Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-05-25

stand.
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
YoRKyILLE NOTES AND IMPRESSIONS.
KINARD's, S. c., May 19-This letter will
treat more directly of the individualites of
Yorkville, as saw and learned Of them on
my late visit, and in this way, trust, may De
invested with more interest to your readers.
1 learned that the organization of Method
ism in your town occurred about the year 1923
or 1924. Rev. William GaZawav, local
preacher, first held Methodist meeting at
Yorkville, in the Courthouse building. Eight
persons, of whom two still survive, Mr. James
Jefferys and wife, now in their serene and
mellow Christian evening Of life, quietly
awaiting the summons of the Master to depart
and be forever with Him in the heavenly
world of light and glory,) constituted the orig
inal organization, and were taken into the
Lincolnton circuit about the time mentioned
above. Upon the movement Of Col. Thomas
Williams, DR.. F'nund Jennings and others,
Methodist church was built in 1926, and ded-
icated by Rev. William Gazaway. In this
church, in the year 1929, Mr.. James Jefferys
organized the first Sunday-school, after con-
sultation with the members and his neighbors
and friends. Some enquired about the rate OF
tuition. One said he would not send his chill
dren unless there was some charge, as he (Mr.
Jefferys,) was not wealthy man and hence
not able to teach without compensation.
Capt. Blair said to Mr.. Jefferys II was very
sorry to hear that you had started to teach a
school on the Sabbath, as consider it desc
Grafton of the day. had esteemed you much
and did not suppose you would engage in such
work as that" He was invited to visit the
school did so, and was soon numbered among
it's patrons and supporters. What has the
Sunday-scoool not done since that day Could
the roll of Christian names and deeds, trans
ferred to Heaven, and still widening and ex-
tending on earth, which have resulted from
that school, be unfolded to the sight of that
father in Israel, how would his brow be encir-
cled with corOnet brighter than that which
sets upon the proudest worldly hero Of earth !;
and then it is to glisten on forever, as star
in the eternal armament. What an encour-
agement to founders of Sunday-schOOls and
Sunday school workers generally
On preaching days, previous to the building
of the Methodist church, the worshipers could
be seen vending their way to the Courthouse,
bearing their chairs, as the courtroom as then
constituted provided chairs only for the judge
and jurors. Such sitting OF the court now
would be considered novelty.
Before I leave the Methodist Church, l will
be pardoned for alluding to the bright auspices
under which, under Gods blessing, it is now
moving forward in the hands of Rev. R. P.
Franks, who, with his devoted wife and
daughter, have already won so deeply their
way into the affections of the church and COM
munity. And to the interesting well-organ-
lied Sunday-school under the superintendency
of +. A. Gilbert, Esq. 1; soul-inspirng music
of the children, led by the accomplished organ
ist, Miss Annie Smith, and sustained by such
correctly trained voices as those of Mr.. W. G.
Owen and Others, and to the delightful hour l
was permitted to pass in this charming circle,
calling up so many hallowed and hallowing
memories.
The Independent Presbyterians, (under the
leadership Of Rev. William c. Davis, whose
remains sleep sweetly on spot near the pres
ent Methodist Church, erected house OF
worship about the year 1880. These subse-
uuently returned to the communion OF the
Presbyterians, and the present commodious
structure, with it's city-like architecture, and
stable congregation and membership, was the
result. This church is now under the pastor
ate of that devoted young minister OF Christ.
Rev. Thomas R. English, whose honored and
sainted fathsrit-Was my privilege and blessing
to number/>for many years, among the most
intimate, beloved and influential of my Sumter
friends-a man of learning, and noble, catEo-
lie spirit, who reached out his arms moved oy
the inspiration of Christian love, to the follow
ers of Christ of every denomination2{" There
clusters about no mans memory whose re-
mains sleep in the soil Of grand old Sumter, a
halo of brighter light as it is reflected from
the Cross of Christ and embodies in it's focal
elements the heroic traits of the patriot Chris
tian gentleman. We have stood and wept at
his grave, over which his numerous friends
erected suitable monument, as we felt that
one of our purest and best earthly friends, not
bound to US by consanguinOus ties, had gone
to his heavenly reward. 1t was our privilege
to have grateful Christian communion with
the son who moves on the line OF the noble
sire, as we passed an evening full of heartfelt
pleasure, at his comfortable parsonage home.
Well learned in theology, and moved by spir-
itual elevation to the building up of the Mas
ter's Kingdom in the world, on the true foun-
tlation, he is young man of promise, and the
mantle of the father falls upon a worthy scion.
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian and
the Episcopalian churches, we learned, were
built near the same time, and about the year
1853 These, under their successive pastor
ates, have been we'll sustained, keeping pace
with the growth of the population of the town,
both having neat and comfortable houses of
worship. The membership Of the latter are
still laying the wreath and cross of i'nmor-
telles upon the new-made grave of their beloved
rector the former is under the pastorate OF
that ripe Christian scholar and genial and
warm-hearted Christian gentleman, Rev. Rob
ert Latham, whose Reading for the Sabbath"
constitutes so valuable column in the EN-
QUIRER, and whose school commissionershlp,
by common consent, has done so much for the
great cause of education in York county, ana
whose acquaintance as the cherished friend OF
my beloved son, late of the Yorkvlle Method
ist pastorate, it was my privilege to make our
ing my visit. .s,
Some illusions to Jour institutions of learn
ing, business community, &C., l must reserve
for nv next and last letter.
A. A. GILBERT. |