The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-02
FAREWELL MEETING.
THE GREENWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AND HER MISSIONARY TO CHINA.

THE GREENWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AND HER MISSIONARY TO CHINA.
Speeches and Addresses at q COngre.
GatiOnal Meeting in August, 1892, as
Reported for tlIe Press and Banner.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE PASTOR
REV. W. r. MATTHEW'S.
Many Of us will recall this day as spiritual gall
duy IN the history Of the Greenwood Presbyterian
church. II marks an epoch In her annals, and W,
will revert to It in the future rs the starting poi u
greater achievements for Christ, ard the entrance In
to broader field Of usefulness aud influence In His
cause.
For some time We have had this interesting occa
sion in anticipation consuminating GEd crow lin.
the worthy undertaking of this church-the SUPPORT
of a missionary In tho foreign field l think ! nm
correct when say that this church WAS the first In
the history Of the Synod tu assume the en'ire sup
port Of male missionary.
Nearly one year ago few cnnsecratcd women mel
In this house and considered the Question Of support
ing missionary. AS they went out TO nse their in
fuence to this end, their hearts glowed with ar.
dent enthusiasm they thought off and prayed that
the way might be successfully opened up. The mis-
sionay spirt already enkindled in their breasts
and sg0w In the hearts Of many others-men, women
ind children In the church, dcspened and br, adened
whole church enthusiastically coop rated in carrying
into effect the prnpnstion The money WIS ut once
raised md eff,rts were made to find man who had
given his heart and life to this work for Christ.
As the result Of those efforts we have before us this
evening the Rev. William Breckenridge White who
hns consented to represent US In the foreign field and
To whom we pledge ourselves for his support
Since the notion of this church three or four other
churches In the Synod have entered upon q similar
work. and brethren, may this Curious work 60 till
mi n "A N tf dan
in all this christian land shall be without represen-
tatlve on heathcn soil.
rant to say that I am glad to see this large con-
rregaon here this evening evincng their interest In
this service is two-fod. First to frm lily perfect an
agreement with Rev. w. Is. White that he reprtsen,
us In the foreign field and we support hm-and sec
ond to say word OF encouragement 10 him before we
bid him farewell.
A PAPER PREPARED By MES. ANN +. TARRANT ON BE.
HALF OF THE LADIES MISSIONARY SOCIETY AND READ
ny DR.. W. L. HOOD.
In response to the request Of our Pastor, we, the
Ladies OF the Missionary S"cisty wnud give expires.
sim to own sentimcnts upon this interesting oc
casion We assure the session Of Ir Church. that we
fully appreciate the christian courtesy extended to us
In allowing our society the privilege Of chonsng our
missionary, and In future, shall prove our loyalty by
seeking their advice In oil muters OF expedency or
propreiy. We feel thankruffn view # the crcnm.
stances by which We are surroun,led for In c0mpar-
ing the present with ihspust We joYfuly believe that
Gid has bestowed signal blessing upon our labo,s.
Is scarcely possible to estimate the depth Of interest
connected with the services Of Ibis evi mir g. new
has 'nwnsd upon our church: rnee will be added
to its history encircrd with halo Of sacr,d assoca-
tuns the words, the hymns, the prayers, VIII ever
main esh In our memories as bright souvenirs OF
the past. Even The children will look back with
fond rrcoll, ctons to The time when ohr Missionary
paid US pul tiEg visit; when he left his native land
nr the distant rhores Of China chuin of Provlden.
tia circumstances led u our acquaintance with Mr.,
Whit; and such were the impressions made during
his first VISIT Int our incmbs RS we're unanimously In
favor Of choosing him as our representative In the
foreign field. His entire conservation tu the mission.
ary CAUSE united to many ot QuulicatIu s, render
him well fitted tU dischurge the duties of the position
To which he bas b. Ell appoiitcd by 0nr Executive
Committee. in view 81 the rein Ion now eNistlng be-
tween hin self md our Church. the members OF our
tian love and deep Interest in his welfare, both TEN
n raj and spiritual. We h..vr entered into solemn
courp.ct to remember him daily ut Throne OF Grace
and while sympathizing deeply with him MS lie bids
sustained by the hope, that by the blessing Of Him.
who has said. "Lo. um with you always be will
yet break the bread Of life to the thousands Of the
terishlng heather. We have now taken position
tones the command which once sounded through the
Camp Of Isrnel, "Go forward" 1t will only be when
we fully realize how wide and exalted 1s uuinan's
sphere Of influence that will be enub!ed ~ accom-
ended by our blessed Lord when she "sat at His fee,
and heard bis word but sweeter expressions Of love
ard ercoura enent fell from his lips, when, IN .owll
est attitude. she ennobed the most humble service
she coni perform for Him, hy pouring upon bis feet
her richest and cUst lest gifts. Could but draw
aside the parting veil and realize how Of
may he with those oil nunbrr, who now "sleep In
Jesus" would We not be inspired with new zeal
would We not pray with more earnestness than ever
el,rc But this IS an hour freighted with precious
t,,tlf mr. nf a 4
ngly ave the future in the hands Of our loving Fa.
lher. This should not he un OCCASION OF sad fnrebod
ing. but ono Uf joyful hope; made radiant by finn
trust in the faithful rUiiss OF our God. The pres
ont Is Hitting time tn rrc0nsrcrate ourselves tn the
service of Christ in which, to encourage each other to
LAY the heal hens Cause burden upon our con.
science. We wonld tenderly promise our brother as
We bid him farewell, that we sha prny daily that his
life and health may be precious In the sight Of the
Lord, his heart cheeret. and Illuminated by the con
tinua presence of the Holy spir and bis hands made
to prosper in acceptable work for the Master. Though
the wide Pacific will soon roll between us, We feel
confident, thut he will be kept In the hollow of God
hand hid In the secret Of His presence and ever find
Il safe retreat beneath His protecting wings.
ADDRESS or PROF. T.. B. WILSON on BEHALF OF TIE
SABBATH SCHOOL.
My FRIENDS This is q peculiarly solemn occasion
and It's upol ance Is not to It's sOlcmnity II
unrks the beginning of new epuch In the history oi
to look with INCREASING pride as The years 60 BY. To
yOu Mr. White 1t IL the day OF all days far your
earthly Is concerned. II Is the great event oi
your life that we have met 10 celebrate IN our humble
fashion the beginning of career the important re-.
suits of which eternity alone I'll reveal to you. We
can conceive Ui no event more important to Chris.
tianty and ciyilizat0n-tO all that constitutes true
greatness than the departure Of messenger of truth
to heathendonI. Simple and homey may be the ex
crcIses that mark your departure but the nature Of
our mission adds to this meeting sublimity aid
pathos that should touch many heart In this pres
ence. You go with messages OF love and comfort and
hope to the despondng; you 60 to "widen the skirts
of light" to some Of caIths bcnightcd millions, while
thi, congregation and its various organizations are
bidding you God speed in your noble work come to
speak to you In behalf Of the Snnday-schoo IN be.
half of the little On,s Of the congregation. cUme Ia
make mention to you Of their gratitude for the OF.
pUrtuhity OF ASST ting yOu In this work. come t0
express /" their admiration for your heroic self
sacrifice and their keen interest In you aud The cause
yon represent. | crme in their behalf to drop tear
Of sympathy at your departure and to breathe prayer
for your drlivr ru the tcir0rs OF the deep, fr"n
the trrrurs Of lid BEAST and iUm the worse terrOrs
Of cruel men.
These are matters of vital importance 10 us oil, rs
members OF un enlightened christian ccEilnunty
irrespective Of sun,lny school connection; bul
there is Nh especial reason why the children IL the
Sunday School should place themselves on record
In this matter. They are they ON whom will sn"T
rest the responsibility Of supporting this mission
They will be called npon to hold up your hands
In your tOlsUme wOk. l want to remind the Sunday
School that yuu have been instrumental In G'ds
hands In sending this messenger and that in contrib
uting to his SUPPORT you have the same assurances
that yOnr mites will he owned and bl, ssed had the
pious widow If old. There now exists bond OF nm.
ion between them md their less rtunatc kindred In
foreign lands. They hnye heard oi missionaries and
missions since the duys of their Infancy; but they
now huve living interest In the work such as they
never before hud they now, us it were. In elbnw
touch with the army OF workers with whom they have
heretofore been remotely connected. This will arouse
them to greater carncstncsS and zeal and to more ef
trclive efforts in the mission cause. They will follow
you In your wn!k Of mercy with loving intcrst and
anxiety. They will contribute cheerfully "i lh,il
means to your support. They will cheer you when
ever possible with words Of c"nlmenaation and con.