The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-30
Dottings by the May.
Editor O,.anae1urq Dem ocrat::

i1oet0' OidHyeOufg Oe2nOcT0t:
4 Allow me asmall space in your
columns TO note some thoughts which
may not misunderstanding to some Of
the many readers Of your valuable
paper. In these days when there
seems 10 be such tendency to take
gloomy views of the future, many,
whose opi,iioHs vscs 9fs tt&Sie result OF
the condition of their livcrs, which
you know in this latitude is predis- !
posed to ,torpidity, than to facts
which would warrant them, are pre-
dieting darker days and harder times
yet to be experienced by oar people.
For one to direct the attention Of the
people to those things which are to
be seen, and which clearly show that
there is life in the old land yet, will
certainly be doing that which will
serve to encourage them, and lead to
their taking a more hopeful view of
things. In travelling through your
county one cannot but be impressed
with the thrift of the people, as it is
may be seen from the condition of
their farms. New houses going up,
fencing in good condition, new
ground taken in, stock in good con-
dltion, and signs of general improve
mentin every way, and though it is
fact that there arc those who must
always find something to lead them
to predict evil, and hence will tell
you about the unfavorable season,
and the worm that is destroying the
cotton, &C., yet assure you never
saw n better stand of cotton in any
previous year, and the corn is look
ing healthy, and the crops arc gene
rally clean. The prospects now are
that there will be IN abundant har-
vest, and I doubt whether there has
been year since the war when there
was so much to encourage the farmer
and to cal! forth his gratitude to the
Givcr of ali good and upon whom all
arc dependent for success. But my
purpose, Mr.. Editor, is to direct at
tention more particularly to that
which after all is the state of things
to which we are to look as ground
for hope as to the future-thc moral
condition of the country. You know
we hear q great deal of the dcmorali-
cation of the age, and the corruption
that exist, DC. While there is a
great deal of truth in all this, yet let
me say that for one believe that the
condition of our people morally nev-
er was better. The church to-day is
in a better state than it has been for
the two last decades. My reason for
saying SO is that there is more inter-
est manifested iy our people upon
the subject of religion, larger at
tendance Oh the services of the
church, and more liberal support
given to the cause of Christ than at
any period either before or since the
war. Why sir, new churches are
springing mp in all directions, and no
doubt many will be surprised to learn
than in one denomination at least
the ministers of the gospel are better
supported than they ever were, even
during the most prosperous times be-
fore the war. 1t was the privilege
OF the writer to be present at the
of q new church last Mon
dsy on the Orange Circuit in the
ncighbosAood of Ieigler's Store in
this county, OF which there was n
large concourse Of people, all of|
whon. by tEeir appearance gave evil
dence of thrift and prosperity. The
services on the occasion were very
interesting. The sermon was preach
cd by the Rev. 0. A. Darby, of your
town, who. held The large and atten-
live congregation spell-bound for
about an hour. The discourse was
not only interesting but instructive,
and doubtless impressions were made
which will be lasting. The CIRCUIT
~. - Al
charge of the Rev. j. B. Massebeau,
who has by his attention to bis work
endeared himselfto his people. might
mention much more, Mr.. Editor,
which has served 20 inspire me with
q hopeful view Of things as to old
Orangeburg County, but + must for
bear, as ] have already trespassed
fnn rnnnl, hnfh nn o>l,-,~, -