ery way dur­ than in any

oked at in the , this progress is rom other angles

actory, observed by Uy small advance. encouraging features

s is the large number ·es being built with part

pment for Sunday-school se will serve as object les­ ther churches. Within the years we may expect to see

jority of our mountain country es housed in adequate build-

A. C. HAMBY.

SORRELL: A TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND

"There is a friend that sticxeth. closer than a brother."

When Charles Kingsley was once asked the secret of his strong, joyous life, he replied, "I have a friend."

Thus he gave his testimony to the value of a true friend. Emerson says, "A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."

Rev. C. R. Sorrell, ·who lost lits life in an automobile accident near Liberty, North Carolina, on September 5, was the truest and best friend I ever had outside of my own immediate family circle. He and I roomed to­ gether for five years, and we were class­ mates both in college and seminary. I knew him as only one soul can know another, and I believe I understood him. Only love understands. It is distrust, suspicion, jealously, . hatred which blinds one's eyes to a man's true

worth. I beg leave to offer my tribute to a friend whose strength and weak­ nesses I knew as few men knew them. C. Russell Sorrell was a true and

loyal friend. He knew how to BE a friend as well as how to accept the benefits of friendship from others. He kept his friends in mind, and he was always ready to sacrifice and serve. This fine quality of his helped to make possible his beautiful and happy mar­ ried life. He married Miss Grace Sul­ livan of Marble Hill, Mo., in 1916, and through the eight years following I knew them intimately. He was one of the most devoted husbands and fathers that I ever knew. Nobody ever pro­ vided better for his family according to his income, for his thought was not for self but for those nearest and dear­ est to him. C. R. Sorrell was a hard and tireless

worker. He seemed not to know what it was to be indolent and lazy. He was one of the finest and most energetic personal workers I ever saw. He must have taken unconsciously as a motto for his life the words of Jesus, "We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." No grass ever "grew under his feet" either in his church work or about his home. He was a man of strong convictions,

and he always had the courage of his convictions. He didn't agree with everybody, neither did everybody agree with him, but he had the highest re­ spect for the opinions of honest men. He was not a hypocrite. His life was honest, rugged and manly ; as clear as the sunlight to all who saw him through honest and unprejudiced eyes. Jesus Christ held the supreme place

in the loyalty and devotion of C. R. Sorrell. He was a volunteer for the foreign field in his student days, but when the Board could not send him be­ cause of lack of funds he turned with all his zeal and earnestness to the home service, losing not a moment in useless repining. The world was his field any- way. · He was brave and courageous. This

was founded on his simple and clear faith in God. Many times I have heard him say that a man's life linked up with God could not fail. He was not afraid ; he lived a life of fearless trust. His passing seems untimely and tragic, but who can say? His life was in the hands of God. He died "in the harness," on his way to church where he was to preach the Gospel of Christ. And as pastor he was in the midst of what was perhaps the greatest and happiest work of his life with the Green Street Baptist Church of High Point.

BIBLICAL R

"0 light that followest all my way I yield my flick'ring torch to Thee ; My heart restores its borrowed ray, That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day May brighter, fairer be."

L. L. CARPENTER. Columbia, South Carolina.

MEETING AT NEW HOPE CHURCH It was a great privilege to have

Rev. C. W. Blanchard, of New Bern, with us in a meeting at New Hope Church in the Eastern Association for two weeks, from August 3 to 17. Brother Blanchard is a great Gospel preacher and it is always a pleasure and inspiration to have him with us. He preaches the Gospel with great power. We seldom hear his equal on the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. His preaching build up the membership and strengthen them in the faith. All of our peopl were greatly strengthened by hi services and we feel that our wor will go forward in a great way.

The ingathering was not very grea as there were few unconverted peopl in the community. There were fou who were received for baptism. Thes were fine young ladies from the Sun day-school and who will make grea workers in our church.

N. D. BLACKMAN, I .

..

half e to

RALEIGH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION MINUTES, 1973

HALEICII 13APTJST ASSOCJATJO:\

(206.9756/M66ra) 5

MRS. GRACE SORRELL

Mrs. Sorrell, formerly Grace Elizabeth Sullivan, was married to C. Russell Sorrell, pastor of Green Street Baptist Church, High Point at the time of his death in 1924. She is a graduate of Baylor University, Waco, Texas, and W.M.U. Training School, Louisville, Kentucky; M.S. Degree from N. C. State Univer- sity, Raleigh.

A part of her Christian service has included: teaching a Sunday School class for 62 years, served as local and associational W.M. U. president, circle leader for 40 years, and has been actively associated with the Raleigh Baptist Center since its beginning in 1945.

The Sorrells had four children; Russell of Rocky Mount, Fred M. of Ra- leigh, two deceased and 8 grandchildren.

HISTORY OF BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH, Knightdale, N. C., 1883-1983.

(286.175655/B46) Appendi

No pastor reported in Raleigh Baptist Asso~iation minutes in 1906.

REV. J. S. HAGWOOD Our Thirteenth Pastor - 1907

Rev. Hagwood, after an illness of several months, departed this life on November 17, 1913, in Knightdale. His remains were interred at his old home­ place near Zebulon, North Carolina. He was survived by his wife and six children.

REV. CARDWIN HIGH NORRIS 'Our Fourteenth Pastor - 1908-1909

Rev. C. H. Norris was born Ocrober 17, 1883, in Wake County and was ordained on May 29, 1908, while he was a student at Wake Forest College. He married Mabel Viola Smith in December, 1912, and they had two sons. For over 50 years he served churches in Johnston, Franklin, Harnett, Wake and Granville Counties. He had been retired seven years when he died on November 12, 1966.

No pastor reported in Raleigh Baptist Association minutes in 1910.

REV. C. RUSSELL SORRELL Our Fifteenth Pastor - 1911

)

Rev. C. Russell Sorrell was pastor at The Green Street Baptist Church in High Point, North Carolina, when he was killed in an auto accident on his way to church on September 5, 1924. He was married to Grace Sullivan of Marble Hill, Missouri, in 1916.

-62-

REPORT ON OBITUARIES

we wish to make special mention of Rev. C. Russell Sorrell,

who was the faithful and beloved pastor of Green Street Baptist church

of High Point. Brother Sorrell had been in this pastorate less than

two years, but the whole city had begun to feel the effects of his

faithful and progressive ministry. During his short pastorate, he

had added to his church more than 100 members. Plans were completed

for the construction of a new and modern building to take care of

the growing Sunday School and the large congregation that waited

on his ministry. Bro; Sorrell was perhaps, the most popular minister

in the city of High Point. We feel safe in saying that he was the

most popular Baptist minister in the city. His sudden death not only

brought great grief to his congregation, but to his many friends

throughout all the city and elsewhere. Brother Sorrell was a young

man and just in the beginning of what promised to be a very fruitful

ministry.

PIEDMONT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION MINUTES, 1925, p. 17

Conunittee.

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT

On September 5th, our Heavenly Father called our beloved pastor,

Rev. C. Russell Sorrell from his earthly home to his Heavenly Horne.

We shall see him no more on earth but memories of his noble Christian

life will ever live in our hearts.

Few Baptist churches in North Carolina are favored with pastors

who equal Brother Sorrell as a preacher of the Gospel and as a

man of faith. And we know of none who equal him as an untiring worker.

He will not only be missed by Green Street Church, but by the

manufacturer and the humble laborer of High Point. He loved them,

and they loved him. Our loss is Heaven's gain and with bowed heads

we humbly pray Thy will be done.

Therefore be it resolved:

First, that we humbly submit to the will of our Father who

loveth all and doeth all things well.

Second, that in his noble life and Christ like Spirit he has

paved the way we shall try to follow.

Third, that we the members of Green Street Church extend to the

bereaved wife and children our gratitude for their corning among us.

And our deepest sympathy in this lonely hour.

M. C. CULLER,

D. T. ANDREWS,

A. P. SAMUELS,

High Point, N. C., Sept. 5, 1924.

BIBLICAL RECORDER

22 October 1924, page: 13:3-4