The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-12-30
PASTOR SALEM CHURCH
Writes OF His Pleasant Pastorate
and Christmas.

space in your valuable paper to give
an account of my pastoral visit to
Salem church at Santuck, embrace
ing the 25th of this month, De-
cembcr. l was met at the train by
Dallas, Mr.. l.. B. Jcter's house and
yard man. He took charge of nv
eatchc, and ordered me to follow.
/ eubmissively followed. He car
ried me around to the dining room
door. There he again ordered me
to 60 in and help myself. l again
readily obeycd. All of this had a
tendency to raise a doubt in my
mind as to whose guest l was to be.
! AS this is one Of my homes at San
tuck, and has boen for many years.
| l allowed the matter to give no
anxiety.
! spent Saturday night with DR..
j. T. Jetcr and his good wife. I
must not leave out the children,
for they were surely in evidence.
This was to be Santa Claus" night.
The little fellows were greatly cx-
cited as they talked about this weird
and ancient character. Early the
next morning they wcae up, found
that Santa Claus had been there,
found that he had left them plenty
of good things to eat and also some
things to make fuss with. The
visiting pastor was not forgotten.
He found on the bureau in his room
A note from Santa Claus expressing
his respects and good will, being
held down by five silver dollars.
This brought new youth to the feel
ings of the old preacher. He felt
somewhat like joining in with the
children in romping, blowing horns,
&c.
On leaving Santuck was in luck
again. Mr.. l.. B. Jeter almost
loaded me down with good things
to eat. This will stop me from
| going to the market for week or
more. AS these rich and nice
things were prepared for Immediate
use, Mrs. Mahon was equally re-
joiced as they would also stop the
cooking.
have been the pastor OF Salem
church at different times dating
back more than twenty years. Il
invariably withdrew against the
wishes OF the church, for the reason
simply that circumstances and the
demands OF my work elsewhere
would not permit mo to remain.
Upon one occasion the church fatty
refused to accept my resignation.
The close OF this year finishes a
four years pastoratc 1 am serving
under what we term an indefinite
call. 1t seems to be the desire that
the relation shall continue. By di-
vine help / shall cndeavor to pre-
pare my sermons with greater care
and make for the membership even
q more affectionate pastor. I have
heard compliments paid Salem by
well wishing friends. 1t was hard
to raise tho PASTORS salary for the
first two years. For 1908 above
the amount promised or expected
was raised. When all the returns
are in more than the amount cx-
pected will be raised again for 1901.
In the meantime the association ap-
portionmcnts are raised and other
expenses met. Like most other
churches we have a large scattered
membership who never arc at our
services, or send any help or mes
sage to indicate their vital cennec-
ton with us. This could easily be
attended to one way or another and
thus save the church from an un-
pleasant duty. Il bear not only to
the membership of Salem church
sincere Christian foye, but to all
the people of Santuc. They. come
to hear and take part in our servi-
ces. I feel solicitous that they
should be benefited equally with
my own people. The Methodist
pastor, Rev. Mr.. Owens, and Mrs.
Owens were out with us last Sunday.
They helped the pastor by their
close and reverent attention. Bro.
Owens made us prayer that was
chaste in style and devout in spirit.
would state in closing that the
Southern" has built us q neat
little depot and sent us a polite and
affable agent. Also some additions
and other improvements have been
made on the section masters house.
This is but right. The railroad
company has not more faithful
employee nor Santuck n more
worthy citizen than r. E. Moss.
l have not said all I desire to say
about Santuck, especially about the
membership of Salem church. 7