The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-11-05
POEMS OF OCCASION
BY A T. DURHAM

iAfct HAtS OF verse OAD VI AACA
New. by q North Carolina Minister
and Writer.
(Reprinted from the October South
Atlantic Quarterly
Gay Albert N. Webb, Professor Of Ro-
nance Languages in Trinity
College.)
In recent years there have appeared
from, the pen Of a talented North Car
oiiaian, Plato Tracy Durham, several
poems that have expressed with note
worthy form and sincere emotion SEN
iiments inspired by occasions OF par
ticuiaF significance. Though many
readers are familiar with the poems
that have appeared at intervals In
,ccal publications, It seems worth
white to give to q wider public an op-
pcrtunity to appreciate the quality OF
Mr.. Durham's work. It would be Out
Of place to go int any critical ap-
praisai OK the merits or defects OK a
number Of poems 50 limited that they
constitute but tho beginning OF q
promising output. But a word OF IN
production may not be- amiss.
The son OF Mr.. Plato Durham. q
North Carolinian prominent In the
History of Reorganization days Plato
r, Durham was born in Shelby, N.
G., September 10. 1873. He prepared
Tor college at the IIorner School and
entered Trinity College, Durham, n.
T., where he graduated in 1895 He
during the year 1896-1897 and at
Union Theological Seminary the two
years following. In 1899 he was elect
ed Professor of Biblical Literature and
Church History at Trinity College,
Durham. Mr.. Durham occupied this
chair until 1905 with the exception
~ a year abroad at Oxford Univer-
sity. In his teaching he was at his
best in guiding ministerial students to
a personal individual solution Of tho
problems Of religious thought raised
for men OF a conservative environment
by the contact with college work. He
brought to this task a broad educa-
ticn. genuine sympathy for young men
passing through this crucial period Of
Development, and skilful tact In inter-
preting to them the thought Of master
minds. In the summer of 1905 MI.
Durham went to Charlotte as pastor
Of the T'ryon Street church and later
of Trinity church In that city. He
became an occasional contributor to
the Charlotte Observer. On the death
of Mr.. John Charles McNein Of that
paper Mr. Durham was asked to write
an appreciation Of the young poet.
This attracted much attention, and.
soon after. Mr. Durham was led to &C
cept a place on the Observers staff.
But In 1907 he was sent as pastor to
Concord, where he remained until
1911. He was then made presiding ell
der OF the Winston District Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. It
was after his connection with news
paper work that MI. Durham began
to publish occasional verse. Writing
For the Observer before him. Mr..
Avery had known how to pick out of
the life about him phases OF human in
terest and treat Of them In articles
Of genuine sentiment. Mr.. Mcneil had
followed with his poems. Mr.. Dur
tradition inherited from these two
friends whose work he had synpathet-
ical!y followed.
1.-The Bells Of Trinity is the first
poem chosen for quotation. The sun
sci bell at Trinity has long been one
OF the associations marking the life
Of the place. Passing his alma mater
q evening the poet recalls his col.
lege years and gives expression te
those notes OF warning. encourage
ment. and consolation that are the
deeper lessons Of college life. Line:
from this poem We're engraved on thu
new college fell hung In place of tn.
old n destroyed by fire. And, when
on July %, 1911, this fell was dedi
Gated and christened "Marse Jack" il
honor Of Bishop John G. Kilgo. for
mer president OF Trinity, Mr.. Durham
was asked to read this poem at tn
u~edication:
When weary on the storm-swept hill
I hush the climbers challenge sons
And love the dreamy light that fills,
The s-bloOming wales Of Wrong
a warning song rings out to me-
The deep, stern bells of Trinity.
When bleeding on the battlefield
Where Rights uplifting banners &c
My coward soul would cry. II yield,
And bend before the ancient foe
A bugle song enheartens me
The clear, brave bells Of Trinity.
When standing where the bravest di
And Spnvnine Jcohn1I f-:-