The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-23

to lay fresh wreath Of immorte!les
upon the graves of the men and wo-
men who played such prominent
and honored part in making the
Church's 5 history for these fifty years.
We doubtless all feel impelled to this
service. both by sense Of its i'm
portance for our own practical in
struction and inspiration. and by our
grateful appreciation Of those into
whose labors we have entered.
It is Il fact that has been comment
ed upon. but has never been SatiSfac-
torily explained. that great political
movemente are often attended or fol-
lowed by great religious movements,
and times Of political excitement prove
to be also ''times of refreshing from
the presence Of the Lord.' y In Janu-
ary, 1880. during the firm and inde-
pendent administration Of that man
of iron will. General Andrew Jack
son; occurred the celebrated debate in
Congress between Hayne and Web
ster with reference to State rights
and Federal relations, and in Decem-
ber Of that year the ordinance of
Modification was passed in South
Carolina. For several years the most
intense political excitement prevailed
throughout the country, eliminating
in this state, and threatening to pre-
cipitate the dreadful conflict, which
was destined to come thirty years
later. and deluye the country in blood.
In the midst Of this political fer
mentation. the most remarkable rell-
einuS awakening Of this century: if
not in the history Of this country,
took place. A great tidal wave Of re-
igious interest swept over the Allan
tic States, depositing its precious
treasures in almost every village and
hamlet and home in the country. Ev-
cry class Of people was reached, and
a profound SEd permanent work Of
grace was done. As the political ex-
citement above referred to. reached
its highest point in this State, so this
religious interest was perhaps more
intense and widespread here than
anywhere else. From the mountains
to the seaboari, the people were thor
oughly aroused. and gathered in vast
mu!titudes wherever preaching could
be heard. In these meetings the most
profound religious interest prevailed.
sometimes reaching the high
est pitch Of excitement: and
thousands Of men and women were
CONVERTED. many Of them among the
most honored and influential citizens
of this State. In this movement,
large number Of the strongest and
most useful churches in South Caro-
lima had their origin. The churches
at Greenville, Edgefeld, Newberry,
Beech Island, Darlington, and many
other points, were organized at this
time.
Up to 1881, there was no church
organization and no house Of worship
in the town of Newberry, then little
village of few hundred Inhabitants,
and confined almost entirely to the
space now bounded by Harrington,
Adams, Boundary and McKibben
streets. with a few residences here
and there outside these limits. The
only professors Of religion in the place
at the time were three Baptists and
a few members Of other denomina-
tions; probably not more than ten
or twelve altogether. In the summer
of 1881, at the house Of John S. Car
vile, then a Deacon Of Bush River
Church, in a circle Of three or four
neighbors, reference was made to the
great meeting in progress at Edge
ueIU NOu1l 44OuSO3 uAAoSA eAS NAASS
ton and preaching Of some young
men. students Of the Furman Theolo-
gical Institution. and desire being
expressed that such meeting might
be held here, Mr.. Carwile at once
agreed to take the matter in hand and
make the necessary arrangements.
Through Rev. Jonathan Davis, Of
Fairfield. Mr.. Carwile was put in cor
respondence with the young breth-
rem at Edgefeld, and secured their
promise to come to Newberry.
Some time during the month Of
September, 1881, four young men
N. W. Hodges, J. NJ. Chiles, Josiah
Furman and John NJ. Barnes rode
into the village Of Newberry and be-
gan preaching at stand, such as is