The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1897-10-21
COLoRED GIRL PREACHER,
She May Remain Here a Week-Mou
day Nights Services.

day Nights Services
Lenora Avery, the colored girl
preacher, was greeted with another
large audience at the A. M. e church
Monday night. The house was filed,
many standing. Several white people
attended the service.
Pastor Walker announced before
the service opened that the little girl
hoped TO stay until Wednesday or
Thursday of next week. but it was
not known yet whether she could re-
main over Sunday. II she does she
will conduct three services in the
courthouse on Sunday, one of which
will be for white people. He also
stated that he had been trying to get
larger building for her to preach in
this week. but had not succeeded.
A SENTINEL man heard the wonder
full little girl Monday night When she
arose to announce and line the first
hymn every eye in the,house was turn
ed towards her.
After the singing, she offered an
earnest prayer in behalf OF the service.
She then read several verses from the
18th chapter Of Isaiah.
LenOra's mother, who is widow
and no less than so years old, arose
and stated that she wished to intro
duce her II year-Old-daughter Said
she was uneducated, that she stopped
travelling twice to send her to school.
but that she was taken sick both
times. the mother then decided that
God would make known to her the
proper time TO educate the girl. The
mother added that her daughter was
| converted when Is months old.
Len0ra selected her text from the
18th Psalm and 2Dd verse: EFThe Lord
is my rock and my fortress, and my
delivere-; my God, my strength, in
whom will trust; my buckier, and
the horn OF my salvation, and my high
tower"
After selecting her text she closed
her Bible and spoke without even
notes.
She is fluent speaker and though
uneducated she uses good language
and many practical illustra tiOns. she
| said every one is trusting in some
one-either Satan, Self or God. Those
| who profess to be Christians should
| let it be known She spoke of the
| work being done by young people and
| urged parents to teach their children
| about Christ. She told the parents
that if their children did not know
| what the mournerS bench or religion
| is they ought TO be ASHAMED to tell it
| as they are supposed to be instruc
| tors. She wanted 30 know what kline
| of religion parents had who are tryina
TO get TO heaven themselves and let
| ting their children grow up without
| knowing anything about God Sht
| also spoke in favor of children becOm
| ing members of the church at an ear
| ly age, saying they were like the
young trees-need protection She
said that she believed before the enc
| Of time children would take the wurlC
| for God.
Lenora told about the first reviva
| meeting she ever held. It was at hel
| home in Oxford. She and another
| little girl were playing church witt
their dolls when Lenoro suggested
that they have pray ermeeting every
| night. The neighbours children were
invited but most of the parents ob
| jected, saying it was nothing but
| mockery. The meeting was held
| however, and in few nights not onl3
| the children but many Of the parent.
| were present. The meeting continued
| and is was moved to the church ant
| before the close $50 people had mad,
| profession.
Lenora clos ed her discourse by ure
ing all OF her hearers to cling to the
| solid rock Christ Jesus. She ther
asked all to sing with her that famil
lar hymn, "Rock of Ages, Cleft fol
Me-"
After prayer by Rev. w. w. Pope
Lenora's mother sang selection en-
| titled Hold up Your Light" A col
lection was then taken.
Lenora told the reporter that theil
home now was in Carthage, N c. She
said that when they left Winston
they would either so to High Point o.
| return home.
The little girl is bright and intelli
gent and it is treat to hear her tall
| as well as preach.