The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-02
CELEBRATES nth BIRTHDAY.
DR.. Thos. l.. Skinner Has Passed Be
vond His 'rhree-score Years and Ten.

DIR. Thos. T.. Skinner Has Passed Be
yond His Three score Years AMI Ten.
Seeing him on the streets yesterday.
hriskly walking. fine light III mis- eye,
stalwart of frame and joyial of heart.
his fellow-citizens. are not prepared Tor
the announcement that DIR. Thos. f..
skinner was seyenty-four years of age
April 10 But the beloved preacher ana
honored citizen claims that distinction.
and he observed the anniversary i'll Il
characteristic manner, with sumptu-
Gus dinner TO which he had invited his
fellow ministers. DR. Carter, DIR.
Simms. Rev. Mr., Cade. Rev. Mr. Ieav-
lit. and Messrs. +. II. Briggs. John I.
rullen. W. W. Nass and J. w. Bailey.
After dinner several of those present
were called upon tosspeak. DR.. J. w.
Carter reviewed the history that has
taken place in the seventy four years of
his hosts life. When he was born the
first steam locomotive had Just made
its first run. Since then we have had all
the wonurous development and inyen-
tons relative to steam-power. and now
electricity is disputing the right to steam
to the field. Reviewing political histo-
cred nineteen presidential rcrms of the
twenty -four that have been. He was
born during the administration of John
Quincy Adams He has lived through
two victorious wars with other nations
and through the great Civil 1strife. He
has seen more things he has. so far as
deeds go. lived longer than Methuselah.
And we all know that the world is bet
l. - s,,t
active years.
Mr.. 7. H. Briggs touched briefly upon
the history of the North Carolina Bap-
fists. speaking of their small beginnings,
faithful struggles. and remarkable
growth. OF course he could not speak
on this subject without telling much Of
DIR. SINNERS life, for he has played no
small part in the development of the
North Carolina Baptists. He has occu-
pied nearly all the places of honor and
usefulness they could give him, and al
ways with ability. In our own city he
has done his greatest work. The first Bap-
fist church was the work of his prime.
We may never repay the debt we owe
him. and we need him still and hope to
have him yet many more years with us.
Mr. Bailey spoke looking forward.
from the point of view of Il young man.
The principles of the Baptists viii abide
forever, unchanged. Men may change,
methods may change, but our principles
will be handed down from generation to
generation as DR.. Skinner has handed
them down: they will live in them that
shall follow after just as they have lived
in him. The denomination will slowly
but surely become more educated. more
liberal, and more powerful. 1t has Il
great mission to perform and it is pre-
pairing. 1t will abide in the hopefulness
Of youth. its face to the sunrise unto
the last. Men may grow old-though
DR.. Skinner rather proves that they do
not-but denominations remain young so
long as they have aught to live for
Rev. Mr.. Cade offered a bright original
poem. Mr.. Leavitt spoke of DR. Skin
ner's reputation outside of Raleigh. say
ing that when he started to this city he
was told that in him he would find
friend strong and willing to help young
man. y John pullen said that the secret
of DR.. SINNERS well-borne years was in
his deyout love for God and Gods love
for him.
Then the genial host gave some rem
iniscences OF his career, touching. hui
morous and Instructive. His reverent
gratitude to God for the length of his
days and the goodness of the years. his
tribute to his mother. his illusions to the
continual Providences of God. were very
effective. DIR. III. NJ Simms offered
tender prayer.
DIR. Skinner is still a young man. Not
even his frame is old: and surely his
mind is as fresh as in his prime and
his soul is in the morning Of Gods love-
As a minister his life has been signal
blessing not only to our city, but to his
denomination throughout the South He
is well-known at the North also. His
face is still toward the sunrise. His de-
light in doing good knows no waning.
He loves Il young man and his joy is in
standing by young men wherever he
finds them. In his heart there are the
impulses of ever-renewing life.
The readers of the News and Observer
will join us i'll cOngratulating him upon
this happy birthday: and throughout
our city, in the houses where his pres
ence has SO often been benediction,
many will be the hearty wishes for his
health and happiness. God bless the