602 Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer

the care and treatment of children and maternity cases and to be known
as the “Marion Sprunt Memorial.”

Resolved, further, That this board express to Mr. and Mrs. Sprunt a
keen and sincere appreciation of the generous spirit and Christian pur-
pose which has actuated them in making this gift to the James Walker
Memorial Hospital, and through that means to suffering women and

children of this community, and that this board further express to Mr.
and Mrs. Sprunt its purpose and determination to do all within its

power, both now and hereafter, to see to it that the management and
administration of the “Marion Sprunt Memorial” shall be such as will
in fullest measure accomplish the high purpose for which the gift is
made.

Resolved, further, That we honor the memory of the late Edward

Payson George, who, before his untimely death, cherished a warm af-
fection for his old home in Wilmington and gave it expression in his
deed of trust to James Sprunt and William H. Sprunt of a gift of money
which, with its increment to the first of January, 1915, was to be joined
with a greater sum from James Sprunt and Luola M. Sprunt, his wife,
in the cost of the erection and equipment of a children’s hospital as a
memorial of his friend, Marion Sprunt, and in testimony of his love
for the people of Wilmington.

Resolved, further, That a copy of this resolution of thanks be fur-
nished to Mr. and Mrs. James Sprunt.

This extension will without doubt make of the James Walker
Memorial Hospital one of the best equipped institutions of its
kind in the South.

Since the reception of this generous donation the death of
Mrs. Sprunt has occurred, and more recently that of Mr. Sam
Bear, jr., who was associated with the hospital from its organiza-
tion to the end of his life. After speaking very beautifully of
his life and character and his great usefulness as a citizen, the
Board of Managers adopted the following resolution in acknowl-
edgment of Mr. Bear’s service to the hospital:

Samuel Bear, president of the Board of Managers of the James
Walker Memorial Hospital, departed this life in the sixty-third year of
his age, on March 38, 1916, at his residence in the city of Wilmington.
Since the organization of this hospital, he has been its friend in act
and in deed. He was a member of the original Board of Managers, and
during the years that have followed, gave himself unreservedly to its
service. His interest was vital, and had its origin in a heart that loved
his fellow-man and in a genuine desire to fend a helping hand to suf-
fering humanity.

He gave of his time, of his thought, and of his means cheerfully and
unsparingly, without ostentation and without desire for praise or ap-
proval. He was elected president of this board on October 8, 1912, and
served ably and efficiently in that capacity from the day of his election
until his death. During times of stress, his great business ability was

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active in the service of the hospital, and the administration of its
affairs was given his close personal attention and study.

His personality was pleasing; his sense of humor keen; his sympathy
boundless, and his hand was ever ready to help those in need. He had
the affection and respect of his associates. His loss will be felt by the
entire community, but especially by the hospital and his associates on
this board. His works will live after him.

WILMINGTON CHURCHES.

As the spiritual evolution of any section constitutes the most
vital part of its history, no local history would be complete
without some record of its churches. It is with distinct satis-
faction, therefore, that I have been able to secure from some of
the ministers and members of the churches with which Wil-
mington is blessed the following sketches of the various Chris-
tian bodies represented in this city. These sketches all show the
deep religious fervor, the holy impulse and righteous endeavor,
the unconquerable faith and glorified hope with which the
Spiritual leaders of the community from early times until now
have given themselves to the accomplishment of the Master’s
work. Trusting in a great transcendent Cause, an omnipotent
Energy, a guiding Personality, a rewarding God, they have
taken their relation to Him seriously, and with deathless loy-
alty have sought to work in harmony with His eternal purpose
n the upbuilding of His kingdom on earth.

We are not all Presbyterians, but I think the Shorter Cate-
chism furnishes a question and answer to which we can all
Subscribe: “What is the chief end of man?” “To glorify God
sas to enjoy Him forever.” No wavering philosophy, no un-
oad a groping here, but profound conviction of a distinct per-
: al relation to the Infinite whereby the purchase of eternal

applness embraces man’s glorifying his Creator. And if man
must glorify Him, he must, within the measure of his capacity,
understand Him, so that Pope’s dictum, to the devout, is para-
pest to read, “The proper study of mankind is God.” The
ife that interprets each new experience as a revelation of God
m individual existence, each new movement in history as the
unfolding of His larger plan; that sees each day more and more
of the steadfast purpose, each hour more and more of the in-
finite love and sweetness of the Eternal, will find itself so
dominated by spiritual verities and so held in the thrill of