The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-25

lOW6nlp DeGWeeu LILO pioocn0Ao eAAoA~A0~'09' -
we'll as between them and their hospitable en-
tertainers 1t was my good fortune to hear
Bishop wightman, of your city, preach on Bun
day morning; and although he labored under
severe affection of the throat, and evidently
spoke with difficulty aud even pain, the great
ness of the occasion seemed to endeW hum with
superhuman strength, and he soon scared un-
trammelled into the lofty heights of Gospel
truth, carrying with him in full sympathy the
entire congregation, a large number OF whom
were preachers, who keenly enjoy this refined
and elevated pleasure OF listening annually to
the Bishops Conferences sermon.
AS the readers OF TIE NEWS were informed
at the time, by your attentive correspondent, OF
the proceedings Of the Conference, 1 need say
nothing further about it, though feel much
tempted to say few words about the fine ef-
fort Of your former felow-townsman, Rev.
Whitefoord Smith, D. D., for many years the
Chrysostom of this Conference. He is now one
OF the professors Of Wo6ord College, Spartan
burg; but although not in regular charge of
any church, bis many Charleston friends will
be pleased to hear that he has not buried his
talent, and that he is as "golden-mouthed" as i'll
days of yore, when, with his eloquence. he used
to entrance those crowded congregations of
Sunday nights in Trinity and Cumberland.
The South Carolina Conference, though it
may not boast Of many ''star'' preachers, can
show Us fine and solid body Of men, as any
ecclesiastical organization know OF, COM
posed of similar number of ministers. Many
of them are regular college graduates; tho
great majority are men Of education; though
their education proper, their professional train
ing, may be said only to commence with their
entrance into the itinerant ministry. The
world has never known better school OF ora
tory, 1 mean, of ertempore speaking. than the
Methodist circuit pulpit. AS they are, more
or less, oil Of them, self-made men, they gen.
rally partake OF the virtues and the foibles Of
the au!odidak.ot They are original, more or
less eccentric, self-possessed and self-reliant;
seldom commonplace, never stupid. How
ever, must not forget that am not writing
an essay on Methodist preachers, else shall
fill two columns with what I should like to say
on this subject.
Abbeville village has not grown Of late years
as many other places in the central and upper
part of the State. Much Of the trade OF the
county, say within eight or ten miles OF the
river, goes to Augusta. Some I hear, from
this district, even 20 to Augusta with wagons.
Then, again, as Abbevlle is ab 1ut eleven miles
from the main trunk Of the Greenville Rail-
road, much trade goes to Hodges Depot on
that road. Then there are Greenwood, Ninety
Six, Cokesbury and Newmarket, places Of more
or less note, long established, each one OF
which is receiving it's share Of cotton. New
berry also receives some Of the trade Of Aobe-
vile county.
Abbeville Courthouse last year is estimated
to have received about eight thousand bales OF
cotton, while Hodges Depot shipped about
five thousand ba.es. have no data by which
can estimate the present production of cotton
of the county. The census of 1860 gives it at
81 ,s77 bales, exceeded only by Barnwcll t29 49O)
and EJsefi!d 7.197.) At that time Abbeville
had q population OF 92.S85, Of whom 2O,5O2
we're slaves. The improved lands are put
down at 23S, 900 acres, and those unimproved
at 352, 900. Cash value of farm lands 1885, ,0OO
Abb,ville boasts OF two papers, ths "Ban-
ner" and the "Press," both we'll edited. and
thoroughly rejecting the public opinion Of the
county.
The principal business firms here are: J.
Knox 4 Co., Trowbridge & Co., Fowler d
Mcdonald, j. J. Cunningham, Miller & Robin
son, White, Smith Il Co., A. NJ. Weir, DR.. E
Parker, and DR.. W. 7. Penny.
There are Two hotels here, one Of which, tht
Marshall House, is kept by Mr.. Mays.
Abbevills is the place OF residence Of Judge
Wardlaw, OF Hon. Armisteod Burt, Of Colonel
Perrin, of General MCGOWAN, and OF many
other gentlemen distinguished heretofore in
the field, the forum, and in the councils of thu
State and OF the country. Their voice now ii
silent, but their presence still is felt; and th'
time, I hope, my dear readers Of The NEWS
will ere long come when thoir counsel will not b
passed by unheeded eimply because it is th'
voice Of age, wisdom anu experience. Stupid
ty must yield to intelligence, ignorance t.
education, sans-cullottes and proletariot Il
men OF wealth and station. 1t has ever bcel
thus, and will ever so continue, though thu
order of thous; years may bo reversed TO
o brief space of tm,, the result OF a species o
noltical carthou. Ike. BlRD'S-EYE.