The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-04-04
LETTER FROM REV. JOSEPH H. WHEELER.

An Ahectionctc Remembrance Of
Brethren Sidi H. Brown, III. II.
Mouzon, and A. N. Shipp---An old
Pastors Greeting and Benedic.
tiOn to the Members OF the Church
i'm lSSS.
Editor Press and Banner:
DEAR SIR-I am sure this communication
will be received very Unexpectedly by you
Through the kindness Of n friend am in re-
ceipt OF Il copy Of your issue of the 1lth In
stant. The contents of your paper of that
date have called up "reminiscences of Able
vile and the Cokesbury Circuit of the ''long
ago." and should you deem what write not
thus dispose Of 1t. The cut OF the New Meth
odist church furnished your readers, and SO
recently dedicated to the worship Of God, Is
quite in contrast with its predecessors and an
methodiSm In Abbeville find items of inter.
est to me after the long lapse Of time since
my terms Of pastorate there ceased. DO moi
remember the precise date at which the old
church was dedicated, but am quite sure 1t
was some time during my first year s labors-
lSI0-on the Cokesbury Circuit. l well re.
member, rs you have stated, conducting the
first service in the old building. My text
have forgotten, though the memory of your
informant as to the subject chosen Is doubt
less correct. / appreciate the expression OF
regret at my absence ut the dedication OF the
new church. 1t would have afforded me
some part in the exercises of the occasion. ]
trust the glory Of the latter house may, In all
things contributing to the spiritraland eter-
nal welfare OF the worshi pers, be greater than
the glory Of the former. In tie list you pub
lsh notice but one or two names of those
who were members when had charge OF the
ch orch in Abbcville during my first term OF
Of Servicc-I was twice appointed to the cir
cuit-viz., Mrs. Dendy and Mrs. II. S. Kerr,
formerly Miss Leentina Moore. The others
where are they? Some probably moved away
may be still living, but where are the others
Gone. gone 10 the destiny of Eternity! For
ty-siX years how they tell of the changes IN
all things earthly the membership OF
churches rs well.
The CokeSbury Circuit has known many
mutations since my term OF service In 1910
and 1911. Then the circuit was large, em.
bracing quite number Of church, now, II l
read the conference Minutes Alright, the
circuit that then was, is divided into Sevaral
separate charges
My colleagues there were then usually two
ministers on circuits of any considerable size,
We're in 1910 Rev. ii. i. Mouzon, III lS4l Rev.
4. NJ. Ship, subsequently, ID. d. They both
have changed the labors and trials of this life
Tor their reward. ] was returned 10 the circuit
again in 1850, which was my last year Of SER
vice In the South Carolina Conference, having
been transferred to the North Carolina Con-
ference in 1851. My colleague in 1850 was Rev.
Sid II. Browne. who like myself still sur
wives, and also see from the minutes of last
session of the South Carolina Conference, Is
on the Supernnnunted list.
In the region of country where | suppose
your paper has large circulation there may be
still living some who remember this writer,
and may read what have written: and have
been more inclined thus to write believing
they may be pleased to learn Of my welfare,
and that emhalmod in my heart are many
pleasant memories of intercourse and labors
with them while serving on The WHERf 4a GHkes HR
CSnricSion & C. 81 March. 1883