The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1912-05-09
ANNUAL MEETING and ROLL.CALL.
A Great Occasion for The BaptlSts Of
Scotland Neck.

Last Sunday was perhaps one of
the greatest days in the history of
the Scotland Neck Baptist church.
1t was the day for the usual annual
meeting and roll-call of the church,
and also q reunion Of the former
pastors.
Among those of the old pastors
present were DR.. J. D. Huffman, of
Creedmore; Rev. J. f. Hutson, Of
Richmond; Rev. NJ. L. Kesler, Of
Thomasville; Rev. R. A. Mcfarland,
Of Suffolk. Rev. Mr.. Kesler, who
is the general manager of the
brownsville Baptist Orphanage,
brought with him the Orphanage
quartette, composed of four sweet
little girls: Misses Ethel Topping,
Ruth Hood, Velva Ingle and Imogene
McCullers. who delighted the people
with their most excellent singing
throughout the day.
The days exercises opened at the
Sunday school hour. The regular
lesson was dispensed with and the
time of the Sunday school was de-
voted to the Orphanage and its
work. The school collection on
each first Sunday always goes to the
Orphanage and is regularly $4,000,
but on this occasion, without any
special appeal for an extra contribu-
ton, the school gave $4,000, the
Baraca Class giving half of this
amount.
Just before the closing hour Rev.
MIR. Kesler addressed the school, and
said that never in all his life had he
heard such report as had just been
read by the secretary-one round
hundred dollars for the Orphanage,
and he was not sparing at all with
his praise of his old flock here in
Scotland Neck. He told Of the ele-
giant gift Of the Kennedy estate
near Kinston, which had just been
made to the Orphanage unexpected
Iy and without solicitation; of how
it would enlarge the possibilities of
the institution, and how it would
call for greater and more persistent
effort on the part of the friends of
the Orphanage.
At the regular HOO o'clock SER
vice the annual roll-call was heard,
and the venerable DR.. Huffman adj
dressed the people whom he had
served SO faithfully years before.
He told Of the bright and glorious
past Of the church, and predicted
a brighter and happier future for
the Baptist cause and the Baptist
people of the town and community.
At night Rev. J. f. Hutson, Of
Richmond, spoke to the congrega-
ton, saying that perhaps he had the
honor Of having been pastor of the
Scotland Neck Baptist church more
times than any other man, save, pos
sibly, DR.. Huffman, and he was al
ways proud to be here and talk to
the good people Of the town.
After the address Of Mr.. Hutson,
Rev. r. A. Mcfarland, Of Suffolk,
perhaps the best loved and most
greatly admired Of all the old pas
tors by the people of the community
generally, without regard to church
or creed. was presented to the wait
ing congregation. He discussed in
his usual happy style the problems
that confront the Christian people
of the Nation, and especially Of the
South. He spoke for about twenty
minutes, and as he always does, held
the closest attention Of the large
congregation that heard him.
1t was indeed a great day for all
the people Of this good town, and
especially for the Baptist people,
and it was an inspiration to see the
faces Of these former pastors among
us again and to hear them speak to
their old congregation.
While here DR.. Huffman was the
guest OF Mrs. Margaret A. Shields;
Rev. and Mrs. Kesler with DR.. and
Mrs. A. c. Livermon; Rev. and Mrs.
Mcfarland and little son with Mr..
and Mrs. T. B. Wheeler; Rev. J. f.
Hutson with DR.. and Mrs. r. NJ.
johnson, and the Orphanage quar-
lotto with Mr. and Mrs N Rios