From Norwood to Palmerville

Biblical Recorder - October, 1915

by Rev. E. M. Brooks

From Norwood to Palmerville is not a long move but one which has brought us under conditions altogether different. The work here is exceedingly interesting. In fact, there are three points all in close proximity, each having its peculiar attractions.

Palmerville is, or has been up till recently, nothing more than a quiet school village. Here Prof. E. F. Eddins has wrought his life work and has done it well. It is to be questioned whether any institution or business enterprise in all the county has done more for the advancement of this section than has the Palmerville Academy. The time was when resident teachers could not be had to teach the public schools of the county and the several districts had to be supplied with teachers secured elsewhere. Now the supply almost equals the demand. Of course there have been other preparatory schools in the county, but many, if not most, of the young men and young women now teaching our schools were prepared at this school. Its popularity has never waned and it had at no time lacked a full patronage. For several years past Prof. Eddins has been Superintendent of Public Instruction for Stanly County. During the present term of his service in this office since he gives full time, his two daughters, Misses Nora and Vann, have done the more active work of the schoolroom, each having attended both Chowan and Meredith colleges for their higher training.

The next place of interest is the Hardaway Camp at the stie of the great Aluminum Company's dam one and a half miles away, but in plain view of Palmerville. This settlement contains hundreds of people working for the company as well as Capt. Busbee's convict camp. This village is supposed to be a temporary one and to last only through the construction of the great power plant which will likely require one or two years. Here we have a chapel at which I shall hold services Sunday afternoons. Also I have arranged to preach once a month or oftener to the convicts.

And last, but not least, is Badin, one and a half miles down the river and south from Palmerville. It is destined to become a city and that almost at once. Every available foot of land on the new highway to Albemarle is being purchased at a fabulous price and surveyed into manufacturing sites, business blocks and residence lots. The greatness of this undertaking must be seen to be at all realized. Badin and Palmerville are almost connected now, and soon, like Winston-Salem, a huge coffee pot or some other device will have to be put up to indicate that there were ever two distinct places. Hence, Palmerville will soon be North Bain in actuality if not in name. Right in the heart of Badin, in a large inviting grove of oaks, stands the historic old church of Ebenezer, which is a part of my present field. I am not able at present to preach here more than twice a month. This arrangement may suffice for the ensueing year but certainly not longer. In my honest opinion this is the greatest opportunity for the cause to be found in the whole State.

Let me say this much in general and I will close this rather long letter: I am in every way pleased with the people and the work here. I feel that the Lord has opened the "widest" and "most effectual door" for me that I have ever had, for which I pour out to Him the gratitude of an humble, earnest heart.

To mention the many thoughtful remembrances of this people would consume too much space. Our pantry, barn and other places about the home could speak more eloquently than we as to this. One thing, however, deserves special mention: The Woman's Missionary Society (there is no Ladies' Aid Society) decided that the pastor's home should be painted. So among themselves they pieced and finished a beautiful crazy quilt and offered it in a contest as a part of the Christmas exercises at the Academy. The quilt, besides furnishing quite a little amusement for the young, brought enough in cash to about purchase the needed quantity of paint to do the work intended. But the most pleasant surprise came when the winner of the quilt turned and gracefully presented her well deserved prize to the pastor and his wife. This was a gift never to be forgotten.

I feel it is but just for me to say that the chief reason for the work being so easy here is that all my predecessors, both immediate and remote, have been worthy men. J. E. M. Davenport, D. W. Arnett, W. E. Watkins, J. L. Kirk, John R. Miller and C. E. Edwards are men you need not hesitate to follow.

E. M. BROOKS.

Palmerville, N.C.