The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-12-27
THROUGH NORTHEAST GEORGIA.
What Rambling Andsrsonian Saw, and
Heard.
:poLK CoUNTY-coNTINUED.

Heard.
scPoLK CONTINUED.
All through this section of Georgia
there seems to be an inexhaustible supply
of the finest Kind of pine timber. The
steam mills are beginning to play upon
it, however, and will, after awhile, cause
sensible diminution of the supply. A
remarkable fact connected with the for
ests of this country is the egrowth of pine,
standing with their lofty tops OF the
mountains as we'll as in the valleys.
Everywhere the pine is regarded with no
disfavor by the land purchaser. Even
the blackjack, where it is grouped with
the lofty pine, is not objected to. At
Rockmart there is a fine slate quarry,
which is being extensively worked. Many
of the houses have been covered with
this material.
FINGER BOARDS IN THE RELIGIOUS
WORLD.
Apropos to the comparatively useless
discussion progressing in our County on
the subject of baptism, we gathered up
in our travels two pleasing "reminiscences
of the silent but powerful working of a
spirit of liberalism between the members
of Christ's family of different denomina
tions, even in the Baptist State of Geor-
gia; for it is claimed by the members Of
that denomination in Georgia that their
membership is equal to that of all the
other denominations. Whether this is
strictly correct or not, our observation in
passing through some six Counties of the
northern portion of the State convinces
us that they are largely in the ascendan-
cy. But as pleasing evidence of the
tolerant and liberal, spirit which is be-
ginning to make itself felt in our sister
State, is the fact that in DR., RusselPs
neighborhood it was proposed to build a
new Baptist Church, to take the place of
the old and dilapidated building in which
they had so long worshipped. They were
scarcely able unaided in these tight times
to bear the whole expense themselves,
and as there was considerable nucleus
of Methodist brethren in the neighbor-
hood, some of them wealthy, it was pro-
posed to combine the two denominations
in q joint effort to build a new house of
worship. The terms of agreement were
soon satisfactorily adjusted, and the re-
suit was the erection of one of the neat
est country churches we saw on our route.
Naturally enough, they Immediately
formed Union Sabbath School, which
was eminently successful. When the
next meeting of the Association took
place, it became necessary for the breth-
rem of Antioch Baptist Church to report
a fourishing Sabbath School, "undenom-
national" in its character. The Com
mittee on Sabbath Schools reported un-
favorably on the Antioch Union School,
and condemned it as inconsistent with
Baptist principles. This report led to
warm and animated disc .ssion as to the
great question of Union Sabbath Schools,
where the circumstances Of the people
seem to require it; and it is believed
that if square vote had been made be-
fore the Association, the Antioch Sab
bath School would have stood forth with
undimmed lustre. On the other hand,
when the Conference of the Methodist
Church met, the circuit-rider reported 8
fourishing Union Sabbath School at
Antioch. The Presiding Elder publicly
condemned such an organization. An
tioch Church and Antioch School-half
Baptist and the other half Methodist
was thus subject to cross-fre from both
directions; but we are gratifed to say
that Antioch Church and Antioch Union
School still lives and fourishes notwith-
standing, and that, too, without the sac
rifce of any essential principle of saliva
ton held by either party.
Take another case. In the Hickory
Flat neighborhood, where Mr.. Gaines
resides, there is Presbyterian Church Of
respectable membership, but no Metho-
dist Church. The old church was need
ing to be repaired, and the proposition
was made to the Methodist brethren that
if they would assist, they could have the
use of the church for their church meet
ings, provided they did not conflict with
the appointed times of the Presbytelians.
These terms were accepted, all united in
the repair of the church and graveyard,
and soon q Union Sabbath School was
organized, and successfully carried out.
The masses of the people see clearly that
there is no sufficient reason for wrangling
and quarrelling between the different de-.
nominations-that the points of agree
ment are greater than the points of disa-
greement. On essentials, unity; nnon-
essentials, diversity. Sooner or later
this principle will pervade the religious
world.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
"Then you we're pleased with Georgia.
Would you recommend emigration to
that famed region" ?" We answer, Mol
While we are free to say that if any of
our South Carolina friends find that it is
best in their case to change homes, we
do not hesitate to say, try Georgia. Take
the limestone belt of counties, lying in
the northwest corner of that great State,
and we know of no more inviting region