634 Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer

Comparing numbers betweeen the churches as to white mem-
bers communing in each, I had the advantage of Mr. (since Dr.)
Empie, having some ten or a dozen males to his doubtful one,
while the females may have been about equally divided as to
numbers, giving him, however, and his chureh the prestige of

worldly wealth and honor.
“At that time it was admitted that the Methodists on the

whole were a good sort of enthusiasts, their religion well suited
to the lower classes, especially the negroes, who needed to be
kept in terror of hell fire. It was called the negro church long
after the blacks had left the lower floor for the galleries. And
by those of the historic episcopacy it was especially considered
the proper cognomen. They, from the difficulty, as a plain
countryman phrased it, of learning to ‘rise and sot,’ failed in
capturing the masses. And though wanting the earth, this did
not seem to trouble them. But as far as position, power, or the
spoils of office go—ah, that was another matter. And that high
claim is not abated yet in this year of grace, reminding one of
the resolutions of the Puritan Conclave: ‘Resolved (1st), The
earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof. Resolved (2nd),

 
   
  
   
     
  
     
   
    
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
     
   
     
   
   
     
   
    
     
   
    
    
 

The Lord has given it to the saints. Resolved (3rd), We are

the saints.’

~ «But what was the doctrine proclaimed from that plain pul-
pit? There had come down the ages from a master theologian
the warning, ‘Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine.’
Was there anything of ‘foolish questions, and genealogies, and
contentions, and strivings about the law,’ so vain and unprofit-
able? Anything of ‘vain babblings and oppositions of science
falsely so called’? Nota whit. But the grand doctrine of jus-
tification by faith, and its cognates of original depravity, regen-
eration, and the witnessing Spirit. These rang through those
old walls and caught the understanding of the philosophic and
the unlettered, and the white patrician and the negro plebeian
were alike moved to repentance.”

Mr. Travis, just two years before Mr. Capers, gives an in-
stance: The Hon. Benjamin Smith, ot Orton, governor of
North Carolina, meeting him in the street at Wilmington, de-
sired him to call and see his wife, supposed to be unbalanced in
her mind, her head shaved and blistered, who, after all her seek-
ing of physicians, grew worse. The preacher diagnosed the
case at once and administered the proper remedy— instruction
and prayer. Ina few days a carriage drove up to that humble

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parsonage, and Mrs. Smith entered it exclaiming, “O sir, you
have done me more good than all the doctors together. “You
directed me to Jesus. I went to Him in feith and humble
prayer and confidence. He has healed my soul and body. I
feel quite well and happy.” Anything of hyperbole and eastern
romance in this? Is it not entirely in accord with the doctrine ?
William Capers gives another example: Mrs. G., of the first
class of the upper sort, deeply interested in what she had heard
ee cover of a call upon the preacher’s wife, came to eonsiett
uf e preacher. The doubt on her mind was as to the possibility
_—_ the Apostles’ day, of common people knowing their ius
orgiven. The preacher gave the scriptural proofs freely, re-
ceived with the “How can these things be?’ Mrs. G. was axéotn-
panied by her sister, Mrs. W., better established in the old
creed. And Mrs. W., as a last resort, turning to Mrs. Capers
said: “Well, Mrs. Capers, it must be a very high state of era06,
this which your husband talks about, and I dare say ie eeiy
saintly persons may have experienced it, but as for us, it must
be quite above our reach. I am sure you do not profess it, do
you ” Mrs. Capers blushed deeply and replied in a soft tonie
of voice, “Yes, ma’am, I experienced it at Rembert’s camp-
meeting year before last, and by the grace of God I still have
the witness of it.” That was enough. This witness is true, and
glory be to God, millions still testify to it on the earth. |

Tue Frrest Baptist Cuurcnu.

: ae First Baptist Church of Wilmington was organized
— 13, 1833, with one hundred and twenty-seven charter
. mbers. Prior to this time, little is known of the history of
e Baptist denomination in Wilmington. The first six years
: the church’s history is uncertain, owing to friction with the
rimitive Baptists.
‘Saige the changing years of the city’s history, this church
Piet gig forward steadily with varying degrees of success. The
ri — was Rev. A. Paul Repiton, who served the church
aly . t months, beginning April, 1839. For two years follow-
1g this, the church was pastorless, during which time the pul-
pit was supplied by Rev. I. Innett. Rev. A. J. Battle became
ee February 6, 1842, and served until August, 1843. Dur-
ti 18 period, the spirit of evangelism began to spread through
€ membership, and quite a number were added to the church.