South Carolina by E. W. Webster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1905

South Carolina

By E. W. Webster

The sickness of some of the workers has hindered the work in Columbia for several weeks, but has not entirely stopped it. House-to-house work has been done, books and papers have been sold, and meetings held in a church furnished us free at Edgewood, a suburb of this city. Sunday morning and evening the Sabbath question was presented, and some interest was manifested. Some are deeply convicted, being convinced that we have the truth. While but few, so far, have begun to keep the Sabbath, we hope that others will do so soon.

Sister McHugh, our Bible worker whom the West Michigan Conference is supporting here, is gaining access to some of the best homes, with The Family Bible Teacher, and is holding Bible readings with some. A few with whom we are holding readings are much interested. The people are very cautious, and are generally much afraid of anything new in religion. But we find honest souls who are inquiring after truth, and though the work moves slowly, we expect to see it go with power at no distant day.

Several brethren and sisters in the North and West have answered our call for help, and have been sending reading matter to, and corresponding with, those whose names we have furnished; but we have many more names we wish could be used in this way. We can not furnish papers and tracts sufficient for the work here, and eternity alone will reveal the good our people can do in this way. We wish that scores of our people would write us for names. If any have clubs of our papers, or even single copies, that they are not now using, here is an opportunity to do much good with them, and if such have not the time to send the papers, and correspond with those whose names we could send, let them give the papers to some one who can and will do it. Let us not delay the great harvest, but let us hasten it by earnest work. Many a tear have we shed over the destitution of this field, and many prayers have ascended to God for help. Here is an opportunity that almost any one can improve with little effort, and while otherwise engaged at home.

Some have inquired about the openings for canvassers here. We now have but four canvassers actively engaged, and one other doing a little. We greatly rejoice at this little beginning, but our hearts are sad as we look upon the unentered fields already white to the harvest. All these canvassers are in two counties (and just a small portion of them is yet worked), while there are thirty-nine counties, with just as good territory as can be found in any Southern State, where there is not a worker. Here is room for scores of faithful canvassers. We are praying the Lord to place a burden for this work upon some of our young men and women. Please remember that in all South Carolina we have only two that I can now think of whom we can depend upon as recruits, and that not at present. Who will be impressed with this destitution, and write me to learn more about the openings for this work?

I have received inquiries concerning the climate, soil, and prospects for a farmer’s making a living here. I will answer but briefly here, inviting questions from any. The climate is delightful in winter, and is not, as many suppose, unendurable in summer, especially in the northern part of the State. There is some malaria in summer near the coast and in the marshes, but, though it may be a surprise to many, it is nevertheless a fact that South Carolina has one of the best and most even climates to be found in the United States. It is a health resort for many invalids, including consumptives. Its climate is recommended for such.

There was a snow and sleet this winter of two or three inches in the northern part near the mountains, “the worst storm for eleven years.” Droughts are almost unknown. On Christmas day doors and windows were open, and children were playing barefooted in the yards and streets; and for two weeks since the storm we have seen those unmistakable evidences of spring—barefoot boys and singing frogs.

Some of the soil is very poor, having been partly washed away through neglect, or worn out by improper cultivation. Planting cotton and corn, corn and cotton, year after year for generations on the same ground has drained it. At the same time it has been injured, burned out, by excessive use of chemical fertilizers. But there are good farms to be had at reasonable prices, which, with proper cultivation, would make good homes. What is needed is a little Northern thrift and experience. The people here recognize and welcome this. I will gladly furnish any information I can. Consecrated farmers can not help the work in any better way than by locating in South Carolina. Pray for the work here. Address me at 2117 Gervais St., Columbia, S. C.

E. W. WEBSTER.