The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-07-28
REV. JOSEPH EVANS.
In M emDrSam.
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On his SeVenty-fftn birthday, July
lst, 1910, at St. Pauls, surrounded oy
lifelong friends and loved ones, Rev.
Joseph Evans closed life crowned
with faithful and fruitful service IN
the Christian ministry. The son Of
Rev. David Evans, prominent Scotch
Irish Presbyterian minister, he was
born in Ireland July 1st, 1885. When
he was three years old his parents
moved to Canada Finishing the course
in the grammar school, ne entered
Queens University, Kingston, Canada,
in 1852, from which he graduated with
the A. B. degree as valedictorIan of
his class in 1856, and received the A.
M. degree in the following year. In
November, 1858, he was ordained as a
minister and soon after installed as
pastor of Oxford and Bishop Mulls
churches, where his labers were abund-
andy fruitful. In 1861 he became pas
tor of Litchfeld church, where he
served three years. He moved to Sher-
brooke after his marriage to Miss
Agnes Moorhead, of Litchtiele From
this union were born three children
Mrs. @. N. Oliver. of Dillon, S. C
Mr.. ]. Howard, now deceased, and DR.
VIM. E. Evans, prominent physician
of Rowland.
In 1869, on account of failing health
he was forced to move South, taking
as his first pastorate the Presbyterian
churches at Smyrna and Bennettsville
In 1873 he became pastor of St. Pauls
Rockfish and Lumberton churches, liv
ing near the first-named church. Dur
ing this pastorate, which continued
until 1884, his wife died, and he married
Miss Sallie McNeill. From this uniol
four children were born-Mr. ]. B
Evans, who was last year superintend
ent OF the Atkinson graded school
Mrs. S. w. Hook and Misses Josepbin,
and Pearle Evans.
In 1884 he began passionate at Ash
pole church, near Rowland. In 1894 h,
became pastor of the church in Clinton
In 1897 he removed to Milton, in Cas-
well. where he remained till 1894, whel
he returned to St. Pauls to close hi
long and useful career among the PEG
pie who had learned to love and honor
him in his prime.
Such is a brief ano imperfect sketch
of most remarkable man. The writel
as boy knew him at his best. Afte1
a lapse of more than thirty years l cal
recall the vivid impressions made b,
some of his strong, lucid and thought
full sermons, preached at ST. Pauls
His sermons were always clear ant
logical. With mind thoroughly trained
to think, stored with useful knowledge
enriched by constant reading of thu
best writers, in intimate Acquaintance,
with the sublime truths of the Bible
he brought to his pulpit on Sunday F;
message which instructed, inspired ant
upiifted. The emotional and intel ect
ual were blended in all his discourses
Under the spell of his musical voice
and before the flash of his penetrating
eye, one could not help feeling tn
power Of strong and winsome per
sonality, while ever and anon Their
appeared irrepressible evidence of hi
native Irish wit.
He was courageous man. In 100
to vote for prohibition at St. Pauls wa
easy. Not so in 1881, but Rev. Josep
Evans was at the polls early doing hi
best for a losing cause. He preache
strong gospel. Others in these crit
cal years when many saw in the theor
of evolution the overthrow of Chris
tianity and the orthodox view of tn
Bible, might vary their sermons to sui
new conditions. Not so Mr.. Evans
The old-fashioned doctrine in strong
clear English-man's fall through sir
mis- redemption though faith in til
blood of Christ, these were the sub
: stance and significance of his sermons
At times he was eloquent; always il
) teresting.
Such the man-honest, able, fearless
7 the preacher-clear, logical, loyal
, the truth. eloquent; the Christian
, simple, trustful, devout. He res
: from his labors, but his works do folio
5 him,
: J. 3. Carlyle,
:, Wake Forest, N. G..