The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-05-13
A Centennial Sermon.

Rev. DIR. j. Is. Mt'errln, agent of
the Southern Methodist publishing
house, preached a centennial sermon at
the First Presbyterian church at Nash
vile recently. In the course Of his
sermon Rev. DIR. McFerrin said that
the three denominations, Prcsbytcrians,
Methodists and Baptists, were repre-
sented in the very beginning of the i'm
provement in this fertile country. a
most extraordinary revival of religion
excited the whole country in the yeai
1900. 1t prevailed among all classes
and continued for several wears. and
was attended with many singular phys
icai diseases called ''thc jerks" pain
ful nervous excitement, which has new
er vet been satisfactorily explained. 1t
came upon prnfessed christians and sim
ners alikeIn this great revival Prcsbv-
.terians, Methodists, Baptists entered into
the work, especially the former two.
Camp-mcetings were originated ut this
revival. Here the people cOngregatcd
together and remained upon the ground
sometimes for whole week together.
They sojourned in tents, in wagons, un-
der brush arbors, and in camps made
of poles or boards. Hundreds and
thousands professed to be converted,
and the different churches were great
ly enlarged. In this revival the Cum
berland Presbyterian church origina-
ted. The leading men of the time
favored religion. General Andrew
jackson, Tennessee's great hero,
though protane and to a degree reck-
less in his earlier days, always had res
pect for ministers of the gospel and for
members of. the church. Rev. James
Gwin, father of Senator Gwin, of Cali
fornia, was favorite chaplain with
him in the war of 1S12-1S15. The
following characteristic anecdote is re-
lated of Gen. Jackson: During one of
the racing seasons at Clover Bottom
the General had quite number of his
sporting friends as his guests. On the
Sabbath they all accompanied Mrs.
jackson to church to hear a sermon
from Rev Robert Henderson. Mr.
Henderson had prepared a discourse
on fashionable and popular sins. He
fired whole volley into horse-raciug,
profane swearing, gambling and such
like sins. He was Il fearless preacher
and did not mince his words Many in
the audience feared the result. They
knew General jackson was impulsive
and quick to resent personal insinu-
alton, and they were anxious to know
in what light he might consider the
sermon. On the next day the general
ordered fine suit of broadcloth for
the preacher, stating that he admired
courageous minister who was not
afraid to tell the truth. Gen. Jack
son died member of the Presbyterian
church; James K. Polk died mem
Der of the Methodist church.
! Rev. DIR. M'Ferrin said hc was born
within forty miles of Nashville, when
the country around his fathers cabin
was a wilderness. His grandfather
was a soldier i'll the revolutionary war,
and his father was one of Gen. Jack.
sons officers i'll the war of 1912. HC
had been Il citizen of Nashville nearly
fifty years. Of ali the old preachers
he alone was left. He had witnessed
many changes. Men had changed anC
IJtlSScd AWAY SillScH anu IOuIlSllCNi ttllC
faded into nOnentitv. He had scel
the rich become poor and poor made
rich. He had seen the old die anC
the young grow old. He had witness
ed the removal of many old landmark
and the erection of more splendid edi
fees, but one thing had not changed
the bible was the same and christiani
ty was still young and vigorous. H
i, had come into the church sixty year
ago. Nashville now had fifty temple
for christian worship, and yet, alas
her soil was too often stained witt
murdered blood? Too many drinking
. saloons; too many gambling hells; to
much lasciviousucss;t to many open gate
leading the young to destruction. lie
them put those evils away and sc
, their faces as flint against publ
crimes and private vices; then, at til
next centennial our posterity would II
joice i'll what they had bequeathe
= them.