USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 12
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" The RED BLUFF CHURCH continued connected with the esbytery of Fayetteville, April 8th, 1833, Rev. Archibald cQueen was installed pastor of Centre, Laurel Hill, and Red uff Churches. Two years afterwards (1835) the Red Bluff ople removed their place of worship over into North rolina, about five miles east of the old site, built a new use of worship and changed the name of the church to yrna, hence on the minutes of Fayetteville Presbytery 339), Rev. A. McQueen is marked pastor of Laurel Hill d Smyrna and the name of Red Bluff is not on the roll of urches, so that what is now the SMYRNA CHURCH (says J. Cousar. writing in 1878) is the legitimate successor of the Red Bluff. It is, says he, a flourishing church, contain- g about one hundred and fifty members. They are now ecting a new house of worship. The cause of the removal have not been able fully to ascertain. Some of the pro- ble causes are the want of good titles to their church prop- ty, the greater convenience to the pastor and the fact that e membership had increased much faster on the eastern an the western side of Little Peedee, causing the old site to inconvenient to the larger portion of the membership. it whatever be the cause in the light of the years that have ice elapsed, it clearly appears that it was a mistake. Better at a new colony had been pushed out in that direction and e old organization remained intact. By the breaking up, 'esbyterianism has lost ground in Marlboro', and the upper rtion of Marion Counties in this State. It is the impression persons in that vicinity that if the old organization had mained, the Red Bluff Church might have been as large and urishing as either of its cotemporary sisters. Laurel Hill Ashpole, out of the old material two churches have since en organized, viz : Carolina and the present Red Bluff. But fore these new organizations sprang up a goodly number
494
MOUNT MORIAH-BETHESDA, CAMDEN. [1830-1840.
of Scotch Presbyterians being without a church of their own choice fell in with the Methodist and Baptist denominations. Some of these with the restitution of the Church of their fa'h- ers, have returned to their former faith, others doubtless will. but the greater number are lost to the Presbyterian fold." [J. A. Cousar in 1878.]
MOUNT MORIAN .- Sundry members of Pine Tree Church petitioned the Presbytery of Harmony, at its Sessions in Camden, November 4th, 1835, for a distinct organization as a church by the name of Mount Moriah. Its organization was duly reported to Presbytery at the Sessions at Cheraw. April 7th, 1836. It was located some seventeen miles from Cam- den and was supplied for a season by Rev. M. D. Fraser, whose relations were residents of that neighborhood. A. considerable number of its members removed to the west. After dragging out a feeble existence for a few years it was dissolved by the Presbytery of Harmony, the larger share of its members uniting with Pine Tree and a few, perhaps, with Bishopville. Its first and only elders were Samuel McLeod, Daniel McCaskill, D. Bethume, and Daniel McCaskill, of the same name with the former.
BETHESDA, CAMDEN .- The Rev. S. S. Davis, gave notice to the church that he would resign his charge at the close of the year 1830, three months notice being required At a special meeting of the congregation held on the 14th October. 1830, in answer to inquiry, a letter was read by Elder J. S. Murray, from the Rev. Dr. Goulding, stating that he would accept the pastoral charge of Bethesda Church provided the Synod would release him from his professorship in the Theological Seminary at Columbia.
An election for a pastor was then entered into, when the Rev. Dr. Goulding was unanimously elected, with a salary guaranteed of $1,500 per annum.
A meeting was held on the 19th December, 1830, when Daniel L DeSaussure, elder, stated that he had attended the meeting of Synod to advocate the call for Dr. Goulding, when the Synod resolved that the services of Dr. Goulding could not be dispensed with at the Theological Seminary. The pulpit was declared vacant.
At a meeting of the congregation on the 26th December, 1830, an election for pastor was held, when the Rev. S. S. Davis was unanimously elected.
495
BETHESDA, CAMDEN.
1830-1840.]
At a meeting held September 16th, 1831. it was resolved to elect three additional ruling elders, when Charles J. Shan- non, John Workman and Thos. McMillan were duly elected. At the same time a letter was received from the Rev. S. S. Davis, stating that it was his intention to resign his charge at he expiration of the present year.
At a meeting held on 25th December, 1832, it was
Resolved, That an election for a pastor to fill the vacancy occasioned by the Rev. S. Davis, be entered into on this day wo weeks.
BETHESDA CHURCH, 7th January. 1833.
Agreeable to adjournment, this meeting was held for the pecial purpose of electing a successor to Mr. Davis, when the Rev. John Witherspoon, of Hillsboro', N. C., was put in omination, and was unanimously elected. A salary of $1,200 year and the surplus from pew rents, was guaranteed to the astor elected. Asa merited tribute to the Rev. Mr. Davis, a ommittee, consisting of Lewis Ciples and J. K. Douglas, was ppointed to convey to him the following note :
" The Church of Bethesda beg leave to tender to the Rev. S. 6. Davis, their grateful acknowledgments for his faithful ser- ices during his pastoral care of this congregation, and they ey that he will bear this people in mind in his petitions to a irone of grace, and carry with him the assurances of their ordial esteem and Christian friendship."
A letter was received from the Rev. J. Witherspoon stating hat he would accept the call to this church, provided he was llowed one year to close his arrangements in North Carolina nd to enter upon the duties of his office on Ist February, 834.
Mr. Witherspoon's proposal was acceded to and in addi- on to his salary a subscription was raised to rent a furnished ouse for him during the current year.
At the appointed time Mr. Witherspoon arrived and la- ored with acceptance and success, until the year 1837, when call was presented from the church at Columbia, which nally resulted in a separation. After great efforts on the art of our congregation to retain the services of Dr. Wither- boon, he removed to Columbia in July, 1837, and again our ulpit was closed.
At a meeting of the church in March, 1836, under Dr.
496
COLUMBIA.
[1830-1840.
Witherspoon's ministry, John Rosser was duly elected a ruling elder.
At a meeting of the congregation held on the 27th of August, 1837, it was resolved that the church do meet on this day two weeks, for the purpose of electing a pastor. The congregation met agreeable to adjournment, when an election was entered into. Two candidates were before the congregation, the Rev. J. H. Thornwell, and the Rev. R. B. Campbell. An arrangement was entered into that the candi- date had the highest vote on the first ballot should be declared unanimously elected. The highest vote was for R. B. Camp- bell, whereupon he was declared elected for an indefinite time, either party giving a six months notice. Mr. Campbell continued to serve this church for seven years. [MS. Jas. K. Douglas.]
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, . COLUMBIA. - Section I .- " During the year 1830, in the summer, Mr. Rennie obtained permission of the congregation to visit his friends in Europe ; his pulpit being supplied by the Rev. Thomas Goulding, the first Professor in the Theological Seminary. During his absence a serious difference arose between the session and the corporation, respecting the future supply of the pulpit.
At a meeting held May 24, 1830, in anticipation of Mr. Rennie's term of service; the congregation by a public vote requested the session to make the usual nomination for pastor, evidently with a view to Mr. Rennie's re-election. This request the session declined complying with for the present; they being as evidently unwilling to make the nomi- nation which the congregation desired. At a subsequent meeting June 7, 1830, the congregation overleaping the usual nomination by the session, proceeded to elect Mr. Rennie by a large majority of votes, for a second term, commencing January, 1831. A resolution was also passed designed to soothe the session, strongly regretting the difference between them upon the construction of the by-laws. Matters re- mained in this state until Mr. Rennie's return from his trans- Atlantic visit. On the 27th of January, 1831, he addressed a letter of resignation to the church session, grounded upon the
497
COLUMBIA.
830-1840.]
act that they, the spiritual officers of the church, regarded is election on the 7th day of June preceding, as unconstitu- onal. This resignation when brought before the corpora- jon at a meeting held February 10th, 1831, was not accepted, nd a vote was passed directing the session forthwith to " lay efore the Presbytery of Harmony at its next meeting all hatters as to the regularity of the Rev. John Rennie's con- nuance as pastor of the church since the first day of January ast, under the vote of the congregation on the 7th of June, receding. Until this matter should be adjudicated, Mr. Rennie was requested to continue his ministrations. It was pally settled by the Presbytery of Harmony in the spring of lat year, which vested in favor of the session, that as Mr. Rennie had never been installed as pastor of the church, he ould only be regarded as a stated supply, and that according the by-laws of the church, he could not be re-elected by he congregation without a nomination by the session." This action of the Presbytery was taken at a meeting held in Columbia on the 8th of June, 1831. Its action is herewith pproved, etc. See p. ]
Mr. Rennie's connection with the church was terminated hus in July, 1831.
In the month of June preceding, the following persons were lected to the office of ruling elder : Col. John Taylor, Mr. ames Ewart and Mr. G. T. Snowden. A request was also hade to Mr. Law, who had withdrawn from the session about he time of Dr. Henry's resignation, to resume the duties of his office. These persons appear in session on the 25th of une ; at the same time Mr. Young and Dr. Wells gave notice at 'from prudential reasons they would cease to act for the resent as members of the session.'"
"In consequence of these differences between the session nd congregation growing out of Mr. Rennie's case, the hurch remained for sometime in a most disjointed condition. he pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Professors in the Theo- ogical Seminary, Drs. Goulding and Howe; meanwhile fforts were made to fill the Pastorate. A meeting of the ongregation was called on the 24th of October, the Rev. Iorace Pratt being the nominee of the session. The election 'as, however, postponed for want of sufficient agreement in he congregation, until the 13th of December; at this time 32
498
REV. DANIEL BAKER.
[1830-1840.
Mr. Pratt was duly elected for an indefinite period, at a salary of $1,200. This call Mr. Pratt saw fit to decline."*
"On the 30th of April, 1832, the Rev. Thomas Smyth was elected by the congregation, under the nomination of the session, as a supply till the first of January, 1833. This invi- tation was, however, declined."
" At the annual meeting held May 15th, of this year, Col. Blanding, G. T. Snowden, William Law, David Ewart, and J. A Crawford, were appointed a committee to revise the by- laws, with a view to harmonize them with the constitution and discipline of the Presbyterian Church. This measure was suggested by the past difficulties of the church, and re- sulted in the code of laws which now exists. At this meeting session was instructed to provide such occasional supplies for the pulpit as they might be able. Rev. Daniel Baker was accordingly invited for several months. During his brief stay, the church was refreshed by a gracious outpouring of God's spirit, and a large addition was made to the communion of the Church. But Mr. Baker having a great reputationt as an itinerating evangelist, was soon withdrawn.
In 1831, seventeen joined the church on profession of their faith, a greater number than since the year 1820. In 1832, forty-nine joined on profession of their faith, and four by certificate.
" The session seem at this period to have great difficulty in nominating candidates for the pastorship. In the month of August, they addressed a letter to the Rev. Nathan Hoyt, of Athens, Ga., requesting leave to propose him to the congre- gation, which he refused. The next application, to the Rev. William McDowell, D. D., then pastor of the Third Presby- terian Church in Charleston, was equally unsuccessful.
*Previous to this the election had been for a term of three years. ¡It was on Tuesday evening, May 8th, 1832, that a series of religious meetings was commenced, in which Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists joined. On the 15th of May from fifty to sixty were at the inquiry meeting, including eight or ten who were reckoned converts. The 18th was observed as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, and a regular three days meeting was held, closing May 27th, when about twenty-five were found rejoicing in new hopes of eternal life, with more than fifty still engniring The meeting was carried on by the Baptist and Methodist brethren till about one hundred were reckoned as converts, some forty of whom united with the Presbyterian Church on the first of July. [Journal of a Theological student in "Life and Labours of Rev. Daniel Baker, D. D." pp 167, 168.]
499
ELECTION OF PASTORS.
1830-1840.]
During this period the pulpit was principally supplied by the Rev. Dr. Goulding, who also moderated the meetings of session until January, 1833, when an invitation was extended to Rev. Samuel C. Jackson, (since D. D.,) a clergyman from New England, whom ill-health had driven to a warmer climate, to supply the pulpit during his stay at the South. Mr. Jackson remained in this charge till the first of May, when he returned northward. After his departure, the Rev. I. F. Lanneau was invited as a temporary supply, who served n this capacity during the summer."
" On the 9th of September, Mr. Jackson was duly elected pastor, with a salary of $1,500, upon the condition that he should connect himself with the Presbytery of Harmony prior to his settlement. Against this measure a strong pro- est was entered, signed by thirteen persons, upon two grounds :
Ist. That Mr. Jackson was a member of the Congrega- ional Church. 2d. Because the election was deemed inexpe- bedient in the present excited state of the church. Mr. Jack- on, under the circumstances, declined the call, though other- vise disposed to accept of it."
On November 12th, session agreed to nominate Rev. Thos. Smyth as pastor, the former nomination having been for a emporary supply. But in consequence of the reported ill- less of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Smyth, this nomination was withdrawn. The next nomination made by session was of. he Rev. Samuel J. Cassels on the 17th of December, who vas unanimously elected on the 6th of January, 1834. This all also was declined."
" The next attempt was more successful. From the early part of the year 1834, the pulpit had been supplied by the Rev. A. W. Leland, D. D., recently elected Professor of Theology in the Seminary, in the place of Dr. Goulding who ad removed to Columbus, Georgia.
" In the month of March, Dr. Leland was nominated as astor of the church in conjunction with the duties of his Professorship. On the 7th of April he was unanimously hosen, at a salary of $1,500, from the Ist of January, 1855, ontinuing up to this date as temporary supply."
" The session having been reduced by the death of some f its members, J. M. Becket, M. D., formerly ruling elder in Lebanon Church, was, by vote of the church, on the first
500
DR. LELAND-REV. DR. WITHERSPOON. [1830-1840.
Sabbath of November. 1835, invited to serve in the same capacity here. Dr. Wells was also invited to resume his official duties but declined. Messrs. Sydney Crane and Jas. Martin were elected, who were ordained on the following Sabbath, the 7th of November,"
" The duties of the Pastoral office continued to be per- formed by the Rev. Dr. Leland, through the year 1836, noth- ing of importance occurring, except that some offense was created by an attempt to introduce instrumental music in the choir. Upon its being excluded by a vote of the session, and afterwards by a vote of the congregation, the excitement subsided."
In the month of November of this year Dr. Leland sent in his resignation of the Pastoral office, to take effect at the close of the year. Accordingly. at a meeting of the congre- gation held December 19, 1836, Rev. John Witherspoon. D. D., LL. D., of Camden, was chosen pastor, at a salary of $2,000, and the session was instructed to make out and subscribe the call. The decision of this matter was referred by Dr. With- erspoon to the Presbytery of Harmony, who decided that he should accept the call. Against this decision the session of the Camden Church protested, and appealed to the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia. This appeal necessarily de- layed Dr. Witherspoon's removal, but being finally withdrawn he was installed July 2d, 1837."
. " Early in the year 1838, Rev, C. C. Jones having come to reside in Columbia as Professor of Church History and Polity in the Theological Seminary, through his influence a Sabbath school was established for the oral instruction of the colored . people. This school was put under the care of the session, who appointed Mr. James Martin to superintend it, Mr. (after- wards Dr.) Jones consenting to serve as a teacher. It may be well to continue the history of this school until the present time (1845). Rev. Mr. (Dr.) Jones continued to teach it during the year 1838. After his removal from Columbia (1838) its exercises were conducted by Mr. John Jones, stu- dent of the Theological Seminary, till the spring of 1839. It was then continued by Mr. B. M. Palmer, Jr., student of the Seminary, until the month of July, 1841, at which time Mr. Palmer leaving the Seminary, and the Church being unhap- pily in a divided state, the school was discontinued till the year 1843. At this time, Mr. Palmer having become the
501
1830-1840.] SABBATH-SCHOOL FOR COLORED PEOPLE.
pastor of the Church, the school was reopened and placed under the instructions of Mr. Thomas E. Peck (afterwards D. D. and Professor in Union Theological Seminary, Virginia.) Its exercises were again suspended in the spring of 1845, Mr. Peck being then licensed to preach. The school remained suspended till the 8th of March, 1846, when a comfortable place being obtained in the basement of the Lecture Room, it was reopened and placed under the superintendence of Mr. Martin, and the instruction of Edward P. Palmer, student of the Seminary."
" But to resume the thread of the narrative. Dr. Wither- spoon continued the pastor of the Church a short time. Being in infirm health, he resigned his charge April 29th, 1839 .* Messrs. Martin and Snowden were appointed a committee to attend a pro re nata meeting of Presbytery, called to consider this resignation, with instructions to accede to it, and to ask leave to prosecute a call for the pastoral services of the Rev. J. H. Thornwell, then Professor in the South Carolina College.
" At the annual meeting held on the 12th of May this com- mittee reported the pulpit vacant, and Professor Thornwell was invited to serve as a temporary supply for a short time."
" At a meeting held June 10, 1839, under a nomination from the session, the Rev. Mr. Thornwell was unanimously elected pastor of the Church, at a salary of $2,000, to be paid semi-annually. This call was accepted by Mr. Thornwell, who was accordingly installed." [MS. History of the Colum- bia Church, written by Rev. Dr. B. M. Palmer while pastor of said Church. ]*
* Dr. Witherspoon, in a card to the "Watchman and Observer," of May 28, 1839, acknowledges the services of Professors Leland and Howe, of the Theological Seminary. and Professor Thornwell, of the College, in supplying the pulpit during his protracted ill health, and to the Church of his charge for their generous contribution of $2,290, over and above his salary, for the purpose of liquidating the pecuniary claims against him.
*Towards the close of this decade, on the 26th of March, 1839, Hon. H. W. DeSaussure, who had long resided in Columbia, who had twice been President of this congregation, from 1823 to May 12, 1828, and from May 9, 1831. to May 12, 1833, died at the house of his eldest son in Charleston, in the 76th year of his age Of his ancestry we have writ- ten in our first volume, pp. 400, 401. He had been a soldier of the Revolution, had been Director of the Mint under Washington, and car- ried to the President the first handful of gold eagles ever coined by our Government. He was elected Judge of the Court of Equity in 1808 and Chancellor in 1824, and became, says Judge O'Neall, to South Carolina
502
RICE CREEK SPRINGS-HOREB.
[1830-1840.
RICE CREEK SPRINGS .-- There was the organization of a Presbyterian Church at this place, which was once a summer retreat for families from Columbia and Camden. November 26, 1832, this Church was a petitioner to Presbytery.
This locality was the seat of a classical academy, or insti- tute, under the care of Rev. Rufus Bailey and his coadjutors, and intended to be under the most salutary, moral and relig- ious influences. It was numerously attended at one time, but failing of ultimate success, the institution had but a temporary existence, and the ecclesiastical organization, if it was per- fected, was alike transitory.
HOREB, MT. HOREB, or CROOKED RUN .- We have found all these names appended to this church. The Rev. Wm. Brearley preached to this church once a month at least during this period. On the third Sabbath in September, 1832, the Rev. Daniel Blake preached, with that energy and emotion with which his pulpit labors were now accompanied, and a revival commenced, in which seventeen were added to the church, among whom were Mr. Mann and Mr. Bookman. On August 30, 1833, Abram Turnipseed, Thos. C. Wade and James McDill were elected elders, and were ordained on the following Sabbath. In October, 1836, Jacob Bookman, Nathaniel Marvin and Wm. Perry were elected and set apart to this office by prayer.
AIMWELL CHURCH (Fairfield) .- The Rev. Wm. Brearley
what Kent was to New York. He became in 1836 President of the Court of Appeals. In December, 1837, resigned, and as Gov. Butler said in his message aunouncing his resignation, " He has worn the sword of a soldier amidst the perils of the Revolution, and the ermine of a virtuous magistrate, in peace. The one was never used but against the enemies of his country, and the other will descend from him without spot or b'emish." From 1812 until his resignation he was a permanent inhabitant of Columbia ; his hospitable house open to every stranger and to every youth who was disposed to be good and great. He was one of the Trustees and founders of the South Carolina College, and believed it to have been a main instrument of harmonizing the up-coun- try and the low, by dissolving prejudice, by their young men being brought together in the same place and process of education, so that the South Carolina College became the pride of the State, and the inti- macies formed in it were never forgotten. His diligence and capacity in his official labors is vividly shown by Judge O'Neall, by his tabular statement in which he shows that of the 552 decisions pronounced in the Charleston and Columbia Courts of Appeal, 390 were delivered by Chancellor DeSaussure, to say nothing of those pronounced in the Courts elsewhere. There come evidences of his friendship, too, to the Theological Seminary established here.
503
BEAVER CREEK-HOPEWELL-SION.
830-1840.]
ontributed to supply this church till 1837. In this year ohn Robinson was ordained an elder. In 1838, Mitchell 'eden, then a probationer, and holding a commission from he Board of Missions, supplied this church and its vicinity or one year, in November of which he engaged to supply Mt. Olivet also. He was ordained and installed pastor in Mt. )livet Church in December, 1839. He supplied Aimwell by pecial engagement for two years.
BEAVER CREEK .- The Rev. Robert B. Campbell ministered o this church at the commencement of this period. Having received a call from the old Waxhaw Church, that he might erve it conjointly with Beaver Creek, he was dismissed from Harmony Presbytery in April, 1830, to Bethel Presbytery, vithin whose bounds the Waxhaw Church is situated. When released from Waxhaw, he and the church of Beaver Creek were returned to Harmony. In the year 1838 his connection with Beaver Creek was dissolved by the latter Presbytery, and, as we have seen, p 1267, be became stated supply of the church at Camden. In October of the same year, a call was extended to Samuel S. Donnely, who was ordained and installed pastor on the 3d of November, 1838. Minutes of Harmony Presbytery p. 215, et seq.]
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