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K ' /: .. | . ; r ' =4vv/''^S^i??fl J* ' ' i ~?l .', - --L i :%r : vVi-Vf te ? ir, jyffl ^:\ ^M!J8 3EKfeM&a f'X"r'4^?'1.<pS o^?qS?Bm/ jfflKHHBRBHDGraMKiyPH ^?flg f ^ "&JJP Methodisth Episc< Methodists of Abbeville By Mr. Hugh Wilson. \ i " "History fades into fable; fact breomes clouded with doubt, and men decay; the inscription moulders from the tablet; the statue falls from the pedestal. Columns,' arches, pyramids, what are they but heaps of sand; and their epi-J taphs, but characters written in i dust."?Irving. This being true, I shall speak of the living?and only of the living. Itisafact that those pio-j neers in Christian thought, those followers in the footsteps of the ' ' * i 1 immortal wesiey, rnose goou men who engaged in the work of refining, of purifying, and of Christian- i izing this people have accomplished much. How it was done, and by whom it was done, need not be recited here. The result of their zeal and their activity in the Master's cause is with us. For present purposes that is enough to :say. The actors in that important drama have long since departed; their bodies' have mouldered into dust and our knowledge of their former existence comes down to us in legend and in story. Their trials, their defeats, and their final glorious triumphs need not be recounted. The rich heritage in spirituality which they left to us still rules and governs the relieious sentiment of Abbeville. o , The purity and the holiness of those who preceded us are evidenced in the goodness and in the greatness of the hearts that now so loyally maintain and support the religion and the purity of the Methodist Church at Abbeville. The existence of this beautiful house of worship, which is an ornament to the city, is evidence of the determination and the generosity of the men and women who built this temple and dedicated it to the worship of the Maker and Ruler of the universe. That Holy One has promised those of us who worship Him in humility and in sincerity that though our "sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like criitison, they shall be as wool." From their earliest entry into the limits of the city of Abbeville, the Methodists have been factors in every good word and every good work. In the service of their country they have ever been patriotic in war and in peace. In devotion to the church they have -t , _j ? 1 I been unswerving in tne uiscnaige of duty. They have ministered to the sick, and to the poor and distressed; they have been kind and thoughtful. Not until the seal of the great book has been broken will it be known how many wayward souls, with all their sins piled up about them, have been restored by their kindness and by their prayers to the paths of peace and tne ways of righteousness. The Methodists at Abbeville have ever been active workers for the spiritual and material welfare of the church and the people of the city. Their influence is felt everywhere, and all look to them as a tower of strength when great effort is necessary. When the accomplishment of any good purpose is sought, the aid of the Methodists is confidently expected even if others should lead. And it is not recorded where or when the people of Abbeville have ever withheld a helping hand when the Methodists took the lead. I The* Methodists have not only vorkt'd ior the dissemination oi '''' I I >pal Church, South the great religious truths which 1 this church represents, but they i have taken a full share of respon- i sibility in the advancement of every good work tn their tempo- ] ral affairs. They love their church ' above all else, but this does not ' prevent their labor in any work that may advance the religious and < the material benefit of their neigh- ; bors. 1 As educators, and as friends of 1 school and colleges, the Metho- 1 dists are in these lines the same ( pioneer workers that their fathers 1 were in religion. About twenty years ago they j awakened in the public mind of Abbeville the great need of a bet- ( ter school system in this city. Through the agitation which they ' brought about, under the leader- ( ship of Judge J. Fuller Lyon, we ( have in Abbeville today a thor- * ough system of schools ranging . from the beginners in education 1 all the way up to equipment of ' our youth for the college classes. ' This it would seem were honor enough for the average ambition ' of the average organization of good men and righteous women, but not so wilh the Methodists. ! To an officer in that church, Mayor J. L. McMillan, under the sus- ' taining influence of the brethren, , is largely due the credit of the 1 elegant city hall or opera house j of which all Abbeville is proud. If the methodists of Abbeville J can build catton mills; if they can inaugurate the best school system , on earth; if they can lead us to J Duiia toe oest opera nouse in tne State; if they can build for them- , selves and for all men, one of the , finest churches in upper South Carolina; if they can contribute ( large sums for church purposes; . then are they not ready to look for J new worlds to conquer? Great is j Methodism in Abbeville. The benefaction of their presence is felt by all, and it has gone*out to dis tant places to bless and to purify : the lives of others. The Methodists of Abbeville, like all other good men are a mod est people. Theydomuch, butthey say little. They obey the injunction of the wise man who said: i ."Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth: a stranger, and not thine own lips." Having been born an Assciate Reformed Presbyterian, and having lived in that faith all my life I may attempt to say for the good Christian Methodists of Abbeville some things which they would never say for themselves. You will never hear irum uieiu auyunug ui uieu painotism, and they will tell you nothing of their noble fidelity to their Church. They will never tell you of their love of the service to the Lord, nor will they tell you'af their innumeral deeds of charity to the poor and the needy. You will hear nothing from them of their efforts to put their arms around the erring that they might bring them safely into the fold. The gentleness and sweetness of the efforts of their women to bring their brothers and their sisters into the haven of rest and eternal glory are not recorded in books nor are they chiseled in marble. They are registered only in the Hearts oi tnose wno nave been blessed by their loving kindness. Their deeds of charity are recorded only by the angels that Jacob saw in his dream ascending and decending on the theological ladder from earth to heaven. Perhaps the most notable or most distinguishing characteristic of thu congregation lies in the clean lives of the individual mem bers. I have lived in Abbeville for more than fifty years, and few men are better acquainted with them than I am. Knowing them as I do I feel warranted in saying that there is not a single notably : : 1 i;*? uupuit: UI illillKJl CLl 1UC iU lliV. nuvjv. congregation. In remarking upon this most notable clean aggregation a well informed Methodist replied to me: "We require every member to live reasonable near to the standards. He who fails to live fairly well is invited to sever his connection with the Church. We do not tolerate notably improper persons in the communion." Rev. Henry Stokes is the preacher now in charge, and if a layman might speak of the clergy, I should say that he is most acceptable. He is pastor as well as preacher. t Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Mrs. M. H. Greene. Abbeville has always been famous for her handsome churches and not the least among these handsome structures and prosperous organizations is the Associate Reformed Church? This church was organized over twenty years ago and from a very small beginning has grown into a harmonious body which stands for the spiritual uplifting of the community. For five years Rev. F. Y. Pressly was pastor here and did much to build up a solid church. Rev. Mr. Ewart, Rev. Mr. Rabb and Rev. T. W. Sloan all served the :ongregation and each in his way preached the gospel to his flock. Four years ago Rev. E. B. Kennedy was called here . from Bartow, Fla., and he has toiled un:easingly for the good of his people. . He is a man of pleasing address profound mind and piety. He las a sure place in the hearts of 5ur people. The congregation is composed of some of the best people ot this :ity and their loyalty to their :hurch is beautiful. The membership numbers something over a lundred and in proportion to their nccmes they contribute more liberally than almost any congregation in the Synod. The Sunday School has taken an new life recently and is in a Nourishing condition. The Ladies Society of the the :hurch is a splendidly organized Dody of women and they have been energetic in their work for the welfare of the church. Last fall in a few months they installed and paid for a first class heating plant. They have pledged a liberal support to a splendid organ to be bought this fall; Mrs. J. C. Klugh is the president of the Society and ?he has an able corps of assisstants in Mrs. R. N. Tiddy as ist" Vice President, Mrs. Ealeen Calvert as Secretary and Miss Lily Claris as Treasurer. Miss Lorena Beacham has re:ently been employed as organist and under her efficient management the choir has improved greatly* The church officers are: Elders.. Al^ Lyon, W. R. Bradley, ,J.'R. Devlin, C. H. McMurray. Deacons. Wm. P. Greene, J. F. Bradley, Dr. G. E. Calvert, JasV T. Cox. First Presbyterian Church By Mr. T. P.Quarles. On the igth day of April 1868 Fifty six members of Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church, applied and obtained certificates of dismission for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian Church in the town of Abbeville, S. C., which they proceeded to do, by first naming the church, "The Abbeville Presbyterian Church" and then electing the following officers: n l- T?U C Per. billing JZ/iUCia. Jiuumaj j. rin, Robert H. Wardlaw, Robert A. Fair, George McD. Miller, Joseph J. Wardlaw and Thomas Thomson. (The latter two declined to be ordained.) The following were elected Deacons: John T. Owen, Wm. C. Wardlaw, Leonord W. White and John M. Richmond. Rev. D. LcNeil Turner, D. D., was elected [pastor. Rev. D. McNeil Turner D. D., tendered his resignation as pastor December 1S69, which was accepted, and James L. Martin was elected pastor and was installed on 2nd day of September 1S70, having served faithfully in this capacity until September 18S4 when this pastorate was mutually dissolved. On the first Sabbath an January iSS6, Rev. J. Lowrie Wilson D.D. Firt Presbyter nreached his first sermon to the G Abbeville Church he having been ai previously elected and installed pastor of the Abbeville Presbyte- cl rian Church, which pastorate con- E tinued until God in His providence la removed him death, on the gth T day of July 1909, having served B his people most acceptably for over 23 years. The little church building in J. which the first services of the Abbeville Presbyterian church were li1 held, was destroyed by an accidental five, on the 4th day of April Q 1887. This seeming loss to the Si "members was but a "blessing in G disguise", God having used this R method to inspire His people to M erect a mor^ modern house of worship, and thus it stands today, di a monument to those who, showed "1 such liberality in raising the funds iz< to erect such an ornamental build- Cl ing which ?was dedicated to the as worship of God on the 25th day of November 1888. The following Ruling Elders in addition to the above mentioned have been elected since its organization: W. A. Templeton, L. W. Perrin, A B. Wardlaw, J. S.Cothran, T. P. Quarles, L. W. White, J. M. Hardin, A. B. Morse, and J. Allen Smith, rnd the following have been elected deacons: R. M. Haddon, J. M. Giles, George ^ T> W&ite, ij. inomson, j. s\. i ' ? Come to Us a Nee Dress Good # Our line this season is bet have spent a great deal'of we are in a position to she Dress Goods, Trimmings, I Waists, Skirts, Suits and III mTmm Dress Goods ^ Our line of Dress Goods is better than ever. Here you will find everything that is new and ? stylish at extremely low prices. (. Black Goods at from 25c to $1.00 per yard. Colored Dress Goods, beautiful patterns, 25c to $1.00 yd. Ready-Mad? Skirts The prices are low, the skirts are stylish and they fit right. Black Values $8 to $10. Black Panamas $5 to $10. Blue Panamas $5. ( White Linene Skirts $1. Colored Linene Skirts $1.25. MILLINBj In this ad. we cannot do will come in and let us Spring Hat. The Milli tention. Every day we 1 A big shipment of new si: Philsc 1 . ian Church lenn, W. H. Long, L. T. Miller, id J. C. Thomson. List of deaths of officers since lurch was organized is as follows: lder T. C. Perrin, R. H. Ward w, R. A. Fair, G. McD. Miller hos. Thomson J. S.JCothran, A. . Wardlaw, L. W. Perrin, L. W. fhite and J. M. Haidin. Deacons: W. C. Wardlaw, and M. Richmond. The following are the present ring officers: Elders W. A. Templeton, T. P. uarles, A. B. Morse and J. Allen nith and Deacons R. M. Haddon eorge White, S. G. Thomson, J. . Glenn, W. H. Long, L. T. filler and J. C. hhomson. Of the 56 members who withew from their mother church, Upper Long ^Cane", and organsd the Abbeville Presbyterian lurch there are nineteen living follows: John T. Owen. Mrs. M. J. Lythgoe. Mrs. Fannie Allen. Mrs. A. E. Cox. Mrs. Emma C. Cothran* Mrs. H. C. Perrin. Geo. White. Miss Sarah White. Miss Nannie White, (no"W Mrs. A. B. Wardlaw). Mrs. Fannie J. Marshall. Miss Lucia Calvert, (now Mrs. J. A. Thomson.) I md we will i ds in Anythi Shoes, ;ter than ever. We have m thought and time in selectir )w the most complete line Laees, Embroideries, W nderwear that has ever VMte and Colored Linens 36 inch Linen Lawn 25c yd. 36 inch White Linen 25c yd. 50 inch White Linen 90c yd. 35 inch Colored Linens5c yd. Brown Linen 10c to 25c yd. 36 inch Linene 10c yd. 36 inch Colored Linene 10c yd. 30 inch White Linene Hoc vd. 10-4 Sheeting best quality 33acyd. 36 inch Bleaching 8|c yd. 36 inch Sea Island 10c yd. White Quilts $1 to $2.50. Towels from 5c to 25c each. Table Linen from 25c to$i yd. Calicoes, light and dark, 6\c yc Best quality Gingham 10c yd. Percales from 8c to 12x/2z yd. RY DBPA justice to this department, b ; show you through our lir nery part of our business is Drder for it so that at all tim lapes just received. Price )J1 & I 1 * / *?v - < - - * ^ * . '' '' ' " . 1 ^ Miss T. Mc. Donald, (now * r CK TV A 1 \ Mrs. JL mST.i yuaries^. Miss Janie Thomson, (now Mrs. J. H. Bowie.) Miss Sarah E. Perrm, (now Mrs. Geo. White. James Y. Fair, (now Pastor of Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Va. Miss Ida Allen, (now Mrs. W. H. Long). Miss Elise Allen, (now Mrs, J. B. Carlisle. Miss Eliza Bowie. Annexed to the church building there is a comfortable manse with all of the modern improvements, water works, electric light, eet., tt is estimated by conservative ?'ap- , praises, that the aggregate wealth of the present congregation is about one million dollars. The writer of the above is largely indebted to the accurate records of the church kept by jMr. R. H, Wardlaw and W. A. Templeton. The church, at present, is without a pastor, but with so many prayers to 'the Great1 Head of the church for His guidance in the im portant matter of electing an under shepherd to lead the flock in the p'aths of righteousness. It is . hoped that very soon one will be , ; sent of Gpd's own choosing. There are now two hundred and thirty-seven communicant members on church roll. There are one hundred -and five teachers aod pupils in Sabbath | School, Elder W. A. Templeton: : is the present Superintendent. There are three Societies; ; ' .. .The "Ladies Aid Society." The "Eliza Wilson Society," named for the mother of our deceased Pastor. The Young Pooples Society, named, "The Miriams." There is no Better vacant field . amongst the Presbyterians in upper South Carolina, than the Ab. beville Presbyterian Church?# "Just ripe for the harvest." h.. . , : An Ideal Husband is patient, even with a nagging wife, for he knows she Deeds help. She may. be so nervous and run-down in healtn > that trifles annoy her. If she is melancholy, excitable, troubled with lo? of appetite, headache, sleeplessness, constipation or fainting and dizzy spells, she needs Electric Bitters?tin ' most wonderful remedy for ailinf women. Thousands of sufferers from r female troubles, -nervous troubles, backache and weak kidneys have uSed them and become healthy and happy* Try them. Only 60c. Satisfaction guaranteed by P. B. Speed. ?a 1 ' 7 * ' t' J V Supply Your ore goods than ever and/ v . "V". . . lg our stock so thaknow 'v ml "* . / fhite Goods, Ready-Made been brought to Abbeville Shoes! Shoes! By re?-ordering daily we always have a full and complete stock. If you are not already one of our customers you should become one now. We guaran- . antee every pair Shoes we sell to give you satisfaction or your money back. "Star Brand Shoes are better" Ready-Made Suits One piece Linene Suits at $5. Beautiful White Dresses $4.50. Colored Linen Suits $4.00. White Linen Waists $1.25 each Black Silk Waists $4.00. A look will convince you that here is the place to do your shopping. RTMENT ut feel sure that if you ie, we will sell you your given a great deal of ates the stock is complete. is Very .Reasonable. ienry