Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE DtUGiSAN COUNCIL. LARGER MMRIilt OF PMtlSIIES R F. P RESENT KI > THAN FOR V F.ARS. Hundredth \nnlvcr?ary of Advsw o mciu Soetct> Celebrated?Sermon H\ Bishop Uuerrj?HumIih-hs Ses? sion 0|M'ti<*-?Committee Re|>orts K?n . ivod. ? From The Dally Item. May 3. The Annual Council of the Kplsco pal Church of South Carolina, which convened In the Church of the Holy Comforter at 10 o'clock thin morning, la decided I y the most representative that has met In the diocese In many ^ years. A grestsr number of parishes have representatives present than at any Count II In the last twenty years and It Is expected that other delegates will arrive this afternoon. The roll call of delegates showed that there were thlrty-slx of the clergy present and about eighty lay-delegates, rep? resenting thirty-nine parishes and organised missions. The day's exerclies were opened with special services commemorative of the hundredth anniversary of the Advancement Society. Bishop Guerry f preaching the sermon by special re? quest of the officers of the society. The business session was called to order by Bishop Ouerry' immediately following this service, which was concluded with the Holy Communion. After the roll csll the following I committees were appointed: Credentials?On the Clergy. Rev. Robert Wilson. Rev. Ambler, Rev. T. T. Wslsh. On the Lay-Delegates: C. 8. Oadsden, Robert Jenkins, H. M. Ay er. Rev. Albert S. Thomas, the efne U lent secretary of the Council, was W nominated for re-election and was uanlmous'.y the choice of the body, the rules being suspended and the Bllhop directed to cast the vote of the Council for him. Rev. W. S. Holnus whs appointed assistant ggf" Aetary. Mr William Godfrey, of Cheraw, who was elected treasurer last year, was re-elected by a unanimous vote for the ensuing year. Bishop Guerry announced the ap? pointment of the following commit | tsee: On Admission of New Parishes Rev. A. R. Mitchell, E. M. Wells. Dr. F. U. Dwlght. Constitution and Canons?Rev. John Kershaw. D D., Re\. H. H. Cov ington. Rev. P. H. Wha.ey, Robt. W. aShand. Walter Hasard. " State of the Church--Rev. C. W Boyd. Rev. K. O. Finley, Rev. Wal? ter Mitchell. W. S. Manning. H. M. Dibble. Flnai.ce?R. Manning. H P. Du vall. A. W. Smith hm Boy, h. Ti < "o\ in it on, rector of the ^? hurch of the He,y Comforter, In a brief and cordial address welcomed the members of Council to Sumter and to this Parish, , and expressed the hope that all present would find as much pleasure In being hero as the fcpeople of th- tigregatlon und of Humtor experience In having the Council meet In this city as the guests of the congregation and of tho com? munity. Bishop Guerry In his response said that he felt that he voiced the senti? ment of th<* entire body when he said F that all appreciated the cordial wel? come extended the Council and that they were all glad to he In Sumter, a town that occupied the enviable posi? tion of helng claimed by both the up-country and the low-country? both sections seeming to believe that Sumter belorgs to them. When one *" Is In the low-country Sumter Is class? ed es a low-country town, and In the up-country It Is said that Sumter Is a part of the up-country. It remains to be seen to which section Sumter will finally be assigned, but In any k event, either the low or the up-coun? try will be satisfied to claim Scmter as It's own. While waiting for the report from the credential committee the follow? ing commltte. reports were receiv? ed: ^ Bageel sg the st andlng Committee, made bv Rev. W. B. Gordon. Report of the Trustees of the Dio? cese, mads by W. S. Manning. Report of the Trustees of the Bish? op's Fund, mado by Rev. John Ker? shaw. This report showed that dur ^ Ing the year about forty thousand ' dollars had been reinvested and tills amount Is now drawing Interest at from mIx to seven percent, the ?r? it er part at ?fi n, where heretofore It has been Beert eg only four and 00)0? half to five per cent. kj The annual report of tho tri asur r er, Winten dearie/, e it outdo, Thh report showed that the laaaees of th?? D an- In a satit ? lory con? dition ami that erectleetly aM eossee* meats h?re been paid by the vartoei parishes, 111 Indebtedness and rhsrges on the dloeeee have been dis? charged gad there remains in the ?*haads of tie tr> u irer ? bale ace ol ? ages' lefaete proporttoea ? ?n m??tlon It \\iih d?c!ded to r? ?nlt all arrearrag^s of St. Mark'??. CharlOO* t?n The report of the Registrar, Mr. Jos. I. Waring was made and receiv? ed. Rev, Ale* Mit*, hell presented the report of the Committee on the Bpia OOpal RsaldencSi and on motion the r? .-no nuulation that the annual col 1' tlon for this fund he continued v. as adopted. Tiic question was ask . !. if the dlorese is divided will this fund he divided? and was answered ir the atfirmativo, and there was no dissenting vote on the motion. Bishop Quarry announced that Rev. w. fi. k. Pendleton, of Bpartan hurg, had been appointed to preach the sermon at the next meeting of Council. It was annocneed that the morning session would adjourn for dinner at 2 o'clock, that the afternoon session would he held from 4 to 6, and the evening session would open at 8 o'clock. There will be no afternoon session today, the delegates being Invited to attend a reception given In their hon? or by the Guild at Mr. R. D. Lee's resilience from 5 to 6 o'clock. Tonight at 8 o'clock the Laymen's meeting will be held, followed by the annual meeting of the Advancement Society at 9:30 o'clock. From The Daily Item, May 4. The Council convened at 10 o'clock today, and after the usual devotion? al exercises the first business of im? portance was the Bishop's annual ad? dress. It was an Interesting and comprehensive review of the year's work, a summery of the progress and development of the Church's activi? ties In all sections of the State, steady growth along all lines of endeavor being noted. The references to the Laymen's Movement and the relig? ious awakening that it indicates in the most forcible and gratifying man? ner were especially Impressive. The concluding portion of the address epitomized the Bishop's views on the Important question of Church unity. This deliverance so Impressed the Council that a resolution was adopt? ed directing that this section of the address be printed In pamphlet form for general distribution. Rev. John Kershaw, D. D., report? ed for the committee on constitution and canons recommendations that Section 2. Art., III, and Section 1, Art. VII be amended in minor partic? ulars so as to simplify the manner of voting by orders and clearing up a doubt as to who have the right to a seat, voice and a vote In the Coun? cil. The recommendations were adopted. Mr. H. P. Duvall made a report recommending the adoption of a n< v canon?canon 21?providing for the appointment of a finance committee for th> di.se and practically reor? ganizing the financial system of the diocese. This report was signed by the committee on constitulton a nd canons. It was referred to the com? mittee, the Bishop requesting an Im? mediate report so that it can he act? ed upon at this meeting. lie stated that he regarded the recommend itlon of the highest importance and calcu? lated to be of the utmost good to the Church. Rev. A. R. Mitchell, of the com? mittee on new parishes reported that St. John's church," Charleston, and St. Andrews'. Greenville, should be admitted. Report adopted. On motion it was decided to take up the report of the committee on division as the special order at this ige of the proceedings. The report was made by the chairman, Rev. W. ]: Gordon. It was as follows: Report of Committee on Division of Diocese. To the 120th Annual Council: Brethren! Your committee ap? pointed at the last Council, under th? resolution on page 28 of the Journal, as to the division of the Diocese, met immediately after the adjournment of the Council, completed its organ? ization by the election of Mr. P. T. Tlnyne as Secret'iry. and appointed two suh-commlttees. The one to takt> Into Consideration the legal and canonical aspects of the question; the other tie- financial and geograph? ic al. In- hiding the line of division. At the meeeting held in November, the former BUb-COmmlUs reported that they found no legal or canonical difficulties in the way of division, and that thay were prepared t.> furnish nil tlie documents necessary in case the matter of division was to be pre sented fto the next General Conven? tion, The latter sub-corn mittee re p ?rted that they had worked on the subjects given themi but were not ready la make a complete report, They ask ? l for and were granted more time. AI this meeting we heard ? f a rumor that the Bishop was op? posed P? the division of the Diocese, whereupon I addressed n commun Ltlon tO him on tin- subject, and re? ceived from him ? reply dated Nov, i d. i ????:?. from which I quote the following: '?With the general policy of tie amerl< en Church in tic matt< r ol i small illocesi i I am in hearty ac? cord. Hut before I can approve oi the division of Ihc Diocese of Bouth Carolina? 1 must be satisfied thai It li for tie- l-evt Interest of the Diocese before i can conscientiously do so." Than tic teyi he must be convinc? ed that there will he suitaide pmvi lion made for the support of the Episcopate and for the mission work of the two Dioceses and that In order to do this we ought to have an ad lltlonal endowment of at least $40, 000, This letter was read to your committee at the meeting held on the :'.Uth of March, all the members being present except Dr. Kershaw .iii.i Mr. A. M. Lee, und the following report was made by the sub-eommit tee on the financial and geographical aepe< t* of the question. ? W e recommend that the following geographical lines he followed: Make the following counties the boundary line: Edgeheld, Lexington, Rlohland, Sumter Lee, Darlington and Chesterfield, each of which will he in the Upper Division. "BolOW will he found the approxi? mate strength of the Church in each Diocese, also the area In square miles and white population of each: Upper. Lower. No. of Parishes. .. 26 33 Organized Missions 10 13 Unorganized 13 6 Families. 1312 1739 Communicants. . . 3181 4619 Total No. of Souls. 5302 7398 White population 356,367 201,498 Square miles .. .. 15,314 15,256 1 t'he current expenses of the Dio cse, the basis on which assessments for the Bishop's salary, and Council dues are made, is, in round numbers, $55,000?$21,000 Upper, and $34,000 in Lower. (Of the above $2,000 in Upper is current expenses of Mis? sions, and in Lower ditto; these pay veyr little on assessments.) Our present expenses are as fol? lows: Bishop's salary.$ 4,000 Council expenses, average about. 1,000 Diocesan Board of Missions . . 8,000 $13,000 The above is paid as follows: Interest on Episcopal fund, Advancement Society, Bishop's salary. 2,500 Received from Specials for Board Missions. 3,000 Assessment on Parishes for Board Missions. 5,000 Assessment on Parishes for Bishop's salary. 1,500 Assessment on Parishes for Council Dues. 1,000 $13,000 Total assessment on Parishes $7, 500, 14 per cent, on current expenses or $1.00 per communicant. 1. If the Diocese should be divid? ed on the lines proposed, and the present ratio of expenses continued, it would show as follows: Bishop's salary.$4,000 Council Dues. 750 Diocesan Board of Missions.. 4,000 $8,750 Paid as follows: interest on Episcopal Fund.. $1,750 Specials for Missions. 1,500 Assessment Blehop's Fund... l'.-.'.o Assessment Council Dues.. .. 750 Assessment Board Missions. . 2,500 $8,750 Or 25 per cent, of $21,0U0 on esti? mated current expenses in Upper and 15 1-2 per ?aoit. of $34,00m on <jti mated expenses In Lower, or onj f.nd 70-100 dollars per communicant in the Upper and one 1-4 dollars per r mmunlcant in the L"?w."?r Of course ther must be an equal division of all church funds, either a division of the securities or where that cannot be done an equal division of all interest accruing on such funds, and a re-Investment of funds now held in trust by the Advancement So? ciety, If it can be accomplished with? in the law, and so as to materially add to the available funds of the so? ciety. The expenses of the Diocese can probably be reduced and Its In? come Increased, but the suggestions on this line we leave for later action, and simply will try and lay before you the facts as we find them. After a full and free discussion of the Bishop's letter and the sub-com? mittee's report the following resolu? tions were unanimously adopted and tho chairman directed to report them to this Council, and to give the rea? sons for their adoption. These reso? lutions were submitted to the absent members of the committee, Dr, Ker? shaw and Mr. Lee, the former wrote no-, 'in tin- circumstances l do not care to make a minority report, be ause l shall not object to division w hi n we are prepared for it, which we shall probably be in three years from now." From Mr. bee 1 have ted heard, Mut you win remember that at the last Council be was in favor of division, ii was he who wrot< tho resolutions under which the committee wns appointed, Respectfuly submitted for the . can mlttee, W. I '? OORDON, < 'halrman. Itetfoliul i nlTcrcd hj lti?v, \. II, Mitchell. 1st. That in the opinion of this ('ommltb .? it i. de ir ible and ad\! ai. ?? p. dh Ide i he I doceso. Id Thai such ;> Division should be elf. ?od ai the Oeneral Convention in lilS. 3rd, That this Committee recom? mend that a Special Committee be appointed by the Council which shall >c charged with the duty of devising ?Inns und raising such funds as may be necessary therefor and that said Committee he instructed to re? port at the Annual Meeting of Coun? cil in 1911, to the end that proper irrangementfl may he made for pre? senting the proposition for such Di? vision to the General Convention of 1913 for its approval. 4th That this Committee recom? mend that the line of Division should be as follows: In the Upper District. Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Edgefield, Falrfield, Greenwood, Greenville, Ker^haw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, New berry, Oconee, Piekens, Rlchland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, York. 24 counties. In Lower District. Alken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Marion, Marlborough, Orangeburg, Williamsburg, Calhoun, Clarendon, 18 counties. The report was received as Inform? ation and ordered spread on the min? utes. Mr. Gordon then moved the adoption of the first section of the above resolution which, if adopted, would commit the Council to the divi? sion, but leaves the details to be worked out later. Mr. Gordon made a lengthy and forcible argument In favor of the resolution. He said that the work was too great for one man to do and that it Is for the interest of the Church and for all concerned that the diocese be divided. The State of South Carolina was large enough and the Church in the State is strong enough to support two bishops, and if the churchmen of this day would emulate the liberality and spirit of their forefathers the funds needed for the support of the two pro? posed dioceses would be raised with? out the least trouble. In fact, he said the Church of today is supported by the generosity of our ancestors, and if we would but do what we should toward the support of the Church we would take care of one bishop, while the money left for that purpose by our more generous and devoted ancestors would take care of the other. At the conclusion of Mr. Gordon's remarks Bishop Guerry stated that he would not oppose the division if it was decided that It is for the best in? terest of the Church, but that he was firmly of the opinion that if the divi? sion is decided upon It should he by a large and decided majority, a mat? ter of so great importance, present and future, should not he decided by a bare majority. He was also of the opinion that any and all assessments to bo levied under the proposed new order should first be submitted to the several parishes and referred back to Council before being levied. This was merely by way of suggestion. Mr. J. F. Caldwell spoke against division, favoring instead the election of a bishop co-adjutor, if the work is too heavy for the bishop. Rev. O. T. Porcher, of Greenwood made a strong and earnest plea in favor of the division, citing the fact that the early Church grew and spread over the known world within three hun? dred years under a system of small dioceses where each bishop was in close touch with his people. Rev. John Kershaw, D. D., said he was not opposed to the division on principle, but thought the time not ripe for a division, and that but for the act that the majority of the committee had not recommended im? mediate division, he would have made a minority report. He saw no neces? sity at this time or the division, that the Bishop has been able to visit all the parishes within nine months and do all his other work, and that he did not think It necessary or desira? ble for the bishop to exercise the close and critical supervision of the clergy that some had advocated. Mr. E. K, Marshall, of Charleston, Rev. C. Yv*. Boyd, of Hock Hill, also spoke in opposition to the resolution. Mr. Boyd making a particularly strong ami logical anil practical speech. Rev. T. T, Walsh, of York vllle, the last speaker before tin- ad jotirnameni for dinner supported the i ? Solution. The del.ate will continue this af? ternoon and a vote may not be reach? ed until tomorrow. The Vigil t Session. Last nighl tin- session was given up t.? the l^aymen's Movement, fol? lowed by the annual meeting of the Advancement Society and the elec? tion of the officers of thai organisa? tion. The Laymen's meeting was openet with Introductory address by th> lilshop who briefly outlined the pur poses of tin- meeting. Mr. R. I. Man nlng, the first speaker, presented th^ resolution adopted by the Laymen's meeting, held in Columbia, in Jan? uary, recommending the division of the ESaster offering between home missions and the evangelization work among the negroes of the State. Mr Manning, Mr. Walter Hazard and Mr. John P. Thomas, were called cn by the Bishop to address the meeting. All made earnest talks in advocacy of the Laymen's Movement and the work among the negroes of our own State. The other speakers during the general discussion that followed were Rev. W. H. Barnwell, Rev. R. C Je? ter, E. K. Marshall and other.?. The meeting of the Advancement Society was without special 'ntercst. The usual reports of officers were made. The treasurer's report showed that about forty thousand dollars of the fund had been reinvested during the past year, securities bearing four to four and one-half per cent, having been sold and the funds re-invested in first mortagage on real estate bear? ing interest at six to seven per cent. The election of officers resulted ns follows: Vice President, Rev. John Ker shaw; corresponding secretary, H. P. Archer: recording secretary, J. T. Waring. Trustees: Rev. W. B. Gordon, Rev. H. H. Covlngton, Rev. A. R. Mitchell, Rev. William Way, Rev. L. G. Wood. Mr. Thomas Pinckney, Mr. H. P. Du vail, Mr. Walter, Hazard, Mr. R. I. Manning, Mr. J. P. Thomas, Mr W. C. Bissell, Mr. A. W Smith, Mr H. M. Ayer, Mr. H. M. Dibble, Mr. H. A. Ligon. Reception by the Gu!id. Yesterday afternoon from five un? til six o'clock, the church guild ten? dered a reception at the residence of Col. and Mrs. R. D. Lee on Warren street, complimentary to the dele? gates attending the Council. Nearly all of the delegates to the Coun?'.l were present, and enjoyed a very pleasant hour with the ladies of the city. During the reception fruit punch and light refreshments were served. The entertainment wa3 a very delightful one. AVANT IS DOWNHEARTED. Georgetown Man Preparing to Serve Sentence. Georgetown, May 3.?W. B. Avant, who together with his friend, Dr. G. C. Bigham, were convicted here at the last fall term of court for the killing of Mrs. Ruth Crisp Bigham, near Murrel's Inlet, last summer was In the city yesterday. Avant seemed somewhat down? hearted and surprised at the opinion of the Supreme Court, though he had nothing further to say. He is now and has been since being out on bail, residing at Andrews, about 12 miles from here, but it is supposed that he was in the city yesterday arranging his affairs preparatory to beginning his sentence of three and one-half years in the penitentiary. LAW EXAMIN \XTION ?T7NE 1. Applicants for Admission to A?>pcar On That Date. Columbia. May 3.?The announce? ment was made today that the law examination will be held on June 1. The examination will probably last June 1 and 2. It was announced some time ago that the first examin? ation by the new board of law exam? iners would be held May 6, hut this was changed at yesterday's meeting of the board. The correct date is June 1. It was generally understood yesterday that the date named was June 3, but this was incorrect. Put your best foot fjremost.?Con greve. Indiana doesn't look so Tomtag garty as it did. As much of Heaven is visible as we have eyes to see.?William Winter. Zc lava blames Knox for deposing him?which is very gratifying to Knox. Perhaps the Gifford Pinchot tree contains Presidential timber. Equally perhaps not?New York Mail. The first straw hat never before, perhaps, had quite such a hard time finding a spring opening.?Washing? ton Herald. M iyor Gaynor, of New York, seems i" have the courage of his after-din? ner speech convictions. The government of Iha people be? gins to loom up largely upon the po? litical horizon, while the old order ol control! by th ? Interests i.- giving c\ i denee of passing.- Indianapolis Sun. The comet is l.i'.^?".."??!?? miles long. And therehj bunas a tall ?Now York Mail. T. R, got more applause In Brussels than the King, Pooh! What's a mer< King? A QUEER PROFESSION. Man With C ontract For Five Tons of Rattlesnakes. Rattlesnake Bill, with orders in his pocket for five tons of diamond-back rattlesnakes, has gone to South Da? kota as the one best place on earth where 10,000 pounds of live rattlers can be secured, and as soon as the warm spring sun brings the snakes from their winter homes Bill will be? gin the harvest. Rattlesnake Bill is a professional snake hunter. It's not a matter of sentiment, nor pride, nor revenge that causes him to risk his life 1,000 times every day. It is simply a business matter. Bill fi.ids it easier to make money by facinf a terrible death every minute of his life than by working. Therefore, he turned snake-hunter, and now has the distinction of handling more live rattlers than any other man in the world. Five tons of rattlesnakes? not dead ones, but every one alive and virile, ready, anxious and spoil? ing for trouble. >'h*se are the kind that Rattlesnake Bill goes after. Bill has his eye on the famous Rat? tlesnake canyon of the Grand River, some twenty-five miles west of Pierre, and here it is that he expects to pass the entire summer catching rattlesnakes for dealers in different parts of the country. Rattlesnake canyon is so full of snakes that no man ever goes near it. The canyon Is a deep slash in the limestone hills, through which the Grand River makes it way. When the hot sun shines Into the gorge the snakes crawl from their holes and coil them? selves together In great balls on the floor of the canyon. Hardy hunters who have made their way to the brink of the chasm say there are tens of thousands of rattlesnakes there?say that the ground is liter? ally alive with snakes. "What does a fellow want with five tons of live rattlers?" was asked the unique character. "I want them to sell to the side shows and other at? tractions of that nature," was the re? ply. They are in great demand?the rattlesnake market Is never glutted. They are very delicate and usually live only a few weeks after they are captured, if their fangs are removed, as they usually are. How do we re moove the fangs? Well, we force about six inches of broom handle down a snake's throat. That opens its mouth, and of course, prevents it closing it. Then, with a pair of pliers we simply pull out the fangs. There are never enough rattlesnakes to sup? ply the demand, and they can always be sold at a good prjee. Almost any big- snake dealer will contract for all the snakes one can catch." When Bill goes int6 a den of rat? tlesnakes he is dressed in a suit of heavy leather over a suit of corduroy. On his feet he wears felt boots drawn over a pair of ordinary heavy boots. Two pairs of thick gloves, a fur cap and with a cape which covers his shoulders and breast and protects his entire face, and a pair of goggles for the eyes complete his armor. Dress? ed in this manner, he may with im? punity step right into a bunch of rat? tlesnakes, confident that not a single fang can reach him. At such times he carries a five-foot forked stick with a wire noose attachment. With this fork he pins a snake to the floor and the noose, which slips over the reptile's head, chokes it into submis? sion. The snake is then transferred to a basket and later to a specially constructed wagon, which he keeps near. When the day's catch is finish? ed and the wagon driven to a safer place the snakes are defanged.?Chi? cago?Record-Herald. Took a Standing Joke. Trains were always slow and far between on the branch road. No? body knew this better than the peo? ple at the junction?except perhaps those on the branch itself. It was an old story to tnem, and the jokes about the situation were many and good. One day the newsdealer at the junction station came home to lunch, grinning broadly to himself. "What's the joke?" asked his wife. "You look pretty well pleased with yourself. "Oh, nothing particular." lie re? plied, "excepting an odd fellow from the end o the line said a funny tiling. "He'd missed his train, and there wasn't another for two hour^ He came to the counter to buy some reading matter. He asked tor a Joke book, and 1 sud I didn't keep them. Then he pawed over Hie stock, and finally said: "Well, I guess I'd take a time table instead."?YouthV- >Com? panion. Surveying the insurging public with a steady eye, the hide-bound stand pi tter merely turns to remark. "It's a poor fool that c an't be worked both ways."?St. Louis Post-Dispatch. So doubt the Weather Bureau was very much surprised to learn about the April blisaard In the West. The divine last touch In perfecting beauty is animation.?Wallace.