USA > South Carolina > History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 37
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NEW HARMONY (Abbeville), was served by Rev. Wm. Car- le in 1840, in connection with Midway Church. In 1841, connection with Midway and Fairview, its membership was ty-two. In 1842, Wm. H. Harris was its stated supply. 1846, Rev. John M. McKittrick ministered to it. Its mem- rship was thirty. Of these ten had been received on exami- tion during the year. In 1847 it numbered thirty-four. In 49 it had forty members. Its elders in 1845 were David oddard and Robert Gilleland.
FAIRVIEW (Greenville Co) .- The Rev. William Carlisle min- ered to this church until some time in 1844. His salary, for If his time, was $200. At the Spring Presbytery, in 1845, v John McKittrick became stated supply of this church half his time, at the same salarv. The membership of the urch was 149, in 1843-45. It was 141, in 1846; 135, in 47 ; 128, in 1848-50; in 1862 it was 148, of whom 19 were ored persons. The elders, in 1845, were Adam Stenhouse, exander Thompson and James Dunbar. Austin Williams, nes E. Savage, John M. Harrison and Alexander W. Peden re elected to the eldership on the 18th of August in 1849. e Rev. Andrew G. Peden, of Griffin, Ga., originated in this urch and congregation.
From a report of committee of the church, James Dunbar, airman.
4S
754
PROVIDENCE.
[1840-1850.
N. B. The committee wish it may be noticed that Rev. James Templeton, of North Carolina, preached next after Mc- Cosh, 1796. A reference, we suppose, to the statements of vol. 1, pp. 546, 547, 626. Then the Rev. Wm. Williamson, of Virginia. Then James Gilleland, of North Carolina, 1813. Then the Rev. Thos. D. Baird, from Ireland.
PROVIDENCE CHURCH-(Lowndesville) .- This was formed, as we have seen, p. 550, from the Rocky River Church, and absorbed another organization formed from the same, and known, while it existed, as New Harmony Church, of the same name with one of the churches in Laurens District. As the church now exists it was made up of three elders and for- ty-one whites, and eleven colored members from Providence, as it was, and one elder, sixteen white, and three colored members from the New Harmony, we have mentioned, making in all, four elders, fifty-seven white, and fourteen colored mem- bers, and was organized as an individual church, proposing to worship in the future in a building then being erected in Lowndesville, and to be known in Presbytery by the name of " Providence." Minutes, p. 188.
The people of Providence Church had before this, and from its first organization, given of their substance, not only for the support of the ordinances of the gospel in their midst, but for other benevolent objects of the day. They had maintained, also, for twelve or fourteen years, a large and flourishing school, which numbered at times some seventy scholars, at which the usual branches were taught required of young men for admission to college. Occasionally the school was mixed, having both male and female pupils. At other times sepa- rate schools for each sex were maintained at the same time, and both near the same place.
On the 7th of October, 1844, the churches of Rocky Hill and Providence obtained leave of the Presbytery of South Carolina, then in session at Providence Church, to invite the licentiate, John D. Wilson, of Harmony Presbytery, as a stated supply, until the next meeting of the aforesaid Presbytery of South Carolina. Mr. Wilson was accordingly invited, and this resulted in his ordination and installation on the 20th of May, 1843, as pastor of the united churches of Rocky River and Providence. His pastorate was but a brief one. In con- sequence of his failing health, to the great regret of the churches he served, he was dismissed from his pastoral
755
ROCKY RIVER
840-1850.]
harge at the Spring meeting of Presbytery, in 1843. The ministry of this faithful student and promising young servant of the Master was a brief one. He returned to Columbia, to he home of his mother-in-law, where he lingered for a little while. The writer of these lines was sitting at his bedside. What time is it?" said he. " It is about four o'clock in the fternoon," said I. " It is very dark," said he. It was the arkness of death. Thus passed away a promising servant of he Lord, who never postponed any duty, but was restless ill it was done.
In July, of this year, the Rev. G. W. Boggs began to serve hem until, in 1846, his engagement terminated. In the spring f that year the Rev. T. L. McByrde preached to them in the ame capacity until the meeting of Presbytery, when he be- ame the regular pastor of Providence and Rocky River and o continued till the summer of 1851.
The statistics of the church are as follows : Members in 1842, 7 whites, 14 colored; additions to 1853, 43 whites, 5 col- red ; total 119. Dismissions, 31 ; deaths, 15 ; of colored, 6, hich being duly deducted leaves the membership, with the bur Elders and Deacon, 72.
The church has contributed to the usual benevolent efforts f the church at large, annually, and has kept up a church brary for the use of its members.
Its engagement with its pastor was for half his time, for hich they have paid $200 to $280.
The Rev. Wm. Carlisle, Wm. H. Harris and James C. ozby, were from the bounds of this congregation. (The bove furnished by F. H. Baskin, clerk of session), November 5, 1853.
The Elders of this Church in 1842 were: Robert Cozby, G. Caldwell, and James Baskins. The name of A. Walker so appears in 1845.
ROCKY RIVER .- It will be seen from the preceding, that hough the Rocky River Church is far older than the preced- ig Church of Providence, and, indeed, it is its parent, its his- ry during the period of which we now write, has been con- urrent with that. Rev. William H. Davis, Rev. John D. Wil- on, whom the venerable Elder A. Giles speaks of as " one of he best young men, and one of the best young preachers he ver knew," Rev. G. W. Boggs, the Rev. T. L. McBryde, and le Rev. Joseph Gibert ministered successively to both
756
WASHINGTON STREET (GREENVILLE). [1840-1850.
churches alike. The Rev. James Lewers ministered to it in 1840 and 41 *
During the first fifteen or twenty years of this century large and crowded congregations frequented this Church; after that period deaths and the great emigration to the West, greatly reduced this once flourishing church, leaving in 1853 not more than 25 or 30 members. From this congregation eight young men have become ministers of the gospel. Their names are Benjamin Montgomery, Robert Campbell, James Patterson, Wm. Gray, Charles Martin, Jas. Gibert, and the two Messrs. McMullens, besides some others who attached them- selves to other branches of the church. [Mss. of A. Giles and John Spear, Esqs., October and November. 1853.]
WASHINGTON STREET CHURCH (Greenville C. H.)-The Rev. S. S. Gaillard was the first pastor of this church. It was or- ganized by a committee of the Presbytery of South Carolina, and was reported to that body April 20, 1848, and in the sta- tistics of the General Assembly in 1849, is represented as hav- ing 18 members. Mr. Gaillard continued to serve this church till 1859. The city of Greenville, meanwhile, was prosperous, and the church increased.
MT. CALVARY .- Spartanburg District was received under the care of the Presbytery of South Carolina on the 2d of Oc- tober, 1846, and Mr. Robert McCarley took his seat in Pres- bytery at that time, as a member of the same. Minutes, p. 280. The Rev. C. B. Stewart was its stated supply and in 1846-1850, M. O. Miller and R. McCarley were its Elders.
HOPEWELL (Abbeville), formerly LOWER LONG CANE .- The Elders of Hopewell Church, from 1800, were, Joseph Calhoun (died in 1817), William Calhoun (1826), Joseph Hut- ton (moved to the West), John Grey (1825), Andrew Weed (1847), Alexander Houston (1847), J. C. Matthews (1849), William Carson (moved away) and Peter Gibert. There were no Deacons in those days. During Rev. Henry Reid's time, the Elders were, Thos. Parker, James A. Gray, John McKelvey,
*For further particulars concerning James Lewers, see pp. 448. 449 of this history. The call he received from the Church of Williamsburg was not accepted by him. He returned his dismission to the Presby- tery of Harmony, and obtained one to the Presbytery of South Carolina. From this he was dismissed October 8, 1841, to the Presbytery of New- ton, N. Jersey, then pastor of Milford. Conn., in connection with Hol- land Church, then in April, 1865 of Cattasauga, Pa., till his death, on the 24th of August, 1868.
757
40-1850.]
HOPEWELL (ABBEVILLE).
hn S. Ried, John P. Hall, in connection with those who were ving when Rev. Mr. Waddel left.
Attention was given to the colored race. Their religious struction was attended to, especially by Col. M. O. Talman. he most notable revivals of religion were during Rev. Henry eid's time, in the camp meetings.
The first school taught in the Calhoun Settlement, of which e have any account, was by Rev. John Harris. After the Rev- ution, Mr. James Wardlaw taught at the old Artillery Muster round. Mr. Moses Taggart had a school at Hopewell hurch, about the year 1790. Capt. Wm. Robertson, of harleston, had charge of a neighborhood school for some ne. After him, the Rev. Henry Reid, then Rev. R. B. ater. About 1840, the neighborhood united upon Clear bring as the site for a school house, where a school has been pt up, with the exception of short intervals, to the present ne. The teachers of Clear Spring Academy were, John ggart, Mr. Rainey, Mathew McDonald, Joseph F. Lee, Dr. mes Mabry, J. R. Blake and J. S. Leslie. Our forefathers, en they builded to protect their little ones against the tom- awk and scalping knife of savage Indians, also took care to jard them against those more unrelenting foes, irreligion d ignorance.
Mr. Robert McCaslan was one of the most prominent men the church." He was a native of County Antrim, and came this country a poor Irish boy. Shortly after the close of e Revolution, he spent a short time with his brother-in-law, r. Moses Taggart, who was then teaching at Hopewell urch. The country at that time was new, and the cultivated lds few and far-between. The rivers and creeks were as clear mountain streams, and filled with fish. There were few pub- roads, the travelling being done mostly on horseback and foot. The country was intersected by innumerable bridle lys and by-paths, nigh cuts for the initiated, but a be- ldering maze to all others. Mr. McCaslan was manager of C. Calhoun's plantation. He finally settled on Bold Branch, here he died, in 1849, at the advanced age of eighty-two, d is buried in Long Cane Cemetery. For fifty years he is a member of Hopewell Church. A sincere, humble tristian, and a highly chivalric man, his honesty and fair aling were proverbial. He was a tall, square-made man,
758
WILLINGTON
[1840-1850.
about six feet high. On his old age he was very much pal- sied, and walked with a staff nearly as high as his head.
Rev. Isaac Waddel preached his farewell sermon, Decem- ber 9th, 1838, and parted with the congregation in peace and love. A congregational meeting was held, and a committee of three, viz: Robert McCaslan, John McKelvey and J. C. Matthews, was appointed to confer with Rev. Wm. Davis, who was then preaching at Willington, to obtain him as supply. He, accepting, commenced his labors 24th February, 1839. He was afterwards called as pastor, and Presbytery met at Hopewell, May, 22d, 1839, to ordain and install him. The Elders, during Mr. Davis' ministration, were, M. O. Mc- Caslan, Wm. McCaslan, John McKelvey, J. C. Matthews and Wm. Drennan. The numerical strength of Hopewell, in 1846, was 171, in 1847, 151, in 1850, 153. Rev. Wm. Davis resigned in 1846, and Rev. James P. Gibert was called to take his place. He preached until 1851 .* [Mss. of Rev. E. Payson Davis.]
WILLINGTON CHURCH (Abbeville), from 1840. The Rev. William H. Davis was received by South Carolina Presby- tery as a licentiate from Union Presbytery, on the 22d of March, 1839, and was ordained and installed as pastor of Hopewell and Willington Churches, on the 22d of May, 1839. On the Ist of May, in 1846, this double pastorate was dis- solved. He served the Willington Church until 1860.
" The strength of the church," says Mrs. M. E. D., " in its palmiest days, lay in its noble women, who gave their sym- pathies and encouragement when they could give nothing else. More precious than gold-yea, than fine gold !"
The first elders were Moses Dobbins, Peter Gibert, Esq .. Major E. Noble, Peter B. Rogers. About 1828, in connection with the preceding, Andrew Weed, Peter Guillebeau, J. C. Matthews, N. Harris, M. D., Jacob Bellott, John B. Ball, Oscar Bouchillon and Alexander Houston. [Stephen Gibert was an elder before 1822, when he died.] (In 1842 the elders were Andrew Weed, Alexander Houston, Peter Guillebeau, Dr. William Harris, John B. Bull, according to the list in the minutes of Presbytery, March 26, 1842.) About 1849, S. H.
*The dates are as accurate as can be obtained.
These facts I collect from Col. M. O. Talman, who is a very in- telligent member of Hopewell Church. What others are sent I gleaned from Sessional Records.
759
WESTMINSTER-BETHEL.
40-1850.]
ibert, Paul Rogers and Wm. T. Drennan were elected. The ders, according to the minutes of Synod in 1855, were Robt. rady, N. Harris, Paul Rodgers, Wm. T. Drennan. The first t of deacons was under the pastorate of Rev. W. H. Davis. heir names were Peter B. Moragne, A. H. McAlister, Ed- ard Calhoun, John LeRoy and Peter Guillebeau. Total in mmunion in 1822, 64; in 1823. 69 ; in 1824, 90; in 1825, ; in 1830, 108; in 1834, 123; in 1839, 90; in 1843, 100 ; 1845, 114; in 1850, 112; in 1853, 90. Dr. Baker twice sited Willington Church, and there was a considerable vival of religion. At one time there were about thirty cessions. The cause of temperance flourished at one time, society being organized in 1830. Rev. Dr. Waddell, the esident ; Alexander Houston, vice-president ; W. W. Wad, Il, secretary ; N. Harris, M. D., E. P. Gibert, P. B. Rogers, C. Matthews and R. G. Quarles, directors. This society s energetic and active for a length of time, and useful. The igious instruction of the negroes was not neglected, and e galleries of the church indicated, by their large attendance, e interest they took in religious worship. [Materials fur-
shed by Rev. E. Payson Davis.]
WESTMINSTER CHURCH remained on the roll of South Caro- a Presbytery till October 8th, 1841, when it was stricken , " it being ascertained that Richland Church occupies the ne field." (Minutes, October 8th, 1841, p. 175.) Previous this, in 1831, it had forty-four members, and was associated th Bethel, having thirty members, both under the charge Rev. Benjamin D. Dupree.
RICHLAND CHURCH. In 1840, 1841, Benj. D. Dupree was e stated supply of this church. It had at this time thirty- e members. In 1842, Joseph Hillhouse succeeded him ; membership, twenty. In 1852, Wm. McWhorter became stated supply, at which time the members were eighteen number.
The elders in 1842 and 1845 were James H. Dendy, Francis kins and Simpson Dickson.
BETHEL CHURCH, in the Presbytery of South Carolina, nained vacant through the major part of this period. Its mbership is stated to be thirty-one in the tables. Rev. John Kennedy was its stated supply in 1849. At that time it d eighteen members. In 1850 it was served by Rev. Wm. :Whorter, its membership being nineteen. The elders in 45 were Col. J. Burnet and John Todd
760
NEW HARMONY-NAZARETH.
[1840-1850.
NEW HARMONY. Rev. Mr. McKittrick informed Presby- tery, in 1844, that a Presbyterian Church had been organized in Laurens District, consisting of seventeen members and two ruling elders, known by the name of " New Harmony," which desired to be taken under the care of Presbytery ; which ap- plication was granted. "Application was at the same time made from Fairview, Antioch and New Harmony, for the labors of Rev. John McKittrick." (Minutes of the 10Ist ses- sion of the Presbytery of S. C., 2d October, 1844, p. 234.) The elders of New Harmony, in 1845, were David Stoddard and Robert Gilliland. The membership in 1850 was forty, in full communion.
NAZARETH (Beaver Dam) was among the vacant churches in 1840, 1841. In 1842 it was under the charge of Rev. Joseph Hillhouse, as stated supply in connection with Richland. Its membership is set down as being twenty. In 1847, the same, except that Mr. Hillhouse bears the title of domestic mission- ary, the membership then being nineteen. It remained under the same arrangement, depending on missionary service, through the remainder of this decade. Its elders in 1842 were James Young, John Morris and Matthew Martin ; in 1855, Matthew Martin, Alexander W. Glenn, B. B. Harris, James Young, J. Moore, M. Ussory. Its membership in 1853 was twenty-two.
The author is now reaching the end of the fifth decade of the present century. These last ten years of the history of the Synod have exhibited an encouraging progress and ex- tension of the church within its own bounds, although it has sent forth such numbers to people the more southern and southwestern States, to establish in them churches of our own faith, and that Scriptural order of church government, so clear- ly set forth in our standards
In the midst of this decade, in 1845, our brethren south of the Savannah, river were separated from those of South Caro- lina, at their own suggestion, by the action of the General Assembly ; the Synod of South Carolina to meet in Pendle- ton, on the 6th of November, 1845, and the Synod of Georgia to meet in Macon, on the third Thursday in November, of the same year, its geographical limits to include the State of Georgia, and the Territory of Florida, so far as this may not interfere with the limits of the Synod of Alabama. Georgia still yielded its support freely and cheerfully to the
761
MISSIONS-REV. DR. SMYTH.
1840-1850.]
Theological Seminary, at Columbia, and South Carolina to the Oglethorpe University, in Georgia, until the South Carolina professorship amounted at length to the full endowment of a professorship. Nor did the interest of the Synod of South Carolina abate at all in the cause of Foreign Missions.
It may be interesting to know the rate of progress in this work since our separate organization as a Synod. The an -. hual contributions have been as follows :
In the year of the organization of the Synod, the amount reported was $1,222.12.
In 1846 was $1,966 52, showing an increase of . ยท $744 40
" 1847 1,965 17, no increase .
" 1848 2,525 IO, an increase of 558 58
" 1849 1,869 64, a material decline of . 455 46
" 1850 6 2,931 28, an increase over the greatest
preceding amount of 406 18
Total, $12,479 83
This is the statement of the Rev. Dr. Smyth.
And we cannot resist the impulse which prompts us to be- tow the praise, well deserved, upon him, who, remaining at ome, kept the cause of Foreign Missions constantly before he minds of our people. Those who went abroad to heathen inds made thus greater personal sacrifices. But the mission- ry spirit dwelt alike in his heart. He trained the children f his church to contribute statedly to the cause, nor were he sums thus collected, in their aggregate, by any means ontemptible. He has but recently gone to his reward. Those ho were his contemporaries will not soon forget the Rev. homas Smyth, D. D., of the Second Presbyterian Church Charleston, as their minutes show.
The Rev. Dr. Howe, chairman of the Committee to bring i a minute on the death of our venerable and beloved rother, Dr. Smyth, reported the following, which was unan- nously adopted :
The Charleston Presbytery has been called to mourn, since s last stated session, the removal of our beloved brother, the ev. Thomas Smyth, D. D., from this scene of earthly labors his heavenly rest. He died in the city of Charleston on e 20th of August, 1873, in the 66th year of his age.
Born in Belfast on the 14th of June, 1808, of Scotch and
762
REV. DR. SMYTII.
[1840 -- 1850.
English ancestry, and devoted to the ministry by his pious mother from his birth, he entered the college in his native city in 1827 and received its highest honors. During the last year of his studies there, he became united with Christ as a Saviour ; and called as he believed, to the work of the min- istry, he removed to Highbury College, London, where he pursued the studies preparatory to that sacred office with his accustomed ardor. In the fall of 1830 his parents removed to this country, and he entered the Senior Class at Princeton, where these studies were completed. He was ordained the following year by the Presbytery of Newark, as an Evange- list, with a view to missionary work in Florida, and soon af- ter came to Charleston, under the recommendations of Drs. Alexander and Miller, as a supply of the Second Presbyterian church.
In November, 1832, he became a member of Charleston Union Presbytery, but although he was called to the pastor- ate of the second church in April of that year, he held this call under consideration, doubtful of his health, which was never firm, until December, 1834, on the 17th of which month his installation took place.
Since this time, during the various fortunes of our church and country, through the stormy scenes of ecclesiastical and theological debate, and the still severer trials of civil strife, his large and Christian heart has been true alike to his ances- tral Church and to the land of his adoption
We do not claim for our departed brother absolute per- fection. This belongs to no child of God in this his militant state. But now all the asperities of discussion and debate are forever over. And with a mind of intense activity and an unconquered will, which bore up his enfeebled frame beyond the expectation of all his friends, all will accord to him a large and forgiving heart, full of schemes of Christian benevolence and activity, pursued with almost unequalled endurance and energy till the end of life.
An ardent student himself, he was a friend of education, of colleges and schools, especially of seminaries of sacred learn- ing, whose libraries and endowments he sought to enlarge.
He was a friend of the young student also, and especially if he sought the gospel ministry under a manifest call from God.
Had Providence so willed, and he had not suffered, in com-
763
REV. DR. SMYTH.
840-1850.]
non with others, the impoverishments of a cruel war, he would have left behind him more than he has been able to do, en- luring monuments of his zeal in this sacred cause.
He would have offered himself as a missionary in his early lays, had not enfeebled health prevented his personal labors n foreign shores. But the spirit of missions did not forsake im. He was their prominent representative for years by his oice and pen, both in our Presbytery and Synod.
Of the productions of his pen we will not speak, but his arlier contemporaries will remember the inspiring tones in which he was wont, in the excitement of debate, with a won- erful affluence of diction, to give utterance to the thoughts nd emotions of his soul, the whole man transformed, his eye all of expression, his form taller seemingly than ever before. But those attractive powers were at length impaired by sud- en disease, which rendered utterance imperfect, which at one me made him even forget the language his mother taught im, till by practice he regained it, and his palsied tongue was posed, and became eloquent again.
His spirit has left the earthly tabernacle which confined it. t has been unclothed that it might enter the house not made ith hands, and await the resurrection morning, when, with body strong in power, glorious and spiritual, it shall be still erving and praising our ascended Lord.
For more than forty years has he gone in and out before s, for the first half of this time in the possession of his cor- oreal powers, for the last half crippled with disease, but still nconquered, till he yielded to the power of death.
Let us remember that our own removal will not be long elayed. The evening shades with some are drawing on. Let s redeem the time in these days of evil, and, like our de- arted brother, perform our work with conscientious vigor hile the daylight lasts. So shall our lives be filled with deeds f usefulness, and our end be peace.
[This paper was also adopted by the Synod of South Caro- na.]
That he accomplished so much with health so imperfect, wonderful indeed. In Belfast and Princeton his health tiled him. In Charleston, in 1848, he was attacked with artial paralysis of his left arm and fingers, from which he ever recovered. A second attack in 1853 left him on rutches, almost a helpless cripple. " About four years before
764
REV. DR. SMYTH.
[1840-1850.
his tireless energies were released from the fetters of the flesh his organs of speech were suddenly paralyzed in the midst of his midnight studies." Believing that he was near his end he wrote on a slip of paper to his wife : " Perfect peace." But finding that his general health was not seriously affected, he addressed himself to the task of regaining his great loss, with a resolute will, and never did he appear greater in all his grand career than when reciting hour after hour, and week after week, the letters of the alphabet, advancing from vowels and consonants to syllables, and from monosyllables to words and sentences, until, upon the anvil of his iron will, he broke, link by link, the chains which bound his eloquent tongue, and at length shouting, like David of old, " awake up my glory," his voice rang again with the praises of the Sanctuary and the glad tidings of salvation.
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