Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-10-13
Rev. W. M. Vines.

This evening, In the little city Of
MorrIstown. all the different denomi-
nations Of Christians unite 10 religious
services at the First Baptist church In
honor of the able and talented young
minister, Rev. w. II. Vines, who has
just resigned the pastorate Of that
church. The union services will be
conducted by the pastors OF the differ
ent churches. Rev. JIG. Cowan, pas
tor of the Presbyterian church. and
Rev. X. 9. Atkins, pastoro of the South.
ern Methodist church, will be present,
but Rev. w. G. Miller, pastor of the
Methodist Episcopal church, is absent,
attending conference at Athens, Tenn,
and will be represented by G. R. John.
soh. prominent member Of his church.
This union meeting In honor OF the de-
parting pastor Of the Baptist church,
promises to be of great interest and
largely attended. Mr.. Vines is still a
young man. but no more able minister
has ever filed any pulpit In the city of
Morristown, and never has there been
a minister in the city of greater or
more highly deserved popularity, as q
minister and as q man. He is q man
OF commanding appearance and inn
pressive address, and is a genial, af
fable gentleman, whose quiet dignity
and unwavering courtesy has won ali
who have come in contact with him,
His character is strong, positive, force
full; and he has deeply impressed him.
self upon his congregation. He is a
man of broad views, of noble and gen.
erous impulses, charitable and Just in
his judgment Of his fellow men. Add
to this that he is a sincere, earnest
Christian, a devoted, jealous minister
of God and his great popularity will
be explained.
William Madison Vines was born
near J%onesboro, Tennessee, December
IL, 1868, and vas reared on q farm.
When a boy, he attended the common
schools of his native county during the
winter and worked on the farm In the
spring and summer. But he applied
himself well, studying at home when
engaged in farm work, and when only
seventeen years of age was able to
teach in the public schools. When
nineteen years old he entered the
J%onesboro High School and graduated
with first honors In the class Of 1888
The Baptist Church had the year be-
fore licensed him to preach, and he be-
gan the work of the ministry when he
was yet a school boy. After his gradu.
alton, he was for a year a member of
the faculty of the Jonesboro High
School, and then for two years was
principal Of the Fall Branch graded
school. In 1891 he entered the Central
Normal College of Danville, Ind, After
a course Of study there he was elected
superintendent of the public schools
OF Greeneville, Tenn, and at the same
time he received a call to the pastorate
OF the church'a at Bell Buckle, Tenn.
He then decided to devote himself en-
tirely to the work of the ministry, and
accepted the call of the church, hav-
ing been ordered to the full work of
the ministry August 80, 1891. During
this, bis first passionate, he made q
most enviable record, both as O pastor
and preacher, but desiring 10 more
fully prepare himself for his chosen life
work, ne resigned at Bell Buckle In
lS9S and entered the Theological Semi
nary at Louisville, Ky. The next year
ne accepted a call to the church at
Johnson City, Tenn, and for two year
did jealous. and faithful work there.
1t has been said that his passionate
there was q continuous revival.
In October, 1895. he took charge of
the First Baptist Church of Morristown.
he 10 recognized now as one OF the
leading divines Of the State and one
who has a brilliant future.-Knoxville
Tribune, Sept. 81.