few if
not the only chaplain in our Navy from
the Southern Methodist church. We
are sure our readers will enjoy the pc
rusal of this high tribute to his worth
from foreign missionary:
Bishop J. p Newman, San Francisco,
Cal.-Dear Bishop: We owe you spe-
cial thanks for introducing to us Chap
lain Edmundson, of the flagship Phila-
delphia. His broadminded sympathy,
special courtes.es, and opportune coop
Grafton have filled us with esteem and
fondness for him. O, that such man
were to be found on every one of our
naval vessels unfortunately not the
case-so that our coming and going
might always bring sympathy and CO.
operation for the missionaries instead of
scorn and reproach as it often does,
which sometimes amounts to aid and
comfort to our enemies!
1.-THE officers of the Philadelphia have
treated us with unusual courtesy, from
the Admiral down. | attribute this large
ly to the way in which Chaplain Ed
mundson treated us, organizing a service
non board in which we were invited to
Participate, throwing us into favorable
contact with all ON board, facilitating
our access to them from first to last,
and promoting and facilitating their ac-
cess to us. We We're extraordinarily
busy, and without this extraordinary IA
cil;tating we would probably have given
them but little attention, and received as
little from them. We have settled into
the habit of being treated by our naval
officers with contemplate contempt and
of treating them as not worth our time
of thought. This unfortunate tendency
was broken in the case of the Philadel-
phia by the fact that a live chaplain
on board was able through you to put
full confidence in us from the start, and
was SO related to all parties that he be-
came the proSidential agent to break
the spell on both sides. For this we are
grateful, and wish to express to you,
through the hand of Chaplain Edmond
son, our gratitude for your recommend
ing him to us as you did.
''Yours faithfully,
THOMAS b. WOOD,
"Callao, Peru, South America, Janu
airy II, 1897"
Three of the oldest members of the
conference, Fathers n. A. Hooker, Isaac
w. Ayent, and Marcus G. Thomas, have
served in the active ministry Al, 3S and
27 years respectively-over a hundred
years in all, while their combined ages
amount to 90 years.
One of the most striking figures on the
conference floor is Rev. 3. b. Culbreth,
who is an inch taller than six feet.
When he rises to speak, silence reigns,
for the congregation knows something
sensible and practical will be said, and
said in an amusing way. The writer
don't know what the b. in his name
stands for, but thinks it must be "Be-
| loved" for that is what most of the
brethren of the conference call him.
Another picturesque figure in the con-
ference is l.. J. Holden, a half-brother
of the late Ex-Governor. He is fear
less, aggressive character, and when he
opens battery upon sinners, and their
vices, it is enough to make them fear
and tremble.
OLD Father Belts, with his fervent
"God bless you, my young BROTHER" is
one of the most loved men in the con-
ference. When he writes or speaks.