The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-05-16

libraries torn to pieces or shipped to Northern
ports. What good the Lord may work out OF the
present confusion we know not; but to human eyes
the present state Of things Is only evil to both races
which inhabit these beautiful shores.
The history OF this once happy region is written IN
o single personal incident. The eldest son OF the
largest rice plantor on Waccamaw lately died He was
supported during his illness by charity and was
buried by the contributions of friends.
CHRIST CHURCH, COLUMBIA shared the fate of that
beautiful city when burnt by General Shcrman's
army In February, 1868. With the exception OF its
elder sister in that city it was the largest and hand
soonest church in the diocese outside of Charleston
It consecrated in 1852 and was in the height OF
its prosperity The church, with Its organ carpets,
books and all that 1t contained, was destroyed in
that fearful night. The loss to the congregation
amounted to $4,000. disputed title to the lot on
which the original church stood has involved them
in additional losses and the removal Of many of
their members in the depopulatipn of Columbia has
reduced to the lowest ebb this once fourshing con-
gregation. The few survivors find themselves quite
unable to support q minister. Their services are
maintained by the aid Of the Domestic Board OF Mis
sions. The destruction of this church may be con-
sidered the heaviest blow to the welfare Of our dio
cese.
TRINITY CHURCH COLUMBIA, suffered the loss Of
its beautiful parsonage, which burnt, well as
the Sunday Schoohouse. with their contents Inclu-
ding the records OF the parish from its organization
The loss to the church amounts to So or $40 600.
The communion plate, a valuable set, was forcihy
taken from the rector, by band Of soldiers, as he
was endeayoring to carry it from his burning house
to place Of safety. It has never been recovered.
ST. JoHN's CHURCH, wrNspono'.-This church
WAS destroyed by fire when portion Of that town
was burnt by the Federal army. The organ, furni-
ture, books, aud all the church property were con-
sumed. It has involved small congregation In
loss Of $4,000. Their services are maintained, and
there is some prospect Of rebuilding the church
the only instance in the diocese OF any such pro-
posal.
GRACE CHURCH, CAMDEN.-The church escaped
(but has, unfortunately been burnt In the last year)
and the bishops residence was respected; but the
brick building owned by the church. and loaned to
the Theological Seminary was burnt by incendiaries
after the troops passed through. The greater
part Of the library belongingsto the Society for
the advancement Of Christianity in South Caro-
lima was thus destroyed. The loss to the semi
nary and the dircese Is heavy. for this libra
ry was the accumulation Of fifty years, and contain
ed many rare and costly books, whose money value
1t is impossible to estimate.
ST. DAy1D's CHuRcB, CHERAw, was the last church
In the eastern Fart Of the State in the line Of the
Federal invasion. It was seriously damaged by an
explosion Of ammunition near 1t, and doors. win
dows, and part Of the wall shattered. The church
plato was stolen, with books and furniture, and Its
enclosure torn down. But the church fs habitaole,
aud its worship continues.
To sum up the Losses Of the diocese 1t appears,
that ten churches have disappeared; that twenty
two parishes suspended; that eleven parsonages
have been burnt; that every church between the Sa
vannah River and Charleston has been injured,
somo stripped even of weather boarding and flooring
that almost every minister In that region Of the
state haG lost home and library; that along the en-
tire seaboard from North Carolina to Georgia. where
our church had Aourished for more than century,
there are but four parishes which maintain religious
services that not one, outside the City Of Charles
ton, can be called living, selfsustaining parish,
able to support minister; that their clergy 1--we by
fishing by gaming and mechanic arts; and that al
most every church, whose history appears on this
record, has lost Its communion plate, often mas
sive and venerable set the donation OF an English or
Colonial ancestor.
The pecuniary losses might be repaired II the dio-
cese were in days gone by But in its present Inn
poverishcd condition, no hope remains Of speedy
restoration This generation can scarcely behold It..
Mny the God of oil grace grant u.s. in faith and pa-
tience to try and build again the waste places of
Zton. F." Lord of Hosts. look down from Heaven,
behold and visit this vine which thy right hand hath
planted" at hath been burnt with fire, and the
wild boar eut OF the wood doth root itup." "Com-
fort Ms again after the time that thou hast plagued Us
and for the years wherein we have suffered adversi-
ty." "show thy servants thy work. and their chill
dren thy glory" Prosper thou the work Of our
hands, 40, prosper thou our handy work."
@. G. PINCKNEY,
PETER J. SHAND,
PAUL TRAPIER.