120
Zion’s Landmark: Wilson, N. C.
|ii ^Eiiwi'iara,
At the request of sister Belcher, I write for
publication, in the Landmakk, this memoir,
of the death of old brother ABNEK BELCH
ER, who was born March 8 th, 1795, and de
parted this life at 1 o|clock, A. M., May 1st,
1876—aged 81 years, 1 month and 23 days.
With the history of this good man many are
«)nrersant. He embarked in the ministry in
1826. He was never arraigned before a
Church tribunal, nor had a charge prefered
against him from the time he united with the
Church until his death. As a doctrinal min
ister and Church disciplinarian, brother
BELCHER had but few equals. It fell to
my happy lot to associate with him a great
deal within the last thirteen or fourteen
months. He had attained the age of sixty-
two years before I ever met him. lie was then
an aged minister ; and I, a wicked boy.—
From a description given me, I knew him at
first sight. He was driving up to an Associ
ation which wa.s held in 1857, with the Church
at Old Sardis; where, now, his remains lie
sleeping. Fearful of being mistaken, I no
ticed him very closely until he had taken his
horse from his buggy ;he then buckled up the
shafts to keep them from being broken—this
ixmfirmed me in knowing that I had con
jectured correctly. At that time his .memory
was very retentive And, even after, when he
became superannuated and had relinquished
the care of the several Churches, he could
quote passages, verses, and even chapters,
verbatim. As a poet. Dr. Watts seemed to
have been his favorite. Frequently have I
lieaitl him quote from his productions the
following beautiful lines:
‘‘ Why was I made to hear his voice.
And enter while there’s room ;
Wh ile thousands make a wretched clioice,
. And rather starve than come ?
Twas the same love that spread the feast,
That sweetly forced me in,
Or else I’d still refuse to taste.
And perish in my sin.”
I hazard nothing when I say he was a per
fect specimen of honesty. Heoften-told me
Uiat he, knowingly and intentionally, had
never wronged any person out of as much
as five cents in his life. A sounder believer
ia the faith, and a bolder defender of tlie
Brimitive doctrine, I am confident, never
lived. lii short, he was a model, ar/d set
an example which wo should all try to imi
tate, and niost especially our young min-
wtera, who.se barques have just been launched
on that tempestuou.s .sea. It makes me feel
so sad when I contemplate the very great
rapidity with which our old soldiers of the
cross are p:i.s.sing away. I know nothing
of tho.se very great trials through which the
Church pas.sfcd ; but brother BELCHER re
membered them all. And notwithstanding
many ■went off with other sects, he remained
steadfast and immovable. But he has gone
to that bourne whence no traveler returns.
How consoling to the way-worn pilgrim are
tlie following lines ;
'fhough evil counsels darken, and evil
passions try—
Never give up the right way, 'twill brighten
bye and bye.”
He called sister Belcher to liis btd.side and
said, “ I do not want you or any of the fam
ily to grieve for me when I am gone 1”
“ Weep not for me as you stand round my
grave,
Think who has died his beloved to save ;
Think of the crown all the ransomed shall
wear.
When I am gone ! when I gone 1”
Although his mind from old age was, as a
natural consequence, impaired ; yet, he never
forgot his experience—and could invariably
relate it in almost the identical language.
On Saturday morning at 8 o’clock he had
a congestive chill, and 'on Sunday night he
had another ; which, at the time before men
tioned, terminated in his departure from lime
to eternity
Often have I heard him quote from Paul:
“ It doth not yet ajrpear what we shall be ;
but, we know that when he appears, we shall
be like him, for we shall see him a-s he is.”
It ^Hiins but quite a short time since I wa-s
baptized by him (nearly thirteen years ago),
and by him “ plunged beneath the yielding
wave, an emblem of our Savior when he lay
in the grave.” But he is no morel He
■v^'hom we so much loved has passed from our
view forever. And those who once knew him
nrill know him no more.
“ Oh, spirit, freed from bondage
J-iejoice, thy work is done;
The weary world ia ’neath thy feet.
Thou, brighter than the sun.
“ Awake ! ascend ! thou art not no'W
With those of mortal birth :
The living God hath touched thy lip.s—
Thou, who hast done with earth.
“ Awake! and breathe the living air
Of that celestial clime ;
Awake! to love that knows no change.
Thou, who hast done with time.”
F. A.. McWilliams.
Enterprise, Ga., May 6th, 1876.
Painful truly, is the task, to record the
death of Elder BENJAMIN BYNUM, who
departed this life, Friday, April 28th, 187G,
and was intered in Newbern Cemetry April
29th, 1876. He was born in Pitt County,
February 3rd, 1811. He pre.sented bim.self
to the Primitive Baptist Church at White
Oak, the first Sunday in November, 1851 ;
was baptized tlie following day by Elder
Ichabod Moore. In July, 1856, the Church
gave him liberty to exercise his gift in ex-
plainining the scriptures, which he did with
unyielding zeal, as long as his health would
admit. He moved to Craven County in 1860,
and his ministerial duties have been confined
to that section. The subject of this notice
had been an intimate friend of the writer for
many years, and he bears willing testimony
to the many excellent traits of character
which be possessed. In him could be found
the faithful and true photograph of the per
fect Christian man—sincere in liis professions,
warm in his attachments, and firm in his re
ligious tenets.
His sickne.ss was of long duration, and his
sufferings were very great, though he bore
them with Christian fortitude and resig
nation. He leaves a wife and child and, a
large circle of friends and relatives. To that
bereaved family, to that poor, bleeding, heart
broken widow, I will breathe this comforting
hope, that he is at “home at la.st” with
Je.sus! Yes, his spirit’s barque'has crossed
o’er life’s troubled ocean, and has now found
mooring in the “ still waters,” and near the
shining shore of the New Jerusalem. His
voice is hushed to us on earth ; but, it has
been caught up in heaven and attuned to an
gels’ notes in glory.
May this blow be sanctified to the good of
those who remain ; aifd when death’s chilly
night is o’er, may resurrection’s glorious
morn awake them'to the rc^lplendeut glories
of heaven.
' P. E. Hines.
Elder F. HAYWOOD GODWIN died
March 25th, 1876, of typhoid pneumonia.—
He obtained a hope in Christ in May, 18G4 ;
was baptized by Elder Partin in October,1864 ;
elected Clerk of the Church in November,
1866; commenced soon after, with zeal, for
bis Master’s cause, to exhort and preach the
gospel. HAYWOOD GODWIN had his
foibles. But where is the perfect man in the
flesh ? He was a man of no ordinary ability ;
having descended from obscure parentage
with a limited means of education, he went
forth the better prepared to battle with the
turbulent elements of a sinful world. He felt
that he was called with a holy calling to minis
ter to the saints, and warn sinners of the wrath
to come. He was a man of indomitable en
ergy, and steadfast perseverance, worthy of
imitation. We have encouraging evidence
of his eternal rest in heaven.
May his bereaved family imitate his ex
ample and follow his precepts, so that the
world may have evidence of their immortali.
ty v/hen called by him who doeth all things
right. Conn.
Departed this life July 21st, 1875, THOS.
F. SWAIN, son of Daniel and Elizabeth
Swain.
After a long and painful illness of about
three months, he has fallen asleep in Jesus.
BI eased thought! J ust before his d i ssol ution >
he told his parents he was prepa’-ed, and was
willing to die. He has left an aged father,
an affectionate mother, and a young wife'
and large circle of friends to mourn their Joss ;
but not for one who is without hope.
Why do we mourn departed f.ionds,
And shake at death’s alarms 7
''ria but the voice that Je.sus sends
To call them to liis arms.”
It was but the voice that Jesus sent to call
him to his home. I think he bora his misery
with unspeakable Christian fortitude. He
was never heard to murmur a word; but
would often ask the Lord to have mercy up
on him. Blessed are the dead that die in
the Lord, from henceforth; yea, eaith the
Spirit; they rest from their labors and their
works do follow them.
Parents, let this thought console you in
your deep afflictions—that it is well with your
child. Pray that it may be well with you.
Strive to meet your son in heaven, wliere
God will wipe all your tears from your eyes.
Be sumissive to his will and say with the
patriarch of old, “ The Lord giveth and the
Lord taketh away ; blessed be the name of
the Lord.”
Cease, fond parents, cease your tears,
Your son lives above, he is free from cares.
And dwells where God is love;
He is pillowed on the Savior’s breasf.
He is free forevermore;
How sweet and peaceful is his rest.
On Canaan’s blissful shore.
When God shall call his ransomed home.
And time shall be complete—
Then you will stand before his throne
And see dear Thomas F.
Elizabeth Robinson.
Zion’s Landmark,
P, D. GOLD, Editor,
PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY
—( at )—
’^ILSON, JIOF^TH jl^AR^LINA
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When convenient always send
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For a good reiison please direct all letters
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P. D. Gold, Wilson, N. C.
Baptist. W atclimaa
■ -—IS —
A WEEKLY PERIODICAL
■—devoted to—
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Published at Nashville, Tennessee.
TERMS :
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postage to be paid by the subscribers.
Eld. J. B. STEPHENS, Ed.,
Nashville, 'Penn.
EXFEBIENCE
OF
S. J mm lljiltips.
I have for some time been pub
lishing a pamphlet-style book, con
taining the experience of Sister Phil
lips, and her reasons for leaving the
Missionaries and uniting with the
Primitive Baptists.
The book contains two hundred
and eight pages of matter—divided
into twenty-one chapters—devoted to
various subjects—important t© an
enquirer after truth.
It needs no eulogy to one that
knows the ability of her pen. l\oth-
ing that I have ever seen from her is
more instructive.
It will he very prodtable to all
that are searching for Bible truth.—
To such I lionestly and earuestiy
oornmend it. It may be obtained by
orders sent to her at .Rome, Georgia,
or to me atWilson, North Carolina.
Tiic price is 75 Cts, Orders can be
sent with the money at once, as the
hook is now ready»
P. D. Gold.
W.^ W. R. 11. Co.
CHANGE OF SCHEDULE.
Office of Gen’l Superintendent, 1
Wilmington, N. C., April 14, 1876. /
f N and after April 16tb, Pa-ssenger
trains on the Wilmington & Weldon
Railroad will run ss follows:
Day T r a i ^ .
Leave Union Depot daily (except
Sundays) at 7:55 a. ro.
Arrive at Goldsboro’ 11:57 a. m.
“ “ Rocky Mount...,. 2:05 p. m.
“ “Weldon 3:50 p.m.
Leave Weldon daily 10:05 a. m.
Arrive at Rocky Mount 11:50 a. rn,
“ “ Goldsboro’ I:o0 p. m
“ “ Union Depot 6:05 p. m.
Night Train.
Leave Union Depot daily 7:30 p. m.
Arrive at Goldsboro’ 1:30 a. >n.
“ “ Rocky Mount 4:34 a. m.
“ “Weldon 7:15 a.m.
Leave Weldon daily 7:00 p. m.
Arrive at Rocky-Mount 9:57 p. m,
“ “ Goldsboro’ 1:25 a. m,
“ “ Union Depot 7:30 a. m.
The mail train makes close connection at
Weldon for all points North via Bay Line
and all rail routes.
Parlor Cars luns on this train betiwea
Wilmington and Portsmouth.
E-xpress trains connect only with all
rail route. Pulmaa’s Palace Sleeping Ca>r»
on this Train.
Freight 'Prains will leave Wilmington tri
weekly at 5:00 a. m., and arrive at 1:40 p. m.
JOHN F. DIVINE,
General Superintendent.
Wilson College.
STRICTLY NON-SECTARIAN !
Institute and Seminary Combined.
^EXES IN SEPARATE BUILDING^
Kegnlar College Course.
Nine Able and Experienced Teachers.
J ' ' / ■
Fine Library and Apparatus,
Primary, Preparatory, Com-mercial,
Normal, Musical, Ornamental,
& Agricultural
Departments.
Entire Average Expenses inc
Tuition, Books,
Board, use of Furnished Room,
Fuel, Light, and Washing,
$200 PER YEAR.
MUSIC $45 ADDITIONAL.
Session extends from the first Monday ia
October to the last Thursday in June.
For Catalogue, address
SYLVESTER HASSELL, A. M.,
Pre.sident of Wilson College,
aug 15'*‘tf Wilson, N. ®
WmQTMMMB,
J. S. CLARK. I
(Sane of the late E. G. Clark,)
—KEEP—
PRIMITITE BAPTIST
HYMN BOOKS.
9
J. A. CLARK
(Lloyd’s Selection.)
-\t their Store on Barnes’ Street, near Depot,
Wilson, North Carolina.
Orders by Mail promptly attended t®.
That excellent pamphlet liy
Elder D. Bartley —“JJ-E-ATTf iY.
ADAM, LIFE iN CHRIST" iufor
sale at this office. Single copy 15
cents; 2 copies 25 cents.
NOTICE.—I am prepared to pub
lish minutes of Associations, and re
quest the clerks of same to send roe
their minutes to publish, if so in
clined.—[Ed.