The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-06-10
Twenty Years Of the Epworth League
in South Carolina.

in South Carolina.
(By Rev. W. c.. Kirkland.)
The request has been made for a
brief historical sketch of the league
in South Carolina. The general con-
ference of 1890 organized the Ep-
worth league as a department of u
church work. That was 20 years ago.
Over 20 years, therefore, have COW
cred five quadrenniums.
1S9O-1S94.
During the first quardrennium the
league was left under the supervision
of the Sunday school board. Begin
ming with 1890 there can be found in
the minutes of our annual confer
ences 2 report for each year on the
Epworth league. These reports re-
veal in a large measure the attitude
of the conference toward the league
and it's estimate of league work. The
first report strongly endorses the
league and recommends the organiza-
ton of district work and emphasizes
the importance of the literary depart
ment. But the league moved slowly
during these four years. At the close
there were only 10 with 69S members.
The first State conference was held
in 1894 at Spartanburg. DR.. j. l..
Stokes was the president. There were
but three delegates from without that
city.
1S95.1s9S.
In the next four years the work
grew considerably. There were quite
a number of good, strong, effective
leagues scattered over the State.
Some of the younger professors Of
Woford college and quite a number
of young people in various parts OF
the State came to it's assistance. DR..
H. N. Snyder was the president for
three years, and MI. J. Wright Nash
for one year. Good enthusiastic
State conferences were held at Co.
lumbia, Sumter, Spartanburg, and
Orangeburg. At each of these there
were from Is to 125 delegates pres
ent and representing from go to 70
leagues. Mr.. Geo. Watkins, the Sec
rotary at Sumter, prepared and pub
Iished a neat and interesting copy Of
the minutes, containing a picture OF
all the delegates present, together
with several valuable papers that
were read before the conference. Out
of that group Of league workers at
Sumter several have Joined the great
company abeve-Mr. &c Watkins, Of
Columbia, Miss Nora Sanders, OF
Spartanburg, and Rev. John G.. Beck
with.
I have no knowledge Of the confer
ence held in Columbia, but the n at
Spartanburg was well attended. DR..
S. A.. Steel, the first general secre-
tary, was present and made several
heart stirring addresses.
The conference at Orangeburg was
one Of the largest and most enthus-
iastic ever yet held. There was then
a fine league at Orangeburg, and the
young people came from all sections
of the State, about 100 strong. Bishop
Duncan was present and contributed
greatly to it's success. Miss Victorine
Keller, of the local league, was q OF
the happy league workers at that con-
ference. She fell on sleep soon after
ward, and on her grave the violets
were planted so as to form an Ep-
worth league badge.
1899-19Oe.
For the next five years DR.. E. o.
Watson was the president. And sue
cessful conferences were held at
Camden, Williamson, Batesburg and
Marion. The number of leagues ran
around 100, and the number OF
league members was well above e.
900. The conferences were not quite
so we'll attended as at O~rangeDurg.
But DR.. Watson, by his strong per-
sonality, drew about the league quite
a number of new recruits, who have
rendered invaluable service to the
work.
1903 1901.
In this period, after DR.. Watson's
fifth year, Rev. Peter Stokes was
president two years, and Rev. John e.
Roper, three years; one year in this
period and two in the next. The hrst
conference was held in Charleston.
DR.. H. n. Snyder delivered one OF
the best addresses I have heard
from him on "The Moral Influence OF
Books" Then the conference at