The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-26

The first minister to occupy the
manSc was Rev. F. ID. Hunt. Evi.
IDENTIFY the gentlemen who plan
ned this building had little idea of
cOnvcnicnccS for women. Not (;
closet, or a shelf in the entire
house. Not even in the kitchen.
The women were indignant oven
that, and promptly did their best
to remedy this condition. After
the removal Of the mansc The Rev.
+. \. Sample and family were it,
first occupants.
During Mr.. Samples ministr!
our church was in desperate need
for assistance in carrying on the
financial affairs Of the church.
We had but few men, and for
vaiio reasons they could not
serve. Returning from a visit TO
New York | was amazed to hear
that Mrs. Anderson. Mrs. Jordan
and myself had been appointed
as dcACOncSScS. At first ! thought
it was Il joke. A woman Officer
in a southern Presbyterian church.
Impossible. However, when | re-
allied that it really was true ]
went to Mr.. Sample and told him
that it would never do for me to
serve, | knew nothing Of the du-
ties. felt sure that some would
not approve of my having such
q position. Mr.. SAMPLE begged me
to accept, told me of the urgent
need of help in the work. Finally
| said, "You know some of our
members think me worldly, good
ness knows why, but they do.
However, If you really think my
services can help you and the
church ! will accept" He said, 81
certainly do. and | am very CRATE
full that you ladies are going to
assist us" ! replied, 81 will do
my best, and | will promise you
this, | will never do anything that
| would be ashamed to have my
pastor know" He kindly answer
ed, 81 am sure that you would
not, | feel that things are going
to greatly improve with the help
of you ladies"
Friends, my experience in that
position has made me have 4 pro-
found respect for the office OF
deacon. They have my sympathy,
and my high regard. The church
was divided between Mrs. Ander-
son, Mrs. Jordan and myself.
each taking certain number OF
names. I foolishly imagined that
as soon as those who were on my
list heard that | had them they
would promptly come forward and
pay their Subscriptions-but did
they? Not all Of them by any
means. ! interviewed people, wrote
notes, urged, pleaded, got mad,
but kept after them. One man,
who had promised one of the larg-
est amounts, paid no, attention to
repeated efforts to get him to give
it TO me, or even, a part OF IT. 1t
was always next week. very soon,
right away or something of the
sort. He seemed. to think that to
pay this sacred obligation was a
personal favor to, me. ]" gave him
TO know that such was not the
case. said, "Sec here, j want you
to understand that to. pay your
dues Sno favor TO me. am SIM
ply making il easy and, convenient
for you. Your obligation is be-
tween YOU and God. You have dis
appointed me repeatedly; and Il
am not coming TO you again.
Please remember that you are not
doing me favor. This is a matter
between your conscience o, and
your. God. That's all. He paid it.
Is it not strange that there are
those who have the highest sense
of honor concerning their obliga-
tions to their fcllowmen, and yet
delay, cvade and sometimes re-
fuse to meet their obligations to
God?
During the paStOratc of Rev. r.
h. Grinnan our present church
was built. This was in 1905. These
walls represent many prayers, sac
rificcS, hard work and self denial,
but as in the days of Nehemiah,
"Thc people had n mind to work
and God has richly blessed their
laborS.
When we decided to build
new house Of worship there was
"A good deal Of discussion as to
what was the best thing to do.
Some thought it would be adviS-
able to have our church more
centrally located, and proposed n
lot on Fifth avenue. Several 9TH
crs were suggested, but with the
majority rule, the decision was
that it should be on the same lot,
a little farther from the street,
and this was accordingly accept
ed. The discussions occasionally
waxcd quite warm. remember
that one of the officers who ia
vorcd the present location rose,
and in "A fcrvcnt talk told of the
dcsirability Of this corner. Tie
dwclt on the grass in an amusing
manner how beautifully it grew,
how green it was, how attractive
to the passcrs-by. When he finish.
ed another officers who favored
the Fifth avenue lot rose and said
tartly, al just wish to remind
my brother that grass also grows
quite grccnly on the other side