The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-12-10

what "Supernumerary' meant in
| Methodist parlance. [ answered it
means just what it means in other
cases-"above the number required"
But as applied, in some cases, it is
| incorrect, for the men are needed; as
| evidence of which, other preachers
are called in to fill their places. Super
numeraries nowadays are generally
those who, because of failing health,
| feel incapable of doing full work,
and ask for year or two of rest,
which request the conference will al.
ways grant, when the facts in the
case will justify such action. A super
uumerary is generally made q second
man on some work, so as to show thai
although resting, he is st.ll i'll active
service A man who asks for a su-
pernumerary relation for the purpose
of engaging in a better paying busl-
| ness. may not seriously HARM the
church, but runs the risk of doing
himself more harm than can be easily
repaired a man had better be careful,
at this point. All those fellows who
declined going to the Great supper had
excuses thai, to them, seemed salts
factory, but they wouldn't hold water
have known many preachers who
suffered by dropping out of the regu-
lar work. one case, fresh in my mind
will tell the story of my meaning. He
was young man of talent and could
preach well. He did not rise as rap.
idly as he desired to do but the rea-
son for his failure was his desire
to make money. He finally withdrew
from conference and plunged into
business. For awhile he made money;
but he soon lost it. Then he came
back to the conference. He expected
to put in right where he left off.
=; DO Gil me n
with whom he was associated in other
days. But he couldn't do that, for,
while he was out those. other young
men had been going onward and up
ward. SO, he had to drop il behind
and serve such places as he was
serving when he dropped out. Hc
thought he was i'll treated and. Of
course, became q cOmplaineT. He for
got that lettering makes men lose
position in the race; that when one is
out the others are going on. But, Il IL
SO, and it was so in his case. He ha6
to start anew taking rank with new
and younger men. OF course nc
chafed under it, and. as the read
er will guess. he finally dropped out
because. as he said, he was not ar
preciated, and spent his last days
in vinegar barrel speaking after the
manner of parallels.
young days who quit preaching he
cause. as he said. the Lord didrf
take care of his interest. When he was
his only negro man. worth thons-
and dollars. was drowned in a mill
pond On coming home and finding
At dead negro. the preacher flew int"
a passion so the story went, and said
he'd never preach any more. I'll.
said he "thc Lord won't take care of
m nff ny
ror him, I'll quit" And ne did. ! an
sincerely sorry for those brethren who
are Obliged, because Of il! health, r.
drop out OF the regular ministry, and
i pray that ere long they may be fully
restored to health and 10 ;heir old
ume places In the RANKS. a..,.
What grand old man is Doctor
Belts. He goes and he comes and is
always serene. one ycac you hca'
or HIM down on the Cape Fear, the
next down on the Tar, then he Jumps
away down on the sea coast and the
hrst tn ng you know you'll hear him
make Il cheerful note that will tel!
the world that he's a-living and still
happy on the way" He was born and
raised in Wake, professcd religion n
old Buckhorn camp-mceting in Chat-
ham, Joined the conference at Greens
boro in 1856. and has swung to ms
work ever since. pulling fifty years
right steadily on, without kicking OF
baking.
They used to say of the Rev. Dan
iel Culbreth. that if he were read out
at conference to paddle Il h-tuh
over Albemarle Sound, a year, he'G
buy the first tub ne saw and launch it
Grand old men-Re". Daniel Cul-
hreth already gone up, and Rev. n. -
Belts nearing the gates of the Celes-
tia City.
I've said enough for This time and
will close by saying that "Whftaker'E
"reminiscences" will make "a nice
Christmas present to a friend. Only
$3.50 postpaid.
Raleigh. n. c.