USA > South Carolina > Oconee County > The Old Stone Church, Oconee County, South Carolina; > Part 7
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appear to be truly pious. A considerable number of the people in Carmel formerly leaned to the seceders; but they seemed to become more liberal, and all join, except a few of the most ignorant and bigoted.
"The people who compose these two congregations are, in general, remarkable for the great simplicity of their man- ners, the plainness of their dress, and their frugal manner of living. At the distance of 250 miles from the Capital, they are strangers to luxury and refinement. Blessed with a healthy climate, brought up in habits of labor and industry, and scarce of money, they are for the most part clothed in homespun; nourished by the produce of their own farms, and happily appear to have neither taste nor inclination for high and expensive living. There is a quiet degree of equality among them. By far the greater part are in what might be called the middle station of life. None are very rich, few are extremely poor. There are few slaves among them and these are treated with great kindness and human- ity. They enjoy all that liberty which is compatible with their situation; and are exempted from that rigorous bond- age to which their unhappy countrymen in the lower parts of the State are subjected. These are all circumstances favorable to virtue and religion and give ground to hope that these will flourish long here, when they shall have been in a great measure banished from those parts of the country where slavery, luxury and wealth have taken possession. As the country is in its infancy we have yet to expect that these congregations will soon become much stronger, and in the course of a few years, if peace continues, it is probable that each of them will be able to support a minister. It is a pleasing reflection to the friends of religion, that as the people travel westward, the gospel travels with them, or soon follows after them ; that God inclines the hearts of ministers, respectable for learning, worth, and piety, to settle in these uncultivated regions. It is a consideration which often af- fects pious ministers and pious people, when convened for
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public worship, that in these wild-extended forests, where the cruel savage lately roamed, Christian churches are erected, and Christian congregations assemble to pay their homage to the great Lord and Father of all; and that in these very places, where a few years ago nothing was heard but the songs and the shouts of the Indians, the glad tidings of sal- vation are proclaimed, and the voice of prayer and thanks- giving arise to the Creator and Redeemer of all. Reflections of this kind call to mind the words of the evangelic prophet, 'The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall bloom as the rose,' &c.
"Drawn up in great haste by THOMAS REESE."
"September 15, 1793."
We have copied this as a description of these congrega- tions, by their pastor, and a witness contemporary with the times of which we speak. It is a portion of one of those brief histories of churches ordered by the General Assembly, and written by special appointment of presbytery, which was designed to furnish materials for the history of the American Presbyterian Church, to several of which papers we have been greatly indebted. It is a favorable specimen of the style of this eminent clergyman who was probably the most finished writer of that day in our portion of the church.
The birth, parentage and earlier life of Dr. Reese, have been quoted on pages 411, 492, and 493, from a memoir written by Dr. Witherspoon, of Alabama, and forwarded for our use. We proceed to give that portion which be- longs to the period over which we now pass, which proved to be the closing period of his life :
"About the year 1790, circular letters were written by Mr. Austin, editor of the American Preacher, to distin- guished preachers of all denominations, requesting them to furnish two sermons annually, that a selection might be made from them, and published as specimens of pulpit elo- quence in the United States. One of these letters was ad-
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dressed to Dr. Thomas Reese, and he sent on two sermons which were published. In the 4th volume of this excellent miscellany, he appears as the only contributor south of Vir- ginia. Among his unpublished manuscript were specimens of poetical talent, highly creditable. His farewell sermon to his congregation in Salem was published at the request of his church, and is still possessed by some of the members, and esteemed for the excellent advice it contains. Dr. Reese was in person easy of access, a friend to human nature, but particularly attached to men of science and religion. With powers of mind equal to his benevolence and piety, he justly held a conspicuous place among eminent and good men. As a proof of the deference paid to his talents by his brethren in religious assemblies, he was selected by some leading men of the presbytery of South Carolina, on a cer- tain occasion, to repel the charges brought by the Rev. W. C. Davis, in a discourse preached before that body, in which he denounced all his fellow-Christians who owned slaves. This reply of Dr. Reese met the entire approbation of the presbytery, and greatly mortified Davis, this early advocate of abolition, in 1794. It is an able argument on the subject of slavery, and shows how early this vexed question had been introduced into the Southern church. It is still extant and in the possession of his quondam pupil. Dr. Reese's theological opinions were founded solely on the authority of the Scriptures, and of course Orthodox. His appear- ance in the pulpit was graceful and dignified, his style flow- ing and elegant. He was in the habit generally of writing out his sermons with great care, and seldom, if ever, took the manuscript in the pulpit. His preaching was of the extempore kind, adding to the mature reflections of the study, the powers of his native oratory. His flowing tears. and often suppressed voice, told the feelings of the heart, anxious only for the salvation of souls and the glory of God. Like Paul he warned his hearers day and night with tears. His success in his ministerial labors evince the power and pres-
7-0. S. C.
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ence of the Holy Spirit. It is a subject of painful regret that the examples of such men as Dr. Reese, Edwards, Whitefield, and others, should be lost, and that their successful manner of awakening and instructing their hearers, should be supplanted by the cold and prosy reading of sermons from the pulpit which so effectually lulls to sleep a waiting audi- ence, or binds them up, in the present day. Dr. Reese was also an ardent lover of sacred music, and was careful to have his congregation well instructed in this devotional part of worship. His own melodious voice, mingled with those of the whole congregation, filled God's court with sounding praise. He did not trust this part of divine worship to a choir, which, as the proxy of the congregation, might sing praises to God; but adopted in his teaching the language of David in the 67th Psalm. Let all the people praise thee, O God; repeating the injunction in the 5th verse, Let all the people praise thee, O God. For classical literature, so much decried by the superficial, he was a great advocate, and to evince his sincerity, retained the knowledge of the dead languages as long as he lived.
"As a teacher he had a peculiar facility of communicat- ing knowledge, and the happy talent of commanding respect without severity. For a period of five or six years of his life, and that too past the meridian, exclusive of his perform- ing the regular duties of a pastor, preaching on the Sabbath and lecturing to the colored part of his congregation, he superintended a small farm, and attended to a large classical school, with but little assistance, in the course of the week. And it is well recollected, that during more than one season he preached two sermons on the Sabbath, and performed. besides, the other duties mentioned above.
"Dr. Reese was 'given to hospitality,' and evinced his benevolence by visiting the sick and afflicted, and relieving the wants of the poor and needy. Having read many medi- cal authors, and being conversant with physicians, he had acquired a pretty general knowledge of Southern diseases,
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and in his visits to the sick frequently imparted not only spiritual consolation, but medical aid. This was the more acceptable, as at that time there were no physicians near him. In the winter of 1792 and 1793 he removed from Salem to Pendleton District, South Carolina, being among the first who removed from the low country to the upper.
"Having settled near Pendleton village, he took charge of two churches, one near Seneca River, in the neighborhood of Generals Pickens and Anderson, the other church some ten or twelve miles distant. In these he labored some years ; but the climate of the upper country not agreeing with his constitution, his health declined. He was attacked with hydrothorax in the latter part of his life, and such was the nature of his disease, that he did not lie down for weeks previous to his death. He bore this affliction with great patience and resignation to the will of his divine Master, and died in 1796, aged 54 years. His remains lie in the graveyard, attached to the Old Stone Church, near the vil- lage of Pendleton .*
"Chancellor James, of South Carolina, in his Life of Marion, speaking of Dr. Reese, says :
" 'In contemplating the meek and unobtrusive manners of this eminent servant of the Most High, we do not hesi- tate to say he was a pattern of Christian charity, as nearly resembling the Divine Master as has been exhibited by any of his contemporary fellow-laborers in the Gospel.'
"It may be truly said, in conclusion, of this excellent man,
* Epitaph of the Reverend Thomas Reese, D. D.
Here rest the remains of the REV. THOMAS REESE, D. D., a native of Pennsylvania, who departed this life in the hopes of a blessed immor- tality, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety- six, aged fifty-four years. He was pastor of Salem Church, Black River, about twenty years. He was then chosen pastor of Hopewell and Carmel congregations, and died a few years after. Exemplary in all the social relations of life, as a son, husband, father, and citizen, he lived esteemed and beloved, and died lamented. His talents as a writer and preacher were of a highly respectable grade, and were always directed to promote the virtue and happiness of his fellow-men.
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that he lived esteemed, and died lamented by an extensive circle of warm and devoted friends.
"J. R. WITHERSPOON."
"Brookland, near Greensboro, Ala., 6th September, 1851."
Hopewell and Carmel (late Twenty-Three Mile Creek) reported, sorrowfully, to Presbytery, the death of Dr. Reese, and asked to be supplied. ..
The following is their petition :
"To the Rev. Presbytery of South Carolina, to sit at Naza- reth, on the third Tuesday or Wednesday of October next :
"The remonstrance and petition of the united congrega- tions of Hopewell, on Keowee River, and Carmel, on Twenty-Three Mile Creek, both of the County of Pendleton, and State of South Carolina.
"Humbly sheweth : That we are left destitute of the ordi- nances of the gospel in both of our congregations, by the death of Rev. Thomas Reese, of whose labors we had share in each congregation as our pastor. We, therefore, make known our destitute condition to your Reverend Body, that you may take our situation under consideration, and grant us supplies in such way and manner as to your wisdom may seem convenient.
"And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will pray.
"ROBERT ANDERSON, "JOHN WILLSON, "ROBERT MCCANN, "ROBERT HENDERSON, "ANDREW PICKENS."
In pursuance of this request, J. Simpson and J. Gilliland were appointed in October, 1796, and April and October, 1797, and April, 1798, with the addition of A. Brown, at Carmel, to visit them ; and these supplies were probably con- tinued to the close of the century.
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Vol. II. Period 1800-1810. Page 149. Hopewell (Keowee).
This congregation was dependent still longer on the Pres- bytery for supplies. The minutes of the Presbytery show that Rev. Mr. Simpson was appointed twice and Rev. Mr. Dickson once to preach to them, in 1800. Mr. Gilliland, Sr., Mr. McElhenny and Mr. Montgomery, in 1802, and Mr. Templeton and Mr. Gilliland, Jr., in 1804. On the 12th of September, 1803, a call was presented from this church for one-half the ministerial services of the Rev. James McElhenny, and from the same for one-fourth the ministerial services of Rev. James Gilliland, Sr .; also a call from Carmel, heretofore associated with Hopewell (Keo- wee), in the same pastoral charge. Mr. Gilliland accepts the call so far as it respects himself ; Mr. McElhenny takes it into consideration. A year passed, and Mr. McElhenny had not signified his acceptance of these calls, but Hopewell again presents a call for half, and Carmel for half of the ministerial labors of Benjamin R. Montgomery. Presby- tery is embarrassed, but places the calls in Mr. Montgomery's hands, "not knowing but it may be the design of the people to obtain the services of them both." The result was that Mr. Montgomery became their ordained pastor, April 4th, 1805, Presbytery holding its spring sessions at that church. The ordination sermon was preached by Dr. Waddell, and the charge was delivered by Rev. John Simpson, the Mode- rator of Presbytery. Mr. Montgomery remained in this pastoral charge for two years, and was dismissed from it in September, 1807. The Rev. James McElhenny, who was now residing among them and preached to them half his time, was their pastor through the remainder of this decade. The church was often known in popular language as "The Stone Church," the house of worship being built of that material in the year 1802. The great revival of 1802 was felt here and some persons now living recollect
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the camp fires around the church, among the memories of their youth.
Vol. II. Period 1810-1820. Page 301. Hopewell (Keowee).
The Presbytery of South Carolina (then the Second Pres. of S. C.) met at this church, on the 3d of April, 1810, on the 27th of August, 1811, on the 6th of April, 1813. At the first of these meetings the Rev. Jas. McElhenny was present, for he was in the land of the living and was pastor of the church. He possessed a strong and vigorous mind, and his eloquence consisted of strong reasoning united with persuasive and touching tenderness. Mr. McElhenny was assisted in his pastoral labors by John D. Murphy, who was received as a licentiate from the Presbytery of Orange, on the 27th of August, 1811, and for two-thirds of whose ministerial labors a call was presented by the Hopewell Church. Presbytery granted the request, "it being understood that Mr. McEl- henny, the regular pastor of said church, could not labor among them more than one-third of his time." Dr. E. Smith and Mr. Murphy are said to have created a mill pond and established rice fields for their mutual benefit, which originated a malarial fever in the summer and fall of 1812. Of this fever Mr. Murphy, who was the son-in-law of Mr. McElhenny, died, and he soon followed him to the grave. Mr. McElhenny died on the 4th of October, 1812. The Rev. Thomas Price, from James Island, preached a funeral sermon occasioned by their death, and it was among the reminiscences of Rev. David Humphreys, so long the be- loved pastor of Good Hope and Roberts, that Mr. Price came up to Rev. Andrew Brown's while he, Humphreys, was there at school, to have him examine the manuscript, a copy having been requested for publication, and that while there he assisted Mr. Brown at a communion season at the Bethel Church, greatly to the edification of the people there
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assembled. The following is the inscription in the grave- yard at the "Stone Church," in memory of Mr. McElhenny :
"Sacred To the Memory of the Rev. JAMES MCELHENNY
Senior pastor of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HOPEWELL IN PENDLETON DISTRICT, Who died October 1st, 1812, Aged 44 years.
"Greatly lamented by his friends, who knew His generous worth. His flesh returns to dust ! His spirit ascends to prove religion true, And wait the resurrection of the just!"
Hopewell now became dependent upon occasional sup- plies from Presbytery. In the spring of 1813, Rev. John B. Kennedy and Hugh Dickson were appointed to admin- ister the Lord's Supper the ensuing summer. In the spring of 1816, Carmel and Hopewell petition that James Hill- house may be permitted to officiate as a stated supply be- tween the two congregations till the next stated sessions, and their request is granted. This results in a call extended to him through the Presbytery, in November, from Hope- well, for two-thirds of his time, which he accepted. An intermediate session was held at Hopewell (Keowee) on the 23d of April, at which Mr. Hillhouse was ordained and in- stalled, Rev. Richard B. Cater preaching the sermon from 2d Tim. ii. 15, and Wm. H. Barr delivering the charge to the newly ordained pastor and people. During the pasto- rate of Mr. Hillhouse, the Female Religious Tract Society of Pendleton sent its contributions to Presbytery and re- ceived its thanks for their generous donation.
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Vol. II. Period 1820-1830. Page 397. Hopewell (Keowee).
Popularly known as the "Stone Church." At the close of the preceding decade, we found this church and Carmel under the pastoral charge of the Rev. James Hillhouse. They are united as if one joint charge in the statistical tables of 1825. Yet the pastoral relation with Mr. Hillhouse was terminated by act of Presbytery, October 5th, 1822, and the church petitions for supplies, and the licentiates are di- rected to supply this and certain other churches. About that time, on the 6th of October, 1825, the Presbytery of South Carolina met at this church. On the 8th of March, 1827, Hopewell and Carmel churches both petition for sup- plies, and supplies are granted. The Rev. Aaron Foster, in 1828 and onward, alternated between this church and Willington. He was a native of New Hampshire, a gradu- ate of Andover Dartmouth College and Seminary. Other information respecting this church we do not have. Hope- well (Keowee) and Carmel are represented as having a membership as united in 1825, of 115 members ; Hopewell in 1826 and 1828 as having 59 members, and in 1829 as having the same.
Pendleton Village .- Preaching seems to have been trans- ferred to this village within this period.
Vol. II. Period 1830-1840. Page 552. Hopewell (Keowee) and Pendleton.
The Rev. Aaron Foster is believed to have served this church a portion of the time, till 1832, when he returned to the North. He is set down in the statistical tables as its pastor from 1829 to 1831, during which time the member- ship rose from fifty-nine to sixty-eight. In 1832 the church is reported as vacant, but as having received fifty on exami- nation and three by certificate, and as having a membership
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of one hundred and nineteen. It had shared, doubtless, in the revival of that period. The next year Rev. Richard B. Cater was stated supply; the additions on examination were ninety, the whole number of communicants two hun- dred and nine.
In 1834, twenty-seven were added on examination, and the whole number was one hundred and ninety-one. The next year the whole number of communicants was two hun- dred and nine, which was retained in 1836. Mr. Cater was succeeded, in 1837, by Rev. Anthony Ross. The communi- cants continued the same till 1840, when they were one hun- dred and eighty-two in number.
Vol. II. Period 1840-1850. Page 749. Hopewell (Keowee) and 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 de- cade, T. L. McBryde, D. D., became 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 Pres- byterian 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, De- cember, 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
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Church, Pendleton, he accepted this call to a field in a pure and bracing climate, in which he labored until his decease, April 25th, 1863, having received from Erskine College the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
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 certainty 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 taber- nacle 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 happi- ness, 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. Re- ceiving an adequate support from the church, he unreserv- edly devoted himself to ministerial duties as a ruler in God's house-as a preacher of the gospel, as a shepherd watching over, guiding and comforting his people. To perpetuate his blessed memory we place this brief memorial on the re- cords of the Synod of South Carolina.
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"THE OLD STONE MEETING-HOUSE."*
(Copied from a Scrap-book loaned by Miss Eliza Pickens, Pendleton, S. C.)
We learn from the record that "the first house of worship was erected in 1790, of logs, about 80 rods east of the late Ezekiel Pickens' dwelling, on the north side of the road. The spot is now grown over with trees." The growth of the congregation rendered a larger and more commodious house of worship necessary, and accordingly about the year 1797, the foundation of "The Old Stone Meeting-House" was laid. It is a commodious stone building and will stand as an enduring monument of the workmanship of John Rusk, father of the late Senator Rusk. It was built by subscription and finished in the year 1802. From the Ses- sion Book we learn that the principal contributors were Gen. Pickens, Gen. Anderson, Geo. Reese, Wm. Steele, Capt. McGriffin, Hardy Owens, Mr. Whitner, Mr. Calhoun and Gen. Earle; the seats and pulpit were furnished by Gen. Pickens individually. Gen. Andrew Pickens, Gen. Robert Anderson, and Major Dickson were chosen Elders when the church was organized.
Entering the church yard and turning to the left, we come to the grave of the Rev. Thos. Reese, deceased. The Ses- sions Book informs us that Dr. Reese was installed pastor of the Society in 1792 ; having graduated at Princeton Col- lege in 1768. He pursued his studies with an ardour that injured his health and abridged his life. He died in 1796, at the age of 54 years, leaving behind him the character of a distinguished scholar, an able preacher, and an eminently pious man. It was our intention to have dwelt at length upon the character and services of Dr. Reese, but circum- stances will not permit. Indeed, after reading the spirited sketch of his life and labors, drawn by Dr. Witherspoon, of Alabama, and published in the Sixth Column No. 1, of
* Pendleton Messenger, date of issue unknown.
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the Southern Presbyterian Review, we feel that it is unne- cessary.
Dr. Reese is an historical character; was an ardent pa- triot, wrote and spoke for American Independence, and those who would know more of him can consult Ramsey's History, Foote's Sketches of North Carolina, and Chancel- lor James' Life of Marion. The latter, speaking of Dr. Reese, says: "In contemplating the meek and unobtrusive manners of this eminent servant of the Most High, we do not hesitate to say he was a pattern of Christian Charity, as nearly resembling the Divine Master as has been exhibited by any of his contemporary fellow-laborers in the Gospel." A fit tribute to a truly great and good man.
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