The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-08
new HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
THE A. M. E. CONGREGATION ARE BUILD
ING A NEW CHURCH.
People When United Can DO Any
thing Examples of Christian
Zeal which will Accomplish Won.

ders.
Abbevlle is pre-eminently city OF church.
es and schools. The city has greater
number OF fine houses Of worship and more
fine schoolhouses than any other city with
which we are acquainted. The white people
have seating capacity in their churches TO ac-
comm odate all the church goers OF much
larger city. Their high-school building is not
surpassed. :,
The colored people have two splendid brick
structures in which high schools are taught,
TO say nothing OF their public schools.
A still further step has been taken In
church-building by colored people. The ST.
James A. NJ. K. folk are actively at WORK
preparing for the building of u splendid
brick church to take the place of the wooden
structure which was erected thirty years ago
FINE cHURcu TO BE BUILT.
The zeal and assurance with which these
people enter upon so great an undertaking as
the building Of S5,0O0.church Is assuring and
furnishes an object lesson to more preten'
tious congregations. Many OF the members
are poor-none are rich-the majority being
cooks or day-laborers. They considered we'll
the magnitude Of their undertaking; while
some were fearful OF the eXpediency or pro-
priety of embarking in SO great an enter
prise vet there we're others whose zeal was
greater, and cared not to anticipate danger
Under the leadership of the Rev. d. H. John.
son, whose labors and influence have done SO
much for his race, it was resolved to go ahead
he cODteDOeQ IUdI Will lIusI III euo lIoi
and confidence in themselves, the work
might commence, even II the completion o
the house was delayed. He and others be,
lleved that when the work was commenced
the needed aid would come.
Many members OF the congregation freely
pledged their daily labor In doing the work
but 1t was necessary to have some ready cash
with which to make the necessary prepara
ton for making brick.
The seating capacity OF the new building
to be about 800.
DECLARATIONS AGAINST HOT SUPPERS.
The manner of raising the money was dis
cussed. Among other plans hot suppers, les
tivals, and other similar methods were dls
cussed. Rev. Johnson took the ground thai
these methods were not only unscriptural
but that they had Il tendency to the demoral
iZation of the people; that eating ana drink
ing were natural 10 US all, but that the cult,
vation of a gluttonous spirit In eating ano
drinking, when II was not needed for tht
nourishment of the body, was hurLful 10 the
body and Injurious to our spiritual welfare
| In catering 10 the natural desires, we too OF
| ten cultivate Il vicious taste and reckless
waste OF money. The church should not be
built by the useless waste OF the money o.
| It's mem berS, but its walls should De erecteu
| by the contributions of those who gave dl
rectly TO the Lord; by those who gave rather
| by self denial rather than by the indulgence o.
the appetite. He thought the church wa.
| largely responsible for much OF the evils thtt
resulted from hot suppers. Carousals ana
violations OF the peace were sometimes
caused by such unhoy schemes, and oui
courts furnished proof that this method
| OF raising money should not De encouraged
| by Christian people.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO lie GIVEN DIRECTLY.
Following the lead of their pastor 1t wal
| resolved not to raise money by any OF thost
doubtful methods. but that each would con
tribute directly TO the church iund.
WORK ALREADY DONE.
About 81 600 has been raised In cash, to say
nothing of the labor that has been given;
! About 800 900 brick has been made larg
| per cent OF which has been hauled TO the 10
| by wagons which were furnished Tree ol cost
| In the ST. James a. Nj. T.. church are aDou
| 500 members. But in that church there ar
quite a number who rejoice that salVatlnh
| tree There are also number VINO are phys
| icaliy unable to work, and consequently ar
unable to give.
UNSURPASSED LOYALTY.
But as q whole, the members OF st. Jane
A NJ. +, church furnish an example of churc!
| lovaItv that is seldom surpassed. They vii
finally finish their splendid building whlcI
will be to their credit and to the ornament Q
the town.
The following named members constltuI
the Official Board OF the church:
Stewards-A 4 lbert Adams, Dennis carter
! Nelson w Williams, Robert Smith, Robert wall
Edward Washington, Henry Taylor, ,. II
Baker, j. b. Beck. w ~ p,,,.
, Robert Watt, Thos. Washington, j. Is. Bech
Theo. Percival, Edward Washington. Hehr
Taylor, Samuel Williams.
| The pastor officers and members are UNI
edlv and earnestly laborlng to advance IN
work, and friends far and near are iehuih
the helping hand.