Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, April 19, 1883, Image 2
She ^othvillc (SNqmw.
YORKVILLE, S. O. : t
THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 19, 1883. ^
1? s
SHOCKING CRIME. t
Our Union correspondent informs us of a j
most shocking crime committed in that s
county last Friday night. The dwelling of
Mr. L. F. Briggs, together with its contents, "5
was burned by an incendiary fire, the evi- 1
dent object being robbery?Mr. Briggs be- ?
ing absent from his home on a visit to
Florida at the time. Six -negroes have been i
arrested, and committed to jail, charged
with the crime. One of them has made a \
confession. 1
THE CHURCHES LAST SUNDAY. 3
Services were conducted in the churches
last Sunday by members of the Presbytery t
as follows: In the Presbyterian Church, at *
11 A. M., by Rev. W. T. Matthews, the
Moderator; communion service administer- I
ed by Revs. J. S. White and J. C. McMullen.
Services by Rev. G. A. Trenholm at t
night. s
Rev. W. W. Mills preached in the Associ- "
ate Reformed Church at 11 A. M; and Rev.
M. R. Kirkpatrick in the M. E. Church at ,
night. ? J
FROM INDIAN TERRITORY. 5
It affords us extreme pleasure to record ?
glad tidings from a yfmng native ofYorkville,
now- a, citizen of/the Indian Territory, f
who has set a good example to the men of that (
far off section by taking a partner for life.
We refer to Mr. J. /Pinek Herndon, who 1
was married in Ki imitia county, Indian ]
Territory, on the 1st instant, to Miss Amelia
McCauley, of CI ickasaw Nation. The i
ceremony was perfo med by Rev. C. E. Nel- .
son. The bride's fa her is a native of South
Carolina, who mov< d from Fairfield coun- ty
some years ago. The happy groom has
a' host of friends in ' fork county, who with
the Enquirer, extend their warmest congratulations.
. CHURCH NOTICES.
. Associate Reformed Presbyterian?Rev. 1
R. Lathan, Pastor. The pastor will fill his '
regular appoi ntment at Tirzah next Sunday, ,
preaching to commence at 11 o'clock, A. M.,
on Friday. The sacrament of the Lord's ;
Supper will be administered on Sunday.
The pastor will be assisted by Rev. Marion :
W. Pressley. Mr. Pressley will preach at
Yorkville at 7.30 Sunday evening. 1
Presbyterian?Rev. T. R. English, Pas- j
tor. Services on next Sunday at 11 o'clock,
A. M., and at 7.30, P. M.
Methodist Episcopal?Rev. R. P. Franks,
Pastor. Services in the church at York..!11n
.,4.11 A AT .?..-1 "71 T? AT I
vine u.c ?x u si. o-ix^t < 2 * ITA*
Episcopal?Rev. A. Prentiss, Rector. Services
in the church at Yorkville, at 11 o'clock
A. M., and 8 P. M.
SUDD EN* DEATH.
On Wednesday afternoon of last week,
Joe Smith, colored, while engaged at plowing
in a lot near the Female College, fell
dead. . Notice of the fact being given, Trial (
Justice Lewis, acting as coroner, impanneled
the following jury of inquest: W.
H. McCorkle, foreman, R. J. Withers, J.
A. Darwin, O. J. Hart, Jr., R. A. Parish,
R. B. Lowry, Sam Bird, Withers Adickes, (
J. R. Lindsay, Robert C. Ross, Wylie McKinnie,
George M. Lowrance. Mr. R. G.
Ratehford and Richard Mims were examined
as witnesses, and after a full investigation
of the facts, the jury returned as their
verdict that the deceased came to his death
from disease of the heart. He was an in-* .
dustrious, hard-working man, and had in i
his pocket, when found, over a hundred dollars
in cash. i
DEATH OF J. K. GARDNER.
We are pained to record the death of Maj. 1
J. R. Gardner, which occurred at his resi
dence in this place on hist Friday afternoon, ;
the 13th instant. Maj. Gardner was a young
man not having reached the typical prime 1
of life, and was cut do vn, almost suddenly
as we of this earth c nnmonly accept !
Providential visitations., He had been ?
compiainingsiigmiy lor a montn, uuring
most of which time, thouah confined to his *
room, his symptoms did not give his most I
intimate friends cause for/alarm until Sun- 1
day preceeding his death./ He was a native 1
of Virginia, and came to this place in the !
year 1874 as assistant engineer of the Ches- <
ter and Lenoir Railroaju, and after that
work was completed, he settled in Yorkville, '
having married Miss Luia Lowry; a daugh- <
ter of l)r. J. M. LowryJof this place. For
some years he was agenti of the railroad at <
this depot, but more recently has been en- ]
gaged as a cotton buverl for Messrs. Jones &
Robertson of Rock Hill J Of frank and gem
erous disposition and manly nature, he was
universally popular, I He was buried by <
the rites of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
of which he was a communicant, and with (
Masonic honors. He was also a member of !
of the fraternity of Knights of Honor. <
I lis funeral was largely attended by sympa- <
thising friends, and as a mark of .respect, !
a detachment of the Jenkins Rifles, with
their colors draped in mourning, formed a 1
imrt of the cortege, as a guard of honor, he ]
having been an officer of that company at !
its organization, and succeeding as its sec- <
ond Captain.
COLLAl'SE OR THIS ELECTION CASES. \
The action of Attorney-General Brewster, i
consenting that the trial of all the Election
cases before the United States Circuit Court 1
be postponed, looks like the virtual end of *
these preposterous prosecutions. The dis- |
tribution of the public money among the
harpies who serve the Department of Jus- J
tice as informers, affiants, witnesses and special
deputy marshals was, aside from politi- ?
cal malignity, the only raixon d'etre that \
these cases ever had. The exhaustion of the
fund affords a convenient pretext for drop- .
ping prosecutions, the iniquitous character
of which was growing unpleasantly conspicuous,
not only in South Carolina, but jn
the view of the whole American people.
But everybody who has watched the shocking
injustice by which the preliminaries of
these cases were marked, and the flimsy
character of the evidence against the accused J
must know that all the prosecutors, from
Brewster down to Snyder, have much bet- 1
ter reason than the lack of witnesses' fees to
wish to be well rid of a proceeding that is 1
likely to make them the laughing-stock of j
the country. To the defendants, however,
the continuance of the cases would be an add- i
ed injury. The whole State believes them I
to be innocent of any crime; and they ought t
to have a speedy trial, or else they should \
be at once discharged .?News and Courier, ]
Monday.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. f
For the benefit of air desiring to attend (
the session at Waco, Texas, Tie v. O. F.
Gregory, of Charlotte, N. C., Secretary of T
the Southern Baptist Convention, furnish- I
es the following information: Round trip
rates via Atlanta and New Orleans, from 1
points in this section, Goldsboro, $64.10; T
Iialeigh, $63.10; Greensboro, $59.85; Charlotte,
$56.15; Spartanburg, $53.15; Green- i
ville, $51,85; Atlanta, $45.45. This is the S
ouickest route, only sixty-four hours from
Charlotte to Waco, being sixteen hours t
quicker than any other route. Those who s
desire to avoid traveling on Sunday, can t
spend that day in New Orleans, will leave h
C harlotte on Saturday, the 5th of May, at a
1 a. m., arrive at Atlanta 1:30 noon Satur- 3
urday, leave Atlanta 2:15 p. m. Saturday, C
arrive at New Orleans 9;40 a. m. Sunday, p
leave New Orleans 12:00 noon Monday, ar- t
rive at Waco 6 p. m. Tuesday, a
The convention opens at 10 a. m, on Wed- p
nesday the 9th of May. v
If a sufficient number will go from this li
section, a sleeper will run direct from Char- f
lotte to New Orleans. Please let me have
your names at as early a date as practicable, I
and whether you want a berth in the sleep- f<
er. Tickets will be on sale from May 1st, c
to the 6th, good to return until May 31st. tl
I have a few copies of the map and time v
table of this route which I will be glad to fi
furnish to any one in Charlotte expecting to p
make this trip. Parties outside of Char- e
lotte can procure a copy by writing to Col. n
T. F. McCandless, General Passenger Agent, ii
Atlanta, Ga. J e
The principal points through which we
pass are Atlanta, Montgomery, Mobile, 5
New Orleans, Houston and Hempstead,! t<
Texas. Any other information will be J b
cheerfully furnished by Rev. O. F. Gregory. I Tl
. PRESBYTERY OF BETHEL. jf
The Presbytery of Bethel met, pursuant *
o theadjournment of the last regular meet- ]
ng, in the Presbyterian church at York'ille,
at 7.30 P. M., on Friday last, 13th in- f
tant. This large and intelligent body of i
he influential Christian denomination of g
vhich it is a component part? consists, as j
low constituted, of the following churches, A
ituated in the counties named : ]
York county?Ramah, Bethesda, Beth-Shiloli, (
forkville, Bethel, Bullock's Creek, Rock Hill,
tort Mill, Olivet, Clover, Mount Pleasant, Eben- t
zer, Sliiloh, Beersheba, Allison Creek, Hope- k
veil. I
Lancaster county?Six-Mile Creek, Tirzali, t
>ouglas, Lancasterville, Waxhaw. t
Chester countv?Fishing Creek, Carmel Hill, j
*farity, Concord, Pleasant Grove, Catholic, Ce- f
lar Shoal, Smyrna, Zion.
Fairfield county?Scion, Horeb, Mount Olivet, .
tfizpah, Lebanon, Salem, Aimwell, Longtown. I
The opening sermon was preached by ;
he Moderator, Rev. L. R. McCormick, '
rom the-First Epistle of Paul, the Apostle,
o Timothy: "This is a faithful saying, and ;
vorthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus 1
same into the world to save sinners." ,
At the close of the devotional exercises,
he Presytery was called to order and con
itituted with prayer. I
Ministers and elders, representing their ,
espective enureses, were present as 101lows:
/ 1
Fishing Creek aiul Cedar Shoals?Rev. J. H.
Save; Elder J. Hz McMurray.
Smyrna and Six-mile Creek?Rev. D. Harri- '
ion; Elder J. J./ Perry. <
Mount Olivet And Mizpah?Elder T. L. John- i
jon. / i
Carmel Hill/and Bullock's Creek?Elders J. ]
D. Brawley, Jw G. Plexico. ,
Harmony, Mount Pleasant and llaniah?Rev. '
W. W. Ratchford; Elders J. A. Hope, T. J.
Bobbins.
Bethesda?iRev. J. Lowrie Wilson; Elder Josi- 1
ih J. Mooro. 1
Douglas?Rev. J. W. Query ; Elder H. G. Mc[lwain.
/
Rock HiR?Rev. J. Spratt White; Elder A. H.
White. !
Beersheba?Elder J. W. Y. Dickson.
Allison Creek?Rev. L. R. McCorinick ; Elder :
R. H. Glenn. i
Purity-f-Rev. G. A. Trenholm; Elder J. L. ,
Harris.* i
Concorfl?Rev. J. 0. McMullen; Elder J. E. :
Craig.
Lebanon and Salem? Rev. W. W. Mills; Elder
W. A. McDowell. <
Lancaster?Rev. H. B. Pratt; Elder S. L. !
Strait, i
Yorkville?Rev. T. R. English; Elder J. F. j
Lindsav.
Tirzali and Waxhaw?Rev. W. G. White;
Elders W. B. Nelson, E. B. Mobley.
Beth-Shiloh and Hopewell?Rev. R. F. Tav- .
lor; Elders L. R. Williams, J. D. Rawls.
Catholic and Pleasant Grove?Rev. L. H. Rob- |
inson; Elders Charles Douglas, W. B. Robinson.
Zion and Olivet?Rev. W. T. Matthews; Elder i
W. B. Love.
Bethel?Rev. Robert A. Webb; Elder J. L. :
Adams.
Fort Mill and Ebenezer?Elders W. Ii. Stewart,
F. H. Brown.
Scion (Winnsboro,-- Rev. 1). E. Jordan; Elder
A. S. Douglas.
Clover?Elder A. P. Campbell.
Aimwell?Elder J. F. Kennedy.
Horeb?Elder.J. W. Ashford. * ]
Longtown?Elder L. T. Wilds.
Shiloh?Unrepresented.
Rev. \V. T. Matthews was nominated for
Moderator and unanimously elected by acclamation.
On assuming the chair vacated
by the retiring Moderator, he declared the :
Presbytery ready for the transaction of <
business. ;
Rev. L. H. Robinson was nominated for ;
clerk and unanimously elected by acclamation.
It was moved and carried that the read- i
ing of the minutes of the last meeting of 1
Presbytery be dispensed with until to-morrow.
i
Rev. D. Harrison, the stated clerk, read i
a certificate and letter dismissory of Rev. i
C. R. Hemphill from the Nashville (Tenn.) <
Presbytery. Mr. Hemphill then stood an
examination on personal piety, conducted ]
by Rev. D. E. Jordon; on theology, con- ;
ducted by Rev. H. B. Pratt; and on church 1
government, conducted by Rev. J. C. Mc- j
Mullen. On motion, the respective exam- '
inations were sustained, and the name of i
Rev. C. R. Hemphill was ordered to be
enrolled as a member of Bethel Presbytery. 1
Rev. T. R. English and Elder J. F. Lindsay
were appointed a committee on devotional
exercises. <
Rev. G. A. Trenholm, chairman of the j
committee appointed at last meeting to or- (
?anize a church at Longtown, in Fairfield
county, reported that the church had been i
duly organized with the following officers: 1
Samuel McCormick and Lewis T. "Wilde,
ciders; Austin Peay, deacon. The report ;
was accepted, and on motion it was ordered i
that Longtown be enrolled as one of the (
churches of this Presbytery. <
On motion, the Presbytery then ajourn- <
cd until 9 A. My to-morrow; closing with 1
prayer by Rev. J. H. Saye. \
Saturday Morning, April 14. 1
Presbytery met, and after devotional ex- <
crcises, proceeded to the order of business. 1
Rev. R. Lathan, 1). 1)., of the A. R.
Church ; and Rev. R. P. Franks, of the M.
E. Church, South, being present, on motion
cf Rev. T. R. English, by unanimous vote ;
cf the Presbytery, they were invited to sit
is visiting brethren. j
The reading of the printed minutes of the !
last meeting was begun, but before the :
reading had proceeded far, on motion of
Rev T. It. English, the reading was suspended,
and a committee, consisting of Itev. R.
P. Taylor and elder W. H Stewart, was
appointed to compare the printed copy with
trie written record, and report on the same
to this meeting.
Members who were absent from last Presbytery
were called upon to render their exjuses
for such absence. The excuses of the
allowing members were sustained rUev. J.
5pratt White, Rev. W. W. Mills and Rev.
II. B. Pratt.
The excuses of the following churches,
:hrough the delegates, were sustained:
Beersheba, Salem, Aimwell, Lebanon,
Waxhaw, Hopewell.
A petition was read, asking for the organzation
of a church at Richburg, in Chester
:ounty. By vote of the Presbytery, the request
was granted and the Moderator apjointed
a commission for that purpose as
follows : Rev. J. H. Saye, Rev. L. II. Robnson,
Elder John J. Stringfellow. Alterlates?Rev.
J. ,C. McMullen, Rev. II. B.
Pratt, Elder Leroy Miller.
The Moderator then announced the folowing
committees:
On Narrative to General Assembly?Rev. J.
jowrie Wilson ; Elder J. L. Adams.
On Minutes of Synod?Rev. C. It. Ilempliill;
2lder J. J. Moore.
On Sessional Records?(1) Fishing Creek, Ranah,
Six-Mile Creek, Bethosda, Bullock's Creek :
tov. W. G. White; Elder A. S. Douglas. (2)
'oncord, Beth-Shiloh, Zion, Tirzah, Olivet, Hoeb:
Rev. W. W. Hatch ford; Elder Charles '
bouglas. (3) Clover, Catholic, Purity, Carmel
fill, Cedar Shoal, Mizpah: Rev. R. A. Webb;
Older J. E. Craige. (4) Harmony, Yorkville,
feasant Grove, Rock Hill, Lancaster, Beershe>a;
Rev. J. W. Query; Elder T. J. Robbins.
5) Douglas, Bethel, Lebanon, Allison Creek, '
It. Pleasant, Scion, Ebenezer: Rev. G. A. Tren- r
loltn ; Elder J. W. Ashford. ((i) Waxhaw, Aimvell,
Hopewell, Smyrna, Fort Mill, Salem: Rev.
t. F. Taylor; Elder W. B. Robinson.
On Finance?Rev. J. C. McMullen; Elder J. L. t
Jarris. a
On Systematic Benevolence?Rev. H. B. Pratt; o
Older A. H. White. o
On report of Executive Committee?Rev. J. e
I. Saye, Rev. J. Spratt White; Elders W. H. c
itewart, R. H. Glenn. b
A call from Tirzah church for one-half the c
iine of Rev. W. G. White, was read by the J
tated clerk. The call was then placed in ,
he hands of Mr. White, and he signified y
lis acceptance of the same. The Moderator e
nnounced as commission on installation of li
Jr. White, Rev. H. B. Pratt, ltev. J. W. i
iuery and Elder John Neely : Mr. Pratt to
reside and propose the constitutional ques- *!
ions and deliver the charge to the people, ~
nd Mr. Query to deliver the charge to the t.
astor. Alternates?Revs. J. H. Thorn- o
fell, J. C. McMullen ; Elder Charles Doug- s
is. Time of installation, Friday before the ti
ourth Sunday in May. c
Calls from Ramah, Harmony and Mt. ?
feasant churches, on Rev. W. W. ltatch- p
3rd, for one-fourth of his time for each (i
hurcli, were read by the stated clerk, and v
hen placed in the hands of Mr. Ratchford, ti
fho signified his acceptance of the calls 8i
rom Harmony and Mt. Pleasant; but for P
eculiar reasons, which it was difficult to t(
xplain, preferred to take the call from Ra- ti
lah under advisement until the fall meet- <i
ag of Presbytery, which request was grantd.
?
Commissions for the installation of Mr. ~
.-aJ i i?iu? CA
wwcnioru were aimoumrcu uy wic luuuciu>r
as follows: At Harmony, on Saturday Ir
efore the third Sunday in May ; Rev. T. (.(
1. English to preside and propound the con- t
ititutional questions and charge the people; ! j
itev. L. R. McCormick to deliver the charge *
o the pastor,with Dr. J. F. Lindsay, Elder. ;1
Alternates?Rev. J. L. Wilson, Rev. L. H. ,
Robinson, Elder J. G. Plexico. l
At Mt. Pleasant, on Saturday before the .
ourth Sunday of May; Rev. J. Lowrie
Wilson to preside and propound the conititutional
questions and charge the people; i
rtev. L. H. Robinson to charge the pastor, t
vith J. G. Lowry, Elder. Alternates?Rev. !
\j. R. McCormick, Rev. J. Spratt White, El- c
ler J. A. Hope. ,
A call from Rock Hill church for Rev. J.
Spratt White to the pastorate of that church, 1
,vas read by the stated clerk, and pending :
he discussion of the advisability of placing 1
his call in the hands of Mr. White, the j
eason urged against it being the poor eondi- |
ion of his healthy Presbytery receded from i
jusiness for religious exercises, the hour of
LI A. M. having now arrived. Rev. 1). E. i
Tordan conducted services, preaching from
he words: "Henceforth I call you not ser- J
/ants: for the servant knoweth not what hi.s ]
Lord doeth: but I have called you friends." ,
?t. John, xv: 13.
Immediately after worship, Presbytery <
ivas reconvened, and the question of the 1
jail of Rev. J. Spratt White to Rock Ilill J
jliurch resumed. It was decided that Pres- j
Liytery retain this call in its own hands un- j
til the fall meeting of Presbytery. ,
On motion, Presbytery took the constitu- i
tional steps for the reception of Rev. M. R. '
Kirkpatnck, who presented a certificate
:>f regular standing from Mecklenburg, N. !
D., Presbyterj% Rev. J Spratt White was ,
lppointed to examine Mr. Kirkpatrick on ,
personal piety; Rev. J. H. Saye to examine
tiim on theology; and Rev. J. Lowrie Wil- '
son to examine him on church government, i
By vote of Presbytery, these examinations
were all sustained, and it was ordered that- '
the name of Rev. M. R. Kirkpatrick been- ,
rolled as a member of this Presbytery.
Presbytery then took recess until 3 o'clock i
P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION. I |
A call from Clover church, for the pastor-1J
Eite services of Rev. M. R. Kirkpatrick, for,
three-fourths of his time, was read by the
stated clerk, and by vote of Presbytery <
placed in the hands of Mr. Kirkpatrick,
who signified his acceptance of the same. !
The date of his installation as pastor of the
church at Clover was appointed for Saturday j
before the first Sunday in May; Rev. T. R.
English to preside and propound the constitutional
questions and deliver the charge to
the people; Rev. R. A. "Webb to deliver i
the charge to the pastor, with J. L. Adams, i
Elder. Alternates?Rev. L.R. McCormick,
Rev. J. Lowrie Wilson ; Elder J. F. Lindsay.
It was moved and adopted that the following
ministers be added to the committees
already appointed : i
On Church History?D. E. Jordan.
On Theology?J. H. Thomwell. (
On Church Polity and the Sacraments?C. It.
Hemphill.
On Academical Studies and Philosphy?M. R.
Kirpatrick. * <
Calls from various churches for the pastorate
services of the ministers named, were
read by the stated clerk, and by vote of
Presbytery placed in their hands:
Lancastervilie?Rev. H. B. Pratt; Long- 1
town and Aimwell?Rev. John R. McAlpine;
Ebenezer?Rev. J. II. Thomwell,
for one-half his time, which calls were ac
cepted. A c.all from Bullock's Creek church
for Rev. J. C. McMullen, was placed in his
hands; and a call from Horen church for
Rev. \V. W. Mills, for a portion of his time,
was placed in his hands. The two last
named did not signify their acceptance of
the calls.
The election of commissioners to the next
General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church, to convene in Louisville, Ky., on ,
the 17th of May next, was made the second
order of the day on Monday. ,
Rev. R. A. Webb moved the appoint- ,
inent of a committee to draft and submit to
Presbytery, a suitable memorial sketch of ,
the Rev. Samuel L. Watson, deceased, long
i member of this Presbytery. Adopted.
The Moderator appointed as said committee,
Revs. R. A. Webb and J. H. Saye.
Rev. Dr. Mack, of the Charleston Presbytery,
being present, was invited to sit with
Presbytery as a corresponding member.
Rev. G. A. Trenholm, chairman of the
executive committee, submitted the follow- ,
ing semi-annual report on behalf of that
committee: 1
Since the Fall meeting of Presbytery, four
meetings have been held in discharging the duties
assigned the committee.
At the meeting above named, Presbytery revived
to conduct the work of home missions
within the hounds, independently of the Assembly's
committee, setting aside for the general !
ause ten per cent, of the moneys contributed
:o this object. We are glad to note as a resuk '
if this change, as we believe, an increase in :
the amount contributed by our churches to this J
jauso, of over one hundred per cent. Last year '
mr Presbytery was credited with about ?2G5;
up to the present time the committee have re
jeived about ?550. From this amount ton per
ent. has been deducted and forwarded to the ;
treasurer at Baltimore, and the balance appro - :
mated as follows: To Shiloh church, ?100; i
Sit. Olivet, ?75; Mizpah, ?75; Mt. Pleasant, ?50; '
Hopewell, ?50; Six-Mile Creek, ?50; Smyrna, '
?25; Ramah, ?25; Harmony, ?25; CarmelHill, i
525 ; making a total of ?500. '
At the time of the last meeting of the Presby- <
;ery, tliere were four vacant churches in our 1
bounds, viz.: Lancaster, Clover, Shiloh and I
Horeb. Up to the 1st of January last, appoint- '
inents for preaching were made at these church5s.
Since that date three of them, viz.: Lancas- '
ter and Clover and Shiloh, have called pastors, '
md two appointments have been made for
preaching at Horeb. The committee beg leavB 1
:o embody in this report the following paper: '
The special committee appointed by Presby- 1
;erv to visit the Carmel Hill, Mt. Pleasant, Bui- j
oclc's Creek, Harmony and Ramah churches, i
with instructions to arrange said churches into I
;wo or moro pastoral charges, and to report the 1
result of their visit to the Presbyterial executive <
jommittee, make the following report to said 1
ixecutive committee: t
We decided to hold a two-days' meeting at <
jaeh of these churches, visiting them- in the or- t
ler mentioned above. 1
Carmel Hill.?The committee went to Carmel "t
(Till UfU IKS'1 Thfl notice nf oill* 1
,'isit having failed to reach that church, only t
ive persons?one of them a member of the Baptist
:hurch?were present. After preaching, the <
committee gave notice that they would visit this t
ihurch again on November 24th, 1S82, ten days n
'rom that time, and urged those present to ci'r- <
:ulate the notice and secure a full meeting of the s
:ongregation on that day. 1
The committee went" to Carmol Hill on the 1
!4th of November, according to appointment; }
)Ut finding onlv seven persons present, decided i
o transact no business. So after preaching to ^
hose present, the committee decided to let Car- t
nel Hill alone for the present. C
Mt. Pleasant.?The committee went to Mt. t
Pleasant church, November Kith, 1882. The Ses- fi
ion of this church held a meeting at the re- 1
[uest of the committee, and ordered a meeting 1
tf the congregation for the next day after preach- ng,
to consider, and, if the way be clear, to elect c
. pastor. On November 17th, the congregational c
neoting was held, as ordered, by the Session. 1
["he congregation declared, by a vote, that it t
vas ready to clert a pnstor. The election was |
leld and Conducted according to the rules in the i
'Book of Church Order," and resulted in the 3
lection of Rev. W. W. Ratchford pastor, for one- a
ourth his time, at a salary of ?140 per annum, a
Phe little church seems to be very much alivo. t
n?.nnor?n<? ir\ Itiiilfl tliAm i\ ImilQA of V
.livy IllC ?w ......v. worship.
t
Bullock'# Creek Church.?The committee next
rent to Bullock's Creek church. Wo pursued s
he same plan which we pursued at Mt. Pleas- ?
nt. The Session met on Saturday morning and t
rdered a meeting of the congregation to he held
n Sabbath, after preaching, for the purpose of J
lecting a pastor, "if the way be clear." The s
ongregation held a meeting on Sabbath, Novem- v
?er 19th, 1882, as ordered by the Session, and de- <1
lared itself ready to elect* a pastor. The elec- v
ion was held and conducted in accordance with t
ho rules in the "Book of Church Order." Rev. a
. C. McMullen was elected pastor, receiving all ti
mt eleven of the votes cast. On motion, his p
lection .vas made unanimous. Ilis salary was n
ixed at 8-S00 per annum, to bo paid in quarterly
ayments. S
Harmony Church.?Tlie committee next went d
o Harmony Church, on Tuesday, November n
1st, 1882. \Vc held a two days', meeting at the d
hurch. The Session met, at the request of the e
onnnittee, on tho morning of the first day, and
rdered a meeting of the congregation for tho a
econd day, Wednesday, after preaching, for ii
he purpose of electing a* pastor, "if tho way be g
lear." But few of tho congregation were pres- u
nt the first day. So tho committee sent two si
oung men through the community to request v
he congregation to attend the services the next ti
ay. Thus a full meeting of tho congregation o
ras secured. After preaching, the congroga- h
onal meeting was held, as ordered by the Ses- ti
ion. They declared that they were ready to n
rnr-fifidfid to the election of a pastor. Rev. W.
y. Ratchford was nominated and elected pas- I w
>r, by a unanimous vote, for one-fourth of his tl
me, at a salary of one hundred and twenty-five U
ollars. v
Ramah Church.?The committee went to Ra- D
lah church the next day, Thursday, November 01
Jrd, 1S82. Hero the committee met with a full tl
mgregation. The Session came together and T
rdered a meeting of the congregation for this e:
lorning, after preaching. After preaching, the ir
mgregation met according to appointment. R
hey declared that they were ready to elect, a at
instor. Rev. W. W. Ratchford was nominated
ind unanimously elected pastor for one-fourth of
lis time at seventy-five dollars per annum.
These calls were all made out in the prescribed
orm, signed by the elders and deacons, and cerified
to liy the Moderator.
Respectfully submitted.
J. 0. McMullkx, Clmi.
Bullock's Creek church is nowin the condition
11 which this special committee left it. Since
he 1st of January, five appointments have been
nade for preaching there, two of which failed,
rhe other churches mentioned in this special j
:ommittee's report are served by the pastor- ;
jlect, Rev. W. W. Ratchford.
The erection of houses of worship is a matter
ivhieh liegins to claim the earnest attention of
/our committee. Three applications for aid have
>een made, by Shiloh, Longtown and Mt. Pleasmt
churches, to the amount of $270. The comnittee
recommends that this amount be raised,
jctween this and the Fall meeting of Presbytery,
jv special collections in the special churches.
The committee lias received from the invalid
fund, the sum of $80. Sixty dollars have been
ient to three of the persons receiving aid from
his source, and twenty dollars returned to the
...........? ... v??n
laving declined further assistance from the
committee.
Presbytery has now under its care two candilates
for the ministry?Mr. W. B. Mcllwaine
uul Mr. J. A. Wilson. As to the former, Prof.
Latimer, of Davidson College, reports: "Mr.
Mcllwaine stands well in all departments. His
moral character is as good as any young man's
in the institution," etc. Mr. Wilson is now engaged
in teaching in Yorkville, S. C., and does
not yet see his way clear to enter upon his seminary
course.
As to the Sabbath-school cause, your committee
has nothing of special interest to report.
Phis important arm of the work of Zion is sustained
in the different churches under the direction
of the Sessions.
Nothing has been done in colportage work
since the last meeting of Presbytery; nor does
your committee see the \yay clear, at present, to
recommend the Presbytery to enter into the
evangelistic work. L
For information res^eddng the cause of foreign
missions, Pt'esbyrery is referred to the report
of the committee to be appointed, at the
Spring meeting, on Systematic Benevolence;
but your committee recommend that next Monday
evening be set apart for the consideration of
this great work. Religious sendees to be held,
the same to be arranged by the committee 011
Devotional Exorcises.
Your committee has been informed that two
or more of the students in the seminary at Columbia
desire work of some kind, during the
summer vacation, in the hounds of this Presbytery,
and would be glad, if the Presbytery approves,
to take steps, if practicable, to utilize
these young brethren.
(l A. Trenholm, Chni.,
for the committee.
Accompanying the above report, is the
draft of a set of rules; for the guidance
of the Executive committee, submitted by
that committee.
The report, with accompanying papers,
was placed in the hands of a special committee,
consisting of Revs. H. B. Pratt and
D. E. Johnson, and Elders W. H. Stewart
and R. H. Glenn.
On motion, Presbytery proceeded to the
examination of the candidates for the ministry?Mr.
S. R. Hope, of Chester, and Mr.
T. H. DeGraffenreid, of Fort Mill, York
county?taken under the care of the Presbytery.
The moderator proceeded to examine
the canditates on personal piety and motives
for seeking the ministry. These examinations
were creditable to the candi
dates, and by unanimous vote of Presbytery
were sustained.
At the close of the examinations, on motion,
Presbytery receded from business until
after worship to-night.
EVENING SESSION.
Devotional exercises were conducted at
7.30 P. M., by ltev. C. It. Hemphill, who
based an instructive discourse on the words:
"Which of you convinceth me of sin ? And
if I say the truth, why do ye not believe
me?"?John 8: 40.
After public worship, Presbytery resumed
business.
The regular order being the report of the
committee appointed at the afternoon session
to prepare a memorial sketch of the
Rev. S. L. Watson, Rev. Robert A. Webb,
on behalf of that committee, read the following:
Rev. Samuel Lvtle Watson drew the lirst
breath of this mortal life in the eastern part of
York county, S. C., on the 5th of February, 1708.
And where he was born there lie became a man.
The same pious mother who sat beside the lirst
beginnings of his infant life and watched and
prayed, was also permitted to lay her shaping
hand upon each subsequent development of his
character until it expanded into a well-determined
manhood. "WTnleyei an infant, he was
carried in his mother's arms, on horseback, to
bethel Church, and consecrated to the Lord in
baptism. This sacrament was administered by
the Rev. George G. McWhorter, the pastor. At
that time his parents dedicated him to the gospel
ministry, of which, however, he was never informed
until he had entered upon his theological
studies.
Let us now advance a step and take a brief
survey of his educational career; let us look
in upon him in the shop, with hammer and
chisel, shaping his mind and heart for that long
life-work which God had stored up for him.
He was quite young when he began his classical
studies, lie lirst entered the school of the Rev.
Robert B. Walker, in Bethesda, where he remained
about a year. A few years later he is
found pursuing ins education under Mr. Lowranee,
at Centre, N. C. Along here we have only
the bare facts and no insight into the progress
which he may.have made, or the pleasure he
may have experienced in his early quest for
knowledge. In April, 181G, he entered the academy
of the Rev. J. Mclvamie Wilson, D. D.,
located in the bounds of the Rocky River congregation,
Cabarrus county, N. C. At this institution
he remained one year and a half.
While here, heunited with the Rock v River Presbyterian
Church. We have none of the circumstances
incident upon this important step.
After leaving Dr. Wilson's school, he mado
iia nimonrnncA nnon the camnus of the South
Parofina College at Columbia. In October, 1818,
ie sought and found admission into those venerable
halls of learning. He desired admission
Into the Junior class and it was granted. He
graduated in December, 1820, and in January,
1821, he took charge of an academy near Union
J. H.,S. C., over which he continued to preside
'or two years. While in charge of this instituion,
in April, 1822, he was taken'under the care
>f the Presbytery of South Carolina; and in Ocober,
182:5, he entered the Theological Seminary
it Princeton, N. J. This step he took against
he strong remonstrance of the fathers of the
Presbytery. They argued, if one were aiming
o be some great one in the church, it would do
rery well to attend the schools of divinity; but the
liu'rch did not especially need such, and the
raining for ordinary preachers should be taught
it the hands of some private instructor in tlieol>gy.
On the other hand, Mr. Watson was continued
with the idea that preaching required the
inest furniture which could be had. And resoution
meant action with him. He spent three
rears at Princeton, completing the regular course
n theology in 182G. In November of the same
rear, he appeared before the Presbytery of.South
Carolina, in session at the upper Long Cane
Jhureh, Abbeville county, S. C., and on the 17th
lay of that month was licensed to preached the
:ospcl. I5v the casting vote of the Moderator,
ie obtained permission to enter npon missionary
abOl'S 111 U1C west, nc iiiiiueuiiiiciv seiuut
Alabama, and Montgomery city became the
hief-seat of his labors, Ho preached in the
ourt-house, and his were the first Presbyterian
abors ever put forth in that city. He returned
o South Carolina, after remaining in Alabama
learly a year, and wa*-?rduinod an ovangelist
n Good Hope Church, 'Pendleton District, S. C.,
larch 15th, 1828. It was his cherished intention
nd desire to return and settle in Montgomery,
ml such, too, was the meaning of his ordinaion;
but before he could be gone, Presbytery
evoked its consent, in view of the vacancies lit
lome.
This brings us to the pastorates of Mr. Waton.
In a ministry covering fifty-six years, he
ustained this relation to but two charges, and
liese were neighboring congregations.
Mr. Watson first went to Steel Creek Church,
lecklenburg county, N. C., in November, 1827,
oon after his return from Alabama. At first he
fas a temporary supply, but when Presbytery
eclined to allow him to return to his missionary
fork, he entered into the pastoral relation with
his church in May, 1829. Here he continued in
11 about twelve years. While here ho organized
lie church of Pleasant Hill, and became its first
astor. About a year and a-half after his settlement
over this congregation, he was married to
liss Nancy Hannah Neel, the daughter of Col.
!. Neel. I'hey had eight children, three of whom
ied in infancy. One became a Presbyterian
uml fnnr !i>*a nnw livintr. His wife
icd twenty-live years before him. lie was nevr
married again.
The Rev. James S. Adams had been preaching
t Bethel since 1811; but the infirmities of age
ad brought his labors to a rest. The congreation
ealled Mr. Watson, and on April 25th,
840, he was installed the pastor of Bethel. The
:;ene is invested with something liko sublimity
lien wo consider him as the under-priest re
irning to minister in tno tempie wnere nu was i
nee a worshipper; to officiate at the altar where !
e once offered his sacrifico! It is the son reirning
to devote his last days to his spiritual
lother!
To mention a tithe of the things which he did
'hile pastor of Bethel, would exhaust more time
lan is at command. They have all been regis!red
in the volumes of the everlasting ages, and 1
'ill appear again in the "great and notable day."
curing his pastorate here, no year passed with- i
ut some auditions on profession of faith, and
le average was very nearly twenty each year. ,
he total number of communicants received 011 |
Kamination, is given at 824; he baptized 965 j
ifants and 132 adults, making a total of 1097
iptisms in this congregation. Up to 1879 he !
tended every sacramental meeting held in his
church. It was under his ministry, too, that
"Old Centre," a preaching place established by !
the sainted Adams, expanded into the organized j
church at Clover. But however pleasant it may i
be to linger over these fragrant scenes, the j
length of this sketch admonishes to hasten to a |
close.
Time at last laid its unsparing hand upon the |
physical frame of Mr. Watson, and his strength
yielded to physical inlirmity. It was then that
the church called an assistant pastor, who came
to his help in December, 1881. But on September
23rd, 1S?2, at the request of Mr. Watson,
Bethel Presbytery put an end to this long pastorate.
The congregation acquiesced in this request,
and the Presbytery granted it solely because it
was his desire, and he desired relief from all
pastoral burdens because of his feebleness.
Had we but known it, the dissolution of this
pastoral tie was a near forerunner of the dissolution
of that closer and more mysterious connexion
between soul and body, which we call death.
Weary and worn, the venerable saint stands on
Jordan's banks and looks across to Canaan's
happy shores, waiting to pass over to the restful
side. On October 22nd, 1M82, he preached his last
sermon, and in Bethel. On Friday of the same
week he took ill. He was confined to his bed for
two weeks, at times suffering greatly in body,
but never cast down, but speaking in the dialect
of faith: "I know whom I have believed, and
am persuaded that he is able to keep that which
I have committed unto him against that day."
When his co-pastor and successor. Rev. Robert
A. Webb, reached his bedside on Sabbath night,
about 10 o'clock, he was far gone into the dark
waters. The messengers of the Lord had delivered
the Master's summons, and were waiting to
convey the emancipated spirit to the upper sanctuary.
When asked if he felt his Saviour's presence,
he replied in the affirmative. When asked
what passage of God's word was most comfortr
ing to him in that dark hour, he quoted the eighth
verse of the thirty-sixth psalm: "They shall be
abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy
house ; and thou shalt make them drink of the
river of thy pleasures." When asked what was
the grounds of his hope, he answered : "I trust
in Jesus alone for salvation." When asked if he
had his long ministry to go over, what he would
do, he quickly replied: "Preach Christ and the
doctrines." "He then commissioned his successor
in Bethel to deliver this message to his old
congregation: "Workout your salvation with
fear and trembling." A little while later, there
were two short breaths and the long life was ended.
The veteran preacher, the toil-worn laborer,
laid off the sweated harness and entered into his
rest. On Monday morning, November 13th, lkS2,
near 4 o'clock, "Father" Watson came to his.
"grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn eomcth
in in his season." On Tuesday morning we
laid his body away with sorrow and hope ; and
there does it "peacefully sleep in Bethel burying
place, among three thousand others, his kindred
and his people, awaiting together the sound of
that resurrection trump which will make that
vast city of the dead heave with thousands struggling
into immortality.
Mr. Watson was a preacher of the gospel in
the Presbyterian Church for fifty-six years; for
forty-two years he was pastor of Bethel church;
he died aged eighty-lour years nine months and
eight days.
As to ancestry, Mr. Watson was of ScotchIrish
descent. In personal appearance he was
tall, slender, and verv erect. In social intercourse
he was reserved, yet pleasant. Plainness
and frugality characterized his life at home.
He was not demonstrative in any relation 01
life. He was a man of much prudence, safe and
judicious in counsel and slow to speak of the
faults of others. He was careful to maintain
the mastery of his appetites. All his mental
exercises were dominated by a love of truth.
His conduct was controlled By a love of right,
and his heart was tilled with the love of God.
Upon the foundation of truthfulness, uprightness
and Godliness, he had reared the superstructure
of his character. Eminent conscientiousness
was a prominent and outstanding feature.*
As a, preacher there was iTothing brilliant or
flashing about his pulpit performances, but what
he said was generally sound and delivered in a
conversational style. As a theologian he was a
Calvinist; and, besides possessing a clear conception
of that system, he loved it. As a presbyter
he was eminently conservative, and yet an
ardent sympathiser 'with all efforts at church
extension. He has left an impress upon the
community in which he lived, which the effacing
hand of time will not soon destroy.
It has not been claimed that our deceased father
was faultless. He never made such an assumption
himself. It had been a grevious fault
if he had. The perfection of character is the
possession of no man on earth. It is theperogative
of Inspiration, in its delineations of human
life, to portray both the vices and virtues
of men; for God is righteous and omniscient.
We are neither; we are sinners. It is our priv
uege 10 ioiu logeuier ine moueu leaves, wuien
the volume of every penitent life contains, and
then seal them with the seal of death.
Our venerable father, we humbly trust, has
taken the step from Grace to Glory. He has
gone, we confidently believe, to join the sacramental
host?that great multitude which no man
can number?of all nations and kindred and
people and tongues, standing bnfofe the throne
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,
and with palms in their hands, and in that JCOi'Ai
company of saints and angels to sit down to
gether with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, around
the festal board to feast upon the fatness of the
Lord's house, and drink ol the river of his pleasures
forevermore. Respectfully submitted.
" R. A. Webb,
J. II. Save.
This report was, on motion, amended as
originally read, by inserting alter the words
"When his co-pastor and successor" in the
tenth paragraph, the name, "Rev. Robert
A Webb," and as thus amended, was unanimously
adopted by a rising vote.
The serious illness of Rev. Dr. Howe, of
Columbia Theological Seminary, was announced
by Rev. Robert A. Webb, who offered
a resolution of sympathy, and that
Presbytery join in earnest prayer for his recovery.
The resolution was adopted, and
the Moderator designated Rev. Mr. Trenliolm
to offer a supplication to the Throne of
Grace for the recovery of Dr. Howe, which
he proceeded to do, Presbytery uniting.
Committee No. 5, on Sessional Records, reported,
and was discharged.
On motion of Rev. H. B. Pratt, he was excused
from serving on the committee on
Systematic Benevolence, and the Moderator
substituted in his place on that committee,
Rev. M. R. Kirkpatrick.
Leave of absence, after to-night, was
granted to the Rev. D. E. Jordan and Elder
J. W. Ashwood.
The Moderator appointed the following
commission to organize the church At Richburg
: Rev. J. H. Saye, Rev. L. PI. Robinson,
Elder John J. Stringfellow. Alternates?Rev.
J. C. McMuIlen, Rev. IP. B.
Pratt, Elder Henry Miller.
Presbytery then adjourned until!) A. M.,
on Monday*
Monday Morning, April 1G.
Presbytery convened, pursuant to adjournment.
After devotional exercises,, the clerk proceeded
to read the minutes of Saturday's
sessions ; but before completing the reading
thereof, on motion, the reading was
suspended, in order to give Rev. Dr. Mack,
of Columbia Theological Seminary, an opportunity
of addressing Presbytery before
his departure on the morning train for Columbia.
Dr. Mack made the sad announcement of
the death of Rev. George Howe, D. D.,
LL. D., which occurred at his residence in
Columbia yesterday afternoon. Dr. Mack
then proceeded to address Presbytery in behalf
of the Theological Seminary, and representing
that institution as in a prosperous
condition, with an efficient faculty, a
full attendance of students, and encouraging
and increasing endowment. He was highly
complimentary of Bethel Presbytery for
the liberal encouragement it had extended
towards the institution, the action of Bethel
Presbytery, he said, being the key-note
by which other presbyterial bounds were
prompted to act.
At the conlusion of his address, Rev. C.
R. Hemphill and Rev. T. L. Johnson, obtained
leave of absence.
The reading of the minutes was then
proceeded with, and after being corrected
in some particulars, were confirmed.
Committee on Sessional Records then reported
in the following order: Rev. J. W.
Query, 011 behalf of committee No. 4; Rev.
R. A. Webb, on behalf of committee No. 3;
Rev. R. F. Taylor, on behalf of committee
No. (5; Rev. W. w. Ratchford,on behalf of
committee No. 2. These reports were
adopted.
The election of delegates to the Presbyterian
General Assembly being the first order
of the day, that matter was next
called up and resulted as follows: For ministerial
delegates?Principals: Rev J. C. 1
McMullen, Rev. C. R. Hemphill. Alternates?Rev.
L. R. McCormick, alternate of
Mr. McMullen ; Rev R. A. Webb, alternate ,
of Mr. Hemphill. Elders: Principals?Col.
W. W. Walkup, A. S. Douglass. Alter- .
nates?Hon. Jarnes Hemphill alternate of
Mr. Douglas; Mr. John S. Bratton, alter- j
nate of Col Walkup.
Rev. PI. B. Pratt, chairman of the special t
committee to examine and report upon the j
report of the Executive Committee, report- i
ed the approval of the report, recommend- ]
ing the suggestions contained therein, and' <
approving the accompanying rules for the
government of the Executive Committee. '
The report of the special committee was {
adopted. (
The Committee on Academical Studies, t
through the chairman, Rev. \V. G. White, <
reported that they had examined Mr. Hope 1
and Mr. DeGraffenreid, candidates for the
ministry; that the examinations were satisfactory,
and recommending that their examinations
be sustained. Adopted.
Eleven o'clock A. M., to-morrow, was appointed
for Licentiate McAlpine to preach
his trial sermon before Presbytery.
Blackstocks was selected as the* next place
of meeting of Presbytery, at 7.30 P. M., on
Friday before the third Sabbath in September,
1883.
Rev. W. W. Mills, on behalf of the committee
appointed at the last regular meeting
of Presbytery, to consider the proposed
change of Section 4, Chapter 24 of the Confession
of Faith, which is to take steps to
have stricken from it the prohibition against 1
the marriage of a deceased wife's sister and
other degrees of affinity contained in the
last sentence of said chapter, offered a report,
prefacing it with the remark, that of the
other members of that committee, Rev. G.
A. Trenholm, the chairman, for good and
satisfactory reasons, had declined to act;
and that the other member, Elder Isaac N.
Withers, while he did not coincide with
the views expressed in the report, yet as it
Km/ah/ * !-*f flin /mnuilnn uriii?irn1\r hofnrn PrPS
m IVU?U l * J UV-OlH/i 1 O^UUAViJ
byter.v, he agreed that it should he presented
as the report of the committee. Under
these circumstances, the speaker felt as if he
was submitting a "one-man" report, which,
though prepared by him, he did not claim
for it entire originality, having drawn upon
abler minds than his own for many of the
arguments presented. Mr. Mills then proceeded
as follows:
Your committee, appointed at the last regular
meeting to consider and report at the spring
meeting, respecting the expunging of the last
clause of section 4, Chapter 24, Confession of
Faith, as proposed by Concord Presbytery to
the last General Assembly, would respectfully
report?
1. That in ourjudgment not one nor all of the
eight reasons combined, as assigned by Concord
Presbytery, are of sufficient weight to'justify the
change proposed. The facts, as stated in said
reasons, may all be true ; but they must all go
for nought until it can be shown that the Confession
of Faith, on the point in question, is a misinterpretation
of the word of God. Evidently,
as the question now stands, the burden of proof
lies with those who desire the change.
2. We think that the Confession of Faith is
correct in interpreting portions of Leviticus,
chapters 18 and 20, as intended by God to prohibit
marriage within certain specified limits.
This it does, if not directly, as some affirm, yet
by good and necessary consequence. There is a
strong a priori argument in favor of this assertion
in the fact that it has been so generally regarded
as the marriage law by the whole Christian
church. And again : If we find not here a
law regulating marriage, then we have no law
of God to govern us in the forming of such a
relation. Then parents and children, grandparents
and grand grandchildren, brothers and sisters,
may intermarry, and no man will be able to
say unto them, "It is a sin." "Sin is any want
of conformity unto, or transgression of the law
of God." But, if there be no law of God, where
is the sin? If men will hold that such marriages
are sinful, although not forbidden in
the word of God, then they "give up the fundamental
principles, of Protestantism, that the
Scripture are the onlv infallible rule of faith
and practice." Then there are other portions of
the Confession of Faith that need a serious remodeling;
and both the Larger and Shorter Catechisms
will need to be very materially altered.
.3. But if it be conceded that hero (Lev., chap
ters is and 20) we do find the marriage law, and
the said law is still in force, then we see not how
the proposed change in the Confession of Faith
can he made without doing violence to the law.
Clearly, it is written: "Thou sbalt not uncover
the nakedness of thy brother's wife; it is thy
brother's nakedness." And again: "If a man
shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean
thing; he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness";
they shall be childless."?Lev. 18: 10; 20:
21.) Will it be affirmed that this only means:
Thou shall not uncover thy brother's wife during
thy brother's life-time, and that nothing is said
about what may be done after the brother's
death? Well, be it so. but we would reply:
1. That there is a strong a priori argument
against the correctness of such an affirmation in
the fact that the whole Church has generally regarded
it as prohibiting marriage with a brother's
wife, as well after as before the brother's
death. This is the view always held by our
church; it is the view incorporated in the Confession
of Faith; and it remains for those who
affirm the contrary to prove that it is wrong.
2. We would call attention to the analogy existing
between this prohibition and the one forbidding
marriage with a step-mother. In the
one case, it is written: "The nakedness of thy
father's wife shalt thou not uncover; it is thy
father's nakedness. In the other case it is written
: "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of
thy brother's wjfe jit i.^.tby brother's nakedness."
Now, if a man may marry libs brother's widow,
why may not the son marry his stepmother after
his'fatlier's death ? Both are about equal degree
of affinity. Does the brother's wife cease to be
near kin to her brother-in-law because her husband
is dead ? So, for the same reason, the stepmother
may cease to be near kin to the stepson.
Will it be contended that the brother's widow is
no longer bound by the law to her husband, and
may marry another man? So it may be contended
that the stepmother is no longer bound
by the law to her husband after he is dead, and
she is free to marry another man, even her stepson.
If a brother's nakedness cannot be uncovered
by marrying his widow, so a father's nakedness
cannot lie uncovered when the son marries
his widowed stepmother. The law, as recorded
in Lev., 20th chapter, does make a difference in
the two cases, but only as to the penalties attached.
In the case of the stepmother, it is death to
both parties. In the other case, (hey shall die
childless. This does not prove that in either case
the marriage is lawful, but only that there are
recognized degrees of criminalty.
3. Doubtless, it will be argued that it is not
j wrong, per sc, for a man to marry his brother's
! widow, because at one time it was expressly enjoined.
See Deut., 25:5-10. We answer, so it
was; but under peculiar circumstances ana lor a
specific purpose. Under peculiar circumstances
it would be right for a man to work and to work
hard, on the Sabbath day; under peculiar circumstances
it is right for one man to kill anothes;
under peculiar circumstances it was not only
right, but absolutely necessary in the family of
our first parents, that brothers and sisters should
marry. We would, therefore, respectfully submit,
quoting from the Southern Presbyterian Review,
vol. 31, p. 6(12, that that particular "Levirate
law (concerning the marriage of brother and
brother's widow) by all the terms of the enact- '
ment, separates the case from all other cases 1
where such relationship subsists, and by the very :
IOrt-'O OI IIIU eiliU'llUCUl I Ulluiiiid uiiu cuuuiorai
and emphasises the universal law forbidding
such marriage. It is the solitary exception prov- '
ing the universality of the rule. Ana the reason
for this solitary exception is explicitly given in 1
the text of the law itself. No man in this day
has ever sought to marry his wife's sister because <
his deceased wife left no issue. And no man in
this day has over sought to marry his brother's
widow for the sake of progeny that might bear ,
his deceased brother's name and inherit his deceased
brother's property. It would be an ab- i
surdity in law, as well as* a disgrace in morals."
The per se argument, therefore, from that iso- ,
lated case, proves nothing, because it proves
too much. Until it be proved that Lev. 18:1(1 (
does not prohibit marriage with a brother's :
widow, we submit that nothing can be logically .
deducted from that particular enactment as found .
in Pouteronomv, except that under certain eir
cumstances and for a specified purpose, it was
made not simply lawful, but the bounden duty
of a brother, to marry his brother's widow.
Just hero we would call attention to the fact
that the proof texts cited by the Confession of >
Faith on the particular point now before us, are <
not taken from the 18th chapter of Leviticus,
but from chapter 20?19tb, 20th and 21st vorses; t
"which passage not only repeats the prohibition j
of Lev. IS: Hi, but makes the prohibition inore (
emphatic. In the last Scripture (Lev. 20: 21) ?
there are two expressions: 'Thou slialt not take
thy brother's wife,' employing the original word
that is almost universally used to designate
lawful marriage,' and then giving the reason: c
'Because it is incest'?the Hebrew word having S
this significance. So thus much may be safely C
altirmcd: the Confession, which is the original a
law of the church, bases this enactment upon ^
the express law of God, which says such mar- ?
riage is "an unclean thing.'"?S. P. Review, vol.
31, p. 671.
4. Now, therefore, if Lev. 28: lli and 20:21, 1
must stand as a part of the marriage law, and we
think it will be hard to show that such is not the 0
case, and if marriage with a brother's widow is
frirhiilrlpn. and we see not how it can be either |
logically or consistently denied, then we are
bound to conclude that marriage with a deceased
wife's sister is likewise forbidden. On this point t
we feel that wo cannot do better than present you a
with the very able argument of Dr. Wm. Lindsay,
Professor of Sacred Languages and Biblical c
criticism, to the United Presbyterian Church. ?
Ho says: "The conclusion, wo think, stands im- .
pregnable, that the prohibitions embodied in 1
Lev. 18, must be viewed as including not merely
those cases which are specifically described, but o
others also, where the relationship is the sanm. o
Deny this, and you are under tho necessity of ad- ti
mitting some of the most shocking marriages ?
which it is possible to imagine. It has been argued
against the extension of the Mosaic prohibitions
to any cases but those specified, that the c
omissions which strike us as anomalous are to C!
bo accounted for on the ground of tho different ti
positions occupied by the two sexes in ancient J
;imes. Things were permitted to tho one which a
were not permitted to the other; and in short, i
throughout the marriage law of Closes, tho feelings
of the male sex only were consulted, aud
not those of the female at all. Now, even sup- E
losing that this theory fully accouuted for all si
he omissions observablo in'Leviticus, which it jj
ly no means does, we should still be warranted
o conclude that under the New Dispensation, j..
,vhere male and female are all one in Christ, tho
listinction in favor of tho stronger sex had u
eased, and that, consequently, any cases, omited
on account of ancient disregard of female ll
feeling, ought now to be supplied in conformity
with the more equal and elevated spirit of the
gospel. It could hardly he maintained that a
marriage law was right in our day which professed
to be grounded upon a disregard ot female
feeling. But this theory does not even meet the
exigencies of the case as it is exhibited in the
ode of the Jewish legislator. Will any man
maintain that while a son was forbidden by Moses
to marry his mother, a daughter was left at
liberty, on account of the difference of sex, to be
married to her father? But unless it was so, the
theory was not worth a straw. If it was so, then
ertainly the theory is a sound one; hut let those
who employ it in defence of marriage with a
wife's sister, have the candor to acknowledge
that it eoually sanctions marriage between a father
and his own daughter. On the other hand,
if father and daughter were not allowed, anv
more than mother and son to he united in marriage,
then it is undeniable that there were cases
[JlIlllKMl 11UIII II1U iUUSttlU UUUU, WiUCU \\ lTtJ il?
really contemplated by the law as others that are
expressly described, and of course the proposed
explanation of omission falls to the' ground,
lint there is another consideration equally fatal
to the theory under review. The omitted cases,
supposed to" be left out on the ground of disregard
of female feeling, are not always similarly
related to the different sexes, and this single circumstance
overturns the whole hypothesis.
Marriage between a mother and a son is expressly
forbidden ; but nothing is said about a father
and a daughter. With regard, however, to the
grand-parents and grand-children, whilst there
is also one of the two possible combinations loft
out, it is not the corresponding one, but the reverse.
The grandfather and the granddaughter
are expressly forbidden to intermarry, but not a
word is uttered against the union of "the grandmother
and the grandson. Now, why should
mother and son in the one case, and grandfather
and granddaughter in the other, be the parties
that are specified, whilst it is father and daughter
that are omitted in the former case, and grandmother
and grandson that are omitted in the latter
? If any greater consideration be shown for
either sex in the one section of the law, the very
same preference is manifested for the other sex
in the other. The only escape out of this labyrinth
of perplexity and confusion, is the adop- (
tion of the principle that a prohibition \vith re-'
gard to one relationship must be held as applying
to another when it is exactly the same in
point of nearness. Admit this principle, and it
is at once perceived to be a matter of indifference
which of two similar cases be expressly specified,
for the settlement of either determines the other.
But deny this principle, and then it is impossible
to explain why, in the case .of parents and
children, mother and son should be mentioned
and father and daughter omitted; whilst in the
case of grandparents and grandchildren, the position
of the cases is just reversed, grandfather
and granddaughter being laid under restriction,
but grandmother and grandson being left to do
as they please.
"In addition to these consideration, it is no
small argument in favor of the idea that the analogous
cases must be considered as included
under those actually specified, that this view
recommends itself toTthe common sense of mankind.
A law contracted 011 the principle of forbidding
marriage between certain relatives and
tolerating it between others, where the propinquity
was quite the same, would not command
respect, nor carry along with it the moral convictions
of society. This is apparent from the
unhesitating manner in which all persons, when
their attention is lirst turned to this subject,
reason from the case of a wife's sister to that of a
brother's wife, and vice versa, as also from the
case of aunt and nephew to that of uncle and
niece. What surprise and bewilderment are
exhibited when the idea is first suggested, that
in one of each of these pairs of cases marriage
may be right, whilst in the other it is wrong.
Every person who* has conversed with others to
any extent upon the present aspect of the marriage
law controversy, must liave observed that
the feeling instantly'springs up in every mind
that wife's sister ana brother's wife must of
course be placed upon the same footing; and
that whatever it be, right or wrong for aunt and
nephew to do, the same must also be right or
wrong in the case of uncle and niece. The
moral sense of mankind instinctively hurries on
to the conclusion that perfectly analogous relationships
should have the same place assigned
to them in a marriage law; and by deviating
from this principle in any civil code j'ou might
enact, you would do violence to the moral perceptions
of society and weaken the sense of obligation
with regard to those connexions which
you did prohibit. Legalize marriage with a
wife's sister, and you will not be able to secure
respect for the enactment which forbids it with
a brother's wife. Legalize marriage between
an uncle and a niece, and you will not be able to
avoid abrogating the law which interdicts the
union of aunt and nephew."?S. 1\ Review, vol.
31?pp. ?W0, (5<J1.
Fifth and lastly: But some, seeing the force of
the argument just recited, whose logical conclusions
it is impossible to escape, quickly leap
from verse 1(5, which prohibits marriage with a m
brother's wife, and by parity of reasoning with ^
a wife's sister, to verse IS, which reads as follows
: "Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister,
to vex her, to uncover her nakedness beside
the other in her life time." Here they take their .
stand und would assert or- allirm that the
Scriptures not only do not forbid marriage with
a deceased wife's sister, but actually sanctions
and authorizes it. Now it is submitted that such
an assertion looks very much like begging the
question, and which remains yet to be proven.
And we do most emphatically protest agaist any
such inference, especially if it comes from any
one who would contend for a literal interpretation
of Scripture. All that can possibly bo concluded
with certainty from said passage, is that
it is forbidden a man to "take a wife to her sister
to vex her, to uncover her nakedness beside the
other in her life time." He is forbidden to have
two sisters as wives at the same time. Supposing
it were allowed that he should be a polvgamist,
still he must not have two sisters as liis wives
while they are both living. That is all that there
is in the 'passage. It does not say that a man
may marry his sister-in-law after his wife's death.
It says not a word about whom he may marry
after his wife's death. It simply tells him what
he must not do during his wife's lifetime, and
gives the reason for it. To construe this 18th
verse as implying the lawfulness of marrying a
second sister after the death of the tirsL is to
construe it as regulating, and thus, by implication,
legalizing polygamy. Its scope would be:
"The man who wishes a plurality of wives may
take them, provided only he does not hike two
blood sisters simultaneously," as Jacob did Rachel
and Leah. We would protest against any
such construction.
The conclusion, then, of the whole matter is
simply this: that we are of opinion that Lev.
18: 10 does prohibit marriage with a brother's"
widow, and that by parity of reasoning, it likewise
forbids marriage with a deceased wife's sister.
Your committee would, therefore, recommend
the following for your adoption :
Resolved, That Bethel Presbytery does not
concur with Concord Presbytery in asking that
steps be taken to have stricken from the Confession
of Faith the last clause of Sec. 4, chapter 24.
Resolved, That the stated clerk be and he is
hereby instructed to forward such action to the
General Assembly at Lexington, Kv.
The consideration of the report was deferred
until the afternoon session.
Rev. It. A. Webb, from the. Committee
[)n Minutes of Synod, submitted the following
report:
Your committee would respectfully report as
follows:
1. We call attention to the fact that this Pres
bytery sent no statistical report to the Synod.
2. As regards the resolutions of the Synod on
:hc Diaconate, to be found on page 11 of the
minutes, we recommend the following: 1. That
Lhis Presbytery affirm the doctrine as set forth
in the Synod's paper as true and scriptural. 2.
That Presbytery proceed as speedily as possible
to conform its practice to these views: By enoining
upon all the churches under our care who
liave no deacons, to take the proper steps to promro
such officers as soon as it. can be done; to
:onnnit to their care all the poor of the congregation,
the collection and distribution of the offerings
of the people (under the direction of the
Session;) the management of all the temporal
t flairs of the church ; and when it can be done,
make them the trustees of church property; 3.
11 v taking the propersteps tocall a deacon to the
mice of treasurer of Presbytery. Respectfully
lubmitted. R. A. Webb,
J. J. Moore.
After the reading of the report, Mr. Pratt
>bjected to the third recommendation in the
;econd paragraph, and made an argument
igainst the policy of opening the way to
l continual change of an important officer,
vhich should be tilled by an experienced,
ompetent Elder.
Mr. Webb replied, supporting the recomnendation.
Pondinpf the discussion. Presbvterv reced
<1 from business until 3 P. M.
afternoon session.
Presbytery convened at 3 o'clock P. M.
Rev. W. G. White, chairman of commitee
No. 1 on Sessional Records, reported,
nd his report was adopted.
Licentiate McAlpine was examined according
to Rule 15 of the standing rules, his
xamination in the respective branches beng
sustained.
The report of the Committee on Minutes
f Syn<xl was then called up as the second
rder for the afternoon session, and, on moion,
it was read seriatim and adopted, and
fterwards adopted as a whole.
The report in regard to the proposed
hange in the Confession of Faith was then
ailed, and after the reading of the resoluions
with which it concludes, Rev. D. E.
ordan took the floor and made a lengthy
rgument against the adoption of the resoitions.
At the conclusion of his address, Mr.
Inglish moved to postpone further discusion
of the subject until to-morrow mornlg.
Carried.
Air. Stewart, from the special committee
) examine and compare the printed mintes
of last meeting with the original in the
jcord book, reported that his committee
ad performed the duty assigned them.