The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1903-01-08

beauty and Il joy forever.
There aro many social stars
whose mellow light does not glea II,
from the milky way and many
stately steppiugs not regulated by
the music OF the other spheres
Their influence On our social life
is plain, palpablo, powerful. Should
it ever be eliminated thero would
be social shock--a moral calns-
trophc--a religious disaster. It. is
tho countcrbaIanco TO the great
wheels on which tho social lilo is
poised; and holds it firm to the
track,
Tho centre Of this social lifo is
the country church,. Whether it
is Baptist. Methodist or Hrosbytc>
rian, its influence is the Same in
effect. 1t brings together in ono
place all tho best iilluclces IN the
community. 1t is ike rolling to-
gcthrr live Goals. Every one in
(thc heap soon comes 80 the climax
of it's turvor. All in the radius of
It's influence feel tho glow. Tn"
ground work Of character is LAID
deep and strong.
The churrhyaru-tho outer
court of tho visit on Il Weekday.
Nothing but tho Wary tcmplc-is
virgin forrest. a quiet spot to|
tread oi tn" squirrel, the hasty
whi>k Of the startled dove, toi
chidc tn" silence. The stately
oaks and the towering PINES have
treasured up the memories OF the
past aud b"gIn To- sing their story:
in II lrw sweet song that tells how
enc, u month cal the people gath
"r tho!r; to get The good that
comes of m' cting thus. y Thoro is
not minut" ui this mootinG from
10 "'clcck till ,, that has not It's
peculiar good. Groups Of men are
seen in different parts of the grove,
Engaged in cam est talk. Here
and thcro are hcvics of young
women, whose radiant brpws glow
. With tho health "r Ne mountain
ar, and their voices Soft and sweet,
| like music on The water. Couples
of young mon and maid"ns pass to
tho spring whr.c every one who
has a sweetheart, or wants one, is
sure. to so bcf,rn the time for
preaching. The air, thu wator and
the people are all good. breathing
tho air, drinking the water, ming
ling together. make HON all better.
The mind is stimulated, the heart
opened and Soitcnrd. 1t is the
Nmr place and circumstance for
the lio Of destiny To- I've stamped
, upon the character. | pity the
nch and the poor of tho city who
can mover be- under tn" spell nf
this grand orchestra OF nature
No speech nor language; its voice
is not heard, but its line goes tc
every fibre Of the hest and the
worst, the noblcst and the mcanost
The rido from the farms in tho
crisp morning air oven the hills by
tho mountains, tho fragrance OF
the budding and blooming valleys,
arc well calculated to put the
whole being in harmony with ia,
turc and prepare the mind for
good impressions. Such a prelude
cannot DO played on u pipe organ
in n grand cathedral, 30 moro than
n streak of lighting Can bo played
upon chestnut whistle. | pity
tho preacher who has to lombard
the pews filed with llstlcss clans
who's" minds are barricadcd by the
tinsel and splendor Of conventlon-
alily, and their scnsibilitles be-.
mum bed by strained effort not to
spe TX to those they meet. What
q waste Of oarEestnoss, logic and
eloqucnce to tell that Glove is the
fulilment of tho law" TO people
who have not heard a cock crow
baby cry, or pig squeal in six
months!
No sombre shadow on the minds
ofthe peoplein tho country church.
Before the light of ITS social life
the shadows llco away. When as
sombled in the church they are all
ready and anxious to Join in the
song. They wake cvrry heart and
ovcv tongho. The trees Of the
field clap their hands. The preach.
er Ieols the inspiration of the mo-
m MT, and the people gel the bono-
fit Of his enthusiasm. All comes
from the social preparation. No
preaching which ignores tha social
sido Of life loos it hest. Light for
thc,cNc, muse for the ear, sympa-
thy for the mind and heart. This
social life, tn" prelude and dcxology
to every meeting at the country
church, expands the soul and
makes The individual feel that he
has place in the growth and pro-
gross Of TIE community. He does
not gaze on @iddy heights, but
lies down in green pastures and
walks beside the still waters.
Stamp the character of n Young
man, with scenes like this: into