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The News and Observer; VOL. XLVII. NO. 50. LUDS ALL NOBTH GAMMA DAIUES M NEWS AM) CRBULATM. THE BAPTIST TABERNACLE Its Twenty-Fifth Anniversary—History of One of the Great est Religious Forces in the State. Today closes the week of the celebra tion of the Twent.v-fifth Anniversary of the founding of the Baptist Tabernacle in Raleigh. The good that this church has accomplished in the State's capital, eternity alone can tell. It is one of the greatest religions forces in the State, growing in usefulness as it grows in years. The exercises of the iwest week have acquainted the people of the city and State with an honorable history of the first twenty-five years and have .stimulated the membership with greater zeal for future achievements. HISTORY (IF TUB TABERNLYOLK baptist ciurcii. tßarly in IST I the Sunday School or the First Baptist church conceived the idea of establishing a mission station in the eastern seoti u of the eity, and a committee was aj jointed to select a site. A lot on Swain street, between Martin and Davie. was purchased, and on May 1-t .1. O. Marconi. John I>. Briggs and AY. 11. Dodd were appointed to let tin* : . ItEV. J. D. HFFIIA.AL D. IV, Pastor 1874-187 1 . contra* t for a house of worship. Brother ,T. S. Allen secured the ton tract, and the building was soon erected. On the Ist ■ of June ?i Sunday School was organized. Brother Jacob S. All* n was selected as the «r.p«Tintend tnit . The interest rapidly increased, and a church organization was sr on desired, whereupon Brethren Jacob S. Allen, N. B. Broughton, \V. T. Wonvble, Henry Mitdtell, Sr.. J. M. Broughton, with Sis ters Mary Broughton. Mrs. Jacob S. Al len. Miss Carrie Wilson (now Mrs. Cost lier*. Miss .Mattie Harton (now M’-s. B< okert. Mrs. C. K. Burch (now Mrs. Holloman), withdrt w from the First , church; ami < n. the loth of November, , 3H71, a Presbytery, consisting of I>rs. T. H. lTit< hard and J. 1 >. Hut-ham. and Hevs. A. F. ltecd and J. L. Britt, with the deacons of the First church, duly organized tin* foregoing brethren and sis ters into the Swain Street Baptist church. Brethren .1. S. Allen. N. P>. Broughton am) \V. T. Worn hie constitut ing the Board of Beacons. THE FIB ST PASTOR. Rev. J. D. Hufliam, B. I>.. Avas called 1o tin- pastorate, and entered tip m litc discharge of bis dutiet on the tir>t Sun day in Beccmbor. iMiring Br. llufham’s pastorate (three years and seven months) about one hundred and thirty were adel ed to the membership. Baring a scries of meetings eon incteri by Rev. F. M. Jordan, commencing the U7th of February. 187 b. it was found that the building was itoo small to itc- m*. aXte. HP if REV. AV. it. c,avaltn>:y. I). IV, Pastor 1877-18.54. roimnwlnte the liirjr** crowds, and that jt was necessary t<> secure a larger room or enlarge the building. The latter course being thought be-t, Brother Allen was again called upon to display his “push" in building: he immediately com menced gathering material and on the loth or March the sound of hammer and saw was heard and the building rose a* if by magic, so that \vh >n the congrega tion assembled on the 21st they found a room increased tr» double its size. And yet still more «oom was needed. PASTORATE OP REA'. W. It. tIVVA I/r.NEY. Dr. 11 us ham having resigned, a com mittee was appointed to recommend a successor, and in Sepi'emlier, 1H77. a call was extended to Rev. \V. R. dwalt ney, who accepted and remained with the church until Xovem’oar, iKSd. Dnr ing his pastorate 4Mt were added 1:o the church. A large nmntier of these were received as the result of one of the most remarkable revivals of religion ever held in the city of Raleigh, in which the pastor was assisted by Rev. Dr. W. A. Nelson. During the progress of this great meeting the crowds were an large that it became necessary to move to Metropolitan Ilall. where a wonderful work was accomplished. It soon became evident, however, that a self-sustaining church would not he built up on Swain street, and the church determined to seek a more eligible site nearer the great body of the membership. I Soon after Brother (Jualtney took i charge ,<>f tin* church, steps were taken !in this direction, and at a conference | meeting, October 7. 1878. the following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved. That it is the sense of Swain Street Church in conference as sembled, that it is to the best interest j of the cause of Christ and to our meni j hersliip for this ehureh to secure and j move to a more eligible point in the • city." | At a conference of the church held »m December 2, 1878, the trustees were directed to secure the lot at the corner of Person and Hargett streets, our pres ent locution. A committee, consisting of the pastor, X. B. Broughton, J. M. Harris. .1. S. Allen. T. \Y. Blake and \Y. T. AVomble, were appointed to solicit funds for the erection of a 'house of wor ship on said lot. The most remarkable incident in the history of the church Is the erection of this building. The lor was purchased and work begun without a dollar in the treasury for such a purpose, and no one knew at the time how the hills wen l to be met and the work pushed forward: but the work went on with very little interruption, and as the bills became due the money was in hand to meet them. After a hard pull of three years, the building was dedicated on the first Sunday in October, 3881. with a seating capacity of six hun dre*d. and the name of "Swain Street Baptist Church" was (hanged to "Scr i ml Hapti-t ( hurdi." THIRD PASTOR, REV. I*R. \V. A. NELSON'. On December 2<>. 1884, a call was ex tended to Rev. Dr. \V. A. Nelson as Brother Givaltney’s •successor, who be gan his pastorate on the first Sunday in February, 188.7. remaining with the church until January 30. 1887, when he accepted a call to the First Church of Asheville. During his stay about one hundred and fifty were received and the church greatly strengthened in all depart ments. REV. THOS. DIXON. JR., FOFRTH PASTOR. The church being again pnstorless. a call was. (Mi the 19th of April, extended to Rev. Tlios. Dixon, of Goldslwro, which was accepted. He entered niton the* work on May 1, 1887, and remained until November. ISS7, when he accepted a call to Boston. Mass. During Brother Dixon's pastorate the seating capacity was found insufficient, vhereupon the trustees were directed to have a large arch made in rear of the pulpit, thereby throwing tin* main au dience and Sunday School rooms into one, giving accommodations for about one thousand two hundred jveople. After this enlargement, the church name was changed to the "Tabernacle Baptist ( imreh." THE PASTORATE OF REV. DR. O. S. WILLIAMS. A call was extended to Rev. <L S. Williams, of Nashville. Tenn.. and he com m e need his work here on tin first Sunday in February. 1888. During his pastorate the church made great pro gress. He found tin* church burdened with a debt of i?3,OCt), which greatly re tarded the Master's work in the church. But by his earnest efforts that debt was wiped out. and the mortgage which hung over the church was lifted. During Brother Williams’ pastorate about eigh ty members were added to the clutreh. On October 20, 1881), Brother Williams accept* d a call to Brooklyn, N. A'., and on the rth of November our Church was again without a leader, and the deacons Mere called upon for the sixth time to recommend a suitable person for pas tor. SIXTH PASTOR. REV. J. J. 11A EL, D. D. Dr. AA’iHiams having accept d a call to Brooklyn, X. V.. Rev. J. J. Hall, of Camden county. X. C., was called ami on the first Sunday in February. 1890, he began his labors as our pastor. Soon it again became necessary to en large the seating capacity of the church. On Oe tober 31s-*t Brethren AW H. Hollo way, N. B. Broughton, L, O. Lougee, M. A. Barker, J. -Al. Broughton and John D Briggs were appointed to secure plans and award contract for tin* con templated changes. '1 in* plans adopted made a complete revolution in tin* main audience room; the* pulpit, formerly on the north end. Mas placed in an alcove on the cast sidt —the* old benches were taken out and opera chairs substituted, arranged in semi-circle rows—the entire floor mhs carpeted, and a large vestibule added. The brick wall between the* church auditorium and the Sunday School room was taken out and rolling blinds inserted, so that the two rooms can la* thrown into one, with comfor table seating capacity for 1,200 persons, j This great work of remodeling was completed in March, 1S!)2. ami the | c hurch resolved to celebrate the t*v< nt by n neck of meetings, and Rev. l)r. A\ T E. Hatcher, of Richmond, A’a., Mas select c d to preach on Sunday, the -ft!). The meetings were continued through the week with the following shakers: Monday Evening—Governor Tlios. M. Holt. W. S. Primrose, Esq., Rev. J. AV. Carter, and Rev. J. N. Cole. Tuesday Evening— Rev. C. Durham, and Rev. Bavins Cade. Wednesday Evening—Rev. J. J. Hall and .1. M. Broughton. Thursday Evening—N. B. Broughton. Rev. Dr. Thos. E. Skinner *and Hoik, tbs*. A\\ Sandeiiln. lIALEIGII, NORTH CAROLINA, SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 19, 1899. Friday Evening I beacons AA'. 11. Hol loway and L. O. Lougee*. CALL OF RE A'. A. M. SIMMS THE PRESENT PASTOR. Dr. I lull tendered his resignation .on May 29. 18!L>, and the* ehureh was again without an under-shepherd. 'Flu* deacons were* directed to find a suitable* person to minister to the ehureh, and the* eyes of the heard turned to McKin ney, Texas, and Rev. A. M. Simms was T ~ - , t IS nv ■ Afar ' Ms-hi f REV.* AA'. A. NELSON, D. !>., Pastor 188.7-1887. called to file vacant pulpit and entered upon the work of the c hurch. September J, 1893. and during his pastorate* up to rliis time. 4.72 persons have been re ceived into the church. The* member ships now numbers tit!!). During the present year improvements have be n made ala rat tin* auditorium. The walls have been tinted anew, the furniture thoroughly ov. rhaubd and re paired. the pulpit and its alcove remod elled and improved, a new organ sup plied, a handsome velvet carjat laid, 1 lie v '. .. .■ . \ : r~ i ' y ■ V ■ - -• •'* /** : £ ' % \ w ; t • 4 g# ' - * - 4 f mL ' mgSamfsmi THE TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH. entire exterior woodwork, repainted, much new woodwork done, and new win dows inserted. The windows are of beautiful opalescent glass, and were ail donated to the church, and bear the names of the following persons ami or ganizations: “Margaret L. Parish,” “.fames C. Hire!song, Jr.." “Young Pec;Jo's Pnioii." “('liurcli Improvement Society," “John (Jordan." "J'lcob S. Allen." "Mary Broughton." "‘Cornelia 11. Ilolleinan and u ■■■•<■ V/. L , . : ' Pastor INS7. Caroline E. Isutgee," “ Endic.-’ Mi ion ary Socit ty." * « * The church united with the Raleigh Association at its session held at Cm> in 1875, with a membership then of I' l • During the past 4wonly-five years the church and Sunday School have eoiitrib uted $1)2,<515.80 to'the various object* of the convention, pastor's salary and im provements. Tim following minister of the gespi l have* passed through our Sunday School and church, and are now .smccs-toi heralds of the cross: Duncan Mil-nod, J. E. Smith, I/. <J. Broughton, Jonathan Wood. O. L. AA’ilson. S. J. Be tts, A. R. Love, R. C. t Pr.i.v. In 1892 tin* church was honored by a session of the Baptist State* Convention. -After the* lapse of a quarter of a century, unparalleled in ediurCh history, the nit mbership of the* Tabernacle* Bap tist Church have* much to thank (bat for. and much to nl ike us take courage* and go forward, trusting the lord of if£& iflK w | It - * Hk. -i. t 'fjmi A m? ** * * ' ' ' lU-V. S. W 11,LI A MS. 1 ). 1 )., Pastor 1888-1889, H/sts to elir<*ct us in the work He has (•''imwitted to our hands. SOME FA (IS ABOT’T THE TAB ERNACLE MEMBERSHIP. During the past twenty-five years there ha\e been 1.7(>2 i arse ms in her ini mb; rship. Os these* 947 Me re by <*x -1 erie nee and baptism, and 897 came by letter, and 8 ue re received upon state ment. There have* been 227 persons from tv lmm felloM'ship has been withdrawn and 8 ministers have come* from her membership. The church has contributed for all pur poses SKiH.bf.O in round numbers. There are new eighty homes owned by her mend crs. In making a hurried glance at her membership we find that nearly all dc paHments of .vfe are represented. For instance, we find 2 doctors. 1 lawyer. 1 State officer. I county officer. 2 city officers. 1 Sunday Mehool missionary. 1 trained Bi‘ le teacher and missionary. 7 managers and superintendent* of dc \ ' 2- KEY, .1. .1. HALL, 1). D., Pastor 1881 bl 81)3. lull tuu nts, I principal of a business col lege. f» telegraphers, I I deplume critcrn- I is,•, 20 mci eiiaiilh and shop keejiers, 2 pari owner- of printing offices. 1 xuper iirii'ndi til of public lustruellon, 5 teach- I,i cpuiraetor, IM cur pen tors, 2 mail ciinici i, I cabinet workman, 1 workers in mil tide and stmie, " truck gardeners, ,2 cotiiin giadi rs; of cundiirUn s, engiu id-, nun iiini-is and fircon ii It), 2 drug j gis,|s, ti i >,.1. keepers, I, iralucd nurse, 7 j fill ncgiaptifrs, 1 pajnt**is, I civil engiu cci ; I proof reader, 1 manager of hum dry it book binders, I rider, and from i 5 to ID udders and &iiieheia, 1 UnUd caterer, 10 hoarding-house keepers, 32 salesmen and saleswomen, 30 sewing ladies, 2 wagon auel carriage* makers, 1 tinner, 1 blacksmith, 17 printers, 2 real estate dealers and insurance men, 2 manufacturers of patent medicine, 1 florist, 2 drummers and 2 superintendents of cemeteries. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. On the third Sunday in June, 1874, a mass-meeting of the members and friends of the First Baptist Sunday School was held in the new Mission Chapel just: completed on Swain street, and after short, spirited talks by Col. J. M. Heck, J. H. Alford. J. S. Alien, AA'. 11. Dodd and others. a Sunday School was organized’ by electing Cue following officers: Jacob S. Allen, supewintendent. X. B. Broughton, assistant superinten dent. F. T. Booker, secretary. Henry Mitchell, Sr., treasure 1 )*. Du the* following Sabbath, when the now school assembled, the following teach ers were appointed and assigned classes: AA’. T. AVomble, John AA’. Cole, X. B. Broughton, ,T. M. Broughton, Miss Car rie Wilson mow Mrs. Jonas Costner). Miss Mattie Hart on (now Mrs. B. A. Booker). Miss Bettie Nichols (now Mrs. Fred A. Watson), and Airs. J. 11. Mills. For several Sabbaths the school met in the afternoon, but soon it was dis covered that the membership was so vacillating its to make* it difficult to rec ognize, and then it was determined by these engaged in the work to give up connection with the* parent school of the First Baptist church, and commence regular independent service, as* Swain Sties it Baptist Sunday School, meeting it 9 o'clock cae-h Sunday morning. The first Sunday of this new exper ience*. there were just twenty-nine leer sons present—officers, teach* .*s and scholars. A gloomy prospect ami a small beginning; but never was there a more* determined or hopeful few gather ed together, and every Sabbath brought new accessions. In November of that, same year, 1874. a ehureh organization was formed, and the school greatly strengthened by the aid of the* pastier. Rev. J. D. Hufliam. The* superintendent of the* school. Brother Jacob S. Alien, was very active and aggressive, and under his manage ment the work built up rapidly. At the close* of the* year 1877. he* declines 1 re election as suijerintendenr. and the unanimous choice erf the* school fell upon N. B. Broughton. Brother Allen and his wife then took charge of the primary department of the* school. Superintendent Broughton threw his m hole soul into t.‘he work and carried the school on to greater and greate*r eflfieHsiey, until today, alter .» service of twenty-two years, tin* Raleigh Taber nacle Baptist Sunday school is one* of the recognized leading schools of the South. Its Superintendent was President of the Baptist State Sunday school con-* vent ion. is tlu* President of the North Carolina Baptist Sunday school eliau tauqua, vice president of World's con vention. and member of the* International Sunday school executive committee. From the* small beginning of twenty nine members, in 1874, the* school mem bership is today 79.7. From its ranks have gone scores and hundreds to *all parts of this State and of the* Fnifed S sites--some* as ministers of the gospel, others as sitperintendemts, teachers and pupils—until from Tacoma. AA’ashingfon. in tilt* great Northwest, to Florida and Louisiana, in the far South, from the great thronging multitude in greater New York of the North, to Atlanta, the Queen City of tlu* South, our representatives are to In* found. Fre m time to time additions have been made to the church building, until now the accommodations and arrangement for the Sunday school are hardly sur passed for effiemfu-y. In the* work are to In* found regularly organized adult, intermediate*, junior, primary, home* and normal depirtmcnts, and these* are pre*- sided over by experienced and devoted teachers. The primary room, which Mas built four years ago, has two hundred graded folding chairs on an inclined floor, and is due of the handsomest and best eqnip pe*d departments of its kind to he found anywhere. Recently the school has fitted up a library room and added 300 of the very lust hooks to be* had. The music of the* school, which is a prominent feature*, is led by a chorister and orchestra of ten instruments. Since the coming of Pastor Simms, in 1893, a Teacher’s Meeting has b<*t*u held Friday evening of each neck, and to this meeting is largely due the great efficiency of the* school. From the* beginning of the organiza tion in 1874 to the present (time the* an nual picnic or excursion in May or June* and the Christmas tree or entertainment, have lu*en great occasions. Reaching the* masses, providing for the destitute 'and neglected, encouraging the* poor and, straying, lending a helping hand to all wlm come xvithin its fold, has been a sp/rial work of this organization. In the business circles of our city, in its professions, in the prominent workers of the .-lurch mnd school, are* to Is* found those* mlio Mete first induced to conn* to tin* Bitud, ;t,v school, 'Urn present organisation of the school is as follows: Officers Re*v, A. AL Simms. D. D., pastor: X. B. Brought, u, superintendent; A. It. Forrest, E, <\ Holloman, assistant sn|M>riutende*n;s; R. L. Horton. M. B. Birdsong, secret a rlea: (ft, P. Spruill, treasurer; E. P. Moses. C. H. Betts. It. N. Simms, librarians; .1. S. Allen, usher; J. H. Smith, chorister. Teachers—J. M. Broughton, J. C. Birdsong. B. F. Faison. AA’, AV'. Parish. T. J. Bashfot l, G. W. Partin, J. K. Barkley, Mrs. R. T. Gdwan, A. H. Mooneylmm, Miss Oarrie Phillips, P. Spruill, Miss Clyde* Ellington, Mrs. A. M Sinim-s Prof. L. D. AA’atsnn. AA'. B. 'Parkinton, J, AV. (.’heck. Rev, T. H. Leavitt, Miss Vannie Moore*, F, M. Lmupkln, Miss Rosa Broughton, Aliss SECTION fy/ jges 1 to 8. PRICE FIVE CENTS Lillian Eckloff, Prof. AA'. J. P.rogden, \V. O. Rich) irdson, Miss Maud Reid. Miss Bertha Stein. Judson I Vole, ('apt. J. J. Bernard, Prof. E. P. Moses. Junior Department. Boys—Mrs. J. M. Bariwe, Miss Carrie Broughton. Girls - AA’. A. Cooper, Miss Lollie Tonnoffski. Primary Department- Jo. 11. AA’eath em, Mrs. Jo. 11. VA'eathers. OFFICERS tabernacle bap- TiST CIIFRCH, 1899. The following is a roster of the offi cers of the* church: Pastor —Rev. A. M. Simms, p. p. Deacons —E. C. Ilolien.an. chairman; It. M Andrews. J. S. Allen, X. B. Brough'on. J. M. Broughton. J. C. Birdsong, R. H. Bradley, T. J. Bash ford. J. It. Barkley, W. A. Cooper, A. B. FoiTe*s:, AV. P. Holloway. A. H. M •oneyham, J. 11. AA’e*athi*rs. Church Clerk- AV. AV. Parish. Treasurer—J. J. Bernard. Financial Secretary—Miss Alice AA’om ble. ■ . ■' REV. A. M. SIMMS, D. I)., Present Pastor. Trustees—J. M. Broughton. C. P. Spruill. E. G. Horton. City ’Mission Committee—J. A. Eger ton, J. R. Barkley. W. W. Parish. Finance Committee —Jo. H. Weathers, O. L. Betts. W. W. Parish. R. X. Simms. K. L. Horton. City Missionary— Miss Maud Reid. CHURCH COVENANT. As we (trust we have been brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the influence of His Spirit to give up ourselves wholly to liim, so we do now solemnly covenant with tavh other, that. God helping tis, we will walk together m Hiut ill broth erly love; that as members one of \nother f«#r the glory of Christ in the’ salvation of men. ive will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over c tell other, ami as occasion may require, faithfully warn, rebuke and admonish one another in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tenq cal; that we will willingly submit / \ X. B. BROFGHTOX, B*up< riute*nde*r.it Sunday Sclcol since 1877 to, and eonscientiously enforce*, all m holesome discipline of the* church; that we Mill uphold the worship of God and the ordinance's of Ilis house by regular attendance thereon. search diligently the* Scriptures, observe* closet or - family worship, and seek to train up those under our care* to it he glory of God in the salvation of their souls; that as we* have been pin nte*d together in the* likeness of His death by baptism, and raised from an emblematic grave to walk in newness of life, especially will we se*ck divine* aid to enable us to walk circumspectly and watchfully in the* world, denying all ungodliness and ev ery worldly lust; that we will remember tin* poor, and contribute cheerfully of our means for their reiie*f, and for tlu* maintenance* of a faithful, go>pe*l min istry among us. and for tin* spread <»( IL/ ft •l.vmit S^AIXEN. Superinteinlent of Sunday School from 1874 to 1877. the same to the ends of the earth: that we will endeavor, by example and effort, to Min Souls to Christ; and through life, amidst evil report anel good report, seek to live to the* praise of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His mar velous light, to whom ‘lm glory ami honor and power forever and ever. Ami'll. Many a man who knows nothing about tftio tariff would go <a tariff he could stand tlu* ■barte'iuh'r off.
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
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