USA > North Carolina > A history of the development of the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina, and of the Synodical home missions, together with evangelistic addresses by James I. Vance and others > Part 2
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The synod was now fully organized, composed of the three Presbyteries of Orange, Concord and Fayetteville, and its territory embraced all of North Carolina and small portions of South Carolina and Virginia.
The Presbytery of Concord was now the largest in membership, while the Presbytery of Orange was the largest in territory, stretching from the Yadkin river to the Atlantic Ocean. The three Presbyteries in whole consisted at this time of 31 ministers, 85 churches and about 4,000 communicants.
For a long time after the organization of the synod the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina seems to have
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been, in a large measure, "at ease in Zion," and yet some noble advances were made. From 1812 to 1861 embraced a period of national peace and great material prosperity, and the institution of slavery was at its flood-tide. The institution of slavery was not near so profitable in North Carolina as it was in some other States, and the mere fact that a man owned slaves by no means rendered it unne- cessary for him to labor with his own hands, for indeed the master, in many respects, was often a harder toiler than any of his slaves; and yet slavery of itself was doubtless the occasion of much indolence among the people, and tended to foster a spirit of indifference to personal energy, and to high mental and moral attain- ments among the masses of the people. It is true that the church grew in those days, but it was more from the force of circumstances than from the energetic and syste- inatic use of the abundant means at hand. There were many gracious revivals of religion throughout the coun- try, and a great deal of attention was given in Christian homes to the religious training of the negroes, but there seems not to have been any general religious awakening from the time of the great revival in 1800-'3, until twenty or thirty years afterwards. New Presbyteries were formed, only soon afterwards to be dissolved.
In 1824 the synod set off from Concord the Presbytery of Bethel, lying chiefly in York and Chester counties, South Carolina; and at the same time the Presbytery of Mecklenburg was first formed, which was also dissolved in 1827. The Presbyteries of Roanoke and Morganton were formed in 1835, embracing practically the same ter- ritory now occupied by Albemarle and Asheville pres- byteries, and they were dissolved in 1840.
Many noble opportunities for the expansion, develop- ment and growth of the Presbyterian Church were neg-
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lected and lost, and other denominations came in and- -- possessed much of the land which naturally and rightfully belonged to the Presbyterians.
In the early years of the synod, at the annual meetings, much of the time was consumed in discussing questions of law and order, and matters pertaining to the general interest of the church at large, rather than to the press- ing interests of the church at home, and in looking to evangelization of the vast unoccupied territory. The southern professorship at Princeton College was an object and a theme much discussed, and large sums of money were raised in the synod for its endowment and support, but there was no systematic plan of giving or of collecting money for the benevolent causes of the church, and scarcely any thing was done for home and foreign missions.
In 1823 the following resolution was adopted :
" Whereas the cultivation of missionary fields does afford a most important aid to the cause of missions, and, whereas, such fields might be conveniently cultivated within our bounds, either by individuals or congregations collectively : therefore
"Resolved, That the members of this synod use special efforts with the churches under their care, to promote this laudable object."
The cause of "Domestic Missions" was freely dis- cussed in the " Free Conversation," after the plan adopted by the Synod of the Carolinas, and a synopsis of which was published and placed on record, and various mem- bers of the synod were appointed as temporary supplies and to do missionary work. About this time and long afterwards, aside from the faithful preaching of the Word-and the Word was faithfully preached by a noble set of men-there were no settled plans for overtaking
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the vast destitutions in the synod. Each Presbytery was expected to do the best it could in looking after its own unoccupied territory, it now being held more and more by many of the brethren that the synod as a body could do nothing, beyond a strict interpretation of the law of "review and control." The annual meetings of the synod were greatly enjoyed socially by those who could attend, but the attendance was usually small, and in 1823 an annual collection was ordered to defray the expenses of the representatives, and a very strong resolution was adopted enjoining attendance. The business of the synod, aside from the discussion of questions of general interest to the church and matters pertaining to the welfare of societies and institutions of learning, was largely routine.
In 1825 the Union Theological Seminary in Virginia began to be discussed, and the synod entered heartily into co-operation with the Virginia brethren for the formation and welfare of this school of the prophets, and it has nobly stood by the Seminary until this day.
In 1835 Davidson College began to engage the earnest attention of the synod, and it has never ceased to be an object and a theme of deep and increasing interest, and to-day the interest still abides, and the college stands as a monument to the everlasting honor, praise and wisdom of our fathers, and is the pride and joy of all Presby- terians.
In those days these institutions of learning especially consumed much of the time and attention of the synod, while the extension and development of the church, espe- cially in the destitute regions of the State, did not receive that attention, and were not urged to that extent that might have been supposed. But the foundations of great things in the future were being laid, and the building of these foundations were in safe hands, building slowly but surely.
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In 1832 a very careful though not complete record of statistics is given, and this record shows 64 ministers, 127 churches, 832 baptisms, 29 Sunday-schools, with more than 1,000 scholars, and the number of communicants was perhaps about 8,000. This shows a gain of 33 min- isters, 42 churches, and the membership about doubled in about twenty years. The reports for this year of 1832 were very encouraging, great revivals of religion were enjoyed, especially in Concord and Orange Pres- byteries. It is said that 163 persons were added to Rocky River Church, 126 to Poplar Tent and Ramah, and 130 to Charlotte and Sugar Creek churches. It was estimated that there were 2,000 conversions within the bounds of the synod, and that 600 of them were in the counties of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus. But the whole amount of contributions, raised in the synod and reported this year for the combined missionary, benevo- lent, temperance, Bible and tract societies was only $1,734, and of this amount $727 was contributed by a single church, the Milton Church, in Orange Presbytery.
In 1840 there were 78 ministers and 137 churches in the synod, showing a steady gain in membership, if not a commensurate gain in contributions.
About this time the synod was composed of a very able body of men, many of whom were excellent teachers and profound scholars, as well as able preachers of the Gospel. The roll at this time shows the names of the Rev. Drs. Caldwell, Caruthers, Graham, Harding, Lacy, McRec, McPheeters, Mitchell, Morrison, Phillips, Penick, Robinson, Smith and Wilson: and the Williamsons, the Pharrs, the Paisleys, the McIvers, McQueen, McNair, McLean, Melntyre, Stanford, Tate, Gretter, and a num- ber of others, besides many noble and influential elders who usually attended the church courts.
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The great influence and abundant labors of these men in their day, their efforts in founding and fostering some of the institutions of learning which we now enjoy, and in laying deep and broad foundations for future genera- tions, as well as their fidelity in preaching a pure Gospel, deserve all honor and praise.
In 1850 there were 90 ministers and 150 churches, showing a gain of 12 ministers and 13 churches in ten years, and during the next ten years, from 1850 to 1860, there seems to have been a general awakening along all lines.
In 1852 a special committee, of which the Rev. S. A. Stanfield was chairman, presented the following resolu- tion, which was adopted :
" Resolved, That this synod will appoint one agent on each of the Boards of Foreign Missions, Domestic Mis- sions and Education, and that these agents be required to take into consideration the whole field committed to their supervision, and present at each meeting of synod a written report of all that is doing within the boundaries of the synod on the subjects generally assigned to them; and that the consideration of these reports shall be a special order at each meeting of the synod."
This was a most important and far-reaching resolution, and proved to be the beginning of a new order of things. The benevolent causes of the church until now were man- aged and controlled by the boards of the General Assem- bly, which received and disbursed the greater part of the contributions made by the churches. The synod had grown weary of being lectured by foreigners on these subjects, and the question now arose, Why not employ our own agents and do this work ourselves? And from this time ever afterwards a new spirit was apparent in
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the synod, and there was a marked increase of interest .. and contributions for all the benevolent causes.
In the report on Foreign Missions for the year 1859 we find the following remarkable statement: "Previous to the year 1852 there was no fixed and well organized plan of sustaining missions in this synod. No perma- nent agents were appointed, as we have them now, to advance the claims of the boards in our churches. The consequence was, that our attention was seldom directed to these vital questions, and our energies lay compara- tively dormant. Before this, no order of the day was ever made on our docket for an hour to be devoted to the consideration of missions. Often did our synod meet and adjourn without speaking a single word or hearing a single report for the furtherance of any one of the boards, only as it came from some agent from abroad. Far be it from your agent to intimate that these subjects were not dear to the ministers and elders that attended; they thought and prayed over them doubtless, but a mere glance at the minutes will show that up to 1852 there was no regular organization in this body for the perma- nent furtherance of the boards."
The author of the above report was the Rev. Archibald Baker, who further shows, as a result of the resolution adopted in 1852, that the contributions for Foreign Mis- sions had increased more than $3,000, and for Domestic Missions the amount contributed in 1855 was $1,714, and in 1859 the amount collected and expended was $6,424.
Another result attributed to the adoption of the reso- lution of 1852 as a decided step in the progress of the church was the establishment as the synod's organ in 1857 of the " North Carolina Presbyterian."
This paper was first published in Fayetteville, N. C., the first number being issued in January, 1858. The min-
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lites of synod contain frequent resolutions of endorse- ment and commendation of the paper during all these years of its history. It has been an agency well nigh" indispensable for the building up of the interests of the synod, and forwarding the institutions under its care. The first editor of the paper was the Rev. George McNeill, a brilliant and talented man, who died in 1861. The Rev. Willis Miller was associate editor with Mr. McNeill, and had charge of the paper for a time after his death. They were succeeded by the Rev. James McNeill as editor and the Rev. John M. Sherwood as associate editor. The Rev. James McNeill was a brother of George McNeill, and was the colonel of the Fifth North Carolina Regiment of Cavalry, and was killed while leading his regiment in a charge near Petersburg, Va., on March 31, 1865. The Rev. Mr. Sherwood then became the sole editor and owner of the paper until his death, in 1872. The paper was sold, and for a short time the Rev. Dr. H. G. Hill was editor as well as part owner. The paper was then transferred to Wilmington, N. C., and the Rev. T. L. De Veaux became editor, which posi- tion he held until his death, in 1876. He was succeeded for a short time by the Rev. Dr. Joseph R. Wilson as editor, and Mr. John McLaurin as business manager. For a short time the Rev. J. M. Rawlings was editor, in connection with Mr. McLaurin. The paper then became the property of Mr. John McLaurin, and he was the sole editor until 1898. He kept the paper for the synod and made it a strong arm of the church, and the synod will never cease to owe to him a debt of gratitude for his long and faithful service.
In 1898 he sold the paper to a joint stock company, and the Rev. A. J. McKelway, D. D., became the editor. The paper was removed to Charlotte, N. C., and launched
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upon a wider mission as a paper for the whole church, -- and the name was changed to "The Presbyterian Standard." Dr. McKelway was a ready, vigorous and forcible writer, and few men ever wielded a pen with more clearness and power. He retired as editor in 1905, and for a year the Rev. Messrs. T. J. Allison and W. T. Waller had charge of the paper as associate editors, and they were succeeded by the Rev. Dr. P. R. Law and Rev. Dr. R. C. Reed, as editor and associate editor, who have charge of the paper at the present time. May it ever live and prosper, as it has lived and prospered in the past, as a mighty power for the extension of Christ's kingdom and the evangelization of the State.
In 1860 the synod met at Statesville, N. C. The Rev. R. H. Lafferty was Moderator, and 61 ministers and 50 ruling elders were present. The synod at that time was composed of 3 Presbyteries, 92 ministers, 184 churches and a membership of about 15,600.
When this meeting of the synod adjourned at States- ville, N. C., October 27, 1860, the members of that body, perhaps, did not even dream, much less think, that the last meeting of the Synod of North Carolina, under the old system and in connection with the old assembly, had been held; that the last hymn had been sung and the last prayer offered, and that a national crisis was at hand, and that before they should meet again the whole country would be in the throes of an unprecedented civil war! The dreadful war between the States (1861-1865), like a storm-cloud had been gathering for a number of years, and at length it suddenly burst upon the country in all its pitiless fury, and deluged the whole land with blood, and subjected the Church and the State to the most dis- tressing circumstances, heartrending scenes and bitter memories.
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It is not within the scope of this book to dwell upon that period, or to attempt a description of the deprivations and sufferings of the people, at home or in the army, during those dark and troublesome times. It is left to the faithful historian of the State and of the nation to tell the fearful story; and yet we must inquire into the welfare, progress and development of the church during and after those dreadful years.
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CHAPTER III.
THE SYNOD OF NORTH CAROLINA DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
On November 1, 1861, the Synod of North Carolina being convened in Raleigh, the following preamble and resolutions on the state of the country were adopted :
" Whereas the country is involved in a bloody interne- cine war, the desolations of which threaten our citizens, and the sacrifices of which have affected the church of our beloved State; and
" Whereas by the tyranny and usurpation of the gov- ernment at Washington, the safeguards of the Constitu- tion have been broken down, threatening all that is dear in civil liberty and all that is precious in the inheritance received from our fathers ; and
" Whereas the several Presbyteries composing this synod have in view of these deeds, as well as in view of the extraordinary endorsement of them by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, requiring us and our churches to approve and to pray for the success of measures so tyrannical and iniqui- tous, have formally and solemnly dissolved all connection with said General Assembly, declaring, however, their steadfast adherence in all respects to the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, Form of Government, Book of Disci- pline and Directory of Worship of the Presbyterian Church, and have severally appointed delegates to meet at Atlanta, Ga., and, with other commissioners from the several Presbyteries of the South, then and there to con-
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stitute and form a General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church for the Confederate States of America : therefore, in the fear of God and under a solemn sense of duty, be it
" Resolved, by the Synod of North Carolina, I. That the synod intelligently, cordially, solemnly approves the action of its several Presbyteries in the premises.
2. That the synod, set and appointed by her Divine Head as a witness for the right and for truth, deeply, truly sympathizes with the State and with the Confede- rate States in their present righteous struggle, and cor- dially approves their action in asserting and maintaining their sovereignty and severing the ties that bound us and them to the late United States of America.
3. That the synod regards the present war on our part as a war of defense, commending itself to our people's efforts, prayers and hearts, as a hallowed though stern contest for sacred rights, involving homes and altars, liberty and religion, and to it we solemnly, prayerfully commit our persons and efforts and energies and prop- erty, our sons and lives. ·
4. That the synod recognizes, and here with gratitude records the tokens of Divine favor extended to our strug- gling, bleeding country, leading our hosts in the day of battle, shielding them under fearful peril, and giving them brilliant victories, for all of which we desire to present fervent and unceasing thanksgivings.
" 5. That the synod would embrace this momentous crisis in our country's history, to urge pastors, elders, private Christians and our whole people to the offering of unceasing prayers in behalf of the Confederate States, in their present noble struggle in defense of constitutional liberty, beseeching our Covenant God and Father to lead our armies, to drive back our enemies, and early to
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enable us in His fear and love to achieve a new nation's greatness."
The foregoing paper is here recorded in full purely as a matter of history, and to show the mind of the church in view of the great struggle.
On December 4, 1861, at Augusta, Ga., the Southern General Assembly was formed, and the immortal address by Thornwell and the sermon by Palmer on that occasion have gone into history, and fully explain the causes from a Presbyterian standpoint of the great disruption and struggle. Thousands gave their lives for principles and for a cause which they sincerely deemed to be just and righteous, and time alone will prove the true character of those principles, and whether or not the thousands gave their lives in vain. In the providence of God the terrible war gave ample proof that the best soldiers, as a rule, are Calvinists, and true to their principles and deep con- victions, the ministers, their sons and the sons of their charges, nobly bore their full share of the awful burdens of the times, and they have left to their descendants a history of untarnished honor in war and in defeat, and full of almost unparalleled examples of deprivation, suf- fering, hardship, heroism and bravery, of which they well may be proud.
In 1862 the resolution calling for the appointment of agents on benevolence and adopted in 1852 was amended, and the Rev. Messrs. J. Rumple, J. M. Sherwood, Neill Mckay and C. K. Caldwell were appointed agents of Foreign Missions, Domestic Missions, Education and Publication, respectively ; but the contributions to these causes were small and wholly inadequate to meet the urgent demands. It was said in the address to the churches that "the public mind was powerfully agitated
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and in general preoccupied with public interests, to the partial or total exclusion of their religious concerns." And yet, "an unwonted spirit of prayer connected with a profound and growing sense of dependence on the favor of Divine Providence" was believed to prevail among the people, and was apparent in the prayer meetings and church services, which were well attended. The awful realities of war were now pressing hard upon the people, and the interests of the army chiefly engaged the atten- tion of the church as well as the State.
At this meeting of synod the Rev. Neill Mckay offered a resolution that each Presbytery appoint three men to collect and disburse funds for the education of the chil- dren of deceased soldiers, and this was done to a consid- crable extent until the close of the war. The synod in those days did nobly in its heroic efforts amidst confu- sion and conflicting duties, to meet the demands of the times. The waste places at home, and especially the army, were crying for help and greatly needed the min- istrations of the Gospel, and many of the ministers entered the army as chaplains, while the synod bade them God-speed, and at the same time did everything possible in every department of Christian work.
At this time Orange Presbytery had in its employment one evangelist and six missionaries; Concord had one evangelist and five missionaries, and Fayetteville had five missionaries, and these brethren did a noble work, but they could not begin to supply the vacant churches and destitute fields.
In 1863 the Rev. John M. Sherwood, in his report, said, " We cannot hope to supply our feeble churches and mis- sionary fields with the preached Word, as we would gladly do, while the war continues. We rejoice to know that something has been done. The work has not been
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overlooked by the Presbyteries. In all of them efforts have been made to supply, as far as possible, the most pressing wants of our people. The wants of the army have been considered, and much has been done to supply our soldiers with the preached Word. There are at present eight members of this synod engaged in the regular work of the chaplaincy, viz .: The Rev. Messrs. Drury Lacy, E. H. Harding, H. B. Pratt, R. B. Ander- son, J. W. F. Freeman, Colin Shaw, David Fairley, J. H. Colton, and until recently, J. M. Sprunt, who has been in the work from the commencement of the war."
In addition to the regular work of these brethren, all of the Presbyteries enjoined it upon their members to give a portion of their time to the army, and many of them cheerfully responded to the call. Among the last acts of the synod of 1863 was to proclaim and recom- mend a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, to be ob- served in earnest prayer to God on behalf of the afflicted country.
In 1864 the synod met in Greensboro, and very little was done except the ordinary routine business. The most important acts, however, of this meeting were the formu- lation and adoption of an address to the churches and a paper on the state of the country. In the latter some of the terrible results of the war are enumerated, "calling loudly for humiliation and prayer," and some of the tokens of the Divine favor are gratefully noted and acknowledged," calling for devout gratitude and thank- fulness," and while still believing in the justice of the cause and the injustice of the oppression, the synod again proclaimed "that as humiliation and confession may well be accompanied with thanksgiving and praise," that another day of humiliation and prayer be observed, as well as thanksgiving and praise, in view of the past his-
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tory and present prospects alike of the country and of the church. The day appointed, November 16, 1864, was observed, and the people humbly and devoutly prayed to God that the cruel war might cease, and that the banner of peace might once more wave over the land. And before the next meeting of the synod the prayers of the people were answered, and the awful conflict, covering a period of four years, was ended, and had passed into history.
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During these four years of war the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina gained only eight ministers and five churches, and lost more than 2,000 communi- cants! Of course the loss consisted largely of young men, in the prime of life, who were the hope of the church and who had fallen in battle, or who had died in prison or from disease and exposure on the field.
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