Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-12-17

|Snt19Q4o AQvocAte.
1i(J C6l)cee and Southern
lSo1 ]lGSe suffered a distinct
|lnss in the death of Rev. W. L. c..
Wales. Professor WALES, the son
Of DR.. z. w. Wales and Mrs. Alb
bic Gorton Wales, was born in
Waterproof, La. March %, 1880;
and died in Augusta, Ca, November
Ia, 1915. He is survived by his
mother, wife (Mrs. Maud Henry
WALES, Of Birmingham, Ala, whom
he married in 1907, two sons
Henry and Gorton). and brother
(Mr. +. l.. Wales, of Birming-
ham.
Having secured his secondary
education in the public school of
his native town, he entered the
Centenary College, from which he
graduated with the Alb. dregree in
1899. After graduation he taught
for three years in the public schools
of Louisiana and in 1908 entered
the Theological Department of Van
derbilt University. In 1916 he re-
ceived the BID. degree and was
awarded the Founders Medal, the
highest departmental honor offered
by the university.
During this period of teaching in
Louisiana and study in Tennessee
he referred often in letters to his
mother to the need of the negro.
He saw them as those without a
shepherd; he saw them as race
Iimpotent from birth lying at the
beautiful gates of the temple of civ
ilization, waiting for some followers
of the Christ to extend, not silver
and gold, but the hand of confidence
and help; he saw them with the
open Bible in their hands, but with
none to instruct. He heard the
command of the Master, land in
Samaria. In 1906 he volunteered
for service in the Theological De-
partment of Paine College, the
school founded and supported by
our own church and its child, the
Colored Methodist Church.
At Paine Professor Wales labored
faithfully and well. His unusual
intellect working in perfect accord
with the spirit of the Chsist-"a
mind and soul. accordingly well"-
gave to his labors rich results. Two
years ago he took charge Of the De-
partment of Physical Science. No
period of his life shows greater for
titude or devotion than these last
two years. With body racked by
pain he daily met his classes. Dur
ing the past summer he was con-
fined to his bed. suffering intensely.
1t was my privilege to be much as
ISOLATED with him during these
trying months. As daily we saw
the body growing weaker under the
ravages of pain and fever, his hope,
his indomitable will, bis patience,
his submission were an inspiration.
Not only was Mr.. WALES a pro-
lessor in Paine College, but imme-
diately on coming to Augusta he
became active in the church life of
the city. Joining the Woodlawn
Church, he organized mems Bible
class with six members. At his
death the class membership was
above one hundred and twenty-five. |
The home-going of this man, our
co-laborer and friend, leaves n va
can't chair in our faculty that is |
difficult to fill. The need is urgent: |
it is immediate. The call is to a
young man. trained in one of our
A-grade colleges, who is able to
teach the physical sciences or can
work anywhere in the department
Of ministerial training-one who
not only believes in the universali-
" of religion and OF opportunity, but
who is eager to carry this message of
he abundant life to our brother in
black. ~
The pathway here will not always
'e along pleasant places. The aw-
ul need, the boundless opportunity,
he lethargy and indifference of the |
;hurch will off-times wiring the
oul; but where the way is darkest,
he fellowship Of the Christ is more
cal. The task is hard, but it is
lorious; the work is difficult, but
ane and in accord with ones sense
+ justice. Ii
Is there one to whom this oppor-
unity appeals, one who will take
p the work laid down by Professor
Vailes? |,
ID. f. ATKINS, President. Il
Augusta, Ga. II
Commenting on the invitation r