The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-12-06
METH0D|STS AIM At UN|0N|S|
SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE
EXPRESSES ITS HOPES.
Florence Churches Join in Obsex6
alce OF National Feast of Gratitudf
on Thanksgiving.

Florence, NOV. 3O.-The South ca
DINA Methodist conference INTRODUCE
the exercises of this days session VII,
devotional services conducted by
A. Murray. The pastors of the Orang(l
burg and Sumter district were hear
In reporting the work of the year. 4
The following resolution was unaff
imously adopted:
Rejoicing yer the prospects Off
unified American Methodism, tn
South Carolina conference wish6
formally to express confidence In til
ability Of the commissions Of the tws
great Methodist bodies to formula
an equitable plan Of union: and WI
shall hope and pray for the speed
contamination of this proposal to fnl
fill, in a measure, the prayer of Old
Lord for the unity of His Disciples
(Signed) \
"E. o. Watson,s
u. s.. Beasley.''N
At II o'clock the spacious audi
forum Of the church was filled I
capacity by a great congregation Z
Florentines and many visitors for tIf
purpose of observing the ThanksgiS
ing service. y
All Of the churches in the city pa
ticipated in the service, each pasf4
having a place on the programme. ID
DR.. John M. Moore announced >
his text the words of Solomon
"Righteousness exalteth a nation; 81
sin is a reproach to any people" ~
Moore showed that the foundation
Of every colony in this country wei
laid In Christian ideals. The houf
and the church and the school We
simultaneously established by the
early colonists. The open Bible sst
it's heavenly light on their desires e.
their ambitions. The nation NED
righteousness at the ballot box. INF
schools, in the homes OF this couln
The sreat llsadere ~ thjeSH
Righteousness-the sense OF right
ness-must mark Americas dealing
with all the peoples Of the earth q
we'll as with the individual interests i
this country. Just and fair must be IL
dealings with all men. Salvation will
come by the promotion and the pre-
valence Of a right idealism. Tn
country must stand for the highes
ideals in every realm of life.
At the afternoon service DR.. Moor
yielded to the desire Of the brethre
and delivered an impressive addres
on the vital them Of EVANGELISM.
Methodism is itself the product of tn
evangelistic zeal which burned in tn
hearts of the Wesleys and their fel
low workers, he said. Those men wer
driven out by the spirit Of God, nc
to the place Of temptation but to tn
place of service.
The "mourners' bench" and tn
inquiry room" are not contemporar
with the beginnings of Methodisn
These were unknown in England
They are American additions. Me
were not led to the mourners' bench
They ran to it. Their desire was t
know God. The revival of the churc,
Is necessary before evangelism ca,
reach the unsaved. People want
God that they car handle. What the
need Is a God who can handle them
The need is to bring to the people tn
gospel Of life. The only way to bull,
q church is by the new BIRTH"
Is not abuse that the world needs.
IS enlightenment. Soul winning shout,
be the prime object Of the church
work.
The conference has been greatl,
benefited by the ministry of thi
splendid worker