The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-08-23
[OLD FOLKS DAY
|FITTINGLY OBSERVED
CONGREGATION GA
THEIRS AT ST: PAUL's
DR.. S. T. Kall.nan Precahes Fine Ser
mon-Address in Afternoon by
DR.. s. j. Derrick.

of the oldest churches in the county.
1t has always been noted for the large
congregations which assemble there
for worship at all times when there
are services. On Sunday past the
usual large congregation was present.
In fact this was an overflow congre-
cation.
The occasion was the celebration
of Old Folks day, custom started
several years ago, and l think very
proper custom, and one that will do
a vast amount of good. 1t is always
well to learn the helpful lessons from
past generations, and then it is good
to hark back to the past now and
again, and the people who do not can
never be a great people, and will fall
short of the task set before them. 1t
lis we'll to remember the days of old
and to get inspiration and help from
:; the lessons which these days teach, if
properly studied and the lessons ap-
. propriated.
:, The speakers for this occasion were
well chosen. They were not stran-
gers to the peopole nor to the con-
gregation, DR.. Hallman having sery-
ed congregations in this county as
pastor for many years, and DR.. Der
rick being to the manner born and
; reared amongst us and having spent
tthe greater part of his manhood life
laboring amongst US, it was very ap-
propriate to have these two gentle
men talk to the people on an occa-
sion of this character. And they
both spoke WELL.
Il The sermon in the morning was
preached by DR.. Hallman, and | am
going to print 1t. Of course it is
not the full sermon, but it is well
worth preserving and reading and
thinking over.
1 Pastor Koon conducted the SER
vices, and the choir and the congre-
ton sang soulstirring hymns, and
these people were always noted for
.he fine singing at this church.
was just thinking on Sunday as sat
in the church of the days befor they
had the choir and the organ,> and it
seemed to me that the choir and or
gan had taken the place Of the fine
congregational singing that in the old
days was an outstanding feature in
the worship of this congregation.
There is fine choir, and the music is
good, but the congregation does not
take part as in the old days, and |
like to hear the entire congregation
join in the singing. But that is in
keeping with the progress of the age.
DR.. Hallman stated that he was or
dainel in this church fifty-three years
ago the coming October, and looking
over the ministerial roll Of the South
Carolina synod he was the only min
lister now living present at that synod,
and he doubted if there were any
laymen present who were at the sy-
nod ffty-three years ago. There may
not have been any present on Sunday
who could recall that particular syn
cd, but I guarantee if any of the
members who were present are fifty
three years old some of them were at
that very meeting of synod, because
in those days the good mothers took
the children to church, and | know
they were at the synod. Yo know then
there were side doors to the church,
and the women occupied one side of
the church and the men the other,
land out on the women's side in the
ward under the fine oaks and hick-
ories there were benches, and when
the children became unruly or made
so much noise as to disturb the Wor-
ship, why the mothers just stepped
outside and sat on the benches, and
if the weather was farm enough to
leave the windows up they could hear
the sermon and the other exercises.
And any of the men and women who
were the children Of the congregation
in those days you may be sure were
present at that meeting of the synod.
DR.. Hallman looks as young as he
did twenty-five years ago, and says
he feels about the same, and ne
breaches with force and vigor, and
his recipe to remain young though
the years may be behind you in suf-
ficient number to make out prlma
facie case of age, is to keep on work
l