The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-12-05

iioi'. q. preston Gibson of Bcmnctts.
vile Tells of Trip Here and Pcoplc
lie Saw

A>biiy ItCII.
saturday afternoon as the guest and
companion of Evangelist B. f. Me-
Lcndon, Of this city, | went to sum
Ter Tor the purpose of attending the
annual Conference of the Methodist
Church. Twenty-one years ago I ran
an excursion from Gibson, n. c., via
bennettsville to the annual Confer
ence which convened at that time in
Sumter. Bishop Hargrove presided,
ana the appointments were read ont
on Sunday night, but it has never been
uohe since. l flsO attended the dedi-
cation OF the old Methodist church in
sumter. My good friend and loyal
Methodist, Mr.. G. f. Stubbs. now de-
ceased, always kept me informed as
TO events in your splendid city. Oh.
now much did 1 miss his genial face
on this trip. His son c.. Elvin is a
chip off the old block" chock full of
hospitality and gentlemanly qualities.
l dined with him Sunday. I also ex-
perlenced great pleasure in meeting
my old friends, Mr.. 3. c. Wallace. the
county Treasurer, and Mrs. DR.. M
Z. Wallace, lady Of rare culture and
accomplishments. Brother McLen-
don and I stopped at tho Claremont
Hotel, one Of the few real good hotels
in South Carolina, clean, inviting
rooms, comfortable beds and every
thing in the dining room to tempt the
most delicate appetite.
The Methodists in Sumter have one
OF the best churches in the State, and
with the $50 members in one of the
strongest charges in the Conference.
heard that giant mind, DIR. S. A.
Steel. lecture Saturday night to the
Epworth League, his subject, "Tvhe
Bible" and his delivery was a mas
terful effort which electrified the
great audience.
Sunday I attended the "love feast"
and experience meeting. In many
places these Old-time -honored func-
tions Of the church, have become alb
solete-may they with the old time
"class meetings" be speedily revived.
At IL l heard Bishop Denny, for one
hour and three-quarters preach to an
immense congregation from the text,
whatsoever a. man soweth that shall
he also reap" Nothing is truer and
this able divine most impressively
verified the truthfulness Of the Bibli-
cal statement. It was a great SER
mon by a great man, and every
Methodist in South Carolina should
feel proud of him. Sunday afternoon
/ heard the memorial exercises and
felt very much inclined to say some-
thing relative to the life and work Of
my remarkable deceased brothers and
friends, Revs. w. z. Iaker and Geo.
M. Boyd, both of whom / knew we'll
and could have testified to their long
and continued Christian fidelity and
faithfulness in their Masters vine
yard. Sunday night 1 again heard Dr.
$. A. Steele preach on the crucifixion
Of Christ, and his sermon should be
a revelation and great stimulus to the
ministers Of the conference.
I witnessed the impressive ordina-
ton of the class of fourteen young
ministers as deacOns, among them be-
ing my young friend Evangelist b. f.
McLendon, who is electrifying South
Carolina with his fcrvent zeal and
burning messages to lost world
Brother McLendOn, this year under
his ministry has taken into the
church 9S4 members, and something
like ten thousand souls have profess
ed religion. / learned while in Sum-
ter that quite a number of the young
men Of that city were contemplating
calling him to conduct a series of re-
vival services soon in Sumter.
know Of no man in the United States
who could do more effective work and
produce more good in your city than
my friend McLendon. DR.. Peter
Stokes should he be returned to Ben
nettsville, is anxious for Mac to con-
duct meeting for him at once under
his large new tent SOX12O feet BY
all means secure McLendon for a
meeting and he will induce the great
crowds Of young men to turn godward
and connect themselves with the
churches.
Respectfully,
J. Press Gibson.