USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 24
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Between 1851 and 1858, ending with March, white mem- bers, 14; colored members, 72.
Total added between 1821 and 1858, white members, 89, and 8 by certificate ; colored members, 338, and 14 by cer- tificate-making in all 449.
The baptisms administered have been-whites, 235 ; col- ored, 338; total, 573.
During thirty-seven years, the members of the congrega- tion have built two parsonages on the seashore and removed one, also built one parsonage on the island. They have built one church edifice on the seashore and one on the island. The contributions for benevolent objects, which have been placed in the hands of the session, have averaged nearly $600
£
619
THE REV. WM. STATES LEE.
840-1850.]
per annum, for several years past ; and when particular ob- ects have called for specific contributions, the sum raised has been upwards of $2 000, and in one year particularly, upwards of $5,000, independent of their own expenses as a congrega- tion. In drawing this sketch to a close, it gives the writer pleasure to record, that the attention of the congregation to the support and comfort of the pastor has been constant, cheerful. and unwavering."
This was written by the beloved and venerable pastor towards the close of the next decade, and so anticipates the course of the history which accords with our plan. On the second day of March, A. D. 1870, the church altered its con- stitution, and came into full communion with the Southern Presbyterian Church. This was some five years before his lamented death, which occurred on the 28th of July, 1875.
MEMORIAL OF THE REV. WILLIAM STATES LEE. Adopted by Charleston Presbytery, at Yorkville, S. C., November
15, 1875.
YORKVILLE, S. C., November 5, 1875.
The Rev. William States Lee was born in the city of Charleston, S. C., on July 22d, 1793. His father was Mr. Stephen Lee, and his mother's maiden name was Dorothea Smiser. Her name when she married was Mrs. Allison, her first husband having been the Rev. Hugh Allison, minister of the Presbyterian Church on James Island, S. C. She is represented as having been a very intelligent and pious lady, and to her happy influence and faithful training her son often alluded with deep gratitude, and viewed them as the means under God of first attracting his thoughts to the things of eternity. His early education was received in his native city, and chiefly in the institution under the care of the distin- guished Dr. George Buist, and which afterwards became the College of Charleston. When he was about sixteen years of age he entered Princeton College, New Jersey, and was graduated there with great credit to himself, in the class of 1812. He had for several years entertained serious impres- sions on the subject of religion, but it was not until after his return from college that he gave himself unreservedly to the Lord, and resolved to devote his life to the ministry of God's dear Son. He now made a public profession of his faith in
620
MEMORIAL.
[1840-1850.
Christ by uniting with the Independent or Congregational Church in Archdale Street, Charleston, which was then under the joint care of Drs. Keith and Hollinshead. Both of these gentlemen had for years taken a very deep interest in him, and they continued to do so while they lived. In the begin- ning of 1813, he began his regular theological studies under Dr. Hollinshead, for whom he ever entertained the deepest veneration and love. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Congregational Association of South Carolina, in 1814, and preached his first sermon in Bethel Church, St. Barthol- omew's Parish, on December 25th of that year. He soon after this time received a call to become pastor of the Dor- chester and Beach Hill Churches. He accepted it and was ordained by the same Association that had licensed him to preach, and in this field he labored for six years. In 1821 he was invited to become pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Edisto Island, and after much deliberation and prayer he felt. it his duty to accept the invitation, and he preached his opening sermon in his new pastorate in May of that year. It pleased the Great Head of the Church to continue his labors among this people for fifty-two years, and to crown his long ministry with great acceptance and usefulness. In the begin- ning of the late war, he and his flock were driven from their beloved sanctuary, and were for nearly five years scattered in various parts of our land. He found a quiet retreat near Langley, in this State, and there he spent the trying period when our coast was desolated and all our pleasant things were laid waste. Here he spent much of his time writing letters of sympathy and comfort to his suffering and dispersed people, not forgetting the young of his loved charge. He was also ever ready to preach the gospel to the perishing souis around him, and to alleviate the distresses of his fellow- men. For a short time he supplied the pulpits of the Aiken and Beech Island Churches, much to the pleasure aud profit of the congregations.
After the close of the war he returned to Edisto to resume his pastoral labors among the people he had served so long, and who continued devotedly attached to him. For several years he discharged the duties of his office to the full measure of his strength ; but the infirmities of age growing rapidly upon him, he was compelled to resign his charge, and he then returned to his residence near Langley, and there waited
621
MEMORIAL.
40-1850.]
til his change came. For sometime before his end, his resight failed, and towards the last he became totally blind. bout two years ago while walking in his garden, he made a isstep and fell, and, after that time, he was for the most art confined to his chair or his bed. During this season of cakness and pain, he was ever patient and cheerful, even joicing to suffer the will of his Father in heaven. Three onths ago his family assembled under his roof to celebrate is eighty-second birth-day, and it was to him and them a jason of deep interest. At his request, his son-in-law, Rev. Pr. Jacobs, preached on a Sabbath at his dwelling to his mily and their numerous descendants assembled there, and the close of the services administered the sacrament of the ford's Supper. In describing the scene, Dr. J. says, " The eart of the patriarch had longed for this privilege. The ut- erance of the Saviour expressed his emotion : 'With desire have desired to eat this passover with you before I depart; or I say unto you that I may not any more eat thereof until be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' And it was a precious eason. He felt, we all felt, that the Saviour was with us. t was a means of great comfort and strengthening to him." On the night of July 23d, he was taken seriously sick and for everal days he spoke but little. Everything that love could ictate was done for him, but it availed not. God's will was o remove him from the vale of conflict and suffering to the building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in he heavens." Early on the morning of July 28th, 1875, his pirit passed tranquilly away from earth, and is doubtless how in the abode of the blessed for ever with the Lord.
On July 29th, his funeral services were held in Zion Church, Glebe street, Charleston, and were performed by Dr. Dana, Rev. W. B. Yates, and Dr. Girardeau .; and on the following Bay his remains were carried to Edisto Island, and now re- bose on the spot of earth long since selected by himself as his last resting place, near the precious dust of his kindred ind people, and close to the pulpit where he so long pro- claimed God's truth with humility, faithfulness, and love- here his mortal part will sleep until " the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God," and the dead in Christ shall arise arrayed in immortal glory.
Thus we have noticed a few particulars of the life of this
622
WILTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. [1840-1850.
venerable servant of God. Let us glance at some of the prominent traits of his character.
He was a man of true picty.
He was a man of prayer.
He was a man of carnestness.
He was a man of great Christian charity. It is true that he loved his own Church, and was faithful in preaching her doctrines, believing them to be the doctrines of the word of God. But yet he was no sectarian ; bigotry had no place in his heart. He cherished a strong fraternal affection for all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and was ever ready to unite with them in every good word and work. This gave him the love and confidence of all denominations in Charleston, and made him a kind of " pastor at large." In seasons of distress and bereavement on Edisto, all sought his presence in their homes, that he might, as a son of consola- tion, "bind up the broken-hearted and comfort all that mourn." In short, he was a "lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, holding forth the faithful word." His departure reminds us that our time and work must soon end, and presses upon us the duty of being " instant in season and out of season."
Brother Lee was twice married ; first to Miss Mary Canty Villepontoux, in 1816, and afterwards to Mrs. Henrietta Gaillard, in 1847. He has left seven children-three sons and four daughters-to whom this Presbytery now extends its heartfelt sympathy, and we pray that the Holy Comforter may abide with them, teaching them not only how to mourn, but how to trust in the Father of the fatherless, and glory in tribulation.
WILTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- The Rev. Zabdiel Ro- gers continued the pastor of this Church until the year 1847, a period of a little more than twenty-three years. On a cer- tain Sabbath in December of that year, he repaired to the Church in apparently vigorous health, and while delivering an impressive sermon to his people, was suddenly seized with paralysis and sunk down in the pulpit. Medical attend- ance was immediately afforded him and he gradually re- covered from the stroke ; but never sufficiently regained his health as, in the judgment of his medical advisers, to resume the active duties of the ministry. He continued thus for nearly five years, patient under the mighty hand of God and
623
REV. ZABDIEL ROGERS.
10-1850.]
idently preparing for his departure, when he was attacked esh by his disease, and after having furnished abund int idence of his meetness for the inheritance of the saints in ht, he quietly fell asleep in Jesus at the residence of his fe's mother and his, in Charleston, on the - November, 52. His remains are buried in the grave yard of the rcular Church. A neat monument marks his resting-place: Soon after the intelligence of his death reached his former arge, a meeting of the congregation was held at the church, d the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously opted :
Whereas, it has pleased the Great Head of the Church to remove by ath the Rev. Zabdiel Rogers, it is proper that this congregation should know edge the hand of God in this dispensation, and express their use of the loss they have sustained. For more than twenty years Mr. . gers was the pastor of this church, which indeed was his first charge, d during that extended term of connection, had endeared himself to s people by the amiability of his manners, the love iness of his tem- r, and the affection for their souls, manifested in the discharge of his ties. It pleased God in the exercise of His Sovereignty to afflict him th a disease which disabled him from active service in the office of e ministry.
It was, however, a matter of gratitude that he was stricken with his rness on, and under the affliction seemed evidently to ripen for his erlasting rest. Since that time he has mainly resided in this com- unity, and though unable to preach, given evidence of an unfailing achment to the members of this congregation and a tender interest their spiritual welfare.
He is gone ! and though he made not his grave among us, vet we erish his memory and humbly pray God, that the lessons which we ve so often received from his lips may abide in our hearts and, by the essing of the Holy Spirit, bring forth fruit unto eternal life, and in e great day of accounts may it be our happy lot to stand with him at le right hand of the final Judge.
In view of this mournful dispensation, be it therefore
Resolved, That in the death of Rev. Mr. Rogers, this congregation has st a brother and a friend, who for many years ministered to them in ve, and endeared himse f to them in the social relations of life.
Resolred, That they deeply feel his loss, and regard themselves as lemnly addressed by the Head of the Church through this afflictive spensation.
Resolved, That the Trustees of this Church be, and they are hereby, quested to cause to be erected against the interior wall of the Church, unediately on the right of the pulpit, a tablet of marble, with a suit- le inscription, to the memory of our late beloved Pastor.
Resolved, That the Trastees be further requested to circulate a sub- ription paper throughout the congregation that ad may have the op- rtunity of contribating to an object so grateful to the general feeling. Resolved, That the Rev. Edward Palmer, of Walterboro', be requested preach a discourse in this Church on occasion of his death.
Resolved, That this congregation deeply and sincerely sympathize
624
ITS UNION WITH PRESBYTERY.
[1840-1850.
with his family, so sorely bereaved by this painful visitation, and com- mend them to the compassion of a " merciful and faithful High Priest."
Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions be furnished by the Secretary to the family of our deceased friend.
J. BERKLEY GRIMBALL, Chairman. D. J. WILKINSON, Secretary.
These resolutions were published, and the mural tablet provided for in one of them, now stands on the right of the pulpit, an affecting and abiding memento of his past connec- tion with the church.
It has been stated that Mr. Rogers was disabled by disease from preaching in December, 1847. From that time, for a little more than a year, the church was without a minister, but was occasionally supplied with preaching by the ministers of neigboring churches, among whom were Rev. Dr. Post. Rev. W. C. Dana, Rev. John Forrest, Rev. W. B. Yates, of Charleston ; Rev. John Douglas, of James Island ; Rev. Wil- liam States Lee, of Edisto Island, and Rev. Edward Palmer, of Walterboro'.
In the spring of 1849, the church extended an invitation to Mr. John L. Girardeau, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Charleston, then preaching to the Wappetaw congregation in Christ Church Parish. Having accepted their invitation, he commenced his labors among them on Sabbath, the 10th of June, and continued to preach until the spring of the next year, when they gave him a call to the pastorate of the church. At the meeting of the Presbytery of Charleston in the following April, at Barnwell C. H., the question came up before them as to his ordination to the ministry and instal- lation as pastor of the Wilton Church. Owing to the exist- ence of some irregularity in the presentation of the call, and also to the fact that the Wilton Church was at that time not connected with Presbytery, the Presbytery declined at that meeting to provide for Mr. Girardeau's ordination and instal- lation, and recommended to the congregation a consideration of the expediency of connecting themselves with the Presby- tery, as a preparatory step to the installation of the licentiate as their pastor. Upon his return, he submitted the action of the Presbytery to the congregation, and it having, upon in- vestigation, been discovered that the church is, by its charter, strictly a Presbyterian Church, and as such was regarded by the donors of its funds ; and it appearing, moreover, from the records, which still exist, that the church, from its original
40-1850.]
REV. J. L. GIRARDEAU ORDAINED. 625
ganization until the time of the Revolution, was in regular onnection with the Presbytery of South Carolina ; and that rough neglect alone it happened that a connection with esbytery was never subsequently resumed ; it was unani- ously resolved at a meeting of the congregation that the urch apply to the Presbytery of Charleston to be received der its care. This action having been made known to Rev. erdinand Jacobs, Moderator of the Presbytery, he proceeded, accordance with a provision of that body at its meeting in arnwell, to call a pro re nata meeting at Wilton Church, on hursday, June 9th, 1850. The Presbytery having convened, d the application of the church to be taken under its care having been duly presented, it was resolved that the church e received into regular connection with the Presbytery. Mr irardeau was then examined with reference to ordination, id the examination having been sustained, the call of the hurch was handed him, when he signified his acceptance of and the Presbytery made arrangements for his ordination d installation on the following Sabbath. It appearing that le gentlemen who had hitherto acted as elders had never een regularly set apart to the office, the Presbytery, after a ermon by Rev. John Douglas, " on the Nature and Func- ons of the office of Ruling Elder," by prayer and imposition f hands, ordained to the eldership, Major Hawkins S. King, Ir. James King, and Mr. Alfred P. Walter. The charge to he elders was delivered by Rev. A. A. Porter, and that to the eople by Rev. John Douglas. On the next day, Sabbath, mne 9th, 1850, the Presbytery, in the presence of a large con- regation, proceeded to ordain and install Mr. Girardeau. The ermon was preached by Rev. A. A. Porter, from Acts ix : 20, And straightway he preached Christ." The Moderator, ev. Ferdinand Jacobs, offered the prayer; Rev. John B. dger delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. John Douglas, the charge to the people. After divine service in he evening, the Presbytery, after a pleasant and useful meet- ng, adjourned. .
Mr. Girardeau continued to serve the church as pastor until November, 1853, when he accepted a call from the session f the Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston, to take harge of the Anson street colored congregation connected ith that church. He preached his farewell discourse at Vilton Church on the first Sabbath of December, 1853.
40
626
BETHEL PON PON.
[1843-1850.
The congregation then invited William B. Corbett, M. D., a licentiate of Charleston Presbytery, to preach for them. He accepted the invitation, and continued to serve the church with acceptance.
BETHEL PON PON .- The original corporate name of this church was " Bethel Presbyterian Church and Congregation, of Pon Pon, St. Bartholomew's Parish, Colleton District, South Carolina." It was in the year 1821 the branch church at Walterboro' was erected, most of the congregation being situated there during the summer or sickly months. The church at Walterboro had now become the principal church. It had been served by the Rev. Adam Gilchrist, but he had been appointed secretary and general agent of the Southern Board of Foreign Missions, and his relation to the Walterboro' church had been dissolved by Presbytery, in December, 1839. The church was dependent on occasional supplies until, in April. 1841. a call was laid before Presbytery for the pastoral services of Rev. Geo. W. Boggs, late missionary to Hindostan. His instalment took place on the 13th of November, 1841, Rev. J. F. Lanneau preaching the sermon, from Rom. i, 15. Rev. Mr. Gildersleeve presiding and giving the charge to the pastor, and Dr. Leland the charge to the people. The Rev. Mr. Gilchrist had been dismissed to the Presbytery of Fayette- ville. Mr. Boggs remained in this pastorate until the 8th of April, 1843, when this pastoral relation was dissolved, and the church declared vacant. It remained destitute until they recalled the Rev. Edward Palmer, in December. 1843. His installation took place on the 23 of June, 1844, Dr. Thornwell presiding, preaching the installation sermon, and giving the charge to the pastor, while the son of the pastor, Rey. B. M. Palmer, Jr., gave the charge to the people. He remained their pastor through this decade, and until 1873-4 (with the exception of four years, when Mr. Wood was in charge, 1856, '57, '58, '59). During this time the eldership, to 1850, consisted of Messrs Archibald Campbell, Richard Bedon, D. S. Henderson and Alfred Lemache. At a later period, death having removed all of them during the war, the church re- mained without such an officer down to 1858, when Mr. Stiles Rivers was ordained to the office, and, in 1871, Mr. G. W. Oswald and Mr. C. G. Henderson were added, and still remain." [Letter of Rev. Edward Palmer, dated Barnwell, September 12, 1878.)
!
1
627
SALTCATCHER CHURCH.
0-1850.]
Look back for a century : In 1846, Alexander Campbell, o has preserved many extracts from the ancient records of s congregation, makes the following statement from pages 27, 28, 29, 30, under head of "The Rights of the Pews d First Year's Choice on the 15th day of January, 1746-7, th the Rents of that Year, &c." "The several payments of ch individual for purchasing negroes, building the parson- e, the meeting-house, &c., are summed up in a column posite his name, with the number of the pew chosen by in, and the yearly rent of it. Total of payments (including hn Kermicle's Legacy, recd. p". ye Cong". in 1743, £500) £6,305, made by one hundred persons. all of whom with t two exceptions, were males." At this day, 1846, the ly descendants of either of them, bearing the same surnames d residing in the parish, are the Oswalds and Miss Eliza R. ien.
In , the meeting-house was reshingled, and in 1846 was undersilled, the floor repaired and raised about a foot, id the form and position of the pews changed. There, in a ncil note, it is written, if we rightly decipher the somewhat literated writing; "Each of the old pews were 4x6 et, and could seat nine or ten grown persons." A emorandum at the foot of the last statement, that "the her four pews are not chose upon any rights, and were Lett persons having no rights for that year."
So, it appears, the church was then filled. At present, here are not over four pews taken in that or the church in Valterboro' by persons who reside within ten miles of the d church. Mr. W. McCants (?), who died in 1836 (?), aged bout 72 years, told the writer that the sound of the church ell, which is a small one, with a cross upon it, and is the me now in the church at Walterboro', could be heard by pwards of sixty families. At this time, there is not a dozen milies within three miles of the church, including the once opulous town of Jacksonborough. A. CAMPBELL,
A. D, 1846.
SALTCATCHER CHURCH remained vacant, having only occa- ional supplies after the death of Rev. J. B. VanDyck. A ommittee of the Presbytery appointed to enquire into the ondition of this church, reported that there are funds in the ands of the Commissioner of Equity for Beaufort District, he interest of which has heretofore been paid to the minister
628
SALTCATCHER CHURCH. [1810-1850.
officiating there, and at the suggestion of this committee, it was
Resolved, That the Presbytery do now convert Saltcatcher Church into a missionary station for the colored people, and appoint the Rev. Edward Palmer as their Missionary.
By another resolution the thanks of the Presbytery were returned to the committee for their diligence in the task as- signed them. It was also
Resolved, That W. Ferguson Hutson was entitled to the thanks of the Presbytery for the gratuitous services which he had rendered the committee, in investigating the state of the funds of said church ; and he, the said W. F. Hutson, be, and is hereby requested to file a petition for the Presbytery before the proper court, praying that the interest be appropriated to the said Mr. Palmer, or to any other person whom the Pres- bytery may appoint as his successor.
It was further
Resolved, That the Rev. E. Palmer return the thanks of the Presbytery to Mr. Daniel Blake, who, at considerable labor and expense, has recently fitted up the Church, which had become greatly dilapidated, and made it comfortable.
The committee above referred to, were Alexander Camp- bell, D. S. Henderson, Esq., and Charles Love. W. F. Hut- son obtained from Scotland an attested copy of the bequest of the founder of this Church, the Rev. Archibald Simpson, who died in Scotland, near the close of the last century, and was of great service to the Church in securing the restoration of this fund.
Minutes, December 10, 1844, p. 368, 369. The member- ship of this church in 1842 and '3 was 24. It was but 15 in 1848-'9. The attendance of colored people was considerable, and it was for their religious instruction that this fund was to be used. See our volume I, p. 578.
This proof of the changed condition of the population of that region we have referred to in our first volume, pp. 256, 257. It is doubtless far worse now, after the changes of the war of 1360, 1865.
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