DUKE UNIVERSITY

DIVINITY SCHOOL

LIBRARY

C-ift of Mrs. Holland Holt on

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Rev. F. L. REID, D. D.

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LIFE, Sermons and Speeches

OP

REV. NUMA F. REID, D. D.,

LATE OF THE

NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE

BY HIS SONS,

Jas. W. Reid and Frank L. Reid.

NEW YORK:

E. J. HALE & SON, PUBLISHERS, Murray Street.

1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by

Jas. W. Reid and Frank L. Reid,

Jiv. S,

T.:-

TO TEE MEMBERS

OF THE

North Carolina Conference

OP THE

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH,

To which honored body our ancestors have held connec- tion, without intermission, for the past sixty years,

By the Editors.

58402'?

PREFACE

Yarious reasons induce men to publish books. Solicited by friends, who, in connection with the immediate family of our Father, were desirous of preserving his Sermons and writings in permanent form, and thereby perpetuate the good results of his Ministry, the Editors have given this volume to the public.

The Biography published herein was prepared by Rev. Jno. W. Lewis, of the North Carolina Conference, whose ability, and long intimate friendship and association with Dr. Reid, eminently qualified him for this duty.

With two exceptions, the Sermons and Speeches incorporated in this book were not prepared by their author with a view to publication, and as the editors have very accurately followed the original incomplete drafts, the discourses may lack that rhetor- ical and philological finish which would have characterized them had. Dr. Reid designed them for the press.

The net proceeds realized from the sale of this work will be applied to the education of Dr. Reid's younger children.

The Editors.

Wentworth, K C. Sept 21. 1874.

584087

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Preface 7

Biographical Sketch of Rev. N. F. Reid, D. D 9

The Pastorate 109

The M. E. Church South 135

Fear God rather than Man 150

A Nation's True Source of Happiness 165

Purity of Heart 176

The Resurrection 193

The Lord's Supper 205

The Spiritual Warfare 218

Following the Multitude 231

Baptism — Sermon 1 240

Baptism — Sermon II 269

The Drawing of Christ 286

Giving the Heart to God 295

Almost a Christian 318

The Mystery of Spiritual Things 325

Glorying in the Cross 339

The Triumph and Reward of the Christian 356

The Falling of the Walls of Jericho 369

Thanksgiving Day 382

Living to God 390

The Reward of Well Doing 400

Those that are Christ's have His Spirit 410

All Things Work Together for Good 419

The Anointing of the Saviour 429

A Season to Everything 446

Sowing and Reaping 455

The World Passeth Away 467

Missionary Address 475

Sabbath School Address 490

Masonic Oration 502

Appendix — Sketch by Rev. Dr. Deems , 531

Biographical Sketch

OF

Hey. f MA FLETCHER p, D. D.,

WHO WAS

TWENTY-SIX YEARS A METHODIST PREACHER,

AND

TWENTY-TWO YEARS A MEMBER OF THE N. C. CONFERENCE. By Rev. J^O. W. LEWIS,

OF THE N. C. CONFERENCE.

In a country where there are no hereditary castes in society ; where nature, culture, and grace issue the only patents of nobility, the subject of pedigree can never become one of para- mount importance. Nevertheless, when an indi- vidual rises to any considerable degree of distinc- tion amongst us, we find ourselves inquiring, What was his origin ? Who were his progenitors, and to what family does he belong I Nor is the inquiry, in a moral point of view, destitute of reason. Upon these things depend, in a great degree, the first elements of character and true excellence. Human virtue is not necessarily he- reditary ; yet we naturally look for some corre- sponding traits of character between the father

10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

and the son. We usually expect a fair scion from an excellent stock. In no other point of view is the question of genealogy of any weight, for no earthly distinctions can ennoble the morally vile and dissolute.

The above remarks apply to the subject of this sketch. His ancestors occupied a respectable position in the middle walks of life, and were remarkable only for virtue, honesty, and their de- votion to religion. And yet his talents, his vir- tues, his energy, and, above all, his deep and fer- vent piety, harmonized all his faculties, and raised him to an eminence, and secured to him an influ- ence, which very few persons possess. We trust that his example may emulate many to aspire to similar excellence. When we view the interest of life in its moral and intellectual aspects, parent- age and early education are worthy of our atten- tion. The child is the man in miniature, both mor- ally and intellectually, as well as pl^sically ; and whatever helps to direct the mind or energies of the child will be potent in forming the character of the coming man, either for good or evil, for happiness or misery.

Numa Fletcher Reid was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, on the 3d day of July, in the year 1825. He was the second son of the Rev. James Reid, of the North Carolina Confer- ence, and Martha Reid, daughter of Rev. George

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 11

R. Edwards. His grand-parents, both paternal and maternal, were pious and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His grand- father, Bluford Reid, and wife, resided near the Red House in Caswell County, N. 0., and were among the first members of the Methodist Church in that section. They both lived to advanced age, and continued to adorn their Christian profession as long as they lived. Bluford Reid attained the age of ninety-seven years, and died a few years ago at the residence of his youngest son, Bluford W. Reid, near Hillsdale, in Guilford County, 1ST. C. He died in full hope of a glorious immortality ; his virtuous life and sincere piety are worthy the imitation of his descendants. His grand-father Edwards, and wife, Catharine Simmons, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mecklenburg County, Va., in. the early days of Methodism. They removed to Rockingham County, N". C, about sixty-five years ago, and settled a few miles south of Dan River, near Mount Carmel Church, where their bones rest quietly in the old family graveyard, with many of those of their descendants. Rev. George R. Ed- wards, with Rev. Ira Ellis, Sterling Ruffin, father of the late Chief Justice Ruffin, of North Carolina, John Morehead, father of the late Governor More- head, Hon. James T. Morehead, and Porter Guer- rant, succeeded in building up Mount Carmel

12 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

Church, which has connected with its history many reminiscences of early Methodism.

This old church Was the place of holding camp meetings in other times, and many scores and hundreds of souls have been converted there. It was at this sacred place that Rev. Gr. R. Ed- wards and his Wife held their membership until called by the Master from the Church militant to the Church triumphant. N. F. Reid descended from pious stock ; his parents and grand-parents were all devoted members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Is it, therefore, any wonder that he should have become a Methodist preacher ?

Rev. James Reid, the father of N. F. Reid, was the eldest son of Bluford Reicl. He was born in Caswell County, N. C, April 5th, 1795, where he received his early training. His educational op- portunities were quite limited, as was the case generally, in the time of his youth, with those who were raised in the middle walks of life.

The course of education in the neighborhood schools consisted in spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic, to a very limited extent ; the children in the rural districts attended these schools three or four months in the year, and the balance of the year they were usually employed in domestic la- bor. James Reid spent his time, when not in school, laboring on the farm or in the shop, with his father, working at the wheelwright trade.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 13

His pious parents watched over his morals, and taught him to ' ' remember his Creator in the days of his vouth," and his heart was early awakened to a sense of his lost condition, and he felt him- self a sinner, and the necessity of regenerating grace. He sought the Lord with full purpose of heart, and soon realized His power to saye.

He was then prepared to say, " 0 ! Lord, I will praise thee, for although thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me." He early connected himself with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and ayailed himself of all its privileges ; the one which he most esteemed, was class meeting. He was accustomed to attend the ministry of some of the soul-stirring pioneers of Methodism, and no doubt that it was through their instrumentality he caught the sacred flame of heavenly zeal which rendered his early minis- try so effective. He soon commenced exercisiu°; his gifts in public prayer and exhortation. In the early days of Methodism the male members of the Church generally prayed in public, and not unfrequently females exercised their gifts in pub- lic prayer. In those times the Methodist Church had a much larger proportion of active, working members than at the present day. The Church now needs a baptism of the Holy Ghost to stir up the souls of its members to become workers for the Lord. May God send it !

14 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

Young Eeid's soul was soon impressed to warn his fellow-men to flee the wrath to come. Many of the early Methodist preachers were called from the plow handles, from the workshops, or from the counting-rooms, to the Ministry ; and so impres- sive was the call that they found no rest until they went forth, trusting in the great Head of the Church, in the discharge of their obligations to God ; and uneducated as most of these men were, they trusted in God, and used the means of grace, and availed themselves of every opportunity to gain knowledge ; and the Lord honored their ministry with the conversion of souls, and many of them soon became able ministers of the Xew Testament. James Reid was licensed to preach, and joined the travelling connection in the Virginia Confer- ence, in the year 1815. He went forth with a burning zeal for the Cause of God ; he felt the worth of souls at heart ; and the Lord put the seal of approbation on his ministry by the con- version of sinners. It was in the year 1819, nearly as far back as memory runneth, that the writer of this sketch first saw him ; he was then in charge of Salisbury Circuit, with a young preacher by the name of Robertson for his helper ; then in the vigor of youth, full of zeal for the cause of God, he went forth stirring up the churches ; the word of God run and was glorified in the conversion of sinners ; the Lord gave him

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 15

many seals to his ministry that year. He con- tinued to itinerate, receiving his appointments from the seaboard to the Blue Ridge. In the year 1821-2, he travelled Guilford Circuit, and while on this Circuit, which embraced Guilford and Rockingham Counties, he was married to Martha Edwards, third daughter of Rev. Geo. R. Edwards, of Rockingham County, X. C. At the time of his marriage it was the custom for the itiner- ant ministers to locate at the ensuing conference after their marriage, and to abandon the itineracy. This custom grew out of the force of circum- stances, one of which was the want of provision for the support of the preacher's family, and another was, that many of the old preachers, such as Bishop Asbury, Philip Bruce, Jesse Lee, and many other leading members of the Conference, were unmarried men ; and a prejudice grew up in the Church against married preachers. But such was the zeal and moral courage of James Reid, that having once put his hand to the plow, he de- termined not to look back, but continued to itin- erate notwithstanding the prejudice and opposi- tion to married preachers, when there did not ex- ceed in number a half dozen married preachers in the Virginia Conference. He continued to take his appointments from one annual Conference to the next; and no doubt by the force of his character and example, did much to break down the opposi-

16 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

tion to married preachers in the Conference. He continued effective in the itinerant work for fifty- eight years, and never failed to answer to the call of his name for fifty-eight annual meetings. He filled his appointments with great acceptability as circuit preacher and pastor. Through his instru- mentality many hundreds of souls were brought to Christ, and saved by grace. Perhaps the most successful years of his ministry were spent on Pittsboro7, Koanoke and Tar Elver Circuits. Rev. James Reid was married the second time about the year 1857. He married Mrs. Nancy Kelly, of Franklin County, N. C. She was left a widow, and still lives in solitude at her former residence at Midway, waiting for her change to come ; may she be comforted by Him who pro- mises to be a husband to the widow. He was elected in the year 1872 to the office of Superin- tendent of Public Instruction in North Carolina. This office had generally been filled by a minister of the Gospel in this State, and also in other States. He was conscientious in taking this ap- pointment ; he did not regard it as political, but simply as a ministerial office ; he had fully con- sidered the matter, and regarded the duties of the office as adapted to his feelings. Having for several years filled the appointment of Agent for Sabbath Schools in his Conference, and having done this without an}^ pecuniary compensation, he

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 17

now needed a situation that would afford him a support, and as this office was not incompatible with his calling as a minister of the gospel, he consented to have his name put in nomination for it ; he was favorably known throughout the State. He did not canvass the State by visiting the dif- ferent counties, he made no speeches, but simply permitted his name to be put in nomination ; he was elected, but died before the time to enter upon the duties of the office.

He travelled extensively during the long career of his itinerant life ; and filled different appoint- ments, such as Circuit Preacher, Presiding Elder, College Agent, Missionary to the colored people, and Sabbath School Agent. He continued in ac- tive service until the last day of his life. He at once ceased to work and to live. He raised a family of nine children, and survived them all, except two — X. F. Eeid, and Charles A. Eeid, his youngest child, who is now the only surviving member of the family, and resides in Savannah, Georgia, His excellent wife, the mother of his children, passed away to her heavenly home a score of years before him. His wife, his three daughters and five sons all died of lung disease ; but it is a consoling thought that they all died in peace ; and with only one exception, that of his surviving son, compose an undivided family in our Father's house above. Brother James Eeid died

18 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

in Greensboro', at the house of Rev. N. H. D. Wil- son, D. D., where he received the kindest atten- tions of an interesting family. He died suddenly in the month of October, 1872. No one saw him die ; he had retired about 4 o'clock in the after- noon to repose awhile in view of taking the cars in the night for his home ; in a short while after he retired a servant went into his room and found him dead. He seemed to have expired without a struggle or a groan ; just fell asleep in Jesus. His funeral services were conducted in Greensboro' by Rev. J. A. Cunninggim and Rev. Wm. Barringer ; and also on the next day in Louisburg, N. C, by Rev. 0. J. Brent. He was interred by the side of his sainted wife and two sons, in the presence of a large concourse of people. At the ensuing An- nual Conference, held in Fayetteville, N. C, there was a memorial service held for him, and a funeral sermon delivered by Rev. Wm. Closs, D. I). The Rev. Dr. Wilson, by request of friends, had prepared a memorial sermon, but was taken very ill on the night previous to the Memorial Service, and was not able to perform the duty. Thus passed away the senior member of the N. C. Conference. The following Memoir was read and adopted by the Conference :

MEMOIR OF REV. JAMES REID.

A father in Israel hath fallen. He who had for

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19

many years headed the roll of our Conference, has gone to the Conference of the Redeemed ; he- was worthy to lead, and he died as becometh a leader. James Reid was born in Caswell County, N. C, April the 5th, 1795 ; he received a plain English education, such as was usual at that time in that section of the country. His parents were pious, and the home influence favorable to the de- velopment of manhoods best form. In early life he embraced religion, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. The call to preach was during his boyhood, and in early youth he commenced the work. He joined the Virginia Conference in 1815, and was appointed to Bertie Circuit. His work was then as follows : 1816, Roanoke ; 1817, Suffolk and Princess Anne ; 1818, Washington and Swift Creek ; 1819, Salisbury ; 1820, Mecklen- burg ; 1821-2, Guilford ; 1823-4, Franklin ; 1825, Iredell ; 1826, Bedford ; 1827, Buckingham ; 1828, Amherst; 1829, Franklin; 1830-1, Haw River ; 1832, Tar River ; 1833-6, Presiding El- der of Newbera District ; 1837-40, Salisbury District ; 1841-3, Agent for G-reensboro' Female College ; 1844-7, Presiding Elder on Washington District; 1848-9, Caswell Circuit; 1850, Person Circuit ; 1851, Wilmington District ; 1852-3, Pre- siding Elder on Raleigh District ; 1854-8, Raleigh African Mission ; 1859-60, Tar River ; 1861-2, Nashville ; 1863-4, Henderson ; 1865, Warren ; 1866, Presiding Elder on Newbern District ;

20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

1867-72, Agent for Sunday Schools. It will be seen that he gave nearly 58 years to the active work of the ministry, not the pleasant work of stations, but mostly to Circuits and Districts, very large and laborious. In April, 1822, he was hap- pily married to Martha Edwards of Rockingham County, an amiable young lady, and a devoted Christian, well adapted, by character, education, and disposition, to be the wife of a self-sacrificing Methodist preacher. At that time there were few married travelling preachers in the Yirginia Con- ference. In those days married preachers were not popular, and nearly all who married located ; but James Reid and his family lived on such pay as was given him, and endured all manner of hardships, and still the man of God never fal- tered. He was an able Minister of the Gospel, preached in the " power and demonstration of the Spirit," and was wise in winning souls to Christ with wisdom from above.

While enduring the toils and privations of the ministry, he also shared its honors. In 1832 he was elected, and served as a delegate in the General Conference which met that year in Phil- adelphia, and in matters of Church polity and direction he ranked with such men as James Pat- terson, H. G. Leigh, Brock, and Doub.

Brother Reid was twice married ; his first wife and seven of his children passed away to the Spirit land before him ; his second wife was Mrs.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 21

Kelly, who still survives him. He was a warm- hearted, .able supporter of all the great enterprises of the Church. With his small salary he managed to give his children a good education, and he did much to promote the cause of education in our Church and the State generally ; he was not only an active, faithful trustee of our colleges, but supported them in every way with eminent ability. He was one of those clear-thinking, prudent working men who make their mark upon the times. He was one of the fathers in the North Carolina Conference, preeminently a man of ability and weight among citizens, and a man of God in the Church. By him was much contributed to make us what we are. In the summer of 1872 he was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of North Car- olina, but died before the time of entering upon the duties of his office. Brother Reid died sud- denly at the residence of Rev. N. H. D. Wilson, in Greensboro', N. C, Nov. 8th, 1872. For some time his health had been declining, but he had often said he was ready, that he had been long in the vineyard below, and was waiting to be carried to his Father's house. He leaves a bereaved widow, two sons, several grand-children and other relations, and the members of the Conference, to mourn his loss.

Wm. Closs, ) r

N. H. D. Wilson, ( Lom'

22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

We have already stated that Numa F. Reid was the second son of the Rev. James Reid of the North Carolina Conference.

His eldest brother was G-eorge Wesley Reid, a young man of highly cultivated mind and affable manners ; he was a Christian gentleman, a fine looking person, and an eloquent speaker. It was seldom, if ever, our privilege to listen to a finer declaimer than Wesley Reid. After he left Emory and Henry College, where he was a student three years under the tutorage of Rev. Dr. Collins, Rev. Dr. Wiley and Professor Long- ley, he devoted his remaining years to teaching ; had he lived he would likely have entered the ministry. His career was brief. After spending a scholastic year teaching on Mattamuskeet, Hyde County, N. C, a pulmonary disease began to de- velop itself in his system. He had returned to his school in the latter part of the summer and spent a few months in teaching, when he felt it necessary to repair to the up country in order to recruit his health ; after reaching his friends his health continued to decline until cold weather, when he was compelled to take his room, and in a short time died in great peace.

Numa Fletcher Reid was remarkable in child- hood for his unyielding integrity ; when but two or three years old he gave unmistakeable evidence of a strong character ; his will- was so determined

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 23

and his temper so inflexible that pis mother often corrected him until her affections would gush forth into tears of sympathy ; his will was so strong that even when a child he would never yield until driven from the last defence. While he possessed a strong will he was also remarkable for his genial affection and his attachment to home, and espe- cially to his mother ; these qualities continued to increase during his life ; he regarded his mother as the best woman in the world, and always spoke of her as the best of mothers. And ever after she was dead and had gone to her home in heaven, his thoughts and affections lingered around her memory. He regarded the words, "Mother, Home, and Heaven," the sweetest and most lovely words in our language. Nearly the last word he uttered on earth was " mother." In life's last struggle he turned his eyes upon his son, and said : " Frank, I will see your mother and my mother." During his childhood, like most boys, he was fond o" toys and other childish amuse- ments, and was inclined to be mischievous, but was never wicked. His pious parents taught him the fear of the Lord, and the first principles of religion as set forth in the Church Catechism. With the advantage of such religious training his mind soon began to develop itself.

He was sent to school at the early age of six or seven vears. His first teacher in the district

24 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

or neighborhood school was Augustus Fears, a pious local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He afterwards had for his teacher Wil- liam Smith, who, by his great severity, excited his fears so much as to give him a great distaste for school, and at one time he managed to hurt his toe on purpose to stay away from school. It was the practice of Mr. Smith to have all the children who could spell, form once each day into a general class, to learn the spelling lesson commonly called the "heart" lesson. They were all seated togeth- er, and required to spell in concert with an aud- ible voice, while he, as an overseer, would walk the floor with birch in hand. It was on one of these occasions that little Numa and another chap concluded to have some innocent amusement, by contributing the sound of their voices to swell the tumult, without using any specific words. This went on to their satisfaction and delight, until his pedagogueship, passing round, perceived that they were only carrying the tune, without the words ; and the first intimation they had of being detected in their fun was the force of the master's birch across their shoulders. " This," said Dr.Eeid to a friend two years ago, "made an impression upon my mind that I could never forget." It is prob- able that most men have had similar experiences in their schoolboy days.

The subject of this sketch spent a considerable

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 25

portion of his boyhood clays in the neighborhood schools, and made very great proficiency in the rudiments of an English education. He, with his eldest brother, Wesley Reid, and his uncle, Ben- jamin S. Edwards, were sent to school, in view of securing a preparation for college. During the period of time in which he was receiving his pri- mary training, his biographer knew but little of his history, except that he was possessed of a frail and delicate constitution. He grew up with a slender and fragile body, and was never able to endure great hardships. He always required the delicate attention of a little child ; and but for the vigilant care and attention his parents paid to his health, he never could have attained to the age of manhood. The great care taken of delicate chil- dren accounts for the fact that so many of them are raised to mature age, while so many healthy and robust children die young.

The development of his moral character was carefully watched by his devoted parents. They used every precaution to guard his youthful heart against the snares of vice and folly ; they well knew the dangers concealed along the slippery pathway of youth, and the great importance of the maxim of the wise man, Solomon, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it," not to use every means in their power to secure the religious train-

26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ing of their children ; and when kind words and persuasive arguments failed to bend the stubborn will of the child, they did not spare the rod, being fully persuaded that "he who spareth the rod spoileth the child.'7 Little Fletcher was early taught the fear of the Lord, and the necessity of praying to Him, an important lesson which cannot be learned too early : "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." He, like the youthful Timothy, "knew the Holy Scriptures from a child;7' and learned to attach so much importance to prayer that he was heard to remark in the latter part of his life: "That his experience had proved to him that prayer was as beneficial to his body as to his soul, and that without prayer his body would not have lasted till his thirtieth year. Young Reid was naturally possessed of a clear, discriminating mind, with great powers of analysis, and, conse- quently, made great proficiency in his studies. His mind developed itself rapidly, so that he was generally in advance of the boys of his own age in his literary attainments. He was put to school very young, and learned rapidly. His mind was developed much faster than his body, so much so that he appeared precocious.

In the year 1838, at the age of thirteen years, he entered Emory and Henry College. This was about the time that the College Faculty was or- ganized ; it consisted of Rev. Charles A. Collins,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 27

President, and E. E. Wiley and Edmund Longley, professors, with one tutor. He was a member of one of the first classes organized in the college. He was quite small for his age, and this, in con- nection with his literary attainments, commended him to the favorable consideration of the faculty, and gave him influence among the students. His correct deportment during the six consecutive sessions he was in college secured him the appro- bation of his instructors and the respect of his fel- low students.

His college life was pleasant ; he had for his room-mates his brother, Wesley Reid, and his uncle, Benjamin S. Edwards, the youngest brother of his sainted mother, both of whom died more than twenty years ago. He continued a student in Emoiy and Henry College three years, but left the institution without graduating, though he had accomplished most of the academic course of stud}". He was a hard student at College, and continued to be such to the end of life. He learned while in college how to discipline his mind to study, and thereby laid the foundation of his future eminence as a minister of the Gospel. He there learned to know the scholar's resources and their use ; clear comprehension of men, of opinions and tendencies, to see quickly and clearl}', to discriminate wisely, and to argue with directness and force. His mental faculties were wonderfully developed by

28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

his collegiate training, and no doubt that his future greatness was the result of his early educational advantages.

While in college his good conduct, his close ap- plication to his studies, his virtuous habits and his gentlemanly deportment, commended him to the esteem of all who knew him. He was a prom- ising young man, and while in school bid fair to take high rank in society. The expectations of his friends have been fully realized by the high position he has occupied in his various relations to society. When he left his Alma Mater he car- ried with him the highest regards of the faculty, and the good will and kind affections of his fellow students. President Wiley writes as follows : "When he was ivith us, he was a youth of good promise. I have met him but few times since in General Conference. My last interview with him was, I think, at General Conference in Memphis. I always had a high admiration of his qualities as a Christian gentleman, and of his abilities as an effective speaker, and especially as an extraordi- nary preacher of the Gospel."

At the tender age of sixteen he left the college halls to go out and commence the battle of active life. He returned to his father's house at Thomp- sonville, Rockingham County, N. C, to mingle with relatives and friends for a short time before entering upon the occupation which he had chosen

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 29

— that of teaching school. His time was pleasantly spent for a few weeks in visiting his friends and in attending social parties with the young people during his holiday. This was truly a jubilee to his young and buoyant heart. His festive days passed rapidly away, and he was soon to enter upon new duties and to assume new responsibil- ities.

In his seventeenth }rear he commenced a school in Thompsonville, N. C. This was the village in which his father's family resided. His school was a mixed school, made up of boys and girls, and some of them his seniors. Rev. James H. Brent was one of his pupils, as, also, his own little sisters and brothers. This scholastic year was one of great anxiety to him ; he was young and inex- perienced in the management of schools, but with his strong will and energetic nature he soon ex- hibited considerable executive ability. He suc- ceeded in the management of the school to the en- tire satisfaction of his employers. It was during this year that he attended the great camp meeting at Mount Carmel, in company with his father's family. This camp meeting was in the pastoral charge of the sainted John Rich ; Rev. Samuel S. Bryant was the Presiding Elder. There were a great many preachers in attendance at this meet- ing, and all of them seemed to be filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. On the first evening.

30 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

at the first service, Divine power came upon the congregation. Christians got happy, and sinners were awakened. The work went on, increasing in interest from day to day ; the word was preached in great power and demonstration of the Spirit. The work of awakening and conversion continued to increase among the people, until it was ascer- tained that more than one hundred and fifty souls had been happily converted to God.

This meeting more resembled the day of Pente- cost than any other scene ever witnessed by the writer. The young, the old, male and female, rich and poor, white and colored, all partook of the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit ; in the language of one of old, "The rich and the poor met together, and God was the maker of them all."

Among the converts at the great Carmel camp meeting was the subject of this sketch. It was here that Numa Fletcher Reid was happily converted to God, with his brother Wesley, his two sisters, Ann and Mary, and James H. Brent, one of his students, who afterwards became an able minister of the gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church South. These have all kept the faith, finished their course, and have died in peace ; they all died in the bloom of youth except the subject of this sketch. He conferred not with flesh and blood, but immediately connected himself with the Methodist Church, and continued to be a

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 31

prominent and useful member of it to the clay of his death. It was in the year 1843 that he was converted to God, and joined the Church, having just entered his eighteenth year. He went from the camp meeting with a heart full of love to God and all mankind, to resume the duties of his school. He was now better prepared to meet his obligations than he was before his conversion to God. With the love of God shed abroad in his heart he was greatly delighted with the duties of religion, such as attending the ministration of the Word, the social prayer meetings, and the class meetings. The revival flame spread all around the Rockingham Circuit ; it reached the church at Lowe's Chapel, near Thompsonville, and many precious souls were converted there, and gathered into the Church. Young Reid entered fully into the spirit of the work, and rendered active ser- vice in carrying it on ; it was a gracious season, long to be remembered. Many of the subjects of this revival have long since been transferred from the Church militant on earth to the Church triumphant in glory.

At the end of this year his school at Thomp- sonville closed. He spent several weeks of vaca- tion ; during his holidays he visited many of his friends, and had a pleasant time ; but such was his energetic nature that he could not be long contented without some useful employment. In

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the year 1844 lie taught a school at Salem Church, near Reidsville, Rockingham County. He boarded at the house of his esteemed uncle, F. James Meador, a Christian gentleman of excellent char- acter for honesty and virtue, and of deep piety. The example of this good man had a most salu- tary influence upon the mind and. conduct of young Reid ; in after life he often spoke of the excellent qualities of his Uncle Meador. This good man passed away to the spirit land a few years before him. He spent his time pleasantly in this interesting family. He discharged his duties in this school to the satisfaction of his patrons. After the close of his school at Salem, in company with one of his fellow students, he made a visit to his Alma Mater, Emory and Henry College ; it was the time of commencement, and it was a heartfelt pleasure to pay his respects to his revered preceptors, and to mingle again with his fellow students in the sacred halls of learning, where he had spent so many happy days. On his return to Rockingham County, N. C, he en- tered into copartnership with Franklin L. Harris, a fellow student, and a graduate of Emory and Henry College, to carry on an academy in the town of Wentworth, N. C.

The Wentworth Academy opened in the early part of the year 1845, with flattering prospects. It consisted of a male and female department,

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under the joint supervision of N. F. Reid and Franklin L. Harris. They were assisted by one competent female teacher. The school soon num- bered between fifty and sixty pupils ; it was a decided success in every particular.

Many of the students made good proficiency in their studies. At the close of the scholastic year, Mr. Reid and Mr. Harris dissolved their copartner- ship by mutual consent. The Wentworth Academy had taken such hold on the community, and had become so popular, that the citizens earnestly solic- ited Mr. Reid to carry it on as sole proprietor ; this was quite an undertaking to one so young, having just turned his nineteenth year. In the year 1846 the subject of this sketch carried on the Wentworth Academy, in both the male and female depart- ments, assisted by one female teacher. B}r his in- domitable energy and his executive skill, he man- aged the school so well that it gradually continued to increase in popularity. He was firm in his ad- ministration of discipline, and consequently had very little trouble in the management of school ; he commanded both the reverence and respect of his pupils. He exhibited in his deportment so many excellent qualities that he soon wielded an influence in the community unparalleled for one of his age. He was frequently applied to by the citi- zens for counsel or advice in matters of difficulty. His having commenced his public career so young.

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and having been thrown on his own resources so early in life, greatly strengthened his character, and enabled him in more mature age to have so much sagacity in managing and settling difficulties between contending parties ; he has from his youth been entitled to the blessing of the peace-maker.

Having become settled in his purpose to spend his whole life in useful pursuits, and as he was now approaching the age of manhood, and soon to be called upon to exercise the functions of a freeman, in the body politic, he determined to marry, and settle himself. In pursuance of this purpose, he was married on the 11th of August, 1846, to Miss Ann E. Wright, eldest daughter of James and Ella Wright, of Wentworth, N. C, a few days after he was twenty-one years old.

Some of the wisest and best men have advocated early marriages as best calculated to promote both the happiness and usefulness of mankind. It is highly probable that the early marriage of Numa F. Eeid contributed to his extensive usefulness in life. His wife lived to be the mother of eight children — four sons, and four daughters ; all of them are now living except the first born — a nice little girl, who died before she was two years old. This bereavement, in connection with the death of his brother Wesley Eeid, no doubt had the salu- tary effect to detach his affections from the crea- ture, and fix them more firmly upon his Creator.

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As his school progressed and gained influence in the surrounding neighborhoods, many of his friends sought to avail themselves of its advan- tages by boarding their children in the town. He, therefore, fitted up an establishment for house- keeping, with an arrangement for boarding pupils; and in this, found his wife to be a true helpmeet in the management of his domestic affairs. There are still living useful men and women, now heads of families and useful members of society, who were once his pupils and boarders in his family ; they will never forget his kind attentions and good advice. He had a kind heart, full of sym- pathy for his fellow creatures, ever ready to ad- minister to suffering humanity. He passed through his second year in Wentworth Academy with credit to himself and with profit to his pupils.

About the close of his second year in Went- worth Academy he joined the Fraternity of Free Masons, and took great delight in the workings of the order. Soon after he