AND YE sflALLKNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH ifcALL MAKE YOU FREE.”—John viii, 36.
CHARLOTTE, N. C,
4,1928.
NO. 14,
just m
Sunday, March 11th, was the
day set apart for the first me
morial service for the late Rev.
W. R. Coles, D. D., founder of
Immanuel Mission, of Aiken, S.
C. It was deemed proper and fit
ting to have this memorial in
view of the fact that Rev. Coles
died in the hospital in Colum
bia, S. C., on February 15, 1928.
Information was received by
friends in Aiken on Friday, also
it was arranged to have the
funeral on Saturday, February
18th, at Immanuel Presbyterian
church. These plans did not allow
sufficient time for announce
ments to get to many of the
ministers and friends of Dr.
Coles; also heavy rains hindered
greatly, so much so that the
number in attendance at the
funeral was very small. This oc
casioned much regret Iby the
family, former students and
friends. Hence Mrs. M. B. Price
initiated the move to hold a me
morial service to this great
Christian worker and servant of
God and man.
The co-operation ot the pastor,
Rev* L. E. Ginn, and Dr. C. C.
Johnson was secured so that the
idea was soon taking shape.
Associate ministers, former stu
dents, former teachers and
friends were promptly notified
of the memorial service to be
held March 11th, 3:00 P. M., at
which time there was a very
large assemblage of relatives,
ministers, former students and
friends from Augusta, Ga., Ai
ken and vicinity. All with one
accord were acclaiming the
greatness of the first pastor of
Immanuel church and founder
High School, now known as An
drew Robertson Institute.
A well planned program was
arranged, consisting of favorite
hymns, Scripture reading, solos,
speeches, and letters from
friends. The early . history of
the founding of this school by
Dr. Coles was very impressively
given by Mother Agnes Green,
now ninety years old, whose
husband and mother-in-law were
the only Presbyterians in Aiken
»t the time Dr. Coles came to
the city in 1881. She related
how after three days in Aiken
Dr. Coles fr^gan his noble effort
to establish a school and church
with only two members, each of
them full of zeal and awakened
to the needs of those times.
They labored untiringly with
undaunted courage and high
hopes, ever prompt to thank
God”for whatever was gained or
accomplished.
When plans ior me prujwi.
were fully decided upon, and a
suitable location selected on
which to erect his dream, the
school, having secured the ne
cessary legal advice, he learned
that the owner of the ground he
desired on which to erect a
church and school building, lived
three miles in the country. In
those days a taxi was not known.
The only way to reach the owner
of this land was to walk. This
he attempted with Mother
Green’s mother-in-law as a
guide. But before they reached
their destination they got lost
and went ten miles instead of
three. They were found by a
white man who carried them to
their destination and later
brought them to the home of
Mother Green in a wagon. Not
withstanding this disappoint
ment and hardship the deal was
made successfully and endeav
ors were put forth to raise the
required money to secure pos
session of the ground for the
school. Mother Green and her
husband gave $5.00 each which
was the first money given to
start this school arid church.
But every fitting and significant
appreciation and thankfulness
to God was shown when upon
receipt of this first donation a
whole-hearted, sincere prayer
meeting was held in Mr. Green’s
: A TREE
home to praise God for this be
ginning.
From this time on Dr. Coles
worked day and night in the in
terest of this work which he
had begun.
It was said of him that no
day was so cold, no wind so high
nor rain so hard, or sunshine so
hot as to stop him from forging
ahead as opportunities presented
themselves, and as duty called.
When opposition arose he was
prompt to arise with courage
and fortitude and battle until he
won his battle. Many endeavors
and plans were used with which
to erect and furnish the build
ings.
Mother Green was very em
phatic in acclaiming that having
•known Dr. Coles nearly forty
seven years, she always knew
him to !be great and broad
hearted Christian gentleman.
“Flee as a Bird,” a favorite
solo of Dr. Coles, was sung by
Mrs. A. L. W. Jones.
Miss Lucy Laney was the next
on the program as the principal
speaker and all regretted very
much that she was not able to
attend this service. Fortunate
ly, however, she was represented
by Rpv. A. C. Griggs, Dean of
Haines Institute, who spoke
eloquently of ^the service ren
dered to the race by Dr. Coles
and other things accomplished,
having given his life to make
the work possible.
Dr. C. C. Johnson spoke of Dr.
Coles as a real far-sighted man
with high ideals—a constructor
of Institutions for good in the
community, and hot as a de
structor- or „ knocker of efforts
pie.
Rev. J. F. Pearson, pastor of
Wesley M. E. church, then spoke
briefly 'but fittingly of the good
made possible by the untiring
efforts of Dr. Coles,
Mr. Nathaniel L. Brayboy
enthusiastically spoke of Dr.
Coles as being a good mixer and
advisor in all matters of religion,,
education and enterprise and
was always appreciative of con
siderations.
Rev. John A. Jones spoke of
Dr. Coles’ whole-heartedness
and sincerity and zeal to make
the work measure up to his
ideals and accomplish that for
which it was intended. To do
this he would often spend all
of his salary for the gen
eral upkeep and promotion
of the church and school. Thus
he gave his life and his life’s
earnings to make the Immanuel
Mission a reality, His later days’
financial security was sacrificed
for it.
la fa ni t
1VV V • 1UWX V VJ. '-'*0“ “
years’ acquaintance with Dr.
Coles and the friendship that
existed between them.
Mrs. Julia Berry Price, of
Charleston, W, Va„ made some
beautiful flowers to be used at
this service.
Mrs. M. B. Price (formerly
Mary G. Berry) an alumnus of
the school and promoter of this
memorial service, read letters
from Dr. Coles' associate minis
ters, former students and
friends. These letters had been
received !by Dr, C- C- Johnson,
Rev. L. E. Ginn, pastor, and
Mrs. Price. Only excerpts from
these letters will be given.
Message from »W. R. Coles,
Memphis, Tenn., son of Dr.
Coles:
“He gave freely, unstintingly
of the best years of his life for
the sake of the cause to which
he had dedicated that life. In
his passing, if there are those
who appreciate the good that he
did sufficiently to turn aside
and let those who did not know
him know what he meant to the
community, I thank them.”
“Rev. William R. Coles, D. D.,
was born in Kentuck, Va.,; ed
ucated in Lincoln University,
Pennsylvania, and studied the
ology under Rev. Dr. Jethro
Rumple, who was pastor of the
Presbyterian church in Salis
bury, N. C. He was licensed by
the Presbytery of Yadkin in
1872 and ordained by this Pres
bytery in 1873. His text was
I Timothy 1:15. After his ordi
nation he pastored the churches
at Salisbury, Oakland and Gold
Hill, N. C., during the years
1872-79. After serving these
churches he was appointed Syn
odical missionary of Atlantic
Synod. He labored for the
Master in this capacity from
1879 up to the time he went to
Aiken as founder and principal
of Immanuel Training School in
1881. He became pastor of the
church in Aiken in the year
1885.
“He was the first Stated Clerk
of Atlantic Synod, elected the
year 1885, and served as our
most efficient Stated Clerk until
October, 1908, when he was suc
ceeded Iby the late Rev. Alonza
S. Gray when our Synod met in
Jacksonville, Fla.
“As a churchman he was the
man of the hour.”
W. L. METZ.
Edisto Island, S. C.
“He was truly a great man in
Zion. The Synod will hold me
morial services at its next meet
ing in his honor. As chairman
of the committee on Necrology I
hope to say more. Please in
form Rev. Ginn and the other
members of the committee. I
enclose $1.00 to help on expens
es if needed. Let me hear about
the meeting.”
A. A. JONES.
McConnellsville, S. C.
- . ^I-wigh
that service. I first met him
when I was a young man start
ing off to school. Dr. Coles was
then the active pastor of our
church at Salisbury, N, C,
I. D. DAVIS.
Sumter, S. C.
“The old landmarks and pion
eers of our Presbyterian prowess
are rapidly passing away, and
as we have come into their la
bors, we honor ourselves when
we turn aside to show them the
reverence and honor to which
their good works entitle them.”
JAMES E, JACKSON.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
■‘It is an inevitable fact that
mortals creatures must die. The
Scriptures are replete with evi
dences of this fact, Evidences in
nature declare it, and yet, with
the innate feeling in us all that
man is mortal, it’s painful to us
to bow to the inevitable. The
grim monster, death, a common
and continuous process among
us, shocks our nerves and pains
our hearts when the voice of one
of opr worthy .comrades is
hushed up in death- The Rev.
Coles is not dead, He sleeps to
awake and to greet us when our
immortal spirits shall have
awakened in His likeness.
“It is not death to die,
To leave this weary road,
And midst the brotherhood on
high
To be at home with God
“Let sorrow’s rudest tempest
blow,
Each cord on earth to sever,
Our King says, ‘Come,1 and
there’s opr home
Forgver, 0 forever,
“For 0, WO stand ©n Jordan’s
strand,
Our friends are passing over;
And, just before, the shining
shor,e
We may almost discover.
“We’ll gird our loins, my breth
ren, dear,
Our distant home discerning;
Our absent Lord has left us
word,
Let every lamp be burning.”
J. H. TOATLEY,
Stated Clerk,
Presbytery of McClelland.
e as former students and
:ers of his, wish to ‘add
tonial to the great ser
which he rendered to the
of Aiken and to >our
rian Church in the
Sta e of South Carolina, i He
wa* a pioneer of Presbyterian
ism among our people and also
a j oneer in promoting higher
eduction and our church, and
seh< >1 work over which you
ptef de are the strongest memo
rial Of his life and service.”
PRC F. AND MRS. H. P. BUT
L<4 :t . .. 1 .
01 lahoma City, Okla. ■ < ■ ‘
"I
tho
and
trust the services of his
men: ary will be worthy qf him
who for many years worked for
i plift of the people of Aiken
icinity.”
I A. P. DENNY |
Atlanta, Ga. ‘
untel
ften think of the pleasant
| spent as a student, at Itn
and of his fatherly ad
Have not seen him since
&tion. One of my valued
nons is a Bible presented
as a graduation gift,
le plea that it be taken ias
unto my feet and a light
ly path.’ ” '
1 B. PENDERGRASS,
Kformerly Maud Chavous).
t Paul, S. C.
“He was a ndble soul. He was
braver true-hearted, far-sighted,
genqppus, and since he has fin
work his Master gave
t us glorify
Reading, Pa.
“His life was simple, always
trying to help others, not selfish,
ly, but for their own good. Was
always kind and true. He was
a friend, a father and every
thing that goes to make one
happy. His advice was‘always
good, because in many instances
[ can remember many of the
things he told and taught me,
which I can never and will never
forget,”
FLORENCE JOHNSON FRAN
CIS.
New York City,
Class of 1834,
“Few people realize more than
we do the loss of this good man.
We are in a position to know
that his heart always went out
to those in need, and he was al
ways ready to deny himself in
order to help the needy.”
DEAN AND MRS. A. F. COLE
MAN, Georgia Normal and Ag
ricultural Sehool.
Since Rev. Coles began his no
ble labors for which so many
now praise him, many people
have come to Aiken who did
not have the pleasure or privi
lege of meeting this great man.
Yet they see the results of his
work and hear many proclaim
praises and do him* fitting hon
ors. The newcomers who wit
nessed this worthy demonstra
tion, though not able to say
anything of this great man and
his valuable service from per
sonal eontaet and knowledge of
his persistent struggles, yet af
ter summing up all that has been
said, are impelled to say that
Rev. W. R. Coles is “Just Like a
Tree.” Yes, like a great oak
tree, with many large, strong,
long, far-reaching branches that
afford comforting shelter to
way-faring men. Like the tree,
he possessed many strong vir
tues and characteristics, was
courageous, persevering, per
sistent, considerate, an able
counsellor and ready advisor, of
high ideals and preaching vision.
Each of these characteristics
stood out prominently as branch
es of the oak. The men and
women who received his teaeh
/
/
(Continued on page 4)
SALEM PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH, ANDERSON,
■ S.C. •
. — - j
Mrs. Geo. W. Marion, Jn*
On Sunday -morning, March
18th, the Rev. J. P. Poster filled
our pulpit. He preached a short
■but very-strong sermon from
the subject, ‘-*The Union Between
Christ and His Disciples,” tak
en from John 15, 5th, fith, and
7th verses* He spoke of the vit-‘
al, spiritual and natural unioji, <
and said if,*,we as Christians
abide in Christ, we are bound to
bear fruit. -
Mr. Charlie Gary, of Bethle
hem church joined the Beacon
Light Sunday school class and
expressed the purpose to attend
regularly. * "k '
The Brotherhood held their
monthly meeting1 on last Sunday
evening. Their 1 topic for the
meeting was : “The Life of Con
secration.” ft Was well discussed
and all present seemed to have
enjoyed the program.
On the first Friday m March
the Woman’s Missionary Society
held its last meeting1 fdr.,the
year at the' home. of Mrs, Marie
Calhoun. The lfieeting was
largely attended ‘ and all plans
for the year were perfected. Af
ter a very interesting program
on “The Foreigners in Ameri
ca,” our TreaSuref gave her
yearly report, which was very
encouraging to the Society) es
pecially since our quota had been
paid in full. The hostess served
us a very delicious ^Iwo^cburse
luncheon and we adjourti&i to
meet with Mrs. C. W. Francis
rie Calhoun, ihd was ehtettai^ed
by Mesdames Marie Calhoun and
Marcia Marion. v The meeting
was very interesting as r many
plans were discussed to replenish
the. treasury. '
\\Mr. Douglas ^ Butler and Mrs.
A\ese Hawkins are still on the
sic • list. We still hope for them
a ^.ieedy recovery. " .
Mr. Wade Childs, father of
Mrs. Julia C. Burriss, died at
3:40 o’clock Thursday after
noon. March 15th. The funeral
was held Sunday at one o’clock
at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Patrick Burriss. The Rev. J. P.
Foster, of Sumter, S. C.,. offi
ciated, assisted by Rev. C. W.
Francis. Rev. Foster took as
his text: “Thou shalt come to
thy grave in a full age, like a
shock of corn cometh in his
season.” Job 5:26. •
This text was very appropri
ate as Mr. Childs lived to be
about ninety years old. He
leaves to mourn his loss six
daughters: Medames Mary F.
Childs, of Chicago, 111. ; Jose
phine Quarles, Los Angeles,
Cal.; Eliza Ware, Bridgetown,
N. J.; Wadie Williams, Detroit,
Mich.; Emma Pressley, 'Atlanta,
Ga.; and Julia Burriss, Ander
son, S. C., twelve grandchildren
and five great grandchildren,
also a host of relatives and
friends,
Mr, Childs was held in high
esteem by both radjs, and since
space will not allow us to men
tion the ' letters arid messages
sent Mrs. Burriss concerning
her father before she ever knew
him, we will give a few extracts
from a letter written by Magis
trate M. E. Hollingsworth, of
Abbeville, S. C.: “I wish to say
that your father was an excep
tion to many of your race, for
he was a God-fearing man,
upright and honest in all hisi
dealings with his fellowman and
I am glad to be able to give you
this information. And no one
has a better right to commend
him than I, for I had dealings
with him at a time when it took
honest dealings to pull through
the most stringent days of his
life. He labored for me during,
the year 1878 when cotton,, the
chief mode of a poor,man’s liv
ing, was five cents per poupd;
besides he had a large family to
support and it took Christianity
and a belief that God does
nothing t>i*t what Is for bur
food and help us weather the
storm of adversity, and your
father was equal to the occa
sion.”
The music lovers have been
juite fortunate this week in hav
ing to visit Anderson the South
ern vHarmonizers of Atlanta,
Ga.|t(Mias Hazel Harrison, of
Chicago, and the String Quar
tette of Claflin University under
the direction of Mys. Marion
Daprich and Miss Smith. We
were glad to have them all
here.
Mr. and Mrs. W. I. .Peek en
tertained the Southern Harmon
izers at thfeir home on Monday
evening after their concert at
Bethel A. M. E. church.. All
present expressed themselves as
having enjoyed the evening.
Miss Josephine Butler and Dr.
J. C. Anderson entertained the
String Quartette of Claflin
University at the home of Mr.
and Mi*s. T. B. Williaips Wednes
day evening.1 All present re
ported a delightful evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Quick en
tertained the String. Quartette
t>f Claflin University Thursday
morning. Both companies ex
pressed ’ themselves - as having
enjoyed the Hospitality of the
good fte&ple bf Anderson.
BLANDONIA CHURCH
NOTES, SANFORD.
By Mrs. Nancy L. Crumpton
The subject of Rev. McMil
i’s talk to the children on Suit
impressively. Of how, finally,
through a changed life and
steadfast faith in God he was
able to overcome all difficulties.
He besought the children to be
courageous, to know they were
right and then go ahead. ,
The sermon to adults was tak
en from St. Mark 15:1 and II
Cor. 12: 9, His subject was,
“The Strength of His Weak
ness.” This was a great spir
itual sermon and the presence of
the Holy Spirit was felt. Imme
diately after the sermon when
the invitation was extended El
der L. W. Ellis came forward
and united with the church by
letter.. He comes to us highly
recommended from the Church
Street Presbyterian church of
Salisbury. We consider our
selves fortunate in having El
der Ellis to become one of us,
as we believe he can and will be
of very great heip to us in our
church work. He made a -very
inspiring talk in Sabbath school
which was enjoyed by all. We
were glad to have Mrs. Ellis as
a visitor. She also in a very
pleasing way made brief re
marks.
The Communion of the Lord’s
Supper was celebrated at the
morning service with a large
number of communicants.
ine attendance was good
throughout the day and all ex
pressed themselves as having
enjoyed the services.
The Missionary Society met
on Thursday, March 1st, in the
home‘of Mrs. Margaret Hoke.
After the devotionals the fol
lowing officers were elected for
the ensuing year: Pres., Mrs.
N. L. Crumpton; Vice-President,
Mrs. I. H. Blue ; Secretary, Mrs.
Electra Cox; Treasurer, Mrs.
Angelette Mclver, Secretary of
Stewardship, Mrs. F.C. Alston;
Secretary of Home Sewing, Mrs.
E. W. Hoke ; Secretary of Liter
ature, Mrs.Callie Cox; Secreta
ry of Missionary.,.Education and
Program Committee, Mrs. B. G.
McMillan.
Mrs. N. L. Crumpton was
elected delegate to the Presbyte
rial, with Mrs. I. H. Blue as al
ternate.
The annual reception for the
(Continued on page 3)