USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 22
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596
THIRD OR CENTRAL CHURCH. [1840-1850.
Missions of the American Board, Oriental Churches, Vol. I, 102, 126; Vol. II, II.]
The Second Church reported 116 added on examination, and 9 on certificate, in 1847. White communicants, 310; colored, 162 ; total, 472, in 1848. White communicants, 254; colored, 154; total, 408, in 1849-a total of 414.
THIRD OR CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (Charleston). The location and general unsightliness of the house of worship in Archdale street, still marred the prosperity of this church. Though isolated still from the majority of the Synod. and though the congregation did not number so many as sixty families, with a brave heart they selected a central and desirable location for a new church edifice, of beautiful archi- tecture, the corner-stone of which was laid on the 10th of August, 1848, the following document, inscribed on parch- ment, being placed in the corner-stone :
COPY OF THE DOCUMENT
(Inscribed on parchment), placed in the Corner Stone of the new edifice, in the course of erection, for the use of the Third Presbyterian Church, Rev. William C. Dana, Pastor, 1848.
ΤΩΝ ΘΕΩΙΛΟΞΑ.
The Corner Stone of this edifice, Erected by the Congregation of The Third Presbyterian Church, in the city of Charleston, For the worship of Almighty God. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Was laid on the 10th of August, Anno Domini, 1848, The following at the time being
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. REV'D W.M. C. DANA, Pastor.
William Birnie, R. L. Stewart,
George Cotchett.
James Dick,
ELDERS : J. L. Beach, H. M. Bruns, J. B. Betts, F. M. Robertson, M. D.
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION.
L. Bowie, President. L. M. Hatch, Treasurer.
W. S. Caldwell, Secretary.
·
598
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
[1840-1850.
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION FROM 1824 TO 1848.
PRESIDENT.
TREASURER.
1824, Thomas Fleming,
1825, 66
1826, William Bell,
66
66
1828, Thomas Napier,
66
1829,
1830-1, William A. Caldwell.
1832-3, William Birnie,
1834-5, James Dick,
1836, Samuel P. Ripley,
1837, 66
Copeland Stiles,
1838. James J. McCarter, 1839,
66
1841-1, William H. Gilliland,
IS42-3, Edward Sebring,
66
66
1844 5, James S. Bowie,
66
6.
1846, Joseph F. O'Hear,
. 6
.6
1847,
66
Lewis M. Hatch, 66 66
1848, Langdon Bowie.
SECRETARY,
1824, Hector C. McLeod,
1825,
6
1826, 66
1839, William S. Caldwell, 66
1827, 66
-6
1840-1,
1842-3, 4
1844-5, 66 66
1830-1, 66
1846,
66
1832-3, Charles Clark,
1847,
1834-5 William Miller,
1848. 6.
1836, James H. Taylor,
Andrew P. Gready, Robert Eager,
1827, " 66
66 66
66
..
66
66
66
66
1837, James H. Taylor, 1838, Nathaniel Hyatt,
1828, 66
66
1829, Robert L. Stewart,
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
The congregation composing the Third Presbyterian Church, was or- ganized in the year 1823, and worshipped from that time to the present (1848), in the building sitnated at the N. W. corner of Archdale and West streets, which was originally erected in 1814, by a congregation. styled "The St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church of the City of Charles- ton," who were were seceders from "The Presbyterian Church of the City of Charleston," better known as " The Scotch Church," and whose first pastor was the Rev'd Dr. John Buchan. After the lapse of nine years, this congregation being without a pastor, and burdened by debt, resolved to dispose of their premises on the conditions, that the Church should be held sacred as a place of public Christian worship, and the ground attached thereto be continued as a cemetery. They were ar- cordingly purchased by Messrs. Thomas Napier and Thomas Fleming, two of the original members and founders of the Third Presbyterian Church, whose first pastor was the Rev. William A. McDowell, who ministered to them till 1833, when he dissolved the connection in or- der to assume the office of Secretary and General Agent of the Presby- terian Board of Missions. From that time the pulpit was supplied by various ministers till the year 1836, when the Rev. William C. Dana, its present pastor, was installed over the congregation.
1860 ]
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 599
11847, the building being in such a condition as to render it likely in years to require extensive and costly repairs, and, together with disadvantages, being sitna ed in a notoriously disreputable neigh- bod, the expediency of erecting a new edifice in a more eligible vegan to be agitated ; and at a meeting of the corporation, he'd 13th, 1847, a committee was appointed to take the whole matier in- psideration and report thereon. They accordingly presented a full ble report, which being accepted, and at several subsequent meci- the whole subject having been fully considered and discussed, the ition was finally adopted to erect a new church edifice. On the February, 1848, the lot on which this building stands, was pur- d. On the 18th July of the same year, the Building Committee uthoriz d to enter into contract for erecting the proposed edifice. te 26th of the same month, the first earth was dug, and on the 3d e following month (Angust) the first brick of the foundation laid. the good hand of our God being upon us, and relying on His aid, ly this corner stone as an earnest of our purpose to prosecute the to its completion.
ie following is the account of these transactions, given by Dana in 1857, in his seventh anniversary sermon of the cation of the Central Presbyterian Church:
At a meeting of the Corporation, July 13th, 1847, the tion of building a new church edifice was for the first agitated. The organization of this great work and its ress to completion, have left an enduring and most pleas- ecord in the annals of this Church, as well as in the con- isness of its benefactors. An undertaking so extensive not be entered on hastily by gentlemen who felt them- 's responsible for the fulfilment of all engagements. Gia- y, however, the determination to build became unanimous ; a preliminary subscription was made of between ten and en thousand dollars. The ground on which this building Is was purchased February 21st, 1848. On the first Sab- in February, 1850, we met in this place to worship God ne first time. With gladness and rejoicing we assembled ; Church, emerging from her long depression, seemed, in ranslation to this beautiful architecture, and most eligible "as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her ers with yellow gold."
e position of this edifice, on a main thoroughfare of the and equi-distant from the Battery and Line street, sug- ed the designation "Central ;" and by the new charter, ned at the last session of the Legislature, "CENTRAL. BYTERIAN CHURCH " is now the corporate name.
le cost of this edifice, though materially lessened by the
1
600
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
[1840-1850.
zeal and devotion of the Building Committee, who themselves made the contracts directly with the parties employed, was nevertheless $10,000 more than the highest amount origin- ally contemplated. After the payment of the original sub- scription, and of the first instalment on pews sold after the dedication, there was reported at the annual meeting, January, 1851, a debt of more than $18,000, of which it was proposed to pay the interest and $1,000 of the principal annually from the income of the Church, or by such additional special effort as might be needful.
In 1854, more than $2,000 was raised by subscription to- wards the liquidation of the debt. About the same sum was contributed in 1355. A year ago, the debt, in- cluding interest, was between thirteen and fourteen thousand dollars.
On Monday evening, May 19th, 1856, the office having be- come vacant, the Corporation met to elect a President. From that election we date a new era in our history. The idea of relieving the Church at once from all debt, originating with one, responded to with equal warmth by another, and yet another, spread so rapidly, and was received with so general and gen erous enthusiasm, that in a short time the entire amount was subscribed. At the late meeting of the Corporation, the President reported nearly $14,000 of debt paid, no outstand- ing accounts, and one thousand dollars in the treasury ; a new feature in the history of this Church.
Thus have the " foundations" all been laid anew, and as we trust, "for many generations." A new church and lecture room have been built, at a cost (including interest and im- provements of the cemetery) of between fifty and sixty thou- sand dollars. If from this be deducted such aid as has been tendered by friends not connected with us, there remains more than fifty thousand dollars from the contributions of this congregation. This large amount has a still enhanced value, as representing the generous impulses of hearts ready to make sacrifices in a good cause, and as proving how strong is this Church in the unanimity and warm attachment of its members.
But "not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake."
In 1844, at the meeting of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, at Pendleton, S. C., the relation between the
601
-1850.] CHARLESTON UNION PRESBYTERY.
od and the so called Charleston Union Presbytery was en up, and the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That this Synod, understanding that some or the members of the body known as the Charleston Union sbytery, are willing again to be united to this body, do eby appoint the following brethren, viz : G. Howe, D. D.,. /. M. D. Fraser, Rev. J. Douglas, Chancellor J. Johnston,
Mr. J. R. Douglas, as a committee of conference with se brethren, and to communicate the desire of the Synod, remove, as far as the order and doctrines of the church I permit, any difficulties which may be in the way of such nion."
This proposal of a conference was cordially acceded to on part of the Presbytery, who appointed a committee on ir part, consisting of the Rev. Mr. Lee, Rev. Dr. Post, Rev. . Dana, Rev. I. S. K. Legare, and Dr. Elliott. At the eting of Synod in Charleston, in November, 1846, these nmittees had repeated interviews, and much discussion of differences which had existed between the Presbytery and hod, and of the possible plans of union which might be vised. After a preamble, in which the committee on the t of the Synod explained what its requirement was, that ' intended to require adherence to the Assembly, as then hstituted, rather than approval, the following resolutions re offered by the Synod's Committee to that body :
1. Resolved, That Synod will, and hereby does, resume its isdiction over Charleston Union Presbytery.
2. That the roll of Charleston Union Presbytery be now ded to the roll of Synod, and that the stated clerk of arleston Union Presbytery is hereby directed to furnish to nod the statistical report of said Presbytery.
3. That as both the Charleston Union Presbytery and the esbytery of Charleston occupy for the most part the same ographical territory, they be and hereby are united into one dy, to be called -, and that Rev. Dr. Leland, or in ; absence the oldest minister present, be the Moderator of s Presbytery at its first meeting.
4. That the records of Charleston Union Presbytery and records of the Presbytery of Charleston be the common operty of the united body.
602
CHARLESTON UNION PRESBYTERY.
[1840-1850.
5. That the preceding preamble and resolutions shall not be binding on the Synod and the Charleston Union Presby- tery, nor on either of them, until they are adopted by each body respectively.
The following substitute had been adopted by tlie Charles- ton Union Presbytery, and was alone considered by Synod in its discussion of this paper, viz : for resolution 4,
" Resolved, That the Charleston Union Presbytery and the Charleston Presbytery shall retain their present separate or- ganization, and that, if necessary, a geographical line of divi- sion be drawn or described between them."
This was viewed as their ultimatum, and in the vote, which was not taken till the second day after, there was but one vote in the affirmative, fifty-five in the negative, and three excused from voting.
If we should pursue this history thus far, it will be seen that when this question was finally adjudicated at Yorkville in 1852, by the Synod of South Carolina, it was substantially in accordance with the recommendations of the Synod's Com- mittee at this time.
This state of things and the personal differences between brethren of the two parties gave great uneasiness to brethren elsewhere, and the Presbytery of South Carolina, at their spring session at Gilder's Creek Church, April 25th, 1845. addressed both the Presbyteries of Charleston and Charleston Union, suggesting that each Presbytery should consent to its own dissolution with the view of forming a new Presbytery, offering to receive them for a season into their own Presby- tery, if deemed expedient, to be set off again as a distinct Presbytery, or Presbyteries, covering the same general terri- tory. Reference of personal differences to the arbitration of mutual friends had thus far failed. When the General Assem- bly met in Charleston, May 20th, 1852, it received a commu- nication from the " Charleston Union Presbytery," represent- ing their case, which was referred to a special committee, and came up for action on the 8th day of their session, when the report of the committee was adopted, as follows :
" Ist. Resolved, That this Assembly express its high grati- fication to learn that the brethren submitting this communi- cation do still entertain so much regard for the doctrine and
603
40-1850.] DECISION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
blity of our Church, as to cherish the desire of adherence to is body, rather than any other branch of the visible church. " 2nd. Resolved, That on account of the failure of the harleston Union .Presbytery to apply for redress of alleged ievances to the General Assembly, by appeal or complaint, the proper time (some twelve years ago), this Assembly es not consider it expedient to enter upon the investigation the case now, in the way proposed by the Presbytery.
" 3rd. Resolved, That mutual forbearance and the exercise kindly feeling be recommended to all the parties concerned. " 4th. Resolved, That if the Charleston Union Presbytery all make known to the stated clerk of the General Assem- y their adhesion to this Assembly and its doctrinal stand- ds, prior to the next annual meeting of the Synod of South rolina, it shall be the duty of the stated clerk to commu- cate the same without delay to said Synod, and the Syn d all thereupon enroll them as a regular Presbytery in con- ction with this body."
This case came up before the Synod of South Carolina for tion on the fourth day of its sessions at Yorkville, being e 23d of October, 1852, when the following paper, presented Dr. Smyth, as a substitute for one offered by Dr. Palmer, t written by Dr. Thornwell, was adopted :
" Whereas, the General Assembly has made it the duty of s Synod, upon certain conditions, to enroll the Charleston ion Presbytery as a regular Presbytery in connection with s body :
And whereas, the Charleston Union Presbytery has com- ed with these conditions by declaring its adherence to the neral Assembly, and its doctrinal standards, therefore,
Resolved, That in view of this public and voluntary, and, as must believe, conscientious expression of adherence to the neral Assembly as now constituted, and their consequent jection to it, and to the judicatories of the Church, and o to the doctrinal standards of our Church, the difficulties ich have hitherto existed in the way of the reception said Presbytery by this Synod, are removed.
Resolved, Secondly, That this Svnod do now enroll the arleston Union Presbytery in connection with this body, in cordance with the requirements of our General Assembly
604
ACTION OF THE SYNOD.
[1840-1850.
and in the spirit of forbearance and charity recommended by said Assembly.
Resolved, Thirdly, That inasmuch as there cannot be two Presbyteries covering the same ground, without recognizing the principle of elective affinity, this Synod do now unite the Charleston Union Presbytery and the Presbytery of Charles- ton into one Presbytery, to be called by the name of The Charleston Presbytery.
The vote was taken on the substitute offered by Dr. Smyth, which, on motion, was divided, the yeas and nays being taken upon the Preamble and the first two resolutions, the vote was as follows : Yeas, 56; Nays, 17.
The third resolution of the substitute, by which the two Presbyteries were merged into one, was carried unanimously. To complete the action of the Synod in regard to the recep- tion of Charleston Union Presbytery, it was
Resolved, That the Charleston Presbytery as now consti- tuted, meet in the Glebe Street Church, Charleston, on the Wednesday before the second Sabbath in April next, at 7 o'clock, P. M., and that Rev. A. W. Leland, D. D., as the oldest minister, preside, and open the meeting with a sermon, and that Rev. W. States Lee be his alternate. Printed Min- utes of the Synod of South Carolina, pp. 12, 13, 14, 16, 17-23.
As we write these lines we are reminded that the active op- ponent of the measures, which separated from us those churches which became connected with us under the plan of Union of 1801, has passed away from earth and gone to his eternal reward. We have been acquainted with him since he was a student in College, and although it would have been more satisfactory if he had not, when assenting to the doc- trines of the Confession, added the explanatory statement before recorded, we do not suppose that his course was prompted by sympathy with fatal error. Had this been the case he would have been the unworthy son of the Rev. Dan- iel Dana, D. D., of the First Presbyterian Church of New- berry Port, one of the original Trustees of the Seminary at Andover, author of the " Letters to Prof. Stuart," the " Re- monstrance addressed to the Trustees of Phillips' Academy, on the state of the Theological Seminary under their care,"
605
:40-1850.] GLEBE STREET, CHARLESTON.
nd who resigned his trusteeship in 1856, having served in at office for 52 years; an unworthy descendant too, of his randsire, Joseph Dana, D. D., Pastor of the Presbyterian hurch of Ipswich, Mass., "a firm believer in the doctrines f Calvinism, a faithful preacher and a man of prayer "-" the celebrated minister of Ipswich, who died in 1827, aged 83." ur brother. Dana, had passed beyond the limits of the hurch militant on earth, for he entered into the church trium- hant above in December, 1880.
GLEBE STREET, CHARLESTON .- This church arose in part om the desire to advance the interests of Presbyterianisni in Charleston. It was organized in 1847, and consisted at the meeting of Synod in that year, of 42 members. The Rev. L. A. Porter served it at first, as stated supply. The project f organizing the new church originated with the session of he 2d Church, and was favored by the Presbytery with all its fluence. "The position of our body," it says, " is isolated hd peculiar. We have been exposed to much reproach and misrepresentation, and violent hostility has been excited gainst our doctrines and order, and our principles. We are ersuaded, however, that a wider diffusion of our systemi can - ot but contribute to the glory of God and the good of man ; hd while we would do nothing to injure or retard the pros- erity of other denominations, we feel bound to put forth hatever ability God has given, to extend our borders. The resbytery would express, therefore, its joy that the 2d Pres- yterian Church in Charleston is doing so well, and would xhort it to make still greater sacrifices, rather than permit his enterprise to fail." "The Presbytery would also appoint ny two of the brethren in Columbia, whose convenience ill allow, to go to Charleston, and in cooperation with the rethren there, hold a series of meetings at such time as Mr. orter may fix, for the purpose of organizing the new church nd giving whatever additional impulse God may enable them o give to the whole enterprise."
This Church was constituted in May, 1847, with 34 mem- ers, under the government of three Elders, with three Dea- ons. Eight other members had been added previous to the meeting of Presbytery in October. A Sabbath school of 184 cholars, one-third of whom had never attended any other abbath school before, was at once organized. This school ras under the instruction of 30 teachers. The statistics of
606
GLEBE STREET.
[1840-1850.
this church show a membership of 58 in 1848, and of 79 in 1849. The congregation had commenced the erection of a suitable house of worship in October, 1847. The Rev. Ab- ner A. Porter was installed as Pastor on Sabbath evening, November 26, 1848, Rev. Thos. Smyth, D. D., preaching the sermon, Rev. J. B. Adger delivering the charge to the Pastor, and Rev. B. M. Palmer the charge to the people.
The inception of a special enterprise, contemplating the evangelization of the colored people of Charleston, took place near the close of that period which is covered by this history. In 1847, the Rev. John B. Adger (having, in consequence of the failure of his eyes, returned from his mission among the Armenians) conceived the plan of devoting himself to the religious instruction of the colored people of Charleston. He was warmly seconded by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Smyth, and the church of which he was pastor. At a meeting of the session of the Second Presbyterian Church, March 15th, 1847, Mr. Adger sought their advice " with respect to the propriety and feasibility of establishing a separate church for the use and benefit of the colored population." The session "unanimously" agreed that " they ought to, and would encourage the Rev. J. B. Adger in the prosecution of the work." [Sessional Records of Second Presbyterian Church.]
At a Meeting of the Presbytery of Charleston in April, 1847, at Barnwell C. H., this matter was referred to a committee consisting of the Rev. James H. Thornwell, D. D., and the Rev. George Howe, D. D., who submitted the following re- port, which was adopted :
"The special committee, to whom was referred the pro- priety of establishing a church for the colored population in the city of Charleston, would report: That, in their opinion, public sentiment has undergone a very great change, in the State of South Carolina, in reference to the religious instruc- tion of our colored population. Providence has opened a wide and effectual door to missionary effort among them, which it is the duty of the Church to enter ; and though some difficulties still exist, these, it is hoped, will gradually be re- moved by Christian zeal, patience, prudence and perseverance. This department of labor belongs exclusively to the Southern Church. Our brethren in other lands, and other portions of our own country, are exposed-and, for the most part, justly exposed-to so much suspicion and distrust, that they cannot
607
GLEBE STREET.
40-1850.]
ve free access to the slaves of the South. Unacquainted th the nature of our institutions, strangers to the prejudices, bits and peculiarities of the negro, incapable of appreci- ing his peculiar sympathies and associations, ministers from road, even if they were permitted to enter the field, could t be expected to cultivate it with the same success which likely to reward the labors of our own men. The com- ttee, therefore, believe that God has imposed upon the urches and Christian people of the South. in a pre-eminent gree, the duty of spreading the Gospel among the colored pulation, whether slave or free. This class of the com- unity is committed to us, and leanness and barrenness must -will be-entailed as a curse upon our churches if they ffer the multitudes of these poor, whom God has settled hong them, to perish for the bread of life. From the very ture of their position, they are dependent upon us. They not form churches among themselves, call pastors and sup- rt the Gospel, without property, without concert, without e means of co-operation and united effort. They must be pplied with God's word as they are supplied with their ily bread-by the hands of their masters. They seem to a sacred trust which is to prove the faith, the charity, e self-denial and spiritual zeal of the Southern Church ; d the most effectual answer which can be given to the umnies of abolitionists, and misguided philanthropists, ll be persevering diligence in training this people for glory, nor and immortality. The tendency of the Gospel is to ften all that is harsh in the relations of master and slave ; prevent the one from being a tyrant, and the other a rebel ; will sweeten their intercourse, authority will cease to be vere, and obedience cease to be a task.
" Your committee are delighted to learn that the attention Brother Adger, of Charleston, has been turned to this sub- t, and that he seems to be disposed to embark in an enter- se to give more efficient religious instruction to this class the community. So numerous are the blacks in this city, it whatever efforts are made, must, to be successful, con- mplate congregations separate and distinct from those of e whites. The colored people need teachers exclusively voted to themselves-men who know their character, habits dl associations, and, at the same time, of large and liberal ws; who can adapt the instructions of the pulpit to the in-
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