The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-01-19
DIR HUF'H1i VI WAS CHAPLAIN.

SalO
1.-THE committee on arrangement
for the Inauguration we're fortunate II
securing as chaplain of the Inaugural
ton day Rev. j. d. Huffman, D. d.
the venerable and popular divine who's
ery.ces TO his State have won for hin
the esteem and affection of all NORTH
Carclinians.
Boon ia 1884, when Andrew Jack
son vas President of tho United States
Dr.. Huffman has voted the straight
Democratic ticket for half century
AID las taken deep sud abiding in
teIesi in thu welfare CT the party te
whose principles be is attached. He
wac present in 1862 and in 1864 aud in
1877 wien Vance was inaugurated
Governor, was friend and adviser o.
that great commoner. When the wal
closed DR.. Huffman was editor of the
Biblical Recorder and he wrote about
the invaders of the State with great
planness of speech. kirkpatrick saw
ons of DR.. HUMANS editorials and
said, when 1 get to Raleigh if Hut
ham Is there I will hang him. The
friends of DR.. Hufham advised him to
leave Raleigh when it was reported
that Kirkpatrick was near the city, but
Dr.. Hufham had not learned how to
run and he held his ground. He was
not hung or molested for Wheeler kept
Kirkpatrick so busy that he dldn't
have time to look for Huiham.
''For fifty years, in peace and in war
DR.. Hufham has been a leader for po-
iitical and civic righteousness in North
Carolina, and has rescued many histor.
ical incidents of the first importance
that reflect honor upon the State. 1t
is fitting and proper that this good
gray-haired veteran of the Cross should
invoke the blessings of the Ruler of the
Universe upon the incoming admins
tration. His presence here to-day will
be rich benediction."
The day after the Inauguration. in
reporting the exercises of the day, The
News and Observer further said:
Lieutenant Gov ernor Turner arose,
called the joint session to order and
called upon DR.. J. D. Hufham for
prayer. That grand old man came
forward, conscious of his strength, yet
humble in his hearing. His stubble OF
gray beard, his aged and yet alert face,
the eyes which had 80 often looked
upon such gatherings, the earnest. sim
p!s words, beautiful and chaste, were a
preliminary that gave to the gathering
a dignity and a purpose that it did not
forget. There is that of the patriarch
about DR.. Hufham, but it is as a
prophet who understands and who is
loved by human sympathy that he is
known. He is the dean of the State,
a man whose bigness Is of that sort
that everywhere be is recognized. That
the exercises of Inauguration should
have been opened by him one felt was
privilege. The prayer, thankful, de-
y>u:, yet came as almost with author
ity, it was as though Israel had
spoken"
The Morning Fost the same day
gave part of DR.. Hufhsm's prayer as
follows:
20, Lord ! most merciful and gra-
cious builder and ruler of nations, We
pray Thy blessing upon us here assem-
bled, and our commonwealth. We
render Thee thanks, 0 Lord, that the
foundations OF our government were
laid On the principles set forth in Thy
word. We render Thee thanks that
Thou hast helped us through the
years and brought us through every
trial to peace, prosperity and happi-
ness. We bless Thee Tor the men
Thou hast given us to rule US and to
serve us.
eve bless Thee for THE, our SO: want.
who now lays down the responsibilities
OF Office and for those who were associ-
ated with him. We bless Thee for the
man who comes to take his place, and
for that Thou hast given us a God
fearing man.
Guide us now, We pray Thee, into
Increasing prosperity and usefulness.
Guide us to the perfect day"
Joy and happiness ofttlmes
Ii mothers hearts are brought to dwell