USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 1 > Part 3
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A proposition for pulling down the old building, which might have lasted several years, and erecting a new circular one, at the expense of $60,000, on its site, would first have been promptly rejected, but from the agency of Providence, which overrules the hearts of man, it was after repeated delib- erations, peaceably and unanimously adopted. On this occa- sion the venerable Treasurer of the Church, (Josiah Smith,) gave an example worthy of imitation by the minority of all deliberative bodies. The opposers of the circular form were at first very numerous; but they all successively came into the measure, with the exception of Mr. Smith. When he perceived the change that had taken place, and the final question was about to be put, he walked out ; but gave up all opposition, and continued from that day to be, as he had always been before, a most active, disinterested, zealous friend of the church.
For the two years which elapsed between the pulling down
*The church to which reference is here made we suppose to be the Sansom Street Baptist Church, in Philadelphia. The ceiling of this was, we believe, not vaulted-like a dome, but was more like the in- terior surface of a hollow cone. The case with which the speaker's voice could be heard are perhaps due to this method of construction. The echo in the Circular Church was painful and exceedingly annoying to the speaker. His voice returned to him, as if some one was mimicking him from beneath the pulpit or elsewhere. The chorister was wont to give out the first line from the gallery or organ loft. and the echo was very distinct and disturbing to the stranger who might at the time be occupying the pulpit. One walking up the side aisle when the church was empty would hear his footsteps repeated, as of one walking down the aisle on the side opposite. These echoes are the accidents of archi- tecture, and are sometimes as surprising as they are unexpected.
27
SALE OF PEWS.
1800-1810.]
of the old building and the finishing of the new circular one, the worshippers were accommodated with the use of the South Carolina Society's building, in Meeting street, for the performance of divine service. On the 25 of May, 1806, the Circular Church* was opened in the presence of a numerous congregation, with an appropriate sermon of each of its co- pastors : the other house of worship was for that day shut. When all demands came in, it was found that the expense of the building so far exceeded the estimate, that a large sum must be raised from the pews. To make the most of this source of income, was a matter of some delicacy and difficulty. The descendants of the founders, and of other old mem- bers, had claims to be accommodated with pews at a reason- able rate, as all the funds which had been acquired for a cen- tury past, were given up in the first instance to defray the expenses of the building. In their behalf, it was urged that they should have the first choice of pews, and that the sur- plus should be sold to the highest bidders. To their reason- able claims the necessities of the church were opposed. The size of the church and the number of the pews ( 166, exclusive of those in a large gallery) furnished the means of an amica- ble compromise. The northern half of the gallery was gra- tuitously given to the negroes. And it accommodates about four hundred of them, who are orderly, steady, and attentive worshippers. The south gallery is reserved for the future disposal of the church, and, in the meantime, it is free to'all such persons as choose to worship there. It was agreed, after an animated discussion, that sixty pews should, in the first instance, be sold to whosoever might be the highest bidders ; and, afterwards, the surplus should be assigned on a valua- tion to the former worshippers, who, in p oportion to their respective claims as contributors to the old church should have a priority of choice. To favor the sale, an agreement was made with Mr. William Payne, that he should have the first choice of a pew, on his consenting to pay for it $300 in cash, and to discount all that it sold for beyond that sum, in lieu of his commission for doing the whole business of the church, as its auctioneer and accountant. Under these cir-
"The form of the house of worship gave rise to the popular designa- tion of the Church and congregation henceforth, as the white color of the structure which preceded it had done before. See Vol. I., p. 184.
28
CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
[1800-1810.
cumstances he purchased for himself the first choice of a pew for $605. This so enhanced the value of the subsequent sales that $20,390 was raised in one day, from the sale of sixty pews at auction. The remaining ones on the ground floor, were cheifly distributed on a fair valuation, amounting, in the whole, to $25,550, among the unsupplied former worshippers and others. In every case a fixed annual rent varying from $8 to $30, and in one case to $40; was imposed on every pew in addition to the original purchase money. By these means upwards of $40,000 was secured to pay for the building, and an annual income of $3,978 (when the pews on the ground floor are all rented, and the rent thereof punctually paid) to- wards defraving the salaries of ministers and other contingent expenses. To the pew-holders, a fee simple title to their pews was given by the corporation, subject to be sold for pew rents due by their owners to the church, but not for any other debt whatever. The building was commenced with inadequate funds, and without any subscription, but with a strong reliance on Providence, that the pews, added to the old funds, would raise a sufficient sum to pay for the building, and be an an- nual source of income forall necessary expenses. These bold hopes were realized.
This congregation were generous promoters of the various objects of Christian charity. An annual sermon was preached through this period in the interests of " The Society for the Relief of Elderly and Disabled Ministers, and the Widows and Orphans of the Clergy of the Independent and Congre- gational Church in the State of South Carolina." Most of the members of this Society belonged to this congregation. It consisted in 1808 of forty-seven members. The annual subscription of a pound sterling and the addition of its sur- plus fund to the principal had given it a capital, at this date, of over $29,000, its annual income being about $2,000 more than its expenditures. The first Domestic Missionary Society in the South. and, it is believed, the second in the United States, was formed in this congregation in 1801, and was called " the Congregational Society for the Promotion of Reli- gion in South Carolina." In all acts of benevolence they were encouraged and led on by their pastors, of whom Dr. Keith, being possessed of larger means than most of his pro- fession, set them a noble example. In the following dona- tions to this Church may be found those which belong to the
29
EARLY BENEFACTORS.
1800-1810.]
period now before us, although the list begins at a date almost a century earlier. It is quoted from Dr. Ramsay's History of the Independent or Congregational Church in Charleston, South Carolina, printed for the author at Philadelphia in 1815, and in that of Richard Yeadon, Esq., printed in Charleston in 1853.
OF THE BENEFACTORS TO THE CHURCH.
1704-Frances Simonds, widow of Henry Simonds, planter, gave a lot of land, on which the old White Meeting was built, 100 by. 130 feet. Agreeable to the designs of her husband, long before his decease. 1707-Frances Simonds also bequeathed another plot of garden ground, adjoining the preceding, and one large silver cup marked H. S.
1730-Andrew Allen, merchant, gave a part of three several town lots, which forms a part of the burying ground.
1730-Lydia Durham bequeathed a moiety of yearly rents, arising on houses and her lands, on the bay of Charleston, subject to some deductions.
1730-Robert Tradd, the first male child born in Charleston, bequeathed to Miles Brewton, Thomas Lamboll, and Garret Van Velson, and to the survivor or survivors and their successors, the sum of one thousand pounds, current money, upon trust, that they should put out the said sum to interest, yearly, on good security, and pay the clear profits thereof. yearly, forever, unto such minister or preacher successively, as should from time to time officiate in the Presbyterian Church in Charleston, aforesaid (of which Society the Rev. Mr. Bassett was then minister), according to the form and discipline of the same, to be and remain to the proper use and behoof of such ministers and preachers, for their better support, &c
1731-William Warden gave a slip of land now part of the burying ground.
1732-Thomas Ellery gave a piece of ground adjoining the above.
1737-Samnel Eveleigh bequeathed 500l for a pew, free of rent, to his heirs.
1740-Charles Peronnean bequeathed 1,500l.
1745-James Mathewes bequeathed 200l.
1754-Henry Perounean bequeathed 5001.
1756-Benjamin D'Harriette bequeathed 500l.
1760-John Mathewes bequeathed 400l.
1761-Theodora Edings bequeathed 2001. -Ann Mathewes bequeathed 5001.
1768-George Mathewes bequeathed 350l.
1769-William Dandridge bequeathed 350l.
1770-Mary Heskit bequeathed 200%.
1774-Alexander Peronneau bequeathed 500l.
1776-Othniel Beale bequeathed 150l.
In 1776-and partly in 1786, eighty-three ladies subscribed and paid, for the purpose of building a pulpit in the Archdale Street Church. 8650.
1779-Sarah Stoutenburg bequeathed $1,905. The current money, in this year, was so far depreciated as to be worth, on an average, not more than fourteen for one.
30
LIST OF BENEFACTORS.
[1800-1810.
Josiah Smith presented to the church a lot of land, on Archdale Street, and two tenements, which, in 1774, anterior to deprecia- tion, cost him 4,000l. currency. The buildings were removed and placed on King Street, and now bring in an annual rent of $300. The south wall of the church is built on part of said lot.
Mrs. Mary Lamboll Thomas, in 1777, gave 2,660/. towards the purchase of another lot and tenement. This was, by depreciation, reduced to 1,360/ 4s. 10d., and the church paid a balance of 904l. 188. 5d., due on the purchase ; subject in like manner to depreciation.
1780-Mrs. Mary Ellis bequathed 3,000l. in indents, which was depre- ciated by law to 1297. 5s. sterling.
1784-George Smith bequeated a pew in St. Michael's Church, which, being sold in 1787, produced $300.
1792-Dr. Richard Savage bequeathed 50l. sterling
1799-Widow Ruth Powell bequeathed 100/ sterling.
-Jolin Scott, Jr., bequeathed 150/. sterling.
1801-Mrs. Frances Legare bequeathed a house in Tradd Street, subject to the payment of 100l. to the Baptist Church fund, for the edu- cation of pious young men for the ministry. The clear sum accruing to the church, from the sale of the house, was 650 guineas.
1806-Rev. Dr. Keith released the church from the repayment of $300, which he had loaned to the building committee, to assist in pay- ing the expenses of building the Circular Church, on their paying off the assessment on two or three pews, which are to remain the property of the church, and to be leased or granted, free of rent, to poorer members, especially widows-and that $100 should be credited to Mrs. Elizabeth Bee, in payment of half the assess- ment on her pew.
1807-One hundred and forty-seven ladies gave, towards building the pulpit in the Circular Church, $2,063.
1808-Rev. Dr. Keith bequeathed, by his will of that date, to the church the reversion of about $5,000, unfettered with any binding restric- tions, but with an implied trust, or rather strong recommenda- tion, that the income alone should be expended, at their distro- tion, for pious purposes. The intentions of the testator were expressed in the following words: " Although I do not judge it expedient to lay upon the said church any positively binding restrictions, yet I think it proper to declare, that it is my desire and hope, that the said church should consider itself rather as the trustee, than the absolute proprietor of the said property ; and, that after funding it in the manner that may be judged the most safe and advantageous, the clear profits thereof be applied, under the direction of the aforesaid church, chiefly, if not wholly, to the purpose of aiding young men, of approved piety and talents, when such assistance may be necessary, in obtaining a suitable education for the gospel ministry ; or, of aiding sister churches, in supporting the ministration of the gospel, and providing for the accommodation of worshippers, in their attendance on the ordinances of the Christian sanctuary, or of aiding charitable institutions or societies, founded on Christian principles, for pro- moting the interests of religion, by spreading the light and bless- ing of the gospel among those who might otherwise remain destitute of the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and of the salvation which is in Christ, with eternal glory."
31
FEMALE BENEFACTORS.
1800-1810.]
1810-Rev. Dr. Keith gave the pulpit branches to the Circular Church, which cost him $195.26.
Besides the proper estate belonging to the church, many of the indi- viduals composing it form the society, incorporated in 1789, " For the relief of elderly and disabled ministers, and the widows and orphans of the clergy of the Independent and Congregational Church, in the State of South Carolina," that its capital stock, amounting to $30,000 [now about $40,000], may, in a qualified sense, be considered as an appendage to the church. An annual collection, enforced by an appro- priate sermon in its favor, is [directed] by a standing order of the church ; [but it has been irregularly omitted for many years past, in consequence of the wealth of the Society, being largely beyond its wants, or the legitimate calls on its income."]
FEMALE BENEFACTORS. 4
We add to the list of Benefactors a number of the Marys of the Church-of that sex, who were " last at the Cross of the crucified Redeemer, and first at the tomb of the risen Saviour "-and who, all having, in life, chosen " that good part which should not be taken from them," have all gone to their heavenly reward.
1. Miss Elizabeth Huxham, who bequeathed a legacy of $1,000 to the church, appropriating the income for the relief of the poor females of the congregation, who receive pecuniary relief on Sacramental oeca- sions ; besides leaving $1,000 to the Ladies' Benevolent Society.
2. Mrs. Eliza Lucilla Simons, who bequeathea a legacy of $2,000 to the church, directing the income to be applied to the repairs of the church ; besides leaving $5,000 to the Theological Seminary, at Colum- bia. On this donation, we, learn that "Simons' Hall " was constructed, in connection with the Seminary.
3. Mrs Jane Keith, who beqneathed a legacy of nearly $10,000 to Miss Sarah Stevens, to be appropriated for the promotion of the spread of the Gospel Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the glory of God She also, in her lifetime, made many munificent donations to the church. Among the latter, was a donation of $2,500, towards the purchase of the present magnificent organ of the church increased by a legacy of $2,000, for the same purpose, under her will. She also presented the church with its elegant marble baptismal font.
4. Miss Sarah Stevens, who bequeathed much the larger portion of Mrs. Keith's legacy to the Pastor and Deacons of the Circular Church, to be appropriated by them to the preaching of the Gospel to the poor of Charleston. The fruit of this munificent benefaction is thus described in the " Southern Presbyterian."
5. Mrs. Rebecca Barksdale, who was, in her lifetime, an annual bene- factor of the church, in the way of voluntary contribution.
6. The late Mrs Dr. Francis Y. Porcher, who was also, in her lifetime, a liberal donor [Dr. Ramsay's History of the Independent Church, 1815, and that of Richard Yeadon, Esq.'s History of the Circular Church, 1853.]
This we are tempted to quote, although it anticipates, by several decades of years, the general progress of our history.
1
32
REASONS FOR THIS EXHIBIT.
[1800-1810.
At the same time the dates go back over the period cov- ered by our first volume There is this advantage accru- ing, that there is thus an uninterrupted view given of the pro- gress the Church has made in the 144 years which preceded the date of the facts to which we now refer, and which are mentioned in the Southern Presbyterian under the head of
CHURCH EXTENSION.
The most pleasing and hopeful feature of the present state of things, is the waking up of the church to a sense of her duty in regard to the spread of the gospel. The divine command, " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature," is no longer a dead letter. There are still those in the church who plead for "a little more sleep, a little more folding of the hands," but with the church of Christ at large, it is fast settling down as a principle, that " WHEREVER THERE ARE PEOPLE, THERE MUST BE A CHURCH." "Church extension " is the order of the day. This city, we rejoice to see, is in full harness, ready and willing to lay out her strength in moving forward the conquering car of the gospel. Not to speak, at present, of any of those greater, those overshadowing acts which always proclaim their own praise, we have set out to notice two of those unpretending efforts in this way, which at once deserve commendation, and indicate a hopeful advance-one in the suburbs, the other in the vicinity of the city The rebuilding of Wappetaw Church at or near the village of Mount Pleasant.
As a preliminary remark, it is proper to state that, some years ago, Mrs Jane Keith and Miss Sarah Stevens, ladies of distinguished piety and benevolence, in this city, left a fund, in trust of the Pastor and Deacons of the Congregational Church, the income of which was to be devoted to supplying the poor and destitute with the gospel. In con- formity with this arrangement, Rev. G. C. Halleck was engaged last Fall as "city missionary." The rapid extension of the city towards the northwest, indicated that region as his proper field of labor. There he found scores of families who not only had no church connection, but attended no church ; their children growing up in ignorance of religions truth. A room was rented, the children were gathered into a Sabbath school, and public services for the congregation were appointed for the Sabbath day. The prospects of a permanent location being en- couraging, the erection of a new house of worship was suggested A lot was purchased at a cost of $1,000. A neat and commodious little church-finished throughout, at a cost of $1, 100-now stands a beacon of hope and a conservator of morals to that growing suburban portion of our population. The funds for this building were contributed chiefly by a few benevolent individuals connected with the Circular Church.
The Sabbath school has now on its roll about 100 scholars, and a fine library has been contributed by the South Carolina Sunday-School Union. There are many others, both adults and children, in the vicinity who will become members of this congregation and this school. Thus has been opened here a new and important field of usefulness.
Much is due to the zeal and efforts of Rev. Mr. Halleck in advancing this enterprise. His health having failed, he was obliged to relinquish this undertaking. We are happy to learn, however, that his place is now filled by our excellent brother, Rev. W. P. Gready, a native of
33
THE RESULTS.
1800-1810.]
this city, and a son of the church under whose auspices this enterprise was commenced. We commend it to the kind regards and fervent prayers of Christ's followers.
The numerical strength of this church in 1802 was: white members, 239 : black, 166-total, 405. In 1806, whites, 256; blacks, 286-total, 542. Six whites and nineteen persons of color added during the year. . For some years we find no satisfactory statistics of this church, but in De- cember, 1810, there were 280 white members, and 235 colored members, making a total of 515 in the membership of this church. Records of the Congregational Association. " THE INDEPENDENT OR CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH worship- ping AT WAPPETAW, IN CHRIST'S CHURCH PARISH," was mod- elled upon the same platform with that in Charleston. Its confession of faith is expressed throughout in nearly the same words.
" In matters of Church Government," they say, " we hold it. to be an inalienable right as a Christian Church to govern ourselves in such manner as to us appears most expedient and best suited to our circumstances, without control in eccle- siastical matters from any man or set of men ; nevertheless, in difficult cases, we think it prudent to ask advice of such Protestant Churches and Ministers, as we may judge proper."
" As we profess not to confine ourselves to elect Pastors from any one denomination of Protestant Christians, if it should so happen that the Minister of our choice should have different opinions of Church government from that we hold, he shall be at full liberty to follow his own judgment in all matters which concern himself only; provided he makes no attempt to introduce into the Church any of the particular modes of the denomination to which he belongs; for the more effectual prevention of which it shall be a standing form in all our calls to Ministers, that they accept the charge of this Church according to the constitution thereof." These arti- cles are the same word for word in the constitution of the two Churches, and it is further declared in both, that " The denomination of this Church, the mode of performing Divine service therein, as at present practiced, and the government thereof by its own members and supporters, shall forever re- main unalterable, and no other purt shall be altered but by the concurring voice of two-thirds of the members and supporters thereof." Both Churches have Deacons " to provide the neces- 3
34 .
THE CHURCH AT WAPPETAW. [1800-1810.
sary articles for Communion, to serve the communicants, to receive charitable contributions, and to dispose of the same among the helpless poor of the congregations." Both have Wardens, two or four, to collect the pew rents, to keep in repair the Church and Church Yard, and to attend to other temporalities, and to procure supplies to the pulpit, with the approbation of the Deacons, when opportunity will not admit of taking the sense of the Church.
This Church still enjoyed the labors of the Rev. Daniel McCalla, D. D., for whose service and eventful life, pages 462 et seq., and 505 of our first volume, may be consulted, and should be, if it is desired that a connected view of his char- acter and history be obtained.
For it is one of the infelicities of the plan we have adopted that the different portions of the lives of our ministers are distributed according to the epochs into which we have thought it best for other reasons that our history should be divided. Dr. McCalla was honored with the degree of D. D., from the College of South Carolina, in 1808. But he was then approaching the termination of life. He died on the 6th of April, [South Carolina Gasette, in May, Sprague's Annals, III, 320.] 1809, in great peace, and in the joyful confidence of a better life, having been pastor of this Church for twenty years.
The following obituary too, covers briefly his entire his- tory : .
"Died on the 6th instant (April, 1809), in the 61st year of his age, the Rev. Daniel McCalla, D. D., for 21 years pastor of the Independent or Congregational Church in Christ Church Parish, S. C.
To eulogise the dead can neither confer merit on the un- deserving nor add to the lustre of excellent endowments in the worthy. But when men of distinguished eminence die, to record their character is but a just tribute to their worth and a reasonable compliance with public expectation. Few men are better entitled to encomium than the subject of this paper. Born* of most excellent and pious parents, he was early instructed by them in the principles of the Christian religion, and attended on this species of instruction with un- common expansion of mind and great seriousness of reflec-
* He was born at Neshaminy, Pa., in 1748.
35
1800-1810.]
DEATH OF DR. M'CALLA.
tion. He received the rudiments of his education at the grammar school in Foggs-manor, Pennsylvania, under the direction of the Rev. John Blair, where he acquired a taste for classical learning, which did honor to his preceptor, and displayed the opening of a refined and manly genius. At this place he was also distinguished for his early piety, and was admitted to the communion of the Church in the 13th year of his age. When properly qualified he was removed to Princeton, where by intense application his constitution was endangered, and parental interference became necessary to prevent his falling a sacrifice to the ardor of his mind. In 1766 he finished his course at college, and was honored with the degree of Bachelor of Arts with the reputation of extra- ordinary attainments. Being now only in his 18th year, Mr. McCalla was prevailed upon by the solicitations of several respectable and literary characters in Philadelphia to open an academy in that place for the instruction of youth in languages and science. In this useful employment he acquitted him- self with honor and with general approbation. In the mean- time, in addition to his favorite studies of theology and belles letters, he made himself acquainted with the science of medicine and the collateral branches of literature, and ob- tained a critical knowledge of the French, Spanish and Italian languages. On the 8th of July, :779, he was licensed to preach the Gospel and received the testimonials of the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia of their high approbation. His popular talents soon attracted the attention of several con- gregations who wished to obtain his residence among them as pastor. He gave the preference to the United Churches of New Providence and Charleston in Pennsylvania, and was ordained their minister in 1774. In this situation he preached to great acceptance till the commencement of the American Revolution when a new field opened for the exercise of his eloquence, and he became peculiarly usefui in directing the views and confirming the patriotism of many others as well as those of his own congregations. After the commence- ment of hostilities, when the troops under the command of Gen. Thompson were ordered to Canada, at the solicitation of several officers he was appointed by Congress to the chap- laincy to attend that corps. His opportunities for ministerial usefulness however were not equal to his wishes. For soon after his arrival in Canada he was made prisoner in company
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