By
CHARLES CROSSFIELD WARE

1960

 
Hookerion History

By CHARLES CROSSFIELD WARE
Box 1164, Wilson, N. C., Sept. 26, 1960

FOREWORD

A good part of the definitive history of North Carolina Christian Churches,
(Disciples of Christ), is involved in the career of the Hookerton Union, their
oldest institution. The primary group of 126 years ago was known as The
Union Meeting of Disciples of Christ in North Carolina. Later it was iden-
tified as The Central Christian Cooperation; yet later, called The Second
Evangelical District; and from 1885 to date as the Hookerton Union. In
eastern North Carolina it consists of 21 Christian Churches, including the
three in Greene County, and the eighteen others in parts of Craven, Lenoir,
and Pitt Counties.

As the reader sees, these churches are first sketched separately in alpha-
betical order, and then the warmly human story of the Union itself is told
for its long life of service. Documentation is from materials extant in The
Carolina Discipliana Library, in Atlantic Christian College, Wilson, N. C.
The writer is curator of this special collection. At the quarterly meeting
of the Hookerton Union at Eden Church, Greene County, on April 20, 1960,
the author was requested to prepare this monograph. ;

In our extensive archives of North Carolina Disciples, as touching their
ministry, there is no tabular pin-pointing of respective pastorates with con-
tinuity prior to 1911. Responsible publicists may have considered such
information as valueless. Much preaching of the period was intermittent,
or protracted in evangelism. Wherefore what is presented here, regarding
the preachers’ regular appointments before 1911 is consequently fragmentary.

AIRY GROVE

About seven miles north of Kinston, N. C. is Airy Grove Christian Church.
During horse and buggy days this distance was called ‘an easy drive’. The
location is east of the Kinston-Snow Hill highway, (Federal; 258) and near
Wooten’s.Crossroads. Enrolled by The North Carolina Christian Missionary
Convention on Oct. 28, 1897, the initial membership was 45, which was in-
creased to 67, within the first year. The first clerk was W. T. Moseley;
later it was O. Taylor, of Hugo.

Their first trustees were: R. F. Hill, W. T. Moseley, Lemuel Taylor, J. W.
Moseley, and J. T. Harrison. State Convention records in 1899, year of Airy
Grove dedication, lists the Church property valuation at $800, and total
giving to missions that year, $12.86. Their first Sunday School of record
began in 1898, with Mrs. Blanche Moseley as superintendent, succeeded by
George Rouse, of Hugo, when enrollment was 48, including 8 teachers.

A short distance east of Airy Grove is the site of the historic Little Sister
Meeting House, (1828-1843). This small congregation pioneered the new
Christian Church at Kinston, Jan. 21, 1843. At Little Sister gathered the

 
first Convention of North Carolina Disciples of Christ on’ March 28-30, 1834,
originating the Union Meeting, first organization in the annals of the State’s
Disciples. Also very close to Airy Grove is the site of the old Lousan Swamp
Union Baptist Church, a part of whose membership, after the church had
closed, came to Airy Grove in 1897, and afterward.

Samuel W. Sumrell, (1854-1921), was a country preacher, “faithful and
true”. His evangelizing in the Airy Grove Community laid the foundations
for the Church to which he ministered for several years, from 1897 onward.
He elicited support in the Hookerton Union for the erection of their plant.
The Union met there in Quarterly session on Oct. 29, 1899, when the high
event was the dedication of the building. On this Lord’s Day the offering
to the Union “was so large it was decided to pay the $24 now due on Airy
Grove Church, and let the Union take up some other point”.

A local auxiliary of the C. W. B. M. was organized in January, 1900, the
state organizer saying: ‘We hope with Mrs. Blanche Moseley and Mrs. Mary
Tayler as leaders that they may prove a beacon light to others.” The fol-
lowing May it was reorganized with a membership of 10, and with 8 sub-
seribers to Missionary Tidings. On July 11, 1902, Mrs. W. G. Johnston, wife
of the Kinston pastor, reported for the new group: “at their first meeting
they paid up for the entire quarter ending, June, 1902”. Further, Mrs.
Johnston said: “Now all of you auxiliaries that have the least disposition
to be stingy, or to shirk, please profit by the example of your young sister,
Airy Grove.”

In August, 1907. Dennis Wrighter Davis held their annual revival with
22 additions. He said: “Airy Grove is one of the splendid congregations of
N. C. These additions will add greatly to the Lord’s cause in that
community. The prominence of the members gives stability to the work
they have undertaken.”

The church has consistently favored the pastoral unity plan and for long
seasons has had the service of a resident minister at the near-by Hookerton
parsonage. Cooperating with the group, in the spring of 1938, the church
gave $190 toward procuring a new automobile for R. Paul Parker, their
pastor.

In i955 there was marked improvement of building utilities in the erection
of Sunday School rooms with accessories. It was reported: ‘We have com-
pleted payments on the annex to our building and plans are being made for
work to be done inside the church’. The next year many other improve-
ments were made. Home-Coming was observed on April 29, 1956, when
“the Educational Building, new pews, choir chairs, communion table and
chairs, baptistry and carpet were dedicated”. Ross J. Allen brought the
dedication message. Special music was by Burnice Smith, and Hope Shack-
elford. In the afternoon the pastor, T. J. Morris, Jr., baptized seven candi-
dates.

In May, 1959, a beautiful steeple was erected, a gift of misses Hugenia
and Vivian Scarborough, and their brother, William, in memory of their
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Scarborough, Sr. The steeple was
dedicated on Oct. 18, 1959, at their annual home coming. The sermon was
by C. C. Ware. Assisting was the pastor, Robert E. White.

At the Easter Week of Prayer, 1960, the C. W. F. leaders were Miss Doris
Taylor, and Mrs. Earl Wooten. It was also reported: “now our church is
freshly painted and the yard drainage greatly improved.”

Membership at Airy Grove is 196.

 

Roll of ministers at Airy Grove:

1897-1902, 1907 SU Wat Solved: < LOPS, TORR. Sie a W. O. Lappin
1903, 1904 D. H. Petree 1926, 1927... WW, OC. Greer
1908 Se eC: Morten: '/'1928; TOR0 se aR etol
1909, 1910 C. F. Outlaw 1930-1954 R. Paul Parker
1911-1914; 1920-1925...C. W. Howard 1954-1956 T. Ji’ Morris, ' Fr;
5 4 etait REE aig enews De W. LOlis 1967-1969) ..2 200 ee Ke itching Ie:
1916, 1917 ...S. Lee Sadler 1960 Robert E. White

ARTHUR

The Pitt County village of Arthur, (population, 181), is a station on the
Norfolk Southern Railroad approximately midway from Farmyille to Green-
ville. As the highways course it is a few miles north of the intersection
at Ballard’s Crossroads of the east-west Federal 264. Its post office name
is Bellarthur. This rural trade center arose and began developing at the
completion of the rail line to Norfolk, Va., from Raleigh, N. C. Incorporated
in 1911 the name was given for L. C. Arthur, a man “of large agricultural
interests,” who had from 1897 operated extensively here. He was from Bed-
ford County, Va. It was said of him: “Few men have been more useful to
Greenville and Pitt County than he and the people so regard him.”

The Community was friendly to the Disciples from the beginning, when
at near-by Smith’s Schoolhouse, eastward from the village, they began
preaching in 1907. There were only “two or three” persons committed to
their cause at first. They said that they were “beginning with the town”;
their intention was “to grow up with the town”.

During the week following March 25, 1908, Samuel W. Sumrell evangelized
in the aforementioned schoolhouse. This resulted in 10 baptisms, “all good
young people” said the preacher. He arranged to give them monthly preach-
ing and confidently asserted, “We can organize there soon”.

Following a church extension pattern of long standing, it was arranged to
have the Hookerton Union to meet with them on Nov. 29, 1908. Mrs. Charles
E. McLawhorn, an active correspondent for them, reported on the preceding
Oct. 8: ‘We are very anxious to build a Church. Our band of members is
small.’ In the spring of 1909, G. Hinton Crumpler, student in Atlantic
Christian College, was preaching there each third Sunday. He reported that
their church school was “well organized, with Charles E. McLawhorn as
Superintendent”.

In November, 1909, a church lot at the station was bought and the present
name assumed for the new church. The Hookerton Union contributed $50.00
for the bourgeoning work. An Arthur currespondent added: “it is to be
hoped that this Union will stand by the work until it is completed”. R. E.
Willoughby was the Arthur treasurer. G. Hinton Crumpler visited them on
Oct. 28, 1909, at which time $280 was pledged toward the erection of a build-
ing at the station.

In October, 1910, Sumrell, and Cecil F. Outlaw held their revival. Their
plant was “well on the way”, and they “hoped to occupy it soon’. They
thought it would “be much better than the Schoolhouse, although the School-
house is a very nice place’. Further: “Our members at Arthur are good
and faithful. workers and other good people are ready to come in with us
when we get in the new Church”.

At the quarterly meeting of the Hookerton Union on March 31, 1912, it
was agreed by the Union to refund the $100 advanced for Arthur’s building

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by the Nash-Edgecombe Union, (now the Coastal Plains Union). This
reciprocity by the Unions was a helpful feature in building new churches.

On Noy. 21, 1912, Arthur, having 27 members, was enrolled by The North
Carolina Christian Missionary Convention. The property valuation was
$1500.00.

The Arthur plant was dedicated on May 31, 1914, when their Union met
with that congregation. J. C. Caldwell, President of Atlantic Christian Col-
lege, preached the dedication sermon. It was recounted that a very few had
begun the church, which however grew “faithfully from the very first,” and
the common voice of the community said of the Disciples, “they love each
other”. The dedication was followed by a revival, resulting in 18 additions,
led by Sumrell, and John H. LeGrand, Ayden pastor.

The church was revitalized and increased by the annual revivals. In 1925,
it was led by G. H. Sullivan, with 8 added; and in 1936, by T. W. Bowen, 33
added, with 133 enrolled in a Bible Drill. John L. Goff held the 1938 meeting,
with 13 baptisms; the Farmville baptistry being used. These are but a few
of the many recurring “seasons of refreshing,” at Arthur.

It was reported in December, 1938, that Paul R. Rasberry, local layman,
had given the foundation materials for the projected religious education
rooms to be constructed at the rear of the church. These were opened in
March, 1939. Two rooms are each 14 X 16 feet; one room, 10 X 16, and two
small rooms 8 X 12 each. At the same time Mark H. Smith gave a two-story
eight-room parsonage in the village.

On March 8, 1942, the church made heartening response to E. K. Higdon
for the Emergency Million Campaign. That fall, Nixon A. Taylor held the
revival with 13 additions. The next year Newton J. Robison held it; 11
added.

On Nov. 7, 1948, their service flag was dedicated, C. B. Mashburn bringing
the message, recognizing the 29 from this church in the “Service,” (World
War II). The next year the church advanced to a half-time pastorate, and
the Church treasury had a balance of $192.93, after all debts were paid.

Their Crusade Goal was paid in full by June 30, 1950. And in the summer
of 1951, the religious education rooms were remodeled, and a kitchen added.

Other plant improvements were noted in April, 1954. They had “replaced
the steeple, underpinned the church, insulated the walls, and had painted
the inside of the sanctuary and Sunday School rooms: and kitchen. The
project cost over $1,000.00 plus the labor given by men of the Church.”

Frank Wibiral organized their local C. M. F. in April, 1955.

On Oct. 2, 1955, ground was broken for their new brick parsonage, in
Arthur, to have six rooms. By March, 1956 it was completed. At this time,
Arthur had entered the pastoral unity with Grimesland.

Their 1959 revival was held in June, with 19 additions by Jack M. Daniell,
Farmville pastor. Charles Carraway is their C. Y. F. President. Many of
their families are participating in the “Lord’s Acre Plan,” to assemble funds
for an enlarged religious education plant.

Membership at Arthur is 144,

Roll of Ministers at Arthur:

1907, 1908, 1911. S. W. Sumrell 1915-1918 pees WV in iktec Ree
1909, 1910 G. Hinton Crumpler BLS DD ARMY BIO HER SL S C. E. Lee
CE) dS I Saar SR ee Ben F. Oden 5 pil ee gt i
19138, 1914 , le Ls SARS OMEN ee LOOT ee ay M. B. Brinson

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1922-1924 Paul T. Ricks ,
1925-1930 G. H. Sullivan i ekg sine Acee _R. J. Bennett
5 Niton A. 'Faylor G. A. Hamlin
Ei SR ih, bese age aah Kermit Traylor micches orton tly. De i SEE ESE
1934, 1935, 1947, 1948__L. B. Bennett 1953-1955 Ivan Adams
D aadbaaaeee dex Wisi BOWON. -206G, NOR 22 Billy Bennett
--G. D. Davis, Sr. 1958-1960 1 dtiseial st CRT EOn Beat

AYDEN

A judicious widely-travelled Carolinian has said: “Ayden, North Carolina,
is decidedly one of the friendliest small cities in America.” The town,
(population, 2282, in 1950), was incorporated in 1889. In that era of rail-
road expansion it had arisen as an opportune commercial center on the
Kinston-Weldon spur of the Atlantic Coast Line Ry.

At the opening of Carolina Christian College there on September 18, 1893,
the Ayden Christian Church was organized. This was effected in the College
building by Peter Stephen Swain, a newly matriculated ministerial student,
at the school. Dennis Wrighter Davis holding an early revival there took
occasion to say that the community was “headquarters for the dissemination
of knowledge among the Disciples in N. C.”.

The post office was established there in 1894, and the town was incorpo-
rated in 1890. The Bank of Ayden was organized April 4, 1903, and the offi-
cers: Dr. Joseph Dixon, president; Jesse Cannon, vice president; John R.
Smith, cashier; and J. H. S. Hodges, assistant cashier, were all Disciples.
The first four years this bank operated they made a profit of 58% for the
stockholders. The firm of J. R. Smith and Co. was chartered in May, 1906,
with an authorized capital of $100,000. The head of the firm had started
business in Ayden in 1891, and it was first known as J. R. Smith and Brother.

At the beginning, in 1893, the Ayden Christian Church had 32 members.
Among the charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Hart, Mr. and Mrs. J.
S. Hines, Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Sumrell, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. McGlohorn, Mr.
and Mrs. C. J. Smith, and Caleb Worthington. A large portion of the early
members came from Rountree four miles west. At Rountree there developed
one of the earliest groups of Disciples in the State, as that old church,
founded as a Baptist church of the Neuse Association in 1827, was led to
the Disciples by the ministrations of General William Clark and John Pat-
rick Dunn, two of their founding fathers.

By the time of the Disciples’ State Convention in 1894, at Kinston, the
Ayden Church had grown to forty members; L. T. Rightsell was clerk, and
the sum of $5.00 was reported as given during the year to local church
expenses. Stewardship at Ayden was just beginning to bud. Dennis Wrighter
Davis held a revival for the Ayden Disciples in July, 1895. It continued nine
days and there were eight additions. He reported: ‘‘We confess our utter
surprise at the strength of the Ayden Church. In our judgment we have
few churches in North Carolina stronger financially than this one... For
State Missions the Church pledges $27.” For a long while the church servy-
ices were held at the school, and then in the upper room of the store of S. A.
Jenkins. The Ayden Disciples grew in liberality for causes local and mis-
sionary, and were giving largely to “others” before they had a building of
their own. B. H. Melton, Wilson pastor, visited them in 1900, and reported:

The Ayden congregation has in it all the elements for a strong and
representative church. The members are refined and cultured and they

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are blessed with this world’s goods... The people of Ayden are
justly proud of their educational advantages. In fact I saw but two bad
things in Ayden—goats and bar-rooms ... I hope the good people of
Ayden will get rid of these two nuisances.

Announcement with Ayden date line in The Watch Tower, April 15, 1904,
said: “Timber is being collected for the building of the Disciple Church
here. Also the brick are expected to arrive every day with which to build
this elegant structure.’ The church property was first listed in our State
Convention Minutes in 1904, at the amount, $4,000. This building on Second
Street had been occupied for about three years, when it was dedicated on
April 7, 1907. It was announced: “Having paid their church debt, the Ayden
congregation are planning for a big dedication. C. W. Howard and D. W.
Davis will do the preaching. A big crowd and a glorious time is expected.”

A contemporary brief announced that they had “paid off the entire debt—
that’s good, and they have a handsome brick church, a credit to the con-
gregation.”

In 1915 while Samuel B. Waggoner was pastor, six church school rooms
and a balcony was added to the front of the old building. This doubled the
value of the plant. In 1925 with W. H. Brunson, pastor, $10,000 was borrowed
from endowment funds of Atlantic Christian College accruing from the
Carolina Enlargement Campaign, and used in 1927 to erect a substantial
and commodious religious education plant with sixteen class rooms and
church school auditorium, at the rear of the church auditorium.

Ayden entertained Disciples’ State Conventions in 1900 and 1911; Hooker-
ton Union and other regional Disciple gatherings, a countless number of
times.

Ayden’s plant and its equipment have been consistently improved and
enlarged as expediency required. The initial parsonage, only a door from
the church had a new living room suite installed in May, 1937. Fourteen
special windows at completion were dedicated on June 26, 1938. These
memorialize: Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Brunson, R. C. and Sudie M. Cannon,
Joseph Foy Barwick, EB. L. and Lena Brown, A. W. Ange, Mr. and Mrs. W. A.
Darden, Sr., Loyal Men’s Class, Loyal Women’s Class, Larry W. Smith, C. J.
Smith, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Johnson, J. R. and
Mary Smith, and S. A. and Florence Jenkins. Three other memorials
dedicated at this time: new baptistry for Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Cannon, new
pulpit set, lectern, and communion table for Mr. and Mrs. George Worthing-
ton, and the new choir loft accessories for the father and mother of R. L.
Johnson. Memorials reported in March, 1949: five chandeliers in sanctuary
by Mrs. Allen Johnson for her father, J. R. Smith; and Hammond Electric
organ by Mrs. J. H. S. Hodges and daughter Myrtie Gray Bilbro, for J. H. S.
Hodges. Also in January, 1958, a “lovely pulpit Bible” was given by Mrs.
John H. Coward, in memory of her husband.

‘he church was host to the first local interdenominational Daily Vacation

3ible School held there, which was in the summer of 1939; enrollment 115.

On Jan. 3, 1943, C. C. Ware, assisted by W. H. Brunson, pastor, ordained
the following 29 officers: Elders, J. D. Cannon, J. L. Tingle, P. R. Taylor, T.
G. Worthington; Deacons, Leslie Stocks, Jamie Dail, Paul Smith, Larry
Tripp, Dalton Gardner, R. H. Worthington, J. R. Taylor; Junior Deacons,
Steward Tripp, Joe Dixon Tripp, Charley Tripp, Jr., Robert Lee Tripp, Berry
Brown, Shelton Cannon, Royce Alligood, Frank Kilpatrick, Jr.; Deaconesses,
Mesdames: P. R. Taylor, J. L. Tingle, W. W. Salsbury, Leon Cannon, J. H.

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Coward, J. D. Cannon, Clay Stroud, Jr., Jack Collins, P. L. Jenkins, and Miss
Virginia Bell Cooper. Sitting with this ordained group were 22 other
Ayden officers who had previously been ordained. On their “Service Flag,”
(World War II), at that time were 22 stars.

There had been a debt on their religious education plant. For their “Home
Coming” worship on Oct. 3, 1943, it was reported: “J. H. S. Hodges and R.
L. Johnson stood at the pulpit and burned the mortgage, the building debt
having been paid in full. J. Dixie Cannon read the names and respective
amounts of the 125 individuals who had paid the total cash, $6,001.33 which

had completely cared for the remainder of the original $10,000 loan from
the Atlantic Christian College endowment fund.”

In 1947 a steam-heat system was installed in the church, and ten years
later the sanctuary was air-conditioned.

The 25th anniversary of W. H. Brunson in the Ayden pastorate was ob-
served on April 20, 1947. Deceased in 1951, he still holds the record as
“dean of all full-time pastorates” within the State among Disciples. He had
previously ministered in S. C. for 18 years at St. Stephens, and for 11 years
at Charleston. Achieved in his quarter-century at Ayden were: an educa-
tional plant costing $14,000 constructed and paid for; parsonage debt clear-
ed; new baptistry installed and sanctuary redecorated; four pianos and a
tower system of chimes installed, officiated at 114 weddings, and more than
200 funerals, and there had been many accessions to the church. In addition
he had held more than a score of revivals away from Ayden in the Carolinas.
In January, 1952, new officers for the Church Board were elected as follows:
Dr. H. W. Gooding, chairman; J. R. Taylor, vice chairman; W. B. Phillips,
secretary, and Leslie Stocks, treasurer.

In May, 1954, construction was started on their modern six-room brick
parsonage on the lot given by Robert N. Johnson. First to occupy the new
parsonage in September of that year was their pastor F. F. Beach and family.

The John L. Goffs have led in a prosperous ministry since Jan. 1, 1956. At
his first Easter with them he led their revival resulting in 31 additions, and
their Church School exceeded goals of 250 in attendance and $100 offering.
At this time their Fellowship Hall was remodelled.

Early in 1957, the parsonage debt of $2100 was liquidated, and their wor-

ship and religious education facilities were improved costing “several thou-
sand dollars.”

The Ayden congregation has given four young men to the Christian min-

istry, namely: Billy Adams, E. L. Davidson, James Hemby, and Goodwin
Moore.

Membership of Ayden is 323.

Roll of Ministers at Ayden:

1893 : is eR ivhacy WRAPOLG 2; EDTA OTE hits ele S. B. Waggoner
1894-1897 L. T. Rightsell 1916-1918 _....Fred B. Powell
1898-1900, 1902 2 C. W. Howard 1919, 1920_.. J. Flem. Atkins
1901, 1903 D. W. Davis 5} ) ARE ee Pee eros W. J. Shelburne
1904, 1905 S. W. Sumrell 1922-1951 doped WV, EE Branson
1906, 1907 igi ee R. H. Jones 1952-1954 G. D. Davis, Jr.
1908-1910 ee C. M. Morton 1955 _......Franklin Beach
POd | POLO ie cuitigintc. C. B. Mashburn 1956-1960 John L. Goff
1913 John H, LeGrand

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BETHEL

As a local Church designation Bethel is most appropriate. The name has
sacred association. To Abraham, whose caravan rested twelve miles north
of Jerusalem, it was the “House of God”. Later to the wrestling Jacob with
his vision of the heavenely ladder, Bethel was the consecrated place where
God spoke to him. Bearing this lovely title is the Christian Church in Con-
tentnea township, Lenoir County, N. C. It is three miles south of Grifton
on Federal Highway 11.

At its origin, prior to 1860, this church was of Union Baptist faith. These
were led originally by James W. Hunnicutt of Fredericksburg, Va., who
edited their paper at that place from 1848 onward, called The Christian
Banner. He was born in 1814 in Anderson County, South Carolina, but
removed to Virginia where he founded the Union Baptist denomination,
whose leading objective was to unite all open-communion Baptists into one
aggressive body. He planted several churches of this faith in North Caro-
lina, which grew slowly until the War Between the States necessitated their
reorganization and consequent decline under Bushrod Washington Nash, who
led until their last surviving congregation perished several decades ago at
old Lousan Swamp near the present Airy Grove Christian Church. From
this group of believers came many sturdy accessions to the Disciples, among
whom were some of their preachers, namely, Curtis W. Howard, Samuel W.
Sumrell, James Latham Winfield, Jesse T. Davis, Isaac Lamar Chestnutt,
Irvin Jones, and J. T. Grubbs.

Hunnicutt, in his 454-page book published in 1863, entltled The Conspiracy
Unveiled, The South Sacrificed, Or The Horrors of Secession, said: “In the
month of October, 1860, we were sent as a delegate to the Grand Council of
the Union Baptist denomination of Christians which met at Bethel meeting-
house, Lenoir County, North Carolina.” His book reveals at great length
conditions as he viewed them in this State in the year before the outbreak
of the great civil conflict. He was a violent “Southern Union man,” despis-
ing the Confederates and all of their works, and had to flee suddenly from
Fredericksburg in August, 1862, when General R. E. Lee’s veterans marched
in.

The old Bethel (accent on “el’’?), Union Baptist Church stood directly
across the highway from the present Bethel Christian Church. The old
church record book, which is an item in the Carolina Discipliana Library,
gives the account of their reorganizing on Saturday, November 5, 1870, at
which executive session Elder C. C. Stilly “came down from the stand and
made a long address upon the unsettled state of the Union Baptist Church.”
On December 3, 1870, they entertained a Union meeting at which H. D.
Cason, a Disciple, and C. C. Stilly did the preaching. A minute of this meet-
ing in this old church record reads: “On motion it was agreed to discard
the name of Union Baptist and take that of Disciple by which name we
would be known in future, whereupon the members. organized themselves
into a Church of Christ at Bethel meeting-house.’’ It is thus to be observed
that this church literally began in a quarterly Hookerton Union Meeting.
Some of the descendants of these pioneers still consider Bethel as a kind
of home for the Hookerton Union. The charter members, numbering 13,
were: William H. Rountree, Washington Sumrell, Bryan Ives, Charles L.
Rountree, I. L. Chestnutt, C. T. Barwick, Barney Brooks, Mary Brooks,
Peggy Phillips, Lucy Sumrell, Susannah C. Rountree, Almeda Chestnutt and
Louise E. Rountree. First officers elected: Deacon, Washington Sumrell,

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and clerk, Charles L. Rountree. Jesse T. Davis was their first pastor. The
church was first enrolled by the Disciples’ State Convention meeting at
Farmville, October 5-8, 1871, reporting 40 members, and represented by
delegates: Jesse T. Davis, C. T. Barwick, and Washington Sumrell. W. B.
Hartsfield and C. P. Gaskins were their delegates in 1872. John J. Harper
held them a “big meeting” with 35 additions in the summer of 1874, so at

the State Convention that year, they reported a total of 98 members en-
rolled.

Following is a quaint entry in their old church record book:

Disciples met at Bethel on Saturday night before the 2nd Sunday in
July, 1873. Preaching by Elder C. C. King. After services Sisters
Willie Hartsfield, Ida Taylor, and Mary Chestnutt came forward as
candidates for baptism. Sister Willie Rountree gave in at the water
on Sunday. Meeting closed by singing. C. L. Rountree, Clerk.

The old Union Baptist Church was used until their own building was
erected, the dedication of which was reported as follows by Jesse T. Davis:

For about nineteen or twenty months, there has been a desire, accom-
panied with an effort by the congregation, worshipping at Bethel, Lenoir
Co., N. C., to erect a house in which to worship God. We are now per-
mitted to announce through the Watch Tower, that there is a house of
worship here in which the Disciples of Christ can meet in quietness and
peace. And that according to previous arrangement it was opened on
Saturday, April 12, 1873. Preaching on Saturday and Saturday night
by Dr. Walsh. On Lord’s Day morning a very large congregation as-
sembled, not more than three-fourths of which could gain admittance,
so closely packed was the house. The congregation was first entertained
by vocal music followed by prayer by Elder A. C. Hart, and then a dis-
course delivered by Dr. J. T. Walsh. This was followed by a recess,
during which we were pleasantly engaged and thankfully employed in
partaking of refreshments. At the appointed signal we again entered the
house and listened with interest to Hld. J. H. Foy, who delivered a very
fine discourse—then the Saints partook of the Lord’s Supper, and all
were dismissed in peace.

This building served exactly 51 years until it was burned. C. C. Ware
preached the last sermon in this old church, on April 13, 1924 and the suc-
ceeding Sunday morning, Haster, 1924, he preached the first sermon in the
Disciples’ new building at Rocky Fork in Lee County, where the Hookerton
Union had put an investment of $150, cash.

The congregation worshipped in the Rountree Masonic Hall across the
road in the interval before dedicating their present plant on July 19, 1925.
Then the sermon was preached by J. R. Tingle, a beloved minister living
at Ayden.

For the Women’s work, Mary Irene Orvis, State Organizer visited Bethel
on May 20, 1900, when their auxiliary began with 17 members; Officers:
Miss Cynthia Rountree, president; Miss Jennie Abbott, vice president; Miss
Maude Sumrell, secretary and treasurer. ;

William Hart Rountree, (Dec. 7, 1820—Oct. 2, 1900) grandson of Jesse
Rountree, was a prominent layman at Bethel. He lived in a beautiful home
near the church. S. W. Sumrell said of him: ‘He was like a father to me.
He loved the church with all his heart and was faithful to its needs and
calls.”

Bethel is noted as having given to America the first dedicated missionary
from the North Carolina Disciples. Almeda (‘‘Miss Meta’) Chestnutt, sister

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of Isaac Lamar Chestnutt, and granddaughter of Wiley P. Nobles, pioneer
Disciple leader, was the daughter of Almeda Nobles Chestnutt, charter
member at Bethel, Dec. 3, 1870. ‘Miss Meta”, the missionary was born on
the plantation of her father, Lemuel Allen Chestnutt, on Sept. 8, 1863, and
died on Jan. 12, 1948, at Chickasha, Okla., and there buried by the side of
her husband, J. Alba Sager. At Bethel, her home church, she was baptized
on August 11, 1876, by Dr. H. D. Harper. Her early training was at the
local Bethel Academy and Greenville, N. C. Institute. Later, on a scholar-
ship, she received her master’s degree at the University of Nashville. There
in Tennessee she met the remarkable Disciple Evangelist, Theophilus Brown
Larimore, (1843-1929), who advised her to go west to teach with her new
Disciple friends, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Erwin, of Oklahoma, to whom she was
introduced by Larimore.

Meta taught in the Greenville, N. C. Institute, 1886-1889. Then on Sept.
1, 1889 she left Kinston, N. C., for Silver City, Indian Territory, to teach
the cemmunity school at the home of the Erwins. Reaching the five-months-
old, raw, but mushrooming Oklahoma City on Sept. 4, she spent her first
night there in the makeshift “Grand Avenue Hotel”, which also housed a
wolf under the floor howling all night. Next day she went 30 miles south-
west across Canadian River with W. J. Erwin in his trail wagon to Silver
City in the Chickasaw Nation.

She started her Silver City school, on Sept. 9, 1889, with seven pupils,
increasing to 37 within the year. The settlement shifted seven miles to
Minco on the railroad in 1890. In 1892 Meta went with Mrs. J. H. Bond on
a successful pioneering mission to the old Chickasaw capital, Tishomingo,
securing scholarship aid to the growing school at Minco. This Indian school
grew steadily. In Sept. 1895, its extension, El Meta Bond College opened in
a three-story building, with extensive accommodations for boarding pupils.

On May 6, 1906, Meta married J. Alba Sager, an associate at the College.
Mr. Sager died in 1928.

The improved public school system of Oklahoma in 1920 necessitated the
closing of El Meta Bond College. During Meta’s tlfirty-two years of admin-
istration, about 2500 persons had been trained under her supervision includ-
ing many who became prominent in the affairs of the new state. The Sagers
removed to Chickasha, and served on the faculty of Oklahoma Woman’s
College.

The fiftieth anniversary of Meta’s Western educational mission was given
a rousing celebration. Meta had given early training to Judge Reford Bond,
an eloquent lawyer of Chickasha, “of Indian lineage” who addressed the
large assembly. As herewith briefed he said:

In 1889 Meta Chestnutt sacrified family ties and civilization’s com-
forts to cast her lot with the pioneers of Oklahoma. She saw Oklahoma
when its prairies stretched to the horizon, untouched by the plow or
the barbed-wire fence, when the forests lifted their tree-tops to the skies
untouched by the saw or the ax, when the only home was the wigwam,
the cow camp, and the ranch house. She saw the old stage coach sup-
planted by the steam engine, the teepee village transformed into the
modern city. She saw the subjugation of the Kiowa, Comanche, and
Apache. She saw the coming of the plainsman, and the mountaineer,
the Puritan and the Cavalier, and now she beholds the composite Okla-
homan.

She was the first woman educator to appear before the Chickasaw
legislature, the first to win tuition from the Chickasaw law-makers, the
first to convince the Chickasaws that co-education was beneficial, the

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first to receive recognition from the department of the Interior, the first
among us to fight for higher education for women, and that it should
be the heritage of every daughter as well as the birthright of every son
of our Republic.

No human plummet can sound the depths of her devotion. No sur-
veyor’s chain can mark the limits of her faithful, patient endurance,
and only the wings of an archangel can transcend that pinnacle to which
the sublime principle of self-sacrifice exalts her soul. She was an edu-
cator strong in purpose, and pure in strife, thereby making our lives
stronger and purer, an inestimable influence. She taught that botany
should point to the Rose of Sharon, geology to the Rock of Ages, and
astronomy to the Star of Bethlehem.

On a reminiscent pilgrimage Meta visited her old home church at Bethel
on Oct. 11, 1942, a few years before her heavenly home-going.

Bethel’s Service Flag (World War II) in June, 1943, had 25 stars. Offi-
cers in their young people’s work then, were Lenore Phillips, Grace Braxton,
Nina Bette Rouse, and Clara Gilbert.

C. C. Ware, assisted by R. Paul Parker, the pastor, on April 29, 1945,
ordained at Bethel the following officers: Elders: J. W. Gilbert, Clyde Brax-
ton, Sr., Floyd M. Hughes; Deacons: F. M. Gilbert, Clyde Braxton, Jr., Rob-
ert Phillips, C. R. Humphrey, B. Alton Phillips, M. R. Phillips; Deaconesses:
the wives of the above named six Deacons.

In November, 1956, it was reported for Bethel: “Our church has been
rebuilt, and our Sunday School roms and bath rooms have been completed.”
Two years later the women made several improvements to the plant’s
utilities, including venetian blinds, primary class chairs and church bulletin
board.

Membership at Bethel is 152.

Roll of Ministers at Bethel:

1870-1873 Jesse T. Davis 1919 Joel E. Vause
Th) GES eR Lea Se PO Gideon. Allen>' 1922,-1923..2..0. ook J. T. Moore
1883, 1884 Cc. W. Howard 1 i ache SRS J. H. Edwards
1888 __._ J. L. Chestnutt 1929-1932 Perry Case
1889......... J. L. Winfield 1933-1953 R. Paul Parker
1900. : D. W. Arnold 1954-1956__......... T. J. Morris, Jr.
1909-1915; 1920, 1921 J. R. Tingle 1957-1959 J. D. Kitchin, Jr.
1916, 1917; 1924-1927 E. E. Moore 960 Jerry Burton
O. T. Mattox

EDEN

It appears that in numerical dimension at least, a banner church exten-
sion year for North Carolina Disciples was 1871. Notwithstanding the hurts
and hazards of current Southern Reconstruction their zeal for the cause
waxed rewardingly. For in that year thirteen newly-planted churches were
enrolled at the Farmville State Convention. Four of these then novitiate
congregations are functioning to-day in the area of the Hookerton Union,
namely: Eden, then known as Taylor’s Schoolhouse, Greene County; River-
side, (Chapman’s Schoolhouse, Craven County); Red Oak (Berea, Pitt
County); and Bethel, Lenoir County, (formerly Union Baptist). At that
time three Disciple ministers were resident in Greene County, all receiving
their mail at Hookerton. This was within easy horse-and-buggy reach of
Eden, a small church in the open country, eight miles west of Snow Hill,

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near Shine. The trio of Hookerton preachers: Alexander Campbell Hart,
Irvin Jones, and Jesse T. Davis.

A summer revival at Eden in 1871 netted 37 baptisms and 10 accessions
otherwise for a chartered membership. Of those old enough to join, these
consisted of 16 families, each entire and 8 others, as follows: Mr. and Mrs.
James Wright Taylor, and daughter Heppie; Mr. and Mrs. Charley Vaughn,
and daughters, Mirinda, Liza, and Hazie Ann; Mr. and Mrs. William Howell,
and daughter, Pattie Taylor; Mr. and Mrs. William Taylor, and sons, Sher-
man and Berry; Mr. and Mrs. Abram Swinson; Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Taylor;
Mr. and Mrs. William Frazier; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Frazier; Mr. and Mrs. Jim
Jones; Mr. and Mrs. David Smith; Mr. and Mrs. John Hodges; Mr. and Mrs.
Jack Taylor; Mr. and Mrs. Absalom Taylor; Mr. and Mrs. Rufus West;
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Radford; Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Vaughn; Mrs. Ella Pea-
cock Smith; Miss Bettie Peacock; Henry Swinson; Mrs. Jackie Ann (Tay-
lor) Barrow; Mrs. Becky West Webber; Doc Frazier; Bob Howell, and Tom
Howell.

The first plant was erected in 1873, and named Eden. Before this they
had worshipped in Taylor’s Schoolhouse on Lord’s Days, while public school
was seasonably conducted on week days in the building.

A full roll of Eden’s early ministers is not of record. Yet we know that
Dr. John T. Walsh of Kinston, served them in 1882. About them he said:
“Eden is not large or wealthy but they are true and faithful. They agreed
to pay me $75, salary for the conference year, 1882, and they have made
good every cent. All honor to the brethren at Eden. May they never lack
for anything needful. They paid me $87.50 for 14 months. God bless all
of them!” Some active laymen there in early times were: William Frazier,
J. A. Frazier, Mark P. Taylor, and J. W. Taylor. In the 1880’s while the
State Convention’s “District Plan’ was in vogue, Eden was grouped with
Hookerton, Wheat Swamp and Hebron (now defunct); salary $400 per
annum.

In October, 1900, the pastor, J. R. Tingle reported: “Eden is now prepar-
ing to buy an organ.” In September, 1901, L. T. Rightsell supplying for D.
H. Petree there, said that he had promoted a “Basket Collection” of $2.50
cash for the Hookerton Union.

Eden, always a small church, has had many yearly soul-saving revivals.
One among the best was in 1908 with 15 baptisms and 7 added otherwise.
It was led by Cecil F. Outlaw. Each of the 22, with one exception, were over
21 years of age. It included 7 entire families; in fact, Eden seems to be
notable for inclusion of entire families of enrollment age. An unusual event
of the Outlaw meeting—he baptized a man, 71, whose daughter and grand-
daughter were at the same time baptized.

In 1928 the plant was removed southward a mile to a site on the Snow
Hill-Goldsboro Highway, 102, on land formerly owned by Mrs. Fannie Pauline
Smith.

The pastor’s wife, Mrs. Lester Jones, led in organizing their Women’s
work, with 15 members, in 1933. R. A. Phillips has held the longest pastorate
there, 14 years. At their September “Home Coming” in 1946, $4000 was
raised on construction of a new plant, work on which was started two years
later. Meanwhile John L. Goff held a revival resulting in 9 baptisms, in
which “he brought effective, enthusiastic, inspirational, messages, and the
church was greatly strengthened.”

During the building program in the 1940s, Eden’s services were held at

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the Davis Grove Missionary Baptist Church, four miles north. Eden’s new
building was opened on April 10, 1949. The new $10,000 brick plant was
dedicated without debt on Sept. 11, 1949. The plant is 47 X 27 feet, provid-
ing two church school rooms, and it has “four tasteful windows” on each
side. It is a radical improvement.

On June 8, 1947, C. C. Ware, assisted by R. A. Phillips, pastor, ordained
the following officers: Elders: Roland Taylor, Ernest Sauls; Deacons: James
Taylor, James Albert Smith; Deaconesses: Mrs. Edgar Lee Smith, Mrs.
Ernest Sauls; Junior Deacons: Nelson Joyner, Joe Ben Sauls, Kenneth Tay-
lor, and Lester Herring, Jr. Five years later the church school superintend-
ent was J. A. Smith, and the Church Treasurer was Mrs. James Taylor.

In 1954, it was reported: “The Sunday School has increased during the
past year to a point where we need an addition to our building. Before we
go further we must build.” Plans were proposed for three new church
school rooms, convertible when required into a fellowship hall.

While Ivan Adams was pastor, in 1955, there was held the “first Easter
Sunrise Service in the history of Eden Church”.

Membership at Eden is 80.

Roll of ministers at Eden:

ABR Po Sa Dr: J.0.* Walsh: 1938 1946:1947 R. A. Phillips
Jyosephus Latham 19260 “so L. J. Bickers
RECS TSG a ea Te dy. Onestnuth 026. 1021-40 oe, J. F. Pipkin
1889, 1920-1924.| J. R. Tingle 1928-1931... === J. H, Bdwards
1897-1900, 1907................ S. W. Sumrell RE ys tf ERASE Seon be Abe Ree Ss. L. Jones
1901-1904 : D. H. Petree 1948, 1949... sss ss W. I. Bennett
OUR Sead ee Fo C. M. Morton 1950-1952... Zeph N. Deshields
£O00;- POT8 oe ey J. A. Saunders 1953-1955 ......._ van Adams
FS NES 7 Lr a ee J. T. Saunders
1913-1915_.:...___.._.._ Joel. BE. Vause cay ce ....Byron Welch
1916, 1917_____..._.._._. James M. Taylor Carlton Best

FARMVILLE

The second largest urban center in Pitt County is Farmville, (population
2942 in 1950). It is near the Greene County line. Previous to its incorpora-
tion in 1872 it had been known as New Town. This was at the crossroads
midway from Marlboro on the south to Joyner’s on the north, about a mile
from each. The second building at the place was the Christian Church. It
was known as Antioch Church from 1854 to 1910. It stood as the only
church of the community for its first 34 years. The village grew slowly. In
the census of 1880 it had but 111 persons and in 1890 just 140. At the intro-
duction of large-scale growth of tobacco in the highly fertile hinterland it
became a prosperous trade center.

Old Antioch really began at Tyson’s Meeting House, located a few miles
east of Farmville near the present Arthur. John P. Dunn of Lenoir County,
an outstanding evangelist of the Disciples, held a revival at Tyson’s
Meeting House, beginning November 2, 1850. The meeting resulted in 123
baptisms. This new Disciple congregation was represented at the State
meeting of Disciples in 1851, at Oak Grove Church, Greene County, which
stood at the present Willow Green crossroads, by Josiah Barrett, Sherrod
Tyson, and S. Hines, Jr. They were received as given in the following
minute: “Friday, Oct. 17, 1851. On motion agreed that the Church of Christ

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at Tyson’s M. H., Pitt County, be received into this Conference, and that her
delegates be invited to take seats and participate in its proceedings.” Her
delegates in 1852 at Elm Grove were G. W. Barrett, T. King, and A. Bynum;
in 1853 at Wheat Swamp, John H. Hines, who in 1872 had named Farmville.
By the time of the Wheat Swamp Convention in October, 1853 their member-
ship had been reduced to 96.

In the summer of 1853 there was a bitter strife at Tyson’s due to the
organized temperance movement. Intemperance throughout the country
had become such a growing evil that an order had arisen called the Sons of
Temperance to avert the rising tide of alcoholic drink. Less than a dozen
of Tyson’s members took the position that unrestrained use of strong drink
was a Christian’s inviolable privilege, to be defended by exclusion from the
church of the Sons of Temperance who were of contrary opinion. They
would make it a test of fellowship. They wished to form an organization
under the title of “Old-side Apostolic Christian Church,” of which one of the
tenets should be: “No Son of Temperance is to be admitted as a member of
this church.” The Disciples never recognized this apostate church in any
of their State Meetings; in fact their divisive idea never became an issue
within the Disciples’ cooperative order.

With a reduced membership and dissension over temperance in the air at
Tyson’s, it was desirable that a new site be found. James W. May owned
much land at the crossroads which became Farmville. On December 12,
1854, he deeded one acre to the Antioch “Christian Baptist Church,” “to
have and to hold ...in fee simple ... to occupy, use and enjoy said church
as a house of Christian worship for the worship of Almighty God.” The
trustees named in this original deed of 1854 were: Peter E. Hines, Richard
A. Bynum, Sherrod Belcher, and Josiah Barrett. It is apparent from the
deed that the frame plant of Antioch had already been erected. This stood
for 56 years until 1910, on the original site, fronting eastward at the south-
west corner of Main and Church streets. Seasonal heating of the one room
wooden structure was by a central stove. Victorian segregation of the sexes,
men on the right, women on the left, obtained until 1892. The practice was
facilitated by the three feet high median partition from front to rear.

In 1854 at the Disciples’ State Meeting, James W. May, Sherrod Belcher,
and W. Stancill, represented this resurgent group and reported an enrolled
membership of 95. It was not considered as a new church at the Disciples’
State Meeting in 1854, but it was enrolled under the new name of Antioch.
Josephus Latham, a strong advocate of temperance, was the first Antioch
pastor, and held her first revival, beginning on Saturday, September 8, 1855.
He said the revival continued for several days and resulted in fourteen bap-
tisms “a goodly number of whom were lovely young ladies, two of whom were
natives of Maine, who had bidden farewell to the loved ones at home and
had come to the far ‘Sunny South’ to teach.’’ He concluded: “May Heaven
guide these dear young converts through this waste-howling wilderness to
the haven of sweet repose”.

In 1904 the church known as Corinth, located east of Farmville at Lang’s
Crossroads, transferred their fellowship to Antioch. Much of the blood of
the 400 persons presently enrolled in the Farmville Church was native at
Corinth, originally.

Corinth was first known as Oak Grove and their building stood in Greene
County above seven miles southeast from Farmville at the present Willow
Green. This Oak Grove started in 1830 as a member of the Toisnot Associa-

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tion of Regular Baptists. Toisnot soon merged with Nahunta Association
and was known as Contentnea. On October 24, 1835, following the lead of
Kehukee, the Contentnea adopted an anti-missionary policy. This was
against the feelings of the Oak Grove Church, and after drifting for eleven
years, the church became connected with the Disciples in 1846, under the
evangelistic leadership of John P. Dunn. It then had but 16 members.

Abram Baker represented Oak Grove in the Disciples’ State Meeting of
1846 and 1847, and Daniel McArthur in 1849. They entertained the State Meet-
ings in 1851, 1860, 1867, and 1875. The Carrs, the Moyes, the Langs, and the
Dardens, were leading families in this old church, and they contributed
much gain, actual and potential, to this merger at Farmville in 1904.

In 1863 the place of worship for Oak Grove was removed a short distance
over the line into Pitt County and a new building erected. It was then
named Corinth, as there was already another Oak Grove Church of like faith
in Pitt County. Alfred Moye, (1793-1863), prominent layman in the Oak
Grove church, was a son of Joel and Sarah Darden Moye, and lived six miles
east of the present Farmville. He married Orpah Tyson in 1818. Two of
their sons were pioneer Disciple leaders of Wilson and Greenville, respect-
ively, and several other descendants became active Disciples at Farmvilie
and elsewhere. In 1850 he was the first president of the Greenville-to-Raleigh
Plank Road, (memorialized for him in the public monument at Lang’s Cross-
roads); 1828-29, state representative; 1881-44, state senator; and served
admirably in various other community activities. Preachers called his
home an “hospitable mansion”. George Joyner said of him: “The character
which he sustained for wisdom, stability and judgment was appreciated by
the whole community.”

Farmville Church has been outstanding in her furtherance of the Dis-
ciples’ cooperative life in North Carolina. Six annual State Meetings have
been entertained here, namely: 1857, 1871, 1883, 1893, 1912, and 1929, aside
from innumerable conferences and inspirational gatherings of smaller groups.
Two of these State Meetings, namely 1857 and 1883, are of epochal impor-
tance. In 1857, at Farmville, the first State Constitution for the Disciples’
group was adopted, and in 1883 the constitutional system, known as the
North Carolina Christian Missionary Convention, was adopted.

Looking back, after a bit more than 40 years, J. R. Tingle reminisced:

“IT remember the first State Convention I ever attended. It was at
Farmville, 1883. I remember F. M. Green was there, helping to complete
the organization of The North Carolina Christian Missionary Conven-
tion. They met from Wednesday to Sunday, Oct. 10-14. A large crowd
there was from the beginning, and it increased to the close. There were
no automobiles but the people came from far and near. I was enter-
tained at a country home, and there nine men slept up-stairs on cotton
beds and mattresses. We had a good time and everybody enjoyed it.”

J. J. Harper held their revival in 1887, with 11 additions. He commended
their “zealous and diligent workers.’’ C. Manly Morton in his pastorate
there, 1908-1910, led in building their brick plant, which was dedicated Nov.
13, 1910, President J. C. Caldwell preaching the sermon. Morton said that
his two years there represented “the most earnest, prayerful, and pleasant
work” he ever did.

Farmville’s first Sunday School was reported in 1873, along with only 6
other Disciple Schools in North Carolina, with enrollment of 68, including
6 teachers. E. P. Edwards was Superintendent. In 1879, however, they

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reported but one teacher, and 12 “pupils.” 1887 report: W. R. Parker, Super-
intendent; average attendance 25, with 65 on roll, and to their joy it was an
“Evergreen School’;—it ran “12 months” in the year. The next year A. J.
Moye was superintendent, and the enrollment had grown to 89, including 9
teachers. The present church school of Farmville Disciples has enlarged
equipment for resurgent growth. It has a strong teaching staff, is depart-
mentalized, and functions vitally in the outreaching church.

Farmville was fortunately situated within ten miles of Mrs. Sally Ras-
berry Dixon’s residence at “Holliday Hill,’ where the State’s cooperative
Disciples’ Women’s Work began parochially, in 1871, rising to state level in
1876, and organically to their national association in 1891, known officially
then as the Christian Women’s Board of Missions. Jesse T. Davis, a Farm-
ville pastor, was their state field promoter in 1877, and another, I. L. Chest-
nutt, was the first state missionary, supported the same year, by their
aggregate funds. In 1892, Mrs. Estelle Hardy Moye, of Corinth Church,
served on their State Board of Managers.

Antioch’s C. W. B. M. officers in 1901 were: president, Mrs. S. R. Hines;
vice president Mrs. D. W. Arnold; secretary Miss Alice Hines; treasurer
Mrs. W. J. Turnage. Mrs. Turnage has the distinction of having held the
treasurer’s “office faithfully for 38 years”. In 1902, Antioch had 12 active
members in their local auxiliary, with two subscribers to their national
paper, The Missionary Tidings. By 1959 the participating members of Farm-
ville in the Christian Women’s Fellowship, modern equivalent of their old
C.W.B.M., has grown to 106 and their offerings that year, totalled $1,267.33.
Mrs. Howard D. Moye, Sr. of Farmville was elected State president of the
C. W. F. in 1959.

Farmville youth in Christian Endeavor and Christian Youth Fellowship
have long been a vital force in the Church, under worthy sponsors. The
church took a generous part in the building of Camp Caroline, 1953-54, giv-
ing $1,886.

The Christian Men’s Fellowship, a recent organization, functions well,
and has given to North Carolina Disciples in this field a state leader in Sam
D. Bundy. The Church plant has been blessed with extensive remodelling.
In 1953 Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Moye gave to the church a lot cut from their
farm for a parsonage, a capacious, modern brick home, costing $15,000, and
dedicated in December 1953.

At their annual Home Coming, Noy. 21, 1954, the Church celebrated its
Centennial, issuing an elegant 29-page booklet, illustrated, to grace the
occasion. A part of it is transcribed herewith.

Eleven memorials in the church are as follows: Triple window facing east
for Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Lang; triple window facing north for Mr. and Mrs.
M. T. Moye; window in pastor’s study for Mrs. Sallie R. Hines.

Communion table and chairs for Annie Laurie Lang; pulpit chairs for
Mrs. Jessie Bynum Harris; pulpit Bible for James R. Lang; Hammond organ
and church hymnals for Mr. and Mrs. J. Y. Monk, Sr.; offering plates for
J. R. Lang and C. B. Mashburn, Sr.; pastor’s office desk for Fred G. Smith;
front entrance lights, and pastor’s office stove for Mrs. Nan Wilkinson.
Marble plaque for pastor, C. B. Mashburn, Sr.

Their decision was announced in 1955 to build a $90,000 Religious Educa-
tion accessory to be erected beside their main plant. Plans were drawn in
consultation with Rollin V. Mosher of the Church Extension Board of In-
dianapolis, Ind. Ground was broken on July 14, 1957, and the building was

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dedicated on July 12, 1959; guest speakers: Ross J. Allen, Bernard Meece,
and Pete Warren.

Early in 1959, five new Deacons were elected, namely: R. D. Rouse, Sr., B.
Edison Moore, Fred C. Darden, Frank Allen, and C. B. Mashburn, Jr. Like-
wise officers of the Board: Chairman, L. A. Moye; secretary, Joe Melton;
treasurer, B. S. Smith, Sr.

On May 10, 1959, Jack M. Daniell, pastor, held a “Parental Baby Blessing
Service’. Twenty babies were presented, each receiving a certificate and
a red rose. That summer, their Fellowship Hall was redecorated, and their
new parish paper, The Christian Caller was being sent to each church family.

In April, 1960 the church broadcasted their morning worship over the two
Farmville stations.

Membership at Farmville is 400.

Roil of Ministers at Farmville:

1854, 1855, 1858-1861; 1908 i234 boc. 2 1. W. Rogers
1864-1880; 1888_....Josephus Latham  1906-1907......................... J. T. Moore
1856, 1857, 1862, 1863...George Joyner H. H. Ambrose
1881-1887; 1889, 1890; $908,.;19092 221+. GM: Morton
1892-1895. sss SCS Sd. «Chestnutt «©1910-1915, 1931-1945_C. B. Mashburn
yee a Be J. J. Harper 1916-1919 W. P. Jordan

yd ai Jesse T. Davis 1920-1924 cee Olin E. Fox
1897, 1898... ay 1925, 1926__ tetas. SD, Hob: Gordon.
1899 one 3 GJS Bao Greenwade:.. 192719380... RS. Dandy
Jai We Eyndalls 71940-3958) ee Be Bs Ts. Cox

uD. Wy Ariiold:) 1959, 1960.25... Jack: M:. Danio

A. F. Leighton

GREENVILLE, EIGHTH STREET

The municipal history of Greenville, on the Tar, began on Dec. 11, 1771,
when the Colonial Assembly at New Bern passed a “Bill for laying out a
town on the land of Richard Evans in Pitt County by the name of Martin-
borough.” The State Assembly on Jan. 6, 1787, changed the name to Greenes-
ville, honoring the national hero, Nathaniel Greene. It is likely that scrib-
blers with a sense of euphony almost immediately shortened the name to
Greenville, and thus an orthographic heritage has descended for 173 years.
As of record, Greenville in the 1790’s had “about fifty houses”, and was on
the early national post road, 445 miles from Philadelphia.. President George
Washington visited it to dine on April 19, 1791, and called it a “trifling
place”. He went on to “one, Alllan’s, 14 miles further”, near the present
Ayden, where his horses “were obliged to stand without a cover.”

A Gazetteer of 1818 states:

“Greenville, post town and capital of Pitt County, N. C.: on south
side of Tar River, 35 miles above its entrance into Pamlico sound, 53
miles southwest of Edenton, 291 miles from Washington, D. C. It con-
tains, a court house, a jail and an academy.”

The Pitt Academy was founded in 1786, without privilege to grant degrees.
In 1874, Greenville had 601 population, and one newspaper. Moreover, “The

neighboring forests yielded large quantities of tar.” ; :
In the early 1830’s, General William Clark, who had formerly lived at his
rural mansion near Pactolus, removed to Greenville and opened a tavern on

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Cotanche Street, said a century later to be the oldest dwelling in Greenville.
The site is in the rear of the present postoffice. Here Thomas Campbell
came to start his six weeks’ visit in the Greenville and Hookerton communi-
ties, February 14, 1834. Mrs. William Clark, whose maiden name was Louisa
Pearce Lanier, from one of the most prominent families of the county, gave
prompt adherence to the plea of the Campbells, and in that sense was the
first of all North Carolina Disciples. The General eventually came whole-
heartedly to the Disciples, and became the pivotal man for their early de-
velopment in Jackson, Miss., to which southern capital he shortly removed.
To some points in Campbell’s faith he did not at first accede, as, for instance,
the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper. After a few years to think that
idea through, he gladly made it his own. He owned seventeen acres in the
heart of Jackson, Miss., dying there in 1859. He fathered our Jackson
Church in 1835, which today is by far the strongest church of Mississippi
Disciples. During his 45 years in Carolina, he came originally out of the
Kehukee and Neuse Associations. Cushing Biggs Hassell, of the Kehukee,
wrote bitterly about the General’s leaving that faith and order to join with
the reformatory movement of the Disciples.

From 1834 onward there were some Disciples living in Greenville for most
or all of the time, until their formal local organization there sixty-six years
later. These scattered Disciples in Greenville, however, maintained their
fellowship in Hookerton, Corinth, Rountree, Mt. Pleasant, Red Oak, Oak
Grove, Salem, Timothy, Ayden, Grifton, Grimesland, or Farmville. These
twelve churches were all within a radius of sixteen miles of Greenville.
There had been a sermon in Greenville as early as October, 1830, by John
Patrick Dunn, a later Disciple. Through the years, prominent Disciples had
served in the county offices at Greenville, as Josephus Latham in Education,
and Elbert A. Moye, Sr., in Superior Court. Alfred Moye, father of Elbert A.
had presided over the Greenville-to-Raleigh Plank Road, and is thus memo-
rialized in the great stone at Lang’s Cross Roads today, at the meticulous
curve in the concrete.

In the late 1890’s it was freely talked on the streets of Greenville and in
Disciple Convention sessions, that there should be a church of this faith in
this growing center where mammoth warehouses mushroomed. It was after
the coming of the golden weed, making Pitt one of the top agricultural
counties of America, and eventually making Greenville the second largest
flue-cured tobacco market in the world. It was also becoming an attractive
educational center, which in time would have the East Carolina College, a
far cry from the pioneer Pitt Academy. The Weldon-to-Kinston rail line,
opened in 1892, stepped up transportation facilities, and was followed fifteen
years later by the Norfolk Southern Railroad, marking the era of steam in
Pitt County.

At the Washington State Convention in 1896, the state secretary reported:

The Greenville mission was befere the Board and duly considered.
Our President, J. J. Harper, was requested to visit this point and ascer-
tain the number of Disciples there; arrange for monthly preaching and
for a series of meetings to be held during the summer months. Bro.
Harper visited Greenville as requested and reported the result of his
investigations, which the Board considered very satisfactory, and de-
cided to push the work at once.

In 1897, Ben H. Melton held the revival in Greenville which definitely
brought to focus the elements for effective founding of the local church. In

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that year also a lot was secured and there was the first substantial appro-
priation from State Missions for pastoral leadership at Greenville, which
help was continued until Greenville became self-sustaining. Significant in
beginnings at Greenville is the fact that there was an active Woman’s Mis-
sionary group, known as the local C. W. B. M. Auxiliary, before there was
an established church. An earnest worker in this was Mrs. Pattie Rountree
Hooker, lineal descendant of Jesse Rountree, founder of Rountree Church,
1827. Mrs. Hooker had moved in from Hookerton. She lived from 1844 to
1907 and was for fifty years a loyal Disciple, leaving six children: Mrs. H. L.
Coward, Mrs. J. L. Wooten, Mrs. E. G. Flannagan, and Travis E., Thomas M.,
and Will E. Hooker. Another outstanding leader in these beginnings, who
might truly be called the father of the new church was Elbert A. Moye, Sr.
He lived from 1842 to 1914, presided at five of our State Conventions, was a
highly useful citizen, and a devoted Disciple. Another was W. R. Parker,
mayor of the city.

Greenville was 129 years old in 1900, and had long been full to overflow-
ing with churches, some of which were hoary with age. The local Presby-
terians, relative newcomers, were especially friendly to the Disciples. Even
now, deep into the twentieth century, they carry on in that noble tradition.
However, it was felt strongly by local Disciples, and their friends, that the
Disciples had a rich and distinct contribution to make to the community’s
religious life, and that there was every reason for their effecting speedily an
established local fellowship.

Dennis Wrighter Davis was the pioneering pastor. In December, 1899, he
visited Greenville and reported: “Greenville is the most inviting mission
point now before the State Board. The first thing to be done is to build a
house.—A lot has been bought and paid for.—What the Disciples now need
in Greenville is a leader, a man who is not afraid of work.”

Some sixty days later Davis again visited them. He reported:

We decided to make a trip to Greenville and view the situation and
ascertain whether or not the Disciples there wanted a church. A lot was
purchased and subscriptions taken to the amount of $650, but on account
of having no one to look after the work, nothing more was done and the
interest waned. We know that there were several influential members
living in Greenville, but it never once entered our mind that we were
so strong. In numbers we have forty-one; in influence, wealth and in-
telligence we compare favorably with any church in town.

The opera house has been secured for services and, notwithstanding
the inclemency of the weather we had splendid audiences both morn-
ing and evening. At the morning services we invited the members to
meet us in the afternoon at the residence of Mrs. T. E. Hooker for con-
sultation regarding a church building.

Sometime during last year plans for a building to cost about $2,000
were drawn, and as no serious objection was raised, it was decided to
build according to the first plans drawn. A committee of four ladies
was appointed to wait on the entire congregation and secure subscrip-
tions. As we had eleven members present it was decided to start the
work at once by having them head the list. The result was $550.00 in
pledges, with the understanding that if more is required it will be forth-
coming.

While Disciples in Greenville are by no means in a helpless condition,
it should be remembered by our brotherhood that building material
is very high and the brethren in Greenville have responded to many
ealls during these years that they have been without a house. Now
upon the principle that one good turn deserves another, we trust that
many of the brethren will come to their assistance. If people love to

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help those who help themselves, now is the time to show it by helping
Greenville. We have no doubt but that at our next appointment, the
second Lord’s Day in March, (1900) we shall see the lumber on the
ground and the work moving along.

Davis led in the formal organization of the church in a service held on
October 18, 1900, in the Dickinson Ave. home of Mr. and Mrs. Travis E.
Hooker. The 32 charter members were:

Dennis Wrighter Davis, pastor, Mr. and Mrs. Travis E. Hooker, Josiah
Dixon, E. A. Moye, Sr., Robert M. Moye, Mrs. Gertrude Coward, Mrs. Pattie
R. Hooker, Mr. and Mrs. H. Bently Harris, Mrs. Neta Smith, W. R. Parker,
Miss Ellen G. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph §S. Tunstall, and Mrs. Lilly
Wooten, these sixteen being present at the meeting, and the following 16
likewise enrolling later as the record was promptly made for charter mem-
bership: Miss Mollie Dudley, E. A. Moye, Jr., Miss Mary A. Moye, Thomas M.
Hooker, Mrs. Rosa Flannagan, Miss Lena King, Mrs. J. M. Barrett, Mrs. Pattie
B. Parker, Miss Mamie Tunstall, S. M. Johnston, Mrs. S. V. Johnston, Miss
Lucy C. Johnston, Miss Nannie E. Johnston, Mrs. Zeno Moore, and Mr. and
Mrs. A. J. Outterbridge.

The opening service in the frame building, which was erected on Dickin-
son Ave., at Pitt Street, near the Norfolk Southern Station, was held on June
2, 1901, with Davis as the State Missionary pastor. First officers: Elders:
E. A. Moye, Sr., Josiah Dixon, and W. R. Parker; Deacons: Joseph S. Tun-
stall and H. Bently Harris; clerk, Robert M. Moye; treasurer, Travis E.
Hooker; First trustees: E. A. Moye, Sr., W. R. Parker, and Joseph S. Tun-
stall. A Church school, (“Lord’s Day School,” on the record), was organized
on June 23, 1901, with W. R. Parker, superintendent, and E. A. Moye, Sr.,
secretary and treasurer. It enrolled 42, and the first year’s total offering
was $22. The first five recorded baptisms, uniting with Disciples at the
new church were: Mrs. Neta Smith, Miss Ellen G. Parker, Miss Nannie E.
Johnston, Miss Alice Lang, and Henry T. King. Wednesday evening prayer
meetings were led by E. A. Moye, Sr.

Some early revivals adding much strength to the new church were held
by Ben H. Melton, Daniel E. Motley, D. W. Davis, J. Boyd Jones, the Martin
family, and S. D. Colyer. Pastor W. E. Powell, reporting the J. Boyd Jones’
meeting in May, 1904, which nearly doubled the membership, said: “The
town is stirred from center to circumference.” As would logically follow
the church was early imbued with friendly spirit toward all brotherhood
cooperation and particularly toward State Missions. However, this was
not as easy as it reads. They were surrounded with an entrenched and
tenazious antimissionism. A news-letter from pastor, H. H. Moore, dated
Feb. 3, 1905, glimpses the kind of leadership Greenville Disciples had fifty-
five years ago. Condensed, we quote Moore:

January 29 we celebrated “State Missions Day”. We raised $18, or
about twenty-four cents per capita. They have not yet been made to
feel the needs of the State. Everything possible was done in advertising
and announcements right down to the minute. We endeavored to con-
struct a large canvas map showing the number and location of our
churches throughout the state. I only had 35 minutes. We must edu-
eate our people. This is a mighty task.

Mrs. Travis E. Hooker favored us by singing a solo: “Thy Duty’s
Call,” written by the pastor, and set to the sweet music of “Face to
Face”. Mrs. Hooker’s singing is always richly enjoyed. At night we
preached on “Our Plea” to a large audience. Mrs. Moore sang a beauti-
ful solo: “In the Secret of His Presence.”

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2

During Moore’s ministry electric lights were installed in the church. He
said that they were “glad indeed to say adieu to the dim light of the kero-
sene lamps.” He proposed to give them to a rural church, namely “the
Edgecombe brethren when they rebuild at Bethany.”

The Disciples’ Church Extension Board loaned $1,000 in 1901, for com-
pletion of the original Greenville plant, which was fully paid in January,
1911. In 1916, during the pastorate of J. J. Walker, the new site at 126 West
Highth Street, was acquired, and a handsome $20,000 building erected. This
was cleared of debt in 1919, while Lee Sadler was serving the first of his
three terms there. A debt of $7,300 was later accumulated for parsonage
and other current objects, which was paid in 1934 during the pastorate of
W. A. Ryan. Their beautiful organ is a gift from the Thomas M. Hooker
estate. They have entertained Disciple State Conventions in 1903, 1914, 1918,
1921, 1934, 1941, 1946, and 1956. It is the geographical center for eastern
North Carolina Disciples.

Two Disciple authors at Greenville were: Henry T. King, and Mrs. James
L. Moore. King wrote “Sketches of Pitt County—A Brief History of the
Cownty—1704-1910.” It was published by Edwards and Broughton Printing
Company, Raleigh, N. C. in 1911; pages 263. It was widely acclaimed and is
now a $10 item among the rare books. As of the present this is Pitt County’s
only published history.

Mrs. Moore, (Nov. 26, 1843-Oct. 12, 1914), a granddaughter of Jesse Roun-
tree, wrote “Family Record”, a genealogical account of certain Brown and
Rountree families. This 32 page pamphlet published about 1912 is of unique
heraldic value to a host of Greenville Disciples and others in that connection.
Mrs. Moore was an active, devoted Disciple. On the flyleaf of her Bible she
inscribed: “This book contains the mind of God, Christ is its grand subject.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy.”

Before the sixteen-years’ pastorate of H. Glenn Haney began, the church
was blessed with the ad interim ministry for four months, by R. H. Crossfield,
of Birmingham, Ala. He left them with a unified congregation, and a $2,000
current expense debt fully liquidated. He returned in 1945 to lead their
short revival with 12 additions, giving them “strong Bible sermons mingled
with the presentation of his many world-wide travels.”

Steady improvements were effected. In 1945 came the successful project
for the new parsonage at 1042 West Rock Spring Road. From Nov. 10, 1947
to the following Easter their sanctuary was vacated congregationally while
the $10,000 structural repair was made to the dome. Twenty new choir
chairs were given by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Woolard.

In 1945, Vere H. Rogers, of Roanoke, Va. assisted the pastor for a period
of Visitation Evangelism adding 52 to the membership. Three years later
51 more were likewise added. During the first five years of Haney’s pas-
torate, 300 were added, of whom 132 were baptisms. An accession on April
23, 1950, completed a membership roll of 800. G. Curtis Jones assisted the
church in a meeting for “Membership Cultivation’.

On June 1, 1952 their educational forces moved into their “recently pur-
chased property next door to the church, giving additional space much
needed for our growing church school and other youth activities”. A student
center was also opened in this “spacious building,” rearranged as required.
Mollie Hester and Peggy Nichols volunteered and prepared for full-time
religious education service.

Officers of the Christian Women’s Fellowship in 1954, were: president,

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Mrs. Robert S. Moye; ist vice president, Mrs. James D. Walters; 2nd vice*
president, Mrs. Preston Cannon; treasurer, Mrs. W. H. Woolard, Jr.; record-
ing secretary, Mrs. W. A. Tripp.

In 1955 “an expansion program to meet present and future needs” found
expression in a “series of rooms built in a motel effect,” including modern
accessories of ladies’ parlor, pastor’s study, church office and younger chil-
dren’s class-rooms. The whole cost was about $24,000, and all financially
cleared within twelve months. It was dedicated on July 8, 1956. Roy G.
Smith was contractor, and Milo H. Smith Chairman of the Building Com-
mittee.

It was proposed in 1958 to sponsor a new Disciple congregation in the city,
projected from the Eighth Street Church. Chairman Robert S. Moye sent
ballots to the members resulting in the plans to form the Hooker Memorial

Church.
On Feb. 22, 1959, at the closing of their pastorate,” friends in the church

and in Greenville presented the H. Glenn Haneys with a cashier’s check
equal to the amount of their mortgage on their home in Greenville amounting
to $5,477.75.” The local C. W. F. also gave them “handsome luggage.”
Greenville has given five young men to the Christian ministry, namely:
Arturo Andrade, Henry Fleming, L. A. Mayo, Jr., Drury Settle, and William
E. Tucker.
Mombership at Greenville (8th Street) is 786.

Roll of Ministers at Greenville Eighth Street:

Nov. 4, 1900 to Feb. 1, 1920 to Oct.
Nov. 2, 1902 . W. i 1,1028:420 i ne WP, Shamhart

April 5, 1903 to Sept. 1, 1925 to
Oct. 16, 1904 June 22, 1926 A. R. H. Miller

Oct. 30, 1904 to Oct. 1, 1926 to
June 24, 1906 . H. Dec. 1, 1929 R. J. Bamber

Nov. 4, 1906 to Feb. 1, 1931 to

April 24, 1910 D. W. Arnold = Sept. 1942 Sid, Ap Rye
Oct. 21, 1910 to Jan. 15, 1943 to

OOG aay: TONE Aoi ae Cc. Cc. Ware Jan. 15, 1959 H. Glenn Haney
Nov., 1912 to March 1, 1959 to

Avia BOTS a hay J. J. Walker W. J. Hadden, Jr.
Aug. 1918 to Jan. 1, 1920;

Oct. 1, 1923 to May 10, 1925;

and Jan. 1, 1930 to Dec.

oo Jigs | Mire ee Wie eens Petes em S. Lee Sadler

GREENVILLE, HOOKER MEMORIAL

Warmly sponsored by the Highth Street Congregation of Disciples in
Greenville, the Hooker Memorial Church there is the youngest in the Hook-
erton Union. Ross J. Allen, State Secretary, visited Eighth Street on Oct.
27, 1957, to assist the pastor, H. Glenn Haney. At morning worship that
day, 45 Highth Street members signed a Charter Membership Covenant to
go with the new church. First of these to sign was Mrs. Travis E. Hooker,
in whose home the original church was organized 57 years before. A steer-
ing committee serving preparatory to the activating of the new fellowship
were: Chairman, Elbert Bennett; secretary, Mrs. L. E. Ward; treasurer,
Lester Turnage, Jr. Functionally constituted the heads of various Com-

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mittees were: finance, S. E. West; pulpit supply, James L. Harris, Jr.; wor-
ship, Mrs. Travis E. Hooker; evangelism, Lester Turnage, Jr.; education,
James D. Walters; house and grounds, Milan Brickhouse; membership de-
velopment, Milton Williamson; missions, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Laughinghouse;
publicity, Dr. Elizabeth Utterback.

From the mother church they were to “be undergirded financially and
otherwise” until they became self-sustaining. First sermon to the new group
was by Byron Welch of Atlantic Christian College on Nov. 3, 1957. Next the
church was to be named. In the preceding sketch it is seen that the Pattie
Rountree Hooker family, lineal descendants of Jesse Rountree, (1765-1831)
have been a substantial part of the Greenville Disciple constituency for two
generations. Moreover one of this connection was first on the new roll, who
also made a substantial gift to the evocative venture. Wherefore it was
decided unanimously to assume the name, Hooker Memorial. Travis E.
Hooker, (died June 6, 1935), was long the treasurer of the original church,
and a faithful member of the State Missions Board. William E. Hooker
was the church school superintendent for 30 years, and served well as trustee
of Atlantic Christian College, and likewise on functional committees of his
American brotherhood. Mrs. Gertrude Hooker Coward bequeathed a gen-
erous sum to the Wilson College and to the Highth Street Christian Church.
The Thomas M. Hooker estate provided the church organ. Likewise a grow-
ing number of others in this family lifie have been steadfast supporters of
the Disciples’ work and worship.

A desirable lot of 5.7 acres was acquired in a residential development in
east Greenville on the Federal Highway 264 by-pass, and fully paid for by
October, 1958. On April 27, that year, their fellowship dinner was enjoyed
on this dedicated site.

In June, 1958 they counted 95 members. Their place of worship was in
the new Elmhurst Elementary School. Here their new full-time minister,
Henry Thomas Money, preached first for them on June 22, 1958. This pastor
is a native of Louisville, Ky. His higher education was at Northwestern
University, and at Transylvania, (A.B., 1955) and at The College of The
Bible, (B.D., 1958). He had ministered in Kentucky at New Castle, at
Ewing, and as associate pastor at Richmond. On June 15, 1957, he married
Miss Suzanne Silverman, of Louisville, Ky. Their Greenville home is in
the Hooker Memorial’s recently purchased parsonage at 1723 Beaumont
Street.

At close of their first year, 117 members were enrolled, and the various
functional Fellowships ‘had all been put into operation.” And they had
given Lester Turnage, Jr. to be president of the Hookerton Union Christian
Men’s Fellowship. The Women’s Bazaar netted $800 to swell their building
fund to $7200. Their official board was regularly established on Nov. 11,
1958.

In the spring of 1959 came their building fund drive. The goal in pledges
and cash was oversubscribed. The final total, $42,700 is to be paid within
three years. In addition an expedient drive for short-term pledges had
responses totaling $16,500. Thus the 129 members at Hooker Memorial are
to provide an aggregate building fund total of $69,200, within the years,
1959-1962. It was enthusiastically reported: “This is a tremendous response
and indicates what can be done when Christians work together.”

By October, 1959, construction plans had been congregationally approved.
On May 8, 1960, ground was broken accordingly. President A. D. Wenger,

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of Atlantic Christian College, brought the message, and led the prayer at the
turning of the earth. Initially there are to be two structures, dimensioned
altogether 13,295 square feet. “The front building is to be a fellowship hall,
and will be used as a temporary sanctuary, and a rear building of two stories,
with 13 rooms will be for use of the church school.”

The membership at Greenville, (Hooker Memorial) is 129.

Minister at Greenville, (Hooker Memorial) :
Rss comics hit Sagcacgn nd eh Mist Ey ROR ae Pe Henry Thomas Money

GRIFTON

This town in southern Pitt County, on the Contentnea, is over two hun-
dred years old. On April 1, 1756, Hugh McAden, first itinerant Presbyterian
missionary to the deep south lodged there overnight. The place was then
known as Peters Ferry; later, in 1764, as Blount’s Ford. The famous Blount
Hall stood nearby. In the mid-Nineteenth Century, Warren Bell lived at
this site, managing his chair factory and the Contentnea Ferry. Whereby
it was long known as Bell’s Ferry which in 1877 was one of the ten post-
offices in the County. A little northward on higher ground a village gathered
and was incorporated as Grifton in 1883. The Federal Census of 1880 records
a total of but 75 persons living there.

It was named Grifton after the pioneer merchant C. M. A. Griffin, who
had, also, the largest local realty holdings. The first Grifton blacksmith
was I. Bell, and the first maker of coaches and wagons there was J. H. Hel-
len. The first mayor was Dr. S. B. Wood. Before the coming of the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad in 1891, the town had advantages of shipping on the
Contentnea. It was blessed, too, with good artesian fountains and an early
system of eight deep wells. There was a fertile prosperous country-side
which in the old cart-and-buggy days had the urge of convenience to traffic
with the accessible and obliging merchants of the rising town. In 1906,
Grifton had about 700 people and Rob F. Jenkins was mayor, and C. E. Gard-
ner, I. E. Jenkins and W. H. McCotter were the three aldermen. The town
marshal was D. G. Beddard. Dr. W. W. Dawson headed the Masonic Lodge
and G. T. Gardner was its treasurer. The store of J. R. Harvey and Co. was
established in 1895. The proprietors of this firm, John R. Harvey and Laurie
J. Chapman, were Disciples and added much in activity and influence to the
local church. They came from Maple Cypress and Centerville, neighboring
places, eastward down the Neuse Valley.

About five miles east of Grifton at the crossroads beyond Johnson’s Mills
stood an original church of the Disciples. It was Fellows Chapel called Elm
Grove later by the Disciples. It was a church historic for the new faith.
There in 1839 was a vigorous showdown projected to sift their emerging
faith from some cld encrusted customs that were passing. The postmaster
at Johnson’s Mills that year, 1839, was Allen Patrick; compensation, $6.96.

Here, also, in March 1852 John Tomline Walsh, the able recruit from the
far-flung brotherhood without the state, preached his first sermon on Caro-
lina soil. Four annual state meetings of the Disciples from 1852 to 1869,
were held in old Fellows’ Chapel. Then in 1876 it died, but passed vigorous
life into the churches of Timothy, Salem, and Riverside, which arose in the
community to take its place. These churches are all near Grifton on the
east, while Bethel is very near on the south and Rountree and Hookerton on
the west. Naturally Disciples would promptly participate in peopling this
rising trade center.

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Henry C. Bowen, state secretary in 1890, reported at the Hookerton State
convention that year that he had visited Grifton as a “new field”, and that
a building for Disciples was “soon to be erected” there. The Grifton Church,
however, was not enrolled until the New Bern State Convention, 1891, when
the membership was reported as 76 with C. P. Gaskins as clerk. A pledge
of $20 was reported for State Missions, and the convention voted $50 help
for the year, for a regular ministry at Grifton. They had the State conven-
tion to meet with them in 1892, as they had a brand new plant and following
an ordinary impulse, wanted representatives of the brotherhood to see and
appreciate the new building. The “Committee on Grouping,” in the 1892
convention made up the following pastoral group: Grifton, Bethel, Hooker-
ton, and Eden.

Sam W. Sumrell of the old Bethel community, a few miles south of Grifton
had been the earliest missionary to his people at Grifton and superintended
the building of their first plant, which was dedicated by John J. Harper, on
July 19, 1891.

Harper said that people came to the dedication from ten counties by
train and private conveyance. He preached the sermon; other participating
ministers: J. L. Burns, J. B. Parsons, J. L. Winfield, M. F. Haskett, S. W.
Sumrell, and James F. Sumrell. Portions of the Kinston and LaGrange
choirs assisted the local singers, while the Kinston organist, Mrs. N. J.
Rouse, “gracefully presided.” To cancel the indebtedness a “right liberal
amount was realized,” but “many seémed to have with them nothing but
their small change”. Thus the giving was “not commensurate with the
crowd”.

He concluded, “nothing occurred to mar the enjoyment of the occasion.
They now have a substantial, neat, well arranged building that would do
credit to any village. It has an auditorium, I would say, about 30 X 50 feet,
with high pitch and such proportions as to give almost faultless acoustics.
The vestibule is eight feet wide across the entire end of the building. The
steeple is about 80 feet high. The carpets and bell had been ordered, but did
not arrive in time for the dedication. The church stands on a well-elevated
site, and makes a good appearance from the depot.”

It was said by an attendant at this dedication that the crowd numbered
“one thousand or fifteeen hundred—a large crowd for a rainy day.” The
same observer said that at the revival held by Dennis Wrighter Davis, July
20-30, “the average attendance was about 350.” Further: “Those who had
not been to church for forty years came out and united with the Lord’s host.”
There were 37 baptisms at close of the meeting, and these with 38 Disciples
already living in the community, who agreed to affiliate, gave the church a
start with 75 members. John J. Harper said: “This is a very hopeful be-
ginning.’ And Davis was careful to see that it was “set in order with the
proper officials’. Sam Sumrell and James Latham Winfield gave Davis
excellent assistance in the meeting.

On May 22, 1900, Grifton women started their first C.W.B.M. Auxiliary
with nine members. Miss Mary Irene Orvis, as state “organizer,” visited
them on that date. Their first officers: Mrs. Annie Dawson, president; Mrs.
Sarah Hellen, vice president; and Mrs. John R. Harvey, secretary and treas-
urer. Mrs. Sallie Rasberry Dixon was state secretary for the C.W.B.M. that
year, 1900, and in making her annual report at the State convention said:
Last year we had eight active societies; this year we number thirteen. Last
year our membership was 100; this year we are happy to claim 195. The

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number of subscriptions to Tidings are thribble.” Missionary women of the
North Carolina Disciples were moving up.

During J. J. Harper’s pastorate in 1900, a better church organization was
effected, with improvement in certain worship facilities.

W. Graham Walker, state evangelist gave them a roving visit, on April
3, 1906, preaching to a sermon-tasting crowd a super-rousing message. About
this a conscience-stricken hearer flamboyantly said: “He preached one of
the best sermons that ever fell from the lips of man. He unlodaded his
artillery of eloquent thunder upon the congregation and literally peeled the
form off our poor souls until we didn’t feel like we had ever been a Christian
at all. The more of my hide the preacher took off, the better I liked him.”

The old frame building served the congregation for 37 years, and was sold
at auction on June 5, 1928. It was replaced by a modern brick plant costing
about $20,000, opened in 1928, It is on a corner lot, 120 X 160 feet. The
building committee for the new plant: G. T. Gardner, John R. Harvey, and
H. A. Hart; church clerk, W. C. Smith. The auditorium has nine beautiful
memorial windows. The flooring is of gum and the ceiling of metal. There
are handsome pews and an appropriate pulpit set. Back of the pulpit is the
baptistry. The basement together with the auditorium provides ten or
more church school rooms.

A building obligation of $5000, borrowed from the Atlantic Christian Col-
lege Endowment Fund, remained for sixteen years. However in January,
1944, with a joy tinged with drama, “W. C. Smith and W. I. Bissette walked
into the College office and threw cash on the table to the last remaining
dollar accounted in the mortgage, and walked out with a debt-free Church.”
There followed the dedication on April 16, 1944. Perry Case, the pastor,
preached the sermon, and W. C. Smith burned the mortgage. Many Disciples
and friends came from round-about to enjoy the day. While it had been 53
years, 1891-1944, since the dedication of the initial plant, on the same site,
there were eleven persons attending both dedications. These were: C. E.
Gardner, John Barwick, John R. Harvey, Mrs. Julia Garris, Mrs. J. A. Jarrell,
J. Pet Dawson, Elias Garris, Mrs. Nannie EB. Quinerly, Clyde Braxton, W. C.
Smith, and Mrs. Linsey Bell Taylor, daughter of F. Bell, first Grifton
blacksmith.

Nine memorial windows in the church are ascribed to: G. T. Gardner, W.
H. Patrick, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Harvey, Mary E. McCotter, Mr. and Mrs.
George W. Gardner, C. M. A. Griffin, (after whom the town was named),
John Z. Brooks, Alice M. Spier, and Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Chapman.

The pastor, R. C. Brisson, led their revival in October, 1948, with 39 addi-
tions. At the close, for a heating plant and other improvements, $2400 in
cash was raised. Both church and parsonage plants were made termite-
proof.

Ross J. Allen, state secretary, made his first official visit to them on Nov.
1, 1953, installing their newly-elected church board.

In November, 1957, at their Home Coming, $3400 was raised at which time
a new religious education plant costing $33,000 was projected. Meanwhile,

a preliminary $12,000 remodeling of the plant was completed in May, 1960.
Membership at Grifton is 219.

Roll of ministers at Grifton:

fy Ra 8 ale A de Rat eS ARR BE eas Bo ai ol a a I. W. Rogers
D. H. Petree 1906, 1907 sent na ee
1900, 1903, 1904... J. J. Harper 1909, 1910 Jack R. Rountree

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1944) 1913 oo ke, J. C. Caldwell te B, Bennett
James Moore’ 1948, 1949 R. C. Brisson

Wright T. Moore’ 1950-1953 H. G. Quigley
1915-1919 W..0. Lappin 1954-1958.......22..00.000000 J. L. Roberson
1920-1925; 1928-1946. Perry Case 1959, 1960...
1926, 1927 . C. Greer

GRIMESLAND

Two-hundred and forty-six years ago, Carolina colonists, survivors of In-
dian massacres, opened a wilderness port on coastal waters, known later as
Boyd’s Ferry. It was on Tar River, one-half mile from the business center
of the present Grimesland. Pioneer voyagers coming up the Pamlico-Tar
from Bath saw at that site the first “bluffs” on the river. Boyd’s Ferry was
said to be the head of deep water navigation, a fact used later in an impro-
vised press release boosting the location as “a most inviting: opportunity for
business men or home seekers.” The beginning of this colonial port ue two
generations ahead of the settlement of “Washington the Original ‘ seven
miles downstream. Raleigh was distant from Boyd’s Ferry, 95 miles; on
to Norfolk, it was 127 miles. The Ferry was on the earliest Williamsburg-
Charleston stage route. :

The modern Grimesland is in the midst of a fine farming section, on rela-
tively high land, south side of the Tar, “with prevailing winds from the
Tasting shail in 1887 were the brothers, J. O. and W. E. Proctor, and the
drab crossroads so close to the arterial waterway became commercially alive.
They developed their business into a “large general merchandise ‘store, a
saw mill, and wood works, a large ginnery, an iron working establishment,

s i industries.”
Naive verry abe a postoffice in 1862, and by the census record of ig a
tiny population of 15. It was named Mt. Calvert for a period, then Nelson-
ville in 1885, when it had a postoffice, and eight other Nelsonvilles were then
in the States from Alabama to Wisconsin. Since 1887 the village, (population
414) has been called Grimesland, for General J. Bryan Grimes, on a part of
whose ante-bellum estate of five thousand acres it was eventually planted.
There were fifty residents there in 1890, growing to 277 in 1900, of whom
157 were white. The Norfolk Southern Railroad came in 1907. vere
there in 1896 were: J. O. Proctor and Brother; H. H. baa and Brother;
.; J. J. Laughinghouse; and J. B. Grimes. :
lord te vate hg Proctor and Brother store in 1891 was McD. Holliday,
a sterling Pitt County youth of 19 years. It was a churchless place in the
pre-automobile day. For all there were no concerted religious privileges
with accompanying social outreach for the long and lonely Sundays. Hol-
liday, the lone Disciple, was challenged by a business man to do something.
When assured of initial backing he gathered a community congregation.
So the church had its lowly beginning. However when Holliday relocated
in Dunn, early in 1892, where he was an active Disciple for 30 years, there
a Disciple left in Grimesland. eR

beens ae the iiletihad State Convention appropriated $15 for evangelizing
at this point, where a nucleus of nine was inspired to be enrolled by their
State Convention, Oct, 27, 1899. hele

J. R. Tingle was a father to them, long serving as their itinerant pastor
for the monthly pittance of $2.50. Reporting in November, 1901, he said of

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Grimesland, ‘This is a mission point and I feel a strong interest in it. The
congregations are much larger than when I began my work. We have a
house enclosed and seated but it needs to be painted and ceiled.” The Hook-
erton Union had “voted unanimously to help finish” the building. Soon he
reported: “The house is now closed in and the material for painting has
been purchased.” The little frame building was valued at $750..

Elizabeth Tesh, state worker for the C. W. B. M. organized their first
Auxiliary in July 1907. Their officers: President, Mrs. J. O. Proctor; secre-
tary, Mrs. W. S. Galloway; treasurer, Mrs. Jennie W. Proctor. Miss Tesh
commented: “These women are working faithfully, holding up the cause,
where with a good building, they have not enough men to organize a
church.”

Early in 1908, their pastor, C. M. Morton, “had won the love and respect of
the entire community.” J. J. Walker supplied for him on a fourth Sunday
in February. About this, correspondent, Mrs. Jennie W. Proctor reported:
“if you continue sending us such good bright preachers from Atlantic Chris-
tian College you will surely have to enlarge your buildings for we have lots
of boys that will soon be old enough to crowd you out.” This was testimony
from “our little band of twenty.” Nevertheless their Auxiliary numbered
13, Mission Band, 21, and Little Light Bearers, 5. Their church school
enrolled 77, W. S. Galloway, Supt., and their teacher training class, had 25.

Municipal development was apace in 1908. The village streets had been
changed, so local Disciples paid $60 “to have our church house turned so as to
face the street.” Their $200 steeple had then been completed.

There were 23 members in 1909. The pastor said: “The cause is in a fair
way to prosper as Grimesland Disciples have discerned and we are making
use of the opportunity to reach the young through the Bible School.”

A new $35,000 brick plant was opened in April, 1923. It is the most im-
posing structure in the village, has nine church school rooms, commodious
basement, folding doors, elevated floor, balcony, and overall seating capacity
of 500. Three beautiful windows memorialize: J. R. Tingle, Myrtie B. Hol-
liday, and James J. Proctor. A wall plaque is in memory of McD. Holliday,
youthful founder of 1891, brave and true.

There was a $16,000 building debt, which on December 21, 1924, was paid
in full by the brothers, W. E. and J. O. Proctor. On Oct. 19, 1952 the congre-
gation named it the Proctor Memorial Church, and dedicated a marble plaque
inscribed to that effect. For this occasion, G. H. Sullivan presided as pastor
with C. C. Ware as guest speaker.

Approached in 1927 by John M. Waters, veteran Crusade general of Atlantic
Christian College, Mrs. J. O. Proctor and Mrs. W. E. Proctor gave $20,000 to
the College endowment at Wilson.

John L. Goff held their revival in November, 1934, with 24 accessions. This
made nearly a fifty percent gain in their resident membership. There was
an interesting scene one evening, “when the entire front pew was filled with
Grimesland youth who had come forward to confess Christ.”

Names of 24 on their service roll, (World War II) in July, 1944, were:
Jimmie Brooks, Carlton Williams, Ben Proctor, Douglas Elks, Joe Caton,
Francis Proctor, William Hudson, Marion Heath, Wilbur Caton, David Proc-
tor, Richard Jackson, Virgil A. Jackson,, Jr., Adrain Proctor, Elmo Heath,
Lloyd B. Whichard, Jodie Spain, Woodrow Heath, Stephen B. Caton, Ralph

Brodie, Brooks Dixon, Joe Griffin, Jesse Cannon, Jr., Dan Proctor White, and
Sylvester Fleming.

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On June 17, 1951, C. C. Ware assisted the pastor, G. H. Sullivan in ordain-
ing 11 officers, and installing 15 others who had previously been ordained.
The 26 were: elders: J. L. Williams, Rufus Galloway, J. Heber Brooks, Lloyd
Whichard, Jamie Dail, T. R. Rouse, and W. B. McLawhorn; deacons: R. V.
Howell, Fodie Hodges, R. H. Galloway, Billy Tucker, Paul D. Magette, Jr.,
Elmo Hodges, and Grover Manning; deaconesses: Mesdames: W. A. Hudson,
Lloyd Whichard, Ethel Tucker, W. F. Galloway, T. R. Rouse, R. H. Gallo-
way, J. Heber Brooks, Dalton Heath, Jamie Dail, John Lewis, Jim Maury,
and Rufus Galloway.

In February, 1957 it was announced that the basement had been adapted
for a large recreation hall, which as an expediency also provided for class
rooms. Adequate wiring of the entire building was completed. Bath rooms
were installed. Two laymen, Bruce McLawhorn and Victor Howell led in
this work and also in laying needed sidewalks around the property.

Their C.W.F. officers in 1958, were: president, Mrs. A. H. Tucker; first
vice president, Mrs. Elijah Heath; second vice president, Mrs. Victor Howell;
secretary, Mrs. Hugh Elks; treasurer, Mrs. Jim Maury.

Membership at Grimesland is 113.

Roll of Ministers at Grimesland:

1900-1902; 1905, 1907....J. R. Tingle 1924 t Felix L. Fox
1903, 1904 Thomas Green 1925-1931, 1933 W. A. Davis
1906. igi John B. Respess 1932 nea ‘ . I. Bennett

C. M. Morton 1934-1940

J. R. Tingle 1941-1954
Thomas Green 1955, 1956 ......J. M. Moudy
1913-1915 : __J. M. Waters David Blackwood
1916-1923 Perry Case oT. Riley, Jr:

HOOKERTON

A backward look at the Christian Church in Hookerton may be framed in
the shadows of long ago. Enveloped in the entire history of North ee
Disciples of Christ, vibrant background included, is the 130 years’ life of
this local church. Here in this Contentnea village was effected on May 2,
1845 the Christian Union of Disciples and the reforming “Baptist Churches
of Christ” of the Bethel Conference. Here also, as an ecumenical challenge
“in the good work of uniting the Lord’s people” was held the Union Conven-
tion, Dec. 27, 1867, when Disciple leaders conferred seriously with delegates
from their religious neighbors on the prospects of a common religious front.
At Hookerton, too, was launched on Nov. 17, 1870, the missionary reconstruc-
tion of the Second Evangelical District, (old name for Hookerton Union).
There was untold good in this for the state-wide advancement of the cause.
And in October, 1871, local women here began for the “Old North State”,
their organized women’s Missionary work. Five State Conventions enter-
tained here, were: 1844, 1861, 1864, 1873, and 1890.

The hamlet’s earliest name was Hookerstown. There followed colloquially,
and then officially, the two-letter deletion to Hookerton. Thus it is ortho-
graphically unique for the whole table of American postoffice listings. The
Hookers in 1790 were prominent in the Community. Nathan with a family
of 4 and holding 3 slaves; William, 2, and 11 slaves; Samuel, 8, and 5 slaves;
and Hymeric, 7, and 5 slaves. Altogether these 4 Hooker families had 21
whites and 24 slaves. Hymeric Hooker represented the county in the State

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Senate, 1801 to 1807, and in the House, 1821. Thomas Hooker was in the
House, 1835, 1836. Nathan Hooker was Hookerton’s postmaster in 1834,
compensation, $30.42; and again in 1835, compensation $52.33—an indication
of community growth. T. E. Hooker and W. B. Hooker each conducted a

“corn, flour, and saw mill,” there in 1884. The village was incorporated in
1817.

It is thus cited in a gazetteer of 1818:

“Hookerton, village, Greene Co., N. C., on Great Contentney Creek,
40 miles from New Bern, 80 miles from Raleigh. Here is an academy.”

Its population in 1870 was 163. This had decreased to 127 in 1900, of
whom 54 were white and 73 were colored. Presently with the fabulous
Dupont plant only nine miles away the residents are far more numerous
and prosperous.

From the time of the roving surveyor, John Lawson, to the present, Greene
has been essentially rural. In 1890, when Snow Hill’s population was 510,
Hookerton ranked second with 179. All others each had less than 100, from
Appletree, (10), to Willow Green, (25), if we make an alphabetical sweep.

Three preachers, James Moore, Levi Braxton, and Jesse Heath, organized
the “Free Will Baptist Church of Christ” at Hookerton on March 20, 1830—
a Disciple heritage. They worshiped in the red-painted “Union Meeting
House” on the public square. Numbered among their ante-bellum laymen
were: Winsor Dixon, Jacob Parrott, William Ormond, James T. Albritton,
Jesse Hart, William Dail, Barham Hart, Hymerick Hooker, James A. May,
Thomas Taylor, Elias Albritton, and Dr. Frank W. Dixon.

Early ministers licensed by their fellowship were: Jesse Vause (1830),
and David Hartsfield, (1831). Thomas Campbell from Bethany, visited them,
dating a letter to his wife, “Hookerton, N. C., March 11, 1834.” In their old
church record a significant minute for May, 1834, reads:

Elder David Hartsfield upon being charged with some connexion with
Elder Thomas Campbell’s system, or his preaching moved to take the
vote of the conference whether their feelings were hurt with him, after

giving his statement of the case, voted that their feelings were not hurt
with Elder Hartsfield.

While the church at its beginning in 1830 was “The Free Will Baptist
Church of Christ,” in August, 1838, the Clerk designated it, “The Baptist
Church of Christ.” In August, 1853, it was named in the Minutes, “The
Church of Christ at Hookerton”, while in August, 1868, it was called “The
Christian Church at Hookerton.”

Ceremonial feet-washing at Saturday night worship had been a practice
among this people. As of record, Feb. 18, 1837: “The brethren and sisters
met to commemorate the Lord’s death, and wash feet as usual.” This how-
ever is the last such entry in their book. Taught here by John P. Dunn,
Robert Bond, and Benjamin Parrott, the custom passed. It was continued
however some years by other ante-bellum Disciples not so well taught.
Moreover the mourner’s bench, so beloved by emotionalists, was eventually
cleared away. Hookerton observed open communion. August 18, 1838: “The
brethren of other churches were invited to the Lord’s table with us.”

Ideals of the advancing Disciples like unto the pearl of great price had
to be held and used by vigilance and sacrifice. Their influence permeated
the Bethel Conference in the early 1840s. Hookerton laymen had been

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valiant leaders in this at a heavy cost. The membership of the local church
was cut from 135 in 1842 to 28 in 1843|

Their Minute Book for May, 18438, explains:

This church has experienced the most difficult trials for the las: year
known to the church since its origin. From Divisions, misrepresenta-
tions, and persecutions, from some unfounded objections to the minutes
of the annual conference, of 1841 (Novy.) in regard to a local name re-
assumed by that conference, there were certain brethren in the ministry,
who commenced this operation in the churches which compose said con-
ference by misrepresentations of the conference, and their brethren,
taking exception to the doctrine of those who profess to take the word
of God for their only rule of faith and practice. In 1842 they succeeded
in drawing off a few churches and to form a new annual conference,
which is commonly called the Luzern (Lousan) Swamp Conference but
they have claimed the name for it the old Free Will Baptist Conference.
Since then, it is to be feared they have propogated party feelings and
their efforts have been to rend, split and pull down the churches of the
Bethel Conference, to build up this new conference.

Previously. on Feb. 18, 1843, the congregation had definitely aligned with
Disciples on an important tenet, as follows: “Owing to some division in
regard to a church Discipline the pastor, {Robert Bond] moved to take the
voice of the church to know which the church would take, the written dis-
cipline or the word of God, upon which jt voted to take the word of God.”

There is a recorded “list of the attending, communing members at Hook-
erton, July, 1864.” ‘These were 22 as follows: Men: James Albritton, Wil-
liam Dixon, Elias Albritton, Erastus Albritton, James L. Murphy, Thomas
Albritton, F. W. Dixon and J. S. Jackson. Women: Clary Dixon, Peggy Al-
britton, Susan E. Grimsley, Nannie E. Murphy, Fannie M. Faircloth, Nancy
Dixon, Sally R. Dixon, Addie Mewborne, Emilyn Albritton, Winnifred Powell,
Pattie Hooker, Clary M. A. Dixon, Pattie Albritton, and Alice E. Rountree.

Some three years ahead of the start of the National C. W. B. M., Mrs. Sally
R. Dixon pioneered at Hookerton an organized Women’s work. L. D. Sum-
merlin, a young Newton Grove, N. C. preacher visited the Dixons in June,
1873. He then reported: “Sister Dixon is a live working Disciple; has a
society organized called ‘The Sisters Beneficent Society’; and which we were
pleased to learn is succeeding beyond their first expectations. It is a noble
work to aid the cause of Christ, and their example should be followed by
those of other sections.”

For 34 years the Disciples used the “Union” house on the public square.
Then on Nov. 14, 1877, Jesse T. Davis, one of their three preachers resident

in the vicinity, wrote this letter to Dr. J. T. Walsh, for publication in The
Watch Tower:

“Owing to the opposition the Disciples meet in this neighborhood
they have to worship out doors so far, or not at all, as a congregation.
Now in view of this, and with an eye single to the glory of God and the
salvation of our souls, we respectfully ask every Disciple in the name of
Jesus, if you love Him, to send $5 to us, or at least $2.50 apiece, for the
purpose of building a house for the Lord in this community, for His
people to praise His name. We do not ask for a palace, but a place.
Think, brethren, and act immediately as we are out doors, and it is near
winter.

Wherefore the Disciples’ building with classic dignity occupies in ample
depth the front of an entire block in the residential heart of the storied

village.

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Refreshing spiritually the church was the founding and progress of the
women’s missionary service led by Mrs. Sally R. Dixon and Mrs. Maria May
Taylor. Its first benevolence was for the community’s poor, then for Dis-
ciples missions within the State, as it spread; and in its final flowering for
Christian world missions. Mrs. Dixon, “endowed with a strong mind,” lived
from May 20, 1838 to July 1, 1908. She was the only daughter of Robert and
Hannah Rasberry of Okolona, Miss. She is remembered as “the mother of
the C. W. B. M. in N. C.,” who “until the last loved the work and gloried in
its growth.”

Their pastor, C. B. Mashburn, in 1909 said: “We now have our windows
repaired and the church is quite comfortable.”

In May, 1921, Grady Spiegel, Atlantic Christian College student ministered
there. At the monthly worship, assisted by several talented persons from
the College, “the house was taxed to the fullest capacity,” and “the seats up
in the old balcony that had not been used for years had to be dusted and
used.”

Robert F. Bristol serving them in 1930, said: “I think that my best efforts
have been challenged in this rural field. I do not expect to find a better
people anywhere.”

John Barclay, of Wilson, in 1936, assisted the pastor, R. Paul Parker, in
their revival, when “five of their fine young people” were baptized, providing
a nucleus for a live C. E. Society, and inspiring the organizttion of their
first Church School.

In the old church are these eight memorial windows:
1. Josephus Latham, 1828-1889.
2. Alexander C. Hart, 1836-1903.

3. John Jones Frizzelle, 1836-1897.
Susan Rebecca Frizzelle, 1830-1887.

Winsor Dixon, 1802-1858.
Clara Dixon, 1808-1869

Dr. Frank W. Dixon, 1832-1882
Sally R. Dixon, 1838-1908
Fannie May Dixon, 1874-1904.

Barham Hart, 1824-1894.
Mary E. Hart, 1833-1926.

Fannie May Dixon Faircloth, 1838-1908.
Clara A. Dixon Grainger, 1848-1927.
James S. Dixon, 1840-1910.

Penelope L. Dixon, 1842-1924.

J. G. Worthington, 1829-1904.
Mary M. Worthington, 1827-1894.

8. John Erastus Albritton, 1835-1876.

There is a marble tablet for Irvin Jones, (Feb. 6, 1816-March 29, 1887.)

In 1948, the plant, with the unique bell tower beside it, was brick-veneered,
and the handsome pastoral-unity parsonage, across the street from the
church was builded. Expended on these improvements was $27,000, of which
Clarence L. Hardy gave $16,000. Hardy, (Sept. 7, 1877-Oct. 27, 1950) was a
Hookerton Disciple living at nearby Maury. He was publicized in 1940 as
“a big man in a little town,’ and, authentically, “the world’s largest pro-
ducer of raw tobacco,” selling over a million pounds a year of his own raising.

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His substantial gifts enabled the College at Wilson to build their present
Library and Dining Hall, which are memorials respectively to him and his
nephew Bert Hardy.

Membership at Hookerton is 70.

Roll of Ministers at Hookerton:

1880-18370i o: oot James’ Moore»: -1907-...2.220--nn ee Ss. W. Sumrell

William McGounds 1909-1914..................... C. B. Mashburn
1839-1843 Fe fee 13 Robert Bond 1915-1920 ‘ .....W. O. Lappin
1844-1847; : Grady Spiegel
1850-1855 Benjamin Parrott : _.Paul T. Ricks

1848... Nathaniel Weeks . T. Mattox
1926; 1927. Spas eG; reer

1928, 1929 R. F. Bristol

1862-1867 1930-1953__.___. _..R. Paul Parker

1868, 1869, 1881 1954-1956 T. J. Morris, Jr.

Josephus Latham 1957-1959 J. D. Kinchin, Jr.

1883, 1899 Dr. H. D. Harper Robert E. White
1884, 1888, 1889 _.C. W. Howard

KINSTON, GORDON STREET

Historical presentation of this chureh in printed, mimeographed, typed,
and hand-written form is voluminous. Wherefore what is offered here is
considerately a supplemental brief, based in part on sources not hitherto
used.

Kinston, colonial town on the Neuse, is within two years of its Bicenten-
nial. One hundred and fifty acres of the plantation of William Heritage at
Atkins Banks, an outpost of trade since 1740, was cited by the Assembly for
this “town” development in the Carolina wilderness of 1762. First known
as Kingston, it was a “pleasant and healthy situation, and commodious for
trade and commerce.” a

Fiity acres were to be reserved for the “Commons”, and the remaining one
hundred were to be divided into two hundred half-acre lots. These were to
be sold by subscriptions at 45 shillings per lot, or $6.30, as translated into
American currency of 1950. Freely calculated thus, it makes the original
area of the city, marketably worth a total of only $1260, in the primary
official valuation of 1762. This may well intrigue any realtor knowing Kin-
ston, the “World’s Foremost Tobacco Center”, of to-day.

The settlement grew slowly and in 1784 when patriotically incorporated
as Kinston it assumed certain civic responsibilities. All chimneys must be
of brick; no hogs or geese were to run at large; and the residents must keep
the streets clean and unobstructed. Dobbs Academy was set up in 1785,
since “the proper education of youth is essential to the happiness and pros-
perity of every community.”

Erelong came the Revolution to scourge the hamlet. In 1780, a “body”
of 250 Tories with British officers made it their camp ground. They soon
left, and Major General Richard Caswell, of Kinston, apprehended five Tory
criminals “taken at New River in Onslow County”, who were hanged at
Kinston upon his order.

Francis Asbury, famous itinerant Methodist bishop recorded in his diary
for April 11, 1785: “Preached in the court house at Kinston. I was enter-
tained very kindly by Governor Caswell.”

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On the national post route in the 1790’s, Kinston was listed as being 522
miles from Philadelphia.

A gazetteer published, June, 1798, in Boston, Mass., has:

“Kingston, a post town in Lenoir Count y istri
, L a : y, Newbern district, N. Caro-
lina, situated in a beautiful plain on the north side of Neus River, and

contains a court-house, gaol, and about 30 houses. It is 40 mi
: : ‘ miles
of Newbern, and 24 from Waynesborough.” sie

The Transcript Messenger, a local newspaper of 1885, reviewing Kinston’s
past, said:

In its earlier days Kinston was distinguished as a village °
able beauty and sterling business integrity—of locality aan Pag yee
that business integrity, always the sure concomitant of fertile environs
and which, being ingrained, remains a marked feature in connection
with the town in its onward progress. Successful farmers make mer-
chants reliable. Looking back to the time when what now constitutes
the northern half of the town was a black-jack thicket, and much of the
eastern portion a chinquapin orchard, when the steamboats coursing the
waters of the Neuse between Kinston and Newbern furnished the only
means of transportation, and the wooden structures of antiquated style
were prized as unique mansions, a forcible contrast introduces itself as
one now notes the bustle at the depot, and scans the length and sym-
metry of the streets and sidewalks, the beautiful shade trees and luxu-
riant shrubbery adorning the many aesthetic residences, the blocks of
brick stores on Queen street, the Opera House, the spacious new Court
House, with its mammoth four-faced town clock on its tower, all having
partaken largely of the modern style of architecture.”

Highty years after its founding the village contained some 400 souls having
no established church there except Episcopal. Rountree church in Pitt
County which came to the Disciples in 1832, had in 1828 given some of their
members to open a mission at Little Sister having a chapel seven miles north
of Kinston. The building also served as a community schoolroom. The
mission had a small, scattered membership, some of whom soon removed
closer to Kinston. Nine persons met at Little Sister on Jan. 21, 1843, and

covenanted to form a congregation henceforth to have their regular worship
at Kinston.

Their charter roll: Men: Jacob Parrott, Sr., Robert Bond, Walter Dunn,
Sr., and John A. Parrott; Women: Cynthia Dunn, Patsy Dudley, Elizabeth
Bond, Lany Jones, and Persis Parrott. Thirty others were added within a
year. In 1943 at the end of their first century, the original 9 had increased
to 1514.

Dr. John T. Walsh came to reside with them in April, 1855, and during
most of his 31 remaining years he lived in their midst. He led their revival
in the fall of 1855 with 30 additions. He reported: “Many of our most in-
fluential citizens men of family, young men and ladies, have bowed to the
authority of Christ.” In 1859 he was the only resident minister in Kinston.

First building of the local Disciples was a small frame structure on the
northern shore of the Neuse at the corner of Gordon and Heritage Streets.
Repairs were made in 1859. Officers then were: Elders: Reuben Barrow,
James W. Cox, and James M. Harper; Deacons: Green Taylor, and Moses W.
Campbell. In 1849 Disciples had the first Sunday School in Kinston, which
was also the first among North Carolina Disciples.

From the beginning the church has been greatly concerned about their
general brotherhood’s cooperative work. Thirteen of their State Conventions

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have met with them in 1849, 1855, 1872, 1879, 1894, 1901, 1908, 1916, 1927, 1935,
1943, 1951, and 1960.

The plants of Kinston Disciples have occupied but three sites. First the
West Gordon lot on the banks of the Neuse from 1843 to 1870; second, on
Caswell Street from 1870 to 1915, first in their removed original frame build-
ing, end then in the brick plant from 1892 to 1915 and lastly from 1915 on-
ward at 118 East Gordon Street. The Caswell Street brick property was
sold to the Primitive Baptists. Disciples officially began erection of this
Caswell Street plant at 9:30 A.M., Wednesday, December 18, 1891, when John
James Harper, the pastor, turned the first shovelful of earth. First section
of the East Gordon lot was acquired in April, 1912, with erection of the
main auditorium in 1915. In 1924, the recreational building materialized,
which for sheer utility is unprecedented and as yet unmatched among Dis-
ciples of the state.

Kinston women had a local missionary society as early as 1876. The state-
wide Woman’s Missionary Service had five officers in their initial set-up,
October 5, 1876, and four of the five were of Kinston, or immediate vicinity.

Dr. Walsh in March, 1877, named 15 Kinston women most active in this
service as follows: Mesdames: E. J. Clayton, A. M. Dibble, Cynthia Dunn,
Sallie A. Cox, Susan C. Nicoll, Theresa F. Chadwick, E. J. Walsh, E. J.
Myers, Rachel A. Sutton, Hattie Lassiter, W. R. Tull, Nannie Pollock; and
Misses Emily Hill, Cynthia Tull, and Josephine Savage. In 1913 The Mis-
sionary Tidings was in every home in the church.

Some facts showing the dynamic role of Kinston toward their general
brotherhood might be put briefly as follows:

1. In 1834, at Little Sister, first general meeting of Disciples on record in
the State, at which their Union Meeting originated.
In 1849, at Kinston, first open advocacy of Foreign Missions endorsed by

the state-wide co-operation.
In 1851, at Kinston, first call of a general evangelist by the district co-

operation.
In 1877, at Kinston, initial co-operative launching of the North Carolina

Christian Missionary Society.
In 1901, at Kinston State Convention, initial authorization of Atlantic

Christian College as a Disciple enterprise.

Many seasons of refreshing they have known in their recurring revivals.
In the summer of 1899, their pastor, W. G. Johnston said: “We have had fre-
quent additions at regular services. We like this plan but there are some
that you have to preach to for weeks before you can move them to the Lord.”
Johnston told about the sensational Sam Jones (interdenominational) meet-

ing there in the spring of 1902. He said:

“The only original, inimitable, unavoidable, heavy-weight champion
slugger, Sam Jones, swooped down on Kinston. He was loaded to the
muzzle. He swept his audience with his field glass and then began a
rapid discharge at the foibles, fashions, and sins of the community. He
poured hot shot into the Christian Scientists. He opened fire on the
dancers. The whiskey men and the deacons came in for their share.
He did some of the hardest hitting I ever heard. He said he wanted to
make himself understood. He closed with a very beautiful picture of
the family being gathered home in heaven.

“People ask, do you think such rough preaching does any good. I think
it is not the kind to build men as members of the body of Christ—men

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who have repented of their sins—but it serves to blast hard hearts; it
reaches down into the depths and produces moral earthquakes and

moves people that nothing else would. In this work of soul-saving we
need all kinds of men.”

The Richard S. Martin family in a sixteen-day meeting for the Disciples,
in April, 1905, had 144 additions. About this the Kinston Free Press said
editorially: “Not in recent years has Kinston experienced a wave of religious
fervor like that which has just swept the city.” In a revival ten years later,
Percy George Cross continued six and a half weeks adding 204. In later
revivals Clifford H. Jope added 61 in 1943, and R. H. Crossfield, 48 in 1945.

Memorials placed in the church are as follows:

I. TABLETS
1. Cynthia Dunn (one of nine original organizers) 1804-1887.
2. David Reid Jackson, 1850-1892.
3. Susan C. Nicol, 1826-1903.

II. Wrxnpows

1. Dr. John T. Walsh, 1816-1886.

2. Dr. Henry D. Harper, 1847-1906.

3. Dr. James Madison Harper, 1809-1858.
Charlotte Eliza Harper, 1815-1879.
Wylie Thomas Moseley, 1830-1897.
Martha Eleanor Moseley, 1845-1919.
Charlotte Eliza Moseley, 1876-1881.

Lula Harper Mewborne, 1857-1890.
Dr. John J. Harper, 1841-1908.
Neva Padrick, 1887-1915.
- Jessie Harper Moseley, 1873-1903.
9. Winifred Rountree Tull, 1840-1899.
10. George Joyner, 1823-1885.
11. Cynthia Loftin Rountree, 1831-1891.
III. FurNITURE
1. Communion Bible and Pulpit:
Helen Rountree Kennedy, 1852-1925.
Pulpit and Communion Chairs:
Martha Ann Heath, 1840-1929.
Memorial Door: Daniel Worth Parrott, 1881-1921.
Fireplace (Educational Building): Ruth Howard Andrews, 1885-1923.
Bulletin Board: I. T. Haskins, 1862-1918.
IV. COMMUNION SERVICE:
Annie LaRoque, 1850-1915.

V. Frae:

Lt. Robert H. Rouse, 1894-1937.
VI. Brass VASEs:

Annie F. Edwards, 1866-1934.

VII. Corr Lorr PANEL:
Vickie Sue Griffin, 1941-1957.

Approaching their Centennial Year the church adopted the slogan, “Debt-
Free in ’43.” The building obligation stood at $57,327.06. Leland Cook, the
pastor in 1936, teamed with John M. Waters, of Atlantic Christian College,

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for a stewardship drive to liquidate the amount, a large part of which had
been borrowed from the College endowment. In 1936 a fourth of it was
realized in cash. Then at the last under pastor, J. Wayne Drash, the re-
mainder was in hand in time for the mortgage-burning at the Centennial
celebration. For full measure the debt on the new parsonage was also paid
in full on Dee. 31, 19438.

Stars on their servioe flag, (World War II), in November, 1944, numbered
151 young men and women. To each one had been given a service Prayer
Book by the home church. Two, Ronald Dawson, and Abe C. Harper, had
been killed, and three others were held in Japanese prison camps.

In the summer of 1946 there was an extensive renovation of the interior
of the plant, costing $15,000, and their total property assets were then con-
servatively listed at $186,852.83.

On Jan. 17, 1944, Kinston was host to the Disciples’ state assembly of the
“Crusade For A Christian World’, with registered attendance of 824.

In 1952, within 15 days of each other, two former pastors passed away:
Abram Edward Cory, on March 20, and Preston Bell Hall, on April 4.

In May, 1955 the church sent their pastor, J. C. Bradshaw and Mrs. Brad-
shaw on a 45-day “tour of Bible Lands.’ After their return he lectured ex-
tensively on the high lights of the trip. In November of that year the church
budget for 1956, amounting to $59,641.88, was adopted.

After an adequate survey the church agreed on Oct. 29, 1956 to sponsor a
new brotherhood church in the city. Accordingly, requested letters of trans-
fer were presented respectively on the following Nov. 25. It was “to be a
cooperative venture in which Gordon Street and the new church will work
together with the new congregation until it is completely self-supporting.”
In April, 1957, this new church opened its church school.

Gordon Street Church has always ranked high in their world-wide brother-
hood in annual total missionary giving. For the 88 years, 1922 to 1959,
inclusive, this giving in the aggregate, as of official record was $307,994.47.
This is an average of 8,105.11 per year, ranging from $2,711.05 in the depres-
sion year of 1933, to $19,413.73 in 1957.

Membership at Kinston is 1494.

Roll of Ministers at Kinston:

1843-1863—Robert Bond, John B. 1882-1883 _...._E. E. Orvis
Gaylord, John P. Dunn, E. S. F. 1886, 1887
Giles, William Rhem, Henry 1898-1902 _.W. G. Johnston
Smith, John Jarman, John T. 1902-1908... or _P. B. Hall
Walsh. A. A. Ferguson

1864-1866; 1884... George Joyner 1910-1922 B. P. Smith

1867-1868 Amos J. Battle 1922-1929 cccqiactd em ieeAay Fo Cory

evi |) 5 ee rere Sot Ee Miner Lee Bates

1872; 1888-1894 _J. J. Harper 1931-1939 _...Leland Cook

1873-1901—H. D. Harper, M. T. Moye, 1940-1945 J. Wayne Drash
C. W. Howard, William Huffman, 1946-1950 See ee eee
J..C. Clemmons, D. H: Petree, 1951-1956................-....... J. C. Bradshaw
Virgil A. Wilson. 1957-1960. POURRA sce 0 ee oA

KINSTON, NORTHWEST

This new church in the northwest section of Kinston has grown rapidly.
Starting with 111 members, it has increased in number nearly 200 percent

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within its first two and one-half years. By their own version this is “far
above expectations.” At Fairfield Community Center, their temporary place
of worship, their charter was signed on the evening of Nov. 25, 1956. Pre-
siding at this “extremely impressive service,” were J. C. Bradshaw, pastor
at Gordon Street, the “mother church,” and Ross J. Allen, state secretary.

Initial officers appointed for the Church Board were: chairman, Roy Rob-
inson; vice chairman, Dan Lilly; secretary, Mrs. John Quinn; treasurer,
John Charlton; the choir director, Mrs. Morton Rabhan. As a cooperative
expedient, three from the new church board were to serve on the Gordon
Street board, and likewise three from Gordon Street were to participate on
the board of the new fellowship.

It was named Northwest Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ), in March,
1957 and a regular full-time minister was called. Thus William Oldham
Haney located as their pastor, June 1, 1957. Then a young man of 35, he is a
native of Richmond, Va., son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Glen Haney, who have re-
cently concluded a sixteen year pastorate at Greenville, N. C. Bill Haney
as he is familiarly known gave himself to the Christian Ministry in 1941,
getting his A.B. at Lynchburg College, Va., in 1944; his B.D. at Lexington,
Ky. College of. the Bible, in 1947, and during the next year he continued a
graduate course at Yale Divinity School. His student ministries at Chris-
tian Churches in Virginia were at Gretna, Liberty, and Crewe Churches;
and in Kentucky at Bridgeport and Harrodsburg, (associate minister); and
in Connecticut at Niantic, (Congregational). At Lexington he was a mem-
ber of Alpha Theta Ze. In 1942 he directed the West Virginia State Daily
Vacation Bible School, and in 1945-47 he was Mercer County, Ky., Youth Di-
rector. For his Lexington degree he wrote his thesis in the field of Chris-
tian Doctrine.

In November, 1957, after Bill’s coming to Northwest the membership num-
bered 169, and the church school enrollment was 252. The year’s current
expense budget, set at $11,000, was “adequately subscribed’. The initial
building fund goal of $20,000 was enthusiastically adopted and soon nearly
half of it had been assembled in cash and pledges. Seven functional depart-
ments were arranged. They had “definitely expanded” beyond the facilities
at the Center, and so they longed “for the time when we can take up our
residence in our own Church building.”

At the beginning of 1958 the following 27 officers were ordained: elders:
Leslie E. Davis, Daniel T. Lilly, Roy R. Robinson, Grover W. Smith, E.
Walker Sugg, and H. Arnold Walker; deacons: Garland F. Bailey, Ashton D.
Bruton, B. G. Bunn, Jr., Archie L. Burcham, John D. Charlton, E. Merle Ed-
wards, Roger Dean Evans, R. Berlin Fields, Jr., Kearney W. Harper, Myron
T. Hill, Wesley Hines, Linwood T. Hill, Wesley P. Rouse, Robert S. Stroud,
and T. Walker Stroud, Jr.; deaconesses: Mesdames: Hugh Cox, Horace R.

Quinn, James W. Sanderson, Grover W. Smith, T. Walker Stroud, Jr., and
John E. Weyher.

A Church library was organized in February, 1958, with Mrs. Werner G.
Smith, chairman, and Mrs. W. O. Haney, librarian, of which the local C. W.
F. gave $40 for the first order, amounting to 27 books. A building site com-
mittee was appointed, Dr. Grover W. Smith, chairman. They had their own
Easter evangelistic services, and cooperated with Gordon Street in a joint
Evangelistic Visitation program. Over $17,000 was reported in their building
fund. Their Constitution and By-laws adopted May 25, 1958, states: “In
program planning, reporting, and support, this church shall be a part of the

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North Carolina Convention of Disciples of Christ and the International
Convention of Disciples of Christ.”

On a historic “red letter day’, Sept. 28, 1958, the congregation voted to
purchase the four-acre site at the southeast corner at the intersection of
Cary Road with Jones Road. This was bought from Ely J. Pervy, cr., Mrs.
J. W. Carey, and Dr. C. F. West, for $24,000, with the final net price to the
church, $19,000. In December of that year, their special fund stood at
$17,214. Wherefore the lot was acquired debt-free early in 1959.

At their second anniversary, Nov. 23, 1958, they reported 226 members,
and their annual budget had increased to $12,500.

On their church agenda for 1959 the Bayne Driskill Program of Evangel-
ism was of great importance. They declared: “This program was preceded
by the making of 1000 telephone calls and the typing of some 440 letters.”
All departments gave full untiring support. Mrs. John Charlton, president
of their C. W. F., was specially efficient with a fine working organization.
There was gratifying success. By October, 1959, with enrollment of 365, it
was said: “Our church school runneth over”.

Jack Carey, local I. P. A. architect, was employed to prepare blue prints.
These were to follow suggestions of the brotherhood’s architect, Charles
Betts, of the Board of Church Extension, Indianapolis, for a “campus type”
plan. As reported: “Our first building, units will include one fellowship hall,
(serving also as a temporary sanctuary), and two educational buildings.
Each will be an independent unit joined together by an outside covered
walkway overlooking an interior patio.”

A sum of $2500, added to their building fund, was realized from their
Christmas Bazaar, attended by 1250 persons.

Average church school attendance was over 200, and at morning worship
their quarters regularly overflowed. Ground breaking for the new plants
was held on the afternoon of May 29, 1960, with participating local and state
representatives. It was reported:

This special service marks the beginning stage of a long-range con-
struction period which shall ultimately see six buildings erected when
finally completed. At present the initial stage of construction calls for
erection of three of these six buildings, that is, first, a fellowship hall,
which will also serve as a temporary sanctuary, air-conditioned and with
a seating capacity of 312; second, a church school building for pre-school
and elementary grade children; and third, a church school building for
older children and youth. The buildings will accommodate a total of
260 in church school classes. The total cost of construction and furnish-

ings of the three buildings is $107,326.80.

Membership at Kinston, Northwest is 315.

Minister at Kinston (Northwest) :
1957-1960

LaGRANGE

This town has had four names, likewise its railroad. First, and most
obscurely, it was Rantersville, then Moseley Hall. The railroad beginning
to operate in 1858 drew the habitations a half-mile south, and when the vil-
lage was incorporated in 1869 it became LaGrange. Its fourth name “Garden
Spot” was popularized by Jim Shaw, a negro eall-station-porter on the Nor-
folk Southern Railroad. It had spicy reference to his home town’s richly
agrarian situation. The rail line was first called Atlantic and North Caro-

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lina, then Norfolk Southern, and presently it is Atlantic and East Carolina.
Also in the Carolina vernacular, since it accommodates coastal fisheries and
their up-state customers, it is nicknamed “Mullet Road.”

It is a notable fact that Lenoir County has furnished two “First Govern-
ors,” namely Richard Caswell, first of North Carolina after its independence,
and William Dunn Moseley, first of the State of Florida. Moseley Hall de-
rived its name from the Moseley plantation residence. Governor Moseley,
(1795-1863) was born there, served in the Senate at Raleigh, 1829-1838, and
removed to Monticello, Florida in 1839. Moseley Hall dating, as of record,
from 1795, was later a stop on the antebellum stage route from Raleigh to
Beaufort, scheduled 63 miles from Raleigh and 110 miles from Beaufort.
Their postoffice starting in 1835 had John Moseley in charge with annual
“compensation,” $5.17; in 1839, with business evidently growing, Thomas
Waters was postmaster, receiving $28.28. From 1834 to 1862, it is of record,
that a LaGrange postoffice in Randolph County, had precluded that name for
any other such office in North Carolina. It must have been small, for in
1834 the combined pay for its two postmasters was only $8.24. However by
1869 the Randolph factor was oblivious, having shuffled off this postal coil.
Wherefore there was freedom in Lenoir County to give another place name
gracing the memory of General LaFayette whose French estate near Paris
was called LaGrange. Now fourteen states each have a LaGrange, ranging
from Maine to California, and from Arkansas to Wyoming.

In 1877 the village population was 300. Nine years later when Joseph
Kinsey started there his famous Seminary for women, (moved to Wilson in
1897), he called LaGrange “a healthy and thriving village of 940 inhabi-
tants.” Further, promoting the school, he said: “Our terms are low.” Over-
all cost for a “term of 20 weeks” was $75. This included “board, washing,
lights, fuel, and tuition.’’ Extras were: uniforms, $12 each; music, vocal
and instrumental, $15; painting and drawing, $10. During the first year it
enrolled 91 students, of whom 55 were from Lenoir County. The outlook was
so promising, an additional “large building to accommodate the increase” had
to be erected. Contemporaneously the bourgeoning Davis Military Academy
made the town a widely and favorably known educational center.

It was reported in March, 1886, that a local nucleus of 19 Disciples were
looking to the establishment of a Christian Church in LeGrange. There
had been subscribed $600 as a start for a building. In their behalf, Henry
Donald Harper, preacher-dentist of Kinston, a friendly observer, appealed:
“The brethren at LaGrange want to build this summer, and will, if helped,
and then we may always count on them to help others.” Further he boldly
commented: “in fifty years’ work in eastern North Carolina we have built
only two churches in town, and none in cities, and there are but few in the
villages.”

John J. Harper, of Smithfield, brother of the dentist, was their first pastor,
preaching there each second Lord’s Day. At his September, 1887, appoint-
ment there were nine accessions. The church reported a membership of
35 when enrolled by their State Convention, Oct. 21, 1887.

The initial building was a frame, costing $1389.11. It was erected on a
spacious corner lot on “North Carolina’s Main Street” (U. S. 70), for which
they had paid $75 to the Scarborough family. Joseph Kinsey was their first
clerk and church school superintendent, enrolling 63, growing to 94 within
three years, when Lizzie Hodges was secretary. Other active laymen there

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were: O. K. Uzzell, A. T. Kennedy, and M. C. Rouse. Disciples’ State Con-
ventions met in LaGrange in 1889 and 1905.

This was long the home of L. T. Rightsell. He published a sixteen-page
monthly there entitled The Adelphian, subscription price 25¢ per year. It
was “a new literary monthly containing poems, stories, and general reading
matter.” Rightsell had been the first president of Carolina Christian Col-
lege at Ayden.

Dennis Wrighter Davis, their pastor, led their revival in July, 1907, with
17 additions. He said that he had beef evangelizing for twenty years. None-
theless this had been “in many respects the most difficult meeting I ever
held.” Further, he reported: “There are more different kinds of religious
beliefs in LaGrange than I have ever seen to the size of it.”

When Ben F. Oden, student minister from Atlantic Christian College, was
preaching there in February, 1915, J. Fred Jones, state secretary, visited
LaGrange and said of it: “This is a most intelligent body of excellent peo-
ple and they enjoy the services of Bro. Oden greatly.”

The church school, boosted by Noah Hodges Williams, superintendent, haa
on Aug. 14, 1932, a total attendance of 240, of whom 108 were men, and 87,
women. The pastor R. A. Phillips said: “I never saw such a sight for a
church the size of LaGrange.”

At their “Home Coming” on Oct. 12, 1947, the church had cash in hand,
$14,000, toward a new building, for which challenging blue prints were
under study.

Ordinations to the Christian ministry were administered in the LaGrange
church to the young men: Morgan C. McKinney on May 11, 1952, and to
Glenn Savage on Dec. 29, 1957.

A. D. Barker began as their first full-time pastor on Nov. 14, 1954. They
had recently erected a brick building valued at $100,000. This was dedicated
at their “Home Coming” in October 1957. Its seating capacity for worship
is 200, plus another 100 as adapted from their fellowship hall. The plant
is unified with the religious education section, which provides ten church
school rooms, part of which is up-stairs. There is a nursery and modern
kitchen, and a social hall seating 200. It is the most impressive structure
dedicated to religion in the town.

Their twenty-seven art glass windows honor or memorialize the following
persons: (1) Miss Fannie Allen; (2) D. W. Wood, 1859-1938, and Florence
C. Wood, 1864-1941; (3) Nannie L. Herring and Needham W. Herring; (4)
Alonzo W. Kennedy, 1852-1917, and Mary E. Kennedy, 1859-1932; (5) Iredell
Rouse Jackson; (6) Carl L. Pollard; (7) Nannie Frazier Taylor, 1869-1926;
(8) Thomas R. Rouse, 1864-1939, and Lula Pell Rouse, 1869-1916; (9) Noah
Rouse and wife Mary Harper; Effie Rouse, wife of J. Y. Joyner; and Bessie
Rouse; (10) N. H. Williams, Sr.; Maude H. Williams; (11) J. Frederick
Pulley, Sr.; (12) Emma Sue Suggs; (13) Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Riggs;
Angela and Kathleen; (14) Mabel T. Myers; (15) Annie D. Mooring; (16)
Glenn Gray Mewborn, 1870-1950; (17) J. W. Fields; (18) Robert F. Mooring;
(19) Arvil L. Suggs; (20) Charles Philip Smiley; (21) Flora A. Petree, 1864-
1934; (22) Mabel Kaye Fields; (23) A. Randall Kornegay; (24) R. A.
Croom and Wilson, and Velma Faulkner; (25) Joseph Kinsey, 1843-1929,
and Fannie A. Kinsey, 1850-1941; (26) R. B. Kinsey, 1847-1907, and Sarah
Kinsey, 1862-1897; (27) Ruth Rouse White and J. Hugh White.

At Easter of 1955 there were 18 accessions and the new organ fund totalled
$1500. The church school moved into their enlarged quarters on Oct. 7,

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1956. The annual giving in two years had increased from $4,500 to $12,000,
during which time there had been 60 additions. In July, 1958, it was an-
nounced that they had given two of their young men to the Christian minis-
try, namely, Carlton Best and Robert BE. White, both of whom were in Col-
lege at Wilson. In October of that year, President Arthur D. Wenger held
their revival. Choir robes were then first used; Mrs. Barbara Harper choir
director, and Mrs. Stewart Wooten, organist. Average attendance in the
church school was 94; Charles A. Jackson, superintendent.

A special honor came to their paster, Glenn Savage in 1958. He received
the year’s Distinguished Service Award from the local Jaycees. Each Tues-
day and Thursday he had driven the Disciples’ church activities bus to the
Cliffs of Neuse for swimming lessons. The seating capacity was for 48
children. It was painted green and trimmed in black. This bus has served
many such useful purposes.

In 1959 the church grounds were beautified by one of the women’s circles.
A newly organized prayer group met each Wednesday evening.

Members of this local church whose faithful lives and generous giving will
long be remembered were: William Parrott Hardy, (1877-1932) and his wife,
Nancy Elizabeth Williams Hardy, (1879-1954).

Will Hardy, as he was familiarly known, moved to LaGrange, N. C., in 1902,
where he and his family became active workers in the local Christian Sun-
day school and church. He continued as a very successful farmer, owning
and cultivating extensive lands in Lenoir and Greene Counties. Also he
conducted a flourishing mercantile and livestock business in LaGrange and
Institute in the firm name of W. P. Hardy, and in addition invested in the
Hardy-Carr Drugstore in LaGrange.

His contributions to local charities were constant and generous. His
final bequest provided liberally for his local church, and for the Children’s
Home Society of Greensboro, N. C., as well as the endowment fund at the
Atlantic Christian College. He was a thrifty and useful citizen, a memor-

able supporter of worthy causes. He verified his faith in Christian educa-
tion by his works.

Membership at LaGrange is 217.

Roll of Ministers at LaGrange:

1886-1889______________J..J, Harper 1926, 1997......... extav dcnopancsnet ine ata’ MMAR
1895-1904 D. H. Petree 1932-1934 -....R. A. Phillips

‘ PDB. ictiai anes; L. B. Bennett
1908-1910...._.._.....Jack R. Rountree  1986-1943............. C. A. Jarman

1911, 1913, 1914__ ...Hayes Farish 1944-1946 ? . S. Hilley
G. E. Swarthout 1947-1950... Rabon A. Rose

....B. F. Oden 1951-1953 M. C. McKinney

D. W. Arnold = 1954-1956. ----s-seee es DD, Barker

1919 moomoo Mg Me eROleD > 1067+) O60 Glenn Savage
1920-1925; 1928-1931. Perry Case

RED OAK

This rural church is three miles west of Greenville at the business by pass
forks of Federal Highway 264. Josephus Latham, pioneer Disciple preacher,
organized it on April 15, 1871. He lived about seven miles away on the
opposite side of Tar River in the Mount Pleasant Christian Church commun-
ity. The charter members were eleven, as follows: William H. May, Theoph-

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ilus Smith, Joshua W. Smith, Benjamin W. Tyson, Blizabeth W. Smith,
Elvira A. Tyson, Mary E. Tyson, Lemicey A. C. Nichols, Judia A. Corey, and
Clemmie Watford. The first clerk was Theopilus Smith, then Mrs. Alfred
Nichols, J. J. May, and Miss Ella V. May.

During the first fourteen years the church name was Berea. The Pastor,
Gideon Allen on Sept. 19, 1885, suggested their new name, Red Oak, which
was adopted by the congregation. For their initial church plant he had
preached the dedicatory sermon. First church wedding there was ‘that 7
Peyton A. Allen and Sarah McArthur. It was represented in the Disciples
State Convention in 1871 by delegates Theophilus Smith, Benjamin Tyson,
and John Tyson, when they reported thirteen members and gave one ae
to the general fund. Growth was slow, but steady, for in 1874 they had 25
cca preacher to whom they paid any amount worthy of record was
Gideon Allen; $12.90 for the whole year, 1878. This was increased to some
for the year 1902 to D. W. Arnold, and to $100 per year for the years 19 z.
13 to Horace H. Settle and Lee Sadler respectively. In 1929 they pai
$240.00 per year to their pastor, Raleigh L. Topping. , These figures nario an
interesting light on pastor’s salaries at different periods at Red — ins

Some active laymen during the first ten years of Red Oak were: megan
W. Tyson, John Tyson, Moses W. Tyson, Theophilus Smith, J. W. Smith, J. J.
May, W. H. May, Alfred Nichols, P. A. Allen, and J. A. gaining A. pbk a

In the early 1880’s the church was in a pastoral unity, or Evange yond ~
trict,” as it was then called, with Farmville,, (Antioch), Corinth, ng yrorgl
tree. The minister, Isaac Lamar axes om living at Farmville, was

ear, from the four-church unity.
oe fies vce gsi for their church school, Moses W. Tyson bers aot
intendent; the enrollment was 36, of whom three were res cenery "2 m
average attendance of teachers was only iN neg ate A NO HRE G al
nths during the year, attende
rod eect Twenty-one papers were taken and DE AS pis
1900 the school had grown to 56 enrollment, of whom 6 were teac a a
L. A. CG. Nichols was superintendent. The church membership was t wert
In 1907, the church with 66 members, was paying $75 annually for ne
time preaching. Their property was valued at $1,000. They had raise
all purposes during the year, $322.37, including $36.50 for missions. woes

J. J. May, one of their most useful laymen from the beginning, an ery
Jan. 9, 1926. Section Three of a memorial resolution mBiaceje wrnyea renal
ed by the church, stated concerning him: “In his going tae vern
loses one of its most faithful and loyal members and a most efficien e <fe

Erected on their grounds before 1936 was an auxiliary cabin, ay .
Mrs. Bessie James taught the Sunshine Class of 25 “enthusiastic atten se
Hazard H. May was then church school superintendent. A Community Cen-

ildi rected in 1940. Red Oak was moving up.
Oa aie excises of the church was observed on nore 21, 1946.
Two years later the plant was extensively remodelled, providing: a deat
rated worship auditorium, two new church school rooms, vestibule, steeple
and bell, choir loft, stained glass windows, rest rooms, new lighting system,
log kitchen, large recreation building, electric water system, and pap rasta
The cost, conservatively managed was $7,500. The current expense budge

adopted for 1949, was $1,200.
The year, 1953, was indeed a “red letter” one. Further improvements

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effected were: The renovation of their Community Building, and the organ-
ization of a nursery, “whereby the mothers may attend church in peace.”
Thea came a signal honor. Red Oak was adjudged to be the year’s outstand-
ing rural church in North Carolina, receiving the prize of $500. This came
from the “Town and Country Church Development Program,” sponsored by
Emory University and the Sears Roebuck Foundation. Then in the contest
for the “South’s Rural Church of the Year,” thirteen states participating,
Red Oak tied for second place with Montgomery Presbyterian Church near
Savannah, Ga. A $200 prize came to Red Oak with this honor. Mrs. B. Leon
Tyson, of Red Oak said these prizes were offered “for the purpose of waking
up sleepy rural churches and helping them to be a force for good in making
a better church, a better community, and a better world.” In 1954 it was
again reckoned among the second division prize winners for the same honor.

In 1952 the church advanced to half-time preaching service. On August
23 of the next year they employed H. L. Tyer for full-time ministry, this
being in the sixth year of his pastorate there. The church had been 81
years coming to this. Improvements were: new pews; altar furniture;
floor carpeted from wall to wall; interior painted, (appropriate green);
modern kitchen, and a beautiful Wurlitzer organ.

Memorials have been dedicated as follows: Communion table by Mrs.
John Crawford for her husband, and for her son Dewey Crawford who was
lost in World War II; on March 30, 1958, Brass Lighted Cross in memory
of Travis Crawford; and Velvet Drapes for baptistry ahd chair lofts by Mrs.
B. Leon Tyson, for her husband, dedicated on October 4, 1959.

Ground was broken for their new $25,000 educational building in March,
1955. It is a two-story structure of solid masonry with central heating, tiled
floor, and providing eight church school rooms. There is class room space
to accommodate 250 persons, and minister’s study. Charles J. Betts, brother-
hood architect, of Indianapolis, submitted plans for the educational building,
also for the remodelling of the old building. The building committee in 1955,
were, chairman, Amos Evans, Jarvis Allen, J. T. Manning, Jr., Robert Allen,
and Willie Pate. The finance committee were: chairman, S. O. Winchester,
Jarvis Allen, Burton Evans, J. T. Manning, Jr., Willie Pate; and Mesdames:
F. L. Allen, Robert Allen, L. W. Edwards, Jarvis Tripp, Amos Evans, and B.
Leon Tyson. Chairman of the church board was H. Milton May; church
school superintendent, F. L. Allen; president of C. W. F., Mrs. Travis Craw-
ford; president of C. M. F., S. O. Winchester; president of C. Y, F., Don
Manning; president of Chi Rho Fellowship, Anne Page.

On April 15, 1956, Clifford Lanman was installed as the first full-time
resident pastor, in the 85-year history of Red Oak. Ross J. Allen, state sec-
retary, preached the installation sermon. Work was started on their new
parsonage, April 23, 1956. This is erected on land given by Mr. and Mrs.
H.R. Allen. It is immediately in the rear of the church, facing the by-pass
highway.

Howard G. James was installed as pastor on October 20, 1957, Ross J.
Allen preaching the sermon, Other ministers participating were: John L.
Goff, Arthur D. Wenger, H. Glenn Haney, and Robert Crawford, President
of the Greenville Ministerial Association.

Their new church library was opened on March 16, 1958, and their parish
paper “The Red Oak Christian News” began to go to all of their church
families. At their Easter home-force meeting in 1958, there were 27 addi-
tions. A 20% gain in membership was effected from October, 1957, to June,

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1958. Twenty-eight tithers were enlisted, “resulting in a remarkable in-
crease in the stewardship of time, talents, influence, and money.”

Red Oak is blessed with young people of talent, beauty, and consecration.
A leader among them is Betty Lane Evans, an organist and soloist at the
local church. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Evans. In 1958 she
was chosen “Miss Greenville,” in June; and “Miss North Carolina” at Char-
lotte, N. C. in July, to represent solely her state, for a possible “Miss Ameri-
ca”, at Atlantic City, N. J., Sept. 1-6. The Evans family of four are active
members at Red Oak. The father is a building contractor and farmer. To
share with her glowing honors, an appreciative reception was given her by
her church and church school, more than 300 persons attending it.

Red Oak had eight students in college, 1958-1959. In 1959 the sanctuary
was redecorated in “a lilac and gold color scheme.” :

From this church, S. O. Winchester serves on the executive committee of
the Disciples’ State Convention; Mrs. Amos Evans is a Disciple representa-
tive on the North Carolina Council of Churches, and the pastor, Howard G.
James serves on the Disciples’ National Benevolent Board.

Membership at Red Oak is 193.

Roll of Ministers at Red Oak:

1870-1875, 1889... Josephus Latham 1915... ....._ John H. LeGrand
1876-1882; 1885-1888_._.Gideon Allen, 1916. ee So te Or
TESS: 1996 ....0452 cok Nas CUCBURULS. SOT Joel E. Vause
TERE ee es gee A ER Ce ae a oe. ee
Jesse T. Davis 1921, 1922, 1928 Joseph A. Saunders
1890-1895; 1899-1901; 1906, 1923-1925, 1929.........0..-2 R. L. Topping
ni | ANG. gS, weil akeeel iri S. W. Sumrell 1926_._._- _.......D. Guy Saunders
1896-1595" Joseph D, Waters . Jest. _Losker B. stay
1902, 1903, 1918, 1919..D. W. Arnold 1930-1932.......__.L. B. Scarboroug
1904, 1905... John T. Grubbs 1933, 1934, 1948-1955
_Eber E. Moore’ 1935
Jesse F. Moore 1936
Ben F. Oden 1937-1942_...
_....Horace H. Settle 1943-1957; 1957-1960
we gee Rape Pa ea an Ra a I ee c. R. Lanman

Pendell Bush

RIVERSIDE

The immediate background of the three churches long known as pg ha
Salem, and Timothy, is in old Fellow’s Chapel of the Bethel eget sans a
Chapel dissolved in 1876, to transfer its large but scattered meres mate
the three new churches as named above. Fellow’s Chapel was in the ue
son’s Mills community, approximately five miles east-northeast of Grif on,
and seven miles southeast of Ayden. Johnson’s Mills in 1880 had ge
of 80, and Quinerly (the Salem location), nearby to the south counted

Is as late as 1950.
tee ne important is Fellow’s Chapel. There on Nov. 7-10, ic pi
majority of the Bethel Conference reached a decision potentially change ae
their forthcoming alignment with the “Current Reformation hss soueerete
in North Carolina by the five-year-old Union Meeting of Disciples of Carley
Jeremiah Heath threw down the gauntlet to their leaders by a point-blank
resolution declaring their loyalty to their old creedal order. Of the 28

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preachers present, 20 voted against the Heath motion. Article nine of their
Constitution provided for majority rule on all such issues. Time was on the
side of the reformers, so the union was effected with the Disciples on May 2,
1845. Not however until 1847 was the minority group reorganized.

From 1849 to 1859 Fellows Chapel was known as Elm Grove, the old name
being restored in 1860. They had monthly preaching which was better for
frequency than most of their sister churches. Ten of their leading laymen
from 1846 to 1855 were: G. S. Blount, Churchill Moore, G. Murphy, L. Gard-
ner, Charles Gardner, Sylvester Gardner, Dr. J. A. Hartsfield, W. F. Butler,
J. E. Witherington, and Asa Edwards.

The home of Churchill Moore was ever open to the traveling ministers.
They sometimes preached there. On May 6, 1855, J. Parks Neville, Disciple
itinerant evangelist, expounded the scriptures in this genial surrounding.

About a prominent hearer of another faith who listened on this occasion,
he reported:

I was much pleased with the noble act of an aged man who came to
me and remarked that he had never heard that subject and text, (Acts
2:38 compared with Acts 3:19) explained in that way before. Said he,
you have made it so plain that all must have understood it, and I can
say that I can receive the discourse with all my heart.

The old church gave 25 families to start the new church a few miles south
at Quinerly. Here Salem was organized on Nov. 19, 1876, by Dr. H. D.
Harper and Gideon Allen. The twenty-five charter members, naming heads
of families, were: William Pate, Thomas Stokes, Thomas W. Stokes, John
W. Witherington, Edmond Stokes, George B. McCotter, Theophilus Bland, Sr.,
John C. Bland, Jesse P. Quinerly, Samuel Quinerly S. S. Quinerly, Spencer
Brooks, Thomas E. Brooks, James Brooks, Jr., Coast Patrick, James G.
Witherington, E. A. Wilson, F. M. Kilpatrick, Lewis Edwards, J. E. Spier,
Theophilus Bland, Jr., W. C. Butler, N. H. Hathaway, Joseph Cannon, and
W. A. Quinerly.

It was at Salem in the Disciples’ State Convention of 1877, that their an-
nual meeting was reconstituted, assuming its permanent missionary charac-
ter. Also at Salem in 1898 the Disciples held their last annual State meeting
in the open country. The era of urbanization had come. Salem now does not
exist, since its founding fathers are dead, and their scattered descendants
worship with ready access to new centers of their faith. It is herewith
appropriately remembered because it is interlinked historically with River-
side and Timothy.

The beginning of Riverside was at Chapman’s Schoolhouse in 1871, with
24 members, represented in the Disciples’ State Meeting of that year by J. K.
Witherington. Its location is in the community of Maple Cypress, listed as
a tiny village of 20 inhabitants in 1880. The church is east of Quinerly, a
few miles, across the county line in the extreme northwestern bulge of Craven
County. Its first location was on the Neuse, near Maple Cypress, hence the
name, Riverside. Later it was removed two miles north to its present site
within two miles of Timothy Christian Church. In 1872 an evangelist came
to the Schoolhouse, to whom they paid $20.55, and their membership grew
to 58, and Witherington again represented them in Convention accompanied
by W. H. Clark. There must have been serious lack of cultivation since it
was not heard from again until 1876. Then the name had been changed to
Riverside. J. B. Gardner and J. D. May represented them in Convention,
reporting a membership of 50. W. B. Moye, of Maple Cypress, was their first

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Clerk. Other leading laymen in their early years were: J. L. Gaskins, L. J.
Chapman, J. L. Murphy, Calvin Kirkman, Charles J. Atkinson, and John R.
Harvey.

As of record the first general brotherhood meeting at Riverside was on
July 28, 1877, when the “Christian Sisters Mission” held their quarterly
executive session there, Mrs. S. R. Dixon, president. This was in the second
year of the state-wide woman’s work. The local unit at Riverside was called
“The Dorcas Society’; contribution, $5. Only four churches, Riverside,
Salem, Hookerton, and Eden were represented, whose combined offerings
were $29.35. A balance on hand with the new offerings made a grand total
of $56.85. This was all disbursed in a division between Jesse T. Davis for
evangelizing in “destitute places,” and Virgil A. Wilson, to do “requested”
preaching.

In 1881, Riverside was in a pastoral unity with Salem, Timothy and
Bethel, Josephus Latham, minister. It is said, that altogether C. W. Howard
gave 24 years to the Riverside pulpit. In 1882, Gideon Allen had served this
group, unitedly pledged to pay him $400.

Their first church school of record was in 1887, with L. J. Chapman, super-
intendent. The church had 45 members then, and paid their preacher $55
annually. The next year J. L. Winfield ministered to their 48 members, and
they averaged $1.18 per member in paying him for the year. Winfield
taught the community school and ‘his preaching circuit was Timothy, Old
Ford, Salem, and Riverside. Henry C. Bowen reporting this, said: “We know
from experience that any one who attempts this eats no idle bread.”

In 1900 the church had grown to 88 members. L. J. Chapman, then living
at Quinerly, had long been their clerk. Their church school, J. L. Causey,
superintendent, enrolled 57, including 7 teachers. Their church property
valuation was $1,000; seating capacity, 250. Their year’s giving to current
expenses totalled $178.73, and to State Missions they gave $20.

In 1911 they paid their minister, C. W. Howard, $100; Edgar W. Causey
was clerk; their membership, 137.

Their first “Home Coming” was on June 23, 1929, and “all were satisfied
with its success.” One, L. J. Chapman, attended who had also been present
at the organization of the church more than fifty years before. Joel E. Vause
held their revival of 1929, with 21 additions.

R. A. Phillips held their “home force” meeting, Sept. 19-25, 1938, with 15
added, of whom 6 were baptized in the Neuse River. An up-to-date revised
roll carried names of 151 resident, and 69 non-resident members. A budget
of $400.00 was subscribed. This included enough to reroof the building.

Aug. 24, 1947 was their “Home Coming” day. The plant had been reno-
vated; and four new church school rooms provided, of which two were on the
lower floor and two in the balcony. B. Eugene Taylor assisted the pastor,
Harold F. Brown, in the revival, adding 13.

The frame plant was destroyed by fire on Feb. 21, 1953. Fortunately the
pews which were new and other movable facilities were saved. There was
no insurance, but an undaunted congregation planned an early rebuilding.
Meanwhile they worshipped in the old frame building at Timothy, a few
miles away. It was announced later that the rebuilding program would be
completed in the fall of 1954.

In November, 1955, it was reported: “Riverside is enjoying their new
church now. The sanctuary is complete and they hope to complete the class
rooms in a short time. They have built on the pay-as-you-go program and

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rejoice in that they have no indebtedness.” The baptistry was built in the
center of the sanctuary, with the communion table in front.

On Jan. 13, 1957, twenty newly elected officers were installed and a
church constitution and by-laws adopted effecting a functional organization.
Leatherette folding doors were placed in the educational plant. W. E. Rob-
erts was serving both Riverside and Timothy, for the first time bringing the
Riverside pastorate forward to half-time. The church school attendance
had reached 89.

In May, 1959, they were planning the dedication of their new plant. Ed-
ward L. Mercer was their student minister. The C. Y. F. beautified the

church lawn, marking it with white posts. Mrs. Odell Foy organized a
prayer group.
Membership at Riverside is 141.

Roll of Ministers at Riverside:

1881_. ....------.Josephus Latham 1934. B. Eugene Taylor
1882, 1883 : MesCGON BOIGD NO ce Ce Selz Mayo
1889-1911, 1929 .-..C. W. Howard 1936, 1937 aad J, ‘I: Forrest
DAE. RE EO SSNS eo ae eRe J. L. Burns 1938-1941 R. A. Phillips
1888___ : J. L. Winfield 1942-1944 . I. Bennett
M. F. Haskett 1945-1949
Hayes Farish E
1915-1919 _..Joel E. Vause ....James Hemby
LS Sa A AIRS Sat Ne aire a J elge J. T. Moore f ......--Billy Bennett
1921-1928 —John R. Smith 3 W. E. Roberts

xT | Ye gt eR C. E. Lee ¢ Edward L. Mercer

ROUNTREE

Let us see this church through the periscope of history. Thus it may be
to North Carolina Disciples of Christ a sanctuary of heritage. Within this
sphere of interest, its primacy joined with its concrete continuity is unique.
Its earliest handwritten records may be read. These long lost minutes of
their monthly “Saturday before the fourth Lord’s Day,” 1827-1840, business
meetings are the most primitive documentation of Carolina Disciple emerg-
ence hitherto retrieved for preservation. Blandly written, they yet show
clearly their congregational trend to the acceptance of a foremost reforming
tenet of the times—the alone sufficiency of the Bible for the faith and prac-
tice of the Christian. This acceptance was affirmed at Rountree on Oct. 5,
1832, as introduced and advocated by their pastor, General William Clark.
This was about a year and a half before the organization of the Union Meet-
ing of Disciples of Christ at Little Sister, March 28-30, 1834. By then other
ministers who had joined with Clark in the movement, were: Abraham
Congleton and Wiley P. Nobles, of Rountree; John P. Dunn, of Little Sister;
and Jeremiah Leggett of Tranters Creek. Within five years twenty other
preachers, all in Bethel Conference, were of like mind with these Disciple
pioneers. In 1851, Clark, aged 61, then living in Jackson, Miss., wrote about
his reforming career in Carolina. He recalled that in 1832, “we sent a
copy of what we had done to some of the churches adjoining us and I think
seven adopted them’’—resolutions affirming that the Bible was their only
creed. Scanning extant records a count of the “seven”, located in four
Counties, follows: Grindle Creek and Rountree in Pitt; Little Sister in
Lenoir: Tranters Creek, Old Ford, and Unity, in Beaufort; and Smithwicks

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Creek in Martin. Grindle Creek, near Pactolus, languished to extinction
after the passing of Clark to Mississippi; Little Sister merged with the
foundation of Kinston; others eventually disappeared from the perennial
roll of participating brotherhood churches. Of the original seven, only
Rountree to-day may trace its conventional lineage unbroken from 1832.

Thomas Campbell, (1763-1854), author of “The Declaration and Address,”
(1809), visited eastern North Carolina, from November 1833 to April, 1834.
During this six month’s tour he was in Greenville, visiting General Clark on
Monday, Feb. 17, and preached at Rountree on Feb. 22. The local church
clerk, Allen Blount, made the simplest entry possible: “Sermon to-day by
Elder Campbell an aged man.” In a letter written at this time, Campbell
stated to his daughter, Dorothea, (‘my dear Dora”), that he had been
“preaching occasionally as I had opportunity to small audiences,” on this
trip. However this hand-written document is the only such record of an
actual sermon by Campbell while on his Carolina mission.

Site of this Church is in the midst of a fine agricultural area, at the
Rountree Crossroads, four miles west of Ayden. It is near the stream of
Little Contentnea. An early postoffice for that community was Ridge Spring,
which was one of the five in Pitt County in 1851. However, as one of 26, in
Pitt, in 1894, Rountree had its own office.

Two native Rountree sons first recognized there as becoming ministers
were: George Washington Wallacé in June, 1829, and Wiley P. Nobles,

grandfather of I. L. Chestnutt, in March, 1834.
On Aug. 24, 1828 they gave seven of their members to start the Little

Sister mission in adjoining Lenoir County. These were: Mr. and Mrs. Wal-
ter Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tull, Charles Tull, Polly Farmer, and Louisa
Wiggins.

Sixteen active laymen representing Rountree in the frequent fellowship
meetings of kindred churches, 1827-1840, were: Jesse Rountree, Charles
Jenkins Rountree, Allen Blount, John Vinson, John Ringgold, Walter Dunn,
James L. Warren, Joseph McGerman, James Ringgold, Arthur Tull, Charles
Tull, Paul McGerman, Joel McGerman, Gideon Fulford, Isaac Baldree, and
Luther Fulford. Likewise twelve other laymen here prior to 1861, were:
Charles Joyner, Caleb Cannon, Sr., L. H. Rountree, Joseph Dixon, Willis
Dixon, Benjamin Brown, Jesse L. Jackson, J. Hart, S. Nobles, C. Carson, W.
J. Brown, and Robert Hart Rountree.

At the union with Bethel Conference in 1845, Rountree was reported as
having 40 members. John P. Dunn was their representative that year at the
annual state meeting, first under the new regime. Entertained by Rountree
have been annual state meetings of Disciples, in 1850, 1865, and 1885. The
membership as listed Nov. 1, 1851, had grown to 68, comprised of 81 men and
37 women. Officers: elders: John P. Dunn and Wiley P. Nobles; deacons:
Jesse L. Jackson and Caleb Cannon, Sr.; treasurer, Benjamin Brown; clerk,
Joseph Dixon. Slaves enrolled in 1851, were nine, namely: Tom Blount,
Jacob Rountree, Jack Rountree, Sucky Blount, Rose Rountree, Mary Roun-
tree, Sucky Brown, Martha Brown, and Ann Brown.

John T. Walsh, a young man of 36, fresh from Virginia, first appeared at
Rountree on March 28, 1852, and preached from John 3:1-14. His “principal
subject was regeneration, its nature, evidences, objects, and utility’, as

briefed by the clerk.
An important recruit to Disciple leadership, Amos J. Battle, came forward

at Rountree on May 22, 1852, “desiring to unite with us as a member and

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minister of the gospel.” His had been a distinguished career in another com-
munion, and he was from a famous eastern Carolina family,

In the 1850s the advocates of Spiritualism were abroad in the land. Prob-
ably to some extent their illusions had infiltrated eastern Carolina. On May
22, 1858, John P. Dunn preached at Rountree on Acts 3:23,24, adapting to it
a discourse adverse to “the living holding communications with Spirits of
the Dead.” The clerk noted that he “proved to the satisfaction of All present”
that “to practice it would be an insult to God,” and “concluded by Admon-
ishing the followers of Jesus to turn a deaf ear to the delusions of spirit-
rapping.”

To the life and spirit of Rountree, the incredible losses and dislocations
of the great civil strife of the 1860’s dealt a devastating blow. On Sept. 23,
1866, their pastor, Gideon Allen, resigned, and the church in business session,
“declined to proceed to call or elect a pastor of the ensuing year.” Further:
“thro the coldness of the members caused by non-attendance of church and
Strictly complying with their christian dutys, Preaching at Rountree’s
church has ceased”. It was indeed “traveling as it were in the wilderness,”
as the clerk relates. This dire inertness continued until a rally promoted
by the faithful brought a spiritual awakening. On Sept. 25, 1869, they met
“to counsel together and adopt some plans whereby the Church of Christ at
Rountree could again meet in a church capacity and worship God as in days
passed by.” Their revered former pastor, Gideon Allen, wearied shepherd,
lingering in the offing, was recalled with such insistence that he returned
to their spiritual guardianship and retrieved their candlestick. Amos Evans
was the newly elected clerk who listed 134 reactivated men and women in
their rejuvenated fellowship. Their steadfast maintenance in spiritual
service has ensued to the present.

They were in a pastoral unity in 1882 with Red Oak, Corinth, and Farm-
ville. The pastor, I. L. Chestnutt, received a salary of $400. Their initial
frame building stood on the present site for 56 years. It was then remodelled
and enlarged, as a “new house of worship,” and dedicated Oct. 28, 1883, by
J. T. Walsh.

As of record their first church school began in 1887, with RB. GC. Carman,
superintendent. Enrollment was 53, including 3 teachers. Average attend-
ance was 20, and the school was held only six months of the year: total
offerings for the year, $5.77. John Pierce and Jesse Cannon were Sunday
School delegates to their State Convention (Disciples) in 1887.

J. L. Winfield held their revival in July, 1888. He reported: “A neat and
commodious church has been built and a respectable number of the best
people of the community are enrolled.” There were 18 additions, said to be
of “most excellent material.” Moreover, Winfield added: “the outlook is
more encouraging than ever known in its history”.

D. W. Davis was their revivalist in 1891, with 23 baptisms. He was paid
$20 for his five days of intensive evangelism there. J. L. Winfield was their
pastor, when their “Board” met on October 18, 1891, and “raised his wages
to $150,” for 1892, and their annual giving to State Missions from $25 to $30.

For the year 1903, D. W. Davis was employed at double his former salary
there. Joseph D, Waters, editor of The Watch Tower, said: “This church is
simply doing its duty by paying Bro. Davis a reasonably salary. His work
cannot be estimated in dollars and cents.”

C. Manly Morton came on a gala Union Meeting occasion in August, 1908,
and said of Rountree: “They are a fine lot of true Christian workers, earnest

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in their Christian duties, zealous to go forward, and hospitable to the very
limit.”

While their church school was in session on Feb. 13, 1941, the plant
caught fire. It was destroyed. However the pews, piano, and other fur-
nishings were instantly salvaged. Rebuilding was planned, and for the
interval the usual worship and educational functions were carried on in the
nearby Pierce Community Building. On February 22, 1942 the new plant,
valued at $7,500 was opened. Provided are: an adequate auditorium; four
church school rooms, and a fellowship hall up-stairs; a modern lighting
system, celotex ceiling, and fourteen art-glass windows. At their 115th
anniversary, April 26, 1942, it was dedicated, H. S. Hilley preaching the
sermon.

A long 59 years had intervened since their first dedication in 1883. ‘Yet
it was recognized that nine persons had attended both Rountree dedications
namely: Robert Worthington, Levi Pierce, Irvin J. McLawhorn, H. C. Rogers,
J. P. Dawson; and Mesdames: Minnie McLawhorn, Alice Allen, Mary Ellis,
Lorenzo McLawhorn.

In the 1940’s the Jesse Rountree Reunion on the 4th Sunday in October
became an annual affair at the old church. Here also a plaque at the church
memorializing Jesse Rountree was unveiled on April 27, 1947, designed by
Miss Jesse Rountree Moye, of Greenville. The founder, Jegse: sRountepe,
(1765-1831) married Winifred Jenkins (1765-1840), in January, 1782. They
had four sons and four daughters, 52 grand-children, and 156 sreat-grand-
children. In this mid-Twentieth Century their living descendants in recur,
ring generations are legion. In 1947 it was known that twelve of their
great-grandchildren were yet living, namely: Mrs. Sallie Richard Short
Spruill, of Raleigh; Robert B. Dunn, of Kinston; Mrs. Minnie Emma Belcher
Brown, of Wilson; Mrs. Martha Eliza Belcher Congleton, of Robersonville;
James Henry Benjamin Moore, of Greenville; Mrs. Sally Rountree Crisp, of
Durham; Mrs. Rosabel Rountree Cowper, of Kinston; Mrs. Mattie ‘Rountree
Stephenson, of Abingdon, Va.; Mrs. Cynthia Hart Rountree Winfrey, of
Richmond, Va.; David Rountree, (88 years old), of Gainesville, Fla.; Samuel
Rountree Dunn, of Richmond, Va., and F. M. Rountree, of California. :

In 1959, an annex to the plant, 24 X 60 feet was erected, providing a din-
ing room and kitchen, which have been well furnished.

On Jan. 30, 1960, new officers and the functional leadership were Lamang
as follows: Carroll Humbles, board chairman; Heber, E. Cannon, Sryemiret:
Mrs. Willis Carman, secretary and clerk; Mrs. Heber E. Cannon, evangelism;
Mrs. Milton Worthington, sickness and charity; Darrell Jackson, Tt tg
and pulpit; Mrs. Jack Allen, special days; Frank Pierce, house and grounds;
Ray B. Sumrell, communion; and pastor, H. Glenn Haney, bulletin.

Membership at Rountree is 134.

Roll of Ministers at Rountree:
1827, 1831 Abraham Congleton Davis, J. L. Burns, Gaaren Joy-
1828-1830 ..Thomas D. Mason ner, I. L. Chestnutt, D. W. Davis,

1832, 1833 General William Clark and J. L. Winfield. ete
1834-1840 John P. Dunn = 1896___.__.. ......_1. L. Chestnu

1841-1891—-During this period, Gid- 1900.......202.2000 2c Ss. pa tui
eon Allen ministered about 40 1903, 1904, 1906... ge : ae
years, interspersed by A. C. 1907-1909........2............ C. B. Mashburn

Hart, John P. Dunn, Jesse T.. 1910... : J. C. Caldwell

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1911 Pa See -C. E. Lee 1931-1951__ -G. H. Sullivan
1912, 1913 -..H. H. Ambrose 1952 Z. N. Deshields
PLE Pi ha pee ce aaa ieee J. R. Tingle 1953-1959 i ....Perry Case

1920 : W. O. Winfield H. Glenn Haney
1921-1930

TIMOTHY

This church is in Pitt County, at Gardner’s Crossroads, ten miles east of
Ayden, and five miles south of Shelmerdine, near the headwaters of Swift
Creek. Hard-surfaced highways approach the site from four directions. Fel-
lows Chapel had been affiliated with the Disciples for 32 years, when in
1877, some families from this mother church, scattered eastward from it,
decided to initiate a new congregation to be known as “Timothy Chapel.”
Mrs. Alicia Gardner Moore was a leading spirit in its organization. Amariah
Gardner was the first clerk. They were enrolled by the Disciples’ State
Convention meeting at nearby Salem, Oct. 11-13, 1877. Their delegates re-
ported 41 members. During the first ten years of this church fourteen lay-
men representing it in the Disciples’ State Convention, were: James Wall,
J. Stokes, B. Moore, Isaac Moore, Edward Stokes, Job Moore, J. J. Moore,
Israel Moore, Amariah Gardner, Josephus Causey, J. K. Wetherington, J. G.
Wetherington, James A. Stokes, and J. E. Moore.

The next year after organizing, their membership grew to 56. While at
that time Salem had 25 in their church school, and Riverside, 24, Timothy
had no church school of record. However in 1880, they did enroll 25, of
whom 3 were teachers. That year only 15 Disciple church schools were
reported in the entire State, enrolling 702, of whom 75 were teachers. The
next year’s report of the State Convention’s committee on “Lord’s Day
Schools,” J. L. Winfield, chairman, had this to say:

1, The meagre and imperfect report from the churches does not fur-

nish sufficient data to enable us in making a statement which will tend
to increase the interest in our schools.

2. The cold lethargy that pervades our schools grows out in a large
extent from a want of better system and order in our churches. We can

have no successful schools unless they are cared for by the pastor or
evangelist.

3. That in the sense of your committee we recommend to this con-
vention the importance of organizing and putting in operation all of our
Sunday School forces by calling together all of the friends of the move-
ment in a Sunday School Convention. We must organize and draw out
the talents of our teachers and superintendents, and this can only be
done by holding annual Sunday School Conventions.

We earnestly hope this will engage your earnest attention.

Timothy was growing. At the end of their fourth year their membership
had more than doubled. And in 1882 they entertained the State Convention
of Disciples, J. J. Harper, presiding. Their pastoral unity was known as
“Salem District”, comprised of four churches, each having monthly preach-
ing. Unitedly they were pledged to pay their pastor, Gideon Allen, the
annual sum of $400. J. K. Wetherington was clerk.

They had 32 additions in 1887, paid their preacher $50 for the year, and
gave $3.15 to missions. Next year their membership was 139, J. L. Winfield,
pastor, raised altogether $47.15 for current expenses, which was an average
of 34 cents per member. Winfield was succeeded by C. W. Howard in 1889,
when $26.40 was given for State Missions.

(52)

In 1897 their membership had reached 205, a twenty-years’ growth of five-
fold. Their building was too small. Next year they erected a larger one,
adequate for the times. Their church school, Edward Stokes superintnedent,
enrolled 40, raising a total of but $8.05 during the year. The church prop-
erty value was given as $700, increased to $1000, four years later.

J. R. Tingle, pastor in March, 1900, reported that Timothy “has just put
in new seats,” and had raised in full their Foreign Missions apportionment.
He led their next year’s revival during which he assembled gifts for their
new reed organ, and confessed: “this alone was well worth the meeting.”
Then later that year referring to the use of the organ at worship service,
he said: “Miss Myrtie Moon of Ayden gave it a trial on Dec. 7. Everybody
is well pleased. The congregations are improving.”

Hookerton Union met at Timothy on Jan. 28, 29, 1905. W. R. Howell of
Atlantic Christian College attended and spent Saturday night with Israel
Moore. A very few preachers came. He was the only minister present on
Sunday and was greeted by a “full house’. He said: “It seemed to me that
I have never spoken to a finer crowd of people than that assembled at Tim-

day.”
by F. Bristol, pastor, held their revival in 1928, with 30 additions.
His report: “A new spirit prevails with the church. They plan to undertake
a stronger financial program than they have hitherto known.”

At Timothy on May 6, 1945, C. C. Ware, assisted by the pastor, G. H. Sul-
livan, ordained the following 26 officers: elders: J. E. Halstead, C. L. Stokes,
Herman Stokes, L. A. Edwards, A. J. Whitford, Calvin Jones, Asa Jones, and
J. R. Haddock; deacons: M. K. Smith, J. W. Buck, Roman Buck, Glenn Wall,
Corey Stokes, E. G. Hardy, J. T. Stokes, Hugh H. Stokes, Gormon Stokes,
and “Alton Gardner; deaconesses: Mesdames: Herman Stokes, Hugh ub
Stokes, Sam Buck, Corey Stokes, Alton Gardner, E. E. Moore, Sr., and Misses
Gladys Stokes and Ruth Gardner. .

Sixteen persons were added in their revival of 1947, held by Ramon N.
Redford of Roanoke, Va. The church decided to group with Grifton, each
church to have half-time service of a minister to live in Grifton.

They now had outgrown their second building. Whereupon Alton Gardner
contributed a new site of one acre across the road from the old building, and
also gave the millwork on the lumber for the new plant. Corey Stokes,
chairman of the local church board, gave 10,000 brick for their $30,000
structure. It was opened Sept. 30, 1951. It has: a sanctuary seating 200;
six church school rooms; 24 stained glass windows; baptistry supported by
an overflow well; and modern foyer and steeple. The ensuing $5,000 debt
was slated for early retirement by sacrificial giving of loyal constituents.
The old plant across the road was retained for community functions.

Dedication of the new church was on Nov. 27, 1955, Ramon N. Redford,
guest speaker. On this occasion also, the mortgage was burned by J. J.
Stokes, Herman Stokes, John Buck, and Alton Gardner. A new carpet and
choir rails had recently been installed. Their budget was worthily increased
to include theif brotherhood’s world outreach agencies.

In 1957 their old building was remodelled to provide in part some needed
church school rooms, and also the pastor’s study. Their new organ was
dedicated on Oct. 5, 1958, gift of Dr. and Mrs. William Peacher, in memory
of Mrs. Peacher’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Moore. Two weeks later their
church budget which was adopted provided for their first full-time ministry,
with W. E. Roberts, resident pastor.

(53)

 
Youth of the church worked together in 1959, to create a community recrea-
tional center to have supervised group play. Easter Sunday that year was
to be a “pew-packed” day. Their church school enrollment then numbered

144, with average attendance of 125.

A gift for the church dedicated by the pastor on Oct. 4, 1959, was that of
the cross and candlesticks given by Misses Gladys and LucyStokes, and

Miss Clark.

Pastor W. E. Roberts moved into their new parsonage on May 3, 1960.
This is valued at $16,000. Much building material was given. Also by reason
of the home-force management of Robert Halstead, chairman of their Build-
ing Committee, and his loyal assistants, there was an actual cash outlay
of only $6,000. It stands out as a low-cost-model of conservative construction
for sister churches needing this prime accessory for a resident ministry.

Membership at Timothy is 221.

Roll of ministers at Timothy:

(3) 8 aia ae iaaeian Josephus Latham

Gideon Allen
1883, 1889... _...C. W. Howard

tHE AA MORES CERN ili a So J. L. Burns

1888, 1896... -..J. L. Winfield
1895-1903, 1911,

RB) | Sa ec alg aa ld J. R. Tingle
1906, 1913-1919... W. A. Davis

1908, 1909, 1923, 1930

De eees feo Felix L. Fox
1925, 1926 _.....R. L. Topping
1! 1 a ak SON a Ei MBE R. F. Bristol
1931-1933 D. W. Arnold
1934, 1943, 1944 W. I. Bennett
2936S ARSE 67 J. T. Forrest

T. W. Bowen
DPD hens ec) G. D. Davis, Sr.
1945-1947 G. H. Sullivan

1948, 1949. OR. Brisson

1912, 1921, 1922... Joseph A. Saunders 1950-1956 .......-Horace Quigley
i 1957-1960... WSO. Roberts

WALSTONBURG

This small town in the northern part of Greene County is a mile south of
Federal Highway 264. It is 16 miles east of Wilson and 8 miles west of
Farmville. It is said to be named for the Walston family, three of whom,
John, Phillip, and William, whose families had 20 persons, are of record in
the Federal census of 1790. These three lived in Dobbs County, the present
Greene, then being a part of the ancient Dobbs. The old postoffice name
was Fieldsborough, a crossroads settlement, population, 25 in 1880. The
number grew with the coming of the Norfolk Southern R. R. in 1907. The
railroad retained the old name, Fieldsboro, to avoid clerical confusion with
Stantonsburg and Washington stations on their line. But the growing vil-
lage was incorporated as Walstonburg in 1908, and in 1910 their people
numbered 127.

Ben F. Oden, a student in Atlantic Christian College, opened a mission
of the Disciples of Christ here in 1912. His work “full of intelligent conse-
cration” is remembered “kindly and gratefully” by the people of this
hamlet. He conducted worship services on the lower floor of the vacant store
of George W. Bailey. Later in the up-stairs room of this store, called Red
Men’s Hall, J. J. Walker, Greenville pastor, came on Thursday nights to
preach for them, and also held revivals to build their congregation. This
was marked by steady growth under a capable, experienced leadership. The
young church of 67 members was enrolled Nov. 5, 1914, by their State Con-
vention. Later Walker preached in the village schoolhouse, and then in a

(54)

tent on the present site of the church at the corner of North Pine and
Church Streets.

This site was the gift of George W. Corbett. A later purchased addition
makes it about equal now to three-fourths of an acre. The first trustees of
the church were: George W. Corbett, A. J. Craft, Rufus Shackelford, and S. T.
Tyndall. First officers: elders: John H. Dupree, J. M. Barfield, S. T. Tyndall;
deacons: A. J. Craft, G. W. Corbett. Their first church school, reported in
1914, enrolled 50, and A. J. Craft was superintendent. Their first plant,
erected in 1914, cost $3,000, on which there was a debt of $950. This was
paid in full before 1920.

Their membership had risen to 106 in 1915. Over a hundred were in the
church school. J. Walter Lollis preached there that year each fourth Lord’s
Day. They have strongly supported their annual revivals. Ben M. Edwards
came for ten days in August, 1922; the results, 30 additions. This evangelist
who had worked much in Carolina, declared: “In many respects this has
been the greatest meeting I have ever held in the Old North State. The new
converts are practically all adults. Among the number were just the finest
citizens of the town, including the banker, the postmaster, three of the lead-
ing business men, and a host of others.” Next year their meeting was held
by J. Boyd Jones.

On August 8, 1933, their plant which had stood for 19 years the only
church in the village, was totally destroyed by fire. Their insurance had
lapsed two months before—a disheartening experience. No reserve existed
as a good token for a rebuilding program. Services were continued in the
community school. They appealed to their self-sacrificing congregation, and
to all of their friends known and accessible. From 1933 to 1939, came regular
help from State Missions toward paying their pastor. Their new plant
valued at $10,000, was dedicated by C. B. Mashburn, who ministered there
. cman was their church school superintendent in 1937. Their
Christian Women’s Fellowship at that time had 15 active members; officers:
president, Mrs. A. J. Craft; secretary, Miss Lillian Corbet; teacher of mis-
sion study class, Mrs. W. B. Nix. On.June 13, 1944, Mrs. H. H. Settle, execu-
tive secretary of the Women’s state work, conducted an “all-day mission
study,” at the home of Mrs. Roland G. Fields. About this, Mrs. Ivey Smith
reported: “Our Society always enjoys the fellowship of these selec with
Mrs. Settle and we are sure to gain much inspiration from the study.

A baptistry was installed below a beautiful mural painting. On “Home
Coming Day,” Oct. 15, 1944, five young persons were baptized, “and with
the rays of the sinking sun shining through the windows it was the inspira-
tional closing of a perfect day.”

Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Adams were the first to occupy the new parsonage ws
Sept. 15, 1953, which was dedicated on Jan. 3, 1954. The Christian Men's
Fellowship beautified the grounds, “by the setting of shrubbery and seeding
the lawn.”

Their Visitation Evangelism in 1954 accounted for the 15 percent increase
in the Walstonburg membership of that year. The next year, seeing the
necessity of enlarged facilities, their educational plant was planned in con-
sultation with their brotherhood’s church architect from Indianapolis, Ind.
There was in hand $4,500 in the building fund to apply to the $20,000 project.
Their C. M. F. bought new mimeograph and typewriting equipment for the
church. ,

(55)

 
A new pastoral unity with Wilbanks, (half-time each) was effected Nov.
1, 1955. By the rotation system new church officers were installed as fol-

lows: elder: D. D. Fields; deacons: Charles Letchworth, T. E. Lang, Cecil
H. Rhodes; deaconess, Mrs. Paul Craft.

On August 6, 1956, their 15 stained glass windows were dedicated. These
are in honor or in memory of the persons named as follows: (1) J. C. Gard-
ner Family; (2) Ila Fields McKeel, 1897-1933, and Roland G. Fields, 1902-
1952; (3) Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Shelton; (4) Dr. and Mrs. W. A. Marlowe; (5)
The A. J. Craft Family; (6) George W. Corbett, 1873-1946, and Florence
Corbett, 1873-1946; (7) Sam Jenkins; (8) The Cox Family; (9) Father and
Mother of T. E. and W. E. Lang, Jr.; (10) Jesse Mercer, 1886-1937, and Emma
Mercer, 1896; (11) Kilby Mann, 1859-1944, and Mattie Mann, 1862-1949;
(12) C. B. Mashburn, former minister; (13), (14), and (15), anonymous.

Early in 1957 work began on their educational plant; the building com-
mittee: chairman, Sam Jenkins, D. D. Fields, and T. E. Lang. Their fund-
raising launched in 1954 had, over the three years, assembled enough to
guarantee finished construction. The new plant was opened on Oct. 20, 1957.
The church school was then departmentalized. It was reported: “All of the
organizations of the church function well. The spirit is good.” In the
summer of 1958 the C. W. F. insulated the church building, and the C. M. F.

did likewise for the parsonage. In the spring of 1959 their sanctuary was
remodelled from plans drawn by Professor Russell Arnold, of Atlantic Chris-

tian College. New pews and furniture for chancel and pulpit, costing $2,000
were installed in July, 1960.

Membership at Walstonburg is 142.

Roll of Ministers at Walstonburg:

---.-...Ben F. Oden
Ae gi Hier 8 Sit a Oe J. J. Walker
BR) 8 1 Wy he ROR avy J. W. Lollis 3 : ..-T. W. Bowen

Waters G. D. Davis, Sr.

coon a O,. CoBradner te
pL ARES SRE RE y ORIOES. R. A. Phillips Pa! 3} Jeepre ap were dae Ray G. Silverthorne

1921-1923, 1928 Seg ls he VO 1940-1947... WW. SI. Bennett
1924-1926 G. H. Sullivan 1948-1952 +~rinaieycl-Lsi BS: BOMBEL
BO ae WW TR Bnerns, 1959-1985 Ivan Adams

1956-1960. --H. C. Hilliard, Sr.
co CR Cy RRND Rs Scarborough

WHEAT SWAMP

Nine miles northwest of Kinston is Wheat Swamp Christian Church.
Historians say it has been there for two hundred and eight years, beginning
as an independent Baptist congregation. It is on the old Hull road, near
the village of Institute, and close to the stream whose name the church
bears. In 1752 it was one of the 10 General, or Arminian Baptist Churches,
which historians, with little documentation, say were in North Carolina, of
that date. Later, (1754-1756) all of these 16 churches were raided by the
Philadelphia Association Baptists who were Calvinistic in theology. Be-
cause the Philadelphia Baptists were much stronger in their organziation
and resources than these scattered Carolina Baptists in their primordial
environment, they took over all but four of these original 16 churches. The
four who held out against the all-but-overwhelming proselyting from Phila-

(56)

delphia, were: (1) Wheat Swamp, which for the interval from 1765 to i
was Free Will Baptist, but aligned November 11, 1843, openly wn Disciples
of Christ, joining in the resolution abolishing human creeds, (2) app
five miles east of Belhaven, likewise connecting with Disciples in 1843; e
church is now dead, but considerable remnants were builded into egies A
tego and Belhaven churches, (3) Gum Swamp, near sale Aeagrojeng oe
Free-Will Baptist, and (4) Lousan Swamp near me present ste Y .
Christian Church, which eventually went to the Union Baptists, and is no
aie saunter preachers of the General Baptists in eastern a hese
remaining steadfast in their Faith were: Paul Palmer, Joseph ils ee
liam Parker, and John Winfield. Joseph Parker, the founder ag Raid
Swamp, lived from 1705 to 1791. Writing 115 years ago, ‘Dr. Ss. M rae
said that Joseph Parker had been described by an associate art rier
built man, with broad face, about five feet, eight inches eas: an i is ue
years wore on his head a cap continually. His mapper of wee ee
full of animation.” Wheeler added that Paxher: was burie Rote ~
Wyrington’s burial ground on Wheat Dee Mean ‘ayia “eehenetiot Sige
spot where his ashes repose.” He was rem : Rc sree read
tian, a zealous and successful minister.” Further, quoting ea fami
“Here [at Wheat Swamp] he and lris wife lived in pga abn EN
supported by a few members of the Free-Will mente nieuwe ee
nt since divided into Wayne, Lenoir and Greene ou ;
oe van highly esteemed. It was to on Heya Wicd tear
confined, rarely preaching at any other place bu Vis nae
which church he settled. . . . James Roach a Freewill minister . '
the churches on Wheat Swamp and Loosing Swamp
aa ine amare Parker and under his labors the churches were re-
hae i Wea secon ene famous itinerating Bishop, came to the
eee a Fie home of William Cox which he mentioned was a few

sie asian Rainbow Methodist is a neighboring

ifton.
miles southeast of the present Gri
chureh a short distance north of Wheat Swamp.

Quoting Asbury’s Journal:

Thursday, Feb. 21, 1799. We came to Newbern, originally stttled by

i i land. For sixteen miles
é after old Berne in Switzer ¢ :
Wick tea we nea heavy rain; but I was well cased up, notwithstand

i which I took cold... . :
ra aites Feb. 25, 1799. It was cold to purpose, and we at hig nace
miles to ride to William Cox’s, on Neuse, near the mou

eg nia Feb. 26, 1799. I did not attend at the Rainbow meeting

q idi i e cold
house, in consequence of my illness, the effect of my riding in th

the day before... . ae ah
hada Feb. 27, 1799. I was comforted in administering the sacra

ment,

on to the Disciples

f ivi its transiti
A member of Wheat Swamp living through i cdigetbnate uss tore

was Jesse Kennedy, born Jan. 1, 1781; died May 25, 1856.
said of him:

ited with the church at
near half a century, no
him. He was honest and

i i 1809, and un
“He was baptized in the year, k 4
Wheat Swamp. During his long ene
charge of any sort was ever preferred agains

(57)

 
upright in all his dealings. The hand of want was never stretched out
to him in vain.

He was benevolent to the poor, and liberal to the cause
of Christ.”

was adopted practically aligned 25 pre:
13 counties, enrolling 1856 members

Union Meeting of Disciples of Christ,
than two years later.

The resolution was presented at Whea

t Swamp by Thomas J. Latham, on
Nov. 11, 1843:

against

i himself, excluding and excommunicating a
part of himself—Anti-scri

} ptural, as being strictly prohibited by his
Sovereign Authority; a direct violation of His express command—anti-

natural, as it excites Christians to continue to hate and oppose one an-
other, who are bound by the highest and most endearing obligations to
love each other as brethren, “even as Christ loved” them. And whereas
this Conference is desirous of removing every difficulty from the minds
of such members of, the church of Christ as are wishful to unite on the
“faith once delivered to the saints.” Therefore:

Resolved that this Conference consider ea

ch church of Christ com-
posed of its Elders, Deacons,

and other members, as the highest ecclesi-

cles controlling power over the churches of
Christ as are willing to unite with us, on the Holy Scriptures, as the Rule

of Faith and Discipline, reserving to themselves, respectively, the right
to interpret the Same, for their own regulations, and that they be affec-
tionately invited to represent themselves by Delegates in this Conference.

Near Wheat Swamp the old farm-house of B
Falling Creek Township. Other
tial, at Wheat Swamp,
Bond. T

enjamin Parrott yet stands in
preachers at the earliest period most influen-
colleagues of Parrott, were John P. Dunn, and Robert
wenty-seven of their representative laymen of the ante-bellum period
were: Thomas P. Hartsfield, William B. White, Parrott M. Hardy, Walter
Kennedy, Drury A. Hill, Pitt Hardy, R. F. Hodges, Dr. J. A. Hartsfield, W. T.
Hart, H. Suggs, Reuben Barrow, Calvin Hartsfield, Simon E. Hodges, Alex-
ander Wilson, Hugh P. Sutton, William Sutton, J. A. Hodges, P. W. Hart,

S. P. Hardy, W. Daley, L. J. Mewborne, J. Hartsfield, N. C. Sutton, M. B.
Creech, J. D. Hall, Noah Rouse, and W. Canady.

Their primitive house having served many long years gave way to their

new building which continues as a part of their greatly improved plant of
to-day. It was dedicated on May 23, 1858 by John T. Walsh, with the “hope
that other churches may profit by her example and that many of our old
dillapidated houses may give place to such structures as will be more in

harmony with the purity, zeal, and liberality of Christianity.”
tractor was John D. Hill; price $500.

Creech to the first trustees of record,
Walter Kennedy, and Drury A. Hill, Jr.

John T. Walsh held their revival in September, 1855, resulting in 40 addi-
tions, “among whom there was many of the most respectable citizens of the
community.” Four years later he came for seven days, baptizing 26. Clos-
ing his pastorate there in December, 1882, he said: “Having preached at

The con-
The site was then deeded by M. B.
William B. White, Parrott M Hardy,

(58)

achers and the most of 32 churches in
» in eastern North Carolina with the
the formal merger being effected less

 

Wheat Swamp many years both before and since the war and having Se
so many favors from many of the brethren and sisters, I Reve le
with regret, though I deemed it best there should be a change. et ae
The state-wide women’s missionary work of the Disciples nla
at Wheat Swamp on October 5, 1876, during the crentvenlbnnanty sega ee Ah 6
i i i ; vice president, :
First officers: president, Mrs. S. R. Dixon; v : ;
Dixon; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Sue tag pila ppeeriegeento ts
inni ‘ Mrs. Noa ouse.
retary, Mrs. Winnie R. Tull; treasurer, } mie: 7 ‘ Raker
es was changed from “The Beneficent Society” to “The sas eats
Workers of Disciples of Christ’. Various names have followed = ° Aasicad
it is called “The Christian Women’s Fellowship.” In the local i ofthe
Swamp 19 women were active in 1893, as follows: saree hy Se ite si

i i Addie Moseley, S. A. : é
White, Julia M. Hodges, S. E. Hodges, Sea se

i ? Wilson, S. E. Creech, Zadie Ke y,
Aldridge, Lanna Moore, Myrtle : : perth t fa

izat seley, Trudie Dawson; an :
Hardy, Elizabeth Taylor, Martha Mose ri
tie arty Lizzie S. Hill, Clyde Sutton, Ruth Kennedy, yk Cotte + rs
Some of their church clerks since 1869 have been: Sa aicah ane Ha
Sutton, Franklin Dail, Paul A. Hodges, J. M. Creech, an J. iar cant
church was grouped with Eden, Hookerton and Hebron, in .
hus Latham; salary, $400. ;
a oe record their church school began in 1889, a late wee Engg
rolled 35, including 3 officers and teachers; average attendance, .

i e,” $1; “value of library,” $4.
af cca sot G. H. Sullivan closed a long pastorate there, et aan
er ant $4900 with which to recondition the plant. sO bord pa

ere installed, and new church school rooms were arya) Pe rere
sadieal “materially to the uses of the old Wheat Swamp bui eine erm
tional and social service.” However, two years later it was wn watt .
saat Sunday School rooms recently erected are nom eee e; rap saat
ris ary to use the Kitchen for an overflow class. They sen ree
eines sai Roland Jones as ministerial students to the college ~ a no
ahha daeesia Herring was president of their C.W.F. The pe h H aes 0
Ra Ww Jones, Troy J. Rouse, Roscoe Herring, Hugh Hardy, John ‘

ay W. i; ‘ x
pp Ae oom i 1, 1952 in ordaining

i i ; R. R. Miller, on June 1,

. C. Ware assisted their pastor, ' ay es
oa eon stoner officers as follows: elders: Gordon cngyn9 oe a
Earl Jones, Homer Hill; deacons: Lemuel Hardy, Jack re ri
thington Marion Rouse, Billy Emerson, William yews n nsaaensratrt

’ i inistry was tha ‘< Ihe ery,

Swamp ordination to the minis 4 oe

medi cease on April 4, 1954. He then became their a er -

ee 8 A six-room brick parsonage near the church was sew 5
early retirement of the $3000 debt thereby incurred was — face RS
On Feb. 12, 1956 several new members of the church boar er
aa “delivered a very insp
. Allen, state secretary, “de r

yes web - Later the board was functionally 0 ik seri
ahsatbenpiyy their first full-time resident pastor, held aoe ssisrealey save
tember, 1958, with 16 additions. An organ eit map we <a ggge t
, , i i ce was .d. ’

i adopted; a silver communion serv ‘ ;
sie pone and choir robes and Christian Worship Hymnals were
° ;

acquired. 5
It was decided that to meet the needs of steady expansion, the eee
be forthwith remodelled again and more church school rooms ;

(59)

 
October 1959, their

building committee, Harold Kennedy, chairman, assem-
bled $

ville pastor, to conduct a revival and meet in conference with the Disciples
7200 in cash and pledges with which to start an enlarging reconstruc-

there.

tion.
Mrs. Floyd Gray, Sr. serves

as the chosen local church historian. She
hopes

to get a proper and permanent marker erected there
the church for the general public.

Membership at Wheat Swamp is 294.

, memorializing

Roll of Ministers at Wheat Swamp: \y
1765-1791 ‘i Joseph Parker 1920-1925
1792-1800 James Roach 1926,
1843-1860—Robert Bond, Benjamin 1928 R. F. Bristol

Parrott, John P. Dain, aT: 1929-1931 F. W. Wiegmann

Walsh. 1932-1944 —.G.: H- Sullivan
LTD ges Tt Sea ee a John T. Walsh 1945, W. I. Bennett

Josephus Latham 1947-195 Rabon A. Rose
1884, 1888, 1889 H. D. Harper 1951 ......Horace S. Garris
ESS 6) CaP SRO PS Pare S. W. Sumrell 1952, 19 R. R. Miller
1903, 1904 D. H. Petree 1954 eee _.A. D. Barber

1908-1915. ~-----------C, W. Howard 1955, pied oe We ee ay
G2) iy Rae i a8 eee S. Lee Sadler

.........Perry Case
. C. Greer

Vere Rogers

NPR a A Ante Te he RES M. C. McKinney
t 2S OR Aa RMT I lea ts ANS Joel E. Vause § James M. Mahoney

WINTERVILLE

Amos Graves Cox and his Manufacturing Company were the founders of
this thriving Pitt County town. The Cox home, center of invention for a
tide of farm implement output, was a half-mile west of the present Winter-
ville. When the Kinston-Weldon Branch of the A. C: L. Ry. was put through
in 1890, there were 50 inhabitants at the place. These increased nine-fold
to 450 in 1900. Meanwhile the village had been incorporated in 1897, when
but two stores were there: A. G. Cox, general store, and B. F. Manning, dry
goods.

The Baptist church came to life there in 1887; the postoffice, named
Winterville, in 1889. Three other States in America each have a Winter-
ville; Georgia, Maine and Mississippi.

The swelling enterprise of local manufacture required adequate transport
facilities. Out of the abounding forests on his land, Cox contracted to supply
the railroad with wood at this point for their old-type engines. Stops by the
trains at his woodrack led to the equipment of a regular freight station on
the site—a foregleam of the rising trade center. The A. G. Cox Manufac-
turing Company was organized in 1894. Their village High School opened
in 1899, “in a two-room house with 22 pupils.” The local bank was organized
in February, 1906. Landowner Cox, conveying his town-site lots, put into

each deed a reversionary clause militating against any sale of alcoholic
beverages on the specified premises for 500 years.
that he was a temperance man.

C. C. Ware paid a secretarial visit to Winterville in May, 1938. This was
after his consultation with R. BE. Boyd, a local merchant. Boyd was not a
Disciple then, but with a realistic and friendly view of the relevant circum-

stances, he was solicitous that a church of that faith be planted there. Ac-
cordingly it was arranged by the State board to have C. B. Mashburn, Farm-

The world must know

(60)

Without solicitation the local Methodist church was graciously nese
for their use of assemblage. At a congregational meeting i goer a sd
30 persons on July 1, 1938, as reported by Miss Lottie Ellis, onan wt
motion was made and seconded that the organization _ promoted, an pen
entire group pledged its loyal support and cooperation. The mieten “
families, in whole or in part, were the timely potential for the new aac ;
Mrs. Mary Ellis, R. E. Boyd, A. W. Ange, R. L. Abbott, Mrs. Susan meat
horn, Haywood McLawhorn, James Gaskins, Robert Worthington, : a8
Worthington, Fred Worthington, Cleveland Worthington, Ben mae an
Forrest, Mrs. Sophia McLawhorn, Jerry Worthington, Frank spi neni
Will McLawhorn, Henry Smith, Jesse Rollins, Asa V. Moore, Warde as
thington, Lloyd Worthington, Hazard H. May, Mrs. W. S. May, id metre
Alfred McLawhorn, Wayland Hunsucker, Mrs. beam gine Piel on, ore
Buck. Eugene Cannon, Miss Mattie Cannon, Mrs. Corine iar ae
Keeter, George Dewey Cox, and Ronald Carroll. Mrs. Asa V. I nt ber:
pointed clerk. These all were of prior affiliation respectively wi adj

ristian Churches, (Disciples of Christ.)
pate the church was formally organized in the home of Mr. bss
R. L. Abbott on Oct. 13, 1938, there were 43 segs sar castes cae ache
elder, A. W. Ange; deacons: Lloyd Worthington, R. 7 , erro

Cox; deaconesses: Misses Faye Gaskins and Lottie %

cea Lie. Moore. These were ordained on Nov. 13, ome cca
to continue worship services, rent-free, in the local epgper 08 pee nn
on the friendly initiative of the Methodists. Cc. B. Mashburn co

rt-ti storate there. : seh
Sie ices later the pastor Perry Case reported from i Regma her sl ae
interest of the members and the community holds up aee ’ y. Bahra
be formed another link in a long rigroom Puta, stag deat vad iret
with little but faith and a promise tron I oy ; hagdhep

ve through the years become strong churches.

rotegeinetet, Romig * Cacti. to sustain the pastorate aut. 1938

948, inclusive. % :
a hthed Lottie Ellis reported in April, 1944, that the Es us an
erty where the Disciples had met for six years had peach naar tak
$1250. She further said: “Interest in our work is steadily

A rebuilding fund had been started. There

the future is encouraging. r educational and

was a plan to remove and remodel the old plant solely fo . acd
social purposes. R. E. Boyd inaugurated and carried through a |{
i ided thr rch school rooms.
which provided three new chure ie Ke
On March 2, 1947, an executive committee of the church met with an eas
tect to semite plane for a new plant. Fifty thousand brick were orci
there on their large lot fronting the paved street. neath g ding eg thant
ruction began in 1950. e ,
ing fund stood at $5,310.68. Construc Ry § :
peal $35,000 had been completely underwritten ae the pees aya
i “ayy ildi ittee: Chairman, Laurie y
finished in 1953. The building comml E &y
Worthington, A. W. Ange, Miss Lottie Ellis, Mrs. Ray Oglesby, asi ttoge cs
Abbott, Mrs. Woodrow Worthington. It was said: “we. have no nat ae
our offerings to brotherhood causes to lag because ofthis a matbader : ib
to June 30, 1954 the church had given to Camp Caroline development a

of $850.
(61)

 
The Young Adult Class gave a copper-framed bulletin board to stand at the
front, “well lighted and lettered as its first step in the beautification of the
grounds.” Choir robes first were used here at Easter, 1955. An Easter scene
hand-painted by Perry Case was installed at the rear of the baptistry. A
valuable lot adjoining the church was bought in 1956, materially increasing
the frontage. A constitution and by-laws for the church was projected, and
was approved congregationally in 1957. At the “Home Coming”, June 2,

1957, all mortgage notes against the church were burned.

At their business meeting, Sept. 18, 1957, a functional organization was

effected, and the following trustees were elected: Laurie Ellis, Asa V. Moore,
and Lloyd Worthington. The budget adopted for the ensuing year totalled,
$7,635. It was decided to dismantle the old building, using its materials for
a “new educational and fellowship wing.” The site was cleared to facilitate
the realization.

Sept. 21, 1958 was observed at Winterville as “Dr. Perry Case Sunday”’—
a special tribute to his eighteen years’ pastorate there. For the congregation
Asa V. Moore presented him with “an engraved gold pocket knife.” Linwood
Kilpatrick for the Case Bible Class unveiled a portrait of him to adorn their
wall.

Early in 1959 their C. M. F. was organized, Linwood Kilpatrick, president.
A committee was appointed to promote the building of a parsonage, the fund
for which constantly grew, with A. W. Ange contributing a good building lot.
The fund for this stood at $4401.07 in April, 1960, with Linwood I. Rouse,
chairman of the Parsonage Planning Committee, and Mrs. Laurie Ellis,
head of the Parsonage Finance Committee. Mrs. Alton Worthington is presi-
dent of the C. W. F. Linwood Kilpatrick is chairman of the local church
board.

In July, 1960, construction was well advanced on their parsonage. Their
correspondent said: “We are extremely proud of the work which has been

done so far and hope to find” a resident minister soon to “share in our fel-
lowship.”

Membership at Winterville is 72.

Roll of Ministers at Winterville:

1938-1940. ...C. B. Mashburn 1959 ----C. J. Bradner, Jr.
Perry Case. 1960... Glenn Haney

HOOKERTON UNION

More broadly based initially as The Union Meeting of Disciples of Christ,
the Hookerton Union is the oldest institution of their faith within their
State. It has continued as the quintessence of their cooperative life at the
grass roots. The four-page leaflet giving the account of their first Conven-
tion as reported by their “clerk,” B. F. Eborn, is reprinted herewith in
facsimile. It is an object of interesting study. The document, discovered
in 1951, has been in its entirety, lost for 117 years. John T. Walsh, in his
“Life and Times,” (Cincinnati, O. 1885) refers to a portion of it, which
evidently he somehow knew. Walsh, however, for the meeting, gives a
mistaken date, we know not why. Cushing Biggs Hassell mentions it dis-
paragingly, as a matter of course, since William Clark, leader of the current
reform, and signer of the Little Sister Manifesto, had repudiated the Kehu-
kee’s predestination creed. Clark removed to Jackson, Miss. the next year,
and in 1849 was elected a vice president of The American Christian Mis-

(62)

sionary Society. He had served three terms in the House of Representatives
t Raleigh, in the period, 1820 to 1830. ; :
: pieced B. F. Eborn, Clerk at the Little Sister meeting, served two terms
in the Senate at Raleigh, 1846 and 1848. These Pitt County men care Akio
nent citizens, in the group of able leaders for the conscientious refo
ivi r in the church.
striving for a new and better order in
Thomas Campbell, father of Alexander Campbell, must are or ueagac
i in the community,
at this first Convention, since he was then in .
his word written shortly before the meeting, that he planned to paca
But the record is silent about Campbell, designedly so, one suspects, ron
these persecuted Disciples would give their harassing rear mat eh mace
iati i Their shyness is under js
any personal association with Campbell. ‘ , ‘
anh Sundays were a practical time for these selective, Se Annee
ings of rural people for social and religious fellowship. As a cae hese pate
little or no conflict with regular appointments in this timing. It . <r
into democratic traditions and practices in a homogeneous aan y.
essential features are perpetuated in ee at etek yen’ ect at
i i in Mare ’
After the opening at Little Sister in ’ rapa oe
of this group were held as follows: in 1834: at Sctmerscaisal aemin ak Mine.
: i fort County), . 28-30; t
at Rountree, Aug. 29-31; at Unity, (Beau )
at Tranters Creek, March 27-29, arid Nov. ea Ss sare riamd —
May 27-29; a ra
29-31: at Oak Grove, (Greene County), ‘ ' oper haw
i i itt County), April 28-30; at Oa 4
29-31; in 1837: at Grindle Creek, (Pi ; ; :
pe County), Oct. 27-29. These were the focal points of Convention life
A - ne ss
for Tar Heel Disciples in their beginning yea : i
The big event for the Union Meeting in the 1840’s was its phage 23
the Bethel Conference. Their spiritual energy acerca ise cies mn ee
i isciples were evangelical fro A
i i d the union. The Discip
of eg et to them were the deaths of some of their precedes
i il, 1849; John B. Gaylord,
Wheat Swamp, passed in April,
rian og mga 1851. To the end of implementing their Ma tecigumy
spirit a Antexsiod “Cooperative Meeting” was held at Heokenon hawt gc a
1850, and another, with like purpose at Kinston in November, “ peti
these conclaves came the call to their service of Dr, John T. ane? . peas
inia. They wanted “an able preacher of the Ancient order to la ee spines
hes this most beautiful gospel field.” ore ema a third o
f is life in this, his adop .
ent the last half of his life in ‘ St nt
Ke ar pa 1850’s the Union was called The Central Christian pore pikes
Participating were thirteen churches in Greene, Lenoir, happier eta
Counties. The last named then included the present Pamlico u f ded
met Nov. 27-29, 1857, at Rountree, reporting $232.40 in their treasu . ie
pledges of $240.78. John R. Winfield had been employed at a salary ne
Again they met at Rountree, January 30, 31, we gece concen
i aised “for
tor, and Joseph Dixon, clerk. Funds were r I Aigtns te
' is thus appointed to begin Ap a
the Jower Churches.” H. D. Cason was p . ‘
1858, and labor “so long as we have funds to pay his SRpORAM. i |
Allen was to make “one tour, provided we have funds. hecge Shin pad
Committee” in charge of promotion were: Alfred Moye, Cale .
i . ” Bennett.
W. May, William Coward, and “Brother : i ;
No extant records appear for this cooperation throughout inghag: so ie
munications were widely disrupted; religious work was suspende : nie
degree. But in 1870 there was a pulling together after the vast w

f war.
rte dy (63)

 
During the water-navigation centuries, eastern North .Carolina, for prac-
tical purposes, had a river-controlled geography. Thus Disciples in the area
were apportioned in three “Evangelical Districts.” Churches located north
of Tar River composed the First; those between the Tar and Neuse were
the Second; and those south of the Neuse made up the Third.

Seven of the most aggressive churches of the Second District met in dele-
gated Convention at Hookerton on Nov. 14-17, 1870. This was pursuant to
an action of their annual State Meeting which had convened at Oak Grove,
Pitt County, Oct. 6-9, 1870. At this November meeting at Hookerton, Gideon
Allen served as moderator, and Moses T. Moye was clerk. An executive
board consisting of one representative from each participating church called
“Evangelical Committee” was appointed as follows: Wheat Swamp, R. B.
Taylor; Kinston, S. H. Rountree; Hookerton, F. W. Dixon; Antioch, W. A.
Brand; Corinth, William Joyner; Fellows Chapel, W. B. Moye; Rountree,
Caleb Cannon. After 90 years these seven churches, either identically, or by
their known Successors, are in the Hookerton Union of to-day as obvious in
the foregoing sketches.

Early in 1871, at the next Union, Bethel was added as the eighth church
to participate. It was agreed that each church should be expected to send
three delegates to each Fifth Sunday Meeting. A committee was appointed
to ask W. H. Clemmitt, publisher of The Christian Examiner, a Disciple
paper issued at Richmond, Va., to accept Joseph H. Foy, of Kinston as an
associate editor. Clemmitt declined to do this which probably hastened the
issuance next year of The Watch Tower, John T. Walsh, editor. The Union’s
board employed Virgil A -Wilson for three months, at $250 salary. Money in
hand by close of their second meeting amounted to $245.75. Strictly they
were paying as they went.

At their Wheat Swamp meeting, May, 1871, the churches at Bethany
(Arapahoe), and Trinity, (Beaufort County) were respectively the ninth
and tenth to join the participating group. Offerings at this Union totalled
$152.80. Joseph H. Foy and Moses T. Moye were asked to submit proposals
for publication of “a weekly Christian paper.” They had paid evangelist
Wilson $200, leaving $46 on hand.

At Fellows Chapel, Aug. 18-20, 1871, Gideon Allen, Josephus Latham, and
A. C, Hart were employed each for two months, and J. L. Winfield, a recent
recruit from the Union Baptists, was engaged for one month. Offerings
totalled $92.55, making the cash balance on hand $280.60. The November
meeting that year was at Hookerton, with offerings, $115.75. It was at
Corinth, February, 1872, paying their four evangelists, $272.50, and none
were to be employed presently “on account of the generally inclement weather
at this season of the year.” Albeit in September, 1871, Gideon Allen had bap-

tized ten at Chapman’s Schoolhouse, (later, Riverside), and had then organ-
ized the new church there with 24 members.

Fellows Chapel was host to the Union on May 17-20, 1872, when eight
churches were represented with offerings, $79.90. Meanwhile their executive
board had met at Hookerton on March 16, 1872, and had employed evangelist
Josephus Latham for the general field; A. C. Hart for supervisory visits to
the post-war churches of Colored Disciples, and had “aided J. L. Winfield
to purchase a horse which had enabled him to do some very effective work.”
F. W. Dixon, of Hookerton, delivered in writing a strong missionary exhorta-

tion—“Let us do our whole duty in this matter and send the Gospel and its
joys into every nook and corner of our district.”

(64)

 

In the August Union, 1872, John T. Walsh reported that “the churches: in
the lower part of the district had organized another Cooperation Ms
and were meeting with much greater success than was anticipated. ‘ This
evolved into the present Pamlico Union. Eden, the eleventh er epgstied
church, joined the Union at this time. The cash amount of pes a
reported to be in their treasury. J. L. Burns, Josephus Latham, and bea
A. Wilson were altogether paid a sum of $109.25. An executive board 2 i
was appointed as follows: Joseph Taylor, W. A. Brand, E. A. Moye, bn e
Cannon, W. B. Moye, William Frazier, J. W. Harper, S. E. Hodges, wa
McLawhorn, and William Rountree. Four evangelists were paid ues wo
of them, Latham and Burns, were each to be continued three months.

At their Hookerton Union Nov. 15-17, 1872, their evangelist Josephus
Latham reported his year’s work as follows:

Dear Brethren: In making my report I hope by Pts a dened il Mo @
4 5 » of deep gratitude caus ‘
back a few years now past as a sense 0 \ : pee
'j ve nle were left in a deplorable c
to speak. When the war ended our peoy Bet
i rs could not afford to preac
dition and it was clear the preachers co Bos
i i i I saw at once the danger o
hing but souls for their hire and e rf
Searened in destitute places going down, and as bag dat eat ner oe
visit ‘me I felt willing to do all I, could to help keep the dis E
gations “alive” until they could recover somewhat.

So for two years I preached more than fifty miles from wi ne
added many to the cause of Christ. But for two long — She gli
receive as much compensation as the harness pagar ny fog sae
but I labored on, having funds of my ent being sure that w

; , y . the help.
spent my brethren would come to : , ;
shen Hookerton church called me to its care and ose wing Hae
ensation and then Antioch so I labored on and in eh i Ran
found that I had spent one thousand dollars an ee pd votes pon,
y rough the zeal of our adr ; pS
Dixo OY ode tha eeceas of cooperation which last fall gage ae
ae ‘ds ne hundred dollars just in time to pay a debt which wa eae
T baptized et a former report shows, some forty a naj ae ara ey or
> ized last fall was our excellen POs) ce rns
ropa toggle of our most eminent preachers. If eer
ere had ey accomplished this would have compensated the Un

i i ht school.

ting. During the winter I taug
Pon nt the evangelical committee met in paeeh: 1 eee ee oe aa
i "4 elist, but being at a time when bu f 0 , ;
br | digas es lage ert much and received pay only for the time occu

Lae apnea ieeginag gain put in the field in order to be with

ge oy ga oa wan SE wi as he was taken to New Berne
the talented and beloved Bro. Wilson, hipaa ee tthe Coantk.

intment a \
I thought best to fill an appoin ee a a eat wie
ae started after spending a day or tw Fe f ’
hdatened F Peeevsagte th is delivering some good discourses on Sunday night

Monday and Monday night, which resulted in confession of two persons
whom I baptized before leaving.

From Fellows Chapel I started for Hyde County and met my appoint-

ment on Saturday before the 4th Lord’s day in May ne na slag
earnest to contend for the faith once delivered to the Sa en egy
or two the only appearance of success was the nen, Maggy Ye alee
preaching continued more than a week at Middle ok : agen ag hein
confession of fifty-three persons. Could you my bre ripagl wae ek ree
tributed to the noble cause of sending the Gospel to ogaerwese od a
seen the joyfull success of the truth there, you wou . pans aA:
eerie Nees Ohi ig "4 ane apap ta ata at the latter
Yeals apel, arks Se ) : 7
6 Hagia reali 7 had organized a church of some twenty-five or

(65)

 
thirty members but they had no Hymn Books and I furnished them with
a goodly number and circulated a thousand or two of the best of Frank-
lin’s and Holman’s Tracts. Our cause is triumphant in that section as
about thirty have united since I left. On the 2nd Lord’s Day in June I
preached at Old Ford, Beaufort County, to a goodly congregation, re-
ceived six dollars, which with two raised down the country made eight
dollars received up to this time. The people of Hyde have been very
unfortunate, not having made more than one good crop since the war
and as they depend upon Bro’s Davis and Cason for preaching I told
them to give what they could to them.

On arriving home, I found my crop in bad condition so I ceased to
travel for a while, but attended Hookerton, 3rd Lord’s Day in June and
heard Bro. Wilson and with him went to Loosing Swamp, where he con-
tinued to preach to interesting congregations until Wednesday; he bap-
tized two persons, then the meeting closed and I returned home.

On the fourth Lord’s Day, I preached to a large congregation at Han-
cock’s Meeting House. On Wednesday returned home and labored on
my farm until the 1st Lord’s Day when I preached at Mount Pleasant;
had one confession, an interesting young lady whom I baptized the same
evening. During the next week I preached a number of times at Forbes
School House, without any success as far as I know. Bro. Allen came
and gave us an excellent sermon one day. On the 2nd Lord’s Day in
July I attended at Antioch and returned home, 3rd Lord’s Day in July
attended at Hookerton and heard Bro. Burns preach. His sermon was
listened to with much pleasure by most of the Disciples. The same eve-

ning I tried to preach at Harts School House, from thence I returned
home.

On Saturday before the 4th Lord’s Day in July we commenced a meet-
ing at Taylor’s School House, Greene County, and with the help of Bro.
Burns and Bro. Hart, continued the meeting for five days and baptized
five persons. I then took Bro. Burns in my buggy and brought him home
with me and on Friday we commenced a meeting at Mt. Pleasant and
continued for ten days, and considering the opposition in that section,
the success was great, being ten added to our hand. From thence we
went to Antioch and with our much loved and zealous Bro. Winfield
who had commenced a meeting there. For a few days it seemed to be
dull but before it closed a considerable interest was manifested and the
result was ten added to the church there, and the church much revived.
To-day, (Nov. 14, 1872), I am at home ready to depart on to-morrow to
meet you at the Cooperation. With a heart full of gratitude to you for
your confidence and the enabling of me to carry out my Master’s cause
without bearing all the burden myself, permit me to thank you.

To recapitulate, permit me to say that though it has been more than
three months since I was appointed yet I only claim for services of two
months, during which time I have delivered and heard if I mistake not
about seventy five discourses. I have baptized sixty nine persons and
received seven who had been baptized making seventy six in all. I have
furnished many Hymn Books and circulated thousands of pages of tracts.
I received eighty four ($84) from your treasurer. Sister Nannie Joyner,
daughter of Bro. Allen, whose noble sympathy prompted her, gave me
$10. Old Ford Church gave me six dollars ($6) which with two ($2)
dollars received from the country, makes eighteen ($18) dollar evan-
gelical money received, besides something for pastoral labor, and also
two hundred dollars presented by my very dear friend, R. A. Bynum,
which had been promised some months, to liquidate a debt, which bade
fair to call me from the Evangelical field, but by the timely aid of Bro.
F. W. Dixon, Sister Clara Dixon, L. J. Barrett, Turner May, and R. A.
Bynum, I was saved the necessity of returning to the school room and
farm to make the money. God bless them all. Having a very expensive
family my way is not clear, but I shall labor on as God permits. I am
now offered the school at Greenville which it is thought would pay a
thousand or fifteen hundred per year but as my labors in the Gospel
field would be crippled I have no idea of taking it, but as the funds of

(66)

i loy men
the present meeting are so meagre would it not be better to employ

who have no family.

In addition to the pr 1
pair of boots and his son gave me a nic
gave me a nice hat, as the Lord seems t

nan Affectionately yours,
JosepHUS LATHAM.

i llen gave me a fine
3 seived my dear Bro. A I
roager iy: e hat, and sister Nannie Joyner

o be raising up friends in time

1872, their three evangelists were

2 ee Wat urban:
At this Hookerton meeting in Novembe Lapis aa n rage

paid a sum of $129.26. For the ensuing year,

vane him.
{ f i ount to be advanced to
vork nths for $150; half of this am mans
ras tags reve Union in February, 1873, offerings from s1x churches to :
rareretn uae ae : d Burns, were paid a total o

led, $118.10. Their two evangelists, Harper an
$125.75.

i Jni st 1874. He
Walsh in his Watch Tower reported the Antioch Union of Augu 7

y, “w rery hospitably pro-
i f 3s W. May, “who very
S ‘tained in the home of Jame ; ena
Sexe eae Gi wants.” Fourteen preachers were present. hi i Se
e a a y r fs) a a s,
vant Evangelical Committee employed Bropher re = epee
and we think he will make a good eo Si ie ; rae Aaa
i yheé Sw ting in y, 1875, J
At their Wheat Swamp mee : + tar are eee
was appointed consisting of Joseph H. Foy, F. We eal phates eres
They were to consider probable ,changes 1n aap Hae Pigg et aici
iti ilitati vainst effective support of the ;
conditions militating agains ae
were declining, only $45 being sagas a Leap peta go Seas a
h i cer uly 29, ; z
t again at Hookerton on J : Sears
any oe they paid it all to Allen and Latham ee bea aanet ke
saviwal rustiohes and Nichols Schoolhouse 1n Pitt County.
revivals t :

ilitati The leaders had perhaps
i rarily i d of rehabilitation. ;
Sa en aaa of pa currently in their annual State Meet

wearied in well-doing. se wack nae

ing, said: “The cause of Christ is languishing from a

F Missi ry zeal.” we oe zt enh sg!
Wed vege tee 877 The North Carolina Christian Missionary Society,
i pt

ae me ae into The North Carolina Christian Missionary Con-

Py = years later : i r borne
cba ie age ponte was to share largely in the load hitherto
vention. his he

i + by this Cooperation Union. : 34 ao
Ed erered ue eepnag ori met at Eden, with cash in bank at Wilson to
April 28-30, 1882,

i i 525 There followed in December their meeting at side Sot
Sots Gui ey 5 rged by Moses T. Moye in person, and by 2
soebegorRirae: seigtel wha’ Gansta Christian Missionary Convention, to bers
ha shal “4 reed in Raleigh. Moye was made Corresponding
oge

ret of the s ve res e is 1

[ tt iv ssponse to this appeal.
ary of istrict to promote effective ies Sa
mig : Riv see nion Sept. 28-30, 1883, a set of by iene pet’ prese ted
. en ese required an annual election of officers, each to serve
Thes

Raye president, I. L. Chestnutt; vice president,

one year. Those elected were: reasurer, E. A. Moye.
Willis R. Williams; secretary vat ee : nrg cyryiareidag Mane ge ets
Ini 2 t the clos .
The Rountree Union came a ‘ tic’ basis, sonie were at
iwarai rderly and sytema ,
ganized at Riverside on an order'y * eS was $419.92.
+ ae ‘whines to begin and how to begin.” The eualens Sao iS pH cas
wie ras a strong feeling to open a mission in Raleign: an
“There was a s §

enti begin work as
the Union agreed to cooperate with the State Convention and beg

soon as possible.”
Funds accumulated while
State’s capital. Meanwhile in January,

(67)

they cast about for a pioneering pastor at the
mith 1886, they gave $200 to the mission

 
at New Bern. At the Antioch Union in
given to Raleigh.

tinued the Raleigh mission,

belonging to this Union were donated to the New Bern Church.”

church at Dunn was considered. Reportedly th

to be devoted to the work at that place”.
Retracing our history for a few

ey had “some means in hand

Seven “Union Meeting
gnized in their formal

Districts” which had been organized, were then reco

proceedings, namely: Mill Creek, Jones-Onslow, Hookerton, Pamlico, Pungo,
Old Ford, and Albemarle. The Hookerton consisted of the fifteen churches:
Kinston, Alpha, Wheat Swamp, Hebron, Bethel, Eden, Hookerton, Wilson,
Antioch, Corinth, Red Oak, Rountree, Salem, Riverside, and Timothy.
Alpha, Hebron and Salem were in time discontinued; Antioch and Corinth,
merged in Farmville; and Wilson became attached to the Coastal Plains
Union. The Hookerton had the largest number of churches, except Albe-
marle which had 17.

These Unions like everything human hav

and caricature. Wherefore as expected, Claris Yeuell, a British-born itin-

erant evangelist, and withal a transcendental critic, visited eastern Carolina
Disciples in 1903. As briefed he said this:

e ever been a target for criticism

Our Union District meetings are not much better than mobs, mass
meetings at best, generally swayed by some agitator gifted with gab in
speech or prayer. Wind rather than work is at a premium. Sound
rather than sense reigns supreme. We must have less blarney and more
business; resolute less and operate more. The day for pow-wows is
rapidly passing; the day for plans is here.

None of these meetings should be held over Sunday. Such interferes
with the regular work of the pastors and gives too much opportunity
for picnicking, frolicing, and courting. Fasting rather than feasting
should prevail. More grace and less grub. Less munching and more
meditating. We should have mercy upon the housekeepers, when help
is so hard to get. Let more ginger and snap be put into all of our or-
ganizations. We are not living in the 18th century. To accomplish any-
thing we must march to the music of the advancement of the age.

Through the decades the fortunes of the Hookerton
no preacher would attend.

and no minister was there. A. J. Moye, layman, on Sunday, conducted the
entire service by scripture reading and prayer. He wrote: “Brother minis-
ters don’t you think that something is wrong that the peo
our Unions and no minister present to speak to them.”

has varied. Sometimes

The Union met at Airy Grove on May 29, 1904,

ple come out to

At the Timothy Union in January, 1905, the time was changed for the
gatherings to the first Wednesday and Thursday in May and October. W. R.

Howell was at this meeting, and reported the lunch, typical of an age-old
rural hospitality as follows:

The dining room whose carpet was dead
whose walls were scattered pine forest
head ceiling was the pure canopy of G
but the dinner was all the more refre

grass of last summer, and
and cotton fields, and whose over-

od’s heaven, was just a little cool,
shing.

In 1905 they helped Macclesfield. They had previously helped Airy Grove,
Greenville and Grimesland. The Women’s Missionary Sessions were held
in conjunction with the Unions. At Farmville on Dec. 28, 1907, Miss Ada

(68)

May 1887 their entire funds were
In 1888, when pastor-evangelist C. W. Martz had discon-

“all of the furniture, carpets, ete. at Raleigh
The new

itati Miss
Tyson presided over the Women’s session, featured by a sy ga wins recy
Henrietta Moye. The next meeting in March, 1908 was also he ae rte.
Farmville people covered themselves all over with glory in the enterta
e Union.” i :
yada at LaGrange in January, 1909, each minister was asked eh ee
to hold a revival at some destitute point. The August ie minced
was held at Hookerton, “the one” as C. Manly Morton said, ni oan ™
District is named. It stood as a beacon when our churches - © _ shes
whose name should be dear to every Disciple.” Fremont, Art ag bite bs
dell were helped and with The American Christian Missionary a el Ae
Living Links for Wilmington and Rocky Mount were sustained. pra
the church had been dedicated on May 30, 1909. A. G. yey ia Bip Sats
of John T. Walsh, assumed the Fremont debt, but through so gp hegre
standing the contractor sued the church, sent Pl thine ge Meas .
; i kerton Union which gene ‘
came to the attention of the Hoo Sy
paid by them. Their “treasurer had the pleasure of sending Fremon
check for this amount.” 5 : ane
In cooperation with the Jones-Onslow Union in. 1916, i! ves
was employed to serve as a Bible School worker in ssnewateea sean
i kerton Union app
A summary in January, 1924, of Hoo : shin
terial salaries, showed recent helps to Raleigh of ale pan lasagne nia
On buildings there had been given $200 to Deep wool () mac yors: a
Also $50 had been paid by them for a revival at Deep wen say tee ie
a young preacher in training at Wilson the sum of $307. ‘ eae Rei
yet helping at Durham, and in April, 1928, the Union met ae pasa oie
“that their money had been well spent.” Ten years pee _ onan rni ss
plant was remodelled the Hookerton gave the fret bric st ee
with the Disciples Youth Conference, $25 was given to help co
i turning. rae
es io pater or of Kinston was “an aged and honored Colored ree
1 Y on He was in need. The Union at their meeting in Ra sp vit
ete i 5 i nse: “I can
i i f $15.35. His respo
im their free-will offering o Am
st ogee ahs you all as I wish to but I ask God to bless the brother
w 3 J
i ion i 4. The
me ja ans loan fund was projected by the Union m gnats ap tg
administrative Committee: W. H. Brunson, Mark H. Smith, Hug “
J. F. Carr, A. J. Craft, and Mrs. Charles Jackson. 2 yi Reh
“At the Red Oak Union on Jan. 26, 1949, the C. M. F. in the r Agu
nized as “Men of Hookerton.” First officers: president, Guy ee
a president, Mark H. Smith; secretary, Arch J. Flannigan; tre ;
ta ape ities,” was held at the Grifton
i i 4 1 Unities,” was he
ifying panel discussion on “Pastora RS ; ae
hits s *y 1949, Sam Bundy, moderator, The ministerial Sth engi
set hak aan teat y assembled and administered in noe Sap
7 . . : : 5 ‘
ddiahuie Christian College. At the Grimesland Union, ro at mretetcesa ar
Cox announced that four ministerial students were currently
ional aid. ‘ ie aee
TW “Men of Hookerton” meeting at Greenville, Jan. 16, sp sai $75
the State Missions office toward acquirement of a movie a wanes mt:
At the Eden Union, April 20, 1960, C. C. Ware was asked to p
monograph. : ee eae
Membership in the 21 churches of the Hookerton Union totals 5

(69)

 
TRAVEL OF F. M. GREEN

Francis Marion Green, (1836-1911), of Summit County, Ohio, travelled ex-
tensively for three weeks among eastern North Carolina Disciples in 1883.
From his news-letter, The Christian Standard, Cincinnati, Ohio, carried his
story in its issues of Nov. 24, Dec. 1, and Dec. 22, of that year. Green had
been Corresponding Secretary of The American Christian Missionary Society,
1878 to 1882. It was a time when patterned executive boards of State Mis-
sions were being created, locally and constitutionally, wherever warranted
respectively by Disciple strength and desire. His was a mission of consulta-
tion in fellowship to expedite that end in North Carolina, opportunely and
effectively. John T. Walsh said of Green’s visit: “He has helped and encour-
aged us much by his preaching and teaching, and also by his wise counsel.

Wherever he has been with our churches and people he has endeared himself
to thousands of hearers.”

Relating specially to the Hookerton Story are parts of Green’s letters here-
with briefed as follows:

{ have rarely ever had a more interesting tour among the churches to
“see how they do,” than that which I have just closed in North Carolina.
I preached Thursday and Friday nights, (Sept. 20, 21) in Kinston. It
is a thriving little city of about 2000 inhabitants in the center of a rich
cotton-producing country. It has among its citizens several enterprising
men, the effect of whose presence is seen in the rapid improvements
that are going on. It has about the usual number of churches in such
a town. In educational matters it is also quite active. It has a good
graded school with over 240 pupils. Kinston College is located here with
105 students. I had the pleasure with Dr. John T. Walsh of once at-

tending the opening exercises and I-was pleased with the general arrange-
ment of the school.

As Kinston is a growing town and on a railroad it is fast becoming a
“preacher’s retreat.” At present perhaps ten of our preachers get their
mail from its postoffice. Besides E. E. Orvis, who is pastor of the church,
Dr. John T. Walsh and Dr. Henry D. Harper have their residences here.
The church numbers about 100 members. Bro. Walsh has been in the
field as state evangelist during the past year, and Dr. Harper practices
dentistry during the week and preaches on Lord’s Days in the country
around. Dr. Walsh has been a faithful worker in the State for a genera-
tion. He has a lovely family and a good home. I enjoyed myself without
stint while I remained under his roof as a guest. Bro. Orvis has been
preaching for the church at Kinston two or three years and has given
satisfaction. Sister Orvis was away from home and Bro. Orvis was doing
the honors for “Batchelor Hall’? during her absence. I made my home
while in the city, especially at night, in the family of Bro. N. D. Myers
where I was delightfully entertained. I preached three times in Kinston,
the last night to a crowded house. I shall not soon forget my visit there,
and the names of Orvis, Walsh, Harper, Tull, Cox, Myers, Mewborn, and
others will be remembered not only for their Christian characters, but

on account of the interest they showed in the happiness of the pilgrim
preacher while in their midst.

From Kinston we went to Wheat Swamp where we had a large audi-
ence for mid-week, and where I formed several new acquaintances;
among them, William Sutton, now 89 years old; Noah Rouse, and J. M.
Mewborn, both old subscribers of The Standard, Ed Sutton, and others.
I was accompanied to this place by Dr. Walsh, D. W. Davis, and H. C.
Bowen, all preachers, and several others from Kinston.

was still held in grateful remembrance by the brethren pean Y ov
Hookerton. The church numbers about 70 members among W om ae
eall the names of Dr. H. D. Harper, who os gi oe for es ae
§ i é ixon, an s.

ar xx C. Hart, Irvin Jones, Mrs. Sally Led 7 = vis
ark ggg country about Hookerton is very an “ye i —
has one of the finest farms I saw while I was in the ae e. phi Myer
ance at the Hookerton meeting was good, though not as large as
have been if there had been no high water.

From Hookerton we went to rai ee ety Agee yah
Mf . lina veterans preaches. At this cl p i >
ec aT gp extra sermon to celebrate my pda cower rly =H
‘ Sept. 28 1883). We had good congregations, senecially wag vt a
church “numbers about 100 members, of whom I remember i QD »

and wife, James Brooks, L. K. Weatherington, and F. M. Kilpatrick.

iversi i mbership of 25, presided over
After Salem came Riverside with a me Se pence gle
2 i Ci an, and J. B. Gardner. Among “ch: :
Ps wer, Satine. and Laurie J. Chapman. As this ib aay ts
union meeting of a little group of churches, I ee lags en
Elder,” and of course did all the preaching, and . i a Parte ee
times. My reception by the a 83 hla a oe ene -
hi y at Riverside, in ‘ a
oe Al Snell I bade farewell and started for Washington,
(a) ity 8 Id,
25 miles away. Ke eh Ee
7 i é this year at Farmvi
) State Convention was held ; i vom
eae It began October tine pe age CaN ety pegs Pr dp ines
ting and largely attended. Se
an pe + iy Shame aggre at the meeting, though Lp gh yh tga
H.C. Bawa J. W. Trotman, D. W. Davis, and John T. Wals

service also. With great unanimity the Convention put itself into line

> wt
with the General Christian Missionary Convention, and adpoted a simple

i ituti ide them in their business.
were eran sath: This is a beautiful and growing yet
vas te on pare was with “Uncle Peter Hines,” as all call pee! seed
iter ok’ yo reh and the mayor of the city, and a good man. co
Wile: con" et. 16th and came on to Norfolk, Va., where I staye poy
Wilson Nd ore rell Then I started for home. I arrived just in a
ragarbey enn paheqntes leaving again to attend the great Conventions

ra ist) at Cincinnati. , : i
spare he rag eter gone some 36 days. During that mage. fee ae
a cluan aud lled by railroad and steamer over 2000 miles rat
37 times and alll I did not miss a single appointment, neither bee
women Tay la ie 740 noint, save perhaps once. I was not sick red the
Sn aalther aid I feel scarcely once a sense of weariness @u g

aa Sag ‘en in North Carolina.
38 he brethren in Nor \ :

i reat hopefulness to the thre r eam

Shear eth = striding forward with vigor. Baga re es a
tions are springing up on every hand. Old methods J

t not be laggard
Hi the church can not and must
rp apg gerd Pe the “Old North State must sing through her
in "

i ar. Her
I : ine woods another song than that of piping Fateh YS ie
Sabockive forests shall hear the thunders of a new anther

of freedom and general intelligence and enterprise.

TRAVEL OF LOUISE KELLY

Tighe elapse re ¢ h of

In the fall of 1899, Mrs. Louise Kelly, of Emporia, Kansas, =i ria hy

Hookerton, Greene County, was our next place, whither we went from field service for the Disciples’ National Women’s work to the s as a

Wheat Swamp, and found a pleasant home with Mr. Travis Hooker and z j ; am department appearing in the monthly Missionary

his family. This is one of the old churches of the State. I had long was editor of the sity Sa ef ial call for the general field. She spent ten

known it, because for several years my old Hiram friend, Sister Mary Tidings, and an organizer on Rpects 94-97, 1899), at Wilson, and on an
Atwater Neely, had lived in its midst. I was glad to know that her name days visiting the State Convention, (Oct. 24-27, ‘

7 s. Five of these
iat administrative mission to eleven other Tar Heel churches

were: Greenville, Ayden, Grifton, Kinston, and Wheat Swamp.

(71)

 
Writing for the Watch Tower, Washington, N. C

., issue of Nov. 17, 1899,
she reported as herewith briefed:

I have had the privilege of meeting many of y
heart has been cheered and strengthened by your
I have pulled the latchstrings of many homes t

As 1 have ridden through your pine forests and drank in deep breaths
of your spice-laden air, I have yearned to see all the land redeemed for
the service of man and your sons and daughters saved to a life of con-
secration for God.

I was much pleased with
Professor Asa J. Manning a
excellent work and need yo

ou face to face, and my
cordial Christian spirit.
o find it ever the same.

my visit to Ayden and your college there.
nd his corps of earnest teachers are doing

ur sympathy and prayers, made effective by
strong financial support. At Ayden a most promising auxilliary (C. W.

B. M.) of 23 members was organized, with 12 subscribers to Tidings.

At Greenville I found an earnest band of brethren and sisters eager
to begin some definite work for Christ, so an auxilliary was formed here
with 14 members and more to follow; also six subscriptions to the
Tidings received. With a little real encouragement a strong working
church can be organized here.

May we all with one accord seek to make t
a year unto our Lord, with the

grant and acceptable by the fran

his year of our Lord, 1900,
priceless gold of our ministry made fra-
kincense of our prayers.

TRAVEL OF J. L. WINFIELD, No. 1

At the Fellows Chapel Union in May, 1872, J. L. Winfield, who had been
employed as a travelling evangelist by the Second District, (Hookerton
Union), tendered his written report. From this an edited extract follows.
It is to be noted that he led the “lower churches” to form on May 10-12, 1872,
their own “Cooperation” Union Meeting. This was at Goose Creek in Pam-
lico County, which evolved into the present Pamlico Union. When it began
the Pamlico enrolled 11 churches in the three counties of Carteret, Craven
and Pamlico, having altogether 443 members as reported to their Kinston
State Convention, Oct. 10-13, 1872. The largest church, (91 members), in

this new fellowship, was Bethany (Arapahoe) which had formerly participat-
ed in the old Second District.

Winfield reported:

I have been devoting my time exclusively to evangelizing. My labors
have been effectual. I received aid from your treasurer on March 24,
1872, which enabled me to buy a horse. My first efforts were at Taylor’s
Schoolhouse, (Eden), March 31. Found the church in a prosperous con-
dition. On April 7, I was at Trinity, Beaufort County. Baptized one
lady into Christ. Second Lord’s Day in April visited Antioch, (Farm-
ville). Josephus Latham preached. I preached at night to a large and
attentive congregation. The prospect there is very encouraging. I re-
ceived a call from Jones and Onslow Counties. This was out of the
District but for the good of the cause I readily responded. Preached at
Tuckahoe and Christian Prospect, (Apr. 20, 21) to near 400 people. I
tried to strengthen the brethren. Gratifying to know they were con-
siderably revived. Preached again at Tuckahoe. One lady made the

good confession and was buried with Christ in baptism the same evening
in the presence of a large assembly.

On May 4, I visited Mt. Pleasant and preached three discourses. May
10-12, 1872, visited Goose Creek, Craven County [later Pamlico] where

we succeeded in organizing a new “Cooperation Meeting.” The new
Union Meeting obtained the services of Bro. Jesse W. P. Holton to evan-

gelize. By repeated solicitation I promised to labor twenty days in the
new District by August 1, 1872.

(72)

i f ‘ ding the
Brethren our cause is progressive. May your Sey te sable ag oe time
gospel be crowned with success. Yours in Christian love. J.

evangelist.

TRAVEL OF J. L. WINFIELD, No. 2

i . Winfield
In the Watch Tower which he edited, neue of opwetcrsibeinge a a
narrated his visit to the churches of Riverside, be Raia gr ll
and Kinston, in Lenoir. With respect to his warm es pipe ieee TR
jected book, The Carolina Christian Pulpit, it is mug place ine ap
this beautiful conception of Walsh was merely an bhp pan eran psi
he had previously published his own volume of ene sats: et the eae
it, it would seem highly probable that twelve preac sg ae ag ues
for a similar work much improved in one pi - estas steam
preachers named in the published prospectus nearly a

i Hookerton Union. Aare
TS iec to cover the cost, Walsh asked $80 from each preacher

s vation in the
local ministry who had mostly kept but a step ease of SP Eien bese
long-lasting ruin of the post-war economy, $80 per fe iA 5 eet
money for a cultural object was checked by them as a mirage.

idea was boycotted by poverty. The vision faded.

Following is a brief of Winfield’s account.

i appoint-
We left our editorial sanctum in agg pe rm Ey are ns
t at Riverside church on the 4th Lord’s By arta it
peated Sister Nanna Murphrey’s late age rack gee gn
rear family The congregation on Lord’s BAY oe Smarter
presto ped nso the number that formerly atten ne pao appr
ao eare Ssweed orderly, attentive and devout, ad ye aba bal yp
Sai d loyalty to the truth. The chure areeg soggy picts
dee. vith and a small degree of epee MH as Ponpgee sted
sme eo the left of the pulpit by Bro. a. 7K oon he Meals
Can tat ant, having been called to his eterna tp dee
Corso Riverside. We missed this noble man, and could not refrain
visi side. ie
i i when we reme ; :
filled Goa we petnerny ine wrth friendship that existed between us fo
ed a

euch ‘a long period. Riverside were indeed pleasant and har-

eae ll assurance

The two years we labore t Rabat sere Rema ont

i ted and zealou L

oe thelr’ ee ae Gideon Allen, in 1883, will preach here, and
oO eir f ms

i i lost

i i nd private teaching, regain the ’

Recut asx tc an ek ae ai ai have neglected go kew ary nar
Sree the oh 3 mgs ceive instruction at home from the mi yo et
will a aan epirhor ‘e be more punctual in their et on oe ny
ond ll ged he gy ful branches in the vine. It is Leprenggc neta ra
ren sarap ab at gros congregation who receive all the p pig re qin
gy eae bean and prayerful life ae Rae meg baad poet
og t i 2 inister, and oh, } :
x Phe would pease yoo visits, and reason with them out of

e, i

ys seen oie with Bro. W. C. Butler and his excellent family at Salem
We sojourne ey a

i d
i yer tertained with as much pomp an
petra aia agg ed dha gi pees morning Sane Bac eng
splendor os cel distribution of the rich load brought | y Santa Claus,
oe glartad toe Sein t where we arrived in time to ta oe renter
hers Nag fitpe onrrhe table was bountifully loaded Nese Prscadl ya
Sister J. i. hig our hungry self there was a ver apt gi et
sence glee ere) eatables. oor ~ tea te ae i. ane
; ools 5 5
Fone nad Pech Bing torrie Iacs, They are liberally patronized.
n ,

(73)

 
We learned that Professor Joseph Kinsey opened here a graded school
New Year’s Day, 1883, with a respectable number.

Three representative ministers of the Christian Church are located
here, Elders, Walsh, Orvis, and H. D. Harper. Bro. Orvis preaches for
the local church; several have been added and the congregation has
steadliy increased, until the attendance is the largest in town. Dr.
Walsh is gathering material for the forthcoming “Carolina Christian
Pulpit.” The Dr. is laying his foundation to get out a work that will
be in every Christian family in the State. Twelve sermons from twelve
representative Carolina ministers will be in the book; also a fine por-
trait of each, with a biographical sketch of the contributor. What a
memento to have in every library! Dr. H. D. Harper has recently re-
moved to Kinston and opened a dental office at his residence. We step-
ped in and found that he had his patients’ chair adjusted to all classes.
If the patient is of an excitable or nervous disposition the chair is so
adjusted that in one second it is lowered and the patient is as comfort-
able as if he was on the best bed. To facilitate his work he has an engine
of the very best quality and the patient can go through the operation of
cleansing or plugging with the greatest ease and comfort.

It was our intention to attend the Wheat Swamp Union, but the in-
clemency of the weather prevented us. Our visit was exceedingly pleas-
ant, and we shall not soon forget the many happy reminiscenses con-
nected with our trip.

 

TRAVEL OF A. C. HART
At the Corinth Union in February 1872, A. C. Hart, of Hookerton, was oo

employed by the Second District to visit the newly organized churches of

Colored Disciples of Christ. It was conducted as an advisory, helpful mis- NOTICE.

sion. In his report dated May 14, 1872, presented at the succeeding Union

at Fellows Chapel, he said: per copy of this Booklet is $1.00.

Price
I have discharged the duty entrusted to me. On April 14, I preached
at Moseley Creek. The congregation was small. On the same day I went
to Stoney Creek Church. Bro. Joseph H. Foy preached to a large audi-
ence, after which he and I and elder Samuel Rountree ordained three
Colored brethren to the ministry, also the elders and deacons of both of SSS
the above named churches. On May 5, I preached at Southwest on the
south side of Neuse River: congregation large and attentive. Here we
set apart another brother to the ministry and ordained elders and dea-
cons of two congregations. May 12, I went to Moseley Creek; preached
to an attentive audience. Those brethren manifest a great zeal for

Christ, and are very anxious to know the gospel truth. I have no doubt
that great good will be the result of our labors.

Order from C. C. Ware, Box 1164, Wilson, N. C.
rder os

 

 
To THE SEVERAL CHURCHES .
REPRESENTED IN CONVENTION,

“Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from
the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Beroven Bretaagy :—In consequence of the anti-christian course,
most rigorously pursued towards us, by those with whom we have,
heretofore, been associated, we met in convention, according to previ-

ous arrangement, at Little Sister Meeting-House, Lenoir County,
North-Carolina, on Friday before 5th Lord's day in March, 1834.
After some explanatory remarks, relative to the necessity and object
of the meeting, by Elder Wili

iam Clark, Elder Abram Congleton was
called on to preside, and Bro, Bznjamin F. Eborn to register the pro-
ceedings of the Convention.

The following Churches were represented, viz:

WHERE SITUATED, DELEGATION PRESENT.

eee cL there cLcTinTtttatcteeatieeee. creme tess Geena ee

Old Ford,

ee oe

Beaufort County. | John Leggitt.

‘Tranter’s Creek, ditto. Edwin Gorham.
Smythwick’s Creek, | Martin. Letter by J. Leggitt,
Grindale Creek, Pitt. Benjamin F. Ebron,

Wiliam Clark.

: Charles J. Rountree,
Rountree’s, ditto. | Willie Nobles,
Isanc Baldree,
A. Congleton,
Mla Dunn,
Little Sister, Lenoir. itndo Canfield,
‘ ° Arthur Tull,

James 8. Destnond, °
J. P. Dunn,

above named brethren agreed to
unite, taking for their bond of union, the word of God, recorded in the

Old and New Testaments: in whichis revealed, the only legitimate
foundation for the faith and obedience of the disciples of Jesus Christ,
They also concarred in rejecting every thing written since the canoni-
cal books of the New Testament, as of any authority in the kingdom
of God, (which our Saviour informs us is not of this world—John xviii,
36.): of which kingdom our Immanuel is the rightful Sovereign,
and for the Proper government of which, the New Testament contains

After mature deliberation, the

holesome la ey
piste! all things pertaining to their holy religion.
go

*
~

ws. By these, slone, they are willing to be

Friday before 5th Lord's day in signi. 1834,
BENJAMIN F. EBORN, Cik.

} ad 7 hat Br i P un ereg te OD P inutes
5. D tt be request nf to prepare these Mi
Reso pea, eee

} stri ng the
have 500 copies printed and distributed among
Dre ee ntion and elsewhere.

B. F. EBORN, Clk.

Done in Convention,

_ 2. .
churches composing the Conve

eet ‘ aor y es y ching
¥ eling the respons: wiih NECESLAT onnec ted with teac
& P

. f 3 nd as } te t 2 . : rt the
ad ly yel en oi Gur Red yemer, and Knownhig, @ the samc tin ie,
ihe hol gue vs

dabuse which have been simed al our err. ens

RE a s hereticks Campbeliites, &e., we wee g
by dengupesng v4 * of the publick likewise, of the in-
+ 3) auch unfounded and unhallowed charges, proceeding
a ET Podether with a few other brethren, we
Se Ae aint syerennto appended, our determination

in f matters of religion, solely by God's holy
ta bs governed in future, 11 matter

We ure aware that the great and beneficent pur-
¥e@ ar? are
i ive our
hich tt sotures of divine truth were given to us by
a fur which the seriptures ©
Die wae ' a great degree perverted, by Rigi
ee VEC t & : : z
ani insteas
h ve the religious dogmas of human invention, .
ise of thém to prove tue re.1g! ay cas
ans “ ss os tq lamp to our feet and a light to our path, g «s
a * ; # ‘
ia a sons of that “rest which remains for the peop!
fi 4@ mansion
Ve , ae rn mast conviction of the truth of this, we have
fF tod.” Under toc 8 os : Sin
of e : ¢ ourselves to the study of the holy scriptures, tb prayer,
reso. ved to gry 2

i &e. Whatever, therefore, others may
for

these

to disabuge your minds, aud

minut
have expressed, 0 the minut

tnletry © hea wor ,
ee Se ae tin saying, by way of slandes and abuse,
Pe elves istified im saying, 9) ;
page Sug isti fections from us, and thereby
f weaning your christian aie —
” alae hisses among you, It shall be our highest aim
destroying our usetaine

ited?
e hi nong you save “Christ and him crucihed.
fhake known nothing amon;

se true. there are but few of us thusfunited upon the Ree. of
bebe rata d Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chie o
sae em qually true, that this is our high privilege, bles-

ergtoné; yetitis °qu rE
; fas ers with the protection of our happy goverament
se e wil

ligi -rants, (though not from the calumni-

ae oe eyes Waiiowia ohh the holy scriptures,

Sik: Pat tele Tameihy “are able to make oer ae

, raul tells Ae “ in. ii. 15t bd, conte

ach faith which is inChrist Jesus,” 2d. Tim. iti. _ hone

aa nares Apostle of the Gentiles, “all gitssiaet Dich Nee

tion of God, and is profitable for doctrine, pale gins ac ae

jnstruction in righteousness, that the eet aes, ena

thoroughly furnished unto all good works. pedi dl ae
plain and forcible declarations of the Apostle, we

ive, and
ta the consideration of our dear brethren, the earnest, attentive,

‘

 
pra yerf ul perusal and study of the holy scriptures, and “ laying aside all
malice, and all guile, and hypocrisics, and envies, and vee speaking
? o * ; } ; ee
: Pe ahi i ie Nate of the word, that you may
brethren, instead ottutcine aods fr ‘ +i = ae eaten
slander, misrepresent bite a d ia i gates ine
opinion with you, ass ucla : a sc nig = :
the privilege of being Lords over God's hee 55 | ie habe
one another, by exercising eanaetees Be aie .
hymns, spiritual soners Schecilees $ a ae ais sree
profession which bel las vim le HD — i a
conversation.” * this it en as pet: Feet lca nate edly
Sutin si a _ christian duty, we may all cxpect to
ty ee po & ; _ ; jovyand one of God's Holy spirit, while
cas : ¥ nh; and be assured, that if our earthly house of this
: ancl were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not
chi eaten oe in the heavens.” Lot the blissful ahaurence
7. MR : - us, while exposed to the bitter shafis of our
toa att ‘ea, a as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, (says
pire im. aes, so do these also resist the truth: men of cor.
(aber (eee the dott But they shall proceed no
haere. in eas anal ae pel be manifest unto
pele 5 ee mpi : e : us ta ° F aul then, brethren, for
iecas fick a ine, manner of life, Purpose, faith, long.
eee she any & ence, persecution, afflictions:’* out of them
cand CMe Be: a one purecing the same course, we have
the Apostle, Sand all th hb ri ap oh a ees
PA be at will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer
ldais ee mers me seducers shall wax worse and worse,
neh be eee g prowire: Seeing then that these things are
o oe apie Mise t ¢ sacred pages of the book of books, let us
faith, vin sae i fee and, ‘giving all diligence, add to our
rance ; and to RIS Te Sosa cae ae gpa 2s or
to godliness, brotherly Siatdads : sil to Md a ae ons a
Por if these things be in us and shun tl ne ae Paarl

ane , they make us that we sha
dune ee Pisin in the knowledge of our Lord a
BORE Baca fe Pa he that lacketh these things is blind, and
7 el A ath forgotten that he was purged from his
make our calling and ania eat Poel healed Ba ae
things, ye shall never fall: for we ae. eh pe ct

; ¢ ministered

- ospaenadh a the everlasting kingdom of our Lord any
3 vist.” What swect consolation it affords the humble

disciples of
eemer, to be established in the resent truth. :

2d Pet. tate,

4

Taking all these things into consideration, and casting our cyes over
3d chapter of Peter’s second Epistle, where he was reviewing the second
coming of our Lord, let us apply the forcible language of the apostle
to ourselves; “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and
godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
wherein the heavens being on fire, sball be dissolved, and the elements
shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless, we, according to his pro-
mise, look for new heavens anda new wherein dwelleth right-
" (Not such righteousness, a8 our fierce persecuters have
o force on us, consisting of human opinions, envy,
faith and obedience of the gospel.)
we look for such things, let us be

diligent, that we may be found of him in peace, without spot and

lameless:” ‘‘Now we bescech you brethren, arm yourselres with
the whole armour of God, putting on the breastplate of faith and love,
and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” ‘Take the sword of the spirit
which (Paul says) is the word of God, by which you will be able to
put to flight the eneinies of the cross of Christ. Warn the unruly,
coinfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient towards all
men. Sec that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow

that which is good, both among yourselves, andto all men. Rejoice
evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks, for this
is the will of God'in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench hot the
spirit. Prove all things, hold fast that which is-good. Abstain from
nd the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ;
hole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved
four Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul to Thess,
his gracious instructions. “Breth-

earth,

eousness.
been endeavouring t
and hatred, in oppasition to the

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that

allappearanceof evil. A
and we pray God your W
blamzless, unto the coming ©
ist E.¥.ch. Letus then all receive
ren, pray for us.” ;

In conclusion, dea
or followers of any h

r brethren, we utterly deny being the disciples
uman being on earth, in matter pertaining to the

"christian religion; but on the contrary, take Christ and his holy apos-
thes, as recorded in the New Testament, for our holy instraciers and
teachers under the direction of the Holy Spirit; entirely discarding
every thing, as making any part of it, which we cannot find expressly
written on the face of the sacred pages. We humbly recommend the
game course to our beloved brethren, and all others into whose hands
these few lines may happen to fall; earnestly praying thet God

may add a divine blessing for the Redeemer’s sake.—Amen. _
: WILLIAM CLARK,
ABRAM CONGLETON,

J. P. DUNN.

 
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