The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-20
Wednesday, June 20, 1906.
Knows of the AbbeVille COnSrcGa'
finn

Members Of the Abbeville congregation OF
the Associate Reformed Presbyterian churcn
are glad to see that the church paper knows
of their existence. The following paragraph
is pleasant in connection with the thought
that the church paper has its eye upon US
The Presby terian of last week said:
Communion services were held in our Abb
beville church last Sabbath. The congrega-
tion recently elected the following officers
elders. w. r. Bradley and Alfred Lyon uea-
cons, J. F. Bradley and DR.. j. II. Nlckeis
In itself the paragraph Is of no special I'm J.
portance, except that in 1t members are fur-
nished evidence Of recognition. The Press
and Banner Is authorized to speak for no.
body. Its talk now, as ever, Is solely on hs
own account. And we wish 1t distinctly un-
derstood that 80 far as we are Informed. NO
fault has been found with our ably conducted
church paper, which, from our view point. Is
about as much of religious newspaper as II
Is of a church paper. AS religious newspa-
per, the Presbyterian nlls the bill. AS
church newspaper we have feared that II dlo
not know of the existence of the Abbeville
congregation. Our congregation is more In
terested in church paper than 1t Is in re-
lipious newspaper. The members of this con-
greeation thirst for church news generally
and news of its own efforts especially is al
ways welcome.
For instance: Their pastor. the Rev. E. B
Kennedy, came here less than year ago
His coming revived the enthusiasm and yea
of the members. In nowhere was 1t more
manifest than in their punctual attendance
upon divine worship, and in their contriou-
tions In money for church purposes. In nc
previous year had the "old standbys" given
as literally 10 the pastors salary and con-
tributed as generously for the material things
which are necessary to make the service in
viting and interesting. When Presbytery
met our people churned and killed all theil
chickens. They turned our homes over to
the delegates, and gave them the church and
the city for an Inheritance as long rs they
were with us. But the church paper hadn'l
heard OF 1t, and of course other congregations
In the church doesn't know Of us at all. The
Abbeville congregation were prompted by
good and generous impulses. They had nc
thought Of reward; but when it was all over
mention of this congregation by the church
paper would have been grateful to them and
possibly interesting to others.
The above quoted paragraph from the Pres
byterian is pleasing for the reason that We
know the church paper has found us out. A
church paper that gives the news OF the
church, and editorials on church affairs, ills
the cravings Of the average heart We admit
: that homeopathic doses OF religion are
good in their way. And they sometimes
serve mighty good purpose. They are no
i doubt eagerly devoured by people In Texas
who need them and are short on religion
And then, again, there Is class OF people
who never know when they have enough ol
any thing. Take for instance: Our good and
pious Brother Bigham Of the Chester Lantern.
He no doubt lies awake at night watching for
Wednesdays paper to come. When 1t comes
he looks for the religious paragraphs from
early morn to dewey eve, and in the succeed
ing night he delights to mediate on them.
But, in Abbeville, for instance, We can take
! In on Sunday morning and on Sunday eve
ming all the religion that we need, or all that
we can digest. In rare instances however
Sand In cases OF necessity, we can get our piety
reinforced at the Wednesday evening prayer
meeting, where our religion, our faith, and
our good intention may be strengthened and
revived. But alI-ssints and sinners, lay
men and chief high priests In the church
are as one in their hunger and thirst for
church news. They are always anxious to
hear what other churchmen are doing. and
then on rare occasions, our people are glad for
the church paper to let others know what
we are doing.
A religious newspaper is good. but church
paper is great.
For the sake of reprobates in Texas, we
20 1,in al
considerable space to condensed religion
Texans are presumed to have religion in q
slight degree but In so mild form that
! IL does not even extend far into Mexico
They need to have their noses held while
"the old time religion" is poured down, but
the church people do not want to give up all
space to religion. They want church news
such as the different members, the different
congregations. the different Presbyteries. and
the Synod can furnish.