Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1885-10-29
For the Advertiser.
Simmons Ridge Samaritan Baptist
!: Association,

To the Editor Of tie Advertiser;
The interest manifested by you in
the publication Of religious. matters,
induces me to write few brief notes
of the Simmons Ridge Samaritan Bap.
tist Association. This Association is
composed of churches mainly from
Edgefeld County. The last meeting
was its ninth annual session, and ii
now comprises thirty.six churches.
The last meeting was at Willow Spring
Church, Tburuday, Oct. 18Th, inst,
lasting four days. The Moderator,
Rev. Ell Key, opened the meeting
with the usual ceremonies. After
which the Introductory Sermon was
preached by the Rev. Ned. stai ks,
the oldest Minister in the field, AT
the close of the sermon, which was
very much appreciated by all present
the Moderator. announced the house
in order for business. But before FRO
ceeding to the regular business of the
Association, Rev, j. G. Burket, Pas
tor of the Willow Spring Church,
rose aud in very feeling and chris,
tianlike manner, extended cordial
welcome to the delegates and breth
rem, assuring them that they were
welcome in every sense of the word.
and said that they were not in land
of strangers, but among christian
brethren and sisters, who could and
did feel for them. Further assuring
them that no pains would be spared
to make their short stay pleasant
one. And indeed it was. Space will
not allow full description OF the hos
pitalities Of the Willow Spring breth-
rem and sisters, Suffice it to say, that
the people of that community have
always been noted for their generosi'
" and christian benevolence.
The next business in order was the
enrolment OF delegates and churches
and the reading OF letters. Quite
large number OF delegates we're pres
ent at the opening of the meeting
though many of them reside in the
most distant part of the County, anc
even some from otEsr Counties. Il
was quite evident from the statistica
report of letters that many Of the
churches had made large accessioni
during the Associational year, and g
great many Of these accessions, too
were made from Sunday School Schol
srs. Right here, Mr.. Editor, l may
digress little from the main subject
of this letter. In speaking Of Sun
day school scholars, it is to be regret
ted that many OF the churches are
wanting in that peculiar interest thai
ought to be taken in Sunday Schoo
work. Those who see and feel tho
great necessity of building up this
branch Of the christian church, have
been left too often unaided in theil
efforts to make it a permanent anc
living institution. Even too by pa
rents who are protesting christians
Many seem to think that is is of sec
ondary Importance in church matters
ard therefore make no special efforts
to keep their children in attendance
or aid in support of the echool. l
seems to be difficult matter Tor some
to understand that the school ia th'
church, or rather an indispensable
part of the church, that ought to b.
iostered and supported by the church
Nvw when we think that there LITTLE
ones who are now Sunday school schol
ars, in few years will have takel
our place both in the church an'
Sunday scl 81, bow important thel
that their little minds &c properl,
trained and stored with Biblical truth
Tor their noble calling.
Returning to the subject Of thi
letter. With few EXCEPTIONS th
| a. I >An--,