Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-03
FOR THE AuDHviI.LE pKKsS.

MIR. EplTon:-I have just returned
from' a pleasant trip to -Greenvile Court
House, where the District meeting Of the
Methodist Church in that section of the
South Carolina Conference was held June
4'h 'ust. There wero representatives from.
eleven appointments (circuits and staticns)
covering tsLlc-land Of county, stretch.
ing from the upper portions Of Abtcville
and Laurens Districts to the foot of the
blue Ridge, and perhaps among its very
spurs, and numbering in membership not
less than 5000 whites. The dlilere.t
charges, though we'll represcn by both
travelling preachers and official men from
among the laity, yet did not secure the
presence believe Of a single local preach.
CT, (>ince writing | have heard Of one
prrsentl, a fact tc be noted and regretted,
as this arm Of the service has been and
still should he, an important ahjanct in
the field, Of Methrdstc operations. just
here would say that have long been
OF the opinion that the local ministry Of
| the Methodist Church should, if possible.
tc brought into moro intimate coll
nrciion and identification with its regular
rninistry and put upon tho same basis Of
Improvement and preparation for orders
and usefulness in church, increasing in
its demands for enlightenment aud prog
ress, lis ministry, as we'll az the ministry
Of the travelling connection, to 10 made
scrirturally cl!l:icnt, VOL knlcn that need
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word Of truth, must be educated,
must be drilled, pao>in: through
our camps Of instruction., I'rcpara,ives Tor
the large, inviting. ami yet laborious fields
whitening and wh.lrnrd for tie harvest.
: More anon.
One day Lad passed AID thc
second advancing when l reached the
Methodist church, lE." place for holding its
sessions. was Impressed at once with
the diynifed, corlcous and amai,le tcai ing
Of its pre- siding officer, bishop Dosgett
all able divine and fine scholar, and cnc o
tn most symmetrical and powerful preach
crs in the connection. TO see him is tc
love him, and to htar Lin is no. only tt
have that love increased, but more, for thu
Divine Muster whose | am and whom
serve, which is the scrip!ural motto i'm
pressed upon your mind 10y all he say:
and does. Tie morning WAS taken up l.!
Il pretty thorough catechctical cxamnl
ton Of preachers and laity in reference tt
the important interests Of the Church il
their midst ana confilel to their care
which examination resulted in the vcrdc
that whatever may have been tho draw
backs Of tho past, that the whole Churcl
to>day is in a better state Of efiicienc,
than it has been during or since the war
Tla. many Of its faults arc in process o
correction, AID for her, with continued
, lailhfulncss and zeal, a glorious future
awaits. / think this sentiment Of feeln!
was prominent among the laity prescu
and pervatling the Church.. eve want I,
know our duty aud by the blessing Of Go.
wa will do it."
A numbar Of visiting brethren from
other denominations were present snl in
,roiuccd 10 the bishop, ard district meet
ing, and requested to have n seat anon:
| 4 ,1.a ,rl- nj
: tons as might he proper and profitable
Among them I noticed the venerable Dr
Manly Of the Baptist Church, now an oc
togenariap, and who on one occasion Q
interest that morning made very feeling
catholic and appropriate prayer. Dr.
I3ust also, who was very kind and alton
tive both to the bishop and preachers, an,
while he belonged TO the school Of John
Calvin, was not willing to ignore Tie piou
and devoted spirit, which animated tn
legitimate followers o! John Wesley. Nj
Thomas, the neat and compact pastor o
the Baptis. church in GreenvilIe. was quit
friendly, attending the District meeting
snd on all occasions opening his churcl
for the use of our people whenever need
ed. Just here would gay that wa
pleased with the spirit evinced by all lh'
sister churches in their courteous an,
christian bearing towards us, with ono sin.
gle exception. Saturday was taken VI
with reports upon the various subjects o
interest, occupying the attention and en-
gagIng the labors Of the Church, such a
the support Of the ministry, Sunday
schools and education. Tho reports wer
all good, cre'liaLle to the writers and sug
gestive TO the Church. The subjects men
toned above, elicited if not more interest
at least more discussion. The rerort OF
Sunday Schools drew ont our amiablc an,
excellent Sunday School Agent of th'
South Carolina Conference, who was pres
emf, and who made US very pleasant ant
feeling speech. The remarks Of the bish
op were able and suggestive. DR.. -Smitl
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