The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-04-25
Oraneehure District Conference.

| we eXtcnu sympathy.
Oranseburg District Conference.
DENMARK, April 23.-The Orangeburg
District Conference convened in the
Methodist church at this place last We'd
nesday evening. The opening sermon
was preached by Rev. F. H. Shuler, OF
Aiken, to a large congregation. Mr.
Shuler is a graduate of Wofford College
and possesses many characteristics, which
if thoroughly cultivated, will bring to
him quite a success in his ministerial
labors. He was known in college as "Big
Shuler," and none the less is he this day
His ambition prompts him to anticipate
the high office of Elder before he is even
quite so old as Elder Browne. Mr.. Shuler
preached fine sermon, reaping the first
words of commentator from the lovers
of good preaching, who assembled to
hear the first big gun of the occasion.
Presiding Elder Browne organized the
conference, appointed committees and
made announcements within the limit of
fifteen minutes. During the subsequent
meetings the regular routine of business
was pursued. All questions were ably
discussed by the ministers.
Thursday evening large congregation
greeted the Rev. John G. Beckwith, of
Barnwell, who preached a most excellent
sermon, using for his text prayer in
Missions" Mr.. Beckwith is natural
orator and promises to develop into an
extraordinary preacher. He may stand
as rival to Mr. Shuler for the Eldership.
Prof. J. G. Clinkscales of Wofford Col
lege spoke to a crowded church Friday
and Sunday evenings. He has captivated
this entire community. 1t is reported
that DR.. J. H. Carlisle will positively de-
cline the presidency of Wofford another
term. If such should be the case Orange
burg District would gladly bestow upon
Prof. Clinkscales the high honor. The
unanimous expression among laymen
and preachers is that he is the man for the
place. The theme of thought used by
Prof. Clinkscales Sunday evening was
embodied in these words: "Is the young
man Absalom safe?" At times many were
shedding tears, carried away by the heavy
thuds of pathos coming one after another
with stirring appeal. Before these tender
emotions were least effective the entire
audience was engrossed with laughter
under the keen wit so aptly connected
with his suggestive illustrations. The
address was an appeal to young men,
min gled with the consequences of life
wasted upon the pursuit of the phantom
shadows of disordered living. Mothers
buried their faces in their hands and boys
burned with the desire to forsake wick
edness and return to the race God has
planned for them. No one can foresee
the fruits of such magnificent appeal.
Rev. NJ. W. Hook, of Bamberg, preach
ed at II O'Clock Sunday morning. Mr..
Hook is decidedly the strongest preacher
in the District. He is philosophical, yet
purely simple in diction, eliciting a
strong logical presentation of every
thought. At times Mr.. Hook is carried
away by his natural gift of eloquence
and returns upon floodtide of reasoning,
which drives deep down into the human
soul the declarations of living Christ
to dying people.
DR.. Daniel, President of Columbia Fe-
male College, represented his institution
in person. The college is said to be in
excellent condition, all past good records
having been broken during the present
year. State and public schools received
some hard blows from the hands of the
various representatives. Graded schools
were classed as mere machinery and red
tape and in the end destroying the aspi-
rations of ambitious, Jealous pupils.
Your correspondent must take issue with
some of these gentlemen because an
erroneous impression has gone out which
may discredit the power and influence of
first class graded school. The graded
school at this place does not issue di-
plomas nor do teachers and managing
officers claim to be doing college work.
How can the acquisition of knowledge
narrow boys conception of the great?
Every up to date graded school in South
Carolina is preparatory school, besides
it is the rudimentary workshop, the only
opening by which the greater per cent OF
boys and girls attending them can &C
quire even an academic education. A
graded school in the strictcst sense of the
word is an abomination, but no intelli-
gent teacher in South Carolina is enforc-
ing curricula in harmony with the mere
name of the system. Our progressive
teachers are eliminating every possible
hindrance. 1t is absolutely necessary fol
every community to own and equip its
school, which shall provide every step to
the child until he is ready to knock at
the door of college, whether that col
lege be State or denominational. The
State must educate because Is is aided by
taxation. The church of this land has
become distinctively the institution Of
spiritual predominance, and, thank God
it is not a sheltering asylum for thu
modern politicians. Keep them separated
The glory of our State is found in hel
effort to educate the masses of people
The glory of our church is none the les
thwarted by governmental precocious
ness. The State has miserable publi
school system as whole, but hundred
of communities have begun to solve thi
question for themselves and ere Ion!
every community will be able to provid
preparatory schools for its boys and girls
Denmark is in the front rank of this file
/, and the consummation of its presen