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The CoruANT -American is Pcblished
Weekly in the Interest ok Baktow
(!ocnty, Devoted Mainly to Local
News, and Thinks it has a Right to
Lx pect an Undivided County Patron
age'.
mC Ufl 11 Carte<?syili.k Cr.r*AN r , Bstabllsbf and j toJgol>n)lT , D Iggr
, O—HU.0 —HU. IJ Cawe skyillb Amsbican. • *
DRUGS! DRUGS!
J. n. WIKLE & CO.,
(SUCCESSORS TO D. W. CURRY.)
Hava bow iu store lh bi t i Meted, racrtoomi.iets *n<l varied stock ol
Drugs, Chemicals, Paints, Oils,
Glass, Putty, Perfumes, Etc.
IN NORTH GEORGIA.
(o. U. ... *l. ."•! >' Fb,.klan. l. *"• lU > ll “ *'“*?•
i ur day ftiid night by a I jjtuiriiMM ist.
Ch.as. A. Wikle, Manager.
—:GO TO:-
RICHARD L. JONES
TOR
Fresh Groceries,
An I eveprthing gKtl for the table. FHRBII KOGS and OHK KKVS, HI ri F.U,
i lti;a M C’lflCKsK,
""in IIIy V'riu ’y i; mj loie stock of FAMILY GHIR'KIUKS snd OEN KIIAE MEU-JII
AS I<l SE, I have i.-ntc 1 a storug i l.oaso j ist iiliove m ; wliei-j I k<‘i> a w iys on liana a y joU supply oi
Hay, Corn, Oats, Cotton Seed, Bran and Meal,
Ilia* |am furni h you at th LOWEST FIGITRBsL I deliver goods to any part of Iho city free ol
<li .mu. Sc.ln iun ' lour imtionnge anil promi-ing to treat \ou well, lam jours truly,
RICHARD X.. JONES.
feb‘M ly Went Main Street, Curterevllle, G*.
E. H. JONES & SONS’
MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
CAKTERSVILLE. ROME AND STAMP CREEK, GA.
—Manufacturers of and Dealers in—
BUGGIES, CARRIAGES WAGONS & MATERIAL
ESiS2S2S£SHSHSHSHSHSiiSESHSSSESHSZSHS2S2LSSS2SESaiiiHHSiiS2LS2SiSSHSPSHS
all work fully guaranteed.
We can duplicate the work of any first-class manu
factory in the country in Price, duality and Finish.
We acknowledge no superior in the Carriage Business.
Can build any style of vehicle desired; only the very best
material used. feb3-i y
4 ft*-
About twenty ye*r* fo I discortred a little sore on my cheek, and the doctor* pre
moan red it cancer. I have tried a number of physician*, out without receiving any perma
nent benefit. Among the number were one or two ipeclaliata. The medicine tuey applied
wa* like fire to the sore, causing intense pain. I taw a statement in the papers telling what
8. S. 8. had done for others similarly afflicted.' I procured some at once. Before I had used
the second bottle the neighbors could notice that my cancer waa healing up. My general
health had been bad for two or three years—l had a hacking eougn and spit blood contin
nally. I had a severs pam mmy breast. After taking six bottles of S. S. S. my cough left
ms pjid I grew stouter than I had been for several years. My cancer haa healed over all but
a little spot alxmt the sUe of a half dime, and it is repldly disappearing. I would advise
every one with cancer to give S. S. S. a fair trial.
Miu. NANCY J. McCONAUUUKT, Ashe Grove, Tippecanoe Cos., Ind.
FeV 1, 1988.
Swift's S|>ccifle is entirely vegetable, and seems to curs cancers by forcing out the imps
M Hies from the blood. Treat iso on Blood and Skin Diseases mailed free.
• THK SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., Drawers, Atlanta, Ga.
sl. sl. sl. $l
- gldbe-democrsi
(T IE 3ST PAGES.)
IT E DOLLAE A, TEA
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THE COURANT-AMEKtCAN.
LR EGU L ATORj
PURELY VEGETABLE.
H tell writ* sxtraerdinary • Slceey M Ms
T* VE "> Kidneys.
J tu BOWIU.
AN EFFECT!)AL SPECIFIC FOR
lUUHs, Rural Complaints,
Dy.pMU, Nick Hesdacfe*.
Constipation, Biliousness.
Kidney Affections, Jaundice,
MAntal Depression. Cotts.’
CEST FAMILY MEDICINE
lo Household Should he Without It,
and, by being kept ready for Immediate usst
Will save many an liour of suffering and
many a dollar la time and doctors’ bills.
THERE IS BUT ONE
BIMMONB LIVER REGULATOR
Ess that you §st tils tsaaias with red "2"
•n front #f W ripper. Prepared only by
J.H.ZEILIN & CO., Sols Proprietors,
Philadelphia. Ps. FKICJC, •1.00.
u" RE ?K t TOwnsfm7o
CAPITAL PRIZE. $300,000
LS.L.
Loaisiana Slate Lottery Compy.
Incorporated by the I.celHlnture in 1863, for
IMnmrional ami Chari tali l pirponcH, ami its
rc-anchise made a part of the present State Con
stitution, in U7U, by an overwhelming popular
\ ote.
Its Grand Single Number Drawings
take place monthly, and the Grand
Semi-Annual Drawings regularly ev
ery six months (June and December).
“We do hereby certify that we supervise the
arrangements for all the Monthly and Sera-A n
i,dal Drawings of The Louisiana State Lottery
Cdmpany, and in person manage and control
t he Drawings themselves, and that the same are
conducted with honesty, fairness, ami in good
faith toward all parties, and we authorize the
Company to use this certificate, with fac-sindles
of our signature attached, in its advertisements.”
Commissioners.
We the undersigned Banks ami Bankers will
pay all l’rizes drawn in The Louisiana State
Lotteries which maybe presented at our coun
ters.
J. H. OGLESBY, Pres. Louisana Nat. Bk
P. LANAUX, Pres. State Nat’l Bank.
A. BALDWIN, Pres. N, O. Nat’l Bk.
CARL ROHN, Pres. Union Nat. Bank.
Grand Semi-Annual Drawing
In the Academy of Music, New Or
leans, Tuesday, June 14, 1887,
CAPITAL PRIZE, $300,000.
100,000 Tickets at Twenty Dollars
each. Halves $10; Quarters $3;
Tenths $2; Twentieths sl.
LIST OF PHIZES.
1 PRIZE OF $300,000 is $300,000 f
l PRIZE OF 100,000 is 100,000
1 PRIZE OF 50,000 is 50,000
1 PRIZE OF 25,000 is 25,000
2 PRIZES OF 10,000 are 20,000
5 PRIZES OF 5,000 are 25,000
25 PRIZES OF 1,000 are 25,000
100 PRIZES OF 500 are: 50,000
200 PRIZES OF 300 are 60,000
500 PRIZES OF 200 are 100,000
APPROXIMATION PRIZES.
100 Prizes of SSOO approximating to
$.100,000 Prize are 50,000
100 Prizes of S3OO approximating to
SIOO,OOO Prize are 30,000
100 Prizes of S2OO approximating to
$50,000 Prize are 20,000
TERMINAL PRIZES.
1,000 Prizes of SIOO decided by $300,000
I’rize are 100,000
1,000 Prizes of SIOO decided by SIOO,OOO
Prize are - lOO,OOO
3,136 Prizes amounting to..’. $1,055,000
For Club Rates, or any other information ap
ply to the undersigned. Your handwriting must
l,e distinct and Signature plain. More rapid re
turn mail delivery will be assured by your enclos
ing an Envelope bearing your full address.
Send POSTAL NOTES, Express Money Or
ders, or New York Exchange iu ordinary letter.
Currency by Express (at our expense) addressed
to Bf. A. DAUPHIN,
New Orleans, Ln„
or 51. A. DAUPHIN,
Washington, D. C.
Address Registered Letters to
HEW ORLEANS NATIONAL BANK,
New Orleuua, La.
REMEMBER enee of Ocnrruls
lieaureaa.d and Early, wh * are In charge of the
diawii g-, is a guarantee ol absolute fairness and
int< gii y. that ihe chances are all equal, and that
no one c m pcssib'y Bivins what number will
draw a prize.
RKMK.viiiKR that tho payment of all
Prizes is guakamkei* m kouk Na
tional HANKS of New Orleans, and the
Ticket* are signed by the President of an In
stitution. w hose chartered rights are recog
nized in ihe highest* ourts; tli re-fore, beware
of any imitations or anonymous schemes.
Dr. Cliipman’s Pills
arc a Certain Cure for
t?ICK HEADACHE,
BILIOUSNESS,
COSTIVENESS,
DYSPEPSIA,
DIARRHOEA,
DYSENTERY,
MALARIA
•
anil various diseases arising from a Torpid
Action op thk Liver and Impurity or the
Blood. They do not weaken you, nor do they
produce inconvenience or imitation in their
action.
LADIES troubled with General Debility,
Cold Feet, and Loss of Appetite, will iind these
Pills highly useful.
F. D. LONG, Agent,
No. 1304 Filbert Street,
PHILADELPHIA.
For Sale "by Wikle & Cos.,
nn h 3-iJro
$25,000.00
IN GOLD!
WILL BE PaID FOB
ARBUCKLES' COFFEE WRAPPERS
1 Premium, • 51.000.00
2 Premium*, * 8500.00 each
6 Premiums, • $250 00 “
25 Premiums, • SIOO.OO “
100 Premiums, • $50.00 “
200 Premiums, • $20.00 “
1,000 Premiums, SIO.OO “
For full particulars ami directions see Circa
tor io every pound of Aubcckles' Coitol
CARTERSVILLE, GA., THURSDAY,JUNE 2, 1887.
AS ABLE SEKRD^i,
I On the Death of Dr. J. B. Merer Hu, of
>MkvilU, by Hlibi* MeTtere,
I ’far: “For David after he had aarved his own
weanratk.a hy the will of God, fett on dee*.
I Aci# xiii, 3ti.
i More than sixty year* ago (' *1 ffave
I to this church ami to this jieopl* a yer
' rant to wrrr you in jour Bent and high
wt interest*. Aft*r proving hinßwlfgood
aud faithful be has fallen on sleep, and we
nisei to mourn ami U* bury him.
Forget not to be thankful for tiu* gift,
and that Ot>d endued him ffith such
grace and spared him to you so loug.
Few of this vast congregation had been
born when lie whom body lies before us,
liegau his active ministry. He received
the parent* of many of rAt into the
church, baptized your household*, and
buried your dead An the power of the
wftfrit or la.-T preached lWpßßtrtnce and
pointed to the *-rotyi of He has
promoted good and restrained evfl; re
claim td the erring, eomiiorted the Bumm
er, and instructed the ignorant. In every
form, by wise precept and sjiotlews ex
ample, ne has shown unto you the way
ot'MiUvation. In perjilexity you sought
him for counsel; iu trouble, for sympathy;
iu want, for help. His exceeding common
sense aud great kindness of heart never
tailed you.
While, he has gone to give his account
to the Master, we may well take account
of our loss in such a servant.
He laid himself out for the benefit of
“his own generation;” and this ami the
way he did it, we may well believe, was
according to the will of (iod. He lived
not for himself, neither did he project his
beuevpleoce so far into the uncertain
future as to die a debtor to the age he
lived in. That manliest serves the gen
eration following—starts it off upon a
higher plane—who serves well his own.
Providence indicates, herein, where duty
lies. The gifts that suit one age may not
suit another. The peculiar talents with
which his Maker endowed our deceased
brother he used, aud none other*, lb*
was always himself, and not. another
man—unique, original, strong aud fresh
to the last. Thus he made exactly the
contribution to the welfare of five world
that was needed —a contribution that
other generations may not need in the
same form or degree, but of which -they
will ever be the beneficiaries.
John Berry McFerrin was born iußoth
ford comity, Tenn., June 15, IHO7, and
“fell on sleep” at his home in Nashville,
in the bosom of a loved and loving fam
ily, at 12:55 o’clock a. m., May 10, 1887,
lie was of Scotcli-Irish descent. His
grand father was a Revolutionary soldier,
aud his father, James McFerrin, served
well under Hen. J ackson iu the war of
1812. Converted about the same time
with his son, James McFerrin became a
minister and a member of the Tennessee
Annilot Conference two years before him;
and after efficient service died in the
prime of life. His mother, to whom he
owed, aud delighted to acknowledge
much, died a few years ago at the ad
vanced age of ninety-three.
By request of the Confemce, Dr. Mc-
Ferrin preached, October, 1875, a semi
centenial sermon during the session at
Shellmville, where, in 1825, he had been
admitted on trial. The beginning of his
spiritual life, and its principal stages of
activity were tlms stated by himself in
that discourse:
Oil tlie 20th of August, 1320, I was converted at
a Methodist prayer- ineetingin Rutherford county,
Tenn. Two weeks afterwards in company with
piy i.Ltjnn- and mother. 1 united with the Metho
dist. Ttiis was a surprise to our neighbors, for
they regarded the family as Presbyterian. Soon
after we connected ourselves with the Methodist
l was called upon to pray in public, When
about sixteen years of age l was appointed class
leader. My father having removed to Alabama,
and erected a meeting house and camp ground on
his land, a large society was soon raised up, and
I was put in charge as the principle leader. Aug.
2, 1324 I was licensed to exhort by William Mc-
Mahon, presiding elder of the Huntsville District,
my father being the preacher iu charge of the
circuit. On October 8, 1325’ I was licensed to
preach. The next month I was received on pro
bation into the Tennessee Conference, which con.
veiled in Shelby vHle, Bishops Roberts and .Soule
presiding. I was appointed, with Fish P,
Scruggs, to a circuit embracing Tuseumbiu. Rus
selville, aud the counties adjacent. (The Tennes
see Conference then txoended into North Ala
bama.) My second year was to the Lawrence Cir
cuit , embracing Courtland, Moulton Decatur,
.Somersville and the counties around—Alexander
Sale being my senior. At the end of this
year 1 was ordained deacon by Bishop Souie,
My third and fourtli years was devoted to mis
sionery work in the Cherokee Nation. At theeud
of my fourth year 1 was ordained elder by liishop
Roberts, and appointed, with \V. L.McAlister, to
the Limestone Circuit, embracing the country
west of Huntsville, in Madison county, and the
whole of Limestone county, Ala. My sixth year
I was appointed to the Huntsville station; my
seventh yetr (1831) I labored in ttie Nashville
station,"as the colleague of L. I). Overall. My
eighth year I was agent for LaGrange College,
In 1333 1 was sent to Pulaski station, where I re
mained two years. I was then returned to Nash
ville; then to the Florence district, then two years
to the Cumberland district, embracing Galatia
and Clarksville; back agaiu to Nashville; and in
the autumn of 1340 I was elected editor of the
Christian Ad rotate. In that oltice 1 was contin
ued May. 1853, when I was elected Rook agent.
Tills oltice, with the appointment of missiouery
to the army of Tennessee, I held eight years,
.Since 1866 1 had been secretary of the Board of
Missions. Thus three years on circuits, two
years among the Indians, six years iu stations,
ihree years presiding elder, nearly eight*>eu years
editor, eight years Hook agent and missionary to
the army, ami nearly nine years secretary, make
out my lifty years.
The General Minutes for 1825 show, in
other Annual Conferences oi the Connec
tion, such beginners for that year as
Geo. C. Cooknian, Levi Scott, Charles M.
Holliday, Eugene V. Levert, George M.
Roberts, Edgerton Ryersbn, and others
who, after obtaining a good report
through faith, hav e been so long dead
that they seem to belong to another
generation. Bishop Soule, who submit
ted the name of the unknown young man
to the Conference for acceptance, was
then on his second Episcopal round.
This semi-centennial sermon takes us a
little further back.
When I united with the Methodists they had
not a denominational school In operation in the
United States. In 181!) the first missionary so
ciety was organized in the Methodist Episcopal
Church in America. The next year, 1820, the
year 1 joined the Church, the receipts were *822,-
24. In 1874 the two divisions collected nearly
SOOO,OOO, besides the hundreds of thousands col
lected in other bodies of.Methodism in America.
In 1820 there were in North America 004 travel
ing preachers, 256,881 white and colored members,
This included Canada. 1 have lived to see the
time when the same Church, in her two grand di
visions .leaving off Canada, numbers: traveling
preachers, 14,330; local preachers, 18,0*52; mem
bers, 2,2(52,285.
These items help us to realize the im
portant historic space covered by this
man's life and ministry. He was no idle
spectator of what was passing, but had
a hand in making up the record of those
eventful years. Beginning with that held
in Cincinnati, in 1863, he was a member
of thirteen General Conferences conse
cutively; also, a member of the Conven
tion of 1845.
On his first coming - to Nashville (1831)
the church here had 40<J white members
and 305 colored. At the same time F,
A. Owen was stationed in the village of
Memphis, oil the Chickasaw Bluffs;
Robert Paine was for the second year
“Superintendent of LaGrange College;’’
David O. Shattuck was at Brownsville,
A. L. P. Green at Franklin, ainl Foun
tain E. Pitts on the Nashville Circuit —
the two last named having entered Con
ference a year before him. Refering to
contemporary events, Andrew Jackson
was in the stormy period of his first
Presidential administration; James K.
Polk was a rising young Congressman,
and Andrew Johnson, the great com
moner, having learned to read and ci
pher on the tailor’s boad. had just been
elected mayor of the village of Green
ville. The waters of Cumberland River
were occasionally stirred by a steamboat
affording rapid transportation to New
Orleans within ten days. Not a mile of
meadamized turnpike existed in the
State, while railroads and tunnels were
not dreamed of.
That John B. McFerrin was an impor
tant factor in the moral and material
development of his native State none
w ill question. In three potent way* he
j wrought, for sixty years—by the pulpit,
I the press, and the platform—most jo
-t tent of ail ways; and he was foroefn! in
1 each. Such a ministry, it is readily seen,
must directly and jiermaueiitly iutiuence
the moral character of the public. Its
material development is also pro motive
indirectly, but none theless powerfnlly,
by the same agency. Where public opin
ion is right; where honesty, truth, aud
social purity dwell, there life aud prop
erty are safe; there the rewards of indus
try are rare; there commerce is nour
ished, and population gathers. It i iiu
posihile for such a inau to leave the
world no better, no richer, and on no
higher plan#, than he found it.
He ha* not merely lived, but acted
through two generation* of rapid trans
formation*—inheriting t4e sturdy
strength, the simple manners,
the energy and sagacity of the
first and ta king oa ao email degree of the
breath and culture of the second. To
the end he waa employed in great tru*t*.
There had been no intennissiou, no super
annuation. Such was hi* dilligenee that
he was always gaining influence: aud so
steady and prudent was he, he never
loet any. No Tennessean Was more
loved, revered, at home or abroad. The
people ©burned him a* one of themselvee.
Hi* style, address and mode of thought
were to their liking. He impressed
them a* an honest man: they believed
what he said, they felt bis sympathy:
and they followed where be led. If a pol
itician, he would have ben unequaled as
a stump speaker; if a demagogue, he
would have beeu dangerous: in either
character; invincible, if a inui of worldly
business, be would have been thrifty.
But, by the graee of God, he was none of
tb****. All his seal, hopes, labors, and
aspiration* were in the church and for
the church. H# turned not aside, to the
eight hand nor to the left. He waa
simply a Methodist preacher, drawiug all
I lie cares and studies this way.
Of large frame, heavy features, and
standing *quarelv upon his feet, John B.
McFerrin was the typical Western man,
by Christianity. His edu
cation began in the old-field schools of
boyhood, aud was continued by books
and object-lessons through life. Hi* cast
was practical, not poetical or rhetorical
—unlike his eloquent contemporary,
Titts. He saw things as a whole, not
in their component part*, and judged of
their relation*a* byintuitiou. Abstract
thought was a weariness, if not an im
possibility, to him. Tho power was not
his of considering, the single properties
a:ul qualities of tilings apart, of analyz
ing and then combining them in new
forms, thus leading to invention. He
was, therefore, slow to admit changes of
any sort. In these respects he wai un
like bis groat contemporary, Green. He
was against all “new-fangled notions,”
and constitutionally conservative —
perhaps to excess. He preferred to work
the old plaus and to get the best result*
out of them. An innovation must be
'dearly safe and very clearly an improve
ment, before be eouhl accept it. He
could hardly conceive of it until he saw it
In operation. Woe to the antagonist
wbort he encountered when defending
“Old Methodism.”
His attitude toward every material
modification of church economy among
us has been, first, that of suspicion if not
of downright opposition at its intro
duction. When adopted, he put it on
trial arid watched its working; then, if it
worked well, he espoused it, and became
a w all of defense against any who would
disturb it, That caution of Solomon
he habitually observed —“Meddle not
with them that are given to change.”
Who will say that such a contribution
to ecclesiastical legislation was not val
uable, iu this nineteenth century?
The confidence of his brethren in his
honesty, his intutive sagacity and the
safety born of bis conservatism, wfis
well illustrated in this city during the
general confereDoo of 1808. Anew de
liarture was inaugurated in Publishing
louse matters, by the committee in
chargo of that interests. The member
who led in the proposed scheme was
bold and inventive, but slightly doctrin
aire. Various depositories were to be
established, and agencies here and there,
to enlarge and expand the circulation of
religious literature for the benefit and on
the credit of the church. The measure
passed and it was generally understood
that the author of it was to tie book
agent to carry it out, and that certain
others were to occupy subordinate places.
But, as they thought over what they had
doue, members became afraid of their
plan; and when the election came on,
and ballots were counted, the whole
slate w;is broken by the majority of
votes being cast for J. B. McFerrin a*
book agent. On adjournment I ex
changed view* with a venerable member
on the unexpected result, and his re
mark may be taken as representative:
“Well I voted for tbut plan, but the
moro I thought on it the less I liked it—
too complicated. It may do finely,
and then again it may ruin every thing
But McFerrin, we know him. He can pull,
and if it’s necessary he cau hold baek
powerfully, and he will hold baek if there's
danger.”
A strange sight that was—the General
Conference correcting, modifying, and
almost nullifying its dubious legislation
by putting one man in charge of the
business for the four years following.
It was much the same case at Atlanta
in 1878. We had lay delegates then to
help us—a help we had not twenty years
before. But after fullest investigation of
liabilities and assets, and the best legis
-1 alive contrivance, there was paiuftil sus
pense as to the fate of the Publishing
House. Again, McFerrin to the front.
Nat that Up wa* fertile ip invention, but
lie could be relied on to carry out what
ever an able Book Committee, with en
larged powers, devised. When Mr. Na-
Jr., of that commitee,
took me aside and opened the 4 per cent,
bond plan, on longtime, I first saw light,
The United States Government had al
ready adopted the plan and made it
popular and familiar to the people. But
—how to place the bonds for $850,000!
Creditors were clamorous, and the sheriff
was at the door. The Church could not
repudiate just debts. Her voice, ever
after, in preaching justice, honesty, and
truth, wonld be like a cracked bell. To
sacrifice pru*eut assets, and leave liabili
ties unprovided for, was to entail wory
ing collections throughout the Connec
tion for years, und so to disgust and
drive away the public from our churches.
The prospect was gloomy enough.
With a well-matured plan Dr. McFerrin
went forth, Now was hi? power with the
people seen, lie opeued the campaign
at the Western Virginia Conference,
then one of the smallest aud weakest. I
heard him state his case and present his
plea, and watched the effect with an
interest I cannot describe. It was soon
evident that he had the jury. But did
the jury have the money? He ran g the
changes on c Methodism and what it
lmd done for them and for their fathers/
touched up their patriotism by allusions
to losses ancj damages through the war,
his client being a sufferer iu common
with themselves; showed the refief pof
sible, and failure would be shameful.
Heenliveueed the discussion with anon*
data, ami clutched it with argument, and
at tho opportune moment offered his
bonds. Two generous farmers (brothers)
on the south side of the Ohio took a
thousand dollars’ worth at par.
Others followed with less sums; and the
preachers, as they always do, came up
promptly with twenty and fifty and a
hundred. When the handshaking was
over, the preacher looked like a victor-,
and so he was. From that day I never
doubtied that the bouds would go and
the ljons be*aveJ. He pui-sued,the cam
paign. going through the conference
until the work was doue. Who that saw
and heard cau never forget that dra
matic scene, in which represented the
bishops and superannuated aud other
preachers and their wives, and the
official insmbers, all assembled on the
public square of Nashville, and the crier,
with “one two three —l-a-*-t call," swing
ing down the hammer upon the Southern
Methodist Publishing House? Those
who heard and laughed and wept said,
“No, that must never be ’—aud they
took the bonds.
Under his administration as Mission
ary Secretary a debt was paid that was
heavy aud depressing for those time*.
And yet, the least sueces of his life was
during the years he was at the head of
the Missionary Bureau. The position
was not suited to him. Enterprising
new fields and selecting, from untried
men, proper agents for opening aud oc
cupying those fields involved experiment
and adventure; and he was not adven
turous. The changing asjiect* of times
and places, in those unsteady years and
places, from 186 Gto 1878, required
new measures and expedients to meek
axigencies: and a* he lacked the analytic
faculty, invention was not his forte.
True, he was strong on the platform;
hii* speeches at missionary anniversaries
were popular; he lifted large collections.
But imitation is the homage unconsci
ously paid to genius, aud the imitators
of Dr. MeFerriu’s speeches though nu
merous, were not successful or edifying.
A broad and sheady missionary move
ment iu the Church must be based on u
quickening of the public conscience; on
information, rather than on entertain
ment. Not one worker that crowds a
house upon announcement is wauted,
but thousands of earnest men and wom
en must be put to work systematically
for the cause, where no applauding au
diences greet the advocate of niisssions.
When a plan was devised to apportion
the old war debt among the several
Annual Conferences, according to an ac
cepted ratio, he took the field and w orked
it so well that the missionary debt was
paid.
Asa public speaker you know how
ready and affective he was. The sub
stance of discourse was sometime* pre
meditated iu paragraphs, but not the
words or style. Stimulus rather than
preparation was what he required for
success. Resources were at command.
He took hints from tho occasion, and
tho suggestion of circumstances was his
main reliance. Who over saw him when
pressed in debate, at a loss for a reply?
The more he was interrupted, the more
h* was at himself. Those who injected
questions at him on the floor made noth
ing by it, *o easily could he turn every
thing that happened, and everything
that was said, to his own advantage,
whether in social discussion or in deliber
ative assemblies, hi* power of repartee
formidable. Cicero's famous treatise,
De Oratore, puts this among the “pecu
liar gift* of nature,”—“a talent,” says
the master of Roman eloquence, “which
appears to be incapable of being com
municated by teaching.’’ Cicero, after
discoursing on this rare, quick aud ter
rible weapon of the orator through
several chapters, and making on the
reader the impression that he coverted
the gift for himself, adds: “It is one of
the things iu which, unless the orator has
a full supply from nature, he cannot be
much assisted by a master.” If John B.
McFerrin could not meet an argument,
he parried it so skillfully that the crowd
felt that he had met it, aud cheered ac
cordingly. A look, an attitude, an in
flection of the voice, did the work ef
fectually. A facetious remark, or
pathetic play on collateral issues, was
unanswerable. Sharp wit, overwhelm
ing drollery, unfailing humor, cheapened
the adversary or broke the force of a
logical lance. While he could see and ap
preciate the strong points of his cause,
and could strongly urge them, he did
uot always resist the temptation to win
victory by lighter and natural auxil
iaries. But he never used that danger
ous weapon maliciously. Often his own
hand was first to pour iu oil where it had
made a wound. He was naturally cau
tious and modest, and yet a conscious
ness of this gift made him bold.
11 is ministry of the gospel was faith
ful and fruitful. The mission umomg the
Indians was like a golden thread of
poetry worked into his early life. At
Chickamauga and Ross’ Landing, where
Chattanooga now stands; at the junc
tion of Etowah and Ooetanaula rivers,
where Rome, Ga., now is; and at Gunter’s
landing, wpre his principal appoint
ments. I remember that once we as
seuded Lookout mountain together, and
he pointed out, with vivid reminiscences,
some scenes of his mission life among
the Cherokees. The chief, John Ross, he
baptized and received into the church,
doubtless with the same simplicity that
he performed the like offices for ex-Pres
ident Polk, a quarter of a century later.
We traveled together through the
Indian Nation some years ago, visiting
the missions west of the Mississippi. A
night was si>ent 4n a Cherokee homo.
Th<* mother, who was also a grand
mother, of the family was drawn into
conversation. Her maiden naino was
Gunter, born on the Tennessee river.
The names of her father and brothers
were given, and of the missionaries who
had pi etched to them before they left the
“old nation” for the Western reservation.
The conversation drew on to the climax
or mutual recognition. “Katie Gunter?”
said the missionery secretary, “don’t
you know me?” “No sir.” “My name is
John B. McFerrin.” The Indian woman
rested her hand on his knee for a moment,
gazed intently into his face, and then in
au abandon of joy fell upon his neck, and
wept aloud. She was one of Iris converts,
and still maintained her integrity.
As chaplain in the army he was very
usefjl. A stump or a wagon served as
his ready pulpit, wherever the soldiers
halted to l ost or camp. In the hospital,
or on the march, he was pastor, friend,
nurse. Many seals to his ministry bear
the date of thoso sad years. He intro
duced me at one, session of an Annual
Conference to two ministers, efficient aud
promising men, saying: “These are two
of my boys, converted while Confederate
soldiers; aud there are a heap more of
’em. Hallelujah!” His final ministerial
service was at the funeral of the late Rev.
Wm. Burr, whom he had licensed to
preach forty-odd years ago. It was a
rape between them, like that of Peter and
John, which should first reach the sep
ulcher. They lay op their death-beds,
sending message* of love and Christian
confidence to each other by telephone.
The saintly Burr reached the grave first,
land his aged companion rallied to bury
him. “There is a natural body, and
there is a spiritual body,’ saith St. Paul.
1 entertain myself with thinking of the
great hand-shaking that lias been going
‘on in paradise since Brother McFerrin
left us, as he greets on the other shore
the thousands who have been awakened,
converted, reclaimed, edified, by his min
istry, and helped on their way to that
lietter country where no w he has joined
them. His old companions ami his spir
itual children are there tq welcome him
into everlasting habitations. White
people, Negroes, Indians—the small and
the great are there—enjoying with him
their release and “full felicity.”
He was one of the few men whose
preaching improved with time. Borne
up with a wonderful constitution and
power, he went around attending the
Annual Conferences, at the rate often or
twenty a year, scattering books, making
collections, and throwing off these inimi
table speeches on various church interests
of which the brethren never could get
enough. There was an increasing unction.
fcveu an ordinary business notice, in his
litter days, often left the Conference in
fears and raptures, because oftlie spirit
■aJ jterorat iou that uurousciously at
fached itself to a talk about plain dollar
and-cent accounts. Men observed tli.it
he was ripen ini? for heaven. Some of his
sermons at the Conferences. these last
dozen years, were extraordinarily melt
ing. He kept up the habit of the fathers
—mixing experience with the exposition.
His stock themes were sin.
faith, regeneration, and salvation for all.
through Jesus. They were good enough
for him; and his exactness of definition
and distinction on these divine topics wax,
to the last, n grateful surprise to those
Mho crowded to hear him. Intlieology he
held that what was new was not true, and
what was true was uot new; it was a
revelation rather than a science. With
out relaxing diligence in earthly things,
he wuseonungdaily moreaiui more under
the influence of things invisible and etern
al. The attraction of the world to come
grew evidently stronger; his speed quick
ened as he drew near the end. The per
sonal Saviour, the love of the Spirit, uud
his own deejier experience of grace, were
themes he most readily fell into converse
tion abont.
I have spokeu of him as a Tennessean,
because his native State, I awe fyapert,
ha*s not produced a man bet ter known,
more beloved, and for rare combination
of moral and mental power and wealth of
'character, his superior. But, far beyond
his State and conference he was esteemed.
In the great synods of the chin eh he was
watchful aud eminent. He represented
American Methodism in the Ecumenical
conference which met in London, 1881.
At the centennial in Baltimore, 1884.
Southern Methodism had in him her
most eminent representative. No figure
iu that body of 500 holy aud picked men
was more honorably conspicuous, no
voice more eagerly heard and no pres
ets* more respectfully greeted than I>r.
MeFerrins. He was selected to respond"
to the address of welcome, and met, that
aud every occasion, whether counsel,
discussion, banquet, devotion or farewell
greeting with prompt and felicitous ad
dress. To him it was a joyous occasion,
his soul overflowed with its bountiful fel
lowship.
We mourn not alone. In the North as
iu the South, in Canada and beyond the
sea#, in the foreign mission stations and
along the wide frontiers, they weep with
us to-day.
He grew old gracefully; a hard test.
It has been well said that old age is, it
self, a kind of day of judgment. Now
begins the reapiug of what has been sown;
now begins the harvest of youth and
middle life. The selfish an* leff without
friends; the penurious are devoured with
full-grown avarice; theineanly-ambitious
are embittered by disappointment; and
all evil passions and habits consume their
victim in a helpless old age. Pitiable
sight! But not so with one who has not
lived in himself. “At evening time there
shall be light. The tcnqter mellows;
peace flows ns a river; 1 children and
friends crown the hoary head with love
and reverence; temperate habits, chasten
ed passions, and Christiau hops smooth
the present aud throw their light on the
future. Even those alienations enused
by conflicting interests and honest differ
ences of opinion with our fellow-men, find
an end in the vindication of time, for
“when a man’s ways please the Lord, he
muketh even his enemies to be at peace
with him.”
Our deceased brother had a happy old
ago. “I will not, the Lord helping me,
becopie sour and sore-headed," he once
said to me, on observing the age of a
friend who acidulated as he aged. Then
bending half down, removing his hat, and
showing the full crown of his bald head —
“Do you see any sore place there?” Ifhe
spent a few days as the Conference guest
with a family, it was an era with that
household —including children and ser
vants.
The Lord blessed his servant in his
home-life. In 1838-he was married to
Miss Probart. Their married life was
blessed with six children, three of whom
survive. Mrs. McFerrin died while her
husband was attending the session oi
the General Conference in Columbus, Ga.,
May 1854.
He was again married to Miss McGav
ock, a member of the family ofMcGavocks
so well known in Virginia and Middle
Tennessee. Of this marriage was born
two daughters. These fivechildren, with
nineteen grandchildren, made his do
mestic life complete. In 1880 the oldest
sou, James W., was suddenly killed in a
railroad accident. He whs a noble young
man. The father was visiting a Confer
ence in Texas when the sad news reached
him. The “stroke was heavier than his
complaint.” Tu the last few delirious
days lie was overhoard talking with
“Jimmy.” All his children and grand
children of 12 years and upward are
members of the Methodist Church. Wife
and children, sons-in-law and danghters
in-law within the fold; all his business
wound up and papers signed; the new
church under roof where his family wor
ship; the Publishing House safe; and 75,-
000 members added to the Church this
year—he was ready to say with Simeon:
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant de
part in peace.”
Over a year ago ho was sick, as was
thought, unto death. When doctors and
nurses gave him up, he persisted that
though it might bo so that he was going
to die he did not feel as he had supposed
a dying man would. His work was not
yet done. He strangely recovered. But
when this last sickness came he held a
different language, “My work seems to
be donm; my eyes aud my hearing fail;
the old tabernacle is giving away.” The
master was closing the doors and shut
ting the windows, thus saying to his ser
vant: “Arise aud depart, for this is not
your rest.” He took the warning kindly.
The prospect was unclouded. Indeed, he
remarked to me that his trouble now
was to keep from being impatient to
go. The language of his soul was:
“Now Lord, what wait I for? My hope
is in thee.”
I found him one day rejoicing over a
portion of Holy Scripture that had been
read to him by a preceding visitor (4th
nnd sth chapters of Second Corinthians.)
“I understand it better than ever.
Portions of the Bible come back to me
that I had forgotten.” And he fed on
that word.
At another time I found his son read
ing hymns to him out of the Una
bridged Hyiun-book. and he would have
me read a few that he iinlieuted by sub
ject or title. Among them:—
“Lo on a narrow neck of Land,
Twix* two unbounded sens I stand.”
Aud this:
"l-ise, in.y soul, and stretch thy whig*, ,
Thy better portion trace."
Then, gathering in the family, he asked
that —
"And let tills feeble body fall.
Ami let it droop or die,”
be sung to a familiar tune. It was done,
Ills nephew leading. At the conclusion of
the irtarza,
“Give joy or prlef, (dvo ease or pain,
Take life or friends away—
I come to find them ail again
In that eternal day.
be praised God and exulted. “Nothing
like our old hymns,” he exclaimed. “I
hope the committee [on Revision of the
Hymn-book, then in session] will spare
these dear ohl hymns on doctrine and
experience that the Wesleys gave us.
This change he gave me, with emphasis:
“Those little songs about ‘Sweet by and
by,’ and‘Shall we know each other there*
and tho like, may all be very nice, but
don’t you let any of them be sung at my
funeral.” ', *, , . ,
His hurt sermon was preached in Arkan
sas, near his mother’s grave, to which,
with filial piety, be bad made pilgrimage.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
The Coe rant-American is tor only
Paper Published in one ok the Best
Counties in North Georgia. Its Cir
culation IS SECOND TO NONE OK ITS CI.AM
Reasonaii lk Kates oh Aj’plicatior ,
$1.50 Per Annum.—sc. a Copy.
! (Text, I Cor, xv. 58.) He Ims helped to
| build, and pay out of debt, many churches,
j for others. His last begging speech was
j inode in this pulpit, for help to build the
I church in which he aud his family worship.*
His last contribution to the press was an
j article in the Christian Advocate, in
. sistiug on the valneof a systematic state
of theology and vindicating creeds. He
has been as an anchor to many wl*o were
re*dy to drift before every wind of doctrine
Eminent service he rendered his genera
tion at this j>oiot. May there be no nets!
of such serve* m the future !
I have spoken of him as a Methodist.
In a high sense, he belonged to aUChrint’s
people. With Charles Wesley he would
say: ——~ ~ - --
‘•Ami Mo*fhip with all we hold.
Who hold It- with our Bmd. n
Beloved Methodism, her creed and polity;
but he loved, aud wax beloved by, mem
bers of other churches as lew men lurs
beeu. .
May 2, he called his sou-in-law, th#
Presiding Elder of Murfhwvdvoro District,
to hiH bedside to receive a last message
to the Tennessee Conference:
“Tell then| to hold fast to our articles
•of belief, justification by faith, the witness
of the Hpirit, and holiness of heart and
life.
"Tell them I forgive all who may have
►injured me at any time, and I ask for
giveness if at any time 1 have wounded a
brother. Evil may have followed where
evil was not intended; if so, I ask for
giveness.
"I love the Tennessee conference. I die
in [mace with them and all men. and in
faith with them and the Lord Jesus Christ,
and in the love oftlod, and in expectation
of eternal life.
"Again : tell the brethren I love every
one off them.*’
His words, two weeks ago, to his sou
who had charge of a circuit twenty miles
away, and had been summoned .to see
him die, tin* mostexpressiveof character;
“My son, 1 feel a little stronger, and you
had better return and till your appoint
ment to-morrow. If while you an* away,
John, I should happen to slip off, yon
know where to find me.”
He hits gone, my friends and brethren;
we shall behold him no moreinthis world.
He has gone; we ne’er shall see his like
again. John B. McFerrin has gone—but
YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND HIM. Amen.
BRIEF BITS.
Both of Jennie Bowman’s lunrdeTerg
have been couvicted uud sentenced to be
hung July Ist.
• *
•
It takes two months to count IJncJe
Barn's hoarded cash. When opftortnnity
presents itself we’ll count ours.
• *
*
It is reported that Rev. Sum Jones has
given deep offense iu Minneapolis by
preaching from texts of St. Paul.
*
•
A proci ssion of the unemployed of
Dublin, carried a black flag with skull
and cross hones ou it, wrs < Aspersed Fri
day by the police.
•
The New York Sun wants the South to
recede again and take Mr. Cleveland Math
it.. No, no, we’ll keep Mr. Cleveland and
take the North with him.
• •
•
Rev. G. A. Nunnael.v, a Georgian, but
now at Eufaula, Ala., has been called to.
the pastorate of the Gainesville Baptist,
church, lb* is an able divine and Oaines
ville is lucky.
* •
*
A Dakota organization hss on its
letter heads these words: "Office of the
Bru'e County Horse Racing Association,
Successor to the Young Men’s Christian
Association.”
* •
*
Atlanta is feeling good over the pros
pect of fovr new roads centering there in
the near future. The good old town
should have something to reimburse her
in the loss of her base bull team.
* *
•
Sol Smith Russel has retired from the
stage, where be made a pile of money,
and hus gone into the plumbing business.
You might sav that Sol is onto the
public and don’t you forget it.
* *
•
New, Jersey is in favor of the strict en
forcement of the New York blue laws. A
neighboring editor says: "It would not
do to take the census of New York on
Sunday while it is over in New Jersey
‘getting a drink.’ ”
*
Editor O’Brien, of Ireland, is haviug a
warm time speaking in the interest, of
home rule and against Lord Lansdowne
in Canada. Since his arrival on this side
he has experienced oi e centime and St.
Patrick’s Day, and yet he is not happy.
Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, the
sister of our President, has beoome as
sociated with Mrs. Martha J. Lamb iu
the editorial work on the Magazine of
American History, Miss Cleveland will
write over her owu signature in this
magazine.
• *
One of the leading Boston papers is
charged with committing an error in ka
Latin. When Boston pa{>ers get tho
dead languages distorted' it is of little
use for other publications to attempt
unvthing bovond the common living
English.—Louisville Courier-Journal.
• #
A Wisconsin man was so angry on re
turning home to find that during his
absence his wife had had the shade trees
in front trimmed so that their beauty
was ruined that he refused to sleep in the
bourn 1 , spent the night in the barn, caught
cold and died. And yet they say that
women have no rights.
* *
•
A special from Grady, Ga., which by
the way is near Roc km art, to the Con
stitution, soys: One of tli® most fiendish
outrage® ever peiqietrated has just bea
reported. Mrs. Wilson and her several
small children were at their home, which
is ait jilted in a secluded and out-of-th>-
wsy piece. The husband was absent.
A terrific storm seemed to be ready to
burst forth in all its fury. The wife and
little ones hovered about the door of
their home. A black fiend rushed upon
the poor frightened ad unprotected
woman, seising her around the waist and
throwing her violently to the ground.
To prevent her screams Ims seized her by
the throat, and with the most horrid
oaths threatened to kill her and her
children. Tho juior woman finally sue
ceeoed in freeing herself from the grasp or
the fiend, aud ran to the house of her
nearest neighbor, where she now i*. The
woods are full of people searching for the
villain. If caught, there will be no jail
fees to pay.
w —-
WiS can find no fault with Mary Ander
son either as*aJ/roiUah or actress, and
delight to^give TiOHrir to whom honor is
due. For that rf&son we bless the name
of the manufacturers , of*€'eews’ Honey
of tar, the purest, simplest and most ai
fectual cure for coughs, colds and disease*
of throat and lungs. A trial will
veneeyou. Cousseus'Honey of T&i/Jiy
the cough cure - ‘ v -:4*^^Sr