The Tupelo journal., 1906-04-06

whom have heard, and Idoubt
if Bishop Paine was an all round
| better preacher than he,
Just after the war the Meth
odist had another Elder at Fulton
and throughout north Mississippi
who was also a very fine preach
er, by the name of Allen. did
not consider him as the equal of
Blackwell, but he was the equal
of any man have heard in his
peroration.
| knew a young Baptist min
ister in the early fifties who was
very pleasant speaker and de-
lightful companion, by the name
of Phillips. | never knew how he
signed his name, for every body
call him Dick Phillips. He was
we'll educated, q fine portly look
ing man, with long flowing black
beard, and a very delightful con-
versationalist. AS soon as he
completed his education, he mar
ried a beautiful and cultured wife
and they at once went as miss
ionaries to the dark continent of
Africa. They had not long been
in the foreign field till the young
wife was called away and was
buried in the soil where the miss
ionary's work lay, and there he
remained for many years preach
ing to the natives. He was social
and jolly, and | understand was
a great favorite with the natives
| think it was about sixteen years
that he remained the first time
before he came home, but when
he came he was still the same
jolly Dick Phillips, He remain
ed in this country for quite
awhile lecturing in the interest
Dof Missions and preaching the
gospel of missions, and then
made another trip to Africa, but
not remaining so long that time.
He was a brother of Eli Phillips
of whom | have written hereto
fore. Rev. Dick Phillips had a
cousin. by the name Of Joseph
Moore, who was also Baptist
preacher in the long ago. | re-
member to have heard him preach
once at a school house on my
fathers place when Twas ajrather
small boy. | knew his father
quite well, who was a halter by
trade, and the only halter | sup
pose that old Itawamba county
ever had. OF the preacher son
| only remember that he was a
| fine looking fellow, and preached
like a man who believed what he
said.
The Baptist preache}' of old
Itawamha which had t most
extensive reach of all was
| w. C. Thomas, father of Frank,
Roman and VIII Thomas who have
lived among us so long. | have
heard Rev. Mr.. Thomas preach
often. He was peculiar in his
manner, having a habit Of look
ing kinder toward the top of the
house as he spoke, but was ear
nest ard enthusiastic in his ut
terance, and held very many
meetings which | have no doubt
resulted in much good. From
the time | knew him in the early
ffties he lived near old Hopewell
church, and although the Bap-
tist elect their pastors every year
if he was ever voted down there
I never heard Of it. know he
preached there for many years
He was a very delightful COM
panion at his home, and whatever
others may have thought of his
preaching, there was complete
agreement when they come to
speak of the charm Of his home
life and that counts more really
than preaching.
In the long ago | only remem-
Der one preacher Of the Christian
denomination. and that was old
Uncle Nat King, who lived about
ten miles south Of old Fulton, but
used to preach at Fulton. He was
a tall man, about six feet two
inches, large bald head, full of
sense, but possessing but a
limited education. Uncle Nat
/ had been a fighter in his time,
not willing but when forced on
him hewas known to whip three
men all on him at once in the
old old time, before the war at
Fulton. But naturally he was
| a man Of peace. | used to hear
him preach at Fulton. DR.. Davis
was one Of his faith, and was
generally present when Bro.
King preached. He was strong
man, Notwithstanding his want
of education. He had read and
Thought much of the Book OF
Books. have heard him preach
ing at the top of his voice often
land then stop and come down to
an ordinary tone with, amt that
SO Bro. Dock? Again, if he thought
| he had. preached long enough
right III the midst of his discourse
/ 4 ~4~x ard soyy stQrp