The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-08-06
The Bible Convention.

was larger attendance than on any previous
occasion, numbering about sixty Delegates:
Ind the proceedings were characterized By
great zeal and cordial co operation in furth
ering the objects Of the Association. During
the progress of the meeting, there 6rose seve-
raj very interesting discussions, in which cler
gyEen and Iaymen generally participated. DC.
easionally the gravity of the argument: would
be enlivened with spice of humor The oh.
scure penmanship Of some Of the Reports and
RESOLUTIONS, would at times puzzle the prac.
tIsed skill Of the Secretaries, and finally led to
the suggestion of the .propriety Of sending
teacher of penmnnship throughout the State,
to cooperate. with the Bible movement.
The Rey. Mr.. Mcneil, one Of the Correspon-
ding Secretaries of the American Bible Society,
was present. aud made several interesting ad.
dresses before the Convention, on the tlomes.
tic and foreign operations Of the Society. He
also OH Friday night. delivered very elabo.
rateeand excellent sermon, to n large and ut
tentive audience, in the Presbyterian Church.
He Is very active and efficient officer. and Pc
cnliarly fitted for the post, which he occupies.
He is North Cur"lin ian by BIRTH and thor
oughly identified With the South in interest
and feeling.
Before the adjournment, Resolutions were
passed returning the thanks of the Convention,
to Chancellor Johnston, for the ability and
courtesy, with which he had presided over its
deliberations to the various Railroad com
panies for their lbcrality in granting return
tickets for one fare; aud to the citizens Of ALI
beville for their generous hospitality.
1t was resolved 10 publish the Journal oftlI$
Convention. in pamphlet form.
We had the pleasure during the meeting Of
forming the acquaintance Of our confrcrc, Mr.
A. a. Gilbert, the Senior editor of the Stump.
ter Watchmam who was one of the Secreta-
ries of the Convention and to whose graphic
pen, our readers are indebted for the following
interesting letter, written for the Southern
GUARDIAN:
ABBEvILLE, C. H., s. G., July 20.
Gentlemen Having ~ n Delegate attend
ed the recent Convention of the Bible Socie-
ties Of South Carolina. assembled Mt this place,
have thought brief synopsis of the most
important features of the Convention might
prove interesting to your readers.
The natural promptings of q grateful heart
induce me, in the outset, to allude. briefly, to
the enlarged and generous hospitality of the
citizens Of this place. 1t was may privilege
to be the guest of DR.. J. j. Wardlaw. a brother
Of the learned and distinguished Chancellor
aud Judge. ofth name. The DR.. is one Of
the most prominent candidates for the Legisla-
tnre from this District, gentleman of letters
and refinement aud. one who cannot fail TO do
honor to Ills State in the capacity IA Repre-
sentative The remembrance Of my brief So
journ under his roof will ever impart pleasure
ble recollections. The membrrs. all of the
Convention. speak in the warmest terms Of
the kindness aud attention received ut the
hands OF the citizens generally.
The Convention having assembled, Hon T.
G.. Perrin. the able President Of the Greenvlle
Road, was called to the chair. aud Jas. NJ. Per-
rim Esq. appointed temporary secretary.
Tie names of Delegates were then enrolled.
numbering about sixty, among whom were
Chsbcell"r Johnston. Judge Wardaw. and
many of the prominent aud distinguished citi-
zens and Clergvmen Of the State.
The meu'besa present from Columbia were
Rev. w. Martin, and G. H. Colt those from
Clarendon. j. M McFaddin, S. N. Plauden and
J. d. Kelly, and those from Sumter. Capt. j.
Z. Witherspoon, W. J. Durant, W. E. Dick and
A. A. Gilbert
A committee. consisting Of Maj II. J. Jones,
Revs. E. A. Bolles, E. Cater and J. S. X. Le-
gare were appointed to nominate permanent
officers. This committee reported to the Con-
vention follows:
President, Chancellor j. Johnston.
Vice Presidents, Rev. B. johnson and G. II.
Round.
Secretaries. J. J. Bonner and A. 4. Gilbert
Toe report was unanimously adopted, and
the officers elect took their seats.
Upon the motion of Col. j. p Hoyt, Of Lau
rens, business Committee. consisting Of the
mover Rev. F.. Cater, J. 81. Perrin. Esq. Rev.
Mr. Legare. Rev. Dir. Martin, S. NJ. Stevenson
aud 4. j. Adams, was appointed. This com
mittee reported, when reports from numerous
Bible Societies in various portions of the State
were made and received.
Much of interest, in tho work of so large and
Intelhgeut committee, must necessarily be
passed over. in a hasty letter, such as this.
Rev. E. A. Bolles. Agent of the American
Bible Society, read an able and most interest
ing report in regard to his labors during the
past year, and the condition and prospects, Of
the Bible work in this State. The report was
warmly received and highly appreciated by
the Convention. it was referred to the busi
ness Committee, which reported a resolution
complimentary to Mr.. Bolies. expressive Of the
sympathy aud esteem Of the Convention for
him. and Of its hearty endorsement Of hun. Tho
vote upon this resolution. by special motion.
by the rising Of members, and was unanimous.
Mr.. B. has certainly been distinguished by All ex-
traordinary devotion Of head and heart to the
great work in which lie is engaged, and is
worthy TO be taken closely to the bosom Of
every lover of the Bible and morality.
Among tho resolutions reported from the
business Committee and adopted were the fol-
lowing:
Resolyed That each member of the Conv en-
ton go home with increased resolves to work
more extendedly. more thoroughly and more
vigorously in the distribution Of Gods Holy
Word among the destitute than he has ever
done before, until it shall not be said that he
hus neighbor who is destitute intl,is respect.
l.. ResoIved, That this Convention feels deeply
interested in the. .recrnt efforts mads fot~tle
Improvement of Common Schools. and would
resreotfh tfhilygee eeonimendt that care be taken TO
rehder-s kfHedge ofthe Bible an essential
part Of ofsednsStion ip all schools.
Asthe open Bible is the foundation of our
social and religious liberties ;.and. as in the
Providence of God a large number of emi-
grdhts and their children arsR found in our
country, to whom the Bible is not an open
book, ,,froin the prejudices Of birth and educa:'