(By Rev. I. E. Lowery)

There is a large colored Methodist Episcopal church about 25 miles from Columbia, bearing the local name of Smyrna. The Rev. J. W. White of Columbia is the present pastor of this church. He has studied at Claflin University, Allen University and Benedict College, and is an intelligent young man.

Sunday was a great day at this church. It was the closing day of their annual “big meeting,” which had been going on two weeks. Rev. White was assisted in his big meeting by Rev. B. F. Bradford of Camden. Rev. Bradford is pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Camden. I learned that the meetings, which were largely attended, were a decided success. Several young people were added to the church, and the collections were good. Though the crops in the section were poor during the past two years, yet the people seem to be doing well, and they handle some money.

The Smyrna church is located in Kershaw county, between Blaney and Lugoff. I. S. Leevy invited me to accompany him to Smyrna, and I accepted the invitation. At the close of the sermon, Leevy was introduced, and made a very introduced, and made a very introduced, and made a very interesting talk to the people. His talk combined business and religion. To be a people who will be honored and respected they must be honest and industrious. Those who are farmers, should stay on the farms and develop them. Those who have not got a home or a farm should try and get one. don’t waste your money with the traveling agent. Save it, and get a home and educate your children. The crowd was large, but well behaved, and they heard to the sermon and address patiently.