University of South Carolina Libraries
- * * -7X * ** , . " ' ft , j . >i. , . . ft * ' "3^*" " ' ' ?iiM?BMM U " . BgBBgSgagBggBBBHWtEgSBMMI^MB-MBHgB , 1 - U'J M??SB- B LEWiS M. g-msi', " &tt l^tnbtnl ^araHj |tti?spaptr: Jinr % |r(imotian oHbt |olilkal, Social. Igrirultiiral mib Coimntrcial Mrtsls of Ibe South. """" M' ?"? . - " ~~ .' ' ' ,:j . . . , -i.' a-. : ? :'-t..t >,w ,, , ' '- ' ' i<u ,'LX* L^'ir ~T *<>Ta iM ' VOL. 14. YOEKVILLE, 8. P.. THTXBSPAY, KOTHMliKK 96, 1868.- ,TO-ri.4g" Home pstorg. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF . BETHESDA CHURCH. BY REV. JOHN 8. HARRIS. Robert Robertson, a native of North Carolina, was added to the Eldership in 1815; was a man of exemplary christian character ; removed to Hall County, Georgia, in 1826, where he died in 1840. Of his family, one remains with us as the wife of one of our Eiders. Allison Hope was horn in Cabarrus County, N. Pomlino in 178/1 When miito a vrmriff man. he came to the bounds of Salem Church, in Union District, in which, for a short time, he served as an Elder. In 1812, fee removed to Bethesda and was re-elected an Elder here in 1815. After twentythree yean of devoted servioe here, he was constrained, by tbe necessitous condition of a Church, Mt Pleasant, just organized near his residence, to transfer his services thither; but after a very few yoars the Chnroh was dissolved, and he returned to Bethesda, and rested from his earthly labors, August 29th, 1842, being 62 years old. His wife, who had been Miss Jane Moore, survived him several years. And of two children?Robert S. is invested with the office, so long and exemplarily filled by bis father; and tbe daughter was a model wife of a physician and Elder of the Church in North Carolina. John M. Lindsay was a man of great energy ot character, an earnest minded christian, and a very prominent and efficient Elder, to which office he was admitted in 1824, being the same year in which he professed religion. Having spent his life of 57 years, within a few miles of his birth-plaoe, he entered into his Heavenly rest December 4th, 1847. j He left a widow, who had been Miss Catharine M. Miller, the subject of a severe affliction in her person, until relieved by death a few years after, and a family of four sons and a daughter, who are useful members of society?three being communicants in the beloved church, and one of them a Deaoon. ' | Samuel McNeel served only four years in the Eldership, being elected in 1824 and was released by death, April 4th, 1828, at the age of 52. He married Miss Elizabeth Jtainey, with whom be lived for a long period of life. His official work in the Church was soon, bnt well done. James S. Williamson, son of a former Elder, was enrolled among the Eldership in 1826. With much earnestness did he fill his station until he re- 1 fUnnhr Miooiaainni. in I 1 111UVCU u/ JL OUVia VVU1M/) i?iM3PWM?yy.| ^ He was there re-elected, to serve in a Church, called Fredonia, bat after many years, was trans- ; ferred to act in the same capacity in the- Church of . Sardis. He raised an interesting and promising family to cheer his maturing age. William Wallace married a daughter of our Elder, Robert Love, and was appointed to this office in 1826, but removed to Mississippi about 1830, and died in 1857, leaving a wife and seven children. He was a firm and zealous christian, and is remembered for his official fidelity. Robert Ash was inducted into the office of Elder 1 about 1830; was an humble and earnest chris- 1 tian of retiring manners; tnamea margaret Campton, of whom, children are still amongst us. His decease occurred January 11th, 1840, at the age of 50, and he rests among the fathers of the Church. Samuel Moore, bora and nurtured in the congregation, was joined to the Eldership in 1838. Modest and diffident in spirit, he was still a sincere and decided christian, and had the interests of his church at heart He died May 9th, 1852, at 60 years of age, leaving a considerable family, all of whom follow him in the ways of righteousness. R. Mitchell Love, was the third generation of Elders. He entered the office in 1838, and wore the robes with acceptance and usefulness, until his < sudden death, February 17th, 1853. His family of five children, four now living, ar^ all communicants in the Church of their godly anoestry. Dr. George Campbell was bora in York District, and devoted himself to God in early life. Was called to the Eldership in 1852, but in 1854 removed to Pleasant Hill, in North Carolina, where he also served as an Elder until his death, November 21st, 1861, being only thirty-five years old. Thus early passed away the lovely man, devoted christian, successful physician and noble officer in the Church. Beside this long catalogue of names of such aB have been removed from us as Elders, the following still live to adorn their office: John Starr, elected in 1838; Wm. Hanna, elected in 1838; F. A. Erwin, elected in 1852; J. C. Tipping, elected in 1852; J. J. Moore, elected in 1852; F. E. Moore, elected in 1852; J. M. McDowell, elected in 1857; It. S. Hope, elected in 1857; J. M. Moore, elected in 1857. Of these officers, living and associated with him in ruling the Church, the Pastor will add that they constitute, in most respeots, a model session. Intelligent men, of Christian spirit, they love and seek after whatever promotes the peace, purity, growth and prosperity of the Church. The Deacons of the Church.?The office of Deacon in this Church was not filled until 1844. Whence the neglect, we cannot tell; but suppose it to have been the fault of the Ministers in not unfolding the scriptural warrant for this officer. The first election resulted in the choice of the following : Col. A. S. Williamson, who removed to Panola, Mississippi, two years after, and was there invested with the same office, but now lives in Marshall County, still a useful member of the Church. Jas. Ash, who, however, on the grounds of bodily infirmities, declined the offioe; but to-day still lives as one of the brightest specimens of the suffering saints. F. A. Erwin, who discharged the duties of this office until his promotion to the Eldership, eight years after. Jas. M. McDowell, who also served with great fidelity until his advancement in 1857. Jas. Williamson, who, however, for only a few months was permitted to serve the Church, being called to his final rest, November 6th, 1844, in the - . 1 li.5 68th year of his age. Mis piety was unaouDtea, having yielded largely the fruits of faith and righteousness. In 1853, there were also added, Wm. Burris, D. D. Moore and Jos. C. Johnson, the two former of whom, are still with us in service, whilst the latter removed to North Carolina, in November, 1858. So, also, were then elected, Gustavus A. Williams, who, as an active and faithful officer, only demitted his office when summoned to his reward, July 20th, 1855, in the 35th year of his age, leaving as a sweet and blessed heritage to his widow and four children, the example of an earnest christian life. David Crawford, who, as an exemplary christian and zealous officer, was greatly lamented by the Church, at his death, in January, 1856, at the age of 46, having bequeathed to his wife and five small children, the influence of a godly life and the strong consolation that it is well with him in death. In 1857, Dndley Jones and Ed. A. Crawford were also added to the office; in 1858, R. M. Lindsay ; in 1859, R. Sadler, S. G. Poag and T. Simpson Tipping?all of whom are in office to-day exoept Mr. Jones, who has removed to Yorkville. Thus the Deaconate of Bcthesda is filled by seven officers, four of whom are, however, in the military , service of their country. The internal religious history of the Church now oer claims our attention. rea From what is known, the inference is warranted Un that Bethesda has always been characterized by a ma firm adherence to Presbyterian principles, doc- Afl trines and usages, and a decided preference for the site Gospel in its simplicity and unmixed parity, and bla by the elevated morals of the community. She Ma has had, from her earliest history, Ministers who, 8610 exoepting the impostor, were competent to feed the dm flock of Christ with the pure milk and strong meat sitt of the Gospel; who declared "the whole oounsel mu of God," and who were oontent, desired and labor- acc ed to see the sheep of God's pasture growing in Grace, and in the knowledge of God, and sinners tioi flocking to the Cross. Her officers, too, have been, dai generally, men of decided christian character, fair vio representatives of the intelligence and piety of the con in .nil wtin mm nhlfl fn command the 1 respect of all, and who thus stamped an impress adc upon the Church. So, too, the membership of at the Church, whilst constituted of all grades of society, have been so universally indoctrinated, and not have had so large a majority of examples before sivi them in fhvor of morality and practical godliness, all that they have sustained the honor of religion. ioe Blessed with such a Ministry, such offioers and such members, we can easily see why religions sen- P timent has so habitually had the ascendancy over * the popular mindand why the Church has al- ^ai ways been one of the most reputable and prominent in the up-oonutry, ranking with any in her internal composition, her ecclesiastical organism ' and arrangements, the practical exhibitions of see godliness and charity, and fidelity to all her trusts, of J As to the numerical strength of the Church pre- i?g viously to this century, we have no definite infor- one mation. But it was probably large from the first, iQt< as is inferable from the density of her population, hac and the immense proportion of this known to be he j Presbyterian by tuition and predilection. In the ^ beginning of this century, we have been informed, ed. the membership was about one hundred. Since san the year 1804, when large additions had been made bro to the membership, we have reliable data, fipm a?o which we ascertain that the average annual report *01 of members, for fifty years, was one hundred and j? sixty?being the highest in 1818, when it was nearly four hundred, and lowest in 1850, when, in con- ^rs - - ? - ? nni sequence of the years of immense mortality preoe- r~~ ding, and also, the extensive emigration to the w.ei West, it was reduced to one hundred and five. J10 There must evidently, then, have been frequent and important acoessions to the oommunicants in -* the Church, to fill up the breaches made by death DOt and emigration, and this is what might be expect- DUI ed from the character of her ministry, and the Church's known fidelity to her children and fami- *at' lies, and by the aid of the Divine Spirit But mo besides this gradual and constant increase of mem- ^ bers, there was, at intervals, a very large influx in- 000 to her oommunion, for Bethesda has enjoyed sev- me oral seasons of general religious awakening, and as n.UI father Walker used to say, "the people expected 8101 ODe every fifteen years." The first of these occurred in the beginning of this century, and we shall permit the lamented Bishop to describe it: "In 1802, the wonderful work of Grace which ini commenced in Kentucky, extended to this region of country. Id the spring, or early in the summer of ^ this year, a protracted meeting was appointed at g Bethesda, at which time the first Camp Meeting J31 was held at this Church. The neighboring Ministers were invited, and masses of people assembled Pre in expectation of a revival. They came from the ~ ?i__ tou twoUaroftna's?someasraras coircy onorcy nines? j ^ to attend the solemn occasion. Revivals of great . ' power had already appeared in some of the surrounding congregations; bnt a special work of Grace appeared now at Bethesda. It passed Im through that vast assembly like some mighty whirl- jj wind. The people were moved as the trees of the wood are moved by the wind. Subjects were ta- ve^ ken from almost every age, class, character and ~ oondition. Hundreds retired from that assembly ? who had felt the mighty power of the work; and as very many returned to their homes, 'rejoicing in me hope of the glory of God.' Thus commenced an^ that remarkable work in the congregation, known . as the (old revival,' and which continued with great , 1 power, between three and four years. Such mass- .e es now crowded the house of God, that iu good weather, want of room compelled them to retire to the grove. They assembled early on Sabbath morning at the place of worship, not for worldly [ conversation or amusement, but to transact busi- , k ? ^ "*? "1 An tkoir ue5? lur bUC VlcrillU vruuu* xuiuicviiavoi^ vu wuvti arrival, not waiting on the presence of the Pastor, .r?' the people commenced prayer, praise, religious conference and conversation, with the anxious en- 1 quirer. In such exercises, in connection with W( public worship, was the day measurably spent and at evening the people retired to their homes, 0 with an overwhelming sense of eternal things possessing the soul. Meetings for prayer, during the 8 1 days or nights of the week, were appointed in dif? ferent parts of the congregation and attended by 1 crowds, for they now considered secular pursuits, pnj as secondary to the interests of eternity. Such was the all-pervading Solemnity resting on the pub- ^ lie mind, that fashionable amusements, sports and IC pastimes which had been so common, disappeared J as darkness does at the approach of dawn, and the fcw< chill of winter with the return of Spring. The wa business of life was not neglected, but such was - - - .t r* *no the absorbing interest then felt in the tnmgs 01 *"* the soul, that wherever men assembled, were it to m repair or oonstruct the roads, to raise the house, ^ clear the fields or remove the rubbish, and even to wb husk the corn, (at other times demoralizing) the work of Grace then progressing, and the salvation tifi of the soul, were the general topics of conversa- boi tion. And even when they assembled at the house k" on such occasions, to take their meals, it was not da; uncommon to spend a time in sooial prayer and ^al praise, and religious conference, before resuming I'M their labor. "These were happy golden days, lm 8weetly spent In prayer and praise." qj "What number of persons became hopeful sub- th< jects of Grace during this revival, can be learned sio in eternity alone. Many from a distance, it is be- bu lieved, were savingly impressed while attending Ch protracted meetings at Bethesda, who returned to dis their homes, and whose subsequent history was of in course unknown to the Churoh. Many hopeful wfc subjects of the gracious work united themselves to dn other branches of the Church, and large addi- tin tions were made to this Church. It is known to ed [some of you, I am informed, that at the com- ' | mencement of this gracious work, the number of ]ov persons in actual oommunion in this Church, did aQI not amount to eighty, and at the close of the revi- pr) val, it largely exceeded three hundred. And even qqi after the Church Bupposed the revival at an end, m? its gleanings for years continued to come into the to Church. From all I can learn, I am induced to r0, believe that Bethesda alone, received more than y6{ three hundred members on profession of their its faith, as the fruits of this one revival. i0Y "There were some things conneoted with this tec work, which were very peculiar in their nature, in pe! relation to which good and judicious men sincerely am differed. Of these I am not at this time called to vie express an opinion. Some who came into the H( Church afterwards dishonored their profession; but he: the large mass, as you, yourself, are aware, gave coi evidence of genuine piety. There are still some pe: subjects of that revival living among us, whom we a f love and revere; but the greater part are "fallen ca] asleep.'' So that whatever may be said of the al-1 p? leged irregularities and excesses of those times, I fro tain it is, that this Church and oommunity have ped lasting benefit from that work of Graoe. belief and skeptioism were oonfonnded, and in ny instanoes were oompelled to acknowledge >t it was the 'finger of God.' The caviller was need: the hardened sinner, and even the bold sphemer were melted, subdued and changed, ny who had once been leaders in sin, npw reibled the man in the Gospel, who, from a wild noniac, was seen 'olothed in his right mind and ing at the feet of Jesus.' The Chnrch made ch advancement. For in addition to its large eaaion of members, the people of God were rejhed and invigorated, and took a higher posi3 in the oommonity; religion acquired an asoentoy over the public miDd, which it had not prously held here, and which, to some extent, has itinoed to this day." Po this, the writer of this historical sketch, may I, that he has a list of names of persons, who, the commencement of this religions interest, aed a pledge to one anotner, tnat tney wouia yield to the influence now developing so eztenily among the people, but as the result proved, of these were, during the meeting, made genuconverts, thus evincing the power of efficacious ice and God's "making the wrath of man to iae Him." n 1817, another precioos season of Divine Grace i experienced by this Church. Concerning this v. R. B. Walker wrote, in one of the periodii of the day, as follows: 'The Communion at Bethesda was held on the and Sabbath in September, five weeks after that Bullock's Creek, and two after the Salem meet, (both of which he describes in full). Bethesda, e remarkably favored of the Lord, was now sunk ) a slate of languor as to Divine things. Many I begun to fear that the Lord had forgotten to gracious; that His meroy was clean gone forever, 1 that the harvest was past and the summer endand many were not saved. The services of the ctuary commenced on Friday. Almost every w appeared to indicate deep impression of mind I a desire to hear the word of eternal life. The rds of eternal life were delivered, heard and felt their awful importance, and forty joined the urch and partook of the Lord's Supper for the t time. The weather was unpleasant; rains ired down in almost incessant torrents, which -e exceeded in nothing unless in showers of Di e lirace, in tne awakening, convincing, ounv?rLand consoling influence of the Holy Spirit" To this we add, the crowds in attendance were so large as on the former occasion, and so, the nber of persons under the influence not so exsive; but in the judgment of eye-witnesses, ier Walker among them, the Church received re real strength than in the great revival, fifn years previously. Not so many professed versions proved spurious, and physical exciteut not so prevalent or controlling. The precise nber brought to the Saviour, during the occai, cannot now be ascertained, but it far exoeed. the number mentioned as first admitted to the sramental Supper. Upon good authority, we y say that two hundred, at least, were gathered is the fruits of this revival, n 1832 the showers of Divine Grace were again iously poured upon the people. Rev.. Daniel iter, who was, the aoting ^vaQgdltertrr ith Carolina, was the favored instrument, under i, of arousing the community to an unusual apciation of i)ivine things. Unpropit.ious as the e was, being upon the heels of a most calamis political excitement in the State, yet it is one g to be remembered by this Church, The prer . .VDi.nnna/] nr a/l/Iort In flip Ohllrfill ; UULLl l/Cl IIIUUUIIVA/U Ui uuuvv vv vww not be estimated, but besides numbers then adted to communion, large numbers of others, dying for membership years after, pointed back ;bat as the time of their conviction, if not oon* sion. ^gain, in 1852, Dr. Baker renewed his visit to thesda, and with him there returned a rich efion of the Holy Spirit About thirty were imdiately admitted to fellowship in the Church, 1 numerous others who dated their impressions this occasion, afterwards took their stand on the rd's side. Thus it appears that previously to i existing Pastorate, there have been four occais constituting marked eras in the Church, and m each of which, the Church has reaped a harit which, if not unmixed, was yet a substantial ie6t to the cause of God and religion. Since the period of the .present Pastorate, there ire been no occasions recognized as of a general ival, but the additions to the numerical and reious strength of the Church have been regular, e annual reports have shown never less than jnty members added, and never more than thirfive. The aggregate of additions, in six years pastoral labors, is one hundred and sixty-eight mbers. and by this augmentation, the member p has been lifted, over and above losses by death 1 removals, from one hundred and eighty to -ee hundred and five members. This being the ;sent number. By this strictly religious survey, we can pass, by iy transition, to speak of the agitations and conts to which the Church has been subjected, [n some Churches in the land, a division besen patriots and loyalists, in the Revolutionary r, created sad bickerings and confnsion in the nmunity. But, to the honor of the Presbyten Churoh in general, resistance to British tyiny was well nigh universal, and to the honor of thesda, in particular, her membership and the ole community, may be pronounced a unit on i question ; for the half-loyalists were not idened with the Church, although living within her ands; and besides, they were only neutrals, ta>g no part whatever against the patriots, and toy there are not a dozen persons who know what uilies belong to the class of neutral loyalists, so lie variance did their conduct generate. Thus 3 peace of this Church was not, for a moment, periled by what was prolific in troubles to other lurches and denominations. A few years after )se political strifes, there occurred that dissenn, already alluded to, produced by McCarrar } t this, although it dissolved the harmony of the lurch for a few years, finally subsided, and the affected party, who did not remove, asquiesced the summary condemnation executed upon him 10. besides having loose morals, (being guilty of mkenness and fornication) added the sin of creag a feud in God's house atBethesda, accustomto dwell together in unity, rhe advent of John L. Davis, a disguised folder of Barton W. Stone, who came about 1818 d remained until 1825, made no permanent imjssion. Although ho lived in the midst of the igregation, and in private and public, made my laborious, insidious and hypooritical efforts instill his tenets?which were only exploded er s of SooiDianism?into the minds of the people, t i_ j:_i &:tL _ r c?i.i I ne only uiaiurueu tuc iuiiu ui a icw wue tjpir, for a time, bat gained none to become his foleers. The people ha<3 been too well indoctrinal and had too much affection fbr the pure Gos1 of the Son of God, to be induced by any aots, i seduced to deny the "Divinity of Christ?His arious atonement," the personality of the )ly Spirit and original sin. Hence although these resies were cunningly insinuated through his iversation and doctrines, in connection with surabundant avowals of charity and brotherly love, avorite device of those who would deceive and Dtivate, yet his impressions on the minds of the ople vanished with his own disgraoeftil flight m the community, from which he was driven by 4* popular indignation against his corrupt character and vicious habits, which time and circumstances had unmasked aDd expoeeda;/. \ , . ; We may farther add thai Sister denominations have not invaded, to any considerable extentj the ordinal terri to ry o f Be thesdo, nor alienated the sons o? the Church. To-day. Botbeeda occupies an-ami twelve by fourteen miles square, and within this boundary there resides ninety families, who constitute the Churoh?these being mingled with less than a score of ftraifietf .who belong to four other communions. Althoqg^a tnnd of aoentuiy since, three meeting houses WH&fa&withtu our bounds, yet so little vigor and prosperity have the ohurches attained, that they offer little1 interference with the growth of Bethesda. In ffcctj jjie grand children and great grand children of the primitive settlers, so far from having taken fefage in other Communions, zather glory in fcctag Presbyterians, and with wondrous unanimity hssat upon worshipping and working and dying in connection with the good old Church of their fathers. And happily does this oondition of things act upon the Pastor. When he goes forth on pastoral errands, he can enter the house with ease and confidence, for he knows their sympathies and attachments are with him and his Church. And he can preach any message or doctrine the Gospel may authorize, for his own people are in attendance, and he knows they are rooted and grounded on the true faith. After looking at this portrait of the Church, au interest must attach in each mind to the euqtriry: What contributions has the Church made to the interests of society at laroe. and the welfare of the world f It were impertinent to seek for the beneficial effects exerted by the Gospel as preached and exemplified, in restraining and elevating those whom it did not save ; bat for this, there is no measure or gange beyond the morality which has ever characterized the oommunity. So, too, it would repay attention and labor, oooldwe estimate the number of son Is who have lived and died here as trophies of redeeming love, and the amount given, in varied forms, to all christian and benevolent objects and enterprises, bat as no data exists for ascertaining either, we leave them to the imagination. As some, however, of the palpable traits yielded by the Church, we shall proceed to name and characterize the ministers who have been nurtured within and gone forth from the Church's [bounds. 1 We mention Rev. Ja& MoElhaney. Although i he was born in Waxhaw Church, he was brought to Bethesda when ten years old, and here lived until he began the ministry, His Classical education was oondocted trader Dr. Alexander, of Bullock's Creek. He married Miss Jane Moore, of Bethesda, who lived but a short time and left him but one child. He, we believe, studied Theology after his marriage. In the ontset of his ministry, be went to John's Island, where he labored for some time, and there married Mrs. 8. Wilkinson. Subsequently, he bought a plantation in old Pendleton, the Jate residence of the Hon. John C. Calhoun, and there having charge of what was popularly known as the "Stone Church," ministered until his death, several years ago. Rev. Price preached a sermon upon the oocarion of his death, and that of Rev. John Murphy conjointly, and it was published, but it has never reached the ^ye of tbe wntBrr ? Rev. John McElhaney, D. D., brother of the above, was the youngest of six children, and was brought to Bethesda when only a few months old. After prosecuting his academical course under Rev. R. B. Walker, in Bethesda, he repaired, in the year 1800, to the large academy, taught by Rev. James Gilliland, in Spartanburg District, and joined the Church, probably Nazareth, near that Academy. In 1802, he entered Washington College, Ya,, having left home for Yale College, but ! did not go that fhr, beoause of suspension of College exercises, on acoount of Yellow Fever. Studied Theology and was licensed to preaoh by Lexington Presbytery, February 11th, 1808, at New Providence Church, Rockbridge County, Virginia. In April following, he received a call from the Chnrches of Lewisburg and Union, Over these Churches he was ordained in April 1809. Labored in the united charge until 1834, when he oeased to labor in Union Church, being confined to Lewisburg. In this Church he preaohed his semi-centenary sermon, Jnne 5th, 1858. To-day he -still abides, performing pastoral work in a Church where he has stood as a noble and devoted herald of the cross for fifty-five years. He is emphatically the Patriarch of Presbyterianism in the whole region, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. His labors in the Lord have been truly abundant. Rev. Francis H. Porter next claims attention. Daring his infancy and youth, his father, David Porter, lived in Bethesda, where Francis received his primary education, under Rev. R. B. Walker. At a proper age, he repaired to the high sohool of Dr. Jas. Hall, He also studied Theology. When licensed by Presbytery of Concord in 1812, he had charge of Mount ZionCollege, Winnsboro', S. C., and for a time preached in. that vicinity. Subsequently he supplied the Churches of Purity and Concord, in Chester and Fairfield Districts. He afterwards removed to Ashevillfr N. C., where he ministered to Suwanno and Ruins Churches, at the same time conducting a flourishing Classical Academy. After the lapse of some years, he came back to Cedar Spring, in Spartanburg District, where he also had an Academy, at the same time preaohlng to Fair Forest and, perhaps, Nazareth Churches. He visited Alabama as early as 1818, held a two day's meeting there and administered the Lord's Supper under a spacious oak, and repeated his visit in 1821, and held another similar meeting, Ou both these oooaslons, parents carried their children thirty miles to have them baptized. He removed from Sooth Carolina, in the Spring of 1828, and joined the Presbytery of Southern Alabama. He labored both as an instructor of youth and preacher, and supplied respectively the Chunks of Flat Creek, In Monroe County} Good Hope, in Lowndes County; Pisgah and Selma, in Dallas County, and Hebron and New Hope, in Greene County. As a preacher, he was solid, sound, practical and instructive. As a teacher, he had many peculiar qualifications, and was aminonflo cnoeftosfiil?-havlnfif bC6U the educator of many distinguished men, among whom areex-Gov. Swain, of North Carolina, and ex-Gov. Gist, of South Carolina. His earthly labors ended in 1845, when he passed to his rest in the 59th year of his age. He was buried at Bethsalem Churoh, in Greene County, Alabama. What a heritage is left to the Churoh, is known to those who, a few months since, read the obituary of his now sainted widow, who was the daughter of Rev. J. D. Kilpatrick, of North Carolina, and who know the characters and positions sustained in the Presbyterian Church, by his four sons in the ministry. Next in order, is Rev. John Williamson. He was a son of Elder Samuel Williamson, and was born and reared in the Churoh, where he was classically educated under Rev. R. B. Walker. He was licensed to preach in 1812, and settled in North Carolina. Married Miss Mary Eliiabeth Doby, and of his daughters, one is the living wife of a former Pastor, and another was the wife of a ruling Elder in Bethesda. He preached the greater part, if not all, his ministerial life, at Hopewell Churoh, in North Carolina, where he died in 1841. He was a man of brilliant and vigorous mind, fluent and chaste in his style and delivery, polished and agreeable in his manners, and a highly esteemed, attractive and useful minister of the Gospel He left to his children and widow, a large worldly estate, as well as a holy and exemplary life to be enjoyed as .their heritage. Rev. Samuel Williamson, D. D., was also born in Betheada, being abrother of the former. After an academical oonrse under father Walker, he was graduated with distinction in the South Carolina College, in 1818. After a few years of teaching and. private study of Theology, he was licensed by Concord Presbytery and preached at the Churches of Providence and Sharon, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and taught an academy in the bounds of the former. After a Pastorate of about fifteen years here, be was elected a Professor in David^n Cohef^,'. which he accepted in 1838, OWph against fherwishes of.his oongregatiop, and was shortly afterwards promoted to the Presidency of,the. same institution. This position he filled until 1864, when he resigned and retired to the Church of Hopewell, and served that people until 1856, in the fall of which year he removed to Washington, Arkansas, where he is to-day an aged but active Pastor. The writer hopes to be pardoned in saying of Dr. Williamson, that his partialities for him are very great Nor are they unreasonable, when besides his real merits, it is .known that he married oar parents, baptised ouraelf and brother and asters, buried our ancestry, taught us the alphabet, led us through Coflege as the President and Pastor, and lastly received us into the communion of the Church. To him as a son, may Bethesda ever point as one of her jewels. Bev. Logging Clinton, a son of Wm. Clinton, also went forth from Bethesda. He completed his coarse in the South Carolina College in 1821. In Ihe outset of his ministry, he went to Georgia, where'he labored and died several years since. He has two brothers, prominent lawyers, but from these the writer could elicit no information. His ministry was short, but we have reason to believe was very effective. Bev. A. P. Silliman was also born and reared in the bonnds of Bethesda. He was a son of John Silliman, who was an Elder in the neighboring Associate Reformed Church, Tinah. Having removed to Georgia, his father and family connected themselves with the Presbyterian Church, and hence the son is now a highly useful minister in our Churoh, being the Pastor of Ebenezer Church, Clinton, Alabama. Eev. C. J. Siliiman was, also, born five miles East from Betheeda. His early life was superintended by his uncle John, his father, James, having died when 0. J. S. was very young. He was graduated at Oglethorpe, in 1862, and in the Theological Seminary, in 1855, and went immediately upon his license, as a missionary, to the Indians west of Arkansas. After being there a short time, the symptoms of a fatal long disease were deVeloped, and he wishing to die among his friends, started for them to Alabama, but was arrested by the hand of death among strangers, in Texas, where he died in the winter of 1866, being about thirty years old. - He was a devotedly pious man, earnest and diligent in his work, and gave promise of no ordinary usefulness in the important field to which he had gone. But the Divine Master was pleased to call him to dem&his ministry after only ayear's occupancy of the trust. To. the lives and lahnrg ftf thpaft jnrrimh?ntft^? the sacred office of the Ministry, can Bethesda point, as one embodiment of the influence she has exerted upon the world; for in the results of their respective work are to be reoognlaed the growth and perpetuation of principles and impressions derived, under God, from her as a fountain. She feels honored of God in having been permitted to do so much for the Church at large, in the persons of these ministers of the New Testament But passing from this we may enter another depayUuent of. influence, and can see that the old Church has done well to the cause of humanity, in haying given thirty of her sons to the practice of medicine. The Physicians who have gone forth from Bethesda, are as follows: Br. Josiah Moore began to practice in 1798, in Danville, Kentucky. In 1803, moved to YorkyiDe..: ? Bn William Bratton began to practice at Pinckneyville, S. C., about 1800. Afterwards went to WinnBboro'. Dr. Haslett Clendennin began to practice in 1805, and subsequently went to Baltimore, Md. Dr. W. Gibson began to practioe in 1810, and soon removed to Georgia.. Dr. Jas. Davidson began to practice in 1812 and removed to Georgia. He was a son of Elder Elias Davidson. . .. ?, , _ Dr. Jobn S. Bratton began to practice in 1812, and lived and died in York District ' Dr. Charles Hanna began to practice in 1809, and moved West, to Alabama. Dr. Wm. Moore began to practice in 1814, and located in Yorkville. Dr. Alexander Clendennin began to practice in 1815, and settled in Baltimore, Md. Dr. Nathan Marion began to practice in 1816, and loeated near Charleston, S. C. Dr. L. 0. Williamson began to practice in 1825, in Lancaster District, where be still lives. Dr. M. A. Moore began to practice in 1819, in Yorkville, but afterwards moved to, and lives at, Glenn Springs. Dr. John Hall began to practice in 1820, in York District, where be still lives. Dr, Samuel Dale began to practice in 1823, and located in Lincoln Connty, N. C. Dr. Wm. McNeil began to practice in 1825, located and still lives in York District. Dr. Stewart Starr began to practice in 1830; located in York District, and died in 1842. Dr. William Hemmingway began to practice in 1835, and removed to Yorkville. Dr. C. P. Sandifer began to practice in 1837, in York District, where be still lives. XJl JLUUOI uauuiivi uo^au iv puvuiwv ?u *wwj removed to, and still lives in, Mecklenburg County, N. C. Dr. J. Stanhope Moore began to practice in ] 839, afterwards removed to Mississippi, and died in 1854. Dr. R. H. Hope began to practice in 1840, and still lives in York District. Dr. S. E. Bratton began to practice in 1842, in York District, but went to Memphis, Tennesse, in 1859. Dr. Washington McNeil began to practice in 1841, in Chester District Dr. J. R. Bratton began to practice in 1845, in Yorkville, where be still lives. Dr. J. F. Lindsay began to practice in Yorkville, where he still lives. Dr. W. S. Moore began to practice in York District moved to Georgia, but is now in York District Dr. R. L. Love began to practice in 1846, in York District, where he still lives. Dr. Ratchford began to practice in 1842, in York District Dr. R. C. Hanna began to practice in 1856, in York District, where he died in 1862. Dr. John McNeil studied medicine in 1861, but is now (1863) in the army. To the enumeration of medical gentlemen, we are also authorized to report the following, as haying entered the legal profession, from our bounds: Ex-Governor Adair, of Kentucky; Robt. Clendinnin, Daniel McNeil, Erwin Clinton, Minor Clinton, Black Davidson, Jos. G. Martin, J. M. Martin, W. A. Moore, Edward Moore, Samuel Givens, and M. A. Moore, Jr. Being twelve in all. As another illustration of the influence that has emanated from Bethesda, we may . allude to the tide of emigration that has almost constantly been flowing from her borders. And here we strike a sea without a shore. It is beyond possibility for this generation to compote the flowing numbers of i those who, FroTT) differept motives, h^ve forsaken [WWKIjl '.Betb,e?H If ]jr bor and habitations elsewhere. She -has sent forth . her sons and daughters, tp organize, up-build and sustain Churches, ufotdd society Wf *aid the commonwealth, into every ?tate, and into ev$ry por tion of every State in the Confederacy, west of S. . Carolina. Could we, indeed, trace these offshoots . of the parent stem, we would find whose foliage and fruita have been long fructifying , hundreds of oommunitiee. Bat we can only give wings Lo our fancy, and despair of oomputing the numbers who once were identified witn our old Church. The Ashs, Blacks, Brattons, Clintons, Erwins, Flemtnings, Hannas, Hopes, McCrearys, Moores, McFaddens, Sadlera, Simpsons, Steeled, Wallaces, Trnrrinrrfl Ttnbert/jnna. WaTVptsj and fuytrm nf nth. ere, wherever found, are representatives of Prefijj^ terianism and of Bethesda'# influence abroad. But we close our sketch bjr the final remark that Bethesda has been greatly blessed of God. Blesaed in our soil, which, though so long under culturp, still yields copiously to the husbandman. Blessed in having had men of sterling worth forlier origi- , nal population, and the same as descendants. Blessed in having had the mesnaof Grace so uninterruptedly. During 70 yean she has not been ; vacant fbr six months at one time. Blessed in having had so few Pastors: only five having been i connected with her since 1794. Blesaed in the j family succession of many of her officers. In one . instance the office of Elder descended to the third \ generation. In seven others, two generations have j sat on the bench. Blessed in having a people at- 1 tached to the place of worehip, and disposed to i maintain the old metes and bounds of the congre- i gregation. Blessed in the respectable position ever i maintained among her neighboring ohnrches. I Blessed in what she achieved fbr the souls of all i within her embrace, and in having sent forth her j thousand additions to other ohnrches, and oecu- I pants of other poets of honor and influence. Blessed to-day, in having so large a body of communi- ] cants. " May she ever be blessed of God, and may he j make her, in the future, more than ever a "Bethea- ; da," a house of mercy and kindness to her people j and the world. < ?.;j ?a?, IpSttUattrous gUadiitg.' - i ALMOST CAPTURED. J I was serving as quartermaster of the ?d New ; York State Volunteers, in the Shenandoah, in the ' spring of 1862, and was upon the day to which 1 my story relates, out with a foraging party of my ' own men. r r" . r t, I am a West Virginian by birth, and was oonse- < quently pretty much at home on the ground over 1 which we were traveling. Oar column was advancing, and 1 rarely allowed it to'gooutof sight 1 We did not do our foraging on the rebel plan of i -setztfTg-crrrrrttamg ou WfflflH WO COtlid lay omH hands, whether it belonged to friend or foe, and < appropriating it by force of arms; but went out i with a sizeable roll of greenbacks, and paid asking prices for every bit of provender we brought back < to camp. Many times on these excursions I was tempted to renew some of my friendships of years gone by, and drop in upon the wayside mansions rather as < a guest than as a buyer of pigs and poultry, but I resisted the' inclination, for the reason that it was < bard to tell where I might find friends, and where I foes, who, though they might be only passive ones, I had it in their power to make my oall a very un- ' pleasant one. I had been especially attentive to my errand, ' hardly allowing myself to look np from my bar- < gaining with some sable aunty or uncle, when I i knew that a pair of bright eyes were looking down < from the piazza, or female ears were listening, co- | rionsly, to catoh any little matter connected with < the "dicker," that might be of interest With 1 this virtuous resolve strongly upon me, I was I slightly taken aback in the midst of my acquisition 1 of a dozen of ducks and d few score of eggs, the J lawfiii perquisites of a stout wdnch, by a'silvery J voice that struck something of memory calling '< "Captain 1" i I raised my eyes, to see above me, on the bal- j cony, Mrs, Grant Wetherbee, once Miss Kate Cor- 1 nell, and onoe my acme of perfection and Virginia n beauty. Five years had gone past sinoe 1 had 1 submitted to have my heart torn into minute sbreds 1 by being present at the wedding where the beauti- 1 ful Kate was transformed into Mrs. Grant Weth- ] erbee, and yet upon the first glance that same heart J bounded with something veiy like the old love? ' bounded so forcibly, indeed, that it sent me spring- ( ing from-my horse and np to the verandah without { further notice. It is hardly necessary for me to tell exactly how glad we were to meet I say "we," because I can ] speak confidently of myself, and I am sure, if I can believe in eyes, quite as confidently for my fair 1 friend. Nothing would now do bnt I must now ! enter, and the names of the fair ones who would : greet me inside were rehearsed. A more denying disposition than mine would have yielded when I \ heard the promise of finding in the parlors two of 1 the most elegant women in Virginia, firm friends 1 of mine in the past. I believe that they were really glad to sec me, } and I will not offer an apology for yielding to the cordial invitation, pressed upon me, that I should ' 1 1_ i IlV il? J ( spena an nour or iwu wuu uiclu, nuu duotc, wum a soldier has so seldom offered to him, a bounteous 1 and refined tea-table. 1 I accepted?how could I help it??after stepping out upon the verandah, and sending my men about two miles across the country to a mill, where they were to obtain some sacks of corn, with or- 1 ders after that to join the regiment, and report me absent till dark. The tea was dispatched, and t we returned to the parlor, bat my ftir hostess ^ would not hear me speak of departure yet I must j play a game of chess and drink some of that su- , perb sherry I was wont to praise five years before, ' when it made part of her father's cellar. Chess and sherry, with one of the most beautiful women j south of Mason and Dixon's line! I was but a man, and I yielded, though I knew that our line 8 had passed on, and that I should have a hard and perhaps a risky gallop to overtake them. ' The chess had advanced but a little way, and I was conscious of spending one of the happiest hours of my existence, when the door of the room | in which we sat was thrown open and five gentle- j men in the uniform of officers in the Confederate j service entered. As quick as lightning I glanced j into the faces of the three ladies who were my entertainers, and as quickly I became convinced they. ' were innocent Fortunately I was enabled to pre- i serve my presence of mind, and when Mrs. Weth- 1 erbee said: < "Captain Foote, allow me to present Colonel \ Ashby." ; I rose quietly, and taking his hand, responded\ "I am happy to meet one of whom I have heard so much." Then, with an introduction to the others of the I party, we became seated I cannot help admit- 1 ting that there was a momentary embarrassment 1 I with all the party, and for a minute nobody spoke, i k It iwfmedtfc* K was rectified instantly, and the convereatipn flowed BttootWy.- M$r e&tta W difdp{^j|^iyti^erthe war. This was a taboed rabject, and not one ^Ve It would be useless to deny that diiihi(|tliia tim? my-mind witmniim things beadse those opob whioh Iwaa-talkinf. Tinewtbitf IwasCofc Asbby'&Tntse^tkwa^ iWnf /v : I'Mi-rru4 ^1 ' -**" mt' *' ?01a QOuDb wueluer u0 meant "to eniuroB toe XOTOB I?Wd no?*4i) *&**)} AmuMiw,ur?sa ;^jLttbe tinL cftae wben I,mart .bring the mstiefrto-SBseto?i*be^^*lio deplete- WkS ever the end might be, I did not iatdil the! Astft by or.hifl dnaatfc dtet&heea'jt matydfmsot amy manner of taking leavMhat?i/foba* rtataae so* pected soeb a tcTcm? interview.: Jn withoutastni^e j aait waa but a few nights bewhile uponAmf, to fiome fen ones outside our limw, *nd the innirtiet had served. for socoe h*rd jokes on the now imprisoned aaoate : Itwae well worth a bit Of ftftfr, thefafeitt'to avoid not only being taken prisoner, hot being taxM^Wb ignoble a way. ' fwfl?-I bademJrMr eam&eiB^M^g^rep^ wrain, ai^.iuivaDoed ^ do tlwi'itiivtt^W' OafcukJ Ashby and his friends, bat foand them on'ihrir feetrWd preparing,also, to- dtptfti j JL d*U never forget the minato that Jt'tobkinateaQaeh the pw ma?it seemed'a* age. '1 hafrpMrnd op my nroid by the way, having mibookled fcndstood it in a.borifer of the room when I sat down to chess, md grasped it tigh%1by the. scabbard, in my left hand, prepared to use it on the slightest demonstration. My horae stood^fostened, within a few feet, and I felt that if loose got overdue bask I oaa no iear 01 toe wnote party. v.t t: .. > It was just dark, and we all stood an instant looking out upon the landscape. Every moment I ^cpected to hear the words,''Cajkaiiv you are my prisoner L" when I noticed -a? look efc mtrifigwefe pass between the colonel and his adjutant I jtaspedmyswordtighteifand looked -ih the -dirao- . lion of their-eyee, -and' with/a great bound of the beart saw my own men ooming slowly op toward Whether they were deceived and believed them i equad of- their own in the dim light, or really knew What they were and tented tony ganenwity, [ could not tell, but after theyhad AMp emerged into the road I temed toward iij) liiigphrahui and, vritfa one glance into their ineewtaWr l ew)f my men coming up after me, and it might be in pleasant fbryockito motothetoJ.W.n<? ?w *4 ' "Gdod-night,' ctJptam?I toank^V'iytofcfl he teaponsej and in a motnent 1 win on: toy hbr^e, ~~~ ?ey migfit warn me of several wandering parties jf "robe" they knew>to be out, and prevent me from being picked-up. | ' > I never knew Nhefcber Xwas a prisoner that stoning or hot. ' > -:i >: ' ? < GETTING ON IN THE WORLD. "There are many difereofc ways of getting on in the world; it cfoes not always mean making a. great leal of money* pjc.}>ein0^?^ nan for the people to look; .np to with wonder. Leaving^off a bad habit for a gOne?Da,iigottiaff?ain the wwrld; to be careful and saving 'instead of (hmglilhi and wasteful, is ftetfirig'ti&f be a^d-kf*T industrious, instead of Idle land and furbeaoiigv iMfcs^.of. ill-nafcired and laarrelsome i? getting,on; to1:Wock:ae dihigeatly in the master's ; abaaane as in his presence, is getting on; in short, when we see anyone properly attentive to his duties, persevering thfough -such hfficohi&to gain sUch' bwwtedgenS skaS be of iae to himself and ot&fn, wnd offiufcfe igood exbe sure that he is getting ou in the world. Money * a very useful article in this way, but it is poasi ble to get on williaronil ?Mgf for it is a Mistake to suppose that we must wait for a good deal of money-before we cmr do anything. Perseverance is often better than a full purse. There are more belpg toward getting on than is oommonly supposed ; many people lag behind or mias -the.way altogether, because tbay.dp not see .the abundant and simple aeare whichosmundtbemataHadee, ind so it happens that there are aide whicheeiioot be bought with money. Those who wish to ?et on in the world most have a stock of.patienoe> rf hopeful confidence, a wiQiogness to lean, and a disposition not easily oast down fay di&oulties and disappointments^ ' # Popular Errors.?Tothink that the mere a nan eats the fatter and stronger he will become. To believe the more hours children study the faster they learn. To conclude that, if exercise is good, the more violent it is the more good is done. To imagine that every hour taken from sleep is an hour gained. To act on the presumption that the smallest room in the house is large enough to sleep in. To argue that whatever remedy causes one to feel immediately better is good for the system, prithout regard to more ulterior effects. To eat without an appetite j or to continue to eat after it las been satisfied, merely to gratify the' taste. To rata hearty supper for the plinaeuis OfrJnptod it the expense of a ithole night of dbtarbed deep ind a weary waking in the 'moriung. Mental and Manual Labor.?Prof Houghton, of Trinity Collet, baa published sonde curious chemical compilations; respecting. the relative amounts of physical exhaustion produced by mental ind manual labor. According to these chemical estimates, two hours of severe mental labor abstract !rom the human system as much vital'strength as l>n an anfiM ifin ftf Tiaivtwnvlr IS UUkCU UUUJ in UJ tut HMMIW wy v+ nw?mw Hiis fact, whioh seems to net upon ptriotfy scieoafio laws, shows that the men who do brain work hould be careful, first, not to Over task themselves jy continual exertion; and secondly, that they should not omit to take physical exercise on a part if each day, sufficient to restore the equilibrum berween thenervouaandthemuscularsyBtem.? Ical and Surgical Reporter. ... ; 0 ? J J---* tO* Old Tom Corwin never said * more tntthfhl thing than the following in regard to thi way to * make character ae a public man. ^ The solemn fool frequently passes fbr a wise man, while the witty jenius passes for a fooli, "Quit that," ho aaid-; to a young friend onoe; 'you must not makethem laugh. If you want to mooted, yra mitt he u solemn as an aaa. The irorid eonfotadJj the satirists of genius witntlie down, and looks down on both alike Be solemn, wkumasan ass, and you'll be respected living, uad mourned when dead. AU the great moaumentB are erected to solemn asBea." >... i . t J9~A crusty old bachelor, not liking *heway his landlady's daughter bad of approprittdng his hair oQ, filled the bottle with liquid gfrw the day before a ball, to which the girl was invited. She stayed at home in oonsequenoe. * * T : kcLn.iS