Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1916-06-28
REMINISCENT VEIN.
Continued from First Page,)

DdCh upOu luO Olu ohSS vi PleJuuiSO
and intolerance in religious bodies
it is something to be proud of that
we can meet together now, once a
month, on a common ground for
the common good in our different
churches. We are making progress
when We can realize that religion
should not separate us, but should
draw us together, and that religion
means not faith alone but works,
Of righteousness, for the commu-
nifty and State, and not alone for
the individual and the family.
What we are deficient in, with all
of our proud progress, is, it seems to
me, a matter of mere mean or in
strument for further developing
what is already a healthy public
spirit. We have this beautiful
(Baptist) temple and other well or
ganized churches in town. all doing
their work well. But these are
dedicated to the worship of God.
They cannot and should not be used
for any other purpose. What we
need most in Edgeield is a building
not strictly set apart for sacred pur-
poses alone, but one in which we
can all meet, from all churches and
from no churches, for secular pur-
poses and for practical uses. 1t
should be a municipal or commu-
nifty building. 1t should be built
without concern as to whether 1t
will pay dividends in dollars and
cents, just as we build churches with
no regard to material benefit. And
it should be as comfortable, well
lighted, we'll heated and well ar
ranged for its purposes as our
churches.
First Of all there should be an au-
ditorinm, on the ground floor. CEN
traliy located, and large enough for
all the great gatherings of every
kind. When we think of the great
Inconvenience the citizens, and par
ticularly the ladies, are put to un-
necessarily, III all seasons and
weather whenever any great gather
ing is held here, we should realize
that isdue alone to our thoughtlesS-
ness. and not TO Il inability.
Conventions of all sorts, religious
or UNCONVENTIONAL, educational. po-
~litical, agricultural, commercial, pa
triotic or diversional, all have their
purpose in community life, but here
they have no suitable building. 1t
is in fact a great handicap to the
community. We are threatened
with chronic mental desuetude for
the lack of something to go to; Tor
the need Of the inspiration that
comes from mingling together in
common ideals and purposes, and
equally as much from the shortage
of things arranged purely for
| d"IluScllCilL vi plSCIslOu.
Such an auditorium should have
connected with it a great kitchen
and supply of dishes for the enter
tainments such as kdgefeld is ia.
nous for (held out OF doors now,
and which could be used OH occa-
sion commercially also, for instance
for the benefit of The chrySanthe-
mum show, the civic league. the W..
c. 7. U, L. d. C., d. a. r. or
any other organization Of the kind.
In the same building there should
be also a rest room for ladies with
little children. 1t would not only
he community courtesy to ladies
visiting the town for the day, but
it would be also in the interests of
trade to make them feel comforta-
bic and at home" when they do
come.
Room should he provided also for
the Edgefieli Public Library, with
adequate support for the mainte-
nance of it and for the salary of It's
faithful librarian.
If the men o.. the Chamber of
Commerce or of the fraternal bodies
desire rooms for committee pur-
poses, or to use the auditorium for
banquets, or if they desire to have
a series of rooms for club purposes
it would enlarge considerably the
scope and purpose Of the building.
Whether such an enterprise as
this a be gained by taxes or
bonds, or by united efforts of the
churches, or whether by popular
subscription, or whether by combi-
nation of all three, it is certainly
within our reach. And as citizens
of the best town in the State we
should make the effort, both for
the practice of our faith and love,
and for the everlasting perpetuatlon