The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-09-03
OLD FOLKS DAY AT
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH
THE OLDEST LUTHERAN CONGRE-
CATION IN THE COUNTY.
Rev. DIR. Sigh and Rev. j. d. Bowles
Make Addresses-Large Congre-
cation Present.

No. 10 township is one of thesoldest
of the Lutheran organizations in this
county, and from it have gone out
many of the other congregations of the
county, and also many young men who
have gained prominence in the service
of their, church and of their State. 1t
has been stated, and possibly is true,
that more young men have gone from
this congregation to Newberry college
than any other Lutheran congrega-
ton in the South Carolina synod.
There is no other congregation in the
synod that was served so long by one
pastor. DR.. J. A. Sligh became pastor
of the congregation about 1864 or 1865,
and remained pastor continuously and
consecutively until No7ember of last
year, when, On account of falling
healths he was forced to give up tie
active ministry During DR.. Sligh's
pastorate, number of other congre-S
cations were organized, AMI churches
built.
Some weeks ago the members of the Z
| congregation decided to have what is
known as "old Folks Day" and invit-s
ed DR.. Sigh, Rev" ]. D. Bowles, Rev. &
Jacob Austin and Rev. Lindler, four of
| the Oldest Lutheran ministers in the
| synod of South Carolina, to be present
and it was decided to have Old Folks
Day observed on last Sunday. The
program was published in the papers,
,, and while not as much publicity was
given as should have been,. still there
was large congregation present, and
in fact not more than half could find
seats in the church.
DR.. Sigh and Rev. Bewles were
present, but DR.. Austin and DR.. Lind
ler could not attend.
An address of welcome was deliver
ed by Mr.. Holland Kibler, member
of the congregation, an appropriate
music was rendered by the congrega-
ton, being lead by select choir.
Rev. Y. yon A. Riser presided, and
added few words of welcome, parti-
cularly to the old people who had gone
out from the congregation and had
come to attend this service.
Rev. j. D. Bowles, I 10 was ordain-
ed minister just ffty-one years ago, 8
was the principal speaker at the.
morning service. He referred to the
old days, and to the methods pursued
by the pastors in his early ministry,
and with much force, vfgor and en-
thusiasm delivered a strong sermon,
speaking for Just one hour. Mr Bow
les is now a resident of Greenwood
county, and is about eighty-ole or
eighty-two years old, but he seems to
have the same fire and enthusiasm in
his public speeches as characterized
his earlier ministry.
DR.. Sigh spoke for about thirty.
minutes, but his voice was so weak
that at times he could not be distinctly
understood, except by those who were
near the rostrum
A recess of about two hours was
then taken, and bountiful picrc din
ner was spread beneath the oak trees
by the ladies Of the congregation.
These good ladies have long been not
ed for their fine culinary qualities, and
gave another very strong evidence of
it on this occasion.
In the afternoon an address was de-
livered by Rev. s. P Koon, who is
president of the new Lutheran Female
college at Summerland Mr.. Koon
spoke Interestingly of the college and
the work which it proposes to- under !.
take
1t is the intention of ST. Paul's con-
gregation to make "Old Folks Day" a
feature of the church, and another
year a more elaborate program will
be arranged, when it is hoped to bring
together more of those who have gone
out from the congregation and made
their homes in other sections of the =
State This occasion was greatly en-
j9yed by all those present, including
large number Of visitors from other
sections "A