(BUa? ?Newspaper 3n jioith Carolina . " ' .."?fi.' ' ? EDGEFIELD, S. C., WEDNESDAY, JANA?RY 6, 1915 m. 42. JOHNSTON 'LETTER. Concert a Success. W. C. T. U. Observed Day of Prayer. U. D. C. Held Monthly _ , Meeting. Tbe concert that Swan given in ile school auditorium on Friday ?vening, which was participated in by local talent waa one of the most ^ .pleasing affairs ever held here. Cer tainly nothing has ever before been given here with such beautiful sur roundings. One was impressed with the handsome appearance of the brilliantly lighted building, and ?the .beauty of the auditorium was pleas ant to behold. The selection of the orchestra, the male quartette and the high school choral class, called forth great applause and were re peatedly encored, as also were the piano and vocal solo, and piano and vo?'al duets. There was a splendid audience and a good sum was real ised toward paying for theauiiti rium piano, which debt the school body has assumed. Before leaving the building a visit was made to the library, which within the past few days has been handsomely fur nished with mahogany reading ta bles ?hairs and another book case. Several inspiring pictures adorn the wall There is still a need though of more books. The matter of supplying the auditorium with the new style opera seat was presented dorins: the evening: and a project was put forward of each individual buying a chair, and six good can vassers were appoiuted to push the matter. An honor has come to one of Johnston's young men, Prof. Eric Ha*dy, now one of the faculty of Lexington college for women, in isBouri. He has been named dean of the faculty of Bessie Ti ft col lege, Fors.ythe., Miss Bej^^yr?- : * of reLai- J ?^ 1 a. ??aujuer II a* rt: LU ru eu froL* tue Baptist hospital, Colum bia, and we are glad to state that she is improving. Mr. John P. Bland of Vidalia, Ga., is spending* this week here with relatives. The W. C. T. LT. observed Jan uary 14, as a day of prayer for na tional constitutional prohibition this special day being appointed by the national W. C. T. U. The ser vices were held in the Baptist church, the Kev. Thacker making an inspiring address. 1 he other minsters of the town participated in the exercises and the music was furnished by the choirs of the churches. On Friday afternoon the month ly meeting of the \V. C. T.'TJ. was held with Mrs. O. D. Black. This meeting was the mother's meeting, and also in commemoration of Madam Willard's birthday. Mrs. P. B. Waters, Jr., led the meeting "and had a very interesting program arranged. A beautiful tribute was paid to he memory of Madam Willard end several members spoke feelingly of the influence of their mothers upoii their lives. Selections on the subject for the afternoon were read, by Mesdames W. J. Huiet, T. R. Denny, J. W. Marsh and Miss Zena Payne, each other member present reading a short paragraph containing a good point. "Mrs. James While gave current events, and also sang an appropri ate song. Mrs. Black pinned tho emblem of the organization, the white bow upoueach one, upon ar rival. Johnston was well represented in Columbia on Tuesday. An invitation to the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Crouch is al ways a guarantee of pleasant hours, and the afternoon party of last Thursday was no exception to this rule. Those present were the mem bers of the Kill Kare Klub and abont 15'guests and the time was delightfully spent in progressive games, and M?BS Maud Nickerson won the gift, a hand embroidered powderpuff. .While sweet music was being enjoyed a delightful re past was served. The honor guests were Mrs. Horace Wright of Georgetown-and Miss Ruth Smith of Tenille, Ga. Mrs. Crouch was assisted by Mrs. Earl Crouch in (Continued on Fifth Page.) Edgefield Visitors Honored. The society columns of Sunday's State contained the following no tices of delightful social functions given .in honor of Mrs. J. D. Hol stein and Mrs. R. A. Marsh: "Mrs. Fred G .. Swaffield compli mented her two house guests, Mrs. J. D. Holstein and Mrs. Robert Marsh of Edgefield, with a bridge party of four tables, Thursday af ternoon at her home on Barnwell street. Those playing were Mrs. John J. Cain, Mrs.. John Pripleau, Mrs. Moultrie Hutchinson, Mrs. Lewis Poa Jones, Mrs. Ralph De Lancey Izard, Mrs. Frank Potts., Mrs. William Watts Ball; Mrs. Da vid G. Ellison, Mrs. Frank G. Tompkins, Mrs. A. D. Barnes, Mrs. 8en Haile, dire. Albert R. Hey ward, Mrs. Robert Shand and Miss Helen Rion. Mrs. Barnes seoriog highest, >von a pretty picture and Mrs Hut chison, cutting the lucky card re ceived a lovely flowering plant. When cards were over a salad course was served." "Miss Alice Earle, division presi dent, U. D. C., honored Mrs. Hol stein, who is the second vice presi dent, with an enjoyable little bridge party of two tables Friday after noon at her home on Laurel street. To meet Mrs. Holstein were: Mrs. James G. Gibbes, Miss Mary Lyles, Mrs. Elizabeth Manson Wright, Mrs. Eugene C. McGregor, Mrs. FitzHugh Mcmaster, Mrs. S. T. Carter, Mrs. J. Hagood Sams and Miss Belle Williams. Mrs. McMas ter won the prize, a deck of cards, and Mrs. Holstein was preee?ted withia lovely bunch of pink carna tions*. Delicious refreshments were served in two courses after the I game." Cheatham-Morgan. where he and Mrs. Morgan both have a large circle of friends who wish them every happiness. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan had been engaged for some time and it was very generally understood among the families and friends that the marriage was to occur in the neat future, although none were apprised of their intention when on the evening of December 30, they quietly walked out to the parsonage and were married. The young couple are making their home with the groom's pa rents, Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Mor gan,. Sr., in Swainsboro, but will probably soon go to their own plan tation home.-Augusta Herald. Union M?eting. 1 he union meeting of the 2nd di vision of the Edgefield Baptist As sociation will meet with Mt. Zion church on 30-31st Jan. 1915 at ll a. m., devotional exercises by tbe pastor. After call of delegates re organization. SUBJECTS. ' I lit. The reflex influence of giv ing to missions? Walter Carpenter 1 and J. D. Hughey. 2nd. ls not the church in danger of becoming commercialized to the extent of relying more on the power of money or human methods, and ; plans, than upon God for the evan gelization of the world? G. W. Medlock and Rev. J. T. Littlejohn. 1 3rd. To what extent and who are ; responsible for the prosperity of a church in a community? George Wrifibt and H. L. Bunch. ' 4th. What are 6ome of the most potent means of christian develop ment? Martin Medlock, J. O. At kinson and W. J. Gaines. Sunday a. m., missionary sermon by Rev. ,J. T. Littlejohn. Alter noon services to be provided for. P. B*. Lanham. An Election Ordered. Hon. James A. Hoyt, the speaker of the House of Repr?sentatives, as provided by law; has ordered an election for Thursday January 28, to fill the vacancy caused in the House by the death of Hon. James P. DeLaughter. It was probably ordered at this time so as to enable the newly elected member to partici pate in tte deliberations of the present session of the legislature. Tribute to Mi Hon. JameB A. Hoyt, Speakei paya the lamented-JameB P., DeLai annal letter to the editor of The A( Mr. J. Jx Miras, Edgefield, S. C. Dear Mr. Mime:-Yonr telegi DeLaughter was received to-day, after announced the news .ia the vided for to attend the funeral. House adjourned. I regret exceedingly to learn feel that the House of Repr?sentai lina will miss his services very seri Will you kindly convey to his fa the fullest assurance of my respect Thanking you for telegra gards, I am, Columbia, January 15, 1915. "Hatji The Rain a Father?" lt must have been a rainy iseason when God found Job complaining of climatic conditions. In order to give him a gentle rebuke the Lord looked Job straight in the face and asked, "Hath the rain a father?" as though he were saying, "Can any thing come to pass without mv per mission?" Thia silenced Job for a little while at least. This pass?ge from Scripture is only a rain drop; but a cultured mind can easily de duce from it a great big and inter esting discourse on the eternal de crees ol God. But unless a man is such as many of us are, are grumb ling and pining away for ounny diys to throw away! The rain is no orphan! It bath a father! If it has none, then we are living in an or phaned world. Fate have mercy on us! for if the rain hath no father, there is no God. Weall have a genealogy; and if i we have not, we ought to have;one. Every person ought to know him self for five generations before he was born; and if he is afraid to go back that far, he ought to stop put- i ting on airs and fooling the people. I So the rain hath a genealogy. Its father is God; its gentle mother the | clouds of the heavens; its little sis-! ters and brothers are dew drops of ! the morning; it nurses at the bosom j of the skies; it is "sung to sleep by j the rolling storm," and it isl cradled*' in the winds: and like an angel, lights upon the earth to play j with rivulet and stream. Yes, the | rain hath a father! And if we were as obedient children as | is the rain child, we would not be grumbling and asking a whole lot of foolish questions. If God* were to answer some of them, we would almost die with fright. Suppose you a?k, why does it rain so much? Well let me suggest two answers which doubt less are faets. First, this earth PROPORTIONATELY has a crust on it not thicker than the skin of an apple; all beneath it is fire, trying! to escape, like a lion to devour its j prey. When it breaks loose it thun ders in an earthquake and burns in an a volcano. Now suppose the fa ther of the rain ?-ere to tell us that in order to keep this thin crust cool; in order to keep down earth quake; in order to prevent our mountains from taking fire; in or der to preserve our lives; in order to do all these thing", "I am send ing ray rain-child for your/ com fort and safety." Do you think we would grumble and murmer? Well, it is a scientific fact. The'rain hath a Father! But suppose that God whispers in your ears language like this: Hil have sent many rainy Sab baths to lock you up in your home by yourself, >n order that you might tibnk of your lost & condition." I have caused it to rain on the Sab bath to keep you from damning your soul on that day, as you have been doing lo these many years. It has rained to shut you up in .Your self and cause you to reflect. Should such be the case (we believe it is) would you doubt that the rain hath LY feLaueriiter p.of th? House of Representatives, tighter fclbeaotifol tribnte in a per il veniser. -?L * 'rn-.* .am an?S5unc"mg the death of Mr. and l^gr. Williams shortly there Hoaae, and a committee was pro As a further.mark of respect the of Mr.;jb?Laughter's death, and I :ives anWthe State of South Caro I the work now before us. ?. sincerest sympathy with and afl^etion for him. ph i nu Salle, and with best re Very ti JAS? A. HOYT. Jk -JTT-: a father* But s appose that all this weather^ ?B a solemn prophecy of things terrible that are coming to pass? . Here t sit in my study pleasantly engaged in literary work; living in a community where, during these rainy days, there ard many sad and depressed soule: and not a man calls to ask, l^hat shall4I do to find peace Wjth.God?" N?w?is this not a sad co*nnl*entary on the 'preachers of this age, or is it not a sad com mentary)oh the people, as a whole? God speaking lo us, : locking us up within ?H?^.walls of OUX-A^1*" sufficient for themselves and safely housed, if death should come to them? The rain has not only a fa ther, but it has a divine mission. It is sometimes the ohild of destruc tion; but it is more, often the child of blessing. Mindly the farmer com plains of the weather; the impatient merchant tires of the presence of the idle clerk; the laborer despairs of returning to his daily task; the housekeeper dreams of muddy feet. But all forget that the rain hath a father. And in9lead of using these golden moments for the improve ment of the mind and of the pre cious soul, singing, reading, pray ing, talking about things worth re' membering, they are wasted hours. | Fortunately for the world does not j consult us about rain and sunshine. ? Impossible to have, weathe. to suit i bald beads and bushy heads, farmer and merchant, lawyer and doctor, sick and wellp'old and young, bird and tish, singers and stumblers, ail at the same time. Only a fool tries to please everybody. If some of us could take a trip across the Atlan tic, or stand on Mont Blanc, or climb the Alps, or delve- m the depths of theology, it would not only enable us to realize that the rain hath a father, but that we our selves are comparatively nothing. This statement that the rain hath a father is intended to teach us that there is a special providence over ruling all the things that come to pass The good is set aside and made to sing a sweet psalm of praise to God's infinite mercy; the wicked ness in the world is set. aside and made to praise the awful, justice of God. No waste in nature; no waste in providence; no waste in r?demp tion; no waste in heaven or hell. The rain hath a father! God is either in the affairs of men or we live in a world of chance. If we are in a world of chance, we are all fatalists. If the ram hath a father, we are all subjects of a superintend ing Providence, who makes one rain drop to roll into the Atlantic and another to run into the Gulf of Mexico. The rain hath a father! Rain! Rain! To us it'may seem a rayatrery. But behind each drop is a God so great that the prophet says, "The clouds are the dust of his feet." When I was a boy, ob seivingit rain in the great ocean for days, I used to ignorantly ask, "Why does it rain on water?" Since then I have learned\ that if it does I Dining; Room Shower. N* '- ... .-.V.,' ' '? . ?' ? ' ... ..An. original reception will be held at the ^Baptist church on Frir day evening beginning at 8 o'clock, when the yonngmen of the Baraca class will arrange for a shower for the dimng-r?om and kitchen of the new church. To this reception ?very ra?mbero? the church is invited, arid the contributions have buen designated on each invitation, that the shower may fall intelligently npon these two important depart ments of the chnrch. When the shower is over the dining room and kitchen will have been well fur bished with all that is necessary in case of a union meeting, onassoria tion, or other meeting of that kind. In addition to these substantial and greatly needed gifts, a delight ful program of music and pleasant talks will make' the evening's enter tainment the more attractive. Re? freshments will b? served. The fol lowing is the program in detail and the committees: Program. Dr. J. S. Byrd, presiding. Chorus. Invocation, Rev. J. R. Walker. Welcome^ address, Prof. C. C.' Ross. . Organ selection, "Festal day," Mrs. J. R. Tompkins, r Vocal soloj, "The song the an gels sing," Miss Miriam Norris. Reading "New year thoughts,"" Miss Florence Miras. Male quartette, Messrs. H. M. Reynold, W. M. Earling, E. .E. Padgettt J. G. Holland:. Talk,'"Showers," A. 8. Tomp kins. Song, "A perfect day" Mrs. R. G. Shannonhons'e. - Tfiolin aoJo^^sa^ose^P?rker. .-- .. ?--i. limn-, ??m:.. SMKB^PSBP I Mrs. Mamie N. Tillman. Programme: Mrs. Mamie N. Tillman, Chairman, Mrs. J. L. Mims, Mrs. W. S. Oogburn. Refreshments: Mrs. C. E. May, Chairman, Mrs. N. M. Jones, Mrs. J. E. Hart, Mrs. J. W. Peak, Mrs. W. E. Lott. Serving: Miss Hortense Padgett, chairman, Miss Sophie Dobson, Miss Ruth Tompkins,Miss Pearl Padgett, Miss Virginia Addison, Miss Gladys Chappell. Reception: Mrs. E. J. Norris, Chairman, Airs. J. G. Holland, Mrs. J. B. Kennerly. Souvenirs: Miss Eliza Mims, Chairman, Miss Mirian Norris, Miss Natalie Padgett, Miss Justine H. Cantelou, Miss Anna Hollingsworth. Decorations: Airs. B. B. Jones, Chairman, Mrs. W. A. Byrd, Miss Marie Key, Miss Mae Tooipkius, Miss Annie Cantelou. Ushers: , W. D. Allen, A. S. Tompkins, Jr., W. S. Cogburn, L. T. May, R. H. Norris, W. C. Tomp kins. not rain enough, eyery fish in the sea would perish for the want of fresh irater to drink; and the wa ters of the ocean would be as the Dead sea in which is no living thing. Ah, I see it now! The rain hath a father! Some day when we get on the other side and have ceased to be little children on ?he shore of time, we will understand why the rain hath a father; why God sent so many clouds in our lives to wring from our eyes briny rain drops of deepest sorrow. God says to Job, I am interested in your life of trouble, though these troublas be the size of a rain drop. That is a happy man who ctn see God's hand in all things; that is a a miserable man who sees God in nothing. Whatever may be the wild notions of men respecting the Deity, thank God, ne abides the same yesterday and forever. That there is one supreme and absolute ly independent person in all this universe is a thing for which every thankful heart should sing praise. Let us take refuge in the thought that since even the rain hath a fa ther, God is all and in all things both great and small; take refuge in Him who said, 'Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me." E. C. B. I H?tt. J. P. DeLAUGHTER. Ed gefiel d Loses a Sterling Citi zen. His Value Felt in Both \ Private and Public Life. Col. James \Piehens DeLaughtef died'at his home in the Meriwether section Thursday night at 8 o'clock, the i announcement having caused orofound sorrow among bis friends here. His illnesses extended over a period of six months. Early last summer he began to ^sniffer from some form of stomachjpouble aod as he steadily grew ;4|[rse he was taken to the hospital in Augusta in December. An incision revealed that he had become the victim of cancer of the stomach. Since tha t time his life has gradually ebbed away. Throughout his illness .Col. DeLaughter was buoyant and hope ful, believing up to a short time ago that he would be .able to resume his seat in the house of representatives upon the convening of the general assembly. At the time of his death Col. De Laughter was in his 49tb year. He married Miss Lillie Hightower and their home has been blessed with four children. The eldest daughter is attending Winthop college.. In the death of Col. D?Laughter, stricken while in the zenith of a ase; ful, honorable caieer, Edgefreld county has sustained a distinct loss. His mugged honesty, generous na ture, uncompromising devotion.to. duty, whether as a private citizen or a public servant, cawed Col. De Laughter, to be. greatly esteemed throughout the-county; He has been a factor of inestima ble value in the* life of his commu nity, being one of the- most active members of ?he - Meriwether 'Agri ^?lk? ^LJ???^^S?L_ wa*? for a long solicitations of friends in all parts of the county in 1912, he announc ed his candidacy fer the house of representatives. The high place upon which he pitched his campaign, together xwith the outspoken and fearless manner in which he discussed the issues then before the public, caused the people to rally about himj the result being that notwithstanding fact that he resided in a remote corner of the county, he led the ticket, being elected on the first ballot over all competitors. In 1914 he was a candidate for re-election to the house and again headed the ticket, despite the fact that the illness which finally result ed in his death kept him from at tending several of the campaigns. Col. DeLaughter made a useful member of the genet al assembly and reflected honor upon Edgefield county. He never sought promi nence, a? many lawmakers are wont to do, yet his splendid poise and excellent judgment led many to seek his counsel, which was al ways given in a most gracious manner. The burial took place Saturday at noon at Sweetwater church.* A delegation from the House, consisting of Mr. Toole of Aiken,. Mr. Bowles of Greenwood, Mr. San ders of Sumter and Mr.'S. T. Wil liams of Edgefield, attended the funeral. Senator Nicholson also attended. Five Services. In behalf of myself and members I invite you to the following ser vices: 1.. Service of prayer for convic tion of sin and conversion, Thurs day night at 7:!"0. 2. Sermon on six words, Mill Chapel Saturday night at 7:30. 3. Sunday School, Sunday at 10:30. 4. Sermon at 11:30. 5. Picture sermon at 7:30. J. R. Walker. Writing in the Saturday Evening Post, Corra Harris says that one re sult of the European war will be that the women of Germany will come into their own. Our women are already dictators. When they say call at our store for anything in the line of high grade Fancy Groceries you better come. follett & Mitchell.