Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-29

SOME GREAT PREACHERS.
y Number of Eloquent Pulpit Orators
Recalled
Wilmington On. c. Messenger.

- w. ~ .NitSSeHEtT.J
1t would be impossible for any one to
say which was the most absolutely elo-
quent sermon ever preached in North
carolina, or who was tn, creatost
preacher yet produced by this state.
| The late Rev. DR.. jeremiah .Jeter. dis
tinSuished Baptist preacher and editor
IN Virginia in the past held that nf,er
visiting Great Britain and having heard
many OF the more famous pulpit orators
or our own land. that the two greatest
preachers he had ever heard were John
kerr Gather Of Judge Kerr). of North
carolina. and Andrew Broadus. of Vir-
una. The late General Thomas J..
once told US. in 1876. that he heard
John Kerr for three hours once and
WoCld nave been Glad 10 have heard
MIN longer. The late Hczekiah q.
l-eiEn was unquestionably IL very inn
prcS'iNe preacher OF much power. We
i.e''ru him in the carly nf;ics. perhaps
~ was inter he had suffered on. stroke
OF paralysis He was a noble. intel
iectial looking man even then. His
SUBJECT was Moses. and we recall /. 10
TINS hour with 4 distinct recollection of
MS force clcarness and something Of
lt;',.Ies,F' MS portrayal of Moses was
siihpie. massive and Very impvessiye
Key Or. Robert q. Burton in n sketch
VI MN IN book we long ago read.
,eliS oil nm once preaching in Norfolk
va, and when he closed the whole
great compensation We're standing.
i.opert Hall, of England, when
preaching TO the Baptist congreCati ton
n. h"istol, generally raised his congrc-
cation by the tremendous power of his
otatory. DIR. Olinthus Gregory. in nm
interesting biographical sketch of Mr.,
ran says that he often saw this effect
itUuuced by him. 1t takes marvellous
power to do that. We never saw any
such result or anything like II. The
most entrancinSSermOu in North Car
olihl OF which we have ever heard was
sermon preached at Rock Spring
camp meeting, two miles from Honder
sen. now Vance county. aud in 1859. by
kev. Thomas c.. Lowe. of U,lirox I,
was on Sunday and he preachrJ 70
iaefe-t4fan 1000 People. X Dreacher in
inc North Carolina Conference NJ T..
church, who was afterwards a presid-
ing elder. the late Rev. Jmius p.
Mo2re' brother Of the late Colonel u.
X. Moore. of this city. told us no had
heard the celebrated Bishop Kavanaugh
th"t the way 10 spell it we think of
kentucky. and Bishop George T.
flercc great, most eloquent sermon
AT Goidshoro. but Rev. Thomas G..
loves sermon NJ the time referred to
eNcei'ed those sermons or any other
ne ne nau ever heard. 1t made n great
impression, and was the master effort
me elimination of that singularly elo-
| quent preachers pulpit Ciscourses The
most beautiful sermon we ever heard
was by Mr.. Lowe. The most logical
sermon we ever heard was by Rev. Dr.
,Trh;"shan' OF Virginia. a Presbyterian.
ne most purely intellectual sermon
reaching higher grade Of thinking
ana longer sustained, was bv Rjshon
w llson. OF Baltimore. Rev DR.. Deems
nlnseit very charming prea cher, once
i i"lu us that when Rev. DR.. Lovicl,
I'eree, or Georgia. and father of the
S'oquent Bishop George r, was at his
pest mat he never heard any one to
surpass him.
Or. Pierce was born in Halifax coun-
W N. G., and lived to some "a years
nnI o,ten preached. we believe after
he had turned 90. He was n very eytro.
ordinary man. So far rs we know those
named were the foremost pulpit sneak,
ers native to North Carolino-IInrr
Leigh. Pierce. When shall the peoplc
look upon their like again? All This wos
suggested at this time by orr Owe foi
Ing upon Hebrews 2:3-.'Uow shall wo
escape If we neglect so great saliva
tom That was loves text at Rock
| Spring. i'o0N
Junius Moore was OF powerful phv
sIque, not emotional and brave. He said
II Lowe had continued much lnnrnr
that he himself was so wrought IN thot
| he lelt that a. collapse of some kind
would Detail him. mental or physical
Lowe preached but twenty-five min
n.es. put 1t was seraphic. enchanting
,nust De3utiiui: most wonderful, This
Writer about 1887. delivered an address
oi AIR. Lowe at the request of the large
Methodist family in Halifax county. 1t
was printed in n 1000 edition or more
lie hopes to publish n now and enlars-
ca cdition OF it before he passes away.
and If possible. beforr-ttIE prcsout ye1r
| closes. N''-