Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-02-18
Notes from lockwood,

Notes from lockwood.
This manufacturing town is composed of
about 800 inhabitants of all colors, vary
ing in intelligence from the most cultured
and refined to that of the very lowest con-
ceivable state of illiteracy and stolid igno-
rance. Here all shades and phases of po-
litical and religious belief can be found.
1t matters not what may be your theory,
here you will find a congenial fellow feel
ing in hearty sympathy and accord with
you, whatever may be your faith. Admit
ting, however, this miscellaneous makeup,
you are not to infer that lockwood has no
religious organizations, on the contrary,
Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists all
have regular preaching under the control
and management of the legally constitut-
ed authorities of the several churches. One
drawback, however, seriously interferes
with the complete harmony of religion,
under the several sectarian modes of de
velopment, and that is the lack of church
buildings. We have small school house
seated and arranged for the accommodation
of students, with writing desks and other
furniture essentially necessary to this i'm
portant branch of Christian work, but
which at the same time manifestly inter
feres with the convenience and comfort of
congregation assembled for worship.
The Southern Methodists and the Ma
sonic fraternity are erecting together a
commodious building which will perhaps
be ready for occupancy sometime this
spring, and the church room, we under
stand, is kindly offered to other denomi-
natious, when not in use by the owners.
But at present all meet in the school
house, its use being granted by the Roane
Iron Company, the owners of the prop
erty, and, as you would naturally sup
pose, the utmost harmony does not al
ways prevail. Sectarianism must be ig-
nored, or at least carefully avoided, and
with some persons, when that element is
thrown out, very little is left. With this
seemingly unavoidable state of affairs,
"pare and undefiled religion" has not
made that rapid progress which is desir-
able. We would not, however, be under
stood as finding fault with what has seemed
to us as the inevitable consequence under
existing circumstances. A few words now
by way of comment on an article from
lockwood, which appeared in the DAILY
CHRONICLE of the 9th inst, from the
astute pen of Occasional He says
There has been an interruption of the
regular course of the protracted meeting by
the occurrence of the services of the Quar-
terly Conference of the Methodist Church,
and slight abatement of the interest, but
the meeting will go right on. DR.. Baker,
of Messy Creek, Is expected here in day
or two" &C., &c.
Now this is decidedly cool. In the first
place, the writer knew when he penned
these lines that the Quarterly Meeting to
which he refers was announced and held
at the regular stated time for Methodist
meetings, and consequently interfered
with no other Church. Besides, 1t was
announced before the prayer meeting was
thought of. Secondly: The meeting which
was in progress was only protracted
prayer meeting, and up to the time of the
quarterly meeting had not resulted in
single conversion, so far as known. Third
ly: The quarterly meeting did not "abate
the interest," If, however, it should be-
come necessary, it would be an easy task
to show whal did interrupt its course and
abate the interest"
A well organized and successful Union
Sabbath school is flourishing here. 1t was
put in successful operation several years
ago by Mr.. r. Forsyth, with the assistance
of other good citizens of the village. Mr.,
Forsyth is an. interchangeable Sunday school
worker, and son of a prominent stockhold-
er in the Roane Iron Company. The
school is largely indebted to him for his
liberal patronage and help, Long may he
live 10 work for his Master, Dotwithstand-
ing the opposition that has come from
some quarters. Under the management and
united support of the leading citizens tine
school is Ia success, fine library was Sc
cured a shoTtstime since worth 500, which
will add much 10 the interest and value of
the school. SELDOM.