An Opportune Time for Spartanburg, S. C.
By R. T. Nash
SPARTANBURG is a thriving town of fifteen thousand inhabitants, situated in the foot-hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in South Carolina. It is an important railroad center. It was the first place in South Carolina to hear the third angel's message. The church there has a membership of forty. A portion of these are isolated Sabbath-keepers scattered throughout the State. Although poor in this world's goods, this church has been faithful in giving in response to every call for means to advance the cause of truth. Their place of meeting has been changed many times from one hall to another; and because of this, our work has been looked upon by many as transitory and of little value. This has retarded the work. The time has fully come when this condition must be changed. A church is needed, one that will rightly represent so great a message. We must not delay longer. The Southern Union Conference has recommended that we be permitted to make a call for one thousand dollars from our people to help the Spartanburg church to put up or purchase a suitable building for church purposes in that city. All that is now necessary is to state the situation, and I am sure many will want a share in the monument procured for the truth in this center of influence, and in this needy mission field where the work is just opening. We can now purchase the second Presbyterian church property very cheaply, if our friends will lend a helping hand. We can buy it for eight hundred dollars cash. We can get the cash from a brother at four and one half per cent interest, providing we can return one hundred dollars a month until all is paid. The members of our building committee have confidence in our brethren, and in the Lord to impress hearts to help us. We are procuring this property, believing the Lord will not forsake us in this important step. This church is a frame building about thirty by forty-eight feet, with an entry in front and belfry above. The first cost of the property was perhaps not less than two thousand dollars, and we think three hundred dollars in repairs will make it as valuable as it ever has been. Securing this church already built will save to the cause much time and considerable means. The Spartanburg church has donated in pledges and cash over three hundred dollars, and we have confidence that they will raise two hundred dollars more. They are taking hold nobly for so poor a church, and after lifting quite hard on the $150,000 fund. May the Lord add his blessing as they labor to this end. As the Lord has providentially opened the way for us to buy this church so cheaply, we need to call for only six hundred dollars, instead of one thousand dollars. This, with the five hundred we expect to raise in the Spartanburg church, will give us three hundred dollars for repairs. We can raise enough among the business men to buy the bell, organ, etc. Our recent trial for Sunday labor took place at the Spartanburg court-house. Since that time many are reading and inquiring for truth, and we all feel that we must have a suitable place from which to herald the last warning message in this city. The people here were never so ready to listen as now. Those desiring to help this worthy cause should send the money to Miss Elizabeth McHugh, Spartanburg, S. C., or to Mrs. R. T. Nash, Campobello, S. C., and it will be thankfully received, and placed where it will do good at once.