Rev. Matthew Hammond Neely
Pastor here from 1900 - 1901
Born March 6, 1836
Converted in 1848
Licensed to preach in 1854
Pastor of Travis Street Methodist Church, Sherman 1864 - 1864 and from 1869 - 1870
Years of Ministry - 57
Died in 1913 and buried at Gainesville, Texas
Rev. Neely, a forceful and inspirational speaker, was an evangelistic-type preacher with a graceful manner. His genuine Christian friendship held him in high esteem among his members who affectionately called him "warm-hearted Brother Neely".
Matthew Hammond Neely, 1836 - 1913, of Warrick County, Indiana, settled with his parents Greenleaf and Nancy Lawrence Neely, in Hopkins County, Texas at 10 years of age. He was licensed to preach in 1854, admitted to the East Texas Conference in 1856, and was Curator of Southwestern University, where he received honorary D.D. Degree for outstanding contributions to the church.
Knowing there was no greater healing power than the WORD, Rev. Neely placed emphasis on forceful gospel sermons, prayer meetings, Sunday School, and song fests.
Ranking among the outstanding ministers of his day, Rev. M.H. Neely was appointed as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, 305 W. Maple, Whitewright, Texas from 1900 - 1901. From the Quarterly Conference Minutes, March 19, 1900, pastor Neely writes:
"We are glad to be able to report improvement in the spiritual state of the church, during the quarter. There has been a great quickening in the increase of zeal. We have had a very gracious revival of religion, which still continues with unabated interest. We as a church, first joined in a meeting with the Presbyterians for four weeks, then moved the meeting to our own church where it has been going on for two weeks. It has been a meeting of remarkable power resulting in a great number of conversations. It is quite difficult to tell how many, but near one hundred to date. We have received into the church 36 members, and others still to join. We have baptized 21 adults. We have preached during the quarter, 35 sermons, and made 120 visits. We feel thankful to God for what he has done for us, and are praying for an expression of greater things. there is a deep and profound impression prevailing through the entire city and we have only to press on to victory".
From the Quarterly Conference Minutes, Oct. 6, 1900, Pastor Neely writes:
"The state of the church is somewhat peculiar....We have peace and harmony so far as I know and the general attendance upon the ministry and the social meetings of the church is fairly good as a general thing. Yet the older members of the church do not attend as they should, either the Sunday services or the prayer meetings. It has been a source of grief to me that so many of the old and prominent members of the church were so negligent in this respect. Their example is not good and the church suffers. But while we have this to regret we are pleased to report that we have never served a charge where the young people attended church so well. We have received during the quarter 10 members by letter, making 50 accessions during the year. We have dismissed 8 by letter during the quarter, and there has been one death, J.D. Trotte a good man. Although we have had a very pleasant year and entertain the kindest feelings for all. We would kindly urge the members of this Conference to greater punctuality in their attendance upon church duties, and especially would we stress the importance of the attendance of the official board on official meetings".
Pastor here from 1900 - 1901
Born March 6, 1836
Converted in 1848
Licensed to preach in 1854
Pastor of Travis Street Methodist Church, Sherman 1864 - 1864 and from 1869 - 1870
Years of Ministry - 57
Died in 1913 and buried at Gainesville, Texas
Rev. Neely, a forceful and inspirational speaker, was an evangelistic-type preacher with a graceful manner. His genuine Christian friendship held him in high esteem among his members who affectionately called him "warm-hearted Brother Neely".
Matthew Hammond Neely, 1836 - 1913, of Warrick County, Indiana, settled with his parents Greenleaf and Nancy Lawrence Neely, in Hopkins County, Texas at 10 years of age. He was licensed to preach in 1854, admitted to the East Texas Conference in 1856, and was Curator of Southwestern University, where he received honorary D.D. Degree for outstanding contributions to the church.
Knowing there was no greater healing power than the WORD, Rev. Neely placed emphasis on forceful gospel sermons, prayer meetings, Sunday School, and song fests.
Ranking among the outstanding ministers of his day, Rev. M.H. Neely was appointed as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, 305 W. Maple, Whitewright, Texas from 1900 - 1901. From the Quarterly Conference Minutes, March 19, 1900, pastor Neely writes:
"We are glad to be able to report improvement in the spiritual state of the church, during the quarter. There has been a great quickening in the increase of zeal. We have had a very gracious revival of religion, which still continues with unabated interest. We as a church, first joined in a meeting with the Presbyterians for four weeks, then moved the meeting to our own church where it has been going on for two weeks. It has been a meeting of remarkable power resulting in a great number of conversations. It is quite difficult to tell how many, but near one hundred to date. We have received into the church 36 members, and others still to join. We have baptized 21 adults. We have preached during the quarter, 35 sermons, and made 120 visits. We feel thankful to God for what he has done for us, and are praying for an expression of greater things. there is a deep and profound impression prevailing through the entire city and we have only to press on to victory".
From the Quarterly Conference Minutes, Oct. 6, 1900, Pastor Neely writes:
"The state of the church is somewhat peculiar....We have peace and harmony so far as I know and the general attendance upon the ministry and the social meetings of the church is fairly good as a general thing. Yet the older members of the church do not attend as they should, either the Sunday services or the prayer meetings. It has been a source of grief to me that so many of the old and prominent members of the church were so negligent in this respect. Their example is not good and the church suffers. But while we have this to regret we are pleased to report that we have never served a charge where the young people attended church so well. We have received during the quarter 10 members by letter, making 50 accessions during the year. We have dismissed 8 by letter during the quarter, and there has been one death, J.D. Trotte a good man. Although we have had a very pleasant year and entertain the kindest feelings for all. We would kindly urge the members of this Conference to greater punctuality in their attendance upon church duties, and especially would we stress the importance of the attendance of the official board on official meetings".
Be It Remembered.........