Carthage courier. (Carthage, Tenn.) 1913-current, 1921-03-17
Pastor In One Charge
For SXty-Three Years
By George w. Gean in The Banner

By George w. Gean in The Banner 1
Halls, Tenn, March So SpeciaI)-
According to all information, the Rev.
w. N. Norment of Whiteville, is in
point of service, the oldest pastor in
the world, having been pastor of the
Whiteville congregation of the Cum
berland Presbyterian church for sixty.
three years in succession. Many have
been the experiences of this most re-
markable cid divine.
When he first took charge of the
congregation, the country was very
scantily settled, just a house here and
wolf in those days was almost as COM
mon as the bark of dog today. To
day herds of sheep gently feed where
then the wild deer fed in reaonable
safety
The board of elders that first called
him to this pastorate have long since
passed to the great beyond, leaving
their mantles to be carried by their
children and children's children, and
they have continued to call. Mr.. Nor
ment to the same charge. Many that
were baptized by him in their infancy,
are now bent with years and are near
ing the end of the way Many min
listers that were ordained under him
have already lived out their days of
usefulness and have gone to their re-
ward. Many have been the changes
among the other churches of the town
and community. Other pastors have
come and gone, but the Rev. Mr.. Nor
ment continues to minister to his peo-
pie.
Almost three score and ten years
ago Mr.. Norment watched the blush
ing bride, as she, in company with her
beloved, stood before him as he said
the ceremony that made her a lawful
wife. Since that time he has said
the same ceremony to her children and
children's children.
Mr.. Norment was educated at Cum
berland University, Lebanon. Of his
class few live today.
Many years ago, Mr. Norment visit
ed General Andrew Jackson at his
home near Nashville, Tennessee, and
today, he can in a most interesting
way, give an account of the personal
appearance and home life of the old
hero of New Orleans. At that time
/ General Jackson was a most devoted
Christian man and said to Mr.. Nor
ment: "Yours is a great calling, young
man, yes, a great calling indeed"
! A few years ago when VIM. J. Bry-
an came to Whiteville for the purpose
of delivering an address, he was intro
duced by Mr.. Norment. Mr.. Bryan
said in his address: 81 have talked
with brother Norment, and find him
7 to be the most remarkable old man
/ / have ever met {. Why the scenes of
/ three score and ten years ago are told
4 by him today with just as fresh a
memory as had they occurred but yes
terday."
Mr.. Norment was a commissioner
! tc the last meeting of the general as
/ sembly of the Cumberland Pres
/ byterian church, held at Mckenzie
Tenn, in May, and delivered an adj
dress to that body. The writer was
present as a commissioner to the same
meeting, and heard the stirring adj
dress by the old hero of the ministry.
Mr.. Norment is nearing the 10C
mark. Of course, his steps are grow
ing feeble and his eyes are somewhat
dim, but he is yet able to care for him
self, think for himself and gets about
as actively by manner as many men
at sixty. He may preach several
years still.
Mr.. Norment would not exchange
/ his record for that of any king. He
j says: "The reason l have been able to
hold my same work through these
many years, is because that l have
tried to preach Christ to the people.
J M u p