The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-05-25
"R. y. G" on q Trip.

third Annual County Sunday SchOo
Convention. which was held there or
the 9TH, 9th and 9th of May, we ac
cepted and started for "the seven hillet
city, OH Friday morning the 7th. Along
the route to Lowndesvillc there is the
very poorest prospect for small grain
we have ever seen at this season. Much
Of the wheat will not make more than a
bushel to the acre. We stopped few
moments at DR.. Bells and enjoyed
his we'll known hospitality. The doc
tor has beautiful place. We reached
Lowndesville just as the bell in the
;. beautiful new Methodist church rang 10
assemble the Convention for the even
ing session. We found the following
officers IN charge Of the Convention
I Mr.. George G. Hodges, President Mr..
Sturkey of Mccormick, Secretary und
Rev. Meadors Of Ninety-Six, Statisti-
clan. About thirty delegates were pres.
ent. Our venerable Sabbath School
worker. Capt. Parks was offered the
presidency Of the Convention, but was
unwell and declined. Mr.. George C.
Hodges was then unanimously elected
to that position and made most capital
presiding officer, interspersing the en-
ercises with pointed replies and pretty
quotations.
The Sabbath Schools of the County
were we'll represented. From nearly
all of them there were written reports.
showing them to be in fine working
condition. The Secretaries Of these
schools are required to keep u roll Of
every scholar each Sabbath then to
send mp the total number Of scholars
with all other facts to the Convention
once year. There are committees ap-
pointed along with the Supcrintendents
to look up scholars. This seems 10
, keep the schools full. The Convention
discussed great many practical ques-
tiOnS connected with Sabbath School
work. We were profoundly impressed
with the conviction that this Conven-
ton was great educator to the Sabbath
School Superintendent and Teacher.
lie esn here get the practical exper-
ience Of the county IN this work, with
the many suggestions thrown out
There were quite number Of good
takers and workers in the Convention
which made the meeting interesting.
We thought that perhaps the Sabbath
Schools ut Abbcvlle. c. II. made the
best showing, with Ninety.six;, Green
wood, Mcgsfkiick and Lowndesvillc !
:fankins close behind. The amount Of |!
money each school contributed was re-
ported andsinany Of them are carrying
on Missionary work. The number Of |
'accessions to the church from the Sab
bath Schools was given. The Conven-
tisn adjourned late Saturday evening
after selecting Abbeville az the next
place of meeting. a unanimous vote |
ltE Il
pie of Lowndcsville for their kindness
and full-handed hospitality. There
were Two good sermons each dny. The |
presiding elder Rev. Smart Of Green
wood had n severe attack of sickness on
Saturday evening and the doctors were
with him all that night. He WAS some
better on the Sabbath. He is most
genial, worthy christian gentleman. Of
hnc address. We formed some most
pleasant acquaintanccs among members
OF the Convention and return thanks
for the very kind courtesy extended Us
personally. We enjoyed the occasion.
The meeting was interspcrsed with fine
music led by Mrs. B. u. Kay and Mr..
James I. Latimer assisted by Rev. Mr..
Aud. Mr.. B. ID. Kay and others. Rev.
r. Aud is the present pastor Of the
church. He is most estimable chris
tian gentlemen aud held in the highest
esteem by his people.
= Smyrna church in which the Conven-
tion was held is beautiful new build
ing, finished off in the latest style and
presents All imposing view upon it's
elevated site. We learn that Mr.. Baker
one of the staunch citizens of Lown-
desville was very active in pushing the
church to completion. 1t is very neat
and tasty.
On Sabbath morning Mr.. James Lati-
mer, Sr. the excellent Superintendent
of Smyrna Sabbath School presided at
the Sabbath School mass meeting and
introduced the speakers very happily.
There were three addresses of about
twenty-five minutes each. Mr.. George
Hodges and Rev. Meadors held the
closest attention Of the large audience.
AT the close Of the addresses Of the
delegates, h. G. Kay came out from the
audience and heartily thanked the dele.
gates for their presence and their adj
dresses. He had been i, tho Sabbath
School work for fifty three years. His
voice has failed him and when in q
whisper he told the audience that his
work was done'' the audience was i'm
tears. The Quarterly Conference met
Immediately after the adjournment OF
this meeting.
We want to speak of the great i'm
provement in Lowndcsville since we
were there three years ago. On that
trip we don't remember to have seen a
single new plank in the place. But
there is wonderful difference now.
What il the cause? The new railroad.
We have always hoped these good peo-
pie would get this road. Through their
pluck and energv and tbrourb Il, ,.o.. |