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tm mm VOL. XXIX. WALTERBORO, S. C., OCTOBER 3, 1906. NQ. 11 SOUTH CAROLINA “COUNTRY PARSON/* A Sketch of the Rev. John Q. Wil liams. D. D., the Author of ‘De Ole Plantation** Letters. The following sketch of the Rev John G Williams, D 1), who will be well remembered by many readers of The Sunday News, was prepared by the Rev J Lemacks Stokes, U I>, of Yorkville. Our own “Country Parson”—may we not so designate him? We know of no one who so well meets the re quirements of Dr Boyd’s happy char- acterfeation. Certainly, we have many ministers, “of whom the world il not worthy,” laboring in life’s high ways and hedges, but where fdiall we find one at once so able aud so cul tured; such a lover of books and of his pen; such a “man among men,” and yet withal so modest and regard less of the mere honors of place and power? A simple portraiture, then, of this it seems we owe, not only to him, but to ourselves. We oounot afford to miss the iuspiratioM of such a life, and we may odd that for ns it is a true labor of love to attempt such a sketch. The writer knew Dr Wil liams from his boyhood. A sermon of his, preached in old Bedons Bap tist church near Walterboro, on “Did not onr heart bum,” etc, (Luke XXIV 32) comes back to us with hallowed recollection and power. We met him afterwards Irom time to time and a few years before his death spent several days as guests iu his horns. We learned to esteem aod love him most sincerely. But, after all, it was net so much what we personally knew of him, nor indeed our knowledge of his literary work; it was rather the man as we sew him impressed upon a great Christian oemmunity—it Was this that gave us the unique picture of this most admirable man and Christian minister. John G Williams was a son of James Alexander Williams and Emily Snead, hia wife. He was born on his father’s plantation, in the western part of Colleton County, on the old stage road from Charles ton to Savan nah, some ten miles from Yemasaee, Sept 3 1832. His father died when he was six years old, but bis mother seems to have well filled the double relation that now devolved upon her, aod from the first to form the gifted ypoth for high and nseful living. He was educated, after leaving the home schools, first at Meroer Uni- vesity; but when Furman was opened he was transferred to that institution, and was a member of the first gradua ting olass iu 1855. As early as eigh teen years of age, however, long be fore his graduation, be had been licensed to preach. The family wor shipped at Black Creek ohnrch about fifteen miles west of Waiter- boro* and it was this historic congre gation that ratified his divine call to the ministry. Here his first sermon was preached, and tradition has it that he was yet so diminutive in stature that a box had to be placed for him to stand upon in the old fashioned boxed up pulpit The preacher, indeed, never became a “son of Anak in height, though not lack ing, in later years, in avdrdupoif, affectionate relations subsisting be tween pastor and people were alike to both. We have seen, through the • courtesy ol Dr Williams’ daughter, Miss Eunice,a letter to the doctor from one of the officers of-Jthis chimh, which is all redolent of this Christian esteem. Forty four years of age, faded and antique in appearance, writer and recipient dead, what a treasure this old manuscript has be come! With what an eloquent voice does it speak to us trom out the days that are dead! The same year of his opening pas torate at Robertville, 1556. Mr Wil liams was married to Cornelia Eliza beth Leitner, ol Winnsboro. Mrs Williams is still living, exhibiting the practical virtues of the olden time And of her sturdy ancestry. It may be interesting to note that she was a sis'er of the gallant Major W Z Leitner, of Camden, who died while filling the office of Secretary of State. Mr Williams gave up his charge iuJ8C2 to enter the Confederate krmy; a little later he resumed his Robertville pastoiate for some months perhaps a year, when he again re- turn?d to the armv as chaplain in Coloock’a 3rd South Carolina regi ment of cavalry, serving to the end of the war. At the close of the war he returned to bis old home in Colleton, and farmed until the churches could be » n reorganized and pastoral relations re established. He then began a career of long and naeful service, being pas tor of the following churchet: Springtown, serving 22 yean; Friendship, serving 14 years; Salke- bate hie, abount 10 years; Blackville, pbere he lived for many years; G bents Branch, Double Foods, George’s Creek, Allen’s Chapel, Philadelphia, where, by the way, one of Carolina’s most distinguished sons, Holland Nimmonda McTyerie, Bishop of the M E Church, South, went to school ih his youth; Bethlehem, now Fair fax Baptist Church, Smyrna, Brun son, Hampton, Ridgeland, Walter boro. Allendale, where he spent the last twelve years of his life, and old Robertville onoe more. We have not given these in any exact chronologi cal order, but the bare mention is sufficiently suggestive to those who knew him in these varied and arduous fields. Dr Williams was a strong, prac tical and entertaining preacher. His sermons bore marks of study and of unusually wide reading. The were also refreshed with au unobtrusive yet persuasive humor, and at times he was almost Bunyanese in hi s apt illustrative pictures. Dr A J S Thomas, editor of the Baptist Cou rier, says of him: .“Dr Williams was well known and most highly esteemed and sincerely loved by his brethren thronghout the State. He was a regular attendant upon the general meetings of Baptists, and whenever he spoke and preached he was heard with genuine pleasure. His ministry was given largely to country churches, and he was highly appreciated by all the people, and his ministry was frui)aul alio of blessed results. In the social circle he was always a welcome !gdiHi and by reason of bis cheerfcl In 1856, the year after his gndua- disposition, end pore wit end humor tics, Hr Williams took charge of the Robertville Baptist church, in the Blsck Swamp section of country. This was, previous to the war be tween the States, a very large, werfthy and influential congregation. It fas quits a generous recognition of the talents acoomplishments of 4s young preacher fer bferls rs- ceil* such s call, and the Haas and HHf as well as his large fund of general information, he was always a charm ing companion.” As we have said,he made much use of his pen. Many years ago, “Keoonstmo- Uon Days,” Dr Williams published a .booklet entitled “Invasion 0T Moon.” It was solsvsr satire on onghrmnlnb philanthropy of I - * and was much enjoyed by his friends. Much later he published a series of negro sermons entitled “Be Ole Plantation.” They ran serially in The Sunday News, and were after wards put in pamphlet form by The News and Courier Company. We believe that this was indeed the hap piest piece of literary work that Dr Williams ever did. The dialect is of the pmest “rice field” variety, and even the thought—shrewd, humorous, witty, wise, and withal deeply rever ent and spiiitual—is a most happy reprodnetion of the mental and spiritual processes of the African. II we are not greatly mistaken the critic of the future will give a high place to these papers, and rank them n->xt at least to tl e inimitable work of Joel Chandler Harris. While to e us of the low country they will have a value that even Harris’s sketches do not possess. To us they are a realistic portraiture ol a life and speech fast passing away. We may be permitted to quote briefly from these sketches: There is a marriage on the old plantation; the Rev Paul Coteny is officiating, and improving the occa sion by a discourse; thus he concludes: “Now yunner yeddy good—dis is the jininpaht Yunner promns to tek each udder fur you only wife and you only husban, till det or de buckra paht you; dat, like gander an goose, you‘11 be lubin an fateful to each udder * * * * You promus? Nc nod yunner head, bu speak de wud and speak urn loud.’ They both holler out: We promus, and wid de Lawd, will do urn.’ *W$1L den 1 per nonnee you husband and wife, and wot de Lawd jine togedder, let no man an pertickler ooman, put dem sunder. An now, Renty, gib Phillis a smacking kiss fur show dat as yunner mout jine, so yunner haht jine, but not like yuuner mout to unjine. An now, Renty, you hab de gal, an I want dat bushel ob rice you bin promus me fur many year,” And so the job was done, on “de ole plan tation,” “befo’ de wah.” But let us turn to a moie serious side; Rev Paul is preaching off “Cumbee noe feel eat de wile goose home;” he has been speaking,of course, of this world as no true home of the soul and of the glories beyond; he illustrates with a visit to the old “City by the Sea;” he sod his <( o!e Mossa” have got to the outskirts, and the country boy is transported. “ ‘Wy, boy,’ the old master says, ‘you ent see nuttin yet. Dis is only de Neck ob de city—dat’s wot dey call um—de Neck. Wait till you git down to de place dey call hie Bend oi King street,’ in de busy paht, den you’ll hab sumtio fur mek wunderment and munky motion at’ an he gis as mossa tell me. De fud- der down we go^ de better e git; de bigger and purtier de sto, an de grander an mo quality lookin de peo- , pie. An wen we git down to ‘de Bend,’ ebtying so gra dat ent know wa I da, in de wul or outer de wul. I ent wanter go no fodder. An, brndder an sister, if I bin lib in Chal- stun, right da in *de Bend’ ob de King street, in de baht ob de city, wid de quality people, is wa I’d wan- er lib—not in de Neck, * a de po buckra an nigger lib.’ ” •: Dr Williams was also a regular cor respondent of the religions aod se cular press, particularly The News and Courier and the Baptist Courier. Dr Thomas, the aooomplished editor ofthe.letter paper, writes me: “Dr Williams was a fascinating and en tertaining writer. Hia newspaper •r^elai wwe widely rsad and seldom peeeed over. Few of them were toned bj:,tbe disnrtmtnattog editor. > • • His style was easy, simple and ^et vigorous. Ho was always original and unique. On doctrinal subjects he was remarkably strong and sound and fraternal. The editors ol the Baptist Courier received his generous assistance for manv years, and they greatly appreciated the articles he so frequentlv wrote for the columns of that paper; and when he finished his course and lay still in death they felt the loss of a faithful friend and dis- ^fget-discriminating, brilliant and vigorous writer.” Furman University showed its ap preciation of real though modes f , worth by bestowing upon Mr Wil liams the honorary degree of coctor of divinity. He wore hii honors as gracefully as he had ever faithfully met the varied responsibilities of life. On April 22, this good man and able and faithful minister fell asleep at his home in'Allendale, S C. We consider, that by every token, Dr Williams was no ordinary man. He was a dear lover of books; he delighted to use his pen and did so with gift and grace; be loved men, aud. especially good men, of all Christian denominations, and was the faithful prophet and pastor of a wide circle, not technically of his parish. He was a public spirited and most in- flnential advocate of all moral re forms, especially prohibitior. His name—familiarly and affectionately, “Bro John G,”—is a household one in all that wide area of Colleton, Barnwell, Bamberg and Hampton counties, evoking ever the lenderest recollections of him of the genial spirit, sparkling wit, manlv bearing and Christlike heart.—The News and Courier. DEATH SENTENCE OF R A ADAMS Official Vote. We have been requested to publish the fjnll official vote polled in Colle ton county, counting the Young’s Island vote. It is as follows: IS late—Governor Ansel ^ Manning Attorney General Lyon Ragsdale Railroad Commissioner Snllivan W barton County—Treasurer Jones Marvin County Commissioner Ulmer Blocker Crosby Dopson 1038 957 1004 988 1032 363 1015 u 934 1015 948 941) 1040 PREPARE FOR THE R VINY DAYS. Hope for the Beat Prepare for the Worst. 1 Begin now to build the protecting shelter, by opening an account with us, it will keep ^ou and youn in oomfort fill the cloud rolls by. A Dollar will start the account, a little added every week will make it grow faster than you think. We pay 4 per cent per annum, in terest computed quarterly in our savings department. Our motto ic “Promptness, accu racy courtesy, and fair dealing.” AH business with customers strict ly confidential. It is not safe to keep money at home or on your person. If-your home burns the money in your trunk is destroyed and if you lose your pocket book the money in your pocket book is lost The only safe way is to deposit your money in a good strong bank. Remember the money in the nt\i f wrnv u a vtriAin nr\ m«i \s\sa.jL*.u» n/4* .MAMAfeMava v>vr., m m- terboro, in insured against Iom. Supreme Court Ueclioes to Dive Him New Trial. R Allie Adams will be hauged fer the mnrdor of Henry Jaqnes near L’ot- tagerille, in February. 1903. The su preme coart eu bare decided against him Friday. Adams was convicted before Judge Ernest Gary aud was sentenced to ter hanged.. He escaped from j*il, aud was recaptured. An appeal then was tnkeu to the supreme court and Adams lost. Subsequently a motion for a nev> trial was made before Judge D A Townsend aud he granted it on the ground of after discovered evidence. This action of Judge Townsend's was overruled by the supreme court. Adams’ nttoruej s then moved in the supreme court fer leave to make a motion iu tie circuit court for a new trial. The court was evidently divided, two favoring a new trial and two being opposed to it. Therefore a sitting of the court ea banc was ordered. All of the supreme court justices and nine ci the circuit judges responded. Judge Ernest Gary, the only remanming circuit judge, could not sit as he had presidt d over the trial. Jndeg Townsend, wto had granted a new trial, ia new off the bench. After hearing the argument of Mr. W B Gruber and Col. Robert Al drich for Adams, and of Mr J E Feu* rifoy and Solicitors James E Davis Mfi W 8t Julin Jervey for the State, the court decided against the motion. Mr Davis is the solicitor who proseceted Adams. Ihe circuits have been rc-; r- ranged since that time. It was an impressive sight, this flit ting |of the court en banc. The four supreme conrt justices sat upon thp dais aud the c ; rcuit court jades within the enclosure just below. The argu ments of the lawyers were good, un- ninally good. The point of law wee whether or the court would upon the * after discovered evidence” testimony which one Mrs. Adams would relate, grant the prison motion. She is a blood relativs of the deceased and claims that at the trial she was coerced into testi fying falsely against Allie Adams- The argument was made in reply that her evidence did not add to or detract • from the weight of testiznoy against ▲dams at the trial and that there ie i W mnch right to suspect than she would testify falsely now to save her brother', in-law as she would have done then. Following is the official order of the court in this cate now so celebrated: The Final Order. The supreme court en banc having been duly assemble! to consider the motion made iu this case for an orde r premitting defendant to move the Mr- cuit oourt for a new trial on after dis . covered evidence, and having read the affidavits submitted and argument of counsel. It is ordered and adjudged that the motion be refused and that the case be remanded to the circnit conrt for the purpose of fixing a new day for the execution of the sentencs and judgment of the circuit court which' has been affirmed by the supreme conrt. It is farther ordered that the ordev staying the remittitnr herein heretofore granted be and is hereby revoked and that the remittitnr be sent down forth with. Ira B Jones, A J C A Woods AJ Geo W Gage Circuit Judge Chas G Dan taler Circnit Jndge R O Purdy, Cirooit Jndge Geo E Prlnoe, Circnit Jndge R W Memminger, Circnit Judge D E Hydrick Circnit Judge We dissent: Y J Pope Chief Justice Eugene B Gary A J James Aldridch, Circuit Jndge „ R O Watte, Circuit Judge , J C Klngb, Circnit ~ The old original GROVER’S Tastelese Chill Toato/ Yon know what yon ten It Is Iran and gnlalna tea Mo- I ttpHn Danger From The Plague. There’s grave danger from the plague of Ooaghs end Colds that are so prevalent* ualeseyon take Dr. King’s New Discov ery for Consnmption, Coughs and Colds. Mrs. Geo. Walls, oi Forest City, Me., writes: M It*s a God send to people living: ia citmatea where ooaghs and ooids pre vail. 1 fiad It quickly ends thses. It eats pneumonia, cores LsGrippe, wonderful relief ta Asthma aid and mate to ward ol Colds. Me awl hy J. M. Kioto's. 'X