The press and standard. [volume] (Walterboro, S.C.) 1890-current, October 03, 1906, Image 1
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