The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1921-05-13
WHITEVILLE HAS
THE OLDEST MINISTER
IN THE COUNTRY

the Cumberland Church in White
vile, Tenn, since 1858. At the age
of 80 he breaches twice a month at
the church where he has been pastor
So years and alsSsgoes 1 5 miles away
from home to preach once - month.
This man of 90, who shook the hand
of Andrew Jackson, James X. Polk
and Andrew Johnson, delivers three
sermons a month and is still active
after a service of II years. Andrew
Jackson died in 1S45, which seems
like ancient history to most mortals.
At that time Rev. Norment was at
tending the theological department
of Cumberland University at Leb-
anon, Tenn.
One day in the early spring of 1S45
dozen students, including Rev. Nor
ment, decided to call upon the aged
] defender of New Orleans, who was
reorted to be in feeble health. From
Lebanon to the Hermitage is about
II miles. The students were received
by young Donelson, adopted son of
| General Jackson
Come into the parlor," said young
Donelson, "while l speak to the gen
eral and find out whether he will re-
ceive you" He left the room and
returned shortly saying that the gen
eral would be pleased to see them.
They followed him into the bedroom
where the famous old fighter sat in
his big armchair.
1t was apparent to the so1ool boys
that the former President was not
long for this world. They passed a
single file by the sick mans chair,
each shaking his hand as he passed.
Having shaken his hand, all tooK
seats to hear any advice the general
might wish to give. The handshak-
ing over, General Jackson took from
the arm of his chair a siiver-bowled
pipe with cane stem. The pipe he
held unlighted in his left hand, while
his right clasped the curved handle
OF his famous hickory walking stick.
His snow-white hair was brushed
back from his forehead and hung
we'll down upon his collar.
What strange fancies race d
through the minds of the awe
stricken little group of boys on that
morning Every one of them had
read of how the man who now sat
before them whipped the British at
New Orleans. This venerable figure
once occupied the White House.
Then, too, they had read and heard
much about his duels; it IS possible
that these latter thrilled them more
than his great war and political
honors
On the mantelpiece lay two silver
mounted duelling pistols, long-bar-
i'm of
had faced Dickinson in a duel on
the banks of the Cumberland. And
these pistols brought back what they
had heard of his duel with Thomas
II. Benton, of Kentucky.
His adopted son, A. j. Donelson,
had told the general where the boys
were from and added that they were
studying to be ministers of the Cos
pei During the last years of his life |
the general had become religious |
While the young men sat breathless, !
the general Spoke. After lapse of
rs years, Rev. Norment recalls the
gist of General Jackson's advice as
follows:
JACKSON'S ADVICE.
Young men, / am glad to be able
to talk with you. You are young,
just starting in life. You are pre-
pairing yourselves for the ministry;
that is a great and noble profession.
1t is far better than business or pol
itics, especially the latter, because
when the storm and strife of po-
litical career are done, man is lone
ly, and, many times, friendless.
Politics has caused me much bit
terness and sadness. When man
grows old, issues of another day do
not seem nearly so important as they
did when the turmoil of politics was
in full blast For many years my
life was embittered by my political
enemies. My temper was quick and
uncomfortable and led me into much
sorrow. Take my advice, young men,
control your tempers; you are in the
loblest of all lines of human en-
leavor A life well lived Is a salts
action to man during the evening
If his life
In the year of 1S45, Rev. Norment
Jaw his first sulphur match, soap
)ox demonstration exhibiting hand
ul to gaping crowds on inc town
quare of Lebanon. A few in the
.rowd purchased three matches;
hey being sold three for quarter.
Think of the contrast inethe prices
# or commonplace matches to-day!
few years ago William Jennings
Bryan spoke in Whiteville, and was
Introduced by Rev. Norment. Be
ore leaving Whiteville, Mr.. Bryan :
old some members Of the reception
that he considered Rev.
Iorment the most remarkable man I
le had ever met, one who linked the !
istant past with the pulsating pres /
MT. r
MARVELLOUS MEMORY.
To illustrate his remarkable mem t
ry: Two years ago an aged lady, S
wife of a former U. S. Senator from g
arkansas, came to Whiteville to To- '
ate the grave of her father The I
ady, II years old had attended the q
uneral of her father when she was '
even years old, or 70 years before. i
he had never been back since the S
ay her father was buried. v
She got off the train and inquired i
Or the oldest inhabitant Rev. Nor t
lent was introduced. She stated b
hat she desired to locate her fathers i
n