The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-07-10
SIDE LIGHTS.
ON THE PRIVATE LIFE OF REV.
SAM JONES.
As Recorded In the Baptist Courier
by tho Rev. A. W. Lamar,
Baptist Preacher.
SCENE ONE.

SCENE ONE.
Some ten years ago Sam Jones made
up bis mind that he would have to
change bis base Of operations and
leave Gainesville. His burdens had
become very great by reason OF the
large number Of people in OArtersVille
and In the county who were depend
ing on his generosity. They waylsid
him ut tho train when he was expect.
cd to arrive; they way.laid him on lis
way to the train; they waE.laid him
at his home; 80 he decided to make e
move. He went over to Marietta AM
bought ten thousand dollar home and
paid two thousand down to secure the
trade. He went home and told bis
wife that when he returned from bis
next evsngelisti0 trip, she must DO
ready to make tho move.
In tho meantime, the news OF his
removal got out In Gainesville, and
upon Sans return home, his wife met
lin ut tho door Of his home and said.
Husband, tho house is full OF people.
The parlor is full of white people, and
tho dining room is full OF negroes.
They are al here to protest against
your leaving Cartersville. You would
better 90 right In and see Them" So
Sam went into tho parlor. Tho bank.
ers, and merchants, and teachers, and
preachers, &nd lawyers, and doctors,
and principal citizens were all there.
One of them as spokesman said In
substance: Mr.. Jones, We have come
to enter our protest against your leaV'
ing OarterBville. You belong to US.
You have spent your life here and we
ali love you, and we can't stand your
leaving us. We feel you ought not to
70, but should spend your remaining
days among w." Sam thanked them
Ill and dismissed the meeting. He
then repaired to the dining-room
where he found the leadicg negroes,
merchants, teachers, preachers and
lsborers. The leading negro said 10
substance: "Mr. Jones, No don't
know whether you care much about
US nigeers, but before the Lord we oil
love you. There is not q niger In
this community that would harm q
hair on the head Of one Of your fami-
ly; there is not . Niger in this county
but would set up all night with bis
musket and guard your home from
harm If he knew it was Threatened
there is not q niger in this county
what kno ~ you but loves you. You'se
been q father to us and our best friend
Many Of US were converted in your
Tabernacle meetings and we owe
everything to you. We does hate to
see you leave CsrtersYille. 1t will be
hard on Us poor niggers, If you leave
US. Mr.. Jones, If you must go and
will 90, we will try to bear it as well
as We can, but wa have come to beg
you for the Lord sake, If you will &C
not to take your wife with you. Mr..
Jones, she Is the guardian angel Of this
community. II there ia any poor
white people or any poor niggers In
trouble, she liz there. She ID the min
iItering ange.. For the Lord sake.
leave her with Us If you must CO."
Sam sat down and cried like . boy
and the negroes cried with him.
Finally whom he could control bis
emotion he said, "Niggers, let's praVv
They al fell on their kne q and pray
ed and as they rose Sam said, Mig
gers, T amt gwine. I'll stay right
here in Gainesville till I go to heav'
en-"
30 was we'll loved 10 his home town.
Everybody knew that however hard
the blows he'd strike for the homes
of the people, for civic righteousness
and for Col, they knew he was great
hearted and loving as q little child
SCENE Two.
Some years ago Sam Jones held Z
meeting with the leading Methodist
church in Little Book. In his char.
aoteristic style he went for the fash
ion and the frivolty and the worldli.
ness of the ''sawciety folks" many Of
whom were in that church. They
were much scandalizsd and offended
Is folks of that class often were with
his denunciations of their doings.
Some two or more years thereafter,
Sam was to hold = union meeting
there and some Of the "principalist
brethren" went to their young pas.
tor and said, "Pastsr, are you going
into the Jones meeting" YES"
said he, II am why do you ask?"
Why" said they, "When Mr.. Jones
was hare before he scandalized us 10.
fore this community and held US up
to ridicule' and we can't stand for
such treatment. We have come TO
ask you not TO 60 into that meeting.
You are q promising young man,
and you are very popular with this
people and it will injure your useful
ness If you 60 against their feelings
in this matter. We wish you would
not do It," The young man said "1'll