The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-07
THE LATE DIR. SKINNER.

The late Rev. Thomas E. Skinner,
d. D., who died in Raleigh early yes
terday morning, was born in Perquim-
ans county, April 10th, 1925, and
lacked only a few weeks of being
eighty years of age. He was son
of Charles w. Skinner, long leading
influential planter of Perquimans coun-
ty. the head of family that has been
true to North Carolina in every crisis
in it's history. Mr.. Charles Skinner
was the wealthiest, most generous and
progressive Baptist layman of his day,
and during his life gave sums estimat-
ed to reach fifty thousand dollars to
church building in North Carolina, to
Wake Forest College and to the other
Institutions of his church. AT one time
he pledged all his personal property
to pay the debts of Wake Forest Col
lege. When it was determined to erect
at the State capitol of North Carolina
a splendid Baptist church, though he
lived in Perquimans county, Mr..
Charles Skinner gave the largest
amount toward the erection of the
First Baptist church of Raleigh. He
was one of the founders of the Baptist
State convention and travelled hum
dreds of miles on his sulky 10 attend
it's sessions. His brother Thomas II.
byterian minister.
The son followed in the footsteps of
his honored father and for more than
half century was q leader in the Bap-
list church. closing his long life in
the city in which he had spent most
of the years of his active life.
The son of wealthy planter, DR..
Skinner enjoyed the best educational
advantages. He was prepared for col
Iege at Bingham and graduated at the
University of North Carolina in 1917 i
in a class that was made up of men
who became eminent in peace and in
war. He began life as planter. but
soon was called to preach the gospel
and entered Union Theological Semi
nary, New York, in which his uncle.
Rev. Dr. r. III. Skinner was profess
sor and graduated May s, 1854, and
in November of the same year went,
tie Petersburg. Va. as pastor of the
First Baptist church, resigning That
charge in November, 1856, to become
pastor of the First Baptist church
Raleigh, serving that church until 1867
when he accepted call to Nashville,
Tenn In 1870 he became pastor at
Columbus. Ca; in 1871 at Athens. Ca.
in 1876 at Macon. Ga. In September.
1879, he returned to Raleigh to be-
come pastor of the First Baptist
church q second term, being both
times the predecessor and successor
of the late DR.. Thomas II. Pritchard.
of venerated memory. For more than
twenty years he was pastor in Raleigh.
and when he resigned as pastor of the
the active work of the ministry, but
he has since made Raleigh his home
except for a short period spent with
his daughter in the mountains. No
minister of any denomination has
spent so many years in Raleigh. He
was a familiar frure and enjoyed the
friendship of men and women of every
age anu VI CNCIJ StCCds lAC LIS
church and believed in its tenets. but
his love for mankind and his breadth
were so marked that he was nopular
with all denominations. That spirit
of catholicity and love for his fellows
grew upon him as the frightening
shadows warned him that his long and
useful pilgrimage was nearing its end
AL-ob la H. IN
the reward of the righteous.
After his retirement from the active
pastorate DIR. Skinner continued to be
abundant in labors. For thirty years
he was president of the board of
trustees of Wake Forest College. He
inherited from his father love for that
institution and was never happier than
when he could contribute to its pros
perity and expansion. He rarely
missed a commencement or meeting
of the board. He kept in touch with
the student body and the faculty. for
his heart never grew old and his in
terest in young men was as beautiful
as it was helpful to the young men
who enjoyed his friendship. For some
years he taught theology to colored
ministerial students at Shaw Univer-
sity. Later he was agent for the Bap-
fist Female University in which he al
ways manifested lively interest
In public matters DR.. Skinner full
filled the duties of good citizen. He
was q Democrat of the most straitest
sect" devoted to its principles and zeal
Gus for its success. but he never per-