The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-02-28

She did not scruple to think, and to
freely say: I'VE have no direct proof; but
it's very singular that the spoon should
have been found in their possession; and
they've never offered any explanation.
The Wamplers, too, had 1by TINS time
taken an open stand. On all convenient
occasions, and on some not convenient,
they declared that they preferred not to
have the friendship of people who
though them capable of stealing a spoon.
THUS the difference grew into an open
feud. Finally it was carried into the
church 4 document was laid before the
session, urging it to summon Mr.. and
Mrs. Wampler to an explanation. Their
conduct the document set FORTH in thus
far refusing an explanation, was neither
brotherly nor Christian; it savored, if
not of guilt at least OF self-rlghteous-
ness and pride: and in either case they
were amenable to the session. There
was prolonged argument in the session,
and some plain speaking and strong
feeling At the vote the lay members
divided evenly, and it developed on the
pastor, the Rev. Cornelius Holt, to decide,
He was man of rare humility, but OF
a ready sense OF justice and an obstina-
gression could Outwear. He decided a
gainst the petition and in favor of the
Wampler's He had talked with them, he
said, frequently about the affair OF the
spoon; they had, indeed, several times
sought his counsel He was convinced
of their honesty; and If they offered no
explanation, it was simply because they
had none to give: the appearance of the
spoon in their house was as inexpEcable
10 them as to Others. He would not
say that they had always borne them
selves as frankly and forgvingly Us
Christians should; but there had been,
he feared, mistakes made on both sides.
The difference that had grown up had
been great grief to him: AS pastor
and as a friend he had employed all his
persuasions to heal it. He believed that
in time it would be healed and that right
feeling, the loving spirit, would yet pre-
vail; but if it were brought into the
church, it would only intensity and deep
en- and the day of its removal be put farth-
er off.
There was moisture in his eyes and a
half sob in his voice as he concluded
with Let us pray and in the prayer
he offered-a brief, fervent prayer for
gentle counsels and coniding hearts, he
WAS checked several times by his emo
tion. The other members of the session
were deeply touched and repaired TO their
homes with deliciously pure and exah-
ed feelings, and with a mind resolved
every man of them, to do his utmost to
keep the congregation in harmony.
But unfortunately the congregation had
not come under the spell Of the pastors
moving judgment and prayer, and di-
visions Of such magnitude ensued that the
| laynen Of the session forgot their good
resolutions, and the session Itself became
| a seat of war. Mr.. Holt had served in
| the present pastoratc fen years Ten
years service In no office lessons the mum
Der of a mans critics, unless he be a man
of supreme talent; and that Mr.. Holt was
not. From his installation there had
been in the congregation a dissatisfied mi
nority, and ii had grown, with the pas
sage Of time more numerous and more
outspoken. 1t now found in his vote
against having the Wamplers before the
| session what, unconsciously, it had long
been waiting fora point Of union and
onset. The pastors friends, however,
were in the main staunch, and open oppo-
sition only intensified their ardor. The
session divided again about evenly: but
| the opponents of the pastor were the cum
ninger faction, and finally persuaded two
of his supporters to disregard personal
preference and join them in voting a re
quest 10 Mr.. Holt for his resignation.
With his session thus become prac-
| tically unanimous against him, and a
good third of the congregation fiercely
urging the session on, the poor minister
would gladly have yielded up his charge
and fed away. But this, III seemer to
him, would be moral weakness, clear
violation of his duty to the larger frac-
ton who deyoutly besought him to stay.
SO he refused to comply with the ses-
sion's request. Appeals followed to high
er bodies, and tedious, complex ex-
hausting contest, ending in defeat for
the opposing minority, which thereupon
withdrew from the church in body
and organized new society.
And this is the origin Of what is since
known III Osceola as the New church,
| the church which in recent years has
been SO marvelously blessed But it
| had hard struggle in the beginning. 1t
began to prosper only after Rev. Mr..
Holiowell took charge. He is n natural
pulpit orator, q man thoroughly abreast
with the times. lie began by prefacing
his sermons with familiar talks ON cur
rent topics, and every three months he
preached a sermon exclusively for men,
and another exclusively for women, and
one for the young people, and by these
and other novelties he soon awakened an
| interest which has continued. until now
the new church congregation is much the
largest and wealthiest in the town. Then
Andrew Jarboe a rich old bachelor far
mer, died and left the church $4,000,
and that was great help to it. In life
Andrew had not been notable sup
porter OF the churches, but Mr.. Holt had
once rebuked him sharply for failing to
supply due weight of butter, and it is
supposed that this had somewhat to do
with determining his surprising bequest
to the New church.
| Poor Mr.. Holt, after the New church
| began to come up so conspicuously, suf-
| Tered certain decline in the regard OF
| his congregation. The members were
still free in expression of devotion 10
| him. but it became evident that in their