USA > South Carolina > Orangeburg County > Centennial address reciting the history of Bull Swamp Baptist Church of Orangeburg County : from its organization, July 6, 1816 to July 6, 1916 > Part 2
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SOME OF THE PASTORS
The church had for its pastors at different times in its history men who were revered and loved for their devotion to the cause. Men of God upon whom the mantle of Elijah had fallen. We find the names of some of these men of God recorded as members of the church. Among them was Rev. William J. Fickling, a man of considerable preaching ability and a great defender of the faith, Rev. William Brooker A> was pastor for a long time. He was one of the most pro- gressive preachers of his day as was his honored father, the Rev. John Brooker. Ransom J. Edwards was not only pas- tor of the church, but we find him a member and one of the most liberal contributors. He in all probability knew more of . the advantages of the schools than many others of his time. S. B. Sawyer art eloquent, gifted preacher was pastor. The Rev. William G. Mack did as much or more for the advance- ment of the church as he saw it than any one whom we could : name. He was deacon and afterwards ordained to the min-
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istry by the church and was for some time pastor. He loved the church as he did his own life and there was no sacrifice that he was not willing to make for it. But we cannot name all the godly men who have come in and gone out before this people. W'e must not fail however to call the name of Rev. Hiram Lecroy who was truly a great preacher. He knew the Bible and could bring from its great store house things both new and old. It is doubtful if a greater expository. preacher ever lived in this state. His expositions were not simply dry interpretations of the Scriptures but there was unction and power in his messages. Some thought him ra- ther austere, but such was not the case. He could not bear to be interrupted while preaching, and if there was any lack of order he was sure to let it be known. He preached as pastor not only of this church, but to many others in the Edisto Association. Among later pastors we find the names of B. M. Foreman, R. P. Galphin and J. Hartwell Edwards.
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In searching the records the writer must be allowed to men tion with gratitude to God that it was his privilege to find some trace of his ancestors in them and he is sure that it will be regarded permissible to refer to them in this connection, especially in view of the fact that they were connected with this church, and honored ministers of the gospel. We quote from the minutes which read as follows: ' September 9, 1820 Met in conference, Father Head moderator. Daniel Miller confesses his fault of intoxication, restored to fellowship." Then after drawing a line at the bottom of this minute the following appears: "Brother William Gardner has become a member among us by letter of 'Dismishion' from Dean Swamp church, September 9, 1820." The spelling of dis- mission is retained just as it is in the record .. Thank God for it as it tells the writer that his great grand father, Wil- liam Gardner, was a member of this church and that his feet trod this sacred soil. He was a Revolutionary hero whose body sleeps in a lonely grave yard some miles from the present town of Wagener. We are told that there was once a Baptist church there called Edisto on what was known
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as Cedar Creek. It too may have gone out from this church .. The record of this man's service in the Revolutionary war is preserved in the war department at Washington and upon attention being called to it the government, a few years ago sent a marble slab to be placed at his grave. Over a year ago. in company with relatives the place was visited, and with bowed heads and reverent hearts we stood over the sacred. spot. In all probability he was a member of the church. known as Edisto at the time of his death.
The minutes of the Edisto Association contain the follow -- ing reference to the writer's grand father, Rev. Elijah. Gardner who while not pastor of this church preached here: and at Salem and the surrounding country. These resolu -- tions referring to his death were passed by the Edisto Asso -. ciation during its meeting with Bull Swamp church October 3-6, 1840: "Resolved that we most exceedingly regret the . loss of our worthy brother E. Gardner, who was a licenciate,. and who has labored faithfully among us who has gone to. receive the reward of his labors, and that we sympathize. with his widow and children and the church of which he was. a member." He was a member of Dean Swamp church and. died May 20, 1840 in the fiftieth year of his age having been. born March 14, 1790. He and William Brooker were co- laborers and warm friends, w à Prestes + wru Brooke The writer's father and mother were members of this. church and their bodies with that of a loved sister sleep out there in yon cemetery. He himself was baptized into the fellowship of this church September 13, 1868. He preached; his first sermon here on the night of the fourth Lord's day in: July, 1873, and was at this time licensed to preach the glad: tidings of salvation through our blessed Lord to a lost and. ruined world. Previous to this on January 25, 1873 the min- utes of that date read: "We the Baptist church of Bull Swamp take pleasure in stating that we approve of the in- tentions of our young brother George W. Gardner to pursue a course of study preparatory to the ministry and recom- mend him to any of our brethren with whom his lot may be-
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cast." S. B. Sawyer, Moderator, J. F. North, Church & Clerk north & enfants in wig barist ler
We find from the records that a good many ministers went out from this church who began to exercise their gifts at this church. The Rev. William G. Mack to whom we have already referred was among that number who for his opportunities was a remarkable man. While he lived he was- the leader not only in his contributions but in everything that was for the good of the church as he saw it. He was a man of a genuine religious experience and of the strongest con- victions. Rev. A. A. Amaker who is present on this oc- casion was licensed by this church and is a loved and hon- ored member.
HOUSES OF WORSHIP.
Certainly the organization of a church calls for some place where its congregations may meet for worship. Search is made in vain in the records for reference to pro- vide for such a building in these early years. We have been told that the first house was just under the hill a short dis- tance from where this building now stands and near the swamp. The writer remembers when a boy seeing what ap- peared to be the remains of a building which he was in- formed was the place where the first house of worship stood. There were some graves near the spot. There is not one word in the minutes about the erection of the second build- ing which was a framed house that stood near the present building. It was not ceiled_but_was about as good as the average building that churches had in its day. We find the 1.'following reference to improvements to be made on the house of worship which was evidently this second building which is taken from the record under date of November 25, 1854. "Taken into consideration the repair of the church Appointed a committee of three, W. G. Mack, B. Living- ston, and William Knotts to examine said church and make report of same at our regular conference." -Under date of- December 23, 1854, we find the following in the minutes:
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"Called for the report of the committee appointed at last meeting to ascertain what repairs are necessary for the Church's house. Committee reports that it is necessary to make two new side sills. House raised and set on blocks. The side doors closed, and two windows inserted in their stead. Pulpi moved and put in the division of the house; twenty-two besches made, and a door made in the South side of the house, and sheds to protect the steps; two win- dows with sashes opposite the pulpit. AAppointed a com- mittee to let out the above repairs to the lowest bidder by Contract, Committee, W. G. Mack, S. F. Ulmer." The next reference to this matter is found in the following rec- ord: "January 27. 1855. Church met. No preaching. The trustees appointed to let the repair of the Church out to the lowest bidder irade their report as follows: The lowest bid was given by Mr. A. Sturkie, Forty Nine Dollars and a half, the above work to be completed by the first of July next." How this money was raised we are not told nor is anything said as to whether the work was completed accord- ing to specifications, but a subscription reads just at the close of the above minute: "Moneys raised for the repairs of the Baptist church at Bull Swamp. John Williams paid $2, Elder R. J. Edwards, $5 : S. F. Ulmer, $5; William G. Mack, $5." The work must have been done for the writer remembers the sheds that were made to cover and protect the steps. He always thought that they added very much to the appearance of the building. This house served the church during the war and for some years after its close.
During the year 1869 the agitation for a new and a better house of worship began. Dr. I. D. Durham had become pastor and under his ministry great interest was aroused in the church and surrounding country on account of his pro- nounced preaching on Baptist principles and practices. He did much to arouse Baptist consciousness and conviction. We read in the minutes under date of November 27th, :1869: Took into consideration the building of a new house of worship at this place. Appoint-
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ed Rev. W. G. Mack, E. Baggot, W. T. Knots, J. Amaker and J. E. Garvin to arrange the site and place upon which the house should be built and report at our next meeting. Also J. Amaker, James Mack and S. S. Uliner to attend to. the running off and securing the land for the church." Again in the minutes bearing date of January 20, 1870, "The church agreed that the building of the church be con -. sidered in conference next fall." October 26, 1872, we read. from the minutes of that date, "The church: appointed a committee of three to see how much can be raised to build. a new house of worship at this place. The following breth- press ren were appointed, J. A. Minicken, W. B. Mack, and John. Be Amaker." January 25, 1873, the minutes tell us "By or -- der of the church the following brethren were chosen on the. building of a new church : Rev. W. G. Mack, Chairman ; J. E. Knotts one of the committee and treasurer, S. H. Mack,. J. E North, J. Amaker, Sr., S. E. Scanlan and D. Gardner,. committee." Brother J. E. Knotts held his membership at. Sardis church but he was a regular attendant upon services. at Bull Swamp and greatly interested in its work. He was a. graduate of Furman University and a man of splendid" parts. He was licensed to preach but devoted His time prin- cipally to Sunday School work. Again in the minutes of March 22, 1823, we read "By consent of the church the mod- erator appointed the following committee to see what can be- raised for the purpose of building a new church at this place. Brother Barney Mack, Mrs. W. B. Mack, and Mrs. William Knotts." April 26, 1873, "The business was: whether the church allow the building committee to proceed" on one thousand dollars or not. After some discussion Cant. W. B. Mack moved, and it was seconded that we do- nothing with it until Saturday before the fourth Sunday in- Tulv." In the minutes of July 27, 1873. "After service the. church met in conference. The building of the church was- in order. By order of the church the following brethren- were annointed to attend to the building of said church, Rev. W. G. Mack, Joseph Knotts, and J. A. Minicken committee_
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By order of the church brother G. W. Gardner was licensed to preach. Done in conference. W. G. Mack, Moderator, J. F. North, Church Clerk." So far as the minutes are con- cerned not another record is made about the building of the house of worship, but we know that it was completed prac- tically as it stands today and that it was dedicated during the summer of some year not long after these repeated refer- ences to its building which appear in the minutes. The writer well remembers the occasion and regrets that the records are silent as to what was done. The brother who was to preach the sermon failed to come and the service was performed by Rev. W. G. Mack who preached on the words, "And Solomon built him an house," which as well as can be re- called, were the words of the text. It was a great occasion and no one was happier than was the preacher. Upon be- ing congratulated upon his effort he said, "But the sermon was too short." The brother to whom he made this re- mark replied that this was the strong point about it. He preached about thirty minutes which in those days was far below the average time for a sermon. To him. was due more than any one person credit for the work ..
Upon a record in the back part of one of the minute books the following is gleaned which gives some idea as to the contributors and the amounts that several persons gave: It bears date of 1873, and V. V. S. Austin is church treasurer. Church released J. F. North of subscription of $25. The building committee released the two Axons of subscription for hauling. Rev. W. G. Mack released of subscription for lumber furnished, $100. Nov. 27 Dr. Knotts and Company released of subscription for sawing lumber, $100) Decem- ber er. 1873. By cash paid J. E. Knotts, treasurer of build-o ing committee. $297.80. ) 1874, January 20, balance due by b subscription for building church $370.50." Of course . J. F. North was released from his subscription, as were others, on account of work done. We may conclude from this rec- ord that the church was dedicated during the summer of 1,271. and that it cost about $1000. The items of the treas-
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turer from which the above is gleaned foot up $973.55, but there is so much confusion in the way the items are record- ed as to make it impossible to tell the purpose for which all the money was used. There were many others who con- tributed to the building of the church of which no record can be found. The house was not painted. when it was dedi- cated, as people in this part of the country had not learned in that day the value of paint as a preservative from decay, to say nothing of the attractiveness that it adds to buildings.
ASSOCIATIONAL CONNECTIONS.
The plural connections is used instead of the singular, and .advisedly; for during a history of one hundred years the church held membership in three associations. The minutes of the church are silent upon this subject, but from examin- - ing a file of minutes of the Edisto Association it is learned that the church first belonged to the Edgefield Association. Int At the meeting of the Edisto at Tabernacle church in Aiken county October 1, 1836 which was the second session after the organization of that body we read from the minutes of the session: "Bull Swamp church applied by letter for ad -. mission, but sending no delegate to represent them, brother Wheeler only being bearer of their letter which being read . was satisfactory to the Association, and request the church -must mean the clerk of the Association-to write to them, informing them that they will be cordially received a con- stituent member, when they send delegates to represent them in the body."
At the next session of the Edisto Association which was 2 nd at Sardis in 1837 we find the following reference in the minutes of the association to the Bull Swamp Church : "À letter from Bull Swamp a church dismissed from the Edge: field Association, was read applying for admission as a con- stituent member and cordially received ; and the delegates. J. D. Nettles and David Sturkie were invited to seats and all "the privileges of the Association." So we learn from the above that the church came from the Edgeheld Association
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to the Edisto. An effort was made to get a file of the min- utes of the Edgefield Association only to learn that there was no file in existence none having been kept by the several clerks. What a pity that Baptists have been so very remiss. in preserving their history for future generations!
The Edisto Association met on its sixth anniversary with the Bull Swamp church October 3-6, 1840. The minutes tell us that there were sunrise praver meetings during the session which were largely attended, and that there was preaching on Sunday at ten, eleven and again in the after- noon.
In the resolution of thanks to the people for their hospi- tality reference is made to those who tented on the grounds .. From this reference we learn that it was the custom then for: certain families to tent during the sessions of the association.
The association met again with the Bull Swamp church in 1855. We learn from the minutes of the association that the church had in 1840 28 white members and & colored: In 1860 it had 60 members of whom 52 were whites. In 1864 it had 76 members, 62 whites and 13 colored. In 1865. it had 103 members of whom 12 were colored. In 1868 there were 130 members. In 1869 the number was 155 of whom 31 were colored. These figures are given in this place for the reason that they were taken from the minutes: of the Edisto Association. It has today 153 members. W.
In ISzo the church withdrew from the Edisto Association to unite with the Orangeburg Association which had just. been organized. We find the following reference to this. in the church records bearing date of November 27, 1869: "A letter was then received and read from the Orangeburg church requesting us to send our pastor, and other delegates to meet with them in convention on Friday before the third" Sabbath in February, 1870, to take some steps in regard to: the forming of a new association in Orangeburg county. Accordingly our pastor. DE. I. D. Durham, and Rev. W. G. Mack, J. Amaker, Paul Sharp, W. H. Reed and J. E. Gar- vin were appointed to meet them in their convention. Since.
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its organization this church has been identified with this as- sociation which has met with it several times in the past, and it greets it with the greatest pleasure upon this its one hun -. dredth anniversary, and the forty-seventh anniversary of the. association.
PROTRACTED MEETINGS.
The usual time for holding a meeting ci days with this church from time immemorial seems to have been beginning on the Saturday before the fourth Lord's day in July. Some- times it lasted more than a week with preaching twice a day. The occasion was a great one and resulted in a great deal of good. The rule was to invite a large number of preach -. ers and give them all an opportunity to preach. Frequently a committee was appointed to say which one should preach and who should follow. The services lasted for hours. We have known them to be carried on at nights until eleven and twelve o'clock. There was prayer, singing. preaching and exhortation. We read from. the minutes under date of June 25, IS71 : "The church agreed to have a protracted meeting commencing on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in July next. The church requested that the clerk inform brethren S. B. Sawyer,-Herlong, Buyck, P. Norris and J. Knotts . that they are invited to attend a protracted_meeting.com- mencing Saturday before the fourth Sunday in July next." In one instance the invitation was extended to all the min- isters in the Orangeburg and Lexington associations.
JULY SIX, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN
On July the 6th, 1916, one hundred years to the day since the organization a special service over which the pastor, Rev. A. E. C. Pittman presided, was held in the church in com- memoration of its organization at which time a historical address was made by the writer, and a sermon preached by the Rev. George E. Davis during the morning hours. Af- ter dinner which was served upon the grounds several talks were made, among them one by Judge D. E. Hydrick, asso-
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ciate justice of the supreme court of South Carolina, who was reared near this place and who with his people often attended services here and whose sister, Mrs. Roella Reed is one of the present members. God has honored her and blessed the cause of Christ by calling into the ministry her son, Rev. G. B. Reed, Jr., who was a member of this church and who was ordained here June 30, 1906. ( With all the past to inspire, the people of God at Bull Swamp may look forward to the future with confidence in the God of our fathers to lead them, and keep them as he kept the fathers. They may feel that these fathers are looking down from the glory land today upon them, and take up the declaration of the Apostle when he tells the Hebrew Christians, "There- fore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set be- fore him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Dr. H. T. Cook, Professor of Greek Literature in Fur- man University, the author of two valuable denominational books, the first being "Education In South Carolina Under Baptist Control," the second, "Biography of Richard Fur- man," who was kind enough to read the proof of the above address, has furnished the wrtier with the following ad- ditional information which he is glad to insert in this place. The minutes of the Edgefield Association of which, as has been stated in the above paper, the Bull Swamp church was a member shows, according to Dr. Cook, that the delegates from Bull Swamp in 1823 were Prescot Bush and William Conway. Number of members, 21. In 1824 there were 18 members : 1826 James D. Jones and Daniel Miller, delegates Rev. J. Holman, pastor, 16 members : In 1827 J. McMichael and J. D. Jones delegates, 20 members. In 1829 R. W .: Watt, delegate, members, 17 whites and 6 blacks, pastor,
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L. Brown. In 1831, 1832, 1833 there were 21 :members with Rev. J. Keadle, pastor.
Dr. Cook continues, "You give Ramsay credit for our statistics in 1SOS or ISio why not add that Dr. Richard Fur- man furnished the estimate? Ramsay asked D. Richard Furman seven questions, in 1807, and their ans vers were used by Ramsay hardly at all, but they were preserved, and after Ramsay's death, his daughter recognizing their value, presented them to the Charleston Library, fro ::: which Dr. B. Manly got a certified copy, and used it verbatim in 1832. I consider it, for its length , the best historical document of the times: 'There were about 130 Baptist churches in this state containing ten thousand five hundred communicants and 100 ministers.' 'He had already told about each of the five associations. I do not know whether Ramsay gave Dr. Furman credit or not." -
We wish to add that at the present time, Rev. A. E. C. Pittman is pastor of Bull Swamp, and the following breth- ren are the deacons: Jacob Amaker, John Sharp, Jacob J. Mack, George B. Reed, C. W. Reed, Elliott Robinson, G. C. Livington. The superintendent of the Sunday School is E. M. Robinson, 'Assistant Superintendent, G. C. Livingston; Teachers, William Bryce, Mrs. H. J_Knotts, MEs. Roella Recd and WV. P. Knotts.
The house of worship is neatly painted, and lighted by electricity ; the grounds well kept with electric lights to light them up at night. Contrast this with the tallow candles of the fathers!
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