The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-04-12
THE SOUTH CAROLINA pREssYrERY.

The Presbytery of South Carolina con
vened at Greenwood, in Abbeville County,
on Wednesday afternoon, 4th inst, at 81
o'clock. The opening sermon was preached
by Rev. w. G. Smith, of Pendleton, retiring
Moderator.
Presbytery constituted with prayer. Rev.
A. L. Miller was chosen Moderator, and
Carver Randall Assistant Clerk. A call
was sent up from Walhalla and Richland
churches for the pastoral services of the
Rev.. W. L. Morris. With a view to his
ordination and installation, Presbytery in
stituted the usual examination Of the candi-
date in reference to his literary course, ex-
perimental religion, Church history, DC.
The examination was unanimously sus-
tanned, and arrangements made for his in
stallation at an early date. a call from the
church of Good Hope for half the pastoral
labors of the Rev. T. G. Ligon, was also pre-
sented, accepted, and arrangements made for
his installation.
The narratives sent up from the different
churches of the Presbytery in reference to
the state of religion in their boundary
showed general state of declension in
piety, and smaller contributions for church
enterprises than usual. The former unhappy
condition of the country, politically and
financially, is assigned as one of the causes.
A special day of prayer was set apart by the
Presbytery for general outpouring of the
Spirit upon all our churches. The first
Sabbath in July is the day.
Rev. J. B. Adger and Rev. A. P. Nicholson
were appointed principals, ministers, COM
missioners to the General Assembly, at New
Orleans, and Revs. R. A. Fair and R. d.
Reid alternates, and A. B. Towers and d.
w. Wright elders, principals, and ]. J.
Norton and D. w. Aiken alternates.
The next session of the Presbytery will
be held with Washington Street Church,
Greenville, on Wednesday before the fifth
Sunday in September next, at 8 o'clock
p. IN.
The subject of Domestic Missions was the
absorbing topic of discussion at this meet
ing, and the results, it is hoped, will be fruit
full of good. In connection with this subject
committee was appointed to visit Edgeheld
G. H. for the purpose of organizing Pres
byterian Church there, if the way be clear.
The Pickens mission, under the care of Rev.
Hugh McLees, was found to be in an en-
couraging condition. The mission field in
the bounds of spartanburg County is an
important one and it is hoped that speedy
arrangements will be made for their supply.
Rev. John G. Law was elected Evangelist
for this Presbytery for the next six months.
It is earnestly desired that he will accept the
position, and enter at once upon the dis
charge of the arduous and responsible du-
ties of the Office There are not only weak
and vacant churches famishing for the bread
of eternal life, but there is large and in
teresting part of our population-the colored
people-who are in the utmost spiritual des-
titution, and the scriptural cry is ringing in
our ears from every quarter, "Come over,
and help u.s." Hitherto our access to this
class of our population, religiously, has been
obstructed BY influences beyond our control,
but Providence seems to be slowly, but
surely removing those hindrances, and it is
to be hoped that our Presbytery will prompt
ly avail themselves of the opportunity. If
time had been afforded, after the election of
the Evangelist, the subject would have been
brought: prominently before the Presbytery,
but it is hoped that this oversight will not
deteran ministers or elders, fromdischarg-
ing their duty in this respect as opportuni-
ty offers, during the interim between the
spring and fall meetings of Presbytery.,
The Rev. John McLees, who for thirty
years has been serving this Church as pastor,
is now, and has been for some time, in very
feeble health. While he is physically weak
and feeble, his spiritual growth seems to be
rapidly maturing for heaven.
The hospitality Of the people Of Green
wood was elegant and unbounded. 1t was
the pleasure of your correspondent to be
assigned to Gen. Gillian, for forty years as
sociated with this Presbytery as ruling
elder. He is in his S6th year, and although
physically frail and feeble, yet his mental
vigor is surprisingly good. BE has attended
two General Assemblies, and was ever ready
during the prime Of life to serve the Church
in any capacity required. And to this day,
ripening daily for the tomb, as he evidently
is, every aspiration Of his Christian heart is
for the prosperity of Zion. The only son
living, Mr.. R. G. Gillian, late of Pickens,
has removed with his family to his fathers
home as a filial prop for his declining years.
, T. II. R.