Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

. - METHODIST CHURCH CORNER STONE UID I WITH MASONIC CEREMONIES-EXERCISES ATTRACT BIG CROWD ?GREAT DAY FOR METHODISTS. Kingstree, May 15:?To the glory of God and for the salvation of mankind is the new Methodist chiyjch of Kingstree being erected, the 3)rner-stone of which was laid this afternoon with Masonic ceremonies in the presence of a large number of visiting Masons and a vast concourse of people from many sections of the county. All business was suspended in Kingstree during the exercises, the school was dismissed for the day at noon, and a thoroughly representative audi,, ence.cemposed of all denominations, heard the address delivered and beheld the beautiful ritualistic services performed by Kingstree Lodge, Ancient Order of Free Masons, No 46, under the direction of Most Worshipful Grand Master James R Johnson, of South Carolina. Assisting the local lodge were representatives from a number of neighboring towns and cities, which had been invited to participate in the exercises of the day. Among those lodges who sent delegates were the following: Benton Lodge,of Timmonsville; Winyah, Georgetown; Lebanon, Scranton; St Peter's, Manning; Mount Hope, St Stephens; Indiantown, WiUiamsourg county; Lake City, Lake Cit.v; Clarendon, Foreston; Hampton, Florence; Harper's, Georgetown; Beulah, Olanta and Inglesby, of Greelyville. At the conclusion of the exercises the visiting Masons were entertained at a barbecue and fish stew, picnic dinner. Today's celebrations mark a happy epoch in the history in the history of Kingstree Methodists; in fact, the day is regarded as an auspicious one for the entire community. For, as stated by Presiding Elder W P Meadors in his address to audience,this is the first new church erected in Kingstree in more than a generation, almost two generations. None of the good people here, proud as they are of their city and its progress, boast of their houses of worship; indeed, it is generally conceded that the church buildings ^^ere are far behind, in modern ' structure and equipment, and even adequateness, all other buildings or enterprises of a public nature. Up until the present the Methodists have worshipped in a small frame building, whose accommodations had long since been outgrown. Even ' now the Baptists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians have only small and poorly equipped houses of worship. That the erection of a handsome brick structure, with every convenence, beautiful to look upon, ample to meet the needs of a growing denomination, will mean an incentive to the other denominations, the beginning of a greater pride in the church homes, and consequently resulting in greater accomplishments, no one denies. The new building, now in course of construction, the completion of which will be on September 1, will have a seating capacity of six hundred. It will contain a large auditorium, a separate Sunday-school room, a number of class rooms and a pastor's study. The material used is brick, to be covered with ce?Cr?,Tq?-ol ctainoH otIrrs win aicui. uimuw 0 dows will lend attractiveness to the building, while its comfort will be enhanced by the installation of a modern steam heating plant, and * the latest and best pews. Situated on a beautiful corner lot near the center of the town, the new building will present a most attractive appearance. Upon all sides the Methodists are being congratulated for the successful consummation of their efforts, and especially are the members of the building committee being praised for the tireless service rendered in securing funds for the undertaking. It is stated that the building, when completed, will cost $15,000, and that but a small portion of this amount will be carried as a debt. Under the leadership of the pastor of the church, Rev W A Fairy, k. the movement to erect a new building was begun in the early part of last year. The undertaking was immediately launched, and the pastor was aided by an enthusiastic building committee, composed of nine young men. In reviewing the history of the church this morning, the Rev W A Fairy paid a high tribute to these young men who had labored so faithfully in the work of securing the money with which to build the new church. Mr Fairy also congratulated the people of his church upon the valuable co-operation of all the members. As a tribute to the mem bers of the committee their names were inscribed on the face of the corner-stone,together with the name of the pastor. At one o'clock this afternoon the members of Kingstree Lodge formed in line of march at the Masonic Hall, directed in the forming by Mr E Ladson Fishburne, chief marshal, and Messrs Thomas McCutchen and C D Jacobs, marshals. In the line there were about one hundred and fifty Masons, a large percentage of the local membership, augmented by the large number of visitors. It was an imposing parade, led by Metz's Band, of Charleston, that moved down Main street of the city on toward the church building, located on the corner of Church and Academy streets. Martial airs were played by the band as the march proceeded, in marked contrast to which were the soft, sweet strains of "Holy Ghost with Light Divine," with variations, played while the stone was being set in place. Arrived at the site of the building, the Masons formed in a square about the improvised stand upon which were Grand Master Johnson, the various acting Grand Lodge officers and the choir. At the organ, leading the singing of the Masonic Order, was Miss Sadie Myer, of this city. With bared heads, the large crowd heard the inyocation by Acting Grand Prelate, the Rev W E Hurt, pastor of the Kingstree Baptist church, after which Grand Master Johnson recited the custom of the order in the laying of corner-stones of such buildings and performed the usual rites, testing the stone and its setting and pronounced it perfect. It will be of interest to state that the trowel used by Grand Master Johnson is of silver design, beautiful in its simplicity, yet handsomely engraved, and was presented to the Marquis de Lafayette in the year 1825, when the monument to DeKalb was erected at Camden. It is the property of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. The corner-stone when placed revealed two sides upon which were inscriptions as follows: "Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Rev W A Fairy,Pastor. Building Committee: F W Fairey, Chairman; A C Hinds, J F McFadden, E C Epps.L J Stackley, P H Stoll, A M Gordon, T 0 Epps and H D Reddick. 1911." And on t.hp other side: "James R John son, Grand Master, A L. 5911." In the copper receptacle were placed the following articles, the names of which were read by Acting Grand Secretary R N Spiegner: A history of the Methodist Episcopal church of Kingstree, the names of the pastors and officers of the church, a copy of the Holy Bible, a a copy of the church discipline, a copy of the Christian Advocate, a copy of the Southern Christian Advocate, the names of the building committee, a copy of the News and Courier, a copy of The State, a copy of the Kingstree County Record, a list of the county officials, a list of the town officers, a list of the General Assembly from Williamsburg county, a list of the officers and members of Kingstree Lodge,No 46, A F M, a list of the articles placed in the receptacle and six coins: a silver dollar, a fifty-cent piece, a quarter, a dime, a nickle and a penny. The receptacle was sealed and placed in the hollow of the stone. To the Grand Master was presented the horn of nourishment by Ira S Jones, District Deputy Grand Master, of Georgetown, and the horn was placed upon the stone; acting Junior Grand Master, M A Ross of Kingstree, presented the oil of joy, and Acting Senior Grand Warden L >ing Out ( GALIE & thirty days, beginning md Notions AT 0Sr ) get the newest styles he trimmed goods son our talented Norther SETS AT Laces, Ribbons, Neckwear, d regardless of cost. Lesesne, trustees of the Methodist church, of the village of Kingstree, in the district of Williamsburg, in the aforesaid State, have given, granted, bargained, sold, released, conveyed and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, release, convey find confirm unto the said Thomas M Mouzon, Samuel E Graham, J8.mes H Stone, William G McAllister and Thomas M Lesesne, trustees of the Methodist church as aforesaid, their successors in office and assigns forever, all that certain piece, parcel or lot of land consisting of one town lot, lying, being and situate in the A t; P* Gc i For the next i I stock of Millinery i | your opportunity t( | you do not find in t ; will be executed bj t the season. I ALL $1.00 COR! I' * Val and Torchon I ^ thing we carry to be sol | SALE I P Kinder of Kingstree, presented the wine of refreshment, with which the stone was anointed. After these ceremonies Grand Master Johnson returned the building implements that had been used to the architect, Mr W J Huggins of Mullins. Addressing the audience in his usual forceful manner, Grand Master Johnson reviewed briefly the history of Masonry, its purposes and aims, and in what measure it was accomplishing those ends. He stated that it was peculiarly fitting that | the corner-stone of a church build- J ing should be laid by the Masons, i "for," said he, "Masonry is the handmaid of religion; it builds character, takes that product to the doors of the chuvch and there places | it in the hands of the spiritual min- j ister or builder," "There are two kinds of Masonry," said Mr Johnson, "operative and speculative; the one, working in the material or vulgar sphere and the other in the spiritual. Masonry is a system of philosophy,philosophy is a thought and thought is of God; therefore Masonry is of God." Mr T * J i.l.4. \x jonnson ar>;ueu mat muuui / um not provide a religion for mankind; but that it did attempt to mould and strengthen character; that its workings were for the building of men, as well as for the building of material structures; that this grand old order, whose origin is obscured in the hoary mists of the past, had been such that today a priceless heritage was to all who held to its beliefs and purposes. "Founded on truth," he said, "the eternal years of God are hers." Introduced, with deserved praise, by Hon P H Stoll, Solicitor of the Third judicial district, the Rev W A Fairy, pastor of the church, read a brief history of Methodism in Kingstree. Mr Fairy spoke as follows: "The history of Methodism in Kingstree dates back to January 31, 1853, when Alexander Isaac McKnight bequeathed to the people called 'Methodists' that tract of land situated at the corner of Academy and Second streets, whereupon the present church building now stands. The title to the property reads as follows: a# Cnufk Pornlinii Pnnntv UUllC U1 UVUU1 V/Ui VltMMf of Williamsburg: Know all men by these presents, that I, Alexander Isaac McKnight, of the district of Williamsburg, in the State aforesaid, for and in consideration of the regard which I bear towards the Christian religion, and also for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar paid by Thomas M Mouzon, Samuel E Graham, James H Stone, William G McAllister and Thomas S rKUifli /u a town or village of Kingstree, con- j taining one-half acre, and lying and bounded as follows, to wit: On the north by the lands of Alexander Isaac McKnight, and running 210 feet on said lands; on the east by street leading to Broad Swamp bridges; on the south by a street , which is parallel with the Main street of said village of Kingstree; on the west by lands of said Alexander Isaac McKnight, and running 105 feet on said land, said lot being in shape of a parallelogram,and each 105 feet in length, all of whose angles are right angles. "Soon after this title was made and recorded, Benjamin Ft Pendergrass, for the love he bore his denomination, and out of the magnanimity of his great heart, elected, almost entirely from his own resources, a large frame structure on : sa d lot, to be used for the purposes r of divine worship. The contract was s awarded to J M Owens. Our fellow v townsman, Capt C Constine, worked t on the building, and he informs us , that Benjamin R Pendergrass, besides remunerating the workmen for their services, refused to accept any v board money from them while engaged in the work. The building t was completed and formally dedicated in the year 1857. "Previously to this time the Meth- j odisfs held their services in the j county court house. The church was ^ at first, and for a number of years, ^ ore of the regular appointments of j a very large circuit,extending all the ( way frcm Lynchburg to George- j town, and comprising quite as much teIritory as does one of our present j districts of the South Carolina con- ( ference. Consequently the preaching j services were necessary few and far } be tween, and the church was afisess- ^ ec. but a nominal sum for the support of the ministry. The church, was fii-st made a station in 1876, wi :h W 1 Smith Martin as pastor. During- this c year the bulding was remodeled,and c tLe Florence district conference held * it} first session in this building. Subsequently the church alternated betv/een circuit and station wori till the year 1895, when it permanently became a station, and ever since has continued to grow and prosper, until tc-day it has a membership of two hundred and seventy, with a like increase for ministerial support and Ciristian benevolences. "Early last year the congrega tion, realizing that they had outgrown their old house of worship, and desiring a modern brick building, determined to build at once. Aceordirgly the pastor named the followirg aggressive young men of the f congregation as a building committe.,e: F W Fairey.A C Hinds, J F Mc- c Fadden, AM Gordon, EC Epps, L J * Stackley, T Olin Epps, P H St oil and r a n This committee, un l.S U IKUUIVIl. der the leadership of the pastor,Rev c W A Fairy, employed ar architect i and let the contract, whereupon ac- * tive operations on the church build- * ing were begun. i "The church when completed will 1 be a handsome structure,tmodern in * every respect, and will hive a seat- 1 ing capacity of six hundred. There * will be besides the auditorium, Sun- 1 day-school room, class room, choir y loft ancl pastor's study. The build- ( ing will be brick, covered with ce- 1 9 )f Busines< GALE Monday, May 8, we will < r to close out our busi in this Spring's hats at lething you like, leave 'ii trimmer just the sam Velvets, Buttons, Gloves, Ho: Y 8 TO J U SjpSP I fiB toYonrGood Health and Pleu P%g!H| Come?follow the arrow 'til you j JrZJSSJ the merry throng of palate pleased r and women who have quit seeking the one best beverage because the; l^P found fiy.VjTSESa | M Real satisfaction in every glass?snapi and go. Quenches the thirst?cooh j Delicious?Refreshing?W1 1 fl our intere*- THE COCA-COLA CO. Bjnj booklet. Atlanta, Ca. The Truth 53 About Coca-Colt" nent, with three entrances and red pei iteam heated; it will be furnished during vith heavy pews and adorned joyed 1 hroughout with beautiful art glass unsurp vindows. highly "I regret that I cannot furnish a Tis wl omplete list of the various pastors ence ^ ?ho have served the church since its d&y? rganization, with their respective impro\ erms of office. The following in- author omplete list may prove interesting latere o some: The Revs Pegues, Little, course, lemingway, Harmon, Chrietzberg, no* ^e: dcMillan, Nettles, Moon, Munnerlyn, Mr }odboldt, W W Jones, J W Murray, the N S Martin, Dove Tiller. Felix L j ^ iartin, James W Koger, Thomas ?*rge * Gilbert, E C. Price, Charles B Smith. the old 3 G Jones, B G Guess, John A Rice, ^ *s n< r S Mattison, W H Hodges, A N Branson, S D Vaughan, W B Dun- over ^ an, 0 A Darby, S P H Elwell, A B ed?e 0 Earle.W S Martin,Henry J Cauthen. do iV B Justus, J E Mahaffey and W A thusilu Fairy." lowing One of the most appropriate and ^^e* iltogether pleasing features of the ter' ^ lay's programme was the brief ad- ^ ^oat lre8s of Rev W P Meadon,presiding ner' 86 ilder of the Kingstree district of the urer; 1 >outh Carolina Methodist (inference, ^ ^pri* tfr Meadors said that the speaker son' vho preceded him told of the physi?1 building, and the making of character, all of which he endorsed, ^ev ^ >ut that he wished to call attention ^eor^ x> the greatest of all structures, Primar lamely, Christianity, of which Jesus 'ege cc Christ was the cornor-stone, yea, the p?ut^ ceystone of the arch. In well chosen m ^ec vords he told the old story of the charge ejection of the stone by the build- ^ frs.but declared that this stcne had tan^)Ur nnH was now the ihiefest in that great building?the ^ree Christian religion. "He was despised servin* ind rejected," said Mr Meadors, m 'but at last He has come into His >ome r iwn. May this church stand for the ProPer rlory of God and for the salvation of c'tjr; ^ nankind." ordina With the singing of the second ^ jj >de, the collection for the benefit of . njured workmen, and the benedic- , people ;ion by acting Chaplain W E Hurt, ^ ^ ;he crowd dispersed and the Masons y^, narched back to their hall, wher.ce, i few minutes later, they adjourned j jo the picnic ground. The dinner, Greens ;he feature of which was the now Chamb 'cmous pine bark fish stew,prepared own is only Caterer Epps can prepare it, 'ent* vas one of the most enjoyable events 5 or )f the day for the local and visiting case ol Masons. Over three hundred fine 5-4-1 X yt 5 I offer our entire | iness. Now is | half price. If I j our order, it | le as earlier in | .1 85 CENTS I se?in fact every- | NE 3 I ;| -? .1|^a| ^T3327?S ^3 rch.or flat fish,had been caught the night, and those who en:he palatable dish declare it assable. Mr Epps has been complimented on his skill, lispered that even the Flor [asons, who were here for the glared Mr Epps's recipe past ing?and Florence people are -ity an pine bark fish stew, r Epps was disappointed, of , because President Taft was re for the occasion. However, ^an of Taft, S C, was among itors. fstree Lodge,No 46,host o?the J ,'y,. fathering here today, is one of lest blue lodges in the State/ )t great in numbers, its mem> at present being something 4 fty, but in spirit and know!- < gpj f the craft, it stands high in main. The members are en* itic and ever faithful. Folis a list of the officers of the M H Jacobs, worshipful masP Kinder, senior warden; M i, junior warden; R N Speigcretary; J Wesley Cook,treas-, i W Fulton, senior deacon; T f lgs, junior deacon; S C Anderler. e a young man is the pastor Kingstree Methodist church, A Fairy. He was born at St i in May of 1872. After his y education he took his col>urse at Wofford, entering the Carolina Methodist conference ember of 1897. Among the ~ ^3 s he has held are the follownncan street church in Sparg; Magnolia street church of r; Richburg, Lancaster and years at Kingstree. While I the Lancaster charge he led ovement to build the handlew church that is now the ty of the Methodists of that , x Fairy is a man of more than ry business ability in addition 4 peculiar qualities that fit him for the position he holds; he prsallv nonular hprp. and the recognize the valuable service done the church and the city. s & Courier, Howell, a popular druggist of iburg, Ky, says, "We use lerlain's Cough Remedy in our i )usehold and know it is excel- y_ For sale by all dealers. ! 6 doses "666" will cure any J. ! Chills and Fever. Price, 25c. ;i