The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-29


His spirit was always cheerful and Joy
giving. He was an exceedingly compan-
lonable man. A more kindly and genial
soul was not numbered among us in his
day. He enjoyed a good anecdote-and
could always himself give as good as was
sent. He was man of fine humor. His
visits were always welcomed in the
homes into which he entered. Children
loved to sit in his lap. The young peo-
pie delighted to do him kindnesses and
always enjoyed his presence. The aged
were strengthened by his wisdom and
nourished by communion with his spirit.
He was a true pastor-entering into the
experiences of his people-sympa thizing
with them in trouble-inspiring them in
the day of their strength-reproving them
when the occasion required it-and car
rying them in his bosom always. He had
big heart in a healthy body. He was
man of most kindly sympathies. He
was good to his horse-fed him on pump
kins-and walked up the hill when the
journey was long and rough. Genuine
integrity was the foundation of his char
acter-humility, sincerity simplicity, hon
esty, and moral courage the marks of his
daily walk He had an intense love for
his own people and for his own home
land
A true son of the South was Alfred
Norman. In the public issues that agi-
tated our country IN the decades leading
up TO the Civil War Mr.. Norman took
deep interest and did not hesitate to
say that he held the viewpoint of the
Southern citizen and that his heart was
with his own people.
Immediately on the close of that des-
perate struggle, when the Federal troops
were still in our midst, and when our
people were in much fear of violence at
their hands Mr. Norman had a service
in one of our churches in Caswell county
A Yankee chaplain was present and was
about to thrust himself upon the meet
ing to interfere WIN some action about
to be taken. AS he arose Mr.. Norman,
waving his hand at him with the dig
nifty of command said, ''Sit down. young
man, sit down, we will run this meeting
without YOU"
AS a preacher Mr.. Norman had a min
istry of far-reaching influence. He had
mind of much originality and of native
strength. He was one Of the most sue
cessful revivalsts of his day. 1t was said
circuits with a chain Of apostolic trl-
umphs whose golden links were glorious
REVEALS: and that he counted his spirit
ual children by the thousands" The late
L. S. Burkhead, N H. D. Wilson, and
N j. Reid, men who stood in the front
rank Of the men of their day, and were
great leaders of our Methodsts hosts,
were converted under his ministry. The
l.. IL, -,,Nio
Conference said that Mr.. Norman was one
OF the most powerful camp meeting
preachers he had ever heard He was a
man of great earnestness of manner
full of exalted zeal in revival scenes-a
true evangelist and an able minister of
the gospel of Christ. His sermons were
plain, pointed, practical, glowing with
evangelical fervor and sometimes with
overwhelming power. AT times IN his
preaching he assembled to heights of
power that but few could reach. In 1S49
the celebrated DR.. William A. Smith, O.
almost national reputation, preached in
Louisburg very great sermon. On the
following Sunday Alfred Norman preached
IN the same church and it was thought
by that very intelligent and cultured
congregation that Mr.. Norman's sermon
was the equal of DR.. Smiths. An aged
friend OF Mr.. Norman's that is still living,
man of literary attachments says of
him, He was the peer OF men of greater
celebrity than himself. He was a man
of tremendous force and power" His
wit and humor and sarcasm could not
be excelled: they gave uniqueness to his
ministry and added to the charm and
distinctiveness of his personality. On one
occasion, in preaching at a camp meet
ing, a great sermon on the general judg-
ment, when he reached the climax of a
fearful description of the day of doom,
he turned to the christians present and
exclaimed, pray on, brethren, these SIN
ners over here are swapping their eyes
like frogs eating fire.
Mr. Norman was a man of intense
nature-impulsive and on occasions ex-
citable During his pastorate in Granville
county he arranged for great debate
at Banks Chapel on the subject of Bap-
| tism between Rev. James Purefoy of the
Baptist church, and Rev. r. 1. Helfin
of the North Carolina Conference. Ii
was an occasion of wide interest and there
gathered at that old historic church vast
| congregations to hear the debate. No
one was to speak but the chosen debators.
During the progress of the debate, while
Mr.. Helm was making his argument, and
when Mr.. Norman thought that he had
Mr.. Purefoy at great disadvantage in the
argument Mr. Norman jumped up in the
meeting and enthusiastically exclaimed
"Ah brother Hef1in, you've got his nose
to the grindstone-now keep it there. y
The moderators called him to order-he
apologized most sincerely and took his
seat.
After his marriage he took his young
bride with him to the Caswell circuit
which was his appointment for 1874. In
1916 he served the Patrick circuit: 1876
AZ the Davidson circuit: 184S Tar River
circuit: 40 Stokes circuit: '50-51 Frank
lin circuit: '54-55 Granville circuit: Sc
81 Halifax circuit: $3.50 Wentworth: go
81 Leasburg circuit.
In these various fields, which were
some of the best charges of the Confer
ence, Mr.. Norman had triumphant min
| istry He was a minister of great popu
larity in these fields and could command
congregations equal to the most eloquent
ministers of his day. This field of his
maturer ministry is that choice portion