The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-06-21
NEW A. M. E. CHURCH.

Notable Event In the History Of the
st. James Cong of
the Cornerstone OF the A. M. e.
Church.
From the Christians Culver.
According to previous announce
ment, the cornerstone of the st. James
A. NJ. E. church was laid Saturday
morning, June 10, 1899. Rt. Rev. A.
Grant, D. D., Bishp of the Seventh
Episcopal District of the African M. E.
Church, conducted the services.
The Bishop arrived in Abbeville on
Friday afternoon, and in the evening
of the same day he delivered a lecture
in the Court House on "Our Work in
Africa" which land he has so lately
visited. The lecture was instructive
and entertaining to the large audience
many having desire, no doubt, to
learn the Bishops position on the sub
ject of emigration. His opinion is,
we believe, that no man should go
to Africa until quite sure he can take
care of himself.
Saturday morning at 1l.3O o'clock
was the time appointed for laying the
cornerstone. Long before the hour OF
service quite q number of eager and
happy ones had gathered in the vicin-
ity of the new building. The day was
quite warm, and while waiting for
the service hour the time was passed
in pleasant conversation in shade OF
the beautiful trees, and in partaking of
the ice cream and lemonade which
was so abundant
Half-past eleven o'clock the vast con-
gregation assembled in the church
(the old church), where the sermon
was preached by the Bishop. The Or
der of service was as follows:
Selection by the choir Come,
thou Almighty King"
Hymn, "Blessed hour of Prayer" -
Scripture Lessons, I Kings, 5th
chapter, and Corinthians, 3rd chap
ter, read by the Presiding Elder, Rev.
Hiram Young.
Bishop Grant selected for text, I
Corinthians, 3rd chapter and the 9th
verse "For we are laborers together
with God" He spoke to some extent
on the subject of building, and bow
in the early history Of mankind the
Creator was worshipped in groves and
forests then, the altar was erected in
the wilderness afterward the taber-
nacle was Instituted and, finally. the
temple was built and dedicated to di
vine service and ever since that day
men have been erecting houses in
which to worship God. 1t Is needless
to attempt a description of the sermon.
1t is we'll known how plainly and
forcibly Bishop Grant can present. the
truths of Scripture, and 1t is also
known that be Is a master in eloquence
and oratory.
After the sermon music was rem
dered by the choir, and Presiding El-
der Young and the pastor Rev. w. ID.
Humbert received the contribution at
the table, which amounted to $3.50.
The congregation then repaired to
the cornerstone, where the ceremonies
were concluded as laid down in the
Book of Discipline, as follows:
Prayer-By Rev. F. Y. Dendy, D.D.
Address - Read by Rev. D. II.
Johnson. D. D., and Rev. w. D. Hum
bert, B. D.
Prayer-By Rev. B. J. Ramsey, ID.
While the Bishop led in in singing
appropriate selections, the following
named articles were deposited in the
cornerstone
Bible.
Hymn Book.
Discipline of A. M. E. Church.
Copy of Christian Recorder.
Copy of Voice of Missions.
Copy of Christians Culver.
Copy of Abbeville Press and Banner.
Copy of Abbeville Medium.
List of names of contributors to the
building fund.
When this was finished the cavity
was sealed and cemented by the
skilful hand of Mr.. F. A. Henry.
On the front wall the stone bears the
inscription:
st. James A. NJ. E.
Church.
Erected 1899.
Rev. w. D. Humbert, B. D.,
Pastor.
Rev. n. Young, P. E.
RI. Rev. A. Grant, D. D.,
Bishop.
On the side wall Is the following:
Theo. Percival,
W. A. Turman,
r. P. Williams,
Geo. Pressly,
j, l.. Patton,
]. X. Davis,
D. Jackson,
r. Wilson,