USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. I pt 2 > Part 35
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678
THE SYNODS.
[1790-1800.
the direction of the presbyteries in whose bounds they re- spectively reside."
A history of this presbytery was prepared by Rev. John B. Davies and Dr. John Brown, committee of the " First Presby- tery of South Carolina ;" reported to that body in 1802, and ordered to be sent up to the General Assembly. The original was in the hands of the stated clerk of that body in 1858, and as it gives a continuous view of the action of this oldest pres- bytery of the up-country, we had designed to spread it out on these pages. We are deterred only by the size this volume has already attained, and from the fact that the activity of this early presbytery in the licensure of candidates, in guard- ing the pulpit against unworthy intruders, in supplying vacant churches, and in promoting the purity of the church, may be gathered from what we have already recorded. There is also a tabular perspective of the various sessions and proceedings of this body, written in Latin by the hand of some scholarly person, reaching from the first to the twentieth session in 1794, which we would also present here if space permitted.
CHAPTER II.
SUPERIOR JUDICATORIES .- THE SYNODS.
WE have seen that the older churches of the low-country, whose members came into this State by a direct migration from Scotland and Ireland, for a long time looked to their former homes for ministerial supply. In many instances, they forwarded a blank call through the old South Carolina presbytery, that existed before the Revolution, to some pres- bytery, of Scotland or Ireland, to be filled at their discretion by the name of some minister, whom they received as their pastor through the presbytery of South Carolina. Those, on the contrary, who mainly reached the State through a migra- tion from Pennsylvania and other States, where they or their fathers first settled, looked northward for aid. The synods of Philadelphia and New York, after their separation, to which we have referred on p. 301, and again after their re-union, sent missionaries to them, either of their own motion, or in. answer to the petitions of the churches here. Some of the ministers appointed for Virginia and North Carolina reached South Carolina in their tours of service ; e. g., William Donald- son, of the synod of Philadelphia, in 1754-5, who for a season
1
679
1790-1800.] THE SYNODS OF PHILA. AND NEW YORK.
preached at Waccamaw, and joined the old presbytery of South Carolina ; Hugh McAden, in 1755; John Alison, in 1756 ; Daniel Thane, in 1754, of the synod of New York ; James Latta and Robert McMordie, of the synod of New York and Philadelphia, in 1765, in which year Long Cane petitioned for supplies. James Latta joined the old presby- tery of South Carolina, and settled at John's Island. Long Cane, Bullock's Creek, Broad River, Little River, and Briar Creek, in Georgia, petition in 1766, and Messrs. Lewis, Cald- well, Chestnut, Bay, and C. T. Smith, were appointed to itinerate in Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. Again, in 1767, Long Canes, Duncan's Creek, Little River, and Briar .Creek, in Georgia, petition, and synod appoints Messrs. Bay, Potter, McCreary, Alexander, Latta, junior, and Jackson, to journey through Virginia, North and South Carolina (and Georgia if they can), for six months or more. In 1768, Long Cane calls Mr. McCreary, of the presbytery of New Castle, urges synod to enforce the call, and if he cannot come, to send them a stated supply for six months. Synod gave the call into the hands of Mr. McCreary, requiring his answer, and as he was not ready to give it then, they recommended him to determine the matter as soon as convenient, and. give his answer to New Castle presbytery, who are desired, if he ac- cepts, to ordain him as soon as they can. A supplication came from the Upper Catawba for supplies, especially for Mr. Bay ; from Bush River, Fairforest, Indian Creek, the Forks of Tyger, Union congregation, Bullock's Creek, Fishing Creek, Hitchcock Creek, upon Pee Dee, Pine Tree Hill. In 1769, John Harris, John Clark, Jeremiah Halsey, James Latta, Jonathan Elmore, Thomas Lewis, and Josiah Lewis were sent to supply vacancies in Virginia, North Carolina, and those parts of South Carolina under the synod's care. Hezekiah James Balch is also sent ; the presbytery of Donegal to ordain him, if he accepts a call from Carolina. These appointees are directed to set off as soon, and to spend as much time as they can, on this important mission. As a foster-parent, the synod
addresses these distant congregations. Mr. Mc Whorter brought in the letter he was appointed to write to the churches in South Carolina. Mr. Kirkpatrick is to visit Charles- ton, and such other places as may be expedient for him to apply to, to solicit their contributions for the college of New Jersey, in which the early churches felt a common interest. In 1770, Mr. John Maltby is reported as dismissed from New York presbytery to the presbytery of South Carolina (the
680
THE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND PHILA.
[1790 -- 1800.
Scotch presbytery). He became pastor of Wilton church. It was ascertained that only Josiali Lewis, of those who had been appointed, had visited South Carolina and Georgia. Long Cane supplicates for his services a twelvemonth, with a view to his permanent settlement. Hitchcock Creek, in Anson county, North Carolina (a portion of Anson county was after- wards set off to South Carolina in the adjustment of boun- daries), and Briar Creek, in Georgia, pray for supplies. Josiah Lewis was again appointed to supply at Long Cane settle- ments six months, three months at Briar Creek, Georgia, and three months at discretion in North and South Carolina ; and the presbytery of New Castle was ordered to ordain liim, if the way is clear, as soon as convenient. At the same meeting of synod, the correspondence between it and the (Scotch) presbytery of South Carolina, to which we referred, page 675, took place. At this meeting, too, the presbytery of Orange was set off from the presbytery of Hanover. Azel Roe, of the presbytery of New York, and John Close, of the presbytery of Suffolk, are ordered to itinerate in Virginia and the Caro- linas, to preach the gospel, ordain elders, and administer the sacraments of the Lord's supper and baptism; and their presbyteries are to supply their pulpits in their absences. Mr. McCreary is to supply in the Carolinas for six months, and if Mr. Josiah Lewis should not fulfil his appointment to Long Cane, Messrs. Roe and Close are ordered to supply at Long Cane, each three months. These gentlemen fulfilled their appointments (Messrs. Lewis, Roe, Close, and Harris), and their labors were of lasting service to the places they visited. In 1771, Rev. Elam Potter signifies his readiness to go on a Southern mission, and he is accordingly appointed to visit the vacancies of North and South Carolina and Georgia, to spend at least six months in this mission, and to tarry in every con- gregation of importance three weeks or more, and carefully catechise the people. This was a useful mission, notwithi- standing Archd. Simpson's criticisms (see p. 328, back) on this brother. He was stated supply for a season at Salem, B. R. Joseph Smith was appointed to spend five weeks in the Steele Creek congregation ; two months and three weeks beyond the Catawba; to pay particular attention to Duncan's Creek con- gregation, and spend as much time there and at Bullock's Creek as he possibly can. The rest of the time at discre- tion ; and he shall carefully catechise the people. The Rev. P. Alison was also appointed to Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, to set off as soon as he conveniently can. Mr. Potter
681
SYNOD OF THE CAROLINAS.
1790-1800.]
fulfilled his appointment, Mr. Smith was prevented by sick- ness. In 1772, Long Cane, Rocky Creek, and places adjacent, again petition. Long Cane call Mr. Joseph Smith, and the call is forwarded to the presbytery of New Castle. Robert McMordie and Joshua Hart are appointed to Virginia and the Carolinas, each for six months. Mr. McMordie complied with this appointment, Mr. Hart did not. In 1773, Mr. Caleb Wal- lace, a candidate of New Brunswick presbytery, was appointed to visit St. Paul's parish (Augusta), in Georgia, and preach there some time, and the remainder of the time in the other vacancies in the Southern provinces. In 1774 we find Rev. James Campbell, of the Bluff church on Cape Fear, leaving the (Scotch) presbytery of South Carolina, and joining the presbytery of Orange. The Rev. James Edmonds also joins the same, and is present at the meetings of the synod, at Phil- adelphia, in 1783, 1784. After the formation of the presby- tery of Orange in 1770, and of the presbytery of South Caro- lina in 1785, the attention of the churches was gradually turned to these nearer and local judicatories for relief.
SYNOD OF THE CAROLINAS.
We have seen, page 563, the circumstances under which this was formed. To this body, according to the principles of our Presbyterian government, the presbytery of South Carolina and the presbytery of Hopewell, when formed in 1796, became immediately responsible, and the churches of this State and Georgia, under the jurisdiction of these bodies, had the right of appeal from their presbyteries to this synod. In reading its journal, through the eleven or twelve years of its existence in this century, we have been impressed with the intelligence, wisdom, faithfulness, moderation, and dignified bearing which its proceedings exhibit.
At its organization, in November, 1788, the number of its presbyteries was three. ORANGE in North Carolina, SOUTH CAROLINA, covering the States of South Carolina and Georgia, and ABINGDON, chiefly in Tennessee. The ministers were as follows :-
ORANGE, NORTH CAROLINA. SOUTH CAROLINA.
ABINGDON.
H. Patillo,
J. Edmonds,
C. Cummins,
D. Caldwell,
J. Harris, H. Balch,
S. E. McCorkle,
J. Alexander,
J. Cossan,
J. Hall,
J. Simpson,
S. Doake,
R. Archibald,
T. Reese,
S. Houston,
J. McRee,
T. H. McCaule,
S. Carrick, .
682
SYNOD OF THE CAROLINAS.
[1790-1800.
ORANGE, NORTH CAROLINA. SOUTH CAROLINA.
ABINGDON.
J. Lake,
J. Templeton,
J. Balch .- 7.
D. Thatcher,
F. Cummins,
D. Barr,
R. Finley,
J. Beck .- 10.
R. Hall,
R. Mecklin, J. Newton .- 12.
The whole number of ministers reported was 28, but John Newton had been ordained in October, by the presbytery of South Carolina, making the number 29.
At the close of the century, the number of presbyteries was six ; Concord having been set off from Orange in 1795, by a line running along the Yadkin river ; Hopewell from the pres- bytery of South Carolina, in 1796, the dividing line between these being the Savannah river ; Union from the presbytery of Abingdon, in 1797. The number of ministers in the presbytery of Orange was 14, licentiates 4, candidates 8, churches sup- plied 23, vacant (no returns). South Carolina had 18 ministers, 3 licentiates, 2 candidates, 27 settled churches, and 31 vacan- cies. Abingdon had 4 ministers (other statistics not returned). Concord 15 ministers, 1 licentiate, 1 candidate, 22 settled churches, and 12 vacancies. Hopewell had 3 ministers (no further returns). Union, 4 ministers, S settled churches, and 5 vacant. Total in the synod of the Carolinas at the close of 1799, 63 ministers, 8 licentiates, 11 candidates, 80 settled churches, according to the returns, and 48 vacancies. The pres- byteries had doubled themselves in these 12 or 13 years ; the ministers had more than doubled their number. The returns are so imperfect that the number of churches and members cannot be stated.
The first care of the synod was to meet the calumnies which had been circulated against the late synod of New York and Philadelphia, which had created out of itself the four synods, and united the whole church under the General Assembly. One of tliese calumnies was that the said synod had cast off the larger catechism, and that with difficulty the shorter was retained. As the Rev. Robert Finley, lately dismissed from the presbytery of South Carolina, was ap- parently implicated in the report, a letter was directed to be addressed to him on this matter, and one to the presbytery of which he was a member. The fair fame of the higher judi- catory, their adherence to the Westminster Confession, and the principles of the Reformation, are set forth in the first pastoral letter of the synod of the Carolinas. The order of
683
SYNOD OF THE CAROLINAS.
1790-1800.]
worship, the mode of celebrating the Lord's Supper, the duties of vacant societies, and their protection against an un- authorized ministry, from which they had greatly suffered, the advancement of education, and a just regard to the relative duties owed to their families, society, and the State, form the appropriate topics of their first pastoral epistle .- (Adopted at Poplar Tent in 1789 ; printed at Fayetteville, 1799. 44 pp., 12mo.)
CHAPTER III.
VARIOUS questions which came before synod by overture or reference were decided, and their decisions ordered to be made known to the churches. They decided that "persons who practice dancing, revelling, horse-racing, and card-play- ing, are not to be admitted to sealing ordinances without being dealt with by their spiritual rulers in such manner as may appear most for the glory of God, their own good, and the good of the church." They denounce the conduct of " those who habitually neglect to attend public worship, on fast or thanksgiving days, as inconsistent with Christian character, as a disrespect paid to the call of God in his providences, and the authority of the church ; offensive to the sober-minded, and in point of example, injurious to others." They "judge that the marriage of John Latham of Waxhaw, with his deceased wife's sister's daughter, is criminal and highly offensive ; and that all such marriages are truly detestable, and ought to be strenuously discountenanced; and that said Latham, in his present standing, is by no means admissible to the sealing ordinances of the church."
They referred the question which came before them through the Committee of Bills and Overtures : " Are those who pub- licly profess a belief in the doctrine of universal and actual salvation of the whole human race, or of the fallen angels, or both, through the mediation of Christ, to be admitted to the sealing ordinances of the gospel ?" to the decision of the Gen- eral Assembly, who determined " that such persons should not be admitted."
They passed a recommendation, "That members of the church, transgressing the rules thereof, be called on as soon as convenient to account for their conduct, and not wait till they may ask the privileges of the church."
To the question overtured, " Is it expedient to admit bap-
684
COMMISSION OF SYNOD.
1790-1800.]
tized slaves as witnesses in ecclesiastical judicatories where others cannot be had?" they returned a negative answer. And yet, that this did not arise out of any disregard or un- kindness, is manifest from the order enjoining upon heads of families the religious instruction of their slaves, and that they teach the children of slaves to read the Bible.
The promiscuous communion with other denominations was brought before the commission of synod by an overture, and the answer given was, "that it is not necessary, and as it gives offence to some as implying a coalescence with other denominations in doctrines not held by him, from 'prudential' reasons a minister ought to abstain." Nothing was said in this, of the occasional communion of private members.
This leads us to say, that after 1791 much important busi- ness of synod was intrusted to a standing commission. This, which was the fourth session of svnod, met at Thyatira, in the presbytery of Orange. The Rev. Samuel E. McCorkle, moderator ; James' Hall, James Templeton, James McRee, Robert Hall, William C. Davies, and Charles Cummins, min- isters ; John Dickey, John McKnitt Alexander, Adam Beard, William Cathey, William Anderson, Joseph Feemster, and John Nelson, elders; were appointed the commission. The moderator's council to consist of one minister, besides him- self, and one elder. Two ministers, besides the moderator, and as many of the before-named elders as may be present, to con- stitute a quorum. They were empowered to take up and decide upon the case of Rev. Mr. Cossan, if not determined by the presbytery of Abingdon. The decisions of these commis- sions on ordinary matters were final.
The synod was called to act, as is always the case when the commission sat in a judicial capacity. The case of Mr. Cossan, who originally came into this country as a missionary, sent by Lady Huntington, and who preached for a season at Bethel, York district, was taken up and issued by the presbytery of Abingdon. The commission, however, sat upon that case at Salem church, on the Nolachuckee, Tenn., September, 1792. The presbytery passed a sentence of suspension from the min- istry. The synod had substantially removed the censure, but on the fuller hearing by the commission, the commission con- firmed the sentence of the presbytery, and their action was accepted by synod. Mr. Cossan was afterwards restored. Another case was that of Robert Archibald, of the presbytery of Orange, charged by common fame with preaching the doc- trine of the universal restoration of man. The synod sug-
685
HEZEKIAH BALCH.
1790-1800.]
gested to the presbytery of Orange, that they should meet as a presbytery, and decide in reference to Mr. Archibald. This was done, and he was suspended from the communion and the exercise of his ministerial office, and the churches were warned against him and his doctrine.
The next case was that of Rev. Hezekiah Balch, of Abing- don presbytery. Mr. Balch had adopted the sentiments of Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of New England, and had published in the Knoxville Gazette a number of articles of faith which had given offence to many. He had maintained that disinterested benevolence was holiness, and essential to true religion ; that there is no sin but in self-love ; that Adam's sin is not imputed to us till we become moral agents, and have performed moral acts, and have a sinful nature; and that then, the conse- quences of Adam's sin are imputed, and not his personal act. In like manner, the fruits of Christ's righteousness are imputed, and not that righteousness itself. Man has the power, if he but had the will, to keep perfectly the commandments of God. For these doctrines he was called to account, but made such explanations as satisfied the majority of presbytery. Greatly grieved at this, a minority, consisting of Rev. Charles Cum- mins, Edward Crawford, Samuel Doake, Joseph Lake, and James Balch, withdrew and formed the Independent Presbytery of Abingdon. This occurred in 1796. At a meeting of synod, at Mount Bethel, August, 1797, near Greenville, Tennessee, the formation of this presbytery was condemned, and its members were suspended. On the 21st of November, a com- mission of synod, consisting of fourteen ministers and twelve elders, met at the same place ; the Rev. Francis Cummins was chosen moderator, and Gideon Blackburn and Robert Wilson, clerks. They set apart the following day, November 22d, as a day of public fasting and humiliation, in which the people were requested to join. On the next day, the Rev. Samuel Doake, Jacob Lake, and James Balch appeared before the commission, renounced their independence, and made their submission ; whereupon the commission removed their sen- tence of suspension and reinstated them in their ministerial office. The commission sat for fifteen days, patiently taking the testimony and passing their judgment. The case had be- come complicated. Mr. Balch had married Joseph Posey and Jane Reeves, when he knew that Posey's lawful wife was yet living within three miles of him. The old session had for- bidden Mr. Balch from occupying the pulpit in Mount Bethel church, and had withdrawn from his ministry. Mr. Balch
686
SYNOD OF THE CAROLINAS.
[1790-1800.
created a new session, ordained them, cited the old session to the tribunal of the new one, and removed them from office.
On these counts the synod, at an extraordinary session, Feb- ruary 13-19, 1799, suspended Mr. Balch from the exercise of his ministerial functions, and remitted him to the presbytery of Union, which had meanwhile been created, and under whose jurisdiction he now fell. Four of the seven old elders they suspended from their office and from ordinances, for driving Mr. Balch from the church, and failing to support their charges ; three of them they required to submit to a public admonition in presence of the congregation; two others of the congregation were to submit to a private admonition be- fore the session. The commission had already decided that the new session was unconstitutionally created and its judicial acts null and void.
At the close of this protracted trial, the Rev. Hezekiah Balch read the following paper, which he requested to be en- tered on the minutes, viz : "To the Rev. Synod of the Carolinas : As I do not wish to do any thing which may have the least appearance of obstinacy, I cheerfully submit to your judgment; at the same time solemnly declaring that I am not conscious of any thing, in the matter referred to, more than imprudence ; which I hope I shall always be ready to acknowledge, as far as I can without injury to my conscience or the truth. I humbly request that this my answer may be entered on your minutes. "I am yours,
" HEZEKIAH BALCH."
A similar acknowledgment and submission was made to the General Assembly, by Mr. Balch, in 1798, before whom the case was brought by reference from the synod of the Caro- linas. He owns that he was wrong in publishing his creed, and he sincerely engages, in reliance on Divine grace, never here- after to teach or preach what the Assembly have stated to be erroneous. During this whole affair, the Assembly expressed its solicitude that these disquiets and divisions should cease. In 1797, it addressed a letter to the presbytery of Abingdon, ex- horting them to guard against all innovations in doctrine, and "peaceably to submit to the synod of the Carolinas, that their hands may be strengthened in checking error, healing divi- sions, and maintaining the strict and prudent exercise of dis- cipline."-(Minutes, 1797.)
The parties having both submitted to the judgment of the synod, received a suitable admonition from the moderator. At the request of Mr. Balch, he and Mr. Galbraith, his principal
:
687
MISSIONS.
1790-1800.]
prosecutor, shook hands in the presence of the synod, in tes- timony of their personal affection to, and cordial wishes for, the welfare of each other, and hopes of a permanent friendship hereafter. The extraordinary session of synod was termi- nated February 13th, 1799. Mr. Balch was president of Green- ville college, Tennessee. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Williams college, in 1806.
Another judicial case was brought before this synod, by the appeal of Rev. John Bowman from a decision of the Abingdon presbytery, which had suspended him from the ministry for his views respecting the extent of the atonement. The synod censured Mr. Bowman for imprudence and inexactness in his expressions, but reversed the judgment of the presbytery.
Rev. John Foster, of Salem church, South Carolina, asked the opinion and advice of synod, by direction of the pres- bytery of South Carolina, in the case of a member of his charge, who had married his former wife's half-brother's widow The response was, that synod having attentively examined the Mosaic law, is of the opinion that the above marriage does not come within the prohibitions therein contained, and that the person alluded to ought not to be debarred from the privileges of the church.
"A memorial was brought forward and laid before synod, by the Rev. James Gilleland, stating his conscientious difficul- ties in receiving the advice of the presbytery of South Carolina, which has enjoined upon him to be silent in the pulpit on the subject of the emancipation of the Africans, which injunction Mr. Gilleland declares to be, in his opinion, contrary to the counsel of God." We have recorded the decision of the synod on the 634th page of this history, and need not repeat it here.
The synod was desirous of placing a religious literature in the hands of the people, and took measures to reprint Dod- dridge's Rise and Progress, and his ten sermons on Regeneration, appointing a committee in each presbytery to obtain subscrip- tions ; the subject was frequently brought forward, as both its minutes and those of the presbytery of South Carolina show, and money was raised for this purpose, but through the ina- bility of the proposed publisher to meet his engagements, the project seems not to have succeeded.
The General Assembly seem to have left to the synod of the Carolinas, the matter of sending out missionaries to labor in the destitute neighborhoods within their bounds .- (Minutes of the Assembly, pp. 28, 40, anno 1791.) In October, 1791, the synod resolved to send out four missionaries to the destitute
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