The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-03-10
Barlow Notes

Barlow, March "Wednesday,
March commemorated the birthday
of Rev. Robert White of Barlow. Rev.
White was born in Australia in March
s, 1912. He has preached for sixty
years, and is now an Octogenarian.
Time flies on rapid wings and the
air scarce trembles with the fleeing
sound" The question was asked by
Rev. Wits friends who love him like
a father: How can we best celebrate
this dear mans S0th birthday; how
best please him for whose honor the
day has been set aside for the people
to show him love and gratitude for his
long life of Christian service-he, who
has brought so many lives much near
er to the divine life, he who lives for
others and not for self? This dear
man of God chose his own way of
celebrating the great day in his life
He asked for the privilege of preach
ing in the Methodist church on that
day: Throw open wide the doors
invite all the people to come and let
me tell them of the love and peace of
Christian life" So on Wednesday
evening the Methodist church was
filled to overlooking with his friends
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
church, the First Presbyterian church
and the Christian church all carried
their congregations to unite with the
Methodists in showing honor to Rev.
White, for he often breaches in their
pulpits. Each church claims Brother
White" While he belongs to the
Methodist Conference and has a regu-
lar charge, he is so filled with the
spirit Of Christ he finds time to help
Others Many visitors from Lakeland
and other nearby places were pres
ent. Rev. White is small in stature.
lie seemed weak and frail; as he rose
to his feet he gave a calm, sweet
smile to his large congregation then
in his strong, clear voice read his text
from the 92nd Psalm, 1914 verses
Those that be planted in the house
of the Lord shall flourish in the courts
Of our God. They shall still bring
forth fruit in old age; they shall be
fat and flourishing."
Then followed a sermon that would
have done credit to any bishop. AS
in dream all saw in a vision. clear
defined, the peace and beauty of a
Christian life in his illustration of a
tree which was transplanted into
good, rich soil, protected and cared for
through all the time of it's growth.
fed and nourished by new life given
by needed rain and sunshine. Soon
the miracle OF time brings forth fruit.
He then showed forth the likeness of
soul born of the Christ Spirit early
in life transplanted into the church
where in sunshine and shade, gladness
and sorrow, love kept their strength
and bound them closer to the cross of
Christ as they go down the sunset
NIL. Music was furnished by the
Methodist choir, the congregation
joining with them in singing old-time
hymns. After the sermon there came
great surprise for the dear octogen-
arian. Rev. Lowe presented him with
handsome gold fountain pen given
by the "L'Shere" Sunday school class
of the Methodist church; next Miss
Eva Robinson made a sweet short
talk showing how the church appreci-
ates his efforts and his good influence,
not only in the church but in the en-.
tire town. She then handed him q
lovely wallet which contained fifty
dollars in gold, the gift of the Meth
odist church. Brother White was too
full OF appreciation to find words to
express his feelings. The people were
asked to come forward and shake
hands with their dear friend, and all
gladly responded. Rev. Lowe, the
pastor of the church, then invited all
in the house to adjourn to the Sun
day school rooms and partake of
lunch and hot coffee which the ladies
had prepared for social period with
/ the honored guest and his friends.
This event will be long remembered
in Barlow and by many other people.
1t has been beautifully said, "a
mans life is laid in the loom of time
| to a pattern which he does not see,
!. L.. =