The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1871-08-16
A Trip to Union-The District neetlng-
Bishop Fierce, &c.

Bishop Fierce, &C.
Eeyery one should attempt to give 10 tne
puhlic an account of their trips, the reading
vor,d would soon be moropolized and DIS
eusted, to such degree as III abandon fhe
periodicals in which such accounts were pno-
lished. But It would be better If more would
take to tbs Practice Of writing ont brief &C.
counts Uf their trips, ana observations IN
making them: becuse much valuable IDIOT
nation woi;ld thus be revealed; which must
without the cultivation Of such habit re-
main perfectly obscured, and hidden from
the public eye.
Now 1 purpose to give some brief state
ments in reference TO q late visit made 10
Unionville, for the purpose Of attending me
District Meeting of the II. E. Church; anu
If could be able to relate it in as Interesting
manner as it was interesting and Instructive
to me, shall not fail 10 interest the readers
of the Herald" especially so many as are
members Of that sect.
The Rev. Hr. Tucker and myself left his
river plantation on Thursday, August 80,
under favorable auspices. The heavens ct q
distance were ecboing with the heavy notes
of thunder, and the sun, which for so many
days previous, had been scorching the earth,
was yeilcd over With cloud, which render
ed .he evening quite. pleasant for driving.
The crops all along the way are almost
completely "burnt up" There are thous-
auds Of acres that vii! not yield bushei Of
corn per acre. We saw fresh fields which
would have yielded twenty or thirty bushels
per acre, if the rains had continued, that
now will actualIy yield neither corn nor Sod-
der.
We stopped with friend two miles this
side of the village Thursday night, and en-
;oycd a sweet communion with Somnus.
Early Friday morning We arrived in town,
and Immediately repaired to the Baptist
Church, where we found already assembled
some of the d:gnitaries of Mcthodism.
Bishop Pierce soon arrived, and, after the
singing of an anthem Of widely known rich
ness, and the reading Of a chapter from the
Scriptures, the Bishop led in ferrent and
appropriate prayer, imploring the divine
blessing upon the District now assembled.
After some preliminary remarks by the
Bishop and others, he proceeded to organize
the meeting. Dir Smith, Of the Fair Forest
Church, was elected principal clerk. The
regular committees usually appointed on
such occasions were dispersed with, excepta
committee on temperance.
The Bishop then proceeded to give at length
the object of the District Meeting He said
it was new thing In the Methodist Church.
Such meetings had been held in the bounds
Of several Conferences for the last four years,
but not until the last meeting of the General
Conference we're they officially recognized
by the Church. They arc merely an expert
mental method Of trying TO promote the
cause of Christ and OF the Church. AS yet
their tendency appeared Indicative of being
the means Of doing mach good. He stated
that one design was to enquire into the STATE
Of religion, whether prayer meetings were
held regularly or NOT; or if class. meetings
were kept up, if not, why? Also to make
enquiry in reference to the Sunday School
work; and o: Missionary operations.
These are aoble purposes, and, if executed
properly, will advance the cause Of Method
i,m, and the csusc of Christ generally, TO .
great extent.
A:elercn O'Clock, the Bishop preached .
very earnest and instructive sermon from
Mathew, 9Th chapter, and Glib verse.
1t is easily perceived that his aim Is to do
good correct errors in the Church, and pro-
mote the cause Of Christ's kingdom on earth,
and not TO preach fine. Literary and eloquent
sermons just to please the curiosity Of SIM
fui people.
Friday evening the Rev. Dir. Jones'. OF
Spartanburg, preached very grand and
sublime sermon on the power and truth Of
the Bible.
It has ncTer been our pleasure to hare the
truth and power of God shown by an areu-
ment of such convincing power; or the scric.
Of argument as found in the animal creation
more pleasing. The power Of the ant
consists in the effort to provide for ITSELF
The fact is enough to prove that it pos
sesses some power at least. But the wasp
possesses power to a greater degree. So
on to man. We hnd him surprising in
power every OTHER created being. But power
and truth have their perfection. Are they
found in man? He cannot do all things;
therefore be must look higher still. Are
they found in angels? NoI they are found
alone 10 God. After discussing the truth Of
the Bible, through q general series Of argu-
ments, the minister drew nearer bis text, and
manifested beautifully the power of chris
tiani,y. The creative power of the Trinity
consisted in making ali things from nothing.
Man as q part of this creation was work of
the Divine hand, and as such must even be
an illustration of Gods creative power.
His imagination displayed itself most win
ningly when he alluded TO the Coliseum Of
Bone, how easily and rapidly it had melted
down under heavens tears; but the Church
of Christ stands out against every OBSTACLE
brought against it. and everything daily
tends to confirm Its truth. Although his
imagination was fertile, its every flight was
confined beneath the sky of Bible truth;
serving to heish,eu the interest Of his au-
dicnce and impart freshness TO his sermon.
His conclusion sras grand and enrapturing
to The extent that there was general dispo-
si,ion through the congregation TO cheer him.
Preaching was conducted by the Bishop
Saturday and Sunday morning. Prof. Cay
isle delivered valuable address Saturday
e7cring, CD temperance And on Sunday
evening be made very appropriate and im-
pressive address to the young people; though
iuterspersed with many valuable gems for all
classes. Sunday School addresses were also.
made by the Bishop, and Simpson Bobo,