The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-01

The North Carolina white members of
the Southern Methodist Episcopal
Church now number not far from 10000
the exact number l do not know. In
1859. the number of members belonging
to the North Carolina Conference was
$4,000, with something over 100 minis
tiers. Then all the Methodists living be-
yond Roanoke River were members OF
the Virginia Conference, it's boundaries
extending to said river. The Tennessee
HolSton Conference extended then into
Western North Carolina absorbing thou
sands of Methodist members. Now they
are all members of the lately formed
Western North Carolina Conference.
Hence, in fact, the large increase in the
two North Carolina Conferences. In 1859,
and long before, there were some very
notable preachers. l have some times
found myself asking, are there as many
men Of pulpit power, superior gifts and
genuine eloquence now as were in active
work in that Year of Grace. 1858,
and for some years before? Are there
any preachers who in mental accom-
plishments and vigor, commanding and
true eloquence, powers of debate, theolo-
to the foremost men of that timer. Are
there really now any men who are the
full equals of Doub, Deems, Moran, n. f.
Reid, William Gloss, Robert o. Burton,
Philemon w. Archer Bryant, Joel w.
Tucker N. II. d. Wilson, Rufus T.. Hef-
lin and perhaps one or two others? l
cannot answer, but I doubt if it is so.
After Archer had gone to the Virginia
Conference, he said to me after listening
to sermon by DR.. Peter Doub as to
whether the divinity of Christ suffered
in His crucifiXion or no: You have one
great preacher in the North Carolina
Conference" / asked to whom he re-
ferred. His answer was, Peter Doub.
DR.. Deems knew we'll personally that
famous Bishop and orator. Bascom, of
Kentucky, not native, but resident there,
/ believe it was. He said to me in one
of our many familiar talks: moran has
a mind singularly like that which Bas-
com had, but it is of loftier and broader
compass" He was very intimate with
Moran (who was an Irishman by BIRTH,
and delivered an address in Wilmington
over his departed friend whose body was
brought here for interment from New
York city, where he had died. The very
gifted Rev. DR.. Joseph r. Wilson, form
erly pastor of First Presbyterian church,
in this city, delivered an admirable, most
felicitous, most impressive address on
the occasion. 1 never heard better one
at such solemn time. These three most
remarkably endowed ministers were per-
sonally very intimate, and had promised
to attend the funeral of the first one Of
the number who died. This brought DR..
Deems. from New York and Dr. Wilson
from the Theological Seminary at Clarks-
Vile, Tenn. DR.. Deems spoke with force
and tenderness, but it was not equal to
his best efforts in his manhoods prime.
Looking back I rejoice to know that l
was so intimate in friendship with Deems
and Moran, of whom l have many reni-
niscences, and from whom / had many
expressions of friendship. My association
with Dr. Wilson has been so very pleas
ant that I sincerely regret his absence
from this city, was enforced by impaired
health and advancing years. He is one
of the very best writer's as to style that
l know among Presbyterians, past and
present, and the Southern clergy gener-
ally. He resides now with his distin-
guished son. President woodrow Wilson,
May his last years be his sweetest and
best. full of grace and love
Bryant, or Bryan, for 1 forget which,
was indeed a man of very rare gifts. L
heard him in the fifties deliver a Masonic
address at oxford, that was alike grand,
fascinating and eloquent, and much SUI
perior to any / have yet heard. Judge
Kerr, himself an orator and we'll Guilt
waited in letters, heard him deliver lee
ture at Yanceyville, n. c., some years
later, and he remarked afterwards that
it was of superlative elegance and in
terest and was so fine it would have
brought him fame if delivered in any
great city. Judge Kerr was Baptist.
Joel w. Tucker was a very remarkable
man, and a preacher of originality and
genuine power. He published a sermon
of much length, and of most acute, mas
terly reflection and discrimination. 1t
was entitled God Sovereign and Man
Free Rev. Jacob Doll, one of the best
known Presbyterian clergymen in the
northern counties of the State in the
forties and fifties, said to Judge Kerr
(they lived in the same town, and were
neighbors and friends), that God did
not raise up in century more than one
man who could preach a sermon equal
ling that one by Mr.. Tucker
My very intimate friend told me of this
highly complimentary remark. Mr. Doll
gave a similar opinion to the late DR..
Thomas P. Atkinson, of Danville,
a Presbyterian Ruling Elder for forty
years or more, and first cousin of the
late Bishop Thomas Atkinson, of this
city. He was my own close friend. He
died in 1875. 1 have recently written at
length in the News and Observer of Dr.
Deems. I have classified in my mind the
seven or eight greatest sermons. l have
heard in a long time. Three of those
sermons were preached by Deems, Bur-
ton and Moran. AS the eloquent Tom
Lowe and ! were sitting together listen
ing TO wondrously powerful and up
lifting sermon in Halifax town by DIR.
Burton, he turned to me and with striking
emphasis, said: II tell you when Burton
gets off he is equal to any one l do
( not think ever heard any sermon greater
than that one, except two or three by
Bishop AlpheuS w. Wilson. OF Mary
land, but one of the twelve or more living
Southern Methodist Bishops. l was told
Q.-I~ Vol