Elon University - Phi Psi Cli Yearbook (Elon, NC)

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Rev, James Willis Wellons, D,D, ;iv ' . J. W. WELLOXS, D. D., to whom this second volume of the Phipsicli is deservedly and affectionately dedicated, was born in Sussex County, Virginia, January i. 1826, and is now a vigorous thinker at the advanced age of 89 years. The universal esteem in which he is held is abundantly attested by the salutation applied to him by all, Uncle Wellons, not out of respect to his years, but in appreciation of his pious life and vital concern in everyone. Dr. Wellons was licensed in 1854 and ordained to the Gospel ministry by the North Carolina and Virginia Christian Conference in 1856, and druing the sixty years that have since elapsed he has missed only two sessions of his Conference — one due to his being behind the Federal lines during the Civil War, the other due to serious illness — a record that we doubt can be matched. He has never missed a session of the Southern Christian Convention since 1854, and but one session of the American Christian Convention, and then on account of sickness. His strict attendance on his Conference sessions and his Church Conventions, has not been perfunctory, but arose out of the vital response of a devoted heart to duty, and no man has exercised a more powerful influence nor proven a worthier counselor than he. The beauty of his life is now seen in the sweet and gracious spirit in which he rejoices to see younger men taking the place of leadership so long conceded to him — sweet and gracious beyond the portrayal of language, because so sublimely sincere and absolutely unaffected. Dr. Wellons had preached as a local preacher by the authority of Barrett ' s Church, Southhampton County, a., for two years before he came to North Carolina and accepted license by his present Conference, but up to his twenty- sixth year was an interested layman, being a deacon, and also secretary and treasurer of the Church. It was at the earnest solicitation of his fellow-laymen that he first ' gave serious thought to the ministry. They recognized his rare gift for that important calling, and sixty-two years of devoted service has given abundant proof of his divine appointment to this work. Dr. Wellons made Franklinton, N. C, his headquarters for many ears, traveling from that town to his Churches, always among the best and most im- portant. He was a gifted singer and had great success as a revivalist. His ministry has been blessed in e.xtraordinar}- manner by the establishment of new Churches and the ingathering of souls in established congregations. The Church at Durham, N. C, finally succeeded in attracting him from Franklnton and as its pastor he continued in unstinted service till his health callapsed in 1902 and he came to Elon College to live out his days, in retirement as he thought, in the shadow of an institution of which he had been a staunch supporter from its origin, but God willed it otherwise. L ' ncle Wellons lives in the West Dormitory of the Colege afar from retired life, being co-pastor of the

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REV. JAMES W. WELLONS, D. D. THE MOST LOYAL FRIEND TO OUR ALMA MATER, AND THE ONE WHO STOOD CLOSEST TO HER SIDE FROM HER BIRTH, WE DEDICATE THE SECOND ISSUE OF THE PHIPSICLI

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College Church and in constant, vital touch with everything connected with the College. Dr. Wellons was a member of the Provisional Uoard of Trustees of the College, offered the first prayer for the success of the institution under the sacred gimi tree now facing East Dormitory before a brick was made for the construc- tion of the institution, has always been a member of the Board of Trustees and of its Executive Committee, and has never missed a session of either Xo man has ever rendered more valuable service to Elon in counsel, devotion, or unstinted service than the venerable man of God to whom this vohune is most appropriately dedicated in love and admiration. In addition to all this. Dr. Wellons has always been a liberal giver to the College and has left all his estate to it by the provisions of his will, the same to be used as a nucleus for the establishment of a Chair of Theology in Elon College, an object to which he has devoted the last few years and in which he v ould have achieved larger success but for the pressure of other claims upon the generosity of the financial constituency of the College. Dr. Wellons has been a fruitful writer as well as busy pastor. His second volume was the Life and Labors of Rev. W. B. Wellons, D.D., his sainted brot ' ier, a most versatile and eloquent preacher, whose untimely death from over-work is mourned to this day by a host who knew him but to love and trust. This was preceded by a volume on Family Prayer — a subject to which his heart and atten- tion have recently returned and in the hope of furthering which he has just published a most excellent booklet entitled. Family IVorship — Suggestions for l!s Cultivation and Success. He has also published a genealogical work on I ' hc Wellons Family — a book calling for wide and patient investigation. All these volumes have had a wade circulation and exerted a great influence for righteous- ness, to the development of which his fruitful years of long-living have been assiduously devoted. The Class of 1Q14 has honored itself in honoring this veteran friend of all that makes for the uplift of human society and of the individual human soul. And every friend of Elon College will congratulate them in their expression by this act of their appreciation for him who has lived the unmarried life because he was married to the interests of the Kingdom, to which his whole career has been devoted in love and consecration.