The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-03-05
By REV. VI. I. SLOAN.
(COnciud,{.l

lhc t'hurch was Stlli cniarElnG
and taking deeper root in New.
berry. Already had u commodious
church been erected at Head
Spring. "rhn frat Sabbath after
the death OF Mr.. Strong, the Rcv.
VIM. Biackstocks preached the
first sermon in this church. cpen-
ing service with the 23rd Psalm
and closing with the 57.h. The
organization was probably effected
soon after, with James T. Sloan
aud Capt. James Chalmers as
elders. But people, who bad so
long enjoyed tho regular ministra.
tons OF the word and ordinances,
conld not long remain without an
effort to procure successor. God
was providing for them u shepherd,
in tho person Of Rev. Samuel p.
Prossly. son Of John Prcssly, Esq, of
Cedar Spring, man able in pray
er aad mighty in tho Scriptures.
This Rcv. Samuel p. .Prcssly ly-sub-
scqucntly ID. D.-was man oftal-
cnt and learning, concerning whom
one Of tho fathers said, Gle never
had superior in the Presbytcry.'
He bccam Pastor Of the four united
congregations Of Nowbcrry about
1926 or 1927. lie located in the
town of Newb6rry, taught in m
Academy, preached regularly IL
his several churches for nearly
eight years. Being II man ofpop-
ular manners, fine address, and an
able preacher Of the Gospel, largo
congregations waited upon his
ministry and very many wcro
added to the Church. The young
were catcchised and instructed
at intcrmission. About the COM
mcnccmcnt Of this pastoratc, tho
eldcrship, at least at Cannon Greek
was increased by tho addition of
Robert Russell and JAS. Sloan; and
it was under this pastoratc, too,
that Abraham Moore and George
Thompson were inducted into tho
cldcrship at Prosperity.
Mr.. Pres ssly's ministry was high
ly successful, and the churches
fully maintained their former high
position and influence among all
the sister churches of tho land.
But more liberal measures being
advocated and sometimes practic-
cd by Mr.. Prcssly, occasioning
earnest and sometimes heated dis
cusslons in tho Session and among
the members, the churches were
destined to receive severe shock
in tho removal Of Mr.. Pressly and
tho consequences which cnsucd.
A wider field Of usefulness having
opened up before the young and
talented Pastor, on his election to
a. Profcssorship in tho Franklin
University, Athens, Ga, at meet
ing Of Presby held at Long
Cane, March 28th, 1884, Mr.. Press,
ly asked and obtained q dismission
to connect. himself with u sistor
denomination, leaving his congro-
cations vacant and somewhat torn
and distracted with internal dis,
scnsions.
While tho cldershipa and a majori-
ty Of tho membership adhered to
their former faith and practice, to
pcrpetuatc tho Associate Reformed
Presbyterian churches Of Ncwbor.
~, II goodIy number Of prominent
and influential mem bors, following
tho example Of their pastor also
changed their ecclesiastical connec.
tion--among whom were such
men rs Chancellor Johnston, DR.,
Glenn, Esq. Keller, David CIcary
George Boozer, DR.. Alexander
Chambers, tho Foots, and others,
with their families Through
whose instrumontality and in.
huonco, especially, sprang AvaIcigh
church, now tho Presbyterian
church of Newberry--Smyrna,
above Bush River--Gilder's Crock
seemed also to DO revived, aud sub,
scqnontly Mt. Bolhol was callod
into being. Honce, these church, es
Of ConnoO Grnck K;n,r'ol r.ooL