The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-24
TIE MErHoD1srs OF COLUMBIA.
Eloquent Appeals I'm their Behalf.
In the Methodist General Conference a
Memphis on Thursday last

In the Methodist General Conference at
Memphis on Thursday last
DR.. Shipp spoke ofresolutions OF sympathy
passed by the last General Conference, affect
Inc the church at Columbia, S. c.; of It's suffer
ing at the hands of war; Of its former pros
perLy; its boundless liberality; Of the generosi-
ty of its members. He said that OF all suffer-
ers in Columbia, the Methodist Church bore
the most grievous calamities. The church
building was reduced to ashes, the nomes OF
its members were burned, and all their
nroperty swept away. The congregation is
too poor to rebuild their house OF worship, and
have only little chapel inadequate to the
wants Of the congregation.
DIR. Sehon moved the adoption OF resolution
providing for a concession OF all that is asked
by the petition.
DR.. Smith, of South Carolina, said that the
church spoken Of had suffered as none others
church or city In the South, and that South
Carolina was in the worst condition OF any IN
the South. The difference In the social and
industrial condition Of the two States, South
Carolina and Georgia, was most strongly
marked and palpable In Carolina the people
were still trodden under foot by the harshest
task-masters, who held offices with not the
remotest idea of promoting ends OF pubic
good They only sought to oppress and rob
the people and gather wealth for themselves.
The ownership Of real estate in Columbia be-
gets poverty A house that is rented for
Six hundred dollars is taxed five hun
dred and seventy-dve dollars. Columbia,
once famed for the intelligence, public
and private morals Of it's people, and for the
genius, learning and eloquence OF Individual
citizens, whose lofty character and many Vlr-
tues gave tone to society, is reduced TO the ut
most straits of poverty, and subjected to every
process designed to degrade and destroy. the
tasteful scholarship Of Legare, the matehless
moral and intellectual grandeur Of Calhoun
the splendid oratory of Preston and McDutie,
once made Columbia the abiding place OF all
that made life delightful. The condition OF the
ruined city to-day presented mournfu! con-
trast with its pristine glory and splendor 1t ls
sad and slckening to contemplate the present
and dream of the past. or wealth there is
none, and poverty in its rags and gaber-
dine has invaded alike the palaces Of the
rich and novels of the poor. INDECENT as
are these people, they are generous to the
last degree. They share with one another
the little that is left them, and widows
and orphans are not forgotten by those VINO
have more than the absolute wants oil life de-
mand. The little chapel they occupy as
place of worship will not contain the congre-
cation that often gathers about its doorway.
and they often secured the use Of buildings OF
other denominations, especially Of The Bap-
fists, who had been very hind. BISHOPS %,
pers, Dunwoody and other great thinkers ana
orators of Methodism, sleep in the churchyard
hard by, Their monuments had been over
thrown OF destroyed by bloody, red-handed
war, and desecration and horrible outrage and
insufferable calamities marked every feature
of the church's fortunes. Will not those more
blest In abundance help those so utterly lm-
poyerished The sympathles Of this flourish
ing city would be touched II 1t may listen to
simple recital of woes which have befallen the
church at Columbia.
Bishop Andrews approved the utterances OF
Dr. Smith. He had dedicated the church at
Columbia, years ago, to the Most High. Capers
was there, and many of the purest and best
and most learned men. The character Of the
congregation, its virtues and Christian worth,
had not been too highly colo.Ga and there can
be no worthier object Of our oereacence. 1t
was first in all Christian virtues. Many Oh its
strongest members have fallen beneeth the
weight of terrible calamities, and the surVi-
vors are hardly able to live There was asl once sc
no limit to their generosity and deeds OF
Christian charity. Help them; they will soon
be able to help themselves, and church
edifce worthy of the people will soon rise
from the ashes of that which was destroyed.
Mr.. McAnnally spoke with fearful eyes when
ne said that each member OIL the conference
should forward sum tOr the purpose OIL re-
building the Columbia church and erecting Q
memorial worthy Of the fame and virtues Of
It was proposed to amend the pending pro-
position by inserting the words 'all other
churches in like condition" 1t was stated that
at least fifty Methodist churches mad Shared
the same fortunes with that Of Columbia.
DR.. Marshall suggested the adoption OF q
general system. like the Wesleyan, for church
building.