The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-07-27
a Visit to South Carolina:

p(eSSlUlo aUUuI Ou6 uhllfe SthIo, ClLy VI
town. It has been my privilege recently !
to visit my native State-royal little South
Carolina, of which I am proud; and as
was nearing its borders, which had not
crossed for several years, that feeling
came over me that is entirely inexpressi-
BILE. To see the hills and mountains, the
valleys, with their beautiful grain, was
to bring back childhood and girlhood'a
dreams, (which 1 will say are decided
pleasure to her, though not realized.) In
taking the train from Atlanta (the Air
Line,l ne noticed changes had taken
places, the conductors were new faces,
and altogether it did Tot seem as it used
to. But, I remember that it was won
der to me that people in search of pleas"
ure and beautiful scenery did not, in"
stead of going across the ocean, visit our
own beautiful mountain country-tha
beautiful springs of Gainesville, Ga., and
as we go farther South the falls of Tallu~
lab, which are simply grand in their ma
tural beauty. In gazing at such beauty
one is reminded that we live in a world
that is fer more beautiful than we deserve.
Just look at the picture: A deep ravine,
hundreds of feet high, shaded on either
side with oaks not surpassed in any other
cline; and flowers, ferns and rocks that
are hung with moss, just at the head Of
which is the falls, whose clear water and
misty vapor will make you stand as
though you are in dream, that is too
lovely to be real. A few more miles far.
ther is Mount Airy, where in the summer
blanket is deemed light covering, and
all is made delightful to those that wan
der that way. We stopped at Sem
eca, lovely little town in South Carroll
ma. and found the place looking quite ma.
tural-the people just as polite and cor.
dial as they used to be. From there we
took the train to Pendleton, one of the
oldest and most picturesque towns in the
upper part of the State, many houses
built many years since for summer resi-
dences still stand, which, with the lovely
lawns dotted here and there with flowers
and shade, suggests comfort to the resi-.
dent. The park, with its water oaks
which spread their branches as no other
tree dare try, is retreat for the children
and young people in the afternoons. Ev.
erythiDg speaks comfort Four miles from
this place is my fathers beautiful home,
"Mountain View" which is certainly the
right name. The view is, when it is clear,
perfectly grand. For miles you look over
vast valley, and then ridge of noun.
tains, just beyond that another, and back
of that still another, all of which speak of
Gods wonderful works, each towering In
their natural grandeur and beauty, and
which creates almost feeling of awe, a
living fear for the Creator of Euch sublim.
ity. Our stay at this home of comfort,
where loving parents see that every want
is gratifed, seemed of such short dura"
tioD. I will say that my visit to them
will be looked back to as one of the
sweetest spots in my life. The Saturday
and Sunday service that attended in the
country Church was one that also will be
remembered, especially in the afternoon
when the service was held in barn. The
men had fixed seats, unpublished and
without backs, and common square ia.
BILE for desk, with pitcher of water, a
glass and Bible on it. The floor was
swept clean, and in one corner was grain
of some kind, covered with quilts. They
had splendid service, entered into with
the Spirit to aid them. Almost every man
| in the house lifted his voice iu prayer,
and when the singing vas commenced
anyone hearing it would have said, "they
are in earnest" We that have our fine
T fChurches and only few blocks to go,
instead of FIVE miles, are not thankful
enough.
That service in the barn was of great
benefit to me. To see people 80 eager to
hear the Word that they will fix such a
place and ask for the word to be preach.
ed How many of us are thirsting for
the Word?
In visiting Anderson, the city of my
schooldsys, I found many changes. 1t has
grown so beautiful, with its lovely shade
of water oaks, and ivy overhanging the
fences which enclose the beautiful mod
ern residences, or the old homes, which
almost make us think We are young
again. was entertained royalty by my
sisters and brothers that I had not seen
for four years, and whose children have
grown entirely out of my knowledge.
Time has wrought changes in these
children of theirs, and the guardian angel
has carried the prayers of their loving
parents to 8 Fathers home from where
beauty and grace can only come.
1 did not spend only short time at
each place, but will say that to me every
anticipation was realized. Another short
stay at Pickens, G. h., was enjoyed
equally as we'll. The beauty of this
place consists in the mountainous scene-
ry, which is simply grand. Then to Ok
ford, Ala, which is situated in lovely
valley, and is a just "too picturesque for
anything" Its 'es, willows and water
oaks, with the hills on either side, should
be seen by all who start out for pleasure.
We were sorry to leave such beauty and
loving relations, but did; and returned
to Atlanta, and we're met at the train by
my former pastor and his wife, who were
equal to all that I had met before in their
entertainments.
am back in my adopted State, and it
oooma nInnost dram that such g pleas.