The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-09-22

wayside instead Of the therns. His
life has been for others. SacrInce
has played a conspicuous part IN ms
makeup. He always has piucked a
thorn where he knew or believed that
a rose might bloom.
His Record of Labor.
During the forty-one years of his
rectorship Mr.. Harding has admins
tered the rite of baptism to bI4 per
sons: he has joined together IN holy
wedlock 226 couples. he has commit
ted to earth's bosom 462. and has had
i02 combinations. What a history?
What a record with which TO salute
his Lord as he some sweet day en-
ters the City of Peace" h record
tells one of tears. OF hopes. of joys.
In a few short sentences We can
frame a picture that will always lin
ger as sweet incenSe-a record cover
ing years full of fruitage and reSpon-
sibility.
High in Church Councils.
In addition to his duties as rector
of Saint Peters he was made the first
secretary of the Diocese of East Caro-
lima, a position he held with credit
an satisfaction for twelve years He
also has been the examining chaplain
and deputy repeatedly to the general
convention. For many years he was
Dean of the C~OnVocatiOn of
In church councils he has always oc-
cupied a sphere high and enyiable.
He has been prominently mentioned
for his high office of bishop and no
doubt would have been the choice Of
| his church but for his infirm body.
Mr.. Harding stands the peer of any
in both church and State. Public
| education in Beaufort county knows
no better friend ana the progress
this great cause has made is due IN
arse measure to him..
For twenty-five years he was the
COUNT superintendent and that he
made good needs no comment. There
is no teacher nor pupil in the county
today but what knows him. His re-
tireInent from this office carried with
it regret and to him gratitude will
ever be extended by the advocates
Of public education.
OLDEST Guard Chaplain.
Mr.. Harding is chaplain Of the Sec
ond Infantry. North Carolina National
Guard. and he has the honor of hold
ing the oldest commission in the
country. He too, is the Oldest man OF
his rank in the United States. AS il
church, 81 here, he holds the affec-
tions of the soldier boys a. within
the hollow Of his hand.
This is recorded the ambitions. the
hopes Of the young minister entering
upon his road of life, striving for thu
mastery and close with an exhibition
Of he has accomplished during
all these years. What al accomplish
ment it has been.
He has reached the zenith with thi
consciousness of duty we'll performed
and faces his parishioners on tomor
row after fOrty-one years OF service
with skirts clear and clean. May i
be to him a glad and joyous day, full
of sunshine, cheer and hope. Ma.
rector and communicates be a unitet
band in the battlements of HEAVIER
and when the BLACK Camel seek
refuge at his portal may he nave
triumphant entrance into that city no
made with hands is the sincere WiSl
of every citizen.
Interesting Services Today.
The services at Saint Peter,
church tomorrow will be Of unusua
interest. The morning sermon will b
delivered by Rev. f. II. Harding, rec
tor Of Grace church, Camden. S. c.
a son Of the rector, and at night tn
preacher will be Rev. Isaac w
Hughes, of Henderson, N. c.,
! law of the rector. TIL
! music will be of high order and vii
!, under the direction Of Mr.. Edmun'
, Harding, a son OF the rector.