The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-15
A Methodist Among the Seeeders.

A Methodist Among the Seeeders.
Rev. S. A. Weber D. D., in Southern Chris
tian Advocate.
Our brethren of the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian Church don't answer to thu
this article. And 1t is hardly corteous In me
TO apply It to them. Forgive me my brethren
my discourtesy 10 Christian Church or 10 8
Christian man is only in the outward seeming
In my heart am brother OF every brother
The fact is the people will call them seceders
1t is SO much shorter than Associate Reformed
Presbyterian. And then the name is SO
suggestive. They tell good one Of the auld
lang syne of the Scotch Kirk. The faithful
had divided on pr inciple, and had divided
again. and yet again, until at last only the
venerable Janet and her. but little younger
brother James we're left alone in Church 10
themselves. "You are all right now" said the
Dominee to the good old woman. II dinna
keen so weel about Jeln, readily responded
Well to get on to the purpose of this-leiter,
my good friend and brother DR.. William
Walker, and went up to Sharon yesterday
TO attend the session OF synod OF Inc b Asso; s ,
we went. II was so good 10 be there. 1t real
ly seems to me that l actually grew both In
spiritually and In grace 10 the fact and privil-
sge Of bree in Chs h The psams
David never sounded quite so sweet. Scotch.
Irish faces never looked quite so Handsomely
"A word. word, my Kingdom for word
quite so much the right thing rs on yes.
terday when got hold on o deeper meaning
than hitherto or what this signifies: ~ be-
lieve in the communion OF the saints" May
did not Celebrate the Lords supper while I
was there /? How my mouth would have
watered Tor some of that bread and wine.
small boy 70 be sure: All right "Onum,
I'D A Inv Dnhr n
bringing forth but one cub at birth:
lone, but lion,' was her ready but proud
answer. 1t Is the biggest little thing that
1 mean. Look at their Erskine College. Look
mt their Synodical paper-Ass0ciaie Reformed
Presbyterian. Look at their growing mission
work, Look at the leading part they take In
the American Bible Society. And see what
nurture! Take the courteous, cultured. con.
secrated DR.. Grier, the property and pride Of
all The churches, and the Presslys
Ing and OF the odor or sauctity-and Orr,
q flame of fire, and Galloway full OF resources
and godly zeal Mcdonald whose soul requires
just such body as Increases 1T, and that man
and earnest White, and but
must curb this stub Of mine, not, however
until l have mentioned the name OF the prac-
tIcal Dr. Sl0au and that 0f the venerable DR..
Philips, OF Georgia whose wealth Of gray
hair is crown or glory.
gladly greet my dear brethren Ina com
mon Savior and common salVation. They
were so bospitabIe and fraternal and courte-
Gus to their Methodist brother' Perhaps we
may never see alike In our els -jurdanic
experiences but may l not claim that
though We fail TO see al ke we nevertheless
look alike and more and more alike The near
er we get To "JOrdan's stormy banks and view
The landscape o'er."
have but two matters to which 1 wonld
,all special atten tion In connection with this
most In teresting occasion: These Two made
synod. The first was the fraternal visit
ana greeting OF DR.. Wallace OF the United
Church. He had performed q
ike service nineteen years before. He received
speech was most creditable 10 bis intelligence
md TO his Christian spirit. The messenger
Ind his message had most kindly reception.
The Doctor pleaded for closer ecclesiastical
elatlons and for organic union. II would be
lard to say, hard for u "looker on here In
Vienna" to say, how much was accomplished
~ the Doctor and his speech In the matter OF
paternity and q closer union. The Secceders
lon say amen like the Methodists and don't
,unctuate favorite speech with .efusive
okens of approval. No. About the best
hey can do under such circumstances is,
notion to sing the hundreth psalm and have
prayer. They have their way and we have
urs. They like their way the best and we
Ike ours the best. They couldn't do like we
10 and we could1't do like they do' and we
I was talking with one OF the coming young
nen Of the Church, as during the noon Inter-
Mission, true 10 denomlnational Instincts, we
read, about the possibilities and prospects
# organic union. 20, yes,' said The young
rother with historic name and With heart
o feel the unutterabe impact and impress
viii be here in about twenty-five years"
Wise words l would say, and possibly prop
letlc words. Christian union is something
lot 10 be delayed when once Christian unity
md only way is unity and union afterwards:
And may God speed the day for Seceders and
lethodists and all the rest OF US, when we
hal live less 10 the past and recognize and
ealize more and more the meaning OF our
lay, the brightest and best OF all the days
nce time began, Amen.
But here goes my galloping pen. I've LEFT |
put sc+nt space tor the second point about
lot stop iii get through. 1t wont do to
play Hamlet with the Prince OF Denmark
eft out. No indeed. special hour was
'iven In The synodical proceeding oil yester. |
OF the pastorate OF DR.. Il a.
Ross, for fifty years the honorcd pastor Sht-
on Church and congregation. l confess lhat
his was the main purpose of my visit u
lute likely that shall never see him tlll
lfler while see him in the reflected High
,r my vision OF the King In his beauty. he
vas not able 10 be present OH yesterday lie
.hip HIS people sing with such pathns and
power, q prisoner OF the Lord jesus, the
prisoner Of his SEX room. lie Is to-day IN"
oldest castor Of any church In South C,iroin'.
lonoring this servant of the.Lord, or. at lensi.
by bearing my part In the appropriate service
My part was being present ~ an attentive
aud delighted li.tener. DR.. Sloan, OF Able
.t t,.t I'll
delivered were iuterspersed with selections "I
The psalms beautifully and heartily SIInx
There was poem which In the az ence "l
lis author was rend by the celebrated evan
the Hon. Mr. Earl, q distuinguish.d Es'i.c.
paIian from Washington, ID. e., iha he c''ul"
not be present and take part In the exerc! >cS.
H. had been c0llege-mate of DR.. toSi NJ
ny Mr.. Galloway and bre ithcd II sMee
Christian spirit. DR.. Boyce delivered Il
historical address, which was quite full OF
interesting Information as TO llr. Ross and
10 the aroused senslbllities OF Its aged and
ievout author who had been q lifelong friend
and cOadJutor Of DR.. Ross. He spoke win
much telling and had marked degree OF the
attention and sympathy OF the audience.
DR.. w. NJ Grler made the closing address.
have frequently heard him. but never when
he was truer TO an occasion: This Whole
thing was admirably managed. 1t marks
Presbyterian Church, buI In the
history Of Chrls's ( hurch In all lhis York
County, should say thatiL mems Il new
day and O better one for Sharon Church.
With a new house of worship, IL younger
and more active pastor. more aggressive
methods. the old church W Ill put on new iile
All honor to the old guard and all hail TO
younger men with their better plans and
W User methods
Tramp. tramp, the 10y ure marching.