The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-07-30
Daily Item. July 2s.

Very large crowds are attending the
daily sessions of the district confer
ence at Mt. Zion church this week.
The address of welcome to the minis
ters and delegates from the various
churches of the district was delivered
On Monday by Alpheus Sanders and
responded to by NJ. Fl. Fields of Sum-
ter. Both addresses were full of ap-
propriate suggestions to hosts and
guests. The use of tobacco by minis
ters and delegates in homes where
they are entertained or at the church
at any time is discouraged. And no
applicant for admission to the annual
conference can be recommended until
he shall have signed,a pledge to wholly
abstain from the use Of toaeco in any
form. The rule is ironclad, no one
exempted from this restriction. The
address of the Presiding Elder was
full of information concerning the
temporal and spiritual condition OF the
district. Every interest of the
church has advanced greatly during
the present year. He spoke interest
ingly with reference to the home life
of the people generally, and suggested
that the church should make haste to
arrest many of the evils that are pre-
valent. The work of the district is
outlined by a carefully prepared pro-
gram by committee of which che pre-
siding elder is chairman. Some of the
distinguished visitors to the confer
ence on Thusday and Friday were the
Rev. H. M. Boston, very aged
superannuated minister Of the A. NJ.
E. Church, Rev. J. G. Williams, pas
tor of Mt. Pisgah, A. M. p. Church
of this city, Prof. J. G. Whitaker Of
the State colored college, Geo. ".
Murray, A. J. Andrews and F. @.
Stoney.
Rev. Williams and Mr. Murray
made good speeches, full of practical
advice. Many of the papers read and
addresses by ministers and delegates
were of high intellectual character.
forcibly delivered and full Of good ad-
vice or the subjects treated. Many Of
the most vital issnes with which the
church is concerned were ably discuss
ed by this conference in a manner that
shows that these plain people are
faithful students.
Among the reports from the church
es that attracted the attention of the
conference most was that from Sum-
ter. The pastor of this church is the
Rev. J. c. Martin, A. NJ. a graduate
of Clahin University and of the
Cannon School of Theology at
Atlanta, Ga. He was for IL years pas
tor of churches in Greenyille and An
derson counties, and was the same
years, principal Of the Greenyille city
colored graded school. He is recog-
nized as one of the most competent
and faithful pastors in the State.
The report of the Sumter church shows
that a new church, brick structure,
ats a cost of SIS, 900 is in course Of
erection by that congregation. The
memberships more than 500 strong
and conposes some of the best colored
people that are in and near Sumter.
The last ten months have been a
financial panic period in the expert
ence of that church, but prospects
have SO frightened of late that the
successful execution of the new church
enterprise is assured. The congrega-
ton has raised good collections the
present year on the building fund.
Mechanicsville has been selected as
the seat of the next district confer
ence.
Sermons will be preached at Mt.
Zion on Sunday 9th by the presiding
elder at II a. NJ, j. A. Brown, at 4
p. M, and Rev. B. G. Frederick at 8
At Emanuel Church, Rev. 7. J.
Clarke, of Orangeburg, at $50 ?. M,
and Rev. B. F. Candy, of Lexington,
at $50 p. m.
At Mt. Pisgah, Rev. F. D. Smith,
of Orangeburg, IL a. M, Rev. Z. E.
Mcdonald, Of Mechanicsville, $50 p.
m. J. A. Brown, Reporter.
Now is the paper hat season. Nice