USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 34
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Rev. S. S. Gaillard, then a licentiate of South Carolina Presbytery, was the first Missionary employed in accordance with the above plan, and he began his labors in the year 846. The present house of worship was built in the year 847, and an attempt was made that year to organize the hurch, but it did not succeed. About this time Mr. Gail- ard left to go to Greenville, S. C., he having received and ccepted an invitation to supply Washington Street Church t that place. In the year 1848, Mr. R. W. Hadden, a licen- ate of Tuscaloosa Presbytery, Alabama, was employed for he Mt. Bethel Mission. He remained only one year. The Mission was vacant during the next two years. In 1851, Mr. 1. Enloe, a licentiate of Bethel Presbytery, S. C., was engaged take charge of it, but remained only one year.
On the 27th day of November, 1852, the church was or- anized with eleven members, Revs. John McLees, and W. Telford, and the Sessions of Aveleigh and Gilder's Creek hurches officiating in the organization services. Messrs.
46
722
BETHANY,
[1840-1850.
George Turnipseed and George Burder Boozer, were elected and ordained its Ruling Elders. [It is proper here to state that Mr. Richard Sondley, of Columbia, the father of Col. John Sondley, of this county, who owned a large plantation in the vicinity, and spent a portion of his time every year on his plantation, and who took an active part in instituting the plan above referred to, as well as in building the house of worship, and in securing the services of young ministers from the Columbia Seminary, was also elected to the Eldership, he having communicated to the meeting, by letter, his will- ingness to transfer his membership from the church in Co- lumbia to this place, but being unable to attend the meeting personally at thistime. His membership, however, was never changed, and, of course, he never became an elder; still for the deep interest he took in the Mission from the outset, and for the valuable services he rendered to it, it is but an act of justice that his name should not be lost from the records of the church.]
BETHANY CHURCH, Laurens County .- From 1840 to 1850, the church was under the pastoral supervision of Rev. J. B. Lewers. The Elders were; James Templeton, Jr., George Byrd, Capt. James Templeton, Samuel Farrow, Wm. Mills. The Deacons were C. A. Smith and John Steward, elected in 1841. In 1848, twenty were added to the church, and twenty-eight in 1849. During this period Mr. Lewers was assisted by Rev. John McKittrick, Edwin Cater, John McLees, E. T. Hyde, and George W. Boggs. Elder Mills removed, and Elder James Templeton was received from Rock Spring Church. The numerical strength of its membership, in 1850, was 134. In 1849, Joshua Saxon and Alexander Glen were elected Elders ; and Simeon Lyles and David Templeton, Deacons.
The colored people were admitted as members of the church. In 1849, there were fourteen colored communicants. The church never had a regular pastor. The Rev. S. B. Lewers supplied them longer than any other minister, in all, about seventeen years. He was a faithful and active preacher. He was also a good disciplinarian, as the Session book shows. He was dismissed from the Presbytery of South Carolina to the Presbytery of Chickasaw, in April, 1851, but visited this church in November of that year. The church was in its most flourishing condition when he left. This seems to have been
723
1840-1850.] WARRIOR'S CREEK -NEW HARMONY.
a time for moving West. Within a brief period the Session had given letters of dismission to nearly half of her mem- bership. Since then the church has never at any time re- gained her numerical strength.
WARRIOR'S CREEK was cared for by Rev. S. B. Lewers, who is mentioned as stated supply in 1842. The statistical tables show eleven admitted on examination in that year, making the whole number of communicants, twenty-four. The 94th Session of South Carolina Presbytery was held at this church, March 24th, 1842.
In 1847 the whole number was twenty-three.
NEW HARMONY CHURCH is situated in the northeastern cor- ner of Laurens District, about fifteen miles above the village to the right and near the stage road, leading to Greenville Court House.
Until 1844 its vicinity was almost destitute of the regular ministrations of the gospel by any Christian denomination, and the major part of the people were ignorant of the benign and saving truths of God's word. The indigent circumstances of the citizens, the sterility of the country, the sparseness of the inhabitants, their deficiency of early moral culture, had hitherto baffled every attempt to rear a respectable building for public worship Early in the summer of 1844, the subject of building a house for religious purposes began to be seri- ously considered by a few, who met with correspondent feel- ings in those around them. A portion of the old Fairview Church, of Greenville District, being remote from their stated place of worship, and a few of the Baptists of the same neighborhood being similarly circumstanced, agreed to build a house, to be used alternately by each denomination, as a Harmony church.
On the 11th of July, the neighbors held their first meeting, and appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions of labor or money, who made a favorable report. Confidently gather- ing, from their success, that God was with them, they pro- ceeded to elect a building committee, who reported a plan, which was adopted by a full meeting of both denominations concerned. The house, fifty feet by thirty, and sixteen feet high. was, in a few months, by the joint labors of the neigh- borhood, so far advanced as to be capable of accommodating the very respectable congregations that attended it. Upon the first sure indications of their success, the Presbyterian por-
724
NEW HARMONY.
[I840-1850.
tion of the neighborhood took measures for organizing their church. Early as the 15th of August, 1844, a stand was erected on the ground, and Rev. John McKittrick was re- quested to preach. In the course of the proceedings that day, (13) thirteen members of other churches, perhaps, all from Old Fairview, presented their letters of dismission, and en- rolled their names as members of New Harmony Church. An election for Ruling Elders resulted in the choice of Robert Gilliland and David Stoddard, Jr., who were, at the same time and place, regularly ordained to their office. Application being made, the church was received under the care of South Carolina Presbytery, by the name of NEW HARMONY, and Rev. John McKittrick obtained as monthly supply. Such has been its steady and gradual increase as to give good hope of its future,
While this church has been restricted to public worship once a month only, the destitution has been partially reme- died by Sunday-schools, and the monthly ministrations of our Baptist friends, who have likewise succeeded in estab- lishing a very respectable society of their order, who with us, and with whom we, twice a month, unite in the worship of our God, in NEW HARMONY CHURCH. By a constitution, adopted by the two denominations, the Presbyterians have the second and fourth Sabbaths, including days preceding and following ; their Baptist friends, the first and third Sab- baths. The fifth Sabbath may be used indiscriminately, by either, or in an associated capacity, observing Christian cour- tesy and kindness for each other.
On the 26th of September, 1844, a sacramental meeting was holden-the first,-the Rev. Messrs. McKittrick and Lew- ers ministering, which continued three successive days, to large and attentive congregations, for whose accommodation a comfortable arbor had been erected in the grove (the house not yet being in a state to occupy). At this meeting, two other members were added, thus evincing, that to Jacob, al- though small, "the Lord will perform His truth."
From that time, the growth of this church has been steady, and by the close of the year (1846) amounted to some 35 or 36 members. Although the usual appliance of means, and a regular attendance of preachers and people were observed, rather a cold and inactive state of religion prevailed in 1847. Nevertheless, even in this period, God did not leave himself
725
LAURENSVILLE.
1840-1850.]
without a few additional witnesses of His goodness and His truth, within our bounds.
The year 1849 was one of marked and exhilarating interest to those who had owned the name of the Lord Jesus Christ among us. Besides the usual accessions by letter, &c., on the 27th day of October, at a sacramental meeting, in progress at that time, nine Christ-loving young people, and one color- ed person, were received, by examination, into the church. At the same meeting, agreeably to a notice previously given, an election was held for two additional Ruling Elders, which resulted in the choice of M. P. Evins and Roger Brown, who were regularly ordained, according to the directions of our confession of faith, to their office. In common with our fellow-men. we have enjoyed the blessed privilege of worship- ping our God, in His earthly sanctuary, according to the dic- tates of conscience, guided by His word. We have had Rev. John McKittrick all the time since our organization, as our minister. From the time that he was obtained as a Presbyterial supply, he has continued his labors diligently, faithfully and, we believe, profitably, among us. The sacrament has been semi-annually dispensed to his congregation of communicants, and family visitation and prayer have not been omitted.
Very recently our church and neighborhood have purchased a decent social religious library, which the young people of the churches have begun to read with interest and advantage.
An extraordinary and delightful fact pertaining to our his- tory, and to the credit of our Christian Church, is that, since her existence, there has not been a single instance of disci- pline, requiring the action of the session.
LAURENSVILLE CHURCH .- The existence of this church, as has been before mentioned, is due to the self-denying labors of the Rev. S. B. Lewers. Until he was called away to break the bread of life in another field, he continued to supply this branch of the vine, which, though so small at its planting, being watered by the dews from Heaven, under his faithful and acceptable ministration, grew continually, and at the time of his leaving, in 1851, there had been added one hun- dred and twenty-five members during his ministry.
At this period of his personal history, believing himself called, in the Providence of God, to seek a home, and another field of labor, in the southwest, he sought a dismission from the Presbytery of South Carolina. to the Chickasaw Presby-
£
726
LAURENSVILLE.
[1840-1850.
tery, in Mississippi. This drew forth the following commu- nication from his Presbytery here :
The committee, to whom was referred the letter of S. B. Lewers, reported, recommending that his request for dismis- sion, to join Chickasaw Presbytery, be granted, and that it be accompanied by the following letter, viz
REV. S. B. LEWERS :
DEAR BROTHER: In consideration of the long and much endeared connection which has existed between us, the Pres- bytery of South Carolina has directed us to respond to your warm and affectionate valedictory letter, and to communicate to you our reciprocal feelings of fraternal esteem and undi- minished affection. It is only from the conviction of our obligations to promote the interests of the Church of Christ, and yours, that we thus readily consent to a separation which, to us all, as well as to you, is painful and afflictive.
We shall not cease to pray for your continued usefulness, and confidently believe that your earnest prayers will not cease to ascend to the throne of Jehovah for the numerous churches which you have so eminently assisted in planting and watering. Dear Brother, we shall ever hold in grateful rememberance the happy seasons of Divine goodness, in which we participated, while it was our privilege to sit to- gether in heavenly places, to take sweet council together, and to walk in company to the house of God. May the blessing of Zion's King attend you ; may His presence go be- fore you, and his grace sustain you, and make you, for many years, useful in the Church of our dear Redeemer.
So pray your brethren in the Lord,
(Signed)
A. W. ROSS. E. T. BUIST. D. HUMPHREY.
The above minute was unanimously adopted. [Minutes of South Carolina Presbytery, p. 418. April 26th, 185 [.]
Mr. Lewers did not long survive his removal to Mississippi. The news of his death was received with unfeigned sorrow, by his co-laborers in the Master's vineyard. His old Presby- tery, of South Carolina, gave expression to their grief as follows :
The committe appointed to bring in a minute in relation to the death of Rev. S. B. Lewers, reported as follows, viz:
727
REV. S. B. LEWERS.
1840-1850.]
The committee appointed to prepare a minute in regard to the death our much lamented brother Lewers, beg leave to report :
Though we have but recently put upon our records ex- pressions of the high regard, cherished in all our hearts for our beloved brother, yet we deem it due to his, memory to record facts well known in all our churches. He was identi- fied with us by birth and education, and his name is endeared to us by every tie, civil and sacred, that can bind kindred souls for time and eternity. Whatever is worthy of esteem was in his character. When he espoused the cause of Christ, his soul clung to it. In the Cross he gloried. With an en- lightened understanding, made free by the power of Divine truth, he yielded to the claims, the sovereign, rightful claims, and call of Heaven. He turned his soul, with all his ener- gies, to the work of the ministry, prompted by that heaven- born benevolence that seeketh not its own. He let go the world, and for nearly twenty years, in our midst, directed all his energies to advance the glory of God and the good of men. Nor did he labor in vain. He reflected that bright, life-giv- ing light from the Sun of Righteousness wherever he moved. Adding to faith that moral courage which imparts the only true greatness to man, he commanded the hearts of multi- tudes, and was blessed in winning many to Christ, in enlarg- ing and strengthening the Church of our Redeemer. His thoughts, and time and talents, were so engrossed with every labor of love, in every means of benevolence, in warring against vice of every name, but especially intemperance-that most contagious blighting and withering curse of man-that he necessarily, and of course, made immense sacrifices, not only of domestic quiet and enjoyment, but of property.
Therefore,
Resolved, That this Presbytery regard it as just to transfer to the widow of our deceased brother the amount due by her late husband, to be enjoyed by her in her own right; and for this purpose, that the treasurer of Presbytery be directed to transfer the evidence of that demand in such manner as may secure the purposes of the Presbytery.
J. L. KENNEDY, Chairman.
[Minutes, p. 462, Sept 24th, 1852.]
7.28
ROCK CHURCH.
[1840-1850.
The Synod of South Carolina, on the 23d of October, 1852, expressed itself in language of deep regret at his loss. " He abandoned the practice of law, gave up his merchandise, left the management of his farm to other hands ; in short he left the dead to bury their dead. He preached the Gospel dili- gently throughout his native District and Presbytery, in vacant churches, and even where no churches existed, and from house to house, and for years refused to receive any compen- sation for his labors. He fell in the harness by over-exertion in the service of his Master, in a distant State. "
Mr. Lewers was a graduate of South Carolina College, in 18II, and was admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1815. His old honorary title, Col. Lowers, clave to him among his old neighbors and associates, through life, strange as the military title may have sounded to unaccustomed ears.
In 1840, William Franks and Maj. Edward Anderson were elected Deacons, and in 1848 Col. Pattillo Farrow, Capt. James Davis and Thomas Blakely were called by the church to the office of Ruling Elders. The membership, in 1849 and 1850, is reported as 75.
ROCK CHURCH, (formerly Rocky Creek.)-There are two sources from which the history of this church may be drawn. The twentieth anniversary sermon of Rev. John McLees, which was preached on the first Sabbath in April, 1867, and published in the Southern Presbyterian of October 22, 1868, and is replete with facts, and a history of the same church, by Genl. James Gillam, a venerable elder, published in May 1873, in the periodical edited by Rev. W. P. Jacobs, called "Our Monthly," who has made free use of the sermon of his pastor, Rev. Mr. McLees. Genl. Gillam's memory, too, was well stored with reminiscences of the past.
The. Rev. Edwin Cater was installed as pastor of this church in 1840. He entered on the duties of the office of pastor with zeal and energy, which increased the congrega- tion ; and by the blessing of God upon his faithful labors, the church had increased in the number of members beyond any thing which it had enjoyed in former days. According to his own statement, when he commenced the supply of the church, it consisted of twenty members,-five males, and fifteen females. It was so depressed in spirits that it refused to guarantee tc him the sum of $50 per annum, the amount paid to their former supply. He received, however, the sum
729
REV. EDWIN CATER.
1840-1850.]
of $350 for one-half of his time, and a salary of $600 when he become pastor, which was paid regularly so long as he remained. The church, also, by a contribution of thirty dol- lars at one time, constituted him a life member of the As- sembly's Board of Foreign Missions. It also supported a Theological Student through his entire course in the Sem- inary, and after his graduation it gave him an outfit in a suit of clothes and a substantial horse.
One thing which in the providence of God exerted a pow- erful influence on the respective members of this little church, and especially with some who united with it in the early part of Mr. Cater's ministry, was the liberal support of $150 which Capt. R. Cunningham gave to the pastor, while he also con- tributed liberally to the benevolent causes of the church.
Although the church had been organized nearly seventy years, it had never had a pastor; and it had done compar- atively nothing for the support of the ministry; or of the benevolent objects of the church at large. This church was, we believe, among the first in the Presbytery of S. C. who gave a salary of $600 for the support of a pastor. It was the first to send a written narrative to Presbytery of the state of religion in its midst. It was perhaps the first in which Dea- cons were elected and ordained, and the first in which col- lections were regularly taken up on the first day of the week, according to the injunction in I Cor. XVI, 1, 2.
In its history may be seen the marked advantages to a church of having a pastor, rather than a stated supply.
In 1845, John Logan and Wm. Campbell were also elected and ordained as .Elders.
The first Deacons in this church were elected Novem- ber Ist, 1840, agreeable to an injunction sent down to Presby- tery by the General Assembly-when Charles R. Mosley, Wm. N. Blake and Wm. Campbell, were chosen and ordained to this office.
In December, 1844, the Church, by the act of the Legis- lature, was incorporated, and the name of "Rocky Creek was exchanged for that of Rock Church," which was approved by the Presbytery in April, 1845, and in the minutes of which t has since been known by its corporate name. The labors of Edwin Cater were greatly blessed while he was pastor of this church. He baptized 77 adults and 73 children, and he number of members was increased to 112. The pastoral
1
730
REV. JOHN M'LEES.
[1840-1850.
relation was dissolved in October, 1846. He labored here nearly eight years.
In January, 1847, an invitation was extended by the Ses- sion to Rev. John McLees to visit Rock Church, which he accepted ; he came in January, and preached a few times in the church. He then received the invitation to become their stated supply, which he consented to do after the Ist of April, when his engagement with Presbytery as missionary to the colored people on the west of Abbeville Dist., would termi- nate. According to promise he commenced his labors in April, 1847. In October of the same year he received and accepted a call to become pastor. He was installed on the Ioth of December following.
The Greenwood Association of Abbeville Dist., S. C., whose object was the promotion of education, founded two High Schools in Greenwood, one for males, and the other for females. These institutions were taken under the care of Presbytery, in October, 1847. The Chapel was owned by the Greenwood Association, and in large wings appended to it, flourishing schools were kept for several years. The Chapel became a regular place of preaching in connection with. Rock Church.
The service on Sabbath alternated between Rock Church and the Chapel in Greenwood, for a number of years; and a communion meeting was held once in every three months, first at one place, then at the other. But as the large body of the congregation is now more convenient to the chapel, the services are held in it on every Sabbath, except the fourth in each month, when it is still held in Rock Church. The children have been taught the shorter Catechism, and regu- larly catechised previous to every quarterly communion ..
There is a Sabbath school library of two or three hundred volumes which came with the property of the Association.
There is also a Bible Society, auxiliary to the Abbeville Bible Society. A supply of Bibles and Testaments is kept on hand for gratuitous distribution, or for sale to those who are able to buy.
It was formerly the custom of the churches to use what were called " Tokens," which were distributed to the mem- bers just before a communion, as no person was allowed to approach the table without a " Token ;" which was with us a small piece of lead with the letters R C on it for Rock Church.
731
ROCK CHURCH.
40-1850.]
Then the members were fairly seated at the table, it was the ity of one of the elders to pass round and collect the To- ens, which were kept for future use. This usage was some- nes called "fencing the table," and was designed to keep ick from it any who might presumptuously come, or any ho were under censure in the church. But it was a difficulty the way of open communion, which we believe to be in cordance with the spirit of the Gospel. This church has t used Tokens since May the 19th, 1839. Their use is now d aside, we believe, in all our churches.
THE COLORED PEOPLE.
It is proper for us to state that the Rock Church has been ndful of its duty to the colored people. In April, 1847, colored members were reported to Presbytery. They re instructed with great care by the pastor, and Elders and ivate members of the church. A Sabbath school was ened for them, and they were taught from Jones' Catechism d also from the Child's Catechism.
REVIVALS.
We have no record of any revivals in the early history of is church. In September, 1845, a protracted meeting of e days' continuance was held by the pastor, assisted by v. Henry Reid, which resulted in the most gracious revival er known in the former history of the church. Thirty- ht members were received into the communion.
But few additional members were added till September, . 48, when a meeting of a few days was held by the pastor, v. John McLees, assisted by Rev. Henry Reid and Rev. L. Holmes. There was an addition of fourteen members to : Church.
On September the 11th; 1849, ten more were added.
On September the 2d, 1850, eleven more were added.
On September 16th, 1852, twelve more were added.
RULING ELDERS.
The Ruling Elders in this Church, in 1845, were, Thomas eir, Sen., John Blake, Dr. E. R. Calhoun, John McClellan, nes Gillam, Dr. John Logan, Win. Campbell, Capt. R. nningham.
In April, 1849, Wm. N. Blake, and Joel Smith were ordained.
732
SANDY SPRING-LONG CANE.
[1840-1850.
The membership of this Church, in the Statistical Tables of 1849 and 1850, is set down as 105. It had been increas- ing in its generous contributions to the great enterprises of the Church.
SANDY SPRING .- This church, which had been served hith- erto by A. W. Ross as stated supply, fell under the care of Benjamin D. DuPree, in connection with Richland. Its Elders, in 1842, were, Peter E. Belotte, Jacob S. Belotte and Angus J. Liddell. On the 30th of September, 1842, the Presbytery changed the name of this church to " Mount Zion."
Under this name it was supplied by Benjamin D. DuPree, in 1843. By Thos. L. McBryde, in 1845.
Through the rest of this decade it is represented as vacant, with a membership of thirty-seven communicants. It was afterwards supplied by Rev. J. Hillhouse.
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