The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-12-05

elders orders and win be ordained on
Sunday right. Preachers In the Ra-
leigh and Durham districts were pass
ed and they submitted their reports.
Conference adjourned at | O'Clock
with the ~benediction.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETS
Last night the Conference Historical
Society held its anniversary meeting,
which was largely attended by MEM
bers of the conference and others. The
| devotional exercises of the anniversary
| We're conducted by Rev. l.. L. Massey,
president Of the society. Rev. II. F.
Bumpass led the opening prayer.
Mr.. Massey introduced Rev. Z. ].
Carraway, of Greensboro. a member OF
the Western North Carolina conference
who delivered the address of the even
ing his subject being North Carolina
Methodism-Its Men and its Mem
bers Fifty Years Ago" In part he
said: When / began to think of
North Carolina Methodism as far back
as nfty-six years | recall many sad
memories for so many have been called
away from their labor here. There are
SO many of those who labored so well
that it would be impossible in the time
allotted me to do so much IS mention.
! And of those whom | do not mention.
/ beg you o TO accuse me Of partial
ity."
MI. Carraway then recalled briefly q
number of the preachers who labored
in this conference as far back as fifty
six years. Among others he mention
ed Peter Doub who lived TO be IS
years old, and for nan years was
a prominent member of the conference.
He Was a modest man who seldom
spoke on the conference floor, but
whose opinion had great weight in the
conference. Il. G. Carson wa. prestnt
at the conference of 1916, at which
conference. r. G. Carson was president
travelling connection. Mr.. Carson was
later his presiding elder II one for
whom he had the greatest admiration.
! OF Il. O.. Burton he said: He was
n Of the strongest preachers in the
conference, and was a preacher whose
sermons resulted in the conversion of
souls that will be stars in his crown
, OF c. +. Deems: 1T would be pre-
sumption in me to speak of such a man
as we all know DR.. Deems was. His
sons have given us a history of his
useful life and happy death. He had
much interest in the u of educa-
ton in this state. He was also a good
presiding elder, and was eve ready to
heal and advise with the humblest
preacher as we'll as with II in author
ity. John Tillett: He was a man
who waged a lifetime warfare against
the LIQUOR traffic. He was q lOyable
man and one who accomplished great
good. At one time he was presiding
elder Of the Danville district, but at
his own request he was returned to
circuit work, for which he was emil
nently fitted, and in this work he re-
manned until called to his reward. He
has two sons, DR.. w. +. T1llett, or
Vanderbilt University, and Hon. {. w.
Tillett, Of Charlotte"
n. H. D. Wilson: HE was a man Of
great force in the conference. He was
strongly opposed to the division of the
conference. and at the last session held
in Charlotte before the division, he
made a notable speech ON the confer
ence floor. opposing the division. In
support of his argument he quoted the
memorable verses entitled "Woodman,
Spare that Tree with great effect.
The conference was divided, however,
but he died before the division was Ell
fected.
$50 much for these men Of the early
days of the conference and now let us
consider some of the measures or the
body. Enlargementwas the first mea-
sure I notice. The North Carolina
conference was set off from the VIZ
ginia conference in 1886, and it's terri
tory was increased from time to time
by the transfer Of parts Of other con-
ferences and with these additions there
came to us many good and useful men.
s'In the next place l shall motive h
cause of education which was another
measure projected by b men whom l
have mentioned. These felt the need
of increased facilities for education,
and in 1856 Trinity college was char
tered. the greatest man North Carolina
has ever produced was called TO the
presidency Of the Observation-Disclosures
Craven. The college has continued
grow and has been removed to u
ham, where it is enjoying great pros
perity.
Greensboro Female College was
chartered in 1898, but its doors were
not opened until 1856. The history or
this institution is wonderful, and its
present success is to all OF us some
thing in which we rejoice.
about this time the High school
spirit began to grow in u conference,
and this has continued to grow.
"In the next place, a need was soon
felt for a paper in North Carolina
Methodism and in 1856 the Raleigh
Christian Advocate began its puDllca-
ton. Time does not permit me 10
| speak of the men who have so worthlly
filled the position of editor of this pa
per.
1.-THE men of whom 1 have spoken to-
| night and many others, have passed
from earth to heaven, but the mem
DRY of their ives remains with us.
Let us cherish this memory and fol-
low in their footsteps, and in the
''Sweet Bye and Bye we shall meet
, them"
H. nl1rac- Dnr Nj