Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1908-07-01
The Students Conference.
MIR. John C. Sheppard, Jr.,
President of the South Carroll
ma University Y. M. c. A.
w rites Interestingly of the
Conference at Montreal.


Writes Interestingly of the
Conference at Montreal.
The "southern Students Con-
ference" is an annual gathering
at some place in the mountains OF
North Carolina of representatives
of the young mer's Christian as-
sociations of the different south
ern colleges. This year the con-
ference was held at Montreal,
sixteen miles west Of Asheville.
The purpose of this conference
is to prepare men for Christian
service In their respective insti-
tutlons. They are expected to re-
ceive training which will fiji item
for leadership. Whether this aim
is met depends upon The willing
uess and receptiveness of the H.
divi!uai,
If it ip true .hat beautiful!
natural scenery elevates th- mind
and aoftens the manners, then
surely ole is benefited by stay
in the mountains of North Caro-
lima. Montreal is located on q
small stream called the Swananoa,
which ripples and flows as only
mountain streams can. There are
many beautiful fails, cascades
and leaps of water, where lives
the mountain trout aud where all
is cool, fresh and beautiful. Noun
tains often remind US OF God, the
creator of the beauty beheld. The
Mountains around us are covered
with pines and hardwood. View
ed from afar the outline is SMOOTH
and even, but Oh nearer approach
it is seen to he rough and broken
Some oi,e noted that it is as when
we view life i seems smooth end
tranquil, but is in fact beneath
the surface broken bv disappoint-
ments and rough with failure Oa
one occasion we saw sight whlct
cannot be forgotten. There Were
two great peaks towering upward
sile by side, and between then
shone the moon in beauty; three
bright stars could be seen i'll Spite
of the epveloplng lunar light
One was here prompted to exclaln
"Ncar to God in the eternal noun
tainS."
But the beauty of nature wa'
not all, there was there also the
"beauty of holiness" There were
classes IN the study of "City
Problems personal Evange
lism" aud the Student Volunteel
Movement" Bible and missiol
study were greatly stressed. Th'
levenlnq- -Was-niuan-ltn -raeraa-tisar!
and swimming. Many amused aut
tired themselves IN mountail
climb bing, but it was the univer
sal verdict that this was pretty
poor sport, but good exercise. Ths
mountain climbing was beset will
the possibility of meeting rat.
tier, which is not a case of "glac
to meet you" College yells every
where resounded. Tue boys from
Tennessee on ole occasion were
yelling for "Carmack," but wher
lusty Carolinians yelled Till
man." all was still and quiet save
the running and ripping Of th;
Swananoa.
A valuable asset Of the confer,
ence was the opportunity afford.
ed of having persona! interview;
with men of ability The c0Dfer.
ence leaders were very glad tc
discuss with any one the prob
lens of his experience.
But it is results that interest
US. What good was done? There
were $40 men present, represent
irg 10 states aud 76 colleges
Fifty-two men declared for for
elgn fields, and forty-fve signifed
their intention to enter the mill,
istry.
But these are stated results.
There might have been blessings
of which the recipients are ignor-
ait. The conference deepened the
prayer life of many. 1t taught
others the reality, depth id
breadth Of personal influence, and
inculcated a realization of per-
sonal responsibility. 1t showed
the value aud necessity of daily
Bible study, and that it is a
source of power. 1t encouraged, III
that It proved that there are thou
sands of young men in the south
feeling for, reaching out after
higher, better and nobler things
1t stressed the friendship of God
aud said that there was euch q
thing as a genius for friendship
among men.
Surely these ara worthy results
making the conference its own OK
cuso for being. The rnen here were
Of kindred minds, and the fellow
sup was like to that above.
J.C. S.
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Tornado Insurance, Dwellings
20 cents 500 90.
T. T Norris.