The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1918-08-06
I'm HONOR OF
LIEUT.. BISSETT

The services yesterday afternoon
in the Christian church in this city |
were beautifully impressive and ap-' !
propriate in honor Of the memory
and the valor of one of our young
townsmen, Lieutenant Wiley Cliff
ton Bissett who gave his life for his
country that humanity might be
free.
In the absence Of the pastor, Rev.
Richard Bagby who is now in
France, Rev. w. A. Stanbury of the
Methodist church presided, Rev. ].
M. Kester, pastor Of the Baptist
church delivered an earnest and fer
vent prayer and Rev. Bethea, rector
of St. Timothy's Episcopal church,
delivered the Grafton, one Of the
best we have ever heard. Following
this Mr.. Newborn for the church
and the Sunday School of which 1t.
Bissett was a member, read num-
ber of letters from his officers and
comrades all attesting the high. es-
TEEN in which our hero was held
and the noble ideals which animat-
ed his soul.
The music by the choir was sing
ularly sweet and appropriate and
the whole service will long be cher
ished by the friends and family Of
our soldier boy who sleeps his last
sleep in the little American cemete-
ry in France with his martial robe
around him."
Mr.. Kester apened the service
with prayer and prayed for Gods
blessings on the stricken hearts and
the comfort that He only can give
and that we may be worthy Of the
great sacrifice that the boys Of Am
erica are making that our country
and the world may be free from the
dominion of the cruel and relentless
Hun.
| Mr.. Stanbury then stated that we
were met here to honor the memory
Of 1t. Clifton Bissett who lost his
life in Belgium that civilization
might live and that mankind might
be free. He then introduced Rev.
Morrison Bethea of the Episcopal
church who took for his subject
Gal. 6 7, andS, whatsoever man
soweth that shall he also reap"
, In Gods plan every thing must be
planted and grow. This is the case
with plant life, in the mechanical
and the business world. Everything
must have a beginning and as the
seed that is sown is cultivated SO
will it either spring into newness of
life and bring forth abundantly or
it will perish away.
So it is with truth and righteous
ness. The western civilization for
the third time ha stood against the
onslaught of the Hun and forced
!, him back. The idea of human lib
erty was dominant in our forefath-
ers and at Valley Forge and at Bun.
ker Hill they gave their precious
blood that we might be free men
And so today we are following in
their footsteps and giving of our best
= blood and treasure that Christianity
and truth and righteousness may
= prevail.
i Mr.. Bethea stated there could NJ
!. more glorious privileges come tt
4 men than to stand on the fields o1
n France where our ancestors stood
. and stop the cruel Hun. These are
~ but the first fruits. There is no re
e mission of sins he declared, without
a the shedding Of blood, and we can
= not expect to enjoy liberty and hu
h man rights unless we fight fol
them.
J.. Your sons and my sons are sidt
!. by side on the fields of France
v They are there to protect you and I
Ia Greater love hath no man than thi
, that he give his life for his friend
10 Let us pray God that victory ma,
J. soon come to US.
l.! Mr.. s. G. Newborn followed Mr.
r Bethea and paid the highest tribut'
\ to the valor and integrity and th'
g fine Christian character of younl
4 Bissett who was member of tn
Ia Sunday School class Ct the Christia.
ia church
He stated that 1t. Clifton Bisset
"a Joined Company X when I. t'rs
" went into se:vlen IN the Mexican
II border and volunteered while u,,d,
q age whel his country needed n!n
n for servlct On the Rio Grande. An,
r again when tn, call cume to &, 0v
n er seas he was "a the front rant o
IL those who desired tc 70 and an .wt-
tr ed the call Of his country in dany,.