Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1913-12-24
An Old Letter From D-.gGwalt-

! To ali who love the memory Of
our beloved pastor and friend DR..
FIR. Gwaltney.
sc:1n an old scrap book. | found the
Following letter from our sanity
pastor written from Rome just after
the close of his first pastorate among
ns. and it is given to show you how
deep his love for you of Edgefeld
was. Now: as the plans! Nor the re-
building Of our church are nearing
completion l think it will be wise
for us to turn our attention to a
suitable memorial to him. l have
often heard him say that be wished
to sleep his last sleep in our village
cemetery, but as that has been deem
ed impossible, the next best thing
for us to do, is either to place q
marble tablet in church to his mem
ory, that as we sit in church we
may have before US always his name
andegood works or place there q
memorial window. Anyhow erect a
memorial of some kind to him, that
all may know that we of Edgefeld
are not wanting in love and graft
tude to our almost more than IA
ther. This friends, is his letter:
Rome, Ga, Sept. 8. 1859.
To the delegates of the Edgefeld
association:
Dear brethren:- Since my remov-
al from your midst l have cherish
ed a strong desire to return in time
to attend your annual meeting. As
the days draw near, circumstances
seem to forbid my absence from
home. Denied the pleasura of
greeting you in person, l beg per-
mission to write few lines. If this
shall seem an unnecessary intrusion,
let my feelings of tender and un-
utterable sadness and affection be
my excuse. / have loved you too
much to be denied this last official
farewell.
For many years you were pleased
to honor me with your confidence,
and to impose on me duties which
I felt unworthy to perform, but
whose responsibility l could not
cast aside, while your kind partiali-
ty commanded me to assume it.
For all your forbearanee and
affection during these years, de-
sire from my heart to thank you. If
during that time I disappointed or
grieved any one, l am sure I did
not intend it. and / would earnestly
ask the forgiveness of any brother,
if his feelings may have been wound
ed by me at any time.
1t is with gratitude to God that
l recall so many happy years of
fratsrnal association and labor with
80 many dear brethren, undisturbed
by single unkind word or act on
their part, towards me. Oh, my
brethren, l. was not worthy of such
regard, but I did try to reciprocate
it and l thank God that.the memory
thereof will he Joy forever. "
The like of it / shall experience no
more on earth. 1 knew I was going
from Christion friends whose plac-
es would never be supplied from a
green oasis'' whose counterpart
would never be found. ] could not
explain it all. You could never un-
derstand it all, but it is right and
best for our Heavenly Father has
permitted it.
shall never forget you, nor
cease to pray that God may bless
you. Give me place in your hearts
dear brethren, and pray for me
that God would open unto me a
door of utterance to speak the mys-
terry of Christ" to this people also.
THE Lord bless you and keep
you. The Lord make his face to
ahine upon you and be gracious un-
to you. The Lord lift up his coun-
tenance upon you and give you
peace"
Farewell, beloved brethren, fare
we'll! tilUwe meet in the Kingdom
of love-" Your brother and compan-
ion in tribulation and in tho king
dom and patience of Jesus Christ. :"
L. r. Gwaltney.
This beloved man asked for a
place in your hearts. Shall we not
grace our temple By giving him a
place there? | am sure Mr.. Minis
will be glad to act as treasurer and
take charge of any contribution
which might be sent in for this beau
tiful cause, and l am sure there is
not man or woman in this town
| who would not want to add at least