Newspapers / The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, … / May 7, 1897, edition 1 / Page 12
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THE1WILMINGT0N MESSENGER FJRJDAY, MAY 7,. 1897. lis Master's work, have thought agency his forte. Many noble and great, side by side with the poor and humble, have paid high tribute to the gentleness 2nd power of his preaching .and the tflprness of which no audience has yef newfound .to -iths-tand; buVthe erief-stricken have found him. Jr Si a sympathetic warm-hearted. rS'risUlike man: When all has been Sd we find him a well-rounded Chrfstia? gStleman. His chief pecu- P00 -nrivlleee withheld others, rms canstUy on his feet, roovlne about the room. '2nverSs.ng with whom he pleases and sometimes a little annoying o ner voSTtrangers. During the late ses sion of the Baptist state convention at Morganton, a visiting clergyman, who waTnot acquainted with the doc tor -was greatly disturbed by his rest iSsnls? and gave ft as his opinion that the m?n Peking" about the floor was , , . I. Kai rTisnIence. The tTOUPieu whu o. , - 00n. I doctor was the preacner mg s fvx. hrotner Dressed his way through the crowd, his eyes still filled. with tears drawn by the r.i , hP Treacher's story, and taking Dr. H. by the hand said: Xou ;.a2 .Lit. this house all you want to." His brethren feel pwjty. much v, .,n,A wjlv about It. He holds first II1C - Dlace in their affections. ce rrr' v mon? the Jjr. .r , TT ck I ,virtiQri-r mpn of the 'State, IUU5L " J a I DOSSKooco , Xd stored with a large fund of well !KIXS wrtrlon He is a clear an nnoiifl. raemurj fA-"V ;r. In fact, the sim- plicity of his speecn - au & making clear and obvious pfound thoughts-and conclusions. the outward display oi ilXil", itt.p deceives the superficial, who for- " . t-- cow stin waters run get me on . j . v i ueey. . u m ti Nearly twenty .years xjl. tfv.QT.ri wrote for The Baptist En- cyclopedia: - "Dr. Hufham is a ripe rotinpn ana cuuivaiou u tastes, a born eaitor .ana me agents. He never seems w. uow when managing an association or taking up a collection." In the same paper he characterizes mm aa the most noted, of the living ministers nf North Carolina." Most of the noted men nf his denomination, in that day, rest In God's Acre, and since that time Dr. H. has done much of his greatest pastoral work. REV. J. D. HUFHAM, D, D. He sold The Recorder to Mr. J. H Mills in 1867. and after a three-years' pastorate of Sawyer's Creek church, in Camden county, and four years' ser vice as corresponding secretary of the Baptist state convention, at a salary of $1,500, of which he accepted only $1,000 he again became editor of The Recorder in 1874, and in December of the same year organized what is now the Bap tist tabernacle, of Raleish, and upon the broad foundations laid by him has grown a church which is almost a mar vel in its growth and efficiency. Later he became pastor of the church at Scotland Neck, and here and in the surrounding country he found (ample field for his great abilities. It was the territory of the old Kehukee Association, which became antimissionary in 1827, causing the withdrawal of a number of churches and the formation of the Tar River Association, whiich had since maintained a feeble organization. The Missionary Baptist cause had languish ed there for nearly or quite fifty years. Without commission, appointment or salary, Dr. Hufham became a sort of associational pastor in addition to his regular work. Under his influence and leadership, and very largely by his own labors and sacrifices, it became an im mensely prosperous body, and is today one of the great Baptist associations of the world. It was for a long time called in Baptist circles "Hufham's King dom." After a pastorate of thirteen years, he resigned tat Scotland Neck to undertake an important and pressing work at Tarboro. Having accomplished that, he went to Shelby, and thence to Henderson, back again into the Tar River Association, the scene of his greatest trials and triumphs. His re turn to the association in October, 1896, was the occasion of a most remarkable demonstration. As he entered the house in which the meeting was being held, there was a general movement to meet and welcome him. The moderator was wholly unable to preserve even the semblance of organization. In tears and smiles of equal joy the great con gregation thronged about him to wel come again the man who was as a father to most of them. - It was prob ably half an hour before order could be restored sufficiently for the associa tion to proceed with its work.. During these busy engagements Dr. Hufham kept in touch with all North Carolina movements and was the author of many most important ones. - At the rinse of the war the university fell into political hands and suspended. His was' the first pen to urge us reopening, ami though a trustee and loyal son of Wake Forest college, he visited the deserted halls, and beholding their desolation went, full of indignation and firm pur pose, and ursred upon friends of the institution to take such steps as should place It again in the position due to its character and its history. And, today, the university has no truer friend, though he has no sympathy with the policy which creates antagonism be tween that lnsttitution and the colleges, and thinks a . conference between the friends of each ought to determine the policy to be pursued and adjust their true relations, substituting a generous and helpful rivalry in the place of hos tile and hurtful competition. " The Baptist orphanage, at Thomas ville, is very largely indebted to him for Its existence. He was one of its earliest advocates, and assisted in the formation of the Orphanage Associa tion, in the face of opposition which de fai.t nrtinn In the state convention. When the enterprise was. in danger of oiiii for lack of funds he brought about a contribution of $1,000 and then another, und then the success of the movement was assured. He has since been its constant, friend and has in duced many of Its large contributions. Charity and Children has a recent item of interest in this connection: "There are three tablets in the central building. The one in the office bears this Inscription: In honor of Rev. J. D. Hufham, D. D., placed by Scotland Neck Baptist Church, 1896.' " So wfth the other enterprises of the denomination Wake Forest college, The Recorder, the mission board have all felt and yet gratefully recognize the value of his wisdom and experience fully alive in their interest. He is the adviser and counseller in every enter prise. He is wise and progressive; The passing years have not quenched his hopefulness, nor has physical weakness depressed the buoyancy of his spirits. Dr, Hufham' s passion is his intense love for North Carolina. He has never accepted work outside, and could not be induced to do so. Her history and traditions are fondly cherished in his heart, and few things which concern her escape his attention. Of gentle htrth cnH naturo nf broad wiltnrp and "To ' . . . formed and best thinking men of every state, fully abreast of what has been written about North Carolina and with exceptional facilities for consulting its materials, possessing such knowledge of the policies and traditions of the state as enable him to wisely interpret the records of the past, and withal an accomplished writer, Dr. Hufham is one hoct nn1rTWl rriP-n In North Carolina for writing the states history. He has written but one boo j. anad- mlrable memoir of Rev. J. L. Pritchard who, as pastor of the First Baptist church of Wilmington, died at his post, ministering to the yellow fever suffer ers. After years of solicitation from his brethren to do some historical writing for his denomination, he has finally con sented to become chairman of the pub lication committee of the North Caro lina Baptist Historical Society, and he is now devoting much time to the Bap tist historical papers, a quarterly mag azine nublished at Henderson. In the April number just from the press he has begun a. series of papers, which It is proposed shall cover the denomina tional history of the state to 1860. While this publication is devoted primarily to Baptist history the treatment of collat eral and related history is full and of general Interest. In this labor of love, so congenial to his taste, so rich in Its memories of the past, so full of les sons drawn from experience, Dr. Huf ham yet gloriously serves his state and his brethren. PLACES OF INTEREST AND HOW TO REACH THEM. SHELL ROAD Of eight miles, running to Wrights- ville, a beautiful summer resort on the main land facing the sound. OCEAN "VIEW BEACH. A run of ten miles east of Wilmington will put you on a beautiful strip of land surrounded by the Atlantic ocean on one side and Wrightsville sound on the other, where there are many cottages and a magnificent hotel, all in a few feet of the ceaseless breakers. Take Seacoast train, at Ninth and Orange streets, directly on street car line. Trains at 10:10 a. m., 2:30 and 6:30 p. m. each day. CAROLINA BEACH. One of Wilmington's popular summer resorts, reached by boat and rail- about an hour's ride from the city. A beautiful sandy beach directly on the Atlantic ocean. Surf bathing unsur passed. Take steamer. .Wilmington, foot of Market street, 9:30 a. m. 2:30 p. m. SOUTHPORT. and At the mouth of the Cape Fear river, thirty miles from Wilmington,- is beautifully situated, overlooking the mouth of the river and the ocean. Many beautiful live oaks and other attrac tions, Take steamer Wilmington, foot of Market street. DOWN THE RIVER. Places of historical interest: Forts Fisher, Anderson, Johnson and Cas well: Orton and Lilliput rice planta tions: old St. Phillip's church; the "Rocks," a wonderful feat of engineer ing: by the United States government.- Take steamer Wilmington, foot of 'Mar ket street. THE CITY. Population about 25,000. Is the seventh cotton port of the world; four cotton compresses, four fertilizer fac tories, cotton mill, a number of lum ber mills, etc. A fine harbor, twenty- three feet of water, with extensive ship- Dine: business1, both foreign and domes tic. There are four substantial and well managed banks; the railroad facil ities are excellent, rates low, and the merchants do a large jobbing business. Printing; offices are well equipped; there are gas works, electric light and power plant, electric street railway, water works, and all accessories consistent with a live, energetic and progressive city. Educational facilities are excellent, with five public schools and numerous private institutions. CHURCHES AND PUBLIC BUILD INGS "City hall and opera house, corner Third and Princess streets. Court house, corner Third and Prin cess streets. wnTTiinerton Lierht Infantry armory, .-M-oi-irct arwt. ibetween Fourth and A.. r "RMfth streets. Young 1 Men's Christian Association, RVont and Grace streets. United States postoffice,corner Front and Chestnut streets. '. rmt -Rnntist church, corner Fifth onri rTjirVp streets. - - , Brooklyn Baptist church, ourtn ma "Rrunswick streets TfiT-ct- TTAstwterian church, corner TVHrrt and Orange streets. t Andrew's Presbyterian church, nvmrth and Campbell streets. James' Protestant Episcopal Vinrch corner Third and Market St. John's Protestant jiipiscopaa TiT-a an -Red Cross St. Paul's -Protestant Episcopal .fcinvTv corner Fourth and Orange streets- Grace "M. 3E. church South, corner -EVvnrH and firace streets. TftH Rttwt M. E. church South, Fifth street, between Nun and Church -RinriPn Street M. E. church South, trsfti an "Ri a den streets. Market Street M. E. church South, Ninth street, between Market and Prin- ea striapta. " t -pnuVa Evangelical Lutheran ,w.-h -rnpr sixth and Market streets. St. Thomas Pro-Cathedral, Dock hotttwn Second and Third i3UCtl. " w - Temple of Israel, corner Fourth and Market streets. . . Swnnd Advent church, Sixth street, between Church and Castle streets.. BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE. (Continued from First Page.) soe; Arkansas, H. C Rosamon ; Flor ida, 'A. P. Pugh; Georgia, R. VanDe- venter; Kentucky, Carter Helm Jones; Louisiana, D. G. , Whlttinghill; Mary land, C. M. Ness ; Mississippi, Arthur Flake; Missouri, T. P. Stafford; North Carolina, J. Q. Adams; South Carolina, A. T. Jamison: Tennessee. John O. Rust; Texas. G. W. Truett; Virginia, J. C. Moss; District of Columbia, E. B. Pollard. A resolution by Rev. B. D. Gray thanking the Southern Baptist conven tion for appreciative efforts; also ex pressing deep degret at the resignation of John D. Jordan corresponding sec retary who retired to become pastor of the First church, of Savannah. Ga.. was unanimously adopted. Mr. Jordan spoke briefly his farewell words. On motion of Rev. M. D. Earley the minutes and roll call were approved without reading, being left to the exec utive committee for correction. On motion of Rev. John O. Rust a hearty vote of thanks was given to the people of Wilmington for unsurpassed hospitality. On motion of Rev. John D. Jordan. adjourned to mfeet at the caU of tne - board of, managers. Rev. Dr. O. F. Gregory pronounced the benediction. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WILMINGTON. It is impossible to state, with any de gree of certainty when the First Bap tist church of Wilmington was organ ized, early in the present century, how ever, and although it was quite a small body then they determined to erect a church edifice for public worship. They were few in numbers and with limited means, but they had energy and deter mination and when these are faithfully applied to any undertaking, success is secured, and it was so in their case They purchased a lot on the southeast corner of Front and Ann street occu pying a position on, a high bluff which commanded a fine view of the river and surrounding country. There wer but few buildings then on either side of Front street and the view was uninterupted for a long distance up anddown the Cape Fear riverand on. this lofty site they proceded to erect their church. It was a plain, unpreten tious wooden building at first, but in subsequent years was greatly improved as . their numbers increased and their means became more abundant. We cannot recall the names of the earlier pastors but it appears that In the year 1833 the Rev. Mr. Tinsley was called to the pastorate and served as such until the year 1837. In 'April 1839 the Rev, A. P. Repiton was for a brief period its pastor but owing to a disagreement with some of the members of the church he resigned the pastorate and subsequently with the aid of voluntary subscriptions by me citizens erected a church on the corner of Orange and Sixth street which was known as the Orange Street church and in which he officiated for a year or two. In 1841 Rev. Mr. Armstrong, of Mississippi, oc cupied the pulpit and was succeeded in 1843 by Rev. A. J. Battle! In October 1844 the Rev. - James McDaniel became pastor and served very faithfully until 1852. He was a strong n an intellect ually and a "burning and a shining light" in that denomination and prob ably was the ablest divine that church had at that period in North Carolina. He was succeeded by the Rev. W. H Jordan .who resigned in 1855 and a Mr. Bradford occupied the pulpit until February 1856 when the Rev. John L Pritchard, of Virginia, took charge. Mr. Pritchard was a most laborious and devout pastor and under his wise ministrations the church greatly pros pered. He was a faithful minister of God and when that dreadful epidemic the yeliow fever, swept over the city in 1862 carrying desolation and death in its fearful passage, he remained at his post and was untiring in his atten tions to the sick and suffering until stricken down by the dread disease he passed hopefully to his reward. He sleeps in beautiful Oakdale and a mas sive monument reared by tender rever ence to his memory marks the spot where he rests from his labors. His resemblance to Abraham Lincoln was remarkable in height, figure, face and movements they were the counter part of each other and if seen together they would certainly have been taken for twins or brothers. Learning, soon after his installation as pastor, the intention of the church to purchase a more central and eligible location and to build a better house in which to worship its great Head he en tered at once with all his characteris tic zeal and efficiency into full sympa thy and effort with the projectors of the laudable enterprise, and under his. able leadership the present location was secured, the building erected and covered and the spire finishf id . ana reaching nearly two hundred feet above the level of the street. His active coad jutors in the work of erecting the pres ent imposing edifice were the late George R. French, B. F. Mitchell and many other earnest men and women. In April 1864 the Rev. W. M. Young was chosen pastor and served until Oc tober 1867 very acceptably. " Prior to the completion of the new building and after the sale of the old one. the con gregation under the ministrations of Rev. Mr. Young worshipped in the present city nall in the large room Gf the second story, and the voice 01 praise ana tnanKsgivin& ascenaing upj - . - J Jf A j- . , on nigu was isu " arrested tne attention 01 me tnougnt- less passer by and attracted him with in, where perhaps, a word fitly spoken may have changed the whole current of a life. In September 1867 the Rev. Mr. Young resigned the pastorate, and re- once more in 1870 to participate in the dedication services of the new building. In September 1868, Rev. Dr. J. C. HIden was called and remained in the church until August 1875 and was suc ceeded by the Rev. Dr. James B. Tay- J lor whoi-resigned in March 188S. when the late-lamented Rev. Dr. Thomas H- Pritchard took charge and, served faithfully and with great ability until January 1892 when the present incum bent, Rev. W. B. Oliver, was called to the pastorate and how well he has dis charged his duties the-crowds that fill the sacred edifice is the .best evidence that can be given, and the absence of jars and disagreements in the congre gation attests alike his executive abui t v and his zeal and emclency as a minister of God. Let us make a slight digression here, not of any importance but simply by I way of contrast with the present and I the long buried past. I In the early days of our history,. I church discipline was not as strictly en- 1 forced as at the present time, and there I was frequently 'exhibited an easy famil iarity between preacher and people that would not be tolerated or permitted now. An illustration occurs to us which we will mention, and we trust no one will accuse us of making light of sacred things in doing so, for such is far, very far from our intention. The Rev. Jonathan Bryan, unknown to fame. perhaps unheard of by the present generation but well remember ed by our old citizens was officiating on one occasion in that Old church.' He was not much of a preacher, but rather a local exhorter, and his claim to the title of Reverend was questioned by a good many of our people, but however that may be, he was officiating on the occasion referred to and after exhorta tion announced a hymn for the close of the services. The choir was located in the gallary directly opposite to him and there was no organ, nor any. other instrument of music, not even a pitch pipe. In raising the tune, the leader struck as he supposed the proper key note but unfortunately pitched it so high that he could not carry if and was compelled to stop for want of breath, in other words he had exhausted his wind, and a silence that could almost be felt rested upon the assemblage. He tried it a second time but went to the other extreme-and pitched it as much too low. as he had previously been too high and so he floundered along for. a few bars, his voice getting lower arid lower until it ceased and it really seem ed as if he had swallowed it. Another silence and worse than the first, and then the voice of the preacher fell gent ly upon the ear "brethren I think we nad better pray." But the choir leader was not disposed to give up in tnat way and immediately shouted back to the parson from his place in the choir loft "hold on Brother Brvan. we'll have her up directly" and making one more desperate effort, he fortunate ly struck the right note and carried the tune to a successful termination, to the great relief of all present. To resume our notices under, embarrassments, many and great, chiefly the results of the war, it was not until May 19, 1876 that the majestic building was ready for conse cration. On which occasion the Rev. Dr. Winkler officiated, and the sermon of that distinguished divine is remem !ered as having been one of the most loquent and impressive ever delivered n this city, it "was worthy of the man as he was worthy of the occasion As an evidence of the activity of this organization of Christian people in dis seminating the Gospel we will state that the church has put into the minis try nine very efficient ministers, viz, Rev. A. J. Battle. G. L. M. French. E, H. Raney, T. I. Wescott, G. W. Newell, W. T. Jones. E. S. Alderman. F. T. Newton, A. T. King and has sent out the following colonies. In 1848 it or ganized a church on the sound, in 1850 Orange Street church, which, however, was disbanded after a troubled .exist ence of two or three years. In 1870 the Second Baptist church was organized but that was subsequently captured by the Adventists, in 1881. Brooklyn church was established which is now a strong and prosperous church, and in 1894 the South Side church was organized and has been very prosperous and success ful. - The membership of the First Baptist church of Wilmington, numbers now about four hundreds It is : one of the largest denominations in the city and possesses the handsomest church edi fice, an edifice indeed that would reflect credit upon any -denomination in any city. Long may its spires point up wards to the skies and the voice of prayer and thanksgiving never cease to be heard within its hallowed walls. THE CITY OP AVTliTVl IXGTON. The following is taken from an article prepared by Captain T. D. Meares, and has previously been published: Wilmington ' was selected by the Southern Baptist convention, which met in Chattanooga in 1S96, as a suitable location for its meeting in the monh of May next ensuing. Thinking a few words dlscriptive of the city may not be amiss at this time, we have collated some facts, historical and otherwise, which we rust may not' be wholly un interesing. The city is locaed in souh easern Norh Carolina, on he Cape Fear river, about wenty-five miles from its mouth, alfhugh only eight miles from the ocean in a direct line. The first mention which we have of the river, by its name, is in 1585 and he earlies se- tlement made on it was in 1659, being abandoned in 1865 Sir John Yeamans sailed into the river and, under the au- thoriy of the lords proprieors, estab- lishel a town by the name of Charles Towne. In 1671, Sir John, with the greater par of the coloniss, abandoned this location, and sailed south, found ing wha is now the city of Charleston, in South Carolina. Those of the clon- ists who remained removed from the original location, and founded the own of Brunswick, abou sixteen miles from Wilmington, at which place there still remain the walls of. St. Philip's church, which was built (some time prior to the revolution) with brick brought over from England. The point is also the lo- catin of Fort Anderson, the scene of one battles of the war between the states. It was from the "Cruiser" a British war vessel, lying in the river near this point, that Josiah Martin, a colonial governor, issued his procloma- tion against the Mecklenburg declara tion of independence in August, 177'. Finding the rough water of the open roadstead seriously interfered with the handling of the produce brought down from the upper rivers, it was deter- mtnoil m:Qlra onnthai mnro anr1 oVkrt. 17m th Hta nf wnmin u I U V l VV VilV KA CJ V-r MJ fc ia now located was selected. The town was first called New Liver pool, then New Town, and in 1739, by legislative enactment received its pres-i rent title, in honor of the earl of Wil mington. From that day until now its inhabitants have maintained a reputa tion for bravery, independence and hospitality, and their record during the revolution, as well as in later times that tried men's souls, would have given them a national as wel as .a stae reputation had they not been as modest as they were courageous. While first active steps were taken in Meck lenburg county, in 1775, by the, adoption of the celebrated declartion of inde pendence n the 20th of May of that year, it remained for the people of Wil mington to offer the first overt act of resitance.by calling out the militia and of war to land the stampedpaper sent for the use of the province. Our space will nt permit of an extended historical sketch, and we must pass on with the remark that Wilmington continued an important miltary point during the revolution, as it subsequently became in the late civl war. ; The house used by Lord Cornwallis as headquarters during the British ocupancy is still standing. In 1738 the surorunding country was embraced In St. James parisft, modeled after the English church government idea, and elections of the vestry were held for years under direction of the sheriff at tu court house door. In 1749 a number, of Spanish privateers sailed into the river and were driven off, one of them being captured. The proceeds of th capture were devotd to th use of St. James church In Wilmington and St. Phillips church at Brunswick, and an oil painting, "Ecce Homo," taken from the vessel, is now in the vestry room of St. James church. The church building was used by the British during the revolution as a hspital, and also as a riding school. During the war between the states Wilmington became a vital point, and when it fell, the last blow was struck under which the confederacy went down. For months prior to that time the blockade runners were regular cisi the extreme activity of the blockading fleet, many of them made their trips I with as much regularity arin times of I fortunate, and many, wrecks along the I beach still testify to the fate of some I gallant ship, whose captain preferred I tr rnn; hpr nshnrp' rnthAr than -fall intS I the hands of the federals. Fort Fisher I which rnmmflndwl whaf was thou I known as New Inlet, was the scene of two of the mpmnrahlc ennfltrts nf thp I late war, and the terrible bombardment to which it was subjected by the federal fleet without sutaining any injury, in augurated a new era in the construction of forts. This was imply a scientifically constructed heap of sand, and the shot buried themselves in it wthout damage. when as tone or brick structure would have been demolished in a few hours. A daily bat makes the fort accessible. but New Inlet, which it protected, has been closed by the contsruction of a stone wall, over a mile in length, done by the general government, and one of the most successful undertakings ; of modern engineering. Magnificent fish ing can be had from the wall, which is Wide and several feet above tide water. rri htm . . . ... xne wiimingron or toaay, witn a population of about 25,000 people, is situated upon a hill overlooking the Cape Fear river, which divdes into branches in front of the city, each of which penetrates the interior some 159 miles. Both are important feeders of the citys traffic, each being navigable for ivers teamers about two-thirds of its length. About eighteen miles from Wilmington, near one of the branches. is the battle field of Moore's creek, one of the earliest of the revolution, the spot being marked by a handsome mon ument. There are some ten lumber mills, handling pine lumber mainly. which is shipped by rail or water to northern and western markets, and by sail to the West Indies, from which the latter point molasses, sugar, coffee and tropical fruits arei mported. There are four cotton compresses, the export of cotton amounting to over 200.000 bales. Wilmington ranks as the sixth cotton port of the united Staes. There are four fertilizer factories, whose trade reaches into South Carolina and Georgia'as well as North Carolina. Cot ton factories, rice mills, grist mills, cot ton seed oil mills and other Industries employ a large number of hands, and add -to the prosperity of the place. The railway connections and service are ex ceiient. steamboat lines to Fayette ville, and to all other points on both rivers,. ,a.ially lin. to-thv..mauth. of , the river, therxal outside lines to north- fern ports 'together with the foreign shipping and many large tramp steam- ers, make the harbor a scene of bustle and activity. The trucking- interests around Wilmington are extensive and! have been exceedingly profitable. As a place of resort Wilmington stanas preeminent. So well are its at tractions known within the state that it is said no organization ever refuses an invitation to hold a meeting there. The people, therefore, never extend an invitation without, meaning it. We have made some allusion to some of the resorts, and the deserve fuller mention. A daily steamer to Southport affords the opportunity to visit all pints of in terest on the river, and to take a short trip to s&a, if desired. Captain Harper; the commander of the "Wilmington," is one of the most experienced officers of excursion boats, and combines affa bility and firmness in a rare deerree. Fort Anderson is a point of revolution ary as well as of more modern interest. Fort Fisher can be reached by landing at the "Rocks" which is the local name for the stone wall builtby the govern ment a mile across "New Inlet," and which is a feat of modern scientific en engineering also well worth inspection. Nearer the mouth of the river is South port, a comfortable seaside resort, where oysters, fish, crabs and other marine luxuries abound, while at the mouth of the river Fort Caswell over looks, with frowning guns, the approach to the roadstead. About twelve miles from Wilmington one can land and take a train over to the beach, ! two miles distant, the cars stopping within a few feet .of the breakers. This is Caro lina Beach, a noted summer resort. Ocean View, said to be the finest beach on either side of the continent, is directly east of Wilmington, and is reached by the Seacoast railway, which is ten miles in length! Of this, one mile is directly on the beach parallel wfth the water. The beach is dotted with cottages owned by Wilmingonians and others as summer homes. Before reach ing the beach, Wrightsville is passed, separated from the beach by a mile of open water, over which , the train crosses on a trestle. Wrightsville, be sides being the center of a trucking and clam industry, is also a summer resort, a large number of houses fronting on the sound. 1 Wilmington has good electric car ser vice, is lighted by both gas and elec tricity, has good streets and drives, a fine park, and is unquestionably one of the pleasantest cities in thesouth,either to visit or live in. There are twenty two white churches. The,-First Baptist church, in which' the convention meets, is splendidly located on the corner of Fifth and Market street, beings an ex ceedingly handsome avenue, and one of the choice residence streets in the city. The pastor. Rev. Wm. B. Oliver,' ranks high as a man of talent, broad and liberal in his views,, and command ing the respect not only of his own church but of the community generally. The assistance of all citizens vwill be cheerfully rendered in entertaining the convention, and we predict they will find this to have been one of the most enjoyable of their meetings. - Can Get no Bait. St. Johns, N. F.; May 6. The opera tions of the French fishing fleet are seriously embarrassed by the difficul ty in procuring bait on our coasts. Of the. eighty French vessels which left St. Pierre last week for the Grand Banks, not more than half had 'an ade quate supply of halt. The Book of Ufa and Death. . V. The book is an old one; Its pages a Biainea: t - : . Its covers with layers of grease are en. grained; v . Its edges, which once 'were by gilding maoe gay, Have been dog-eared and damp for full many a day; Its leather, which must have been new at some time. . . Is now black with dirt arid all sticky wi in grime; In short not to dwell on such features' toomuch-r . 'Tis a bad book to smell and a worse one to touch. The chemist, on subtle analysis bound. researcn in this volume found; In its filth-crusted covers by him, as Most inimical germs to their lairs have been track'd; Of the microbes which rollick in dirt ana in aamp, His lens has displayed quite a populous camp; Naykr noxious bacilli which act as a T ""r" ln sundry diseases, he's hap'd upon Ana wat do you think is this badly , ufu - ln Y n. tne Dus coc.cl s too much at " home: Tnif book, which neglect has contrived 10 convert lnto such an amalgam of mildew and dirt f vv nat, what is this vnlnmp which science affirms Is the domicile now of a legion of germs? : In the very next line you an answer may slip on ... It's the testament 'usWi- in ... k house at Ripon! -. ' - - " . The hale and the wholesome. - the sick and unclean, The saint and the sinner, its kissers have been;. Till it now may be said it fairly belongs w mings as should touched with the tongs. only be- London Truth. FACTS IN MISSION WORK. Encourging and Marvelous Development in Missionary Work, (Raleigh News and Observer.) Naturally a casual survey or the re ligious status of the world has a de pressing tendency on the faith and hopes of those who are looking to the enthronement of Christ as the world's redeemer. The contrast in Kii.anity and the rr "j. me worm, together with the seeming slow progress of the gos- -pel in heathen lands, do not present a very hopeful outlook. . But a close survey of the fleld'is ipre encouraging than discouraging C A t The logic of facts will impress us7 Jet us look at some of the facts, and we will get what Christians term a hope-inspiring view." . - Practically the era ofmission- Work is only a century old, and what has been accomplished is the work of the nineteenth century. In 1792 the first-foreign missionary society was organized. Now there are about 280 societies. In 1800 there was only, here "and there a convert from heathenism; now there are 1,300,000, and according to Dr. Van Dyke, are being gathered into the churches at the rate of 250 a day. xiicxi mere was only here and there eiT worker era. ip Then there were only 5 000 000 copies, of the Bible in the whole world- and it could be tiirnwi the race. Since then there have been 250,000,000 of copies published, and 6,000,000 are issued annually in the languages and dialects of nine-tenths of the race. China was entered in 1707. In 1804 tne nrst Christian Chinese was bap- I tized. Now there are about 70.000 com luumcanis.ana a Christian population japan was entered in 1859. In 1872 there were only ten baptized believers. iN.ow there are 400, Christian churches and 50,000 communicants. Carey began mission work in India in 1793. Now there is a Christian popula tion of 2,290,000. The first mission was opened in Afri ca in 1792. There are 2,000,000 comrau-Y nicants and 20,000 were added last " year. During this century many of the can nibal islands of the Pacific have been Christianized. : One hundred years, ago there "was hardly a pagan nation open to J the Christian missionary. There Is now no -nation whose doors are not ajar, if not " wide open. j What has been done shows only the first fruits of the harvest that awaits gathering. The century has been one of preparation, of seed sowing. The leaven of the gospel though working slowly, has yet permeated every land, and its influence has broken the hold of the old -faiths, has been removing prejudices, has been civilizing the uncivilized and changing the civilizations that have stood for thousands of years. The period of preparation has re- , vealed the possibilities of the gospel. The century that lies before the church will be marked, with unexpected pro gress and prosperity. The year of 100 A. D. closed with Christianity number ing one-half i million. .The year 1500 there were one hundred millions; the year 1800 two hundred million; the -year 1900 will, from all indications, close with nearly five hundred mil-, lions. - ' In the presence of these facts what need is there of any faint heartedness on the part of the church? - , The hope of success is as bright as the promises of God can make It. "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and, from the river unto the ends of the earth." . v .. F. D. SWINDELL. International Association of Railway Sur- geons- Chicago, May 6. At its session today . the National Association of Railway . Surgeons out of compliment to the membership in Canada and Mexico changed its name to the international Association of Railway Surgeons. The next meeting will be ' held in May, 1898 in Toronto. ' George Ross, of Virginia, was elected presi dent; Dr. Hutchinson, of Montreal, first vice president and Dr. Riodan, of To ronto, chairman of the committee of : arrangements. Funeral of Admiral Meade. Washington, May 6. Rear Admiral Richard W. Meade was buried at-the national cemetery at Arlington today after appropriate services at the church and the grave. '1 TO CUBE A COM IN ONE DAT. ' ; Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tab- . lets. All druggists refund tht money If it fails to cure. 25c . , ' ; Vio
The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 7, 1897, edition 1
12
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