USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 20
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A Foreign Missionary Society was formed in Charleston, by our brethren, auxiliary to the Am. Bd. of Commissioners for For. Missions, of which Thomas Legare was President, R. Post, D. D., Corresponding Secretary, and Robt. L. Stew- art, Treasurer.
The commotions in the Church had given rise to two new religious papers. In addition to the Charleston Observer, ed- ited by Rev. B. Gildersleeve, which had been of long con- tinuance, there was the Christian Sentinel, already men-
573
PROPOSED UNION OF SEMINARIES.
). 840,]
ie distinctly to inform the Synod, that the recognition of resbytery of which they are members, as the Charleston in Presbytery, is the only basis on which they can re- vany overtures from the Synod.
WILLIAM C. DANA. WILLIAM B. YATES, THOMAS MAGRUDER.
Augusta, Dec. 3, 1839."
Tus the parties separated, not without tearful cyes and ligs of sadness.
Te District or County of Richland was set off by Synod the Presbytery of Harmony, and added to the Charles- Union Presbytery, and the name of the last mentioned bytery was changed to that of THE PRESBYTERY OF RLESTON.
this Synod, Rev. M. Atkinson, of the Synod of Vir- , and the Rev. D. McNeill Turner, of the Synod of North lina, were present as delegates from those Synods, with ositions respecting the union of the Theological Semina- Columbia with the Theological Seminary in Virginia. tter was received and read, also, from the Synod of Ala- , in answer to one which had been addressed to them on ubject of our Theological Seminary. The delegates Virginia were heard at length. There was a general ment that there should be a union of the seminaries, if icable. The question was as to its location. The pro- ion was, that the Seminary at Columbia should be merged that in Virginia, at its existing location. The impression e Board and Syno.l was, that if the current of travel from Southwest to the North were considered, students would by Prince Edward and resort to Princeton, the great 'e of attraction, situated between the two cities of New : and Philadelphia, the great centres of trade for the t and South. A committee was appointed to correspond further with the Synod of Alabama, and the Synods of inia and North Carolina were invited to consider wheth- would not be expedient to remove the condition which beloved delegates had regarded indispensable.
oubtless there had been great changes as to the policy of Church, if not as to its doctrine, during this decade. In , Dr. Alexander had proposed in the Biblical Repertory,
574
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
[1830-1840.
of Princeton, in an article on the present condition and pros- pects of the Presbyterian Church, a plan, on which the Gen- eral Assembly might be remodelled. That this ought to be done, he argued, (1.) from its unwieldly size ; (2.) the tax on Philadelphia, where it met, which he estimated at not less than $2000 per annum ; (3.) the hundreds of pulpits left va- cant by the absence of pastors in attendance. To these were added the difference of views on the subject of slavery, and between the New and Old Schools of Theology. He pro- posed, as a possible remedy, the dissolution of the Synods, as then existing, and the formation of six new ones, each to have the superintending and judicial power of the Assembly, all appeals to them to be final. The Assembly to be a bond of union, and an advisory council, and to have the control of the invested funds. The first Synod might embrace all the Synods then existing in New York, and such in New Jersey as might choose to join it. The second, the principal part of the Synod of New Jersey, those of Philadelphia and Pittsburg, except the Presbytery of Lewes, Baltimore, and the District of Columbia. Third, those of Ohio, Illinois, and the Terri- tories north of Ohio. Fourth. those of Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Fifth, those of Mississippi, Lou -. isiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida Sixth, North Carolina, Virginia, District of Columbia, Mary- land, and the Presbytery of Lewes, in Delaware. Some por- tion of this plan seems to have occurred to some of our dis- senting brethren of the C. U. Presbytery, as appears by arti- cles in the Christian Sentinel, published in Charleston, of which T. Magruder was editor, and which was the organ of these brethren. This idea of Dr. Alexander seemed not to have attracted attention elsewhere, or to have been specially adhered to by himself. Events moved on, and brought about the results we have described.
A Foreign Missionary Society was formed in Charleston, by our brethren, auxiliary to the Am. Bd. of Commissioners for For. Missions, of which Thomas Legare was President, R. Post, D. D., Corresponding Secretary, and Robt. L. Stew- art, Treasurer.
The commotions in the Church had given rise to two new religious papers. In addition to the Charleston Observer, ed- ited by Rev. B. Gildersleeve, which had been of long con- tinuance, there was the Christian Sentinel, already men-
575
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
0-1840.]
ned, edited by Rev. T. Magruder, there was the Southern ristian Herald, printed in Columbia, from November, 1834, d edited by Richard Gladney, but removed to Cheraw in 36, and edited by M. Maclean, M. D.
The missionaries of the Society, while united with the merican Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, re Geo. W. Boggs and Mrs. Isabella W. Boggs, who be -. me connected with the Board September 14, 1832, and werc itioned at Ahmednuggur, in Hindostan, and remained till ecember 29. 1838. John Leighton Wilson, D. D, and Mrs. ne Wilson. first at Cape Palmas, and afterwards at the boon, in Africa.
Rev. James Lyman Merrick, missionary to the Mohamme- ns, in Persia, October 25, 1835, to December, 1842. Mrs. uma Merrick, March 11, 1839, to December, 1841. Mr. errick and Mrs. Merrick, to the Nestorians, in Persia, from ecomber, 18442, to the summer of 1845. John B. Adger, D., and Mrs. Elizabeth Adger, missionaries to the Arme- ans, at Smyina, October 25, 1834-1846. Rev. John Fleet- bod Lanneau, missionary to Palestine, May, 1836-June 11, 46. To Syria, February 7. 1844-February 17, 1846. Mrs. lia H. Lanneau, February 1, 1844-February 17, 1846. ev. James R. Eckhard, Mrs. Margaret E. Eckhard, Ceylon, bruary 9, 1835, to summer 1837.
Rev. Dyer Ball, missionary to China, received his instruc- ons from Rev Rufus Anderson, D. D., LI.D., one of the cretaries of the American Board of Commissioners for breign Missions, in the Circular Church, on the first Sab- th in April. 1837. The Rev. Mr. Mitchell had been recom- ended by the Executive Committee, and with his own nsent, as the companion of Mr. Ball on this mission, but in e end preferred to wait the decision of the next Assembly i the subject of missions, and went to China under the Pres- terian Board of Foreign Missions.
he appropriations of the Executive Committee for the first year to the missions in China, Ceylon, Persia, Asia Minor, and Armenia, were to each $500 . $2,000 he appropriations for the second year to November, 1835, were for Ahmednuggur, the station of Mr. Boggs : for the station of Rev. Mr. Wright, the Choctaw Missions, beyond the Mississippi ; for Cape Palmas, the station of J. L. Wilson, D. D .;
576
FOREIGN MISSIONS. [1830-1840,
for the Armenians, the station of Rev. J. B. Adger, D. D., at Smyrna ; for Ceylon, the station of Rev. Mr. Eckhard and lady ; for the Palestine Mission of Rev. J. Lannean ; for the Sandwich Island Mis- sion . 2,000
For the Nestorians in Persia, J. L. Merrick ; for the mission in China, each $500 . 4,500
In the third year, for Mr. and Mrs. Boggs ; for J. L. Wilson and Mrs Wilson ; for Mr. Merrick, of Per- sia ; for Mr. and Mrs. Adger, of Smyrna ; for Mr. and Mrs. Wright, of the Choctaw Mission ; for the Sandwich Island Mission; for China; for Mr. and Mrs. Eckhard, of the Tarmul Mission, Ceylon- $500 each . 4,000
To the Palestine Mission, and the two other most needy missions connected with the Board . 1.500
$ 12,000
In the fourth year. For Mr. and Mrs. Boggs, Dr. and Mrs. Adger, Dr. and Mrs. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Eckhard, of the Tarmul Mission, Ceylon ; Rev. Mr. Merrick, of the Rev. J. Lanneau-$500 each $3,000 00
$55 to aid in the support of three Greek youthis, now in this country, given for that purpose ; for the support of Mr. and Mrs. Wright, of the Choctaw Missions, $500, and $500 for the China Mission, to aid in the outfit of Rev. Mr. Ball and Mrs. Bill, 1,055 00 For Rev. J. L. Wilson, contributed by the John's Island, $600 ; from the colored people, for edu- cating a scholar in his school, $20; to the West- ern Board, $23.50, contributed for it ; to the Sand- wich Island Mission, to the Nestorian Mission, to the Seminary in Ceylon, to the support of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Boggs, $500 ; of Dr. and Mrs. Adger, $500; of Mr and Mrs. Lanneau, $500 ; balance of $840 for the support of missionaries under the care of the Board, as may be needed . 4,483 50
577
APPROPRIATIONS.
3)-1840.]
Che Rev. John Winn had been appointed as a missionary ving this year, but on account of the health of Mrs. Winn i not go on his mission.
the fifth year there was appropriated to Mr. and Mrs. Boggs, to Dr. and Mrs. Adger, to Mr. and Mrs. Eckhard, each $500 $1,500 00.
By another action of the committee, $500 to each of their Esionaries.
The language of the resolution is vague, and would involve amount not less than $4,500. The minutes of the Execu- : Committee, on which we have relied for our information, exceedingly defective, it being the year of the fever in arleston, and the meetings of the committee interrupted. e fifth anniversary of the Southern Board was held in Co- bia, November 8th, 1838. From this report we learn that 391.45 had been received that year, which, with what at t time was handed over, would make $10, 156, being con- erably more than the amount last year, which included a siderable balance and was considered large. The first r's receipts are there stated to have been $5,815.36; the ond year's, $5.496; the third year's, $7.765 ; the fourth r's, $9,315, and the fifth year, with what was then, at that iversary handed over, the sum of $10, 156. At this meet- the Constitution of the Southern Board was revised, and became connected with the Assembly's Board of Foreign ssions, while holding friendly relations with the American ard, with which it was formerly connected.
the sixth year the annual meeting was held at Augusta, November 29, 1839. The Executive Committee had appropriated to the support of Dr. and Mrs. Adger, to Mr. and Mrs. Boggs, to Dr. and Mrs. Wilson, and to Rev. Mr. Lanncau, it Jerusalem, each $600, amounting to $2,400. The brief statement contained in the report for his year represents the receipts, with the bal- ince on hand of $460.39, to amount in the ag- piegate to . . $10,805 93 e appropriations and expenditures for the year, 10,552 30
Leaving a balance on hand of . . $237 62 37
578
APPROPRIATIONS.
[1830-1840.
The Treasurer's account appended shows the sum of $3,000 paid to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions for our missionaries, and a like sum of $3.000 to the Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church, besides other sums of smaller amount.
Our brethren in Charleston, who were disappointed with the action of Synod, organized a new society, " The Foreign Missionary Society of Charleston and Vicinity," of which Thomas Legare was President; Rev. Reuben Post, D. D., Corresponding Secretary ; Robert L. Stewart, Treasurer. Ex- ecutive Committee : Rev. Elipha White, William C. Dana, Reuben Pot, D. D., Wm. P. Finley, R. L. Stewart, Bazile Lanneau, and Mr. James Betts. This Society was auxiliary to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- sions. The organization of this Society is recorded in the "Southern Christian Sentinel " of March 2d, 1839, edited by Rev. Thomas Magruder. The first appropriations were to the mission in Syria and the Holy Land, for the support of the Rev. J. F. Lanneau, $500.
To the mission among the Choctaws, for the sup-
port of Rev. A. Wright
.
$500 00
To the mission in Persia, for the support of the Rev.
J. L. Merrick · 500 00
To the mission at Cape Palmas, for the support of the Rev. J. L. Wilson 500 00 To the mission in Turkey, for the support of the Rev. J. B. Adger . 500 00
$2,000 00
580
REV. B. M. PALMER, D. D.
[1840-1850.
his death. He had taken a strong anodyne, after which, by an imprudent use of cold water, he became suddenly extreme- ly ill, and fell into a lethargic slumber from which he never awoke in this world. At 6 o'clock P. M., Saturday, Oct. 9, IS47, life ceased its functions, and death ensued in the 67th year of his age. Mrs. Palmer, his wife, was suffering intense- ly with neuralgia of the head, and was not able to realize fuliy his death until the day after. She seemed tranquil and com- posed, but on Saturday following, the 16th of October, she, too, fell into a profound sleep from which she never awoke. " They were lovely and pleasant in their lives; and in their death they were not divided." She died one week after her husband, and on the same day of the week. His funeral took place at his residence in the presence of a numerous and sympathizing assemblage. His son-in-law, his brother, the Rev. Edward Palmer, and several of his grand-children and other relatives were present. The Rev. Thomas Huns- come Legare, pastor of the church in Orangeburg, and one of his spiritual children, preached the funeral sermon, from Rev. xiv : 13. His remains were removed to Charleston, funeral services were held in the Circular Church, conducted by its pastor, Rev. Dr. Post, who had succeeded him in the pastor- ate in 1835.
The following is the inscription on his monument :
Sacred to the memory of the REV. BENJAMIN M. PALMER, D. D., Who, Oct. 9th, 1847, exchanged the Sorrows of earth for the joys of heaven. He was called to the ministry of this Church, August 22d, 1814, And, for upwards of twenty years, Proclaimed from this Pulpit the glad tidings Of Salvation. Constrained by declining health and growing infirmities, He resigned his Pastoral charge July 1st, 1835 ; But retained his connection with the Society of this Church, as a disabled Clergyman, Up to the day of his death. Gifted by nature with talents of a high order, His mind enlarged with literature and polished by taste, Profoundly versed in Theology, and deeply imbued With the devotional spirit of the Bible, He was eminently qualified for the Holy office, to which, for more than forty years,
581
REV. B. M. PALMER, D. D.
120-1850.]
He consecrated his efforts. As a Minister of the Gospel, He was orthodox in creed, luminous in exposition, Graceful and elegant in diction, In exhortation, impressive and affecting, In prayer, fervent evangelical and sublime, As a man, He was conscientious and exemplary in the Discharge of every relative and social duty.
And, by his humble walk and godly conversation, Conciliated the affection and esteem of all with whom he was associated. He was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 25th, 1781, During the temporary exile of his parents from Charleston. And died at Orangeburg. S. C., October 9th, In the 67th year of his age. His mortal remains rest in the Cemetery Of this Church ; and this tablet is erected By the unanimous resolve of the Congregation, To attest their veneration for his memory.
Dr. Palmer filled a large place in the affections and esteem his cotemporaries. Those most intimately acquainted with him loved and revered him the most. "The great charm his character," says the Rev. Dr. Wm. C. Dana, " was Ansparent simplicity. 'Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom 'no guile.' It was refreshing to meet with one whose vigo- was and affluent intellect commanded the respect of the most intellectual, who was yet in character and manners un- sophisticated as a child." "He was thoroughly a minister the gospel, and could have been nothing else." "Out of is singleness of purpose grew his moral courage. To the 3/me source might be traced another distinguished and at- 1.ctive feature of his character, namely, his singular exemp- In from all feeling of jealousy in respect to those whose pularity might come into competition with his own. He oiced in every good blow that was struck for truth, no mitter by whom, with as cordial and jubilant delight as if the mole reputation of it inured to himself." "Another very tractive feature of his character was the absence of all ten- Incy to dictate to others. Free and independent in his own gments, he wished others to be equally so. Although in le maintenance of great principles he had the courage and le tenacity which in other days might have led to martyr- Im, he was, nevertheless, in all lighter matters of opinion, gularly facile." "At the same time it was quite useless
582
REV. B. M. PALMER, D. D.
[1840-1850.
for party leaders or majorities to undertake to dictate to him." " His mind was saturated with the meaning, spirit, and lan- guage of the Bible. This gave distinctive character to his preaching and his prayers. In the pulpit he was always in- structing and edifying. There was fresh thought in all his sermons." " His prayers were most remarkable." "It is the testimony of one of his habitual hearers, surpassed by none in acuteness of discrimination, that it was at the sacra- mental table and in the chamber of sickness that he shone pre-eminent.
Among the lighter traits of his character, one is pleasantly associated with his memory by those who knew him in- timately. He was remarkable for absence of mind. In com- pany he was often abstracted, evidently carrying on a process of thought, quite remote from things present and visible. At home he would sometimes seein to be restlessly searching for something in the room. It turned out.that he was seek- ing an idea. I have heard it said that he once rode horse- back many miles in the rain, quite oblivious of the cloak and umbrella attached to his saddle. It is pleasant to me to re- call his personal appearance, as I have often seen him in the streets of Charleston, erect in figure, with buoyant step, his eye, like his mind, directed rather to heaven than earth, and too much absorbed in his own thoughts to notice the saluta- tion of some passing friend."
The Rev. Dr. B. M. Palmer, of New Orleans, his nephew and namesake, after expressing his intention of enlisting the aid of a distinguished co-presbyter of his uncle to furnish a sketch of his character, in which, however, he had been dis- appointed, of one, namely, whose reminiscences would cover the whole area of his life, instead of the small section em- braced in his own, whose testimony would be received with less suspicion than that of a kinsman, in which expectation he had been disappointed, at last gives his own reminis- cences and impressions from which the following excerpts are taken.
"In few men did the outward presence so perfectly har- monize with the intellectual and moral character as in Dr. Palmer. He was of medium stature, though a spare habit and an erect figure added to his apparent height. Pre- eminently composed in manner, dignified, if not graceful in carriage, with a deep sonorous voice, and a countenance sin-
583
1
0-1850.]
REV. B. M. PALMER, D. D.
larly placid, yet strongly furrowed by thought, an air of bose rested upon his whole person, indicating habitual f-communion and meditations which were not of earth. In midst of society he was often sunk in reverie, wrapt up the seclusion of his own thoughts, and this abstracted air. oported by the acknowledged sanctity of his life, secured him the homage of universal reverence.
'This characteristic trait, indeed, very naturally gave rise to ny amusing contretemps, richly enjoyed by his intimate ends around the fireside, and the recital of which he would nself, with a genial humour, often relish." "Dr. Palmer's nd was distinctly formed upon the stern and classic models antiquity. I cannot say whether his acquaintance ranged er the entire circle of ancient literature; but I well remem- " the frequent surprise of his juvenile kindred at the case d evident emotion with which he would recite, not the usual cerpted phrases, but fresh and unfamiliar passages from man authors; showing the depth of his sympathy with se old writers who had formed his taste. Hence was de- ed the Doric simplicity of his style, which continually ex- ted the praise even of critics. As a speaker he was prover- illy calm and self contained; never vehement and never ept away by currents of passion." "I would not myself sign to my honored kinsman the highest rank as a scientific eologian ; perhaps the peculiar circumstances of his life led m to undervalue the black lettered lore of his profession. is pulpit instructions were, however, always rich in evan- lical truth, full of unction, and getting at the doctrines of ace in their correct form, as imbedded in the hidden expe- ence of God's children, rather than as abstract dogmas, richly ticulated in a stereotyped creed." "But if inferior to some his compeers in the dialectics of theology, he surpassed em all in his minute knowledge of the Bible itself. He was, yond dispute, the greatest textuary of his age-a living con- rdance of the Scriptures. His Bible, and other most famil- r books, with every blank leaf, and the margin of nearly ery page filled with parallel texts, written like hieroglyphics, a microscopic hand, are treasured by his descendants as nong the most precious of his relics." " Had not grace fitted m to receive the higher and purer honours of a preacher id a pastor, Dr. Palmier had many attributes which would ive caused him to shine as a polemic." " The trait which
584
REV. B. M. PALMER, D. D.
[1840 - 1850.
conspicuously adorned him as a man, was sterling honesty, both of mind and heart."
" Dr. Palmer deserves to be reported to posterity as one of the great men of his times. Great, not in the reach and grasp of his intellect, in the depth or variety of his learning, in power of invention or of philosophical analysis, but great first of all, in preeminent goodness; and great, next, in the rare combination of his intellectual and moral qualities. Great in the intense individuality of his character, by which he im- pressed himself upon all with whom he came in contact, and which made liim, like a tall cliff, or jutting promontory, ob- served and known of all men."
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the College of South Carolina, in 1815.
The following is a list of Dr. Palmer's publications :
Believer's Baptism no Argument against Infant Baptism ; a sermon preached in Beaufort, 1809. Gratitude and Penitence recommended from the consideration of national judgments. A sermon delivered on a day appointed for humiliation, thanksgiving and prayer, in Charleston, 1814. The signs of the times discerned 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 of whom, was ordained as city missionary in Charleston, among the seamen and others; the latter as a Missionary to the Choctaw Indians, 1819. A sermon an the Anniversary of the Sabbath School Associa- tion in Charleston, 1819. Importance of the Ministerial office: A ser- mon preached in the Independent or Congregational Church in Charles. ton, at the ordination of five young men as Evangelists, 1821. Religion profitable: a sermon preached with a special reference to the case of servants, in the Circular Church, 1822. The three following were pub- lished in the Southern Preacher, 1824. The reasons which Christians have for mourning the sudden removal of men who have been distin- guished for the excellence of their characters, and the usefulness of their lives: A sermon delivered on the death of Dr. David Ramsay. A sermon on the consequence of unbelief. A sermon on the admonition administered to Elijah. Good men the protection and ornament of a community : a sermon delivered in the Circular Church, Charleston, on the death of Josiah Smith, Esq., eldest deacon of the Church, 1820. The children of professing believers, God's children ; or the right of the children of God's people to the initiating seal of the covenant asserted and maintained : a sermon delivered in the Circular Church, 1835. A sermon published in the National Preacher, entitled, "The sinner ar- raigned and convicted," 1836 The Family Companion, with an Appen- dix, containing a sermon delivered on the sacramental occasion that terminated his pastoral relation to his people, in July, 1835, and the last sermon he ever delivered to them-only a few weeks before his death. This volume was posthumous.
Mrs. Mary Stanley Bunce Palmer, the wife of Dr. Palmer,
·
585
CIRCULAR CHURCHI.
-1850.]
the daughter of the late Jared Bunce, of Philadelphia, known as a favorite sea captain, in the merchant service, gating passenger vessels between Charleston and Phila- shia. Dr. and Mrs. Palmer had buried seven children. y left behind them two daughters, Mrs. Lanneau and Mrs. indler, formerly Mrs. Dana.
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