Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-03-09

ty TOT the advancement OF Christ'anty IN
South Caroliaa&ijl:.:E z: - : &L~':A
The Anniversary NJ eetiDg which should
have been held in 1906; ,wRs omitted on
account of the distracted condition Of the
country. The last occasion Of our assem-
bling, as society, was on May 18th, 1864,
in the Church Of the Advent, spartanburg !;
since which time, owing to -he ravagcs Of
war, and The disperaion. into various parts
Of the Stats ef our members is.bes not
been practicable to hold but one meeting
OF the Board. We thank God that we
are permitted to assemble to day to re-.
commentator for Christ and his Church.
Never was there a wider field open before
us, or more urgent need for vigorous exer-
tons. The condition of our Diocese, in
some ;{espect, is:oot unlike that which in
.duced our fathers 10 organize this Society
for Missionary work.
The depressed circumstances in which
the war has left our people makes combiua.
tion for the support Of the Gospel most i'm.
perative. Many once fourishiug Parishes
are without the ability to sustain the miu>
ist'ations Of the Church. Congregations
mhioh.bsvs'bee :selfsupporliug will now
need the nursing care and protection of
this Board. The call for Missionaries TO-
rebuild "the waste places OF Zion" is loud
and earnest. The condition of the clergy
in almost every Parish is one Of straight.
ened means and reduced incomes. The
ability Of the planters to sustain tho labors
OF Missionaries among,t the negroes is great.
~ iessened, while the demand for faithful
,preashiug Of the Gospel and other labors
of christiap love among the freedmen is
the strongeas possible. We have, as a so.
!ciesy, great work to do, and the survey
OF the field through our whole State is
enough to excite the most languid, and stir
the heart of the most Indifferent.
The Church in this Diocese looks to us
first to aid in her revival. The duty Of
"streugtheniug the things that remain,
which are ready to die" is impressed upon
us BY every motive of piey, charity and
patriotism. The work in which the Faith.
.er" OF our Zion labored lwhose .uames are
fondly cherished among ;us,) ,seems to ,be
entrusted again TO their: children. The
shades Of departed Bishops and Pastors
seem 10 cheer US on to work of recon.
struction, by no means 80 difficult in many
respects asllRt in ahsch. they spent their
streneth:@ Our venerable Churches, spoiled
by the hand of violence. .Hwhile the ways
of Zion, mourn because none come.,o her
folemn esstsp appeal TO us with touching
eloquence. Never in our history as Di-
se'.has .these;been as@grestas need for
selt'denying conservation of ourselves and
all that we have to the work Of the Lord,
and this need is the more pressing when
we contemplate the losses which our mis-
sionary fund has suffered lin the revolution
through which the country has passed.
Offerings which pious hearts aud hands
dedicated to- Christ for the extension of his
Gospel, have many of. them been scattered
May it pot lbethe viii of God to teach us
TO be nore'ready and liberal in our gifts.
Relyiag DO longer upon .be piety of a for
'ner generatiof, We meet to do the work
'befoseirs:eswhise it is day. j
Wemnatsdos postpoue;odr. obari.y to the.
dying legacy, but freely, and cheerfully,
and generously, ,iesen "out Of our poverty"
as the Lord shall give us grace aud ability,
jet US bring onr, contributions for the build.
ing up again the house of the Lord. Mo.
'ney given now will, in its relief 10 the
empty Treasury, be worth double the
amou!nt neaerved for more prosperous days.
The Board feel that The number of subscri.
'ber' to 'hh sootety!t throughout: tue State
should now be largely increased. They
would srespeesfpllys ssk seAy should not every
Epaeepalsaa eho possSlg can, sbs an IN.
.nual contributor to its funds! The an.
'nual membership is but five dollars. We
tear that the Laity, in this respect, do not
reaIize as they ought the privilege of "lend.
ing to the Lord" and that the Clergy are
not sufficiently urgent in setting forth the
ela'ms 81, ibis our only: Diocesan Missiona.
'ry Agspsys < ANopdtbatjt Nigh. be said
OF US as of "the Churches of Macedonia
oy the Apostle, that in "a great trial of
am.et'on' a. tbeabuudsnee Of their joy, and
'as'r deep poverty, sabounded unto the
inches q their Iibsyali.y:?'..
Nv Son'd tbsteod, byhis Hoiyspirit, might
bring 10 our .ssiasnbrance, and MAKE
through s1aeef s:pastof s6as oe,son.l ex.-
psaspss, ".ths y : ordtsa dtsa's, ''s ,iEss sd;ora 1s.n.
'hos ihs saids iesis more blessed to sivs, ,.h.n I
'rses'ss" Bissabfsp, the Society ,ha. a ;io..
HW9tbifda nf .sfa f,,r>d- n, Il - ~ -