The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-05-21
An Acknowledgement


toward himself and family. It
has been known to the public that
some remarkable calamities and
afaictions befell us about the close
of November last, viz: that on the
night of the 22d inst, our new and
elegant dwelling and three out
buildings, with nearly all of their
contents, were consumed by fire.
Two days later, a very sweet and
eudeared sister was killed by a
horse running away; and still a
week later, our good and sainted
mother was called to her reward.
The blow was indeed heavy-well
nigh crushing. But the kindness
and ssympathy of friends, the
prayers of Christians, and above all,
the love and grace Of God, have
wonderfully upheld, supported and
comforted us. We have been suf,
fered to want no good thing, and
are constrained to sing of mercy as,
we'll as judgment. We now desire
this record Of kindness, sympathy
and benefcenee to be as well-known
as the report of our calamities, that
|'God in all things may be honored
and glorifed thereby.
The day following the burning,
Saturday, many came to express
their sympathy, mingle their tears,
and offer us the hospitalities of
their homes, some of which offers
we thankfully accepted for few
days. Sabbath came, and many
assembled at Cedar spring. A
b1other preached, and at the close
of service, by the suggestion of
Gen. P. Fl. Bradley, a meeting OF
the congregation was called on
Monday to consult and provide for
our necessities. Men and. women,
neighbors and friends, Christian
people, without regard to denomi-
national lines, and men of the
world, all came and contributed
|liberally and freely to our relief
Neighbors, both white and colored,
assisted with a few days work in
fitting up temporary residence
until another house could be. built.
1welve hundred dollars we're sub
scrlbed on the spot to aid US in re-
building. Very many articles for
immediate necessary.use were con-
tributed or money given to pur-
chase them, chiefly by the ladies,
amounting to a monied value Of
more than t,oo hundred dollars but
the spirit and manner in which they
were given render them above all
price, to which sums, friends, rela-
lives, and even strangers abroad, ad
ded perhaps .Jfue hundred dollars more.
These contributions and favors came
unsolicited and freely from all parts
of the country-from Greenwood,
Abbeville, and Due West in our own
District, from Laurens, Newberry
and Columbia, from Charlotte, N. G.,
from Lincoln County, Tenn, and
from Alabama.
A. w. Clarkson was employed to
draft the plan Of o house and make
out bills of specifications. F. B.
Houston, James Brooks d ten col
ored carpenters did the work under
the supervision Of Capt ]. W. Fra.
zier, Chairman of Building Commit
tee. Messrs. Chiles and Anderson
sawed the lumber. and J. J. Deyfn,
sons and sons.in-law hauled it, all at
low figures The house is now COM
pletst, except that the painters
brush has not yet passed over it, and
we moved into it April 17th. Also
yard and garden refenced. All this
has been accomplished in less tha!
five mouths from that unfortunate
and terrible night. We now occupy
a house quite equal, if not superior, tc
the one consumed on the same site, al
Il cash outlay of twenty-tour hun
dred and tbirty.fve dollars.
Many, many thanks to all the good
and kind friends who have lemem
bered US in the day of our calamity
and to the Lord our Gcd for putting
it into their hearts to aid US so liber
ally in the work Of reconstruction
Yea, blessed be the name of God
from this time forth always for the
riches OF. his goodness and grace
although he has afflicted with the
one hand, he has raised up and sup
ported with the other. He has made
the liberality of rich and poor to
abound toward US in all goodness, and
we trust be has greatly blessed them
in blessing ms, verifying his own
word, that "It is more blessed to give
than to receive" while "The outgo-
ings of the morning and evening
have rejoiced over u.s."
REFLECTIONS.
What mysteries in Providence !!
A deep that we can never falhom
This thing has furnished much food
for solemn thought and pungent
heart-searching. God has more puz-
zIed US by his favors than by his
judgments. His judgments we de-
serve but none of all this goodness. .
A proud, self:reliant and indepen-
dent spirit always feels it.a humilia-
tion to accept a favor, but if ours was
such spirit it has been humbled,
and we have been made to accept
with grateful hearts the free-wil
offerings Of the poorest of the flock.
US we'll as the muni6cent gifts of the