USA > North Carolina > Historical papers of the North Carolina Conference Historical Society and the Western North Carolina Conference Historical Society > Part 6
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It was during my pastorate here that that choice spirit and noble Christian man, Rev. William Barringer, met his death by falling through a scaffold at Greensboro Female College, while as one of the building committee he was inspecting the work being done, after the first fire that destroyed the building. An evangelical preacher, with a clear head and a pure heart, he was sadly missed by his brethren, and his death was deplored as a bereavement to both the church and state.
The year 1875 I served the Haw River Circuit, and at the end of the year much to my surprise, and that of the people, I was moved to Durham, which was that year made a station. In 1877 I was back on the Pittsboro Circuit. Things had not gone smoothly there, and the friction resulted in a petition for my return to the charge. I knew nothing of the petition until it had been presented, and only consented to return that I might with God's help straighten out the crooked things and allay the tide of feeling which had risen. In this I was successful, and at the end of the year I was appointed a second time to Haw River Circuit, remaining through 1878-79. At the Conference of the latter year I was sent to Tar River Circuit, and served it through 1880-'81-'82-'83. From Tar River Circuit I was sent to Tarboro and Bethel, and at the Conference of 1884 was placed on the Washington District. I served the District four years, and from that District I was appointed to the Statesville District, and remained two years, 1889-'90. The Conference had been divided by the General Conference held in May of the latter year, and as I was to the manner born and all my ministry except these two years had been in the East, following my inclination to return, I asked the presiding Bishop to transfer me to the North Carolina Conference, which was done, and at the meeting of the Conference two weeks later I was appointed to Hay Street Church in Fayetteville. There I served for two years, 1890-'92. These I have always regarded as the most barren of my ministry; not a soul was converted during the time, so that whatever other good was accomplished, I welcomed my removal to the Rockingham District. That was a new District, having been set up at the Conference of 1892, with Rev. M. L. Wood, D. D., as Presiding Elder. His health failed to such a degree that he left the District at the close of the year, and was stationed at St. John and
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Gibson. Here he preached and battled with his disease till late in the summer of 1893, but to no avail. No man ever put up a more determined fight for life than he. The providence which incapacitated him for active service was to him inexplicable, and while he did not question its righteousness, he submitted only because he could not avert it. "Why should I at times when better furnished for preaching the gospel than I have ever been, be laid up, and deprived the privil- ege of doing that to which my whole life has been consecrated?" He knows now, and has long known the wisdom of it all, and looking into the face of God he has said with Paul, "Oh the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" M. L. Wood was a man of the old prophetic type, somewhat austere, but of a kindly heart. He loved righteousness, and hated iniquity, and had he stood in Elijah's place on Mt. Carmel, the same scene would have been enacted there, for Wood was of the determined and heroic build.
I had a successful year on the Rockingham District, but there was no district parsonage, and I had to travel the District from my home at Pittsboro. Dr. Gibbs had to change, as his time had by limitation expired on the Fayetteville District, and we exchanged Districts, he going to the Rockingham, and I to the Fayetteville. I served the Fayetteville District four years. These were eventful years. A number of our brethren had accepted and were zealously advocating an extreme view of the second blessing theory of Sancti- fication. The Wilmington and New Bern Districts had been long combed by them. They were pugnacious to a degree, and the churches and their ministers were enveighed against as agents of the devil. Schismis in the churches and factional disturbances in religious meetings, wrought by well meaning but misguided enthusiasts, threatened the peace and existence of some of our country churches. And now with some following in the Fayetteville District, a concerted plan was formed to invade it. At my ordination as a minister I took on myself the solemn obligation to "banish all strange and erroneous doctrines from among the people" and as Presiding Elder of the Dis- trict I was charged with the oversight of the spiritual and temporal interest of the charges within its bounds.
A large hall was rented, and a determined effort made by the leader of the movement, backed by outside help, and in spite of the protest of Dr. L. L. Nash, then pastor of Hay Street Church, a three weeks meeting was held, but with little success. Dr. Nash preached a series of sermons to his congregation, afterwards embodied in his book, "Spiritual Life," and helped much in averting a movement fraught with untold evils to the church. With only two defectives in the ministerial ranks, we prudently, but friendly, set our faces against the movement, and, though annoyed at times, like an itch you thought cured, but which breaks out in a fresh place, the force of the movement was broken, and the churches had rest. The Fayette- ville District proved to be the break-water for staying the waves of a religious fanaticism which sought to engulf the whole Conference. At the expiration of my four years on the Fayetteville District I was returned to the Rockingham District. There I labored for three
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years, and saw the pleasure of the Lord prosper in our hands. The church advanced in all her interests, and we had peace in all our borders. The Conference of that year was held at New Bern. Dr. E. A. Yates, my life long friend, was by Episcopal authority removed from the Durham District on the ground of inefficiency, caused by physical inability to meet his appointments. He was one of our best loved men, and his removal caused much excitement, and no little criticism of the few who made complaint against him. The Bishop offered him another District, where his services would have been gladly accepted; but Dr. Yates declined the offer, and asked to be placed on the supernumerary list. His request was granted, and he spent the remainder of his life in Durham as "Lecturer in Theology" in Trinity College. He was loved and respected through a long life; a man of great mental ability, a generous soul, social spirit, and an agreeable companion. He rests in peace, after a long life of toil in the Master's vineyard.
I was appointed to succeed him on the . Durham District. The position, under the circumstances, was not a desirable one, and our life long friendship served me well in quieting the feeling of his friends on the District who felt that an injustice had been done him. Here I enjoyed one of the greatest privileges of my life in association with the President and Faculty of the College, and the use of the library. After the first flurry was over, things became normally quiet, and we made progress throughout the District. As may be expected with such environments it was with reluctance I surrendered this charge at end of two pleasant and profitable years. There was but one saddening event, which to me was a personal bereavement, and that occurred at the close of my service. I refer to the death of Rev. W. C. Norman, pastor of Trinity Church. His death, and the sadness of it, while the Conference was in session at Wilmington, is remem- bered by all of us. No purer soul has ever graced the pulpits of our church, and as a pastor I have not known his equal. The church has sadly missed him from then until now.
From the Durham, I was transferred to the Raleigh District. The District Parsonage was burned before I could occupy it, and for the four years I traveled the District I did it from my own home. We however bought and nearly paid for a new parsonage during the last year, so my successor was not handicapped in the way of a home as I had been. It was a delight to serve these people, but I sadly missed the faces of some to whom I had become endeared as their pastor in former years. During the years of my incumbency of this District no remarkable event transpired. We made a steady gain in membership, and an increase of contributions to the institu- tions of the church.
From the Raleigh I was for a third time appointed to the Rock- ingham District, where I spent four years of constant labor, and had the satisfaction of closing up my work with every interest of the church in advance of what it had been before, and in its financial reports ranking with the best Districts of the Conference.
At the ensuing Conference I was appointed to the Haw River Circuit, which I served for one year, and at its close was sent to Snow
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Hill Circuit. Here 1 made many friends, but my health failed to such an extent 1 was constrained to ask for a superannuated relation, which was kindly granted, after a continuous service of fifty-two years in the itinerant ministry, and one year as a local preacher, half of which was spent in the regular work.
Having said this much concerning my own ministry I shall close this paper with somes observations on-
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CONFERENCE IN 1860
The body was not large, a great part of the state being held by the Virginia, South Carolina, and Holston Conferences. The Vir- ginia held all the territory east of the Roanoke River, from the state line to the Atlantic Ocean; the South Carolina from the Pee Dee River west and south, embracing the Charlotte, Shelby and Statesville Districts, the latter extending to the Blue Ridge; the Holston included all west of the Blue Ridge.
But, small as the body was in number, it had in it some of the most distinguished men in the Southern Methodist Church. "There were giants in those days," but even then Methodism in its ministry in North Carolina stood in the fore. Revs. C. F. Deems, D. D., Peter Doub, D. D., William Closs, D. D., R. S. Moran, D. D., B. Craven, D. D., N. F. Reid, D. D., and N. H. D. Wilson, D. D., were in intellectual attainment, and pulpit eloquence, the peers of any to be found in the whole church.
The most distinguished member of the Conference was Dr. C. F. Deems. He had held a professorship in Randolph Macon College, in the University of North Carolina, and the presidency of Greensboro Female College. He had but recently emerged from the titanic battle fought with Dr. Smith, President of Randolph Macon College, in which his rare intellectual powers and brilliant wit had shown to the best advantage and which gave him prestige among his brethren. This prestige he retained till he left North Carolina at the close of the Civil War, removed to New York, and established the Church of the Strangers. There he made an international reputation, and died honored of all who knew him.
I recall an occurrence while he was Professor at Chapel Hill which will illustrate his quickness at repartee. He had held a series of revival services in the Methodist Church. A large number were added to the church, and the Doctor opened a subscription to build a larger house and on a more eligible lot. A daughter of Governor Swain, then President of the University, met him on the street with his subscription paper, as usual, in his hand. Greeting him with a a smile she said, "Doctor, when you die I want the privilege of writing your epitaph." "What shall it be?" asked he. "And the beggar died," she answered. Quick as a flash he replied, "I don't care if you will add the balance, 'and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom.'" The passages stand in immediate connection, but not one man in ten thousand would have thought of it at the time.
Rev. Peter Doub, D. D., was, as his name indicates, of German ancestry, and a man of maximum build, both physically and intel- lectually. He was more than six feet high, of stalwart form, with-
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out any tendency to excuse corpulency, and was regarded as the foremost theologian of the Conference. He had passed the zenith of his powers when I entered the ministry, but was then effective, and held in affectionate regard by the entire Conference.
Enoch M. Marvin was raised under Baptist influences, and his religious views influenced by his associates, but he came into pos- session of a tract on the subject of baptism written by Dr. Doub. That tract changed his mind, and led him into the Methodist Church of which he became one of its best loved and most distinguished Bishops. Dr. Doub was a strong preacher, and at times of over- whelming power. One instance may be given: While Pastor of the Pittsboro Circuit he was returning on a Monday from his appointment of the day before, and passed a Baptist church where a camp meeting was being held. Members of the congregation stopped him and in- portuned him to preach for them that evening. He consented, and after partaking of some refreshments (it was dinner hour), the congregation was assembled, and taking the stand he preached for four hours. When he stopped it was getting dark, but such was the compelling power of his discourse, it is said, every adult person on the grounds was under the arbor, or as near it as it was possible for them to get, eagerly listening to the inspired words of the preacher. When the invitation for penitents to come forward was given the rude alter was filled, and scores who could not get to the altar blocked the isles. or knelt crying for mercy at their seats. The memory of that scene lives till now in the neighborhood of Evans church, where it occurred, and will die only with the death of the last one who witnessed it. He had a peculiar way of drawing a long breath audibly through his nose when about to make a telling point in his discourse. Just after the publication of Graves' "Iron Wheel" he was preaching at Chapel Hill. His sermon was a refutation of Calvinism, and near its close he drew himself up to his full height, inhaled a long breath and exploded the sentence, "Six spokes gone out of Graves' Iron Wheel." The wheel was never repaired in Chapel Hill, and was soon after with- drawn from circulation.
Probably the most unique character among all the prominent men of his day was Dr. William Closs. For incisive intellect, logical acumen, readiness of repartee, and humorous, or biting sarcasm, he was unrivaled. This made him a ready debater-a foe to be dreaded, and an ally to be cherished. He was never disconcerted however great the opposition he encountered, and woe to the knight who entered the list against him without a closed visor, and every joint of his armor securely fastened. Soon after the close of the Civil War ne was called as a witness in court. In giving his testi- mony he spoke of one of the parties to the suit as a "scalawag." On his cross examination the attorney for the man so characterized asked him if he knew what a scalawag was. "I think I do," answered the Doctor. "Well, then," said the lawyer in an imperious tone, "tell the judge and jury what a scalawag is." Turning himself so as to face the jury, and loud enough to be heard all over the house, he answered in his shrill, piping voice, "He is a white man who says he is no better than a negro, and tells the truth when he says so." This defi-
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nition of a scalawag convulsed the court, and so confused the attorney that he had no further questions to ask the witness.
I remember at a Conference held in Charlotte a young man of the ego type came up from one of the charges on the Doctor's dis- trict for admission on trial. The Doctor was noted for the warmth with which he usually recommended young men coming up from his District, but in this case there was an absence of all enthusiasm in the recommendation of the Presiding Elder. This fact raised a suspicion in the minds of some that the case was not a clear one, and this led to considerable discussion as to the candidate's fitness. Dr. Closs was wholly silent while the discussion was going on, seem- ingly taking no interest in what was being said. In time Bishop Pierce from the chair turned to Dr. Closs and asked, "Dr. Closs, how does he preach?" That was the opportunity for which he had been wait- ing, and instantly he arose and answered, "Bishop, brother H- - would be an excellent preacher, if it were not for two things; he lacks words and ideas." That ended the discussion, and all hope for the brother's admission. It is proper to add that there was nothing against the young man's moral character; the discussion was alto- gether concerning his fitness for the itinerant ministry, and the vote by which his application was rejected was afterward reconsidered, and he was admitted with the understanding that he would be trans- ferred to a distant Conference, which was done.
A hundred anecdotes of him might be given, but I shall men- tion but one more to illustrate his faithfulness in dealing with his preachers, and his interest in the people of his District. At the time of which I speak Hatteras Circuit was, supplied by a Local Preacher-a brother Meekins. Dr. Closs had directed him to go to Harker's Island and open an appointment, there being a considerable number of people without a preacher. The Island was remote and somewhat inconvenient, and for this reason Meekins did not go. At his next visitation the Doctor asked Brother Meekins, "Have you been to Harker's Island?" "No, sir, I have not been," answered Meekins. There the matter was dropped; but in the afternoon when engaged in a general conversation Meekins asked, "Dr Closs, what sort of a man do you think Jona was?" Instantly there came the dumfounding answer, "I reckon he was a right mulish sort of a fellow. For instance, if he had been on this mission, and I had told him to go to Harker's Island I reckon he would not have gone." There was a confused silence for a while following the answer, but the reproof was not lost; Meekins went to the Island on his next round, and the people had the gospel preached to them.
Bishop Pierce knew the Conferences of the connection as well as any one, and he said, "Dr Closs was the best debater in the Southern Church." A high encomium, coming from such a source. Rev. Braxton Craven, D. D., was one of the most remarkable men of his generation. His strong, well knit form seemed capable of any strain that could be put upon it, and for years it was put to the severest test. He founded a high school in the hills of Randolph County, and converted it into a Normal College, the first Normal Col- lege founded in the State, which was afterwards changed into Trinity
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College. Here he lived and taught, and won success when almost any other man would have failed. He inspired the young men attending the college to such a degree it was said every one of them thought the President and the greatest man in the world, and that he (the boy) was next.
Such was the extent of his information that there seemed to be no subject on which he was not posted. He could discuss any subject in physics, mental or moral science, astronomy, or general history, as though he had made it a specialty; in legal learning he was the peer of any lawyer, and in medicine could have taught half of the pro- fession.
Students from Trinity College took first rank in their professions. In law, medicine, theology, pedagogy, politics, and in every other department of learning, they impressed themselves on church and state. Nearly all of the young men coming into the Conference from any college came from Trinity, and they were the steadfast friends and admirers of Dr. Craven. This gave him great influence in the Conference, and was the foundation of much of the antagonism which he met. As secretary of the Conference he was a model one, and without opposition retained the place till it was vacated by his death. No one wrought better for the church than he, and his sudden and untimely death almost wrecked the College he had labored so hard to build up, and which for so long he had carried about unaided on his own mind and heart.
Rev. R. S. Moran, D. D., was a native of Ireland, but came to this country so early in life that he had so little of the brogue of his native tongue one would not have suspected his foreign birth. Well educated, with a splendid vocabulary, a pleasing voice, and engaging personality, he was a captivating preacher and an influential member of the Conference. He was the watch-dog of the Conference, and did more to raise the standard of ministerial requirements than any other within my knowledge. He filled some of the most important Stations and Districts, and finally, through failing health, went to New York City, where in a few years he died of consumption. He willed his library, a valuable one, to Trinity College, and by his direction his remains were brought to Wilmington and there interred, his close friend, Dr. C. F. Deems, accompanying the body and offici- ating at its burial.
He was pastor of Front Street (now Grace Church), Wilmington, during the Civil War, and of course there were a great many soldiers in and around the city at that time, and a great many marriages were taking place. Dr. Moran was called on to celebrate many of these, and after the ceremony he would be asked what he charged for his services. He said he did not like to make a charge, thinking any man who had a soul in him would pay a reasonable fee, and go his way. But there was so much of this he determined the next one who asked what he charged should be met on his own ground. It so happened the next couple he married the man asked what he charged. The fellow looked like he was able to pay a fee, and Moran replied, "It depends altogether on what sort of a wife a man gets. If he gets a right good wife we charge twenty dollars; if he gets a very good
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wife we charge thirty dollars; if he gets a number one wife we charge fifty dollars." The fellow had just been married, and had no idea of discounting his wife at that time. He drew his pocket-book, and tremblingly counted out five ten dollar bills, handed them to the preacher, and took his departure. He was the last one to ask what the preacher charged for performing a marriage ceremony !
Rev. N. F. Reid, D. D., was one of the most gentle and lovable men who have graced the rolls of this Conference. Of medium stature, but of feeble health, he was one of the most attractive preacli- ers and best loved of his brethren. Because of his delicate health he was kept in the bracing atmosphere of the hills, and for this reason the churches in the eastern part of the state knew but little of him; but no man of the Conference was more popular, and his death occuring when he should have been in the prime ol life, cast a pall over the church whose pulpits he had adorned. A volume of his sermons was published by his son, Rev. F. L. Reid, D. D., but the printed page lacked the kindled eye and impressioned soul of the author.
An amusing anecdote is told of him in his boyhood days which is too good to pass unrecorded. His father was attending a Camp Meeting at Plank Chapel in Franklin County. Fletcher was there, and had not behaved as he should. His father took him in the edge of the woods, cut him a switch, sat on a log, and as his custom was, began to lecture him before administering the intended whipping. The lecture ended, the old gentleman stood up and exclaimed in great sorrow, "O Lord, what shall I do!"
Raising his hands to heaven Fletcher said, "Father, let us look to the Lord for his blessings, and be dismissed." His wit saved him from further punishment, for his father was convulsed, the switch fell from his hand, and together they returned to the church grounds.
Rev. N. H. D. Wilson, D. D., was another man whose commanding figure, pleasing address, intellectual force and pulpit eloquence made him conspicuous, and would have made him so in any assembly. Well informed on almost every subject, and particularly in reference to the policy of the church, in debate he seldom failed to carry the Conference with him. He repeatedly represented us as a member of the General Conference, and was so highly esteemed in that body that he more than once received a flattering vote for the highest office in the church.
The question has been often asked why it was with so many men of marked ability in the North Carolina Conference, none of them were elected Bishop. The answer is found in the fact that so many were qualified, no one of the number could command the united support of his own delegation, a prime necessity in the case of any one. Had we not had so much material, and fewer aspirants, it might, and probably would, have been different.
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