USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 1 > Part 20
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Mr Palmer accordingly came to Charleston az 1 after much serious consultation and anxious mental conflict, assentei to the recommenda- tion of his friend-issued proposal for opening & school, and on the forenoon of the 14th of December, 1813, sent off to his Church in Beau- fort, a letter of resignation of its pastorship. IL two hours after this was done, Dr. Keith was struck with apoplexy. and in seven hours more breathed his last."
History of the Circular Church, p. 7.
William Hollingshead was born of respectable parents in Philadelphia, October 8, 1748. His fathe: William Hollings- head, who was considerably distinguished in civil life at the commencement of the Revolution, was the youngest son, who lived to manhood, of Daniel Hollingshead, who came from Lancashire, England, to Barbadoes, early in the eighteenth century, and was married to Miss Hazel, the daughter of a wealthy sugar planter on the Island, and some time after came to New Jersey and settled in the neighborhood of New Brunswick. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of fifteen children. He discovered a serious disposition from early childhood, and at the age of fifteen became a commu-
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nicant in the Church. He was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1770. He was licensed to preach by the Presytery of Philadelphia in 1772; and was ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, N. J., the next year. Here he was greatly esteemed, and enjoyed a high degree of popularity throughout the whole region ; and he did not hesitate to say, in the latter part of his life, that he had never known any happier years than those which he spent in his connection with this congregation.
In the year 1783, he accepted a call from the Independent Congregational Church in Charleston, South Carolina-a call from the same Church having been sent to him the preceding year, but not accepted on account of some informality. Here, also, he was received with great favor; and soon acquired an extensive influence, both as a man and a minister. In 1788, the Rev. Isaac Keith, who had been previously settled over the Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, D. C, was associated with him in the pastoral office; though there were two places of worship belonging to the congregation in which the two pastors alternately officiated.
In 1793, Mr. Hollingshead was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the College of New Jersey.
Dr. Hollingshead continued in the active discharge of his duties till March, 1815, when he suddenly lost, in a great measure, his power of recollection. while engaged in the public service of the Sabbath. In connection with this, he suffered great depression of spirits ; and, early in the sum- mer, traveled into the Northern States, in the hope that his malady might yield to rest and relaxation. He returned home in December following without having experienced any essential relief ; and from that time he continued in a low and declining state, until the 26th of January, 1817, when he closed his earthly career, aged sixty-eight years and three months.
Dr. Hollingshead published a sermon on the new meeting house, 1787 ; a sermon on the advantages of public worship, 1794; a sermon commemorative of General Moultrie, 1805.
He was married to a sister of the Rev. Daniel M'Calla, but they had no children.
"In stature," says the Rev. William States Lee, who was reared under Dr. Hollingshead's pastoral care, " he was not much above medium height ; but was remarkably dignified in
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his deportment. His features were very regular and attractive ; his manners combined the apparently opposite qualities of great refinement and Christian simplicity. So great was his influence among the people of his charge during the first years of his ministry in Charleston, and so marked was their attachment to him, that he was tauntingly spoken of by many in other denominations as "the white meetingers' Saviour." He maintained a distinguished reputation for biblical knowl- edge, piety, and eloquence, to the close of life. His manner in the pulpit was earnest and impressive. He spoke like one who felt deeply his responsibility to God, who truly estimated the value of the soul, and whose ardent love to God and man cause him to forget himself in his efforts to advance the inter- ests of Christ's Kingdom.
In his intercourse with his fellow-men he was urbane and courteous. Never forgetting what was due to his office, and what was reasonably expected of him as a Christian and a Christian minister, his cheerfulness, and mildness, and un- affected interest in the welfare of all, rendered his character peculiarly attractive, and his company exceedingly welcome to persons of all ages. His pastoral intercourse was charac- terized by tenderness and fidelity. Prepared at all times to advise, direct, commend, and even censure, if need be, in a manner peculiarly his own, he could check the presumptuous without repelling them, and encourage the timid or despond- ing without bringing to their view any false ground of de- pendence. Christ and Him crucified, the sinner's hope, the Christian's example and life, was the theme that seemed ever present to his mind, both in public and in private.
The following inscription to his memory was to be found on a mural monument on the eastern wall of the Church (pre- vious to the conflagration of 1861), to the left of the pulpit as one should approach it :
Sacred to the memory of the Rev. WILLIAM HOLLINGSHEAD, D. D. This venerable servant of God Was the Senior Pastor Of the Independent Church, in this City, Nearly one-third of a century. After a long and afflicting illness, Sustained with the most pious resignation, He was called to the joy of his Lord, On the 26th day of January, A. D. 1817, In the 68th year of his age.
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TWO PLACES OF WORSHIP.
He was blessed with a meek And gentle spirit, Which peculiarly qualified him To be a teacher of the benevolent doctrines Of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was fervent in prayer, Earnest and eloquent in his public discourses, And eminently persuasive and consoling, In his pastoral visits to the sick And the afflicted. His active beneficence, ardent piety, His humility, blended with mild dignity, And his faithful labors in the ministry, Greatly endeared him to his own people, And procured him the respect of others.
His Congregation, deeply sensible of his great worth, And of their severe loss, Erect this monument to the memory Of their beloved Pastor.
In the year 1814, a few months only having elapsed since the death of Dr. Keith, the church called Mr. Palmer to become their pastor as colleague with Dr. Hollingshead. The next year he was honored with the title of D. D. by the College of South Carolina. During the decade of which we now speak there were published of his the following ser- mons : Gratitude and Penitence recommended from the united consideration of national judgments; a Sermon de- livered on a day appointed for humiliation, thanksgiving and prayer in Charleston, 1814; the Signs of the Times discussed and improved; two Sermons delivered in the Independent Church, Charleston, 1816 ; a charge at the ordination of Rev. Jonas King and Rev. Alfred Wright, the former when he was ordained as City Missionary in Charleston, among the seamen and others; the latter as a Missionary to the Choctaw Indians in 1819; a Sermon on the Anniversary of the Sabbath School Association in Charleston, 1819.
It will be remembered that this church, though incorpo- rated as one body, consisted of two congregations, meeting in two distinct places of worship, the house popularly known as the Circular Church, in Meeting street, and that known as the Archdile Street Church ; that they were served by two associate or colleague pastors who officiated in the respec- tive churches alternately, morning and evening. Early in the spring of 1815, the Rev. Anthony Foster, who had been
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preaching for some short time in the Independent Church at Wappetaw, in the First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, and the Church on John's Island, was engaged as a temporary supply in the room of Dr. Hollingshead, whose age and infir- mities forbade the expectation that he would ever be able to resume his labors. In the autumn of this year he was at- tacked with hemorrhage of the lungs and did not resume his labors till sometime in the Spring of 1816. In January of the next year, as we have seen, Dr. Hollingshead died.
Mr. Foster was born in the County of Brunswick, in North Carolina, January 11th, 1785. His father dying when he was yet a child, his education was provided for by his guardian, who sent him and his brother to the University of North Carolina where they entered the preparatory school, he being at this time but twelve years of age. He resided at this insti- tution for five years and at the advice of friends commenced the study of law. But he was found to be poring over volumes of theology which chance threw in his way, rather than perusing Blackstone or Coke. His health failing, through this too sedentary life, under the advice of friends he accepted an Ensign's commission in the army, bearing date March, 1804. He was stationed on the Western frontier of Georgia, was promoted to a Lieutenancy and had the reputa- tion of a brave, correct and active officer until October, 1806, when he resigned and retired from the service. He was then for a season employed in the United States Factory estab- lished at the fort where he had been stationed, and then returned to his legal studies at Milledgeville. After some time thus spent he was attacked with a severe illness from which he never fully recovered. He then returned to North Carolina and became private secretary to General B. Smith, his former guardian, who was at that time, 1810, Governor of the State. Here his desire returned to dedicate himself to the preaching of the Gospel. With this view he became as- sistant teacher in the Raleigh Academy, under the Rev. Dr. McPheeters, who was its principal, and at the same time pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. Early in 1813 he was licensed as a preacher by Orange Presbytery, and till November of that year officiated as a voluntary Missionary in various parts of South Carolina and Georgia. He was married in December, 1813, to Miss Altona H. Gales, daughter of Mr. Joseph Gales, of Raleigh, and sister of Mr.
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Gales, afterwards of Washington City. She was born in Altona, in Holstein, and her full name was Altona Holstein Gales.
Mr. Forster was a man of popular manners and very con- siderable talent. So far as his theological education was ' concerned, it had been in the Calvanistic faith, and the creeds and discipline of the Presbyterian Church he must have assented to, or he could not have been authorized by it to preach the Gospel. But he could not have been a thorough and well-read theologian. And when he came under the personal influence of a Unitarian friend, in the City of Charles- ton, he was led to adopt, more or less, his opinions, and to favor doctrines which are subversive of the Gospel.
The following history of these ever-to-be-lamented events is compiled from the narrative of a committee appointed July 14th, 1817, "to collect, collate and submit a statement of the causes which led to a separation of this congregation."
" For a time." say this committee, " his preaching and con- duct won greatly upon his hearers, while his pecuniary cir- cumstances awakened their sympathy. He was engaged for the church at the small annual stipend of $1, 140, which was made thus narrow by the necessity of continuing a large por- tion of the salary of Dr. Hollingshead. His pecuniary necessities were relieved from private sources. But the necessities of Dr. Hollingshead being soon after provided for by the Society for the Relief of Disabled Ministers, Mr. Forster had placed at his disposal the annual sum of $2,140. The death of Dr. H. created a vacancy which the existing engagement with Mr. F. could not be construed to embrace. It was, however, no less necessary that some person should officiate as a temporary supply, on the same terms as before stated. The members and supporters gave another evidence of respect for Mr. F. by a unanimous election of him to fill this new vacancy. The second contract with Mr. F. was of the ordinary duration, and so prevalent was the opinion that he would succeed as co-pastor, that the course indicated by the Constitution, and similarly pursued on similar occa- sions, was not resorted to. It was during this latter en- gagement that some of his discourses awakened apprehensions of the unsoundness of his principles in the minds of the most intelligent and discerning members of the congregation. These impressions were received with caution and uttered
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with hesitation. Such was the delicacy observed towards him, and such the confidence of the church in him, that the day for the election of co-pastor was already announced and not one effort essayed to obtain another candidate. On the day appointed for the election, the members and supporters of the church were convened. Pursuant to the letter and spirit of the Constitution, the members in communion first assembled to determine on the expediency of proceeding forthwith to elect a co-pastor, an election which they well knew, for the causes above stated, must eventuate in favor of Mr. Forster. While thus deliberating, two of the members stated to their brethren that, to satisfy certain doubts, they had waited on and held a personal communication with Mr. F., the result of which was a confirmation of those opinions which previously existed but in doubt ; and further, substan- tially declared that the tenets of Mr. Forster were at variance with those adopted, and which had uniformly obtained in that church ; and they sincerely believed that, even if elected, he would not subscribe the Constitution and articles of faith. This important communication from gentlemen whose vera- city was above suspicion, and whose intelligence and zeal left no room to suppose the existence of error, awakened the most poignant reflections, and became the source of extreme embarrassment. Could they imagine that he who had been received into the bosom of the Church, in the view of a written constitution, embracing those great doctrinal points or articles of faith which had been interwoven with its very existence ; which had been recently reviewed and solemnly confirmed, and with which every member of the congregation was supposed to be conversant ? Could he have been ignorant at the moment of his acceptance of so important and respon- sible a charge, that such was their constitution, such their faith ? They were aware that it was impossible. Even
ignorance, under such circumstances, was culpable and with- out the possibility of extenuation. Could he, then, possess ing principles hostile to both, voluntarily become their spiritual guide, without intending secretly to sap the most venerable and beautiful pillars of the Institution ?
Mr. F had been received into the Church in the true spirit of Christian philanthropy. It had in advance, and while he was yet a stranger, bestowed its confidence and affection. Could he, in return, retain those principles locked up in his
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own bosom until his increasing popularity should awaken the spirit of discord and erect this triumph on the divisions of the church ? Or did he imagine their concealment for a time essential to the great object of effecting a gradual change, and having once set afloat the immutable principles of the church on the tempestuous ocean of theological speculation, deign graciously to become their pilot, and guide them, by the polar star of his opinions, to a haven of more security?
Whatever suggestion this intelligence gave birth to, con- strained them either to impute to him a conduct so wholly opposite to the sacred character he sustained - to that correct and honorable sentiment which must ever constitute and give dignity to that character-or to regard with an eye of suspicion a communication which, in the opinion of several, was directly confirmed by his own discourses.
On a review of this conduct the mind intuitively pauses, and the question is irresistibly obtruded, was it in human ingenuity to devise a measure more liberal, ingenuous and respectful, than to "instruct the deacons of the church to inquire and ascertain from Mr. Forster, whether, if elected, he would subscribe the constitution and articles of faith ?" The only known candidate was represented as opposed to that constitution, by virtue of which he was to be elected, and to that faith which the church required him to enforce by precept and illustrate by example. An inquiry into the fact was indispensable, because enjoined by the most sacred duty, and a postponement of the election absolutely necessary, be- cause an election would have been nugatory and void. To whom, then, could an inquiry, so peculiar in its character and consequences, have been so properly committed, as to the responsible and solemnly recognized officers of the church, the deacons. Having adopted these measures, the supporters were called in, and the chairman announced to them, that the members in communion deemed it inexpedient to proceed at that meeting to an election for a co-pastor. A motion was then made by one of the supporters, that the church should pursue its usual course on such occasions, and that, as here- tofore, a committee be appointed to inquire for and report the names of suitable clergymen as candidates for the office of co-pastor, which having been concurred in, the meeting ad- journed.
Availing themselves of the earliest moment, the deacons ad-
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dressed a respectful letter to Mr. Forster, to which they received an answer of a character so evasive, that they would have been fully justified in not holding any further communi- cation with him, and in reporting these proceedings to the church ; but a spirit of forbearance prevailed, and a second was addressed. The result mortified the hopes of all to whom the peace of the church was dear. The committee appointed to inquire for a suitable candidate, also wrote to Mr. F., en- closing a copy of the constitution, and requested to be in- formed whether he would become a candidate under its provisions. His answer to this communication referred to his correspondence with the deacons, from which even the faintest ray of information on those essential points sought after by the church, could not be elicited.
A few days subsequent to the occurrences just developed he addressed a letter to Mr. Thos. Jones, the venerable chair- man of the church, in which he expatiated at length on the blasphemy of creeds, and commented with acrimony on those who subscribed to them, alluding particularly to the members of the church. Nor did he wait the effect this last effort was calculated to produce on the minds of the congregation, but gave it to the public in pamphlet form. To temporize was to submit-replication involving doubt was inadmissible ; under such circumstances even forbearance ceased to be a virtue. The adherents to the constitution and faith of the church were importunately required to act, and at a numerous meeting of the members and supporters immediately subsequent, the connection between the church and Mr. F. was solemnly dis- solved. Hence arose that division which eventuated in the separation of the congregation and of the two churches. That in Archdale Street was yielded to the advocates of Mr. F., that in Meeting Street to those who adhered to the constitution and faith of the church.
For the motives which induced a unanimous vote on the question of separation, the views which governed the opposite party, and for embodying much valuable information relative to this interesting occurrence, your committee take the liberty of embracing in their report a report of a committee who were appointed to carry into effect and arrange the several matters growing out of a division of the churches, and which was made to a select meeting of the friends and adherents to the Constitution, as follows :
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" This meeting has been solicited by the committee who consider themselves the representatives of the friends and adherents of the constitution of the church. The motives are to have a free conference on the state of the church, without being controlled by the presence of those who, unhappily for the church, have organized a violent opposition to its rules and constitution. The present state of this church is beyond all example in its past history critical and ominous.
A large portion of worshipers have leagued with a floating mass composed of persons who claim to have a voice, but whose voices, until now, have not been heard in the concerns of the church, and who, neither by attendance on worship, nor by contributing to its support, have ever manifested any extraordinary interest. It is not to be disguised that the party at present opposed to the constitution of the church is composed of various materials and that they are influenced by various motives. A portion of them, and not a small por- tion, have sprung from a party heretofore subsisting on the lifetime of our late venerable pastors. Others are influenced by personal attachments to Mr. F. and others by religious opinions, conforming to those he is supposed to possess and which have decided this church to withdraw from him their support.
Others there may be who, partaking of none of those motives, have been driven by that wayward spirit of opposi- tion too often found among men, and others drawn in by the personal influence of the zealous. Various as may be the motives of this party there is one point in which they all agree, either to divide these churches or to upturn them from their foundations. They were to have taken the most effec- tual means of securing united counsels and of acting with combined force on these their favorite points. They have not left the men of their party to that freedom of will which seeks the line of prudence in free and common discussion at a fair church meeting, but they meet separate and apart, hear arguments on one side only, and resolve before hand what they will do, before they meet their other brethren of the church.
To deliberate under such circumstances is nugatory. They come not to deliberate, but to act. This was sufficiently manifested at the last church meeting, which must be fresh in every one's recollections. The result of that meeting showed
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what extremities the affairs of this church are fast ap- proaching.
Your committee felt deeply the importance of the charge and the weight of responsibility under which they acted. . They could not but perceive that what might be done was pregnant with great effects on this church and on posterity ; that it was to be reviewed by their cotemporaries and looked back to by posterity with censure or approbation. They felt themselves bound, therefore, to suppress their passion or indig- nation at what had passed, and taking a long view of the actual state of the church, from whatever cause it had arisen, concert such measures as promised to diminish, if not eradi- cate present evils, and leave an open door of hope for more prosperity and harmony in future. It is manifest that this could be done only by union or disunion ; that is by again harmonizing present parties under the present constitution of the church, or by separating the congregation into the two distinct churches, so that each might be organized by itself, without interfering with one another. It is needless to tell this meeting how more than hopeless, how utterly imprac- ticable it was to attempt the first. Independently of all other considerations, the party in opposition had so completely identified their cause with that of Mr. Forster that nothing short of his being brought in as co-pastor of both churches, could have met their concurrence.
It is superfluous to state, how perfectly repugnant this would be to those whom we represented. Measures had gone too far on both sides for Mr. F., ever to have be- come a bond of union. To sit again under the ministry of a man, not only more than suspected of being erroneous in the faith, but who, with a most unsparing hand had lavished grossest abuse upon the living signers of the constitution of the Church, and the memory of those who had died in the faith of it, was abhorrent to every principle.
To agree to differ, was the only alternative, or to wage a war of doubtful issue. When your committee say, of doubtful issue, they mean to say doubtful on which side victory would be found. But in one respect this issue is not at all doubtful, for let the victory settle where it might, it would be a grievous or disastrous victory, one to be bewailed by victors and van- quished.
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