The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-31
UNWILLING OF PosTRAtrs,
An Occasion long to be Remembered at Old
Rainbow Church,

/
Several weeks ago Rev. E. Pope, a
! former citizen of Raleigh CHS wife was
Miss Barnes, of Wake county,, who Is
now the very popular pastor of Snow Hill
circuit. and ex-senator John Z. w Sugg
of Greene county. one of the county
most prominent, popular and useful cltl
zens.-came to Raleigh and requested me
to help secure the lite-size portraits of an
those who were boys at old Rainbow
Church, and had spent their lives In the
ministry. They also directed me to IN
vite to the unwilling of these portraits
all those who had gone out from Ram
bow especially those related by blood
and otherwise, to any of said ministers
In compliance with their request l lald
the matter before several interested par
ties with the following success: Mrs.
Lucy A. Cunningim, Aunt Lucy''-ot
Greensboro. sent the portrait of her late
husband, the Rev. Jesse A. Cunningim,
J-'Uncle Jesse; Mrs w. T. Utley, OF
Apex. sent the portrait of her father
Rev. H. G. Gibbons and the Hooker
family. Of Greene and Lenoir counties,
sent the portrait of Rev. Nathan Hooker,
which completed the list Of those who had
entered the regular pastoral work from
Rainbow Church, making it their life
work during the past generation.
| invited all the reatives and connec-
ton which I could think of to meet us
at Rainbow Church on Saturday, May
9th, when the first quarterly meeting OF
the year would be held for that circuit.
A very large crowd was expected to
be in attendance on Saturday and Sunday
and free dinner for all who were present
was to be provided There were to be
two services each day and dinner between
the services, in the grave surrounding the
church. A great many wished
to go and made arrangements to go, but
we're disappointed by not being able to
be there On Friday, May Sth, my wife
and went down to lzinston, where We
hicles we're to meet all who could go. We
spent the night with Mrs. Jesse w
Granger and her charming family in her
home, which is built on what used to be
known as Washington HILL" now hav
ing been greatly improved and beautifie1
it is the magnificent residence called Yer
non Heights"
Mr. Granger was away from home to
cur regret. We were entertained in a
most hospitable manner.
Next morning the lion. j. T.. w. Sugg
sent his carriage to the depot to meet
DIR. Swindel and ourselves. His son took
US out to old Misunderstanding there in
time for the morning service, held at
eleven o'clock The day was showery and
a good many who would have been there
remained at home on that account There
was quite crowd present, however, in
spite of the weather. DR.. Swindell, the
presiding elder, preached, after which din
ner was served, then the quarterly con-
ference was held, which showed a fine
state of affairs, financial and otherwise,
On the Snow Hill circuit, which is in
charge of Rev. E. Pope. I found a good
many old acquaintance, and made great
many new ones among the younger people.
That evening, Hon. John Sugg. hay
ing provided several conveyanees, took a
crowd of us out to his lovely country
home, where we spent the night. Satur.
day afternoon, however, | went to Snow
Hill and was invited by several of the
residents to spend the next night there
This we did. and enjoyed the hospitality
Of Mr.. and Mrs Tom Harper and his
mother, Mrs. Mary Sugg. / spent about
half Of Monday visiting numerous rela-
tives IN Snow Hill, taking dinner with
w. H. Dale and family. His wife, by
the-way, keeps the chief hotel there and
has learned the difficult art of keeping a
good one. Monday afternoon Mr.. Dale
kindly provided us with horse and
bugghy to convey us to Kinston, where
we spent the night with John f. Hooker
and his loving family
I should have stated that Sunday
was a clear, bright day, and the people
locked to Rainbow from all the country
round. The church was full to overflow
ing and the grove held some Of those who
could not get in At the close of a. very
fine sermon by DR.. Swindell, the sacrc-
ment of the Lords Supper was admins
tered to the vast congregation by Or.
Swindell and the pastor, Rev. E. Pope.
There was probably a larger number TO
partake of this sacrement In that church
| than ever before At the close of this
service DR.. Swindell announced that at 2
O'Clock the congregation would reassembc
TO hear historical sketch of the church
from its foundation and the lives of some
of its older members to be read by DR..
Thos. NJ Jordan, OF this city
Between this service and 2 O'Clock din
ner was served in the grove to a large
plumber of people, variously estimated
from 500 to 1900. Everyone had plenty
and 10 spare.
At 2 O'Clock the congregation gathered
as many as could again in the church and
listened to some remarks from DR.. Swim
dell and the Rev. E. Pope concerning the
lives of those whose portraits were to be
unveiled. Or. Swindell then introduced
Or. Thomas NJ Jordan, of Raleigh, who he
said was former resident of that com
munity. a very popular physician and who