Now Bern Public Librai>
The NEW BERN
CAKw. • ^
5^ Per Copy .
NEW BERN, N. C., FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1964
NUMBER 39
Several weeks ago. Dr,
Pierce Harris of Atlanta was
In the pulpit for a series of
evangelistic services at New
Bern’s Centenary Methodist
church. To say that he was a
disappointment is putting it
mildly.
Except lor a lew loyal mem
bers, who can be counted on any
time the church opens its doors,
the Georgia minister preached
to empty pews. If you had the
misfortune to attend one of his
services, you can readily
understand why.
Perhaps the Centenary flock
had been spoiled a few years
earlier by Dr, Charles Allen,
also of Atlanta, who preached
far better when he held similar
services here. Dr. Allen not
only preached better, but has
a personality that put his
grumpy fellow Atlantan to
shame.
Peeved, and pouting like a
child, Dr. Harris returned
home, and wrote a newspaper
column belittling New Bern.
It was supposed, we gather, to
be humorous, but the venom
oozed through. One thing at
least can be said. T|ue pro
voked parson got more pay for
his trip here than he deserved.
Among the comments in
his column was this remark:
«I asked a member of that
name. He said, ‘‘Well, it’s been
about a hundred years since
anybody was converted here,
so we just call it Centenary.”
Apparently, Dr. Harris, who
displayed more Interest in
golf than salvation while he
was in New Bern, didn’t bother
to investigate Centenary’s rec
ord. Not only does it have an
abundance of members and a
thriving youth program, but has
helped tremendously in the
establishment of other Metho
dist churches.
Dr. Harris did admit that
‘‘Not everything here is antique.
Cherry Point, the largest Ma
rine Corps Air Station in the
world is located in Craven
County of which New Bern is
the county seat, and Camp Le-
jeune, also a large Marine base,
is located not far away.”
Concluding his column. Dr.
Harris said, ‘‘Haven’t had time
to go fishing, but it is all around
us and if you like golf or
water skiing there’s plenty of
that too. And as I say, they
have churches and attend them
once in awhile.”
You’re so right. Dr. Harris,
our churches are attended once
in awhile. In fact, on Sunday
morning you’ll find plenty of
large congregations, not only at
Methodist churches but at
churches of other denomina
tions as well.
Standing on Centenary’s
steps, if you took the trouble
to observe, you were only a few
feet from North Carolina’s
oldest Catholic church. North
Carolina’s oldest Jewish
synagogue, and the First
Presbyterian church you were
kind enough to compliment.
Not only do New Bernlans
attend church once in awhile.
Collectively, they have invest
ed huge sums in edifices and
educational buildings. Fortun
ately, we have some pretty
fair preachers too, some dedi
cated and energetic priests, and
a rabbi who is highly respect
ed—and Justly so—by countless
Christians.
(Continued on Page 2)
HE CELEBRATED—Francois Silver Satan, just eleven
months old, had good reason to hoist a champagne toast
in obesrvance of his first New Year’s Eve. Owned by
Florence Hanff and Fran Fulford of New Bern, the
toy poodle has won many ribbons at shows in North
and South Carolina. You would expect so distinguished
a gent to maintain his dignity, instead of waving
boisterous. This picture proves he did.—Photo by
Wooten-Moulton.
ROYALTY RIDES—Pollie McDaniel (no kin to The
Mirror’s editor) is the reigning queen at Jones Central
high school. A senior, she prefers a saddle to the
throne reserved for queens. We’re not too fond of
westerns on TV, but a few gals like Pollie riding the
range could make a fellow turn into a fan in the
twinkling of an eye.—Photo by Billy Benners.
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