USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 14
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514
REV. CYRUS JOHNSON, D. D.
[1830-1840.
the first of which he lived and conducted a very large clas- sical school. In this new relation his usefulness was very great-his services as pastor and teacher both being highly appreciated. After six years he was induced to leave this field and repair to Charlotte, in 1845, where he became prin - cipal of the flourishing female academy, and in the following year became pastor of the Charlotte Church. A few years sub- sequently to this, he abandoned the academy and sold out his farm, and having at this period been greatly chastened by the hand of death removing half his children, he devoted himself exclusively to his pastoral work. From this time to his death every impulse of his heart and energy of his life were consecrated to the high purpose of winning souls to Jesus and building up His Church in faith and holiness and good works. The results were soon happily visible in his charge. In the years 1848 and 1852 his people were visited with the outpourings of Divine Grace, in the first of which several dozen were added to the communion of the Church, and in the second year mentioned nearly a hundred souls professed . conversion. His labors in Charlotte were greatly contribu- tary to the growth of the Church. He found a feeble Church, with twenty-eight members and two ruling elders, but through his instrumentality it arose to have one hundred and sixty- four members and seven elders, and a full bench of deacons, and became one of the most active and efficient Churches in the Synod of North Carolina. On the morning. of the 25th of January, 1855, he was suddenly stricken down by apoplexy and died in a few moments, in the fifty-eighth year of his age, and thirty-second of his ministry. Of him one who knew him well and long says : "Dr. Johnson possessed a strong and active mind, somewhat slow in its operations, but always true to its purpose, taking a firm grasp of whatever subject he had in hand and pursuing its investigation with untiring patience and perseverance. He was an indefatigable student. His per- ceptions, whether as a writer or speaker, were remarkably clear, and his arguments connected and conclusive. His style was somewhat diffuse, but direct and impressive. In manner he was earnest and energetic. Having been a classical teacher nearly all his life, he became distinguished for his classical and mathematical attainments. Few pasters were his equals in these branches of literature. He was also a sound and discriminating theologian of the strictest old school Calvin-
535
EBENEZER.
330-1840.]
tic order. He received the Doctorate in Divinity about our years before he died. Whilst his piety was deep, evan- elical, growing and working, his preaching was character- stically devotional and didactical. As a strictly conscientious Christian, a faithful friend, a devoted husband, a wise father, humane . master, a laborious puistor, a punctual presbyter. a ealous advocate of every good work, and a benevolent, liberal- minded citizen. he set in his life a practical example which is orthy the imitation of all." [Obituary notice by Rev. D. A. enick, Sr.]
He married early in his ministry a cousin of his by whom e had nine children, four sons and five daughters. Only one on and three daughters survived bim. His wife and one aughter soon followed to his heavenly home. [MS. His. f Bethesda Church, York District, by Rev. Jno. S. Harris, ermon occasioned by the death of Rev. Robt. B. Walker, y Rev. Pierpont Bishop, 1853. Semi-Centennial Sermon, April 2d, 1875, by Rev. James H. Save.]
Of the ruling elders who entered upon their office from 830 to 1840, the following are mentioned in Mr. Harris' istory, Robt. Ash, the 25th since the organization of the hurch was inducted into office abont 1830, was an humble nd earnest Christian, but of retiring manners. He married Margaret Campton, the children of whom were living in the ongregation in 1863. He died January 11th, 1840, at the ge of 50.
The 29th in the order of time, who held this office was Samuel Moore. He was set apart to this office in 1838. He vas modest and diffident in spirit, but a sincere and de- oted Christian, having the interest of the church at heart. He died in 1852 at sixty years of age, leaving a considerable mily, all of whom followed him in the ways of righteousness. The 30th was Samuel Moore. He was born and nurtured in his congregation, assumed the duties of the eldership in 1838, ischarged them with great fidelity and acceptance until his udden death, February 17, 1853. His children were all ommunicants in the church of their godly ancestry.
EBENEZER .- Of this church we have little or no knowledge. Ve have seen that the Rev. Robt. B. Walker supplied this burch and congregation for twenty-five years. This supply ontinued till 1834 when they obtained the services of Rev. '. E. Bishop, who afterwards was installed as their pastor.
516
UNITY-YORKVILLE-SHILOH.
[1830-1840.
In October, 1835 its elders were William Shaw, William An- derson, Josiah Garrison, Joseph McCorckle, Stephen Mc- Corckle, Robert Miller, John H. Barry and Francis H. Simril, eight in number.
UNITY was also under the care of Rev. Mr. Bishop. " Attended a sacramental meeting of Bro. Bishop's at Unity. That is a precious and godly man." [Dr. Thornivell's life by Dr. Palmer.] The ruling elders at this time were Robt. Harris, Jas. McRee and William White. [Saye's Semi-Cen- tennial Sermon. ]
BEERSHEBA .- The Rev. Cyrus Johnson continued pastor of this church until 1833. when he resigned this charge and the church remamed vacant until the commencement of 1835, when they obtained the labors of Wmn. B. Davies as a stated supply. He ministered also in the same capacity at Bullock's Creek and Salem. But he soon after gave up Salem, but continued to supply the other congregations as long as he had strength. In 1835 the ruling elders of this congregation were William Caldwell, William Brown, William Irwin, Eli Meck, John S. Moore and James Caldwell.
YORKVILLE CHURCH .- Of the organization of this church we have given an account in the preceding decade. It is reported in connection with Beersheba as under the care of Rev. Cyrus Johnson in 1830, as having in connection with Beersheba 14[ members in the two churches. It is not re- ported again till 1836, when it is represented as vacant. It is not again reported in this decade.
SANDY SPRING, a church organized in Anderson District, about six miles from Pendleton Old Courthouse, was received under the care of the Presbytery of South Carolina on the 5th of October, 1832. Anthony W. Ross became its stated supply. In 1834 it had forty members in full communion. Mr. Ross continued in this relation in connection with Car- mel or Hopewell (Keowee) until 1839.
SHILOH .- This church was supplied by R. C. Johnston till 1831, when it was left vacant. In 1832 it was again supplied by Rev. W. B. Davis once a month till 1833, when it was again vacant until January, 1836, when it was supplied by A. R. Banks, a Missionary of Bethel Presbytery. for three months, who established a Sabbath-school and a Bible class, and the prospect was that with preaching it might flourish. [J. B. Davies in 1835.] In that year there were as ruling
517
330-1840.]
BETHEL (YORK)-WAXHAW.
ders, Ezekiel Price, John Stewart, Robert Patterson and Henry Aters. It was vacant in 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839, withi membership of fifty-six or fifty-eight.
BETHEL (YORK.)-The Rev. James S. Adams continued le much loved and venerated pastor of this ancient church rough this decade. "In 1832 his congregation was blessed ith a mighty outpouring of the Spirit, followed by large ccessions to the communion of the church, amounting (if ty information be correct) to near three hundred, the fruit f one revival. But it was not merely in times of great ex- tement that additions were made to the church of his charge. ese were frequent. The gospel of Christ in this widely and xtended and densely populated congregation, appeared to xert a regular and powerfully transforming influence ; infi- elity and vice disappearing and the happy fruits of the pirit adorning the face of society. It is confidently believed hat hundreds are now living in the fear of God who were roughit to a knowledge of the truth through his instrumen- lity, and many such have gone to their rest. But this tighty influence he exerted in society and the amount of good ccomplished instrumentally by him, cannot now be esti- hated. The effect of his holy example for near half a entury, the impressions made by his powerful preaching on le thousands whom, in the course of his ministry he ad- ressed, and the bearing these impressions have had and will et have on the eternal destinies of men, none but the infinite ind can estimate and eternity reveal." [Sermon by Rev. ierpont E. Bishop on the death of Rev. James S. Adams, ublished by order of the Presbytery, Columbia, 1844.]
The following elders were chosen at different periods dur- ig those years of Mr. Adams' administration : David Wat- on, James Moore, Joseph Adams, John Campbell, David urner, Samuel Gingles. Edward Moore, John Barry, J. adby, Mc Cord Pressler, William Adams, Laban Suggs, Wil- am Watson, William Latta, Robert Johnson and Adam Beam- uard. Except Joseph: and William Adams, these have all moved from Bethel, retired from the duties of the office, or tered upon their rest above. [Anno Dom. 1855.]
Those marked in italics and Andrew Floyd appear on the inutes of Presbytery as having this office in 1835.
WAXHAW CHURCH .- The Rev. Robert B. Campbell con- nued in the pastorship of this church until April, 1832.
518
WAXHAW-SIX MILE CREEK. [1830-1840,
Under such frequent changes the church decreased in num- bers until from ranking among the most numerous and flour- ishing churches in the State, it became reduced to between sixty and seventy members. The decrease, however, was not attributable entirely to the unsettled dispensation of the means of grace, but in a considerable degree to the accumu- lation of wealth, which consisted greatly in the increase of the slave population supplanting that of the free white in- habitants.
In the year 1832 Mr. Campbell was succeeded by Rev. John B. Davies, the pastor of Fishing Creek Church, Chester District, as a stated supply for half his labors. These were not altogether in vain among that people. During the two years and a half which he devoted to the interests of this church, evidence of an improvement was manifest in the harmony of its action and the increase of its members.
Early in the year 1835 James H. Thornwell, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Harmony and destined to obtain in after years that great eminence and influence which attaches itself to his person, was employed to labor in equal proportion in the Waxhaw and Lancasterville congregations. A church had been organized in the latter place, composed of members separated for this purpose from the Waxhaw Church and from Six Mile Creek, a church adjoining and situate in Lancaster District.
On the sixth of June, 1835, Mr. Thornwell was ordained and installed as the pastor of the Lancasterville Church, by the Presbytery of Bethel .* yet by special agreement Mr. Thornwell was to supply Waxhaw and Six Mile Creek, each one-third of his time. But after the first year an arrange- ment was made by which Mr. Thornwell was installed over the three churches. In January 1838 this relation was dis- solved and Mr. Thornwell became connected, as an instruc- tor, with South Carolina College as the successor of the lamented Nott, first as Professor of Logic and Belles Lettres, and then in various offices, culminating at last in the Presi- dency, he earned a wide renown as an educator, an eloquent
# Mr. Thornwell, during his pastorate, resided in the Village of Lan- caster, where a neat church building was soon erected under his aus- pires. The Waxhaw Church was distant about eight miles, and the Six Mite charge about eighteen miles." (Palmer's Life of Thornwell, p. 134.)
519
LANCASTERVILLE.
30-1840.]
vine and independent thinker, where, as a student, he had on his first laurels.
The eldership of the Waxhare Church at this time were ohn Foster, Robert Stinson, Robert Walkup, B. S. Massey, Washington Dunlap, Samuel F. Dunlap, Eli Hood, Wil- am Dunlap and George Dunlap.
Those of Lancasterville were Dr. George Dunlap and Dr. homas L. Dunlap.
The elders of Six Mile Creek in 1835 were Robert Walker, ohn M. Doby, Henry Anderson, Wilson Allen and Hugh Ioore.
LANCASTERVILLE .- The Rev. J. B. Davies was appointed by he Presbytery of Bethel in April, 1835, to organize a church Lancasterville. This was done, and was reported at a pecial meeting of Presbytery, which assembled on the 11th f June, 1835. The Church, as organized, consisted of nine- een members and two elders. A call was presented from his Church, through the Presbytery, to Rev. James H. Thorn- ell, who had been received as a licentiate from the Presby- ry of Harmony, for his ministerial labors. The usual xaminations were held and a sermon was preached by him, s a part of his trials, from John iii : 17. He was ordained nd set apart by prayer and the imposition of hands to the ospel ministry, and installed as pastor over the Church of Lancasterville, the Rev. John B. Davies, presiding, the Rev. Pierpont E. Bishop preaching the sermon from 2 Cor. ii : 16, nd the other parts of the services of ordination and installa- on being had.
The following is from Dr. Palmer's Life of Dr. Thornwell, age 127 :
Mr. Thornwell was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery f Harmony, met at Tolerant Church, in the bounds of Beaver Creek ongregation on the 28th of November, 1814, exactly one year from the me he was taken under the Presbytery's care. His examination was minently satisfactory, and very unusual encomiums were pronounced pon hisability and proficiency by the members of the court, in render- ig their decision upon the parts of trial. The Rev. Dr. Goulding, ien Professor in the Theological Seminary at Columbia, is reported as ving, "Brethren, I feel like sitting at the young man's feet, as a parner ; " a very sweet expression of humility on the part of one whom e Church was hono ing with an office of the highest responsibility nd trust ; but also a wonderful testimony to the attainments of the oung the dlogian who drew it forth.
Ilis first settlement was, however, within the bounds of a different resbytery. Certain gentlemen from the village of Lancaster were
520
REV. J. H. THORNWELL.
[1830-1840.
present at the examination, and bore away with them such impressions as determined eventually his location. On the 8th of April, 1825, a church was organized in this village by the Presbytery of Bethel, which immediately made overtures to Mr. Thornwell to become its pastor. Accordingly, on the 11th of June, he was transferred as a licentiate from the Presbytery of Harmony to that of Bethel, and on the following day he was ordained and installed pastor over the infant church. His labors, however, were not restricted within this narrow sphere The old mother Church of Waxhaw, and the Church of Six Mile Creek, in the same District of Lancaster, enjoyed his occasional, if not his con- stant, ministrations ; and in April, 1836, having made out separate calls, they were united with the Church at Lancasterville in a joint pastoral charge, and the installation services were performed by Rev. Messrs. J. B. Davies and Pierpont E Bishop, as a committee of the Presbytery.
The reader has observed the spiritual conflict through which our friend passed in his earlier years, and the gradual ascendancy which the gospel gained over his character and life. He will not, therefore. be surprised to find these culminating in one last struggle, which would seem to terminate the discipline of this preparatory period. The let- ters, too, which have been given, reveal his towering ambition, which had been fed by constant and brilliant success in academic competitions. What more likely than this tremendous passion should gather up all its force to deter him from a calling in which it may not lawfully be indulged ? What more probable than that conscience should itself shrink back, in alarm, from the responsibility of the sacred office, not measured in its awful magnitude until it is about to be assumed? What more in keeping with the artifice and malignity of Satan, than that, at such a crisis, he should seize upon all that is good, as well as that is evil, within us, and array them against a decision by which he is dis- comfited forever ? It is a fearful struggle, when once, for all, a noble spirit brings its longing after fame and lays it down a perpetual sacrifice to conscience and to God. For though the pulpit has its honors and rewards, woe ! woe ! to the man who enters it under this temptation-
"To gaze at his own splendor, and exalt, Absurdly, not his office, but himself."
The shadow of a fearful curse falls upon him who "does this work of the Lord deceitfully ;" upon him who cannot with a purged eye look beyond the meed of human applause, to the benediction of the great Master as his final erown.
Dr. Thornwell relates that such was the apprehension of his soul in' what he was about to do, that he appeared before Presbytery with a half-cherished hope they would rejest him, and thus the Church would assume the responsibility of releasing him from the pressure of the apostle's woe. In this apprehension he has, however, only entered within the shadow of the cloud which was vet to darken upon him. The authority of the Church has sent him forth to preach the Word, and a hungry charge beckons from the distance to come and give it the bread of life. In his solitary way as he journeys along in the beautiful spring, terrible thoughts settle upon his mind, which cannot be con- jured away. What if, after all, he should not be a converted man ! What, if it should be a profane touch that he was to give to the ark of God! What, if he was going up to the place and people of the Lord, and His presence was not with him! What if the ministry should prove to him an iron bondage, and having preached to others, be him-
521
CANE CREEK.
:30-1840.]
If a cast away ! And so he journeyed on, like Saul to Damuseus, with ie deep midnight upon his soul. At the end of a day's travel he rested der the hospitable roof of a pious elder, to whom he opened all the rrow. But no comfort came from all the comfort which was spoken. he good elder could succeed only in exacting a promise, at parting, lat he would go on to his appointment, and if the Lord, in answer to raver, did not make his duty plain, why, then he need not preach. he place is reached ; he enters the pulpit, with the great " horror of arkness " resting on him still. It is the garden of Gethsemane to this oung but chosen servant of the Lord, who must here learn to drink he Saviour's cup, and be baptized with His baptism. He rises to reach, and now the time has come for the revelation of the Saviour's bve Through a rift in the gloom there rushes down upon him such a ense of his acceptance with God as was overpowering. The assurance nd the joy overflowed into the discourse which ponred the sacred oil ver the assembly, until some gathered unconsciously near the pulpit, breathless suspense upon the young prophet's lips. He was from hat moment anointed to a life-work which is precious in its record here nd-above.“
CANE CREEK, UNION DISTRICT .- From January to Septem- er, 1831, the Rev. Daniel L. Gray supplied this pulpit. During his ministry seventeen persons were added to the ommunion of the Church on examination. In January, 1832, Rev. Jeptha Harrison commenced preaching at this Church, nd continued till July. 1834. "On the 18th of October, 832, a protracted meeting was held, continuing till the Vednesday following. On this occasion it pleased the Great Head of the Church to revive His work amongst us, and not less than one hundred were deeply impressed with a sense of heir lost and ruined condition. Before the meeting closed hot less than sixty enjoyed the hope that they had bowed to he sceptre of mercy, and found peace and joy in believing. Our Church would record with grateful emotions the inter- position of God in behalf of sinners who had long misimproved he precious means of grace, but were now constrained by he love of Christ to become His professed followers." * * * Here follow the names of fifteen persons admitted to the communion of the Church on the occasion. The record con- inues : The Rev. Daniel Baker, whose name will be long cherished in the memories of the members of this Church, ind by many who were savingly brought to a knowledge of he truth as it is in Jesus, was the instrument. But we would
*The incident is given precisely as it was first related to us. Another authority places it a little later in his carly ministry, and substitutes a minister for the elder, as his adviser and friend This slight discrep- incy rather confirms than weakens the occurrence of the fact.
522
FAIRFOREST.
[1830-1840.
ascribe all the praise and glory of this refreshing season to the free, rich and sovereign grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
From the regular records of the session which here begin, it appears that from this time till Mr. Harrison left, there were admitted to the communion of the church, upon ex- amination, fifteen persons, making thirty additions at least during the time of his ministry here.
Sometime in 1834, the Rev. Aaron Williams began to supply this church, and his labors continued here till the end of 1838. In the course of his ministry there were added, on examination, twenty-one persons. The church was vacant in 1839, receiving occasional supplies from Presbytery. Two were added on examination.
On the last Sabbath in 1839, the ministerial labors of Rev. James H. Saye commenced at this church. He was in- stalled its pastor on the first of April following by Bethel Presbytery. [MS. of Rev. J. H. Saye.]
FAIRFOREST (Union District) .- The Rev. Daniel L. Gray continued the pastor of this chuich until the fall of 1831, when he and a number of families of this church and congre- gation removed to Fayette Co., Western District, Tennessee. He was succeeded by Rev. Jeptha Harrison, a native of Orange, Essex Co. N. J., in December, 1831, as a stated sup- ply. Mr. Harrison came to South Carolina as a licentiate of the Presbytery of Jersey in the fall of 1828, was a graduate of Nassau Hall, ordained as an evangelist by the Presbytery of Harmony in the spring of 1831 at Hopewell Church, and continued stated supply to Fairforest and Cane Creek till July, 1884. [Letter to Dr. Leland, June 22d, 1857.] After his removal, Fairforest was supplied by the Rev. John Boggs, in 1837, and by others as occasion offered. He was followed by the Rev. James H. Saye, but not till the next decade.
The first ruling elders at the organization of Fairforest Church were James McIlvain, James Mays and Joseph Kelso. James Means, Wm. Davitt and Henry Story were added to the session before the ordination of Mr. Williamson in 1794, and perhaps Samuel Archibald. A short time after Mr. Wil- liamson's settlement, he ordained Samuel Morrow and Rich- ard Thompson to this office. Sometime subsequent, Mr. Edward Mayes became a member of the session. Besides . these, Mr. Harrison mentions Robert Harris, Samuel Kelso,
523
FAIRFOREST.
)-1840.]
chard Thompson, John McDowell, Matthew Mayes, Moses nite and William Patton.
The Rev. James H. Saye gives the following history of the isters above named :
Rev. Daniel Lewis Gray was brought up in Abbeville Dis- ct, finished his education at Oxford College, Ohio, was ensed and ordained by the Presbytery of South Carolina, - ran his work at Fairforest near the end of 1828, labored re and at several other places with great zeal for a number years. Soon after he commenced preaching, the Rev. chael Dickson convinced him that the formation of societies the basis of the pledge of total abstinence from ardent irits was a very important duty, binding on men as citizens d Christians. Mr. Gray was soon in the field to persuade en to quit all complicity with dram drinking. Now it hap- ned that his section of country had long been infested by me very red noses, and practices prevailed all over the untry which were thought to tend to that result and to sults much more deplorable. Distilleries and grog-shops ere abundant, and almost everybody drank ardent spirits as common beverage. There was, doubtless, in the circum- ances of the church and country, a loud call for reformation some social customs as well as private habits. Coming on e field about seven years after Mr. Gray left it, I have no bubt that his labors in this respect were of great advantage the community. His ministry was blessed in considerable cessions to his churches. He removed to the Western istrict of Tennessee, thence to White River, Ark. In all lese places, and wherever he has gone, he has labored with reat zeal and efficiency. In city, in hamlet, in country. herever he can get hearers, he proclaims the blessed Gospel f Christ. He has often preached to bands of hunters in the wil- erness, who had rarely before listened to the messages of life. le is the nephew of Daniel Gray, deceased, the brother of the ev. Dr. J. H. Gray, and the cousin of the Rev. W. A. Gray. We here insert the following letter of D. L. Gray, addressed our excellent brother aud friend J. H. Saye, to whom the uthor of this volume has been so much and so often in- ebted :
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