Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-05-08
FIRST A. z. PREssYTERY.

The First Presbytery of the Associate
Reformed Synod of the South, which
was in session in Yorkville when the
last issue of The Enquirer went to
press, got through with it's work on
Tuesday night at about 10 o'clock and
adjourned to hold its next meeting with
Gilead church on Tuesday before the
last Sabbath in October, with Rev. G..
R. White, D. D., as moderator.
The meetings of presbytery were at
tended by large and interested con-
gregations, and practically everybody
was impressed by the large amount Of
routine and special business that was
transacted in so short time. The
programme as previously outlined was
adhered to strictly and, although
enough time was given. over to two
trial and four licensure sermons, by no
means the least interesting feature Of
the meeting, no single one Of the many
important items of business that de-
manded attention was neglected.
There was a great deal Of business
Of a purely routine nature, Of course,
that is of no special interest to the pub
lie. The spectator portion Of the con-
gregation, however, found much in the
proceedings that was interesting and
enjoyable. The sermons Of the young
ministerial students were all Of a high
order and those of, the four candidates
for licensure would not have been dis
creditable to older and more expert
enced preachers. The sermons that
were delivered as specimens Of prog
ress were also up to a high standard.
There was all Illuminating discussion
of the tithing movement now being
engineered by an earnest and efficient
committee, and much serious concern
was aroused over the question. The
criticisms Of the trial sermons by
members of presbytery, especially by
the ministers, was very much enjoy
ed.
When 1t came to criticism it was a
noticeable fact that very few of the
members of presbytery were inclined
to offer anything. The gentle and char
liable DR.. Galloway was satisfied that
all of these young men were Of the
right kind of metal; he thought they
had acquitted themselves remarkably
well under the trying circumstances,
and he had no criticism to make. The
only real criticism that was offered was
by Rev. G. T.. Mcdonald, and it was
to the point. He had listened to all the
sermons with note book in hand and
he gave the young men most instruc-
tive talk on the value and Importance
Of correct pronunciation and distinct
ness of enunciation, particularly the
latter. He made it clear that he was
highly pleased with all Of the sermons
and that his remarks were intended to
be helpful DR.. Miller advised the
young men to use their best efforts to
get away from their manuscripts as
soon as possible. He warned them
that three years would tell the story
and that If they were not able to
preach off hand within that time they
would be tied to their manuscripts al
ways, and he warned them against the
time when failing eyesight would bring
about serious embarrassment. Rev.
w. G.. Ewart endorsed what Rev. Mr..
Mcdonald had said, and by way of
emphasizing the we'll conceived SYM
pathy of DR.. Galloway's attitude, re-
peated the true story of conversation
that occurred between two able and
experienced ministers, members Of this
same body on the occasion Of the de-
livery of their licensure sermons. Some
little time after both had been through
the trying ordeal, one asked the other,
do you remember whether l used such
and such an expression in connection
with such and such Il declaration?"
ITO tell you the TRUTH replied the
other. lit was half an hour after | sat
down before l could convince my legs
that it was all over and do not know
what you said any where
Easily the most striking features of
the entire meeting were the business
like conduct of the proceedings by DR..
r. G.. Miller, the moderator, his fault
less comprehension and application of
parliamentary law and to crown it all
The sound and sensible charge he de-