USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 36
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The Presbytery of South Carolina met at this church on the Ist of October, 1846.
NORTH PACOLET .- This church was reported as vacant du- ring this period. In 1840, its membership is set down as thirty ; in :845, as thirty-five.
743
CARMEL-PICKENS.
1840-1850.]
In 1840, they were supplied with the ordinances of worship by the Rev. Mr. Curtis, under whose ministry J. Finger and his wife, and R. W. Clark united with the church. J. Finger and R. W. Clark were also elected Elders. In 1846, they were supplied by Rev. C. B. Stewart, and P. H. Folker. In 1847, by Rev. Z. L. Holmes, for six months. In 1849, by Rev. A. A. Morse, during whose ministry C. Jackson and J. McFar- land, became members of the church. In 1845, their Elders were, William Jackson, Anthony F. Jackson, Robt. W. Clark, and Joseph Finger.
CARMEL CHURCH (Pickens Dist. )-The Rev. J. L. Kennedy, who had succeeded Rev. A. W. Ross, in 1836, as the stated supply of this church, continued in this relation. In 1850, its communicants are set down as sixty-six, in the Statistical Tables. The Elders were, Wm. McMurray, Thos. G. Boggs, James Smith and D. K. Hamilton, in 1843. The names of Thomas Hamilton and Capt. W. Mullikin appear in 1845.
Deacons : W. H. Ford, T. M. Glenn, J. M. Smith.
PICKENS CHURCH (old) was the only church of any denom- ination Organized at the town of Pickens C. H., the county site of Pickens District, during the forty years of its exist- ence, viz, from 1828 to 1868, and during that period no Clerk, Sheriff, Ordinary, or Commissioner in Equity was a member of any church, except the first Ordinary, who resided thirteen miles from the C. H., and was required to attend his office only on Mondays and Fridays.
Samuel R. McFall and James George, members of the Presbyterian Church in Anderson County, removed thence to Pickens C. H., and soon thereafter, "agreeable to previous notice," Rev. Messrs. Joseph Hillhouse, David Humphreys, and Joseph B. Hillhouse met and organized fourteen persons into the "Pickens Church," of whom only two, Messrs. Sam - uel R. McFall, and James George were males, and were elected Ruling Elders: the latter, from his modesty, declined to be ordained until 31st March, 1850.
The females, outside of the two families mentioned, bore the historic names of Reid, Steele, Craig, Alexander and Price.
GOOD HOPE AND ROBERTS .- Rev. David Humphreys con- tinues the history of these churches, which we would gladly quote in full did our limits allow. From it and the memorial sermon of the Rev. John McLees we gather the following
744
GOOD HOPE AND ROBERTS.
[1840-1850.
particulars, viz : That in 1842 Mr. Humphreys left Roberts Church vacant, and became the stated supply at Anderson C. H. for half his time, until 1850. He never ceased to supply Good Hope Church. He was called to it again and installed pastor in November, 1846, for half his time, with a salary of $200. The Rev. W. H. Harris supplied Roberts Church from April, 1842, to October, 1844, which was two years and six months. It was supplied from that time to March, 1845, about six months, by Rev. J. C. Williams. It was next sup- plied for about the same length of time by Rev. Joseph Gibert. In 1846, Rev. W. Carlisle became the stated supply, and continued so till about 1850, the space of four years. The membership of this church varied during these years from fifty-six to sixty-two. The elders in 1842 were Thomas Hen- derson, David Simpson, J. J. McLees, J. McLees, and J. McCay.
The average membership in Good Hope was somewhat over one hundred and twelve in full communion, the total of communicants varying from one hundred and seven to one hundred and seventeen in different years.
Camp meetings were kept up, especially at Good Hope, where a large framed arbor was erected, and families from contiguous churches erected comfortable shelters. They were seasons usually of peculiar privilege. Measures were taken also in both the churches to instruct the young in Bible classes and Sabbath schools, and by the aid of libraries suited to instruct and interest those passing through the forming period of their lives.
As the result, besides other valuable men in the church, under the care of Rev. Mr. Humphreys, God had raised up, before he was called away from earth, from the churches of Good Hope and Roberts, nine ministers of the gospel, and three candidates for the ministry. From Roberts Church, the Rev. Messrs. Wm. C. McElroy, Wm. H. Harris, John McLees, Robert McLees, J. S. Willbanks, D. W. Humphreys and Hugh McLees, with the candidates, J. A. McLees, L. A. Simpson and T. H. Cunningham. " Of these ministers," says Rev. John McLees, from whom we quote these words, " the Rev. Messrs. McElroy, Harris, and R. McLees, have ceased from their labors, and gone, before their venerable pastor, to receive their reward." "From Good Hope Church the Rev. Messrs. Robt. H. Reid, and Isaac J. Long, who are both active
745
REV. MR. HUMPHREYS.
1840-1850.]
and efficient ministers of the gospel; the former pastor of Nazareth Church, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and the latter at Batesville, Arkansas." And now, as we copy these words, the hand that first penned them is returning to dust, and the voice that plead so earnestly with dying sinners is silent in death. The Rev. John McLees, " whose name in the South Carolina Presbytery will ever be the synonym of all that is pure, lovely and Christ-like," died at his home in Greenwood, on the 6th of June, 1882. Yet a son of his is in the Seminary now, in 1883, and there may be others elsewhere preparing for the ministry from these same churches.
But to return to the Rev. Mr. Humphreys, of whom he wrote :
" In his own Presbytery, owing to the earnestness, honesty, frankness, and truthfulness of his character, his influence was well nigh unbounded. Some of his friends were accustomed to say to him, half seriously, and half in jest: 'South Caro- lina Presbytery always does whatever you say.' To one such who teased him for the reason why his own motions were often lost, while Father H.'s were so generally sustained, he answered with a smile : 'Well, I never propose anything but what is backed by common sense.' He was sure to be dis- quieted whenever a Presbytery's time was consumed in what he regarded as useless discussion. On such occasions he would be apt to cry : ' You are burning daylight ; ' or, 'The thing is as plain as the nose on my face.' The following characteristic anecdote of Mr. Humphreys was often told by the eminent Chancellor Job Johnstone, who knew and loved him well. On a certain occasion, when the Presbytery had been wearied by a long and unimportant debate, and was all in confusion, and the moderator quite at a loss what course to pursue, this venerated and earnest leader jumped to his feet, crying aloud : 'Fiddle-faddle ! fiddle-faddle !! What is all this long talking about ? Those of you who are in favor of this motion, say aye!' And many obediently answered aye ! Now, those of you who are opposed to this motion, say no !' And some answered no! 'There now,' said he, 'it is all settled. Moderator, you can go on to the next business.' "
" He claimed no eminent abilities as a scholar or as an elo- quent speaker. His manner was plain and unaffected ; his tyle was simple, yet earnest ; his heart was sincere and his ife consistent ; his disposition was cheerful, and his labors
746
GILDER'S CREEK.
[1840-1850.
were abundant. Two weak churches have grown up under his fostering care to rank with the largest in the Presbytery. He fell with his armor on. He assisted the Rev. W. F. Pearson in a communion meeting at Varennes, on the second Sabbath in September. The Spirit of God was present; a number of persons were inquiring what they must do to be saved. On Monday, Father Humphreys preached from I Tim, i. 15 : " This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." His illustrations were so clear, and his appeals so tender and earnest, that some present regarded the sermon as one of the best they ever heard him preach. It was his last sermon. He was taken ill that night and suffered extreme pain. In a few days he had reached home, but it was only to die. He grew worse every day. In one of his paroxysms of pain, he said : 'There is a storm without, but all is calm and peaceful within. The waves are rising high; but I am rest- ing secure on the Rock of Ages. I have never regretted tak- ing the step which I took in early life. I have ever found the Saviour faithful to his promises. He has never deceived me. He is my wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and re- demption.' These words were distinctly heard; then his voice grew faint and indistinct. A short time before he died, he again spoke audibly, and said : 'All is well; I shall soon enter the green pastures, and walk by still waters which the Saviour has prepared for me." He spoke no more, though he retained his reason to the last."
GILDER'S CREEK .- In the fall of 1845 a call was presented, as we have seen, to the Rev. E. F. Hyde from the three churches of Aveleigh, Smyrna and Gilder's Creek, to become their pastor, one-half his time being given to Aveleigh, and the rest to the other two. This arrangement continued till the summer of 1848. The three churches were again left va- cant, receiving only occasional supplies, until October, 1849, when Wm. B. Telford, a licentiate of the Presbytery of South Carolina, was called to become their pastor, and was ordained and installed on the 8th of June, 1850, as is elsewhere men- tioned. The elders of Gilder's Creek, in 1845, were William Mars, William Beard and Hiram Glasgow. The membership in 1840, was 18; in 1845, was 17; in 1878, 18.
The Presbytery of South Carolina met in this church on the 23d of April, 1845, and during their session, the Rev. E. F.
747
SPARTANBURG -- MT. TABOR.
1840-1850.]
Hyde was ordained to the work of the ministry. Measures were taken for the ordination of C. B. Stuart ; and George W. Boggs, J. B. Hillhouse, John McLees and S. S. Gaillard were licensed to preach the gospel. All these young brethren were graduates of the Theological Seminary. at Columbia
The elders in this church, in 1845, were William Mars, William Beard and Hiram Glasgow.
THE SPARTANBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized on the fifth Sabbath in August, 1843, by the Rev. S. B. Lew- ers. The members at first were but eight in number. When reported to Presbytery at its meeting at Rocky River, on the 25th of April, 1844, they were twelve. T. B. Collins and A. C. Jackson were their elders. Z. L. Holmes, then a licentiate of Charleston Presbytery, had been preaching during the win- ter before the church was organized. Mr. Holmes was re- ceived under the care of the Presbytery of South Carolina on the 26th of April, and at the same time received a call through the Presbytery from Nazareth Church, for half his time. This being accepted, he was ordained and installed. at Nazareth, Rev. Edwin Cater preaching the sermon, Rev. S. B. Lewers presiding and giving the charge to the pastor, and Rev. G. W. Boggs to the people. The ordination took place at the Nazareth Church, but Mr. Holmes served this infant church also a part of his charge. T. B. Collins and A. C. Jackson were its original elders, Samuel Farrow was re-elected as an elder in this church, having already served in this office else- vhere. The church edifice was completed in 1845. On the 17th of July, 1847, A. G. Campbell, elder at Liberty Spring, emoved to Spartanburg, and was elected an elder here. Dr. Samuel Farrow removed in 1848. In 1847, Rev. Z. L. Holmes resigned his pastorship, in consequence of ill health, and was succeeded by A. A. Morse, then a licentiate, who remained but a short time. Application was then made to Mr. Gail- ard; of Greenville, who kindly supplied the church once in wo weeks until a call could be made out for the services of A. A. James, then a licentiate of Bethel Presbytery, who served his church, as a supply, for half his time. [Letter of Elder [. B. Collins, Feb. 15, 1853.]
MOUNT TABOR (Greenville Dist.) was taken under the are of Presbytery, October 7, 1841. It had been organized y Rev. E. T. Buist, and consisted of three elders and twenty- ive communicants. It was " ordered that Brother Buist be
748
ANTIOCH.
[1840-1850.
continued with them (at their request,) as a supply." Min- utes of Presbytery of South Carolina, vol. 2, p. 172. The elders were John Smith, J. H. Dickson and Nathaniel Smith, October 4th, 1845. Total membership, in 1845, was 35.
ANTIOCH CHURCH is a branch of Nazareth Church, and was organized on the 17th day of August, 1843, in Spartan- burg District, South Carolina, near Cashville P. O., by the Rev. Wm. Carlisle, in connection with the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church, with one ruling Elder, viz: Robert Blakely, and twenty-three members, all of whom were dis- missed from Nazareth Church for that purpose, except two, who were from Fair View Church. Soon after the organiza- tion, Wm. Leonard and John Anderson were elected and or- dained Ruling Elders in this Church. In the fall of 1844 James Anderson and Ashbel Peden were elected and ordained deacons of the Church. In May, 1850, A. C. Jackson, a Rul- ing Elder from Nazareth Church, was received, by certificate, into this Church and elected a Ruling Elder at the sessions of fall Presbytery, 1844, the Church secured the services of Rev. John McKittrick, as stated supply, who continued to labor in that capacity with general acceptance to the Church and con- gregation, until the fall of 1853, at which time he removed to the State of Georgia, within the bounds of Flint River Presby. tery. Mr. McKittrick was born in Newberry District, after which his parents removed to Laurens District, where he grew up, and was taken under the patronage of Rev. Hugh Dick- son, who educated him for the ministry under the care of the South Carolina Presbytery, where he was licensed and afterwards ordained to the gospel ministry. During Mr. Mc- Kittrick's term of labor in Antioch Church, the whole number of members increased to 56, which number has been reduced to 44, by dismissions, deaths, etc. The Church at present is supplied. with preaching by Rev. J. Watt. Montgomery, a licentiate from Orange Presbytery, North Carolina, who is laboring in Spartanburg District, as domestic missionary, by the direction of the South Caro ina Presbytery.
The following is a roll of members who organized the Church :
Robert Blakely and wife, Catherine Blakely, Samuel Pear- son and wife, Elizabeth Pearson, Elizabeth Anderson, Eliza- beth Leonard, Denney Anderson and wife, Elizabeth Ander- son, James Anderson, Jr. and wife, Margaret Anderson, Wmn.
749
1840-1850.] ANDERSON-MIDWAY-HOPEWELL.
Leonard and wife, Mary Leonard, Alex. Wakefield and wife, Sarah Wakefield, Margaret Peden, Martha Westmoreland, John Anderson and wife, Nancy Anderson, John Coan and wife, Margaret L. Coan, Ashbel Peden, Mary Peden, Rebecca Ben- nett. 31 members.
ANDERSON CHURCH .- The Rev. C. W. Martin supplied this church till July, 1841, when he retired on account of ill health, and soon afterwards died. Dr. B. M. Palmer occupied the pulpit till September, 1841, when he was called to Savan- nah. On December 20th, Rev. David Humphrey was invited to supply, and did so until 1850.
The Elders in 1845 were J. N. Whitner, A. O. Norris, Wm. Harrison, Samuel R. McFall. The membership in 1850 was 71.
MIDWAY (in Anderson) .- Remained under the care of Rev. Wm. Carlisle, as far as we have traced the Church down, i. e. to 1852. The Elders in 1842 were, J. Erskine, J. Duncan, Wm. Bailey, I. Todd. In 1845 they were : J. W. Duncan, W. C. Bailey, Jas Erskine. The number of communicants in 1850 was 35.
HOPEWELL, (Keowee) PENDLETON .- The Rev. Anthony W. Ross continued the pastor of this Church until 1851. The membership of the church, which was 209 in 1837-38, was 182 in 1840, 88 in 1845 and 76 through the remainder of the decade, Early in the next decade, T. L. McBryde, D. D., be- came their minister, who died April the 15th, 1863. The Synod of South Carolina thus notices his death.
The Rev. Thomas Livingston McBryde was born of Scotch-' Irish parents, Feb. 25th, 1817, in Abbeville District, S. C., professed religion at the age of fifteen, in the Presbyterian Church, Hamburg, S. C.
Having duly entered Franklin College, Athens, Ga., he graduated in his twentieth year. He studied Theology in Columbia, and was licensed by Harmony Presbytery, in April, 1839. He was ordained a missionary to China, December, 1839, by Charleston Presbytery, and sailed for Singapore, March, 1840. His health failing, he returned in 1843. In 1846 he was installed pastor of Providence and Rocky River Churches, Abbeville District. His health again seriously failing and having received a call from Hopewell Church, Pendleton, he accepted this call to a field in a pure and bra- ing climate, in which he labored until his decease, April 15th, 1863, having received from Erskine College the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
750
GREENVILLE-REV. HUGH DICKSON.
[1840-1850.
A living faith in Jesus was the principle in the character of our brother. To an eminent degree he walked by faith and not by sight. For many years he possessed an habitual cer- tainty as to the existence of that city with foundations whose builder and maker is God. He had an assurance of his title through Christ, to an eternal abode in heaven. He could say : " We know that if the earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." He believed that God, who by a covenant had secured his eternal happiness, would secure temporal provisions. Hence, he took little thought for the present life, pursuing a course, which to the view of unbelief appeared quite reckless. But his reliance on providence was not disappointed, and God, through his people, took care of his widow and orphans. Receiving an adequate support from the church, he unreservedly devoted himself to ministerial du- ties as a ruler in. God's house-as a preacher of the gospel, as a shepherd watching over, guiding and comforting his peo- ple. To perpetuate his blessed memory we place this brief memorial on the records of the Synod of South Carolina."
GREENVILLE CHURCH, (Abbeville.) The venerable Father " in the ministry, the Rev. Hugh Dickson applied to the con- gregation on the 11th of September, 1846, for leave to resign his pastoral office, on account of his age and increasing infir- mities, having served his people for 46 years. The consent of the congregation was obtained upon Mr. Dickson's agree- ing to serve them until the first of January, 1847. The pas- toral relation was dissolved at the next meeting of Presbytery. Mr. John C. Williams, a licentiate, was invited to officiate as stated supply for one-half his time until the meeting of Pres- bytery in the spring. It may not be amiss to state, that pre- viously, in April, 1841, James Cowan and Robert Brownlee were elected to fill the office of Ruling Elder and Deacon, in place of William Means and John Weatherall, who had re- moved from the bounds of the congregation, and on the 17th of the same month they were ordained. On March the 8th, 1846 James Brownlee, was also ordained to the office of Rul- ing Elder. Mr. Dickson continued to preach until the Ist of January, 1847, when his pastoral labors with the Greenville congregation closed.
During the last year of his ministry, 18 members were added to the church on examination, and 5 on certificate.
751
REV. HUGH DICKSON.
1840-1850.]
Notwithstanding all the deaths and removals, which were many, (only two of the original communicants were then alive), 40 communicants being the original number; at the close there were 140 and the resources of the congregation for its support considerably increased.
At the next meeting of Presbytery, a unanimous call for one-half of Mr. William's labors was presented and accepted. A meeting of Presbytery was appointed for his ordination and nstallation. Mr. Dickson presided, put the usual questions to candidate and people, made the consecrating prayer, gave he right hand of fellowship to the newly ordained minister, und then delivered the charge." Those parts of the ordination services are usually distributed among several members of Presbytery.
" I now close my sketch," saysthis venerable man. "Owing o my feeble state, it has been with great difficulty that I have gone through the work." (It embraced a number of churches of his Presbytery). "I believe it to be substantially correct, ut it stands in great need of polishing. I am unable to do Dear Sir, make such use of it as you may think proper. f it is of any service to the Zion of God, I am amply com- ensated for my labors.
Yours in the bonds of the Gospel of Christ, March 9th, 1853." HUGH DICKSON.
The preceding is a portion of a letter of the venerable Hugh Dickson, addressed to his son-in-law and successor in the astorship, Rev. J. C. Williams, to whom the author and com- iler of this volume, had sent a circular, asking for informa- on. He appealed to Father Dickson, whose ministerial life xtended over so many years, whose acquaintance with the hurches of Northwestern South Carolina had been so exten- ve. It embraces many historical facts, and I have been reatly indebted to it for much that has been written concern- g the churches of Rocky Creek, Long Cane, Saluda (the id name of Greenville Church), Rocky River, Duncan's reek, Little River, Bullock's Creek, Hopewell, Bradaway, lopewell (Keowee), Carmel, Nazareth, Smyrna. True the atements were brief, as they necessarily must be where , many points are touched upon in a letter of thirty-two ages.
752
REV. HUGH DICKSON.
[1840-1850.
Mr. Williams explains that there were two places of wor- ship within the bounds of the congregation, Greenville Church and Shiloh. This had been the case for two or three years before the letter was written, the services of the pastor being distributed so that Greenville, the largest church, should be supplied three Sabbaths in the month, and Shiloh should have the fourth, and, if there were five, the fifth Sabbath.
" The Committee appointed to prepare a minute with re- gard to the decease of our venerated brother, the Rev. Hugh Dickson, would report the following :
That in this dispensation of Providence, this Presbytery would recognize with profound reverence the operation of God's hand, and bow with meek submission to the Divine will in the removal of one of our most aged and revered members, and most faithful servants of Jesus Christ, from his labors on earth to the rest and blessedness of God's people in mansions of glory. That while it is sad, solemn and impres- sive to contemplate the dissolution of one to whom we have been so long bound by many endearing ties, with one with whom we have so often taken sweet counsel together in the Presbytery and in the house of God, and from whose lips we have so often heard the plain, clear and forcible truths of the Gospel, instructing the mind, carrying conviction to the heart, establishing and building up believers and edifying the body of Christ, yet would this body desire, with gratitude, to re- cord the goodness of God, the father of all mercies, for giving to the world a man so true-hearted, a philanthropist and patriot, possessed of the true, genuine spirit of liberty. But especially is our devout thankfulness due to the Great Head of the Church for sparing so long the usefulness of a minister who was always firm in the defence of the truth, always earn- ยท est in contending for the faith once delivered to the Saints, rigid in his adherence to the form of sound doctrine, prover- bially punctual in his attention. on ecclesiastical judicatories, and remarkably punctual in meeting all his engagements and appointments for preaching. He labored for more than fifty- two years in the ministry of reconciliation, to bring others to the knowledge of the truth and the obedience of the faith of Jesus Christ, thus leaving us a worthy example that we should not only give ourselves to the Lord, but also to the work of the ministry, "by the will of God," to be instant in
1
753
NEW HARMONY-FAIRVIEW.
10-1850.]
ason and out of season, till we are called likewise to lay ide our armor and render our account to our Great Leader d Captain, under whom we serve
And in token of our respect for his character, this Presby- ry leave a blank page in the book of its records, on which s name, date of birth, age and length of pastoral and minis- rial life shall be written.
The following is the inscription on the blank page :
In memory of Rev. Hugh Dickson, who was born October th, 1772, was licensed to preach the Gospel A. D. 1800. dained and installed pastor of Greenville Church, Abbe- le District, S. C., November 11th, 1801. Resigned said arge A. D. 1846.
Departed this life July 9th, 1853- WM. MCWHORTER, Chairman.
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