The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-30
CELEBRATES nth BIRTHDAY.
DR.. Thos T.. Skinner Has PASSED Be-
yond His Thrce-scorc Years anti Ten.


yond His Thrce-scorc Years anti Ten.
Seeing him on the streets Yesterday.
hriskly walking, fine light N mis- eye,
Stalwart of frame and jovial 'of heart.
his fcllow-citizens, are not prepared tor
the announcement that DR.. Thos. f.
Skinner was seventy-four years of age
April 20. But the beloved preacher ana
honored citizen claims that distinction.
and he observed the anniversary III Il
characteristic manner with II sumptu-
GUS dinner to which he had invited his
fellow ministers. Dir. Garter, DR..
Simms, Rev. Mr.. Cade. Rev. Mr.. Leav-
pullen, w. w. Nass and j. W. Bailey.
After dinner several of those present
were called upon to speak Dr. J. W.
Carter reviewed the history that has
taken place in the sevcnty-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 wondrous development and invel-
tons relative to steam-power, and now
electricity is disputing the right to steam
to the field. Reviewing political histo-
ry he stated that DR.. SINNERS life coy
cred nineteen presidential uerms of the
twcnty-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 strife. He
has seen more things, he has. so far as
deeds go. lived longer than Methusclah.
And we all know that the world is bet
ter because his life was given us in these
active years.
Mr.. 7. Ii. 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
DR.. 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 GeDt 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 Will, abide
forever. unchanged. Men may change.
methods may change. but oiir 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 hopefuness
of youth, its face to the sunrise unto
the last. Men may grow old-though
DIR. Skinner rather proves that they do
not-but denominations remain young so
long as they have aught to live for
Rev. Mr.. Cade offered Il bright original
poem. Mr.. Lcavitt. 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 Il
friend strong and willing to help Young
man. John Pullen said that the secret
Of Dir. SINNERS well-hornc years was in
his devout love for God and Gods love
for him.
Then the genial host gave some rem
iriscenccs OF his career. touching. hui
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 Providenccs Of God. were very
effective. DIR. Fl. NJ. Simns offered Il
tender prayer.
DIR. skinner is still il young man. Not
even his frame is old: and surely his
mind is as fresh as in his prime ant
his soul is i'll the morning of Gods love
As Il minister his life has been Il signal
blessing not only TO our city, hut To his
denomination throughout the South He
Is well-known ut the North also. His
face is still toward the sunrise. His de-
light in doing good knows no waning
He loves young man and his JOY is i'll
Standing by young men wherever he
finds them. In his heart there are the
Impulses of cverrcncwing lie.
The readers of the News and Observer
will join MS in congratulating him upon
iris happy birthday: and throughout
nnr city, in the houses where his pres
ence has often been Il bencdiction