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

ming with the best outfit that could be
bought. The first person who attempt
ed to teach the children to sing and
to improve the Sunday-school music,
was Mrs. Brantly, and through her
interest and exertions in this direc-
ton marked progress was made. The
Sunday-school Of those early times,
deficient perhaps in some things that
belong to modern Sunday-school en-
terprise, was nevertheless distinguish
ed for the thoroughness and fidelity
with which the word Of God was
taught in it, and the great pains TAX
en- to indoctrinate the young in the
fundamental principles of the gospel.
The first superintendent was Deacon
Y. J. 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-
signation Of Mr.. Pope, Mr.. Carwile
was again chosen to the office. At
times during its history, the interest
in the Sunday-school has waned, but
it has never been abandoned, even for
a time, and has sometimes reached
high degree Of efficiency and success,
numbering at one time during the
pastorate Of DR.. Brantly, and the sup
erintendence Of Mr.. Carwile, as many
as a 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
have been sent forth by this church,
Thomas H. Pope and William Hayne
Leavell, were both reared from their
very childhood in this Sunday-school.
The same may be said Of Rev. J. K.
Mendenhall, who, though never
memebr of this church was for years
in his early boyhood pupil in the
Sunday-school.
Like most Baptist Churches in the
South, this church had until the close
of the war a large membership Of
colored people, numbering most Of the
time about as many as the whites, and
with the delicate and difficult pro-
blem, growing out Of the peculiar
condition and wants Of t''"c" people,
they had early and often to deal, and
to this work they addressed them
selves with their accustomed energy
and devotion. Careful attention was
given 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.
Lindsey, 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. In
January, 1888, four leaders for the
colored people we're appointed, ths
first named Of whom was Dred, af-
terwards known as Dred Rutherford.
who died at an advanced age, highly
esteemed and respected, on the 18th
day Of last September, only a few
days prior to the fiftieth anniversary
of the church's organization.
From it's origin, the church has
been careful Of the want Of the few
INDECENT members, who, from time to
time, have needed its help. And
there seems never to have been a time
in it's history when a fund for the
needy was not provided, and, as it
was needed, used freely to relieve the
suffering. 1t IS cause Tor congratu-
lation 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 at hand Of the con-
tributions Of the church to benevolent
and religious objects; but, although
not for two years, after its or
sanization connected with any Asso-
citation, it was from the first con-
stituent member of the Baptist State
Convention, and, as the minutes Of
that body show, contributed literally
tn IFS 1dncation and missionary en-