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

| =" " 'each the children to sing and
10 improve the Smday-school music.
was Mrs. Brantly, and through her
interest and exertions in this direc-
ton marked progress was made. The
ounday-school Of those early times.
aeilelent perhaps in some things that
belong to modern Sunday-school en-
'erprise, was nevertheless distinguish
ea for the thoroughness and fidelity
with which the word of God was
taught IN it, and the great pains TAX
eh 10 lndoctrlnate the young in the
fundamental principles of the gospel
The first superintendent was Deacon
Y: .. Harrington, who filled the Office
with fidelity and success for MANY
years and was succeeded by Deacon
Drayton Nance, and he, after a few
years, by John B. Carwile, who WAS
followed by Y. j. Pope. On the re-
slgnat'"n of Mr.. Pope, Mr.. Carwile
was again chosen to the office. At
times during it's history, the interest
III the Sunday-school has wancd. but
1t has never been abandoned, even for
time, and has sometimes reached a
nigh degree of efficiency and success.
numbering at one time during the
pastorate of DIR. Brantly, and the SUD-
erlntendcncc of Mr.. Carwile, as manv
as hundred and twenty members.
while large majority of the converts
who have swellei the numbers and
sustained the efficiency of the church
have come from it ranks. The two
young ministers who in recent Years
nave been sent forth by this church,
Thomas II. Pope and William Havne
Leavell, were both reared from their
very childhood in this Sunday-school.
The same may be said of Rev. j. K.
Mcndcnhall, who, though never q
memebr of this church was for years
IN his early boyhood a pupil in the
Sunday-school.
Like most Baptist Churches in the
South, this chnrch had until the close
or the war a large membership of
coiored people, numbering most of the
time about as many as the whites. and
| with the delicate and difficult pro-
olem, growing out of the peculiar
condition and wants Of th"co peon|e
1hey mad early and often to deal, and
TO tins work they addressed them
selves with their accustomed energy
and devotion. Careful attention was
gwen to their spiritual wants and ev-
cry effort made to meet them. From
the beginning special meetings were
held for their benefit, and in 1885.
Mr.. Mangum, the pastor, and Mr..
lhndsey, his assistant, by request of
the church, held regularly Sunday af-
ternoon services specially for the col
ored people, and this custom was kept
up until the close of the war. Tn
January, 1888, four leaders for the
colored people were appointed. ths
first named Of whom was bred, af-
terwards known as Drcd Rutherford,
who died at an advanced age. highly
esteemed and respected, on the 11th
day OF last September, only a few
days prior to the fiftieth anniversary
of the church's organization.
From its origin, the church has
been careful of the want of the few
INDECENT members, who, from time to
time, have needed it's help. And
there seems never to have been n time
IN its history when a fund for the
needy was not provided, and, aS it
was needed, used freely to relieve the
suffering. 1t is cause for consratu
latlon and gratitude TO God that,
throughout these fifty years, the
church has never approached any
thing like a schism, but the utmost
harmony and good feeling have al
ways prevailed.
No records are al hand Of the con-
tributions Of the church to benevolent
and religious objects; but, although
not FOR two years, after its or
GaniZatlon connected with any Asso-
citation, it was from the first a con-
stitucnt member Of the Baptist State
Convention, and, as the minutes of
that body show, contributed literally
to its education and missionary en-
terprises. In the person of Judge
O'Neall, this church furnished one of
the most highly revered of all the
h"nored presidents Of the State Con-
ven;ion: iii Dr. Brantly, It's secretary
and in DR.. Mendenhall, its treasurer
for many years, while the present