The Eller Chronicles

BROTHER ELLER TO LEAVE.

Rev. J. Ben Eller has resigned the pastorate of the Lee Street Baptist Church,-Danville, to enter the Seminary at Louisville this fall. He came to the church in June 1911, after graduating with honors from Wake Forest college. He. has done a remarkably fine work in this church. During his two year pastorate there have been one hundred and ninety additions, one hundred and twenty four of these have been by baptism. There has been a net gain In the membership during hls pastorate of one hundred and thirty-four. A Systematic plan of giving to missions has been adopted. Offerings to the various Boards have materially increased. Church and Sunday-school Improvements have been made, costing $2,500, all of which has been paid except $200.00. The Sunday-school has made great progress both in organization and attendance.

A Ladies' Aid society has been organized. A wide awake B. Y. P. U. Is doing fine work among the young people. Great stress has been laid upon the Normal Training work In the Sunday-school, and eight of: the teachers now hold diplomas. The congregations have greatly increased, and the church with enlarged auditorium capacity Is filled, every, service-often crowded at night.

The work done by Brother Eller on this field has been nothing short of remarkable. He has enlisted a large number of young people whom he has trained for efficient service In the church, and these love him and are loyal to him. He is a most excellent preacher, an energetic pastor and splendid organizer. He is Secretary of the Ministerial Union of our city, and is held in the highest esteem by his follow ministers and by the people of the city. We are exceedingly sorry to have him leave this Important field on which he has wrought wonders In the way of training and developing, the people. and leading them to a broader vision of life and service.

We shall follow him with the Intensest interest as he goes to take his Seminary course, and predict for him a brilliant career at the Seminary.

J. E. HICKS

Former Coats Pastor Succombs In Raleigh

The Rev. J. Ben Eller, 83 a former pastor of the Coats Baptist Church, died Monday afternoon at his home at 2317 Milbanks St. in Raleigh.

Funeral arrangements are imcomplet.

A graduate of Mars Hill and Wake Forest colleges, and the Southern Baptist Seminary, he also served as vice president of the North Carolina State Baptist Convention and president of the Baptist Pastors Conference. He served as pastor of Coats Baptist Church, First Baptist Church in Statesvillew, First Baptist Church in Salem, Va., and Lee Street Baptist Church in Cnville in addition to his pastorate at the Asheboro Street Church in Greensboro.

He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Raleigh, a trustee of Mars Hill College and board member of the Baptist state convention.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs Ruth Cozart Eller; daughters Mrs. J.P. Freeman of Raleigh, Mrs Ralph Boyd of Raleigh, and Mrs. J. T. Bailey of Douglas Ga.; a brother, L. Zack Eller of Mars Hill; a Sister, Mrs Cora Eller Roberts of Weaverville.

MRS. RUTH COZART ELLER

RALEIGH - Mrs. Ruth Cozart Eller, 90, died Friday at Methodist Home in Durham.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh with Dr. T . Cashwell and the Rev. Howard Beard officiating. Burial .will be at Montlawn Memorial Park.

She was the widow of the Rev. J. Ben Eller, a former pastor of Asheboro Street Baptist Church in Greensboro. She published a biography of her late husband entitled "Gem of the Blue Ridge" in 1974.

Surviving are daughters, Mrs. Judith Freeman of Raleigh, Mrs. Ruth Bailey of Douglas, Ga., Mrs. Jane Byrd of Hillsborough; sister, Mrs. H. L. Austin of Tucson, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

The family will be at 2216 Lash Avenue in Raleigh.

Memorials may be made to Hayes Barton Baptist Church to be used for the Ministerial Student Scholarship.