The Monroe journal., 1922-02-14

1
The pastorate was filled in 1873
74-75 and 79 by T. p. England, M. V.
Sheriff., C. M. Pepper and d. May.
1t was in 1875 that w. II. Phifer's
name first appears on the records and
during .he year GLORIOUS revival" is
reported.
II was in 1879, while the Rev. d.
May was pastor, that the first en-
forcement of discipline for worldli-
ness is noted, and co-incident with
this a reduction of membership.
The quarterly conference records
from 1877 to 1891 are missing.
From 1878 to 1897 the pastors in
charge were ]. H. Quinn, P. j. Cara
way, F. D. Swindell, w. C. Cannon,
A. p. Tyer, J. C. Rowe, W. R. Barrett,
R. M. Hoyle, and w. r. Ware. 1t
will be noted that some of them were
the most noted preachers of the State.
II was during the pastorate of Rev.
r. M. Hoyle in 1894 that all of the
debt Of the church was paid. His
preaching was unusual, and as many
Of US recall, his discipline rigid. His
record will live-a diamond in the
rough.
1t was during the pastorate of w.
R. Ware that the enterprise of at
tempting to build the present mag
nificent church was undertaken and
$8,000.00 were subscribed for this
purpose.
1t was in 1899 that Rev. w. M.
Bagby came as pastor and it was DUR
ing his pastorate that contract was
bcrs. A glorious revival took place
talso and % added to the church.
made and the first brick laid on the
2lst day Of June 1900. The building
committee was composed of w. H.
Phifer, ]. H, Lee, S. w. Parham, W.
S. Lee, J. J. Grow, C. w. Bruner, ].
R. English and w. c. Heath.
I The opening services in the present
church were held July 5, 1901. The
membership at that time was 430. The
program began with love feast con-
Quoted by DR.. John R. Brooks. Bishop
Wilson of Baltimore, distinguished
guest, preached the first sermon and
his subject was "Saul of Tarsus."
Bishop Wilson proved to be man of
strong parts and treated the subject
in a rnrst rful way. A mass meeting
of all the Sunday schools of the town
was held in the church the same day.
The church was afterward dedicated
by Bishop Morrison.
| am indebted largely to Rev. w. r.
Ware, who wrote up history of the
church while here as pastor, and to an
article appearing in the Charlotte OBJ
server on July 9Th, 1901, by H. f. C.
Bryant (Red Buck), who reported on
the first meeting.
Address of the Evening
In his address Mr.. A. M. Stack re-
ferred to what he has seen in the old
countries and in places tina tare not
under the influence of christianity,
and declared that the vilest sinner in
America is indebted to christian in
fluences which provide safety and the
pursuit of happiness which he en-
joys. Mr.. Stack believes that it is a
tragedy that so many people are
debtors to the christian religion and
don't know it.
| Mr.. j. c. M. Vann, who was an in
vited guest from the Episcopal
church, made some happy hits. He
said that it is generally recognized
fact that the Episcopal church is the
mother of Methodism, and that if that
be true she is proud old mother. He
also declared that her children are a
! great deal more prolific than she has
ever been, judging from the wonder
| full growth Of the Methodist church
in Monroe. He threw a bouquet at
DR.. Weaver by stating that he has
never heard him preach, but the first
requisite to a good preacher is the
qualities of real man and that Dr.
Weaver certainly possesses such
qualities. Mr.. Vann also stated that
if there had ever been any doubt as
to his being an orthodox Methodist,
the supper last night had not only
made him an orthodox but shouting
, Methodist.
Rev. Geo. P. Stevens, returned
Presbyterian missionary to China, was
another invited guest and he was at
his best. He wished the heathens in
China could look in on that scene and
get the real significance of such a
body of business and professional men
gathered in an effort to stimulate in
terest in the spread of the gospel.
Rev. Mr.. Stevens, after his delight
I'ful talk, sang few Chinese songs and
closed with, "When the Roll is Called
! Up Yonder," asking the entire body
to join him in singing the chorus
in English. This singing was an in
spiration and it almost provoked a re-
vival among some of the more spirit
ually- minded.
The address Of Mr.. Pierce White of
Tryon Street Methodist church, Char
lotte, was rich in its suggestions, rem
iniscenses and real inspiration. He
said it was pleasure to him to be
called Mr.. White in Monroe for the
first time, as heretofore he had al
ways been referred TO as Anna
Chreitzberg's husband. Mr.. White
felicitated Monroe upon its ability to
cooperate in all good work and stat
ed that he had never seen a town
where everybody pulled together bet
ter. After the supper had progressed
that far Mr.. White felt something like
Jacob did the first time he kissed Ra-
chael He then told story of a man
who couldn's understand the scriptur-
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