(Written for The State.)

Rev. J. S. Beasley.

Rev. J. S. Beasley, the presiding elder of the Columbia district, is closing his fourth and therefore last year in that responsible position. Some years ago he served four years on the Sumter district. His work for the other 28 years of his ministry has been 20 years on circuits and eight on stations.

While at Hock Hill station, the charge he served before the present one, besides looking after the regular work of the pastor of a large congregation, he succeeded in raising a debt of several thousand dollars which was upon the church when he was sent there. The same has been done in his present charge. The district parsonage has been freed from debt by his quiet, but faithful effort.

“In labors abundant he serves his God and his church, and may he long be spared to his loved employ,” says a friend.

Edward Ehrilch.

Mr. Edward Ehrlich, chairman of the entertainment committee, for years has served Washington Street church as steward and chairman of the board. He has insisted of late on being left out of the chairmanship of the board.

He serves the church most efficiently also on the board of managers of the Epworth orphanage, of which board he is now chairman, since the death of Dr. A. J. Stokes. Not only so, but also as a member of the board of trustees of the Columbia college Mr. Ehrlich is doing a splendid work. When the visiting brethren attend the reception at the college Thursday evenIng of conference, let them observe how Edward Ehrlich does things. He has been sent to the general conference as a delegate from South Carolina conference.

Rev. E. A. Wayne

The secretary of the committee on entertainment is also an applicant for admission on trial into the conference. He is a native of Charleston. Coming to Columbia he secured a position in the law office of Walter S. Montieth. While in this office he pursued studies at the South Carolina college and also took a course in law. He was admitted to the bar some six or eight years ago and has been in the law office of J. S. Muller, his most efficient clerk and helper. He was reared in the Episcopal church, but joined the Methodist church, after com ing to Columbia, in old Marion Street church. During the year 1904 he decided it was his duty to preach, and was licensed at the district conference of 1905.

At the same time he felt the need of better preparation for the work, and so arranged to keep his position in the law office and pursue his studies in the Presbyterian Theological seminary of this city. He then spent a session and a part in this preparation. But the practical part of his preparation for work in conference has been attained by his very active and efficient work in his church on Main street. His fellow members will miss him in all departments of the church work.

Rev. J. Walter Daniel, D. D.

J. Walter Daniel, son of James Wright and Eliza Anderson Daniel was born in Laurens county, South Carolina. His early life was spent in the rugged picturesque Piedmont belt. The environments and circumstances of his youth have been reflected in his life work. The books which have come from his able pen are colored with the scenes and impressions of childhood. He attended the rural schools of his district, and afterwards went to Newberry college, graduated at the institution in 1879. Just 26 years ago he entered the South Carolina conference, into other paths where he might have won distinction he resolutely declined to go, concentrating his large and various gifts on the one office of preaching. His has been a vast and varied experience. He has served his church in every capacity – as a circuit preacher, station preacher and delegate to the general conference.

It is needles to multiply words as to Dr. Daniel’s ability as a preacher. All Join in as one in pronouncing him a profound Bible scholar, a messenger of the living God. He has the courage of his convictions, and what he conceives to be the path of truth he will pursue though a lion lurks in the shadow of every tree. Not given to rashness, however, he never speaks without premeditation. Through his discourses one learns that here is a man widely read in literature, a lover of art, familiar with the masterpieces of the poet and painter. His field of research is not narrow or restricted. His sermons sparkle with illustrations and metaphors culled from wide range of research and study. Dr. Daniel is first, last and all the time a scholar.

Unlike many ministers, Dr. Daniel is not only known as a preacher, but as an author and lecturer as well. His books, “Out from Under Caesar’s Frown,” “The Girl in Checks,” and “A Maid of the Foothills,” have a large circulation. All of his works portray the fact that he is a deep student of human nature. As a lecturer he is in constant demand. It is in this capacIty that his rich humor and native wit are manifested.

In recognition of his ability and in token of appreciation of his valuable service, the South Carolina conference has sent him as a delegate to the general conference three times. He has served on some of the most important committees of that august body.