The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1912-12-04

! WHAT they ARE Doing
Rev. H. B. Browns Writes Interest
/ ingly and Entertainingly in the
Anderson Mail of the Meeting ei
the South Carolina Conference OF
the Methodist Church, South.
The South Carolina aaIua. confer
ence Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, is now N session at
Anderson for the third time. l. is a
much larger body than it was in
1872, or even in 1890, and the Meth
I odistS in South Carolina are much
more numerous than in those earlier
years. The following interesting ar
ticle from the pen Of Ee7. 4. B.
| Browne in the Anderson Main will be
! read with interest,".
Forty years ago the conference
| met here for the first time. The ses-
sions were held in the old wooden
church building that stood on the site
of the present elegant structure,
Bishop Robert Paine Of Mississippi,
! presided. He was not present the
| first day of the session and Dr.. A. N.
Chreitzberg was elected president.
The bishop arrived on the second day,
December 10. and presided for the re-
| mainder Of the session. Dr.. Willim
c. Pooser was the efficient secretary
with o. A. Darby, A. j. Stafford and
". D. Kirkland as his assistants.
At the conference Of 1872, there
! were 147 clerical members enrolled,
and go lay members. Of the 147
clerical members composing that con-
ference only IS are still living and in
connection with the conference: viz,
". A. Clarke; VIM. c. Power T. j.
Clyde. S. A. Weber, r. R. Dagnall, j..
3. Traywirk, r. L. Duffie, G. L. Har-
man, J. S. Beaslay, Geo. NJ. Boyd, To-
land Hodges. D. D. DantZler. J. x.
Mccain. ]. 2. Wilson. f. ". Barber,
J. C. Davis, C. D. Mann, Geo. H. Poos-
er. Only FIVE or six Of these is are
or the effective list.
or the 80 laymen who represented
the eight presiding elders districts at
that conference, only three are now
living: viz, J. B. Humbert. r. H. Jen-
nings and DR.. n. F. Kirkland.
At this conference there were re-
ported 3s,163 white members, who
owned church property valued at
s627,49s.
At the conference in Bennettsville
In December, 1911. there were re-
ported $1,000 members who owned
church property valued at S2,494,-
$40. showing an increase in member
ship of 55,oS7 and an increase in
value Of church property of 1885,
$40.
When the reports are tabulated for
1912 at Anderson the increase will be
still greater showing the development
for forty years.
At the conference Of 1872. there
were only eight districts (there are
now twelve) in the conference and to
those were appointed as presiding
elders: ". P Morrow. H. A. c..
Walker, VIM. Martin, VIM. H. Flem-
ing. John w. Kelly, Thos. :; Her
bert, Henry NJ. Mood and Robert P.
Franks. These have all passed away.
The methodist conference met for
the second time in Anderson Novem-
Der 25, 1890, eighteen years after
the first conference here. Bishop W..
". Duncan presided and made pro-
found impression both on the confer
ence and on the community. His SER
mon on Sunday was one of great
power. H. F. Chreitzberg was secre-
tary with Samuel Lander, T. c. Lls-
on and E. o. Watson as assistants.
This conference lasted one day long
er than usual at annual sessions and
so did not adjourn till Thursday, De-
cember ,.
Of the 215 clerical members then
composing the conference only Sc are
now members Of the body. Within
% years over one-half have ceased
their labors on earth.
I recall the fact that the reports
from the churches that year We're ex-
ceptionally good.
recall another fact that the young
city Of Anderson was then forging
rapidly to the front as an enterprls-
ing, progressive. commercial center.
There had been organized Board of
Trade, and the conference passed this
resolution Of thanks:
Resolved, That We heartily ap-
preciate the thoughtful attention Of
the Board o. Trade and the citizens
Of Anderson in securing to the mem-
bers Of this conference drive thro'
! their growing city and its suburbs"
AS recall now. I think that son
Of Abraham was oEc Of the leaders in
that carriage drive. 1--WE will show
you all the varied and interesting
things in the progressive and hustling
city" and they did and hosts ard
guests quickly formed mutual al
| miration society on wheels.
At this conference Bishop Duncan
was presented with possibly the cost
| llest gaTel ever used oy presiding
officer in South Carolina. His friends
among the clergy and laity raised the
money with which to procure this en-
blem of authority and the bishop
treasured the gift ever afterwards.
This has been a prosperous year
and the reports from the churches
throughout the State will show decid-
ed progress along all lines Of church
activity.
The following items reported at
; the Bennettsville conference year
ago will Indicate somewhat the
strength and work Of Methodism in
South Carolina:
Church members. :. :. ..91,200
Church organizations. >. .. S04
Value Of church buildings. 81, ,sS1.S20
Value of parsonages. 512,55O
| Total churches and par
| SOnageS 4. :. =. 2,494,S II
! e00