History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 1, Part 13

Author: Howe, George, 1802-1883
Publication date: 1870
Publisher: Columbia, Duffie & Chapman
Number of Pages: 774


USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 1 > Part 13


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127


ROCKY SPRING.


1800-1810.]


chant and a distiller. He made and sold whiskey, and, strange to say, not one of his many sons ever drank to excess. This no doubt is to be attributed to the "Let us worship God," heard night and morning at his family board. Captain James Caldwell, brother of John and William was in the battle of Cowpens under General Pickens. In this engagement he was severely wounded and mutilated in his hands and head. He was a man deservedly popular. He died in 1813. He united himself to the Presbyterian Church of Little River, of which he was a devout and exemplary member till his death. The preceding accounts are from the late Judge O'Neal's Annals of Newberry District. They relate to the Revolu- tionary period of our history, which we have long since passed, but some of the actors in those scenes were still living in this decade, and they show the kind of stuff of which the men and women found at that day in this group of Presby- terian churches, were made, some of whose virtues we may hope have.been inherited by their descendants.


ROCKY SPRING-One of the churches of Rev. Robert McClintock, a short distance east of Laurens C. H. We are not able to trace its history . by any sources of information before us through this decade. Robert M. Clintock began to preach there in 1787. In vol. I., p. 528, tradition says that the first who preached the gospel there was Rev. John McCosh, who preached at a stand in the woods near the site of the present church. This, it is conjectured, was about 1780. The first church edifice was of unhewd logs, with a dirt floor. The next was of plank, sawed one edge thin and the other thick with a whip saw, the frame being of hewed logs. Whether Mr. McCosh or Mr. McClintock formerly organized the church is not certainly known. (Z. L. Holmes in "Our Monthly," Sept., 1872.) After the death of Mr. McClintock, in 1803, the church was served by the Rev. J. D. Kennedy through this decade.


LIBERTY SPRING, in the southern part of Laurens District. Mr. Kennedy continued to preach to this congregation as often as was in his power. From 1803 to 1807 he devoted to them one-third part of his ministerial labors. After this they obtained a fourth part of the services of the Rev. Benja- min R. Montgomery, whose residence was at a more conve- nient distance. In addition to this, certain Presbyterian sup- plies were appointed, as of Mr. Kennedy in 1800 and 1801,


128


LIBERTY SPRING.


[1800-1810.


Mr. Templeton in 1803, Mr. Dickson and Mr. Montgomery in 1807, of Messrs. Kennedy, Waddel, and Gilliland in 1808. "Mr. Kennedy," says Dr. Robt. Campbell, "was an excellent, sound doctrinal Preacher, a man of great piety, and indefatig- able in all his ministerial duties. There is much due to his memory for the good he was instrumental in doing at Liberty Spring Church. There were but few of the old members be- longing to the church when he commenced preaching, and in the course of two or three years he had a very flourishing church. Much harmony, unity, and good feeling existed all the time he preached there, In the first year or two, espe- cially, the accessions to the church were numerous. About this time there appeared to be a divine work manifesting its power in a very miraculous manner in the upper Districts of South Carolina. Under the preaching of the gospel many persons would apparently lose voluntary power and fall pros- trate, as if struck with apoplexy and would remain in a state of prostration from an hour to one or two hours. When they begun to speak they expressed deep conviction of their state as sinners and asked God to have mercy on them. Some, when they would rise to their feet, admonished and exhorted those around them to repent and seek the Lord. I have never had any doubt myself, in relation to the work being of divine origin. If it was not the work of God why would the sincere cry to the Lord to have merey on him ? Moreover, in many cases, I had a right to 'judge the tree by its fruits.'" Such is the testimony of Dr. Robert Campbell, a man of wisdom, intelligence, and piety, now no more, from whose manuscript we quote.


The elders ordained by Mr. Kennedy were Johnathan Johnson, Esq., Major John Middle- ton, Captain John Robinson, James Neikels, Joseph Hollings- worth, and Samuel Freeman, wrongly printed Truman in our Vol. I. p. 621. We repeat the names, desiring thus to cor-


rect this error. Mr. Kennedy continued preaching at Liberty Spring till near the close of this decade, and was succeded by Rev. Benjamin Montgomery, D.D., who preached one-fourth of his time the year after Mr. Kennedy left. He lived some time before this in Abbeville, and taught a Male Academy at Cambridge. He was, says Dr. Campbell, a man of fine talents and eloquent. His eloquence was characterized by both . gravity and warmth. After he left Liberty Spring he was called to preach at Camden, thence to Columbia as Professor


1800-1810.]


UNION AND GRASSY SPRING. 129


in the South Carolina College and pastor in the Columbia Church. He died in the prime of life in one of the British Isles whether he had gone in the pursuit of health. MS. of Dr. Campbell. [MS. Hist. of Second Presbytery, by Rev. Dr. Waddel. Rev. J. B. Kennedy, Hugh Dickson, Committee. Minutes of Second Presbytery.]


UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -A part of Dr. Joseph Alex- ander's ministerial labors were devoted to this people until 1802, when the Rev. William Williamson took the pastoral charge. A great revival occurred here in this year, which was productive of blessed effects in many instances. In 1805 Mr. Williamson removed to the State of Ohio, having first taken his dismission from Presbytery to join the Presbytery of Washington in the State of Kentucky. Mr. Williamson owned a number of slaves which he wished to emancipate, and it was the same disaffection with slavery which induced him, Robt. G. Wilson, and James Gilliland, Sr., to remove to the free states of the West about the same time.


On September 28, 1805, Daniel Gray was called to this church in connection with Fairforest and Grassy Spring ; he was ordained as has before been mentioned, and continued in connection with these churches through this period. Pres- byterial supplies were ordered for it also. Messrs. William- son and Kennedy in 1800 and 1801 ; Messrs. Williams and Montgomery in 1803, and Messrs. Williamson and Kennedy in 1804. Besides the elders of this church, Wm. Kennedy and Joseph McJunkin, ordained before the present century,. and John Savage, Joseph Hughes and Christopher Brandon, mentioned Vol. I. p.p. 530-532 ; two others, Thomas Kenne- dy and James Gage were ordained, between 1800 and 1815. (J. H. S.)


FAIRFOREST .- We have before seen Vol. I. p. 551, 552, that Rev. Wm. Williamson was pastor of this church until his removal with a portion of his congregation in Ohio to 1804-5. The Rev. Samuel B. Wilson, a native of North Carolina, after- wards Dr. Wilson of the Union Thelogical Seminary, but at that time licentiate, supplied the church for six months in the year 1805. This congregation was the first within the bounds of its Presbytery where the great revival of 1802 made its ap- pearance. Many were awakened and the happy results were observable in the holy walk of many truly converted persons for many years. "It is still for a memorial," says the MS.


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130


FAIRFOREST-NAZARETII.


[1800-1810.


History of the Second Presbytery written in 1809. Thomas Williamson, M.D., and Daniel Gray also preached for this people as licentiates under the care of Presbytery in Septem- ber, 1805. Thomas Williamson was the brother of Rev. Wm. Williamson. He abandoned the practice of medicine for the ministry, and preached with great zeal, but died before being ordained. Daniel Gray was brought up in Abbeville District, and was a pupil of Dr. Moses Waddel, he was or- dainad pastor of this Church in Connection with Union (for- merly Brown's Creek,) and Grassy Spring (now Cane Creek) in August, 1805. He was spoken of as an able and zealous preacher as well as sound Divine. He taught a classical school at the church for some time. Rev. Thomas Archi- bald, Wm Means, A. W. Thompson, David McDowell, and Wm. K. Clowney were among his pupils.


NAZARETH CHURCH, Spartanburg District, was at the be- ginning of this century ministered to by the Rev. James Templeton as stated supply. His connection with the church in this capacity ceased before April 7th, 1802, when the church petitioned Presbytery for supplies. In Sep- tember, 1802 in connection with the church of Fairview, they called James Gilliland, Jr., (who was licensed on the 8th of April in that year, to be their pastor. He was ordained on the 7th of April, 1803, at Fairview church, at the regular meeting of Presbytery, the Rev. John B. Kennedy presiding, and Rev. James Templeton preaching the sermon. This Mr. Gilliland is said to have been the son of parents unable to afford him an education. Their ininister, who was also em- ployed in teaching, observing the bright parts of the lad, said to his parents, "Give me your son James, and I will help him with his education." (The minister is supposed to have been Mr. Templeton.) James went to live with the preacher and had a variety of work to perform. But he always carried his book with him, and occasionally looked into it even while ploughing. His progress was rapid. He married a Miss Nesbit. His father-in-law furnished the funds which enabled him to obtain an education at College. He taught a classical school in the Nazareth congregation, while he was preparing for the ministry and before he was licensed, which was at- tended by Dr. John McElhenney from 1798 to 1801, Dr. Samuel B. Wilson of the Union Seminary, Virginia, being his school-mate at that time. Mr. Gilliland continued the pastor


131


CAMP MEETING.


1800-1810.]


of Nazareth and Fairview Churches through the remainder of this decade. To excellent scholarship, James Gilliland, Jr.,* added the attractions of an animated speaker, and of a man of engaging and popular manners. The church grew and flour- ished under his pastorate. In this society too the revival of religion of which we have spoken made its first most remark- able appearance early in July, 1802. The members of the Second Presbytery of South Carolina generally attended a camp meeting previously appointed, and. administered the Lord's Supper. During the solemnity which several thou- sands attended, many persons were stricken down and exer- cised in a manner to account for which the wisest persons present were puzzled From this the work was diffused and there were few if any societies in the bounds of the Presby- tery in which its effects did not appear in a greater or less de- gree within a short time afterwards. [MS. Hist. of Pres., Min- utes of Do. Letters of J. H. Saye and Dr. John McElhenney, MS. of Rev. Robt. H. Reid.] The following letter more fully describes the occasion to which the preceding alludes. [p. 404 of Footed Sketches of N. C.]


A TRUE ACCOUNT OF A GREAT MEETING HELD IN THE DISTRICT OF SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA.


Abbeville, (S. C.,) July 7th, 1802.


"MY FRIEND : I have just returned from Nazareth, where I have seen and heard things which no tongue can tell, no pen can paint, no language can describe, or of which no man can have a just conception, until he has seen, heard and felt. I am willing that you should have a perfect detail of all the circumstances attending this meeting ; and of all occurrences which there took place. But you must accept the acknowl- edgments of my inadequacy to draw a just representation ; yet, as far as I may be able, I will now give you an account of some things :


*The author greatly regrets the error which occurs in his first volume page 506, in an extract from the Central Presbyterian, which confounds James Gilliland, Jr., with James Gilliland, Sr., who became a member of South Carolina Presbytery in 1796, and was pastor at Bradaway Church, went to Ohio in 1805, and never taught in Nazareth congrega- tion. It was James Gilliland, Jr., who was not licensed until 1802, and did not leave the State until 1819 or 1820. The two Gillilands it is be- lieved were not related to each other, or if so, very remotely. The one was called Nazareth Gilliland, and the other Bradaway Gilliland from their respective places of labour.


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132


RELIGIOUS SERVICES.


[1800-1810.


"The meeting was appointed some months since by the Presbytery, and commenced. on Friday, the 2nd inst. The grove wherein the camp was pitched was near the water of Tyger River; and being in a vale which lay between two hills gently inclining towards each other, was very suitably adapt- ed to the purpose. The first day was taken up in encamp- ment until two o'clock, when divine service commenced with a sermon by the Rev. John B. Kennedy. He was succeeded by the Rev. William Williamson, in an address explanatory of the nature and consequences of such meetings. The as- sembly was then dismissed. After some time, service com- menced again with a sermon by the Rev. James Gilliland, who was followed by the Rev. Robert Wilson, in a very serious and solemn exhortation. Afterwards the eve- ning was spent in singing and prayer alternately. About sun- down the people were dismissed to their respective tents. By this time the countenances of all began to be shaded by the clouds of solemnity, and to assume a very serious aspect.


At ten o'clock two young men were lying speechless, motion- less, and sometimes to all appearance, except in the mere act


of breathing, dead. Before day, five others were down ; these I did not see. The whole night was employed in reading and commenting upon the word of God ; and also in singing, praying and exhiorting ; scarcely had the light of the morn- ing sun dawned on the people, ere they were engaged in what may be called family worship. The adjacent tents col- lecting in groups, here and there, all round the whole line. The place of worship was early repaired to by a numerous throng. Divine service commenced at eight by one of the Methodist brethren, whom I do not recollect. He was fol- lowed by the Rev. Mr. Shackleford, of the Baptist profession. Singing, praying and exhorting by the Presbyterian clergy- men continued until two o'clock, when an intermission of some minutes was granted. that the people might refresh them- selves with water, &c. By this time, the audience became so numerous, that it was impossible for all to crowd near enough to hear one speaker ; although- the ground rising above the stage theatrically, afforded aid to the voice. Hence, the


assembly divided, and afterwards preaching was performed at two stages. An astonishing and solemn attention in the hearers, and an animating and energetic zeal in the speakers, were now everywhere prevailing. Service commenced half


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133


RELIGIOUS SERVICES.


1800-1810.]


after two by the Rev. John Simpson at one stage, and at the other, by the Rev. James M'Elhenney, who were succeeded by the Rev. Francis Cummings. After these sermons, fervent praying, &c., were continued until, and through the night, in which time many were stricken, and numbers brought to the ground.


"The next morning (Sabbath morning,) a still higher, if possible, more engaged and interesting spirit pervaded the whole grove ; singing and praying echoed from every quarter until eight o'clock, when divine service commenced again at both stages, before two great and crowded assemblies. The action sermons were delivered by the Rev Robert Wilson, at one stage, and the Rev. William Cummings Davis at the other. I did not hear Mr. Wilson. But Mr. Davis's was one of the most popular orthodox gospel sermons that I ever heard. No sketch, exhibited in words, would be adequate to portray the appearance of the audience under this discourse. Imagine to yourself thousands under a sense of the greatest possible danger, anxious to be informed in all that related to their dearest interests, in the presence of a counsellor, who, laboring with all his efforts, should be endeavoring to point out the only way to security ; and you will have some faint conception of this spectacle.


" Then ensued the administration of the Lord's Supper. To the communion sat down about four hundred persons. It was a matter of infinite satisfaction, to see on this occasion the members of the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches united ; all owning and acknowledging the same God, the same Saviour, the same Sanctifier, and the same Heaven. We are sorry to add that the Baptists refused to join ; whether their objections were reasonably justifiable, I shall not pre- sume to say.


" The evening exercises, although greatly interrupted by the intemperance of the weather, progressed as usual, until about dark ; when there commenced one of the most sublime, awfully interesting and glorious scenes which could possibly be exhibited on this side of eternity. The penetrating sighs, and excruciating struggles of those under exercise ; the grate- ful exultations of those brought to a sense of their guilty condition, and to a knowledge of the way to salvation, mingled with the impressions which are naturally excited by the charms of music and the solemnity of prayer on such


134


THEIR EFFECTS.


[1800-1810.


occasions; and to all this added the nature of the scenery, the darkness of night and the countenances of the spectators, speaking in the terms more expressive than language, the sympathy, the hope and the fear of their hearts, were suffi- cient to bow the stubborn neck of infidelity, silence the tongue of profanity, and melt the heart of cold neglect, though hard as adamant. This scene continued through the night. Monday morning dawned big with the fate of its importance. The morning exercises were conducted as usual. About half- past seven the assembly met the ministers at the stage, and service commenced by the Rev. Mr. Waddel, after which ensued singing, exhorting and a concert of prayer. At length the business closed with an address, energetic and appropriate, by the Rev. Francis Cummins. In the course of this day, many were stricken, numbers of whom fell.


"I cannot but say that the parting was one of the most moving and affecting scenes which presented itself through- out the whole. Families, who had never seen each other until they met on the ground, would pour forth the tears of sympathy, like streams of waters; many friendships were formed, and many attachments contracted, which, although the persons may never meet again, shall never be dissolved. Not one-quarter of an hour before I mounted my horse to come away, I saw one of the most beautiful sights which ever mortal beheld. It would not only have afforded pleasure to the plainest observer, but the profoundest philosopher would have found it food for his imagination. The case to which I allude was the exercise of Miss Dean, one of the three sisters who fell near the close of the work. Her reflections presented mostly objects of pleasure to her view. But sometimes, for the space of a minute, she would lose them ; the consequence of which was painful distress. By the very features of her face I could see when her afflictive sensations approached, as plain as ever I saw the sun's light obscured by the over-pass- ing of clouds. In her happy moments she awakened in my recollection Milton's lively picture of Eve when in a state of innocence.


"Another extraordinary case occurred at the very moment of departure. Two men disputing, one for, the other against the worl:, referred their contest to a clergyman of respecta- bility, who happened to be passing that way. Hei .. imedi- ately took hold of the hand of the unbeliever and thus


135


· CASES.


1800-1810.]


addressed him : 'If you were in your heart's desire to wait on the means of grace, God would show you the truth. You may expect mercy to visit you ; but remember, my hand for it, it will cost you something ; a stroke would not now come at a successless hour.' Scarcely had the words dropped from his lips, when the man was on the ground, pleading for an interest in the kingdom of heaven, and begging pardon of God for his dishonoring him and the cause of religion, through unbelief. I understood the man to be a pious man, and his hesitations of a religious and conscientious kind. The other men who had been in the crowd where many were lying under the operations of the work, attempted to run off. One, leaving his hat in his haste, ran about twenty or thirty paces and fell on his face. His shrieks declared the terrors and anguish under which he labored. The other ran a different course about fifty yards, and fell.


" The number of those who were stricken could not be ascertained, but I believe it to be much greater than any one would conceive. On Sabbath night, about twelve or one o'clock, I 'stood alone on a spot whence I could hear and see all over the camp, and found that the work was not confined to one, two or three places, but overspread the whole field, and in some large crowds the ground appeared almost covered. In the course of one single prayer, of duration about ten minutes, twelve persons fell to the ground, the majority of whom declared, in terms audible and explicit, that they never prayed before.


" There attended on this occasion thirteen Presbyterian preachers, viz. : Messrs. Simpson, Cummins, Davis, Cunning- ham, Wilson, Waddel, Williamson, Brown, Kennedy, Gille- land, Sr., M'Elhenny, Dixon and Gilleland, Jr., and an un- known number of Methodists and Baptists.


" The multitude on this occasion far exceeded anything which had come under my observation. There were various conjectures of the number present, some allowed three, some four, some five, some six, some seven, and some eight thousand. I had not been in the habit of seeing such multi- tudes together, and therefore do not look upon myself ca- pable of reckoning anyways accurately on the subject. But I do candidly believe five thousand would not be a vague conjecture. The District of Spartanburg, where the meeting was held, contains no less than twelve thousand souls. Men


136


ATTENDANCE.


[1800-1810.


of information who reside therein, said, to one who might be travelling, the country would appear almost depopulated, and hesitated not in the least to say two-thirds of the inhabitants were present. Now supposing only one-third to have at- tended from that district itself, there would have been four thousand. Besides, there were multitudes from the districts of Union, York, Laurens and Greenville. Numbers from Pendleton, Abbeville, Chester and Newberry, and some from Green, Jackson, Elbert and Franklin counties, of the State of Georgia. Of carriages, the number was about two hundred, including wagons and all other carriages.


" In a thinking mind, an approach to the spot engendered awful and yet pleasing reflections. The idea which necessa- rily struck the mind were, thousands in motion to a point, where to meet, tell, hear, see and feel the mighty power of God. Believe me, sir, no composition can exaggerate the spirit of one of these occasions, although facts may be mis- represented. For a lively miniature, I refer you to an extract of a letter contained in a book lately published and entitled, 'Surprising Accounts,' where this expression is used, 'The slain of the Lord were scattered over the fields.'


" I cannot omit mentioning an idea expressed by Mr. Wil- liamson. After taking a view of the general prevalency of dissipation and slothful neglect in religious affairs, he con- cluded, saying, "These works appear like the last efforts of the Deity to preserve his church, and promote the cause of religion on this earth.' To see the brilliancy and sublimity of this idea, we need only recur to the state of society for a few years back, especially in the Southern States of United America, when and where Satan with all his influence ap- peared to be let loose and was going about like a roaring lion seeking whom he might devour. This extraordinary work carries in itself, demonstratively, the truth of the Christian religion. Men who fall, and many there are who have paid no attention to the holy scripture, yea, even infidels of the deepest dye, cry out "their sinful state by nature,' ' their alienation from God,' 'and man's incapacity to satisfy the justice of the law under which he stands condemned,' 'and of course the absolute necessity of a Redeemer.' When receiv- ing comfort from this last consideration, I heard none crying for Mahomed, Bramma, Grand Lama or Hamed; none but Christ was their healing balm, in Him alone was all reliance fixed, on Him alone was all dependence placed.


137


EFFECTS-NORTH PACOLET.


· 1800-1810.]


"It would be exceedingly difficult to draw an intelligible representation of the effects of this work upon the human body. Some are more easily and gently wrought than oth- ers ; some appear wholly wrapped in solitude; while others cannot refrain from pouring out their whole souls in exhorta- tion to those standing round ; different stages, from mild swoons to convulsive spasms, may be seen ; the nerves are not unfrequently severely cramped ; the subjects generally exhibit appearances as though their very hearts would burst out of their mouths ; the lungs are violently agitated, and all accompanied with an exhalation ; they universally declare that they feel no bodily pain at the moment of exercise, although some complain of a sore breast and the effects of a cramping, after the work is over; the pulse of all whom I ob- served beat quick and regular, the extremities of the body are sometimes perceptibly (old. In short, no art or desire would imitate the exercise. No mimic would be able to do justice to the exhibition. This demonstrates the error of the foolish supposition of its being feigned. I will conclude, my dear sir, acknowledging that all I have here written is incompe- tent to give you any complete idea of the work. Therefore to you and all who wish to be informed, I say, come, hear, . see and feel.




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