The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-09

Blackstone. va. Sept. Before his
election to the episcopacy it was a
difficult matter to catch DIR. Cannon
at home" 1t has been still more
difficult since his election. Our citi-
gems desired to give him a public fare
well service at one Of our churches,
but he could not be caught or held
here long enough for it, until it was
learned on last Sunday night that he
would be here on Monday night. So
on Monday night. in very limited
way, notice was given that such
meeting would be held on Monday
night. In view of the lack OF time
and opportunity for advising of the
meeting, the large attendance was
most gratifying fact.
The committee in charge was COM
posed of Messrs. G.. +. Adams, S. L.
Barrow and J. d. Crawley. Rev, c.
Tuttle was appointed chairman.
Messrs. T. NJ billiard, II. IL. Seay and
j. NJ. Hurt were the speakers APP
pointed.
The meeting opened with singing
followed by prayer led by Rev. Mr.
Willis, pastor of the Baptist church.
The chairman then stated the object
and purpose of the meeting, and to
biliS auOtl expression Oh Ills personal
sympathy with, and full endorsement
Of. all that the meeting meant and
stood for. He paid highest tribute in
his remarks TO the one in whose honor
with this expression of appreciation
the meeting was called. He then call
ed upon Rev. j. K. Sturgis to read the
resolutions. This was done, and the
appointed speakers addressed the
meeting.
Mr. T. NJ, billiard the first speaker,
in few tender words told how widely
and how helpfully had been the reach
| and power of DIR. Cannon's influence
upon the community through the sim
| pie channels of his character and con-
i duet during f4is-4eng sojourn here.
! And this the speaker stressed as a
great power operating thus for good
in the community. apart from. and in
addition to, the good resulting from
his active labors
Mr.. II. II. Seay, in humorous, but
very effective, way directed to each
and to all of the good and great things
that DIR. Cannon had accomplished
/ while living here; by presenting n bit
of charges in which the specifications
named each of his achievings.
Mr., j. Nj. Hurt, in stressing some OF
the benefits that had come To Black
stone through the citizenship and
labors of DR.. Cannon, included the
financial, social and moral benefits
i through the great scf1etyf that he had
i founded and developed SO rnareelosie-
I ly. Like Mr.. Seay, he also directed
attention TO the great work that the
institution had done in the helping Of
poor girls to get an education thai
otherwise would have been desti-
tute of
-f -.
influence upon the community. moral
ly and spiritually, of the life of DIR
Cannon throughout the years of hi:
dwelling here. i. The emphasis placed
upon this fact with such unanimity
was a most remarkable tribute. The
speakers further agreed in their
atfirmations that the attitude o
Blackstone toward Bishop Cannon
had been. and is. that Of affection
highest esteem and fullest confidence
in his sincerity and integrity. Each
gave Blackstene's heartfelt invitation
to come back during all his lifetime
and often to enjoy it's hospitality ant
homes. Each speaker gave evidence
that he was carefully holding himself
back from all utteranee that woult
have excited high emotional feeling
and thus make the meeting more tax
ing to Bishop Cannon. The reader o,
the resolutions being called upon fol
comments on them, resolutely turned
away from his selected line of chosen
| thought as he saw that it would carry
/ him and his hearers too far into the
| emotional depths that the Other
speakers had carefully avoided.
crisis of this nature was almost pre-
cipitated as Mr. Hurt in closing his
remarks. invited Bishop Cannon te
visit Blackstone as often as he coult
in coming days. added the wish thai
when the time came that DR.. Cannon
could no longer come because his
great work had ended on earth they
would bring thes body in which they
had known and loved him here bach
| to Blackstone for interment in IT.
cemetery. that he might have home
with them here even in death.
| The purpose of this scribe has beer
| to record the things said of Rshor
Cannon in this meeting rather thar
10 tell the things that the bishop SAID
| In response This scribe has seen him
calm and tranquil in debate and other
| exciting conditions in which the aver
! age man would have been carried of
] his feet bv his feelings" But he has
also seen Or Cannon twice tramn1eied
and embarrassed under a great effort
! 10 control his feelings One occasion
| was ne Richmond banquet on his
/ return from France and England
when, at the close of pr McDaniefs
great address OF welcome, he pre-
scented the silver gift Of friends. The
other occasion was that of last Mon
| day night when the bishop arose to
make his response.
As to his address. il could not be
put down in cold print. Warm. spon.
| taneous. II streamed from his heart
lie told Of what Blackstone had been
| to him. even as they had been telling
of what he had been to Blackstone
| How in the days Of the hard fighting
| for the right and the truth, weary
worn battered by the blows OF un-
! friendly criticism, and unkind as well
as untrue assertions. he would often
/ long for the opportunity to run back
to Blackstone for the refreshing and
sustaining that 1t always meant to
| him. Their confidence, their sup
port, their loyal friendship had been
as a resting place for his weary SOU
1 t., T. ~ f..f L.