The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-05-21

that when Mr.. Smithdeal left, there
were thirty or more members, but
most Of them went to other churhes
when Mr. Smithdeal resigned.
About 1864, when he was serving
the congregation, he held protract-
ed meeting, which lasted for sever
al weeks. At the beginning of that
protracted meeting and when he be-
gan to serve the congregation there
were only three members, but at the
end Of the protracted meeting there
we're some thirty-five or forty, who
had joined the church. He remem-
bered that when he would go to con-
ference and would make report Of
his congregation that a smile would
go over the other ministers, because
they felt that he had nothing to re-
port. But when he resigned in 1865
there was a fairly good congregation.
The three original members, we I'M
derstand, were Mrs. l.. B. Maffett,
Mr.. David Kibler and Mrs. w. II.
McFall, all Of whom are now dead.
In 1865, Mr. Sigh took charge as
pastor Of st. Paul's and Colony, and
he was still pastor Of these two con-
gregations though he had not served
Colony continuously, though he had
been the only pastor at st. Paul's
since that time. Mr.. Sigh said that
he saw before him many whom he
had confirmed in their young man.
hood and young womanhood who were
now among the old folks in the con-
gregation. He also, during his pas
torate at Grace church, organized a
colored congregation, and it was Il
pleasure to him to know that many Of
those who joined the church had come
to him and thanked him for the good
which he had done them.
The congregation at Grace church
has grown very much since those
days, aud now their contributions for
benevolence !are among the largest
of any in the South Carolina Synod,
and there is not a more liberal con-
.regation any where. He said he
wanted to speak to them on this oc-
casion about the bright side Of life.
He thought that one of the saddest
things in the world was to see man
or woman always complaining. Rali-
eion is earnest, and those who have
ii have the true remedy for every
evil, and happy were the old persons
who could feel that as they we're
growing older they were also grow
ing better, and that when the end
came, as it must to all Of us, that it
would only be the passage into bet
ter and brighter world. He then
spoke of the career of Jacob and of
Joseph and how even in this life re-
tribution Of wrong doing will be Wis
tied upon the wrong doer; that Jacob
deceived his father Isaac, and cheat
ed Esau out of his birthright, and
probably for this Jacob had to serve
fourteen years before he secured
Rachel. Men may cheat and defraul
and practice evil and prosper for a
while, but their evil deeds will come
home to them and the lash will be
felt.
He admonished the old people to
believe in God and the providence Of
God. AS God cared for Joseph and
his brothers, so will he care for those
who believe in him, even in this day.
He watches over us just as he watch
ed over Jacob. The days that man
lives are comparatively few. 1t seems
to all Of us old people only few
days since we were little boys, and
what would it be worth without reli-
gion. We should not be sad if we
have religion. We should set an ex-
ample of cheerfulness, which comes
from right living, to the young men.
Mr.. Sigh was very much in earn
est in his talk and had the closest
and most interested attention.
As already stated, Mr.. Baker was
then presented and delivered very
earnest talk to the young people.
Rev. J. D. Bowles said that when
he saw the program Of this old folks
day printed in the newspaper, he de-
cided at once to come and so he was
there and he was glad Of the oppor-
tunity to speak word on this oc-