The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-01
THE BIBLE SOCIETY.
Met Wednesday. July 25, 1900, in the
ARP Church, AbbeviIIe.

The Abbeville District Bible Society held
It's annual meeting in the y. K. =. church
last Wednesday. There was no sermon and
10 address.
Rev. +. y. Pressly, ID. d., was elected Presi-
dent.
J.F. Lyon and Hon. w. H. Parker, Vice
Presidents.
Samuel Evans and Rev. T. w. Sloan life
members.
E. w. Watson, g. director.
Rev. d. g. Phillips was chosen 10 preacn
the sermon next year with Rev. r. A. Cnlid
as alternate.
]. Fraser Lyon, Esq, was chosen 10 denver
the next annual address with w. +. Green'
Esq. alternate.
The Society sent sI25 to the American Bible
Society.
The attendance was not as large as the
friends of the Society could have Wlshed'
and general enquiry has been made for the
cause OF the apparent loss OF interest IN lts
meetings.
The Abbevllle District Bible Society had
It's origin nearly a century ago, ana we be-
lieve that it's meetings have been held an
nually since It's organization. Without the
application of special business principles,
the Christian spirit that has pervaded this
county has kept the association alive.
In former years Abbeville looked to the
meeting OF the Bible Society with more pleas
ure than to any other day OF the year. Those
of our citizens who contemplated trips for
the summer postponed their going until
after the fourth Wednesday OF July. And
everybody in town prepared big dinner for
delegates who were expected to come. The
day TO Abbeville was very much as the Com
mencement is to Due West.
But several years ago the meetings fell Oh
largely, and the good attendance has not
been regained. Friends of the Society would
like to awaken former interest in the proud.
est and best Institution OF the town, and all
people would like to see the good old days
come again.
All sorts of schemes have been proposed
by which the desirable result may be brought
about, and all sorts of reasons have been
urged that caused the regretted result.
10 the formation of Auxiliary Societies
has been charged the lessening OF the mem
bership Of the District Society. Membership
in the Auxiliary Societies costs 25 cents
while membership OF the District Society
costs Sl.O0. When members OF the Auxiliary
Societies withdrew their mem bership from
the District Society, they had not the same
incentive to come, and therefore remained
away. Their remaining away lessened the
interest Of the town people, and 30 they dt
not turn out rs mum crousy as they did IL
former years.
Another reason for the absence OF the town
people rested on the fact theat the exercises
were tlresome because of their extreme
length. The religious exercises generally
consisted OF singing, prayers, sermon and
essay. Then sometimes followed the long
tabulated statements Of the General Agent
After which the business Of the Society wal
concluded at, say halfpast one O'Clock, OF
possibly two o'clock.
The lack OF the social features In meeting
friends from q distance, and the long services
may have had something to do with the
small attendance by the village people.
II the people from a distance will come, oul
own people will be there. Or, that is oul
own belief Put 1t down as you please, indi
viduals are largely influenced by the socia
relations. We 60 where we may see people
We are not thirsting and hungering for either
sermons or Bible Society statistics. But We
want to see each other. And we will 60 ou
to see each other. The dollar which we give
TO the Bible Cause is merely an incident, ant
not the chief object or attraction. 1t, there
fore, in our opinion, largely rests with oul
friends from q distance. II they CONF they
may rest assured that the people Of Abre
Vile will be there, and our people will do al
they can to give them good time.