Tablets Are Unveiled
for Beloved Leaders. . . Memorials to Dr. Murphy and Abel A. Shuford Witnessed
by Large Congregation. . . Beautiful Tributes Paid to These Good Men Who Did
Much for Church and City
Handsome memorial tablets to the late Dr. Joseph L. Murphy
and Abel A. Shuford were unveiled in Corinth Reformed church, the scene of
their greatest work, yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large
congregation of friends of these noble men. Rev. W.W. Rowe presided over the
exercises and the veils were drawn by Bobbie Grimes and John Murphy Jr. from
Dr. Murphy’s tablet and by Barry Blackwelder and Helen D’Anna from Mr. Shuford
memorial. These are grandchildren. Inspiring tributes were paid to both men,
and speakers, in referring to their good deeds, stressed the importance of this
church, whose 50th anniversary was observed in this connection,
pushing forward in good works in the present and future.
Unusually fine music was rendered during the service, a duet
by Mrs. J.H. Shuford and Mr. W.R. Weaver being unusually beautiful.
The tablets unveiled are of bronze and are beautiful. The
one to Dr. Murphy was placed by the congregation and that to Mr. Shuford by his
daughter, Mrs. H.C. Menzies. They face each other across the handsome
auditorium. Mr. Rowe merely repeated the noble and true words written on the
tablets: “In Memoriam. Dr. Joseph L. Murphy, 1858-1917; pastor 189001917. Long
and faithful ministry. He preached Christ unto them,” and “In Memorial. Abel A.
Shuford 1841-1912. Patriot, friend of God, friend of Man. Faithful unto the
end.”
Mr. Rowe stated after the unveiling that the service was
informal and mentioned the fact that the church would be 50 years old on May
22. He called on Rev. W.R. Bradshaw of the First Baptist church to bring the
greetings from his congregation, and this Mr. Bradshaw did eloquently and
feelingly. He referred to the great advance of this congregation into its
beautiful home and declared that if we judge individuals by their achievements,
then we should judge churches, and by any standard of measurement Corinth
Reformed church has made a great success. Mr. Bradshaw referred to three
beloved pastors in Hickory when he came here—Dr. Murphy, Dr. Gwaltney and Dr.
Moser—and they left a lane of light. That prince of laymen, Abel A. Shuford,
stood nobly by—a man with a beautiful soul. We do well, Mr. Bradshaw said, to
honor such men, and he emphasized the importance of the congregation with the
achievements of the fathers before it, to push forward to a goal equally
inspiring. The speaker referred feelingly to the fraternal relations that have
existed among the churches and mentioned the fact that the Reformed church was
the home of the other church members whose ministers held service in the old
building years ago.
Dr. W.B. Ramsay brought greetings from the First
Presbyterian church and told how his congregation in the early days before it
had services each Sabbath always went to hear Dr. Murphy. That showed the
interest the Presbyterians had in Corinth Reformed church.
Mr. A.M. West, in the absence of Rev. W.O. Goode, brought
greetings from the First Methodist church. He was thankful for the great record
of the Reformed church, which had so large a part in the growth and upbuilding
of Hickory and the community.
Greetings from Lenoir College and Lutheran institutions were
extended by Dr. F.C. Longaker, who spoke particularly of Dr. Murphy, who made
him, a stranger, feel at home here. The influence of this church and its
members is not limited to the community, but is worldwide, Dr. Longaker said.
Rev. S.B. Stroup, record of the Church of the Ascension, was
too ill to be present, and a letter expressed his regrets and interest in the
occasion.
Mr. Edgar Whitener of High Point, an old Cornith boy, recalled
fruitful days here. Mr. Rowe then called upon Rev. J.H. Shuford, pastor in
1874-1876, and Mr. Shuford recalled the founding of this congregation, paying
tribute to the good men who were its organizers. It was an outgrowth of Bethel
Reformed church. Dr. A.D. Wolfinger, president of Catawba College, referred to
the part Dr. Murphy and Dr. Shuford had taken in this institution, and it was
largely through their aid and influence that the college was kept going.
Messrs. C.C. Bost and E.L. Shuford, who were members of the
first Sunday school, were called upon. Mr. Bost is still attending the Sunday
school and his reminisces were unusually entertaining, as were those of Mr.
Shuford.
Mr. G.H. Geitner, the last speaker, pointed to the lesson
for all the members. This congregation had achieved much in 50 years. The
leaders had before them service, and he felt that the present congregation, to
be worthy of its past, must be a force for the better life of Hickory and the
community.
For a brief history of
the church and pictures of the buildings throughout the years, go to https://corinthtoday.org/about-us/history/
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