The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-07-01

night | will venture to adj little to
the very enjoyable contribution Of
my old friend, 0. ". Buzhardt, IN
reference to the very delightful Ses-
sion of that very famous Centennial
Conference in the good old town Of
Newberry, endeared tc my heart by sc.
many tender memories and Jnyous
associations. | am glad also that Dr..
Wilson has supplied some of the
missing links of 0. NJ. Buzaardt's Zee
objections. This was the first confer
cree | ever attended. I had often
fancied how it would be, with per-
haps an exaggerated sense of awe anI
reverence predominating. | also had
a vision Of the dignity and statesman
like bearing of the Housa and Senate
of the State Legislature. Needless
to say, the Conference met my high
expectations while .he latter was a
decided disappointment. How vivid
ly | recall the noble features Of the
venerable Bishop Wightman as he
presided so gently, 50 lovingly, and
yet so firmly over that splendid body
of consecrated men. Ii was IN the
golden das ywhen the South Carolina
Conference lived up to the letter and
the spirit of the unique name it had
won of being The Velvet Carpet
Conference" of all Southern Metho-
dism on account Of the unl'y and love
and peace and harmony exhibited in
all their deliberations the deport-
ment of each member 70 his brother
always and especially in debate, A
spirit of unity, love, sclf-sacrilce ard
an entire conservation to Christ and
loyal devotion to the itinerancy char
acterized the body rs 4 whole. Have
they sustained this velvet character to
this day? Has there been entire alb
sence of heat, of acrimony IN deba:e!
Has love for the Gospel of Christ, and
love for each other inspired their
hearts and moulded their conduct at
all times? Have there been no hick-
erings, no heart burnings, no aaseem-
ly strivings for the best appointments,
no unholy scramble to obtain presld-
ing elderships, or the high connec-
tional positions of the church? l
make no charges. | hope the South
Carolina Conference still deserves and
bears this name as precious jewel in
it's crown.
l also we'll remember Bishop Will
son as he appeared in the pulpit Sun:
day night. He was tall, spare built,
with long flowing beard. He was Of
most commanding spresence. He
was very deliberate at the beginning
of his sermon. He had very pleas
ant voice, with a most delightful
drawl but he gradually warmed up
and held that great congregation,
mostly preachers, spell-bound as he
reached, step after step, height after
height, in, describing the glories OF
heaven, till all of earth was forgotten
and in a grand climax he bore his en-
tranced congregation up on the wings
of inspired fancy and the swift PIN
ions of faith to the great white throne
where the redeemed sang IN ever
SWeeter and sweeter strains the r:als-
es of the Lamb. Brother H. A. e..
Walker said it was the greatest ser
mon he had ever heard. / am sure it
was the greatest l ever heard. have
heard great sermons since that ever
memorable occasion but none pierced
with their inspired imagination the
zenith of, the New Jerusalem aad re-
vealed "the glories which eye hath not
seen" as Bishop Wilson did. DR..
McFerrin began his speech by saying
that he had filled almost every posi-
ton in the Methodist church from
junior preacher to presiding elder.
That he had presided owe" district
conferences, in the hishoos abserce,
but that the hardest thing ae ever mad