Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-04-19

church. It was under his ministry, too, that
"Old Centre" a preaching place established by
the santed Adams, expanded into the organized
church at Clover. But however pleasant it may
be to linger over these fragrant scenes, the
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 intrmity. 1t was then that
the church called an assistant pastor who came
to his help in December, 1881. But on Septem-
Der 23rd 1882, at the request of Mr.. Watson,
Bethel Presbytery put an end to this long pastor
ate. 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 near fOrerunner Of the dissolu-
tion of that closer and more mysterious conneX-
ion between soul and body, which we call death
Weary and worn, the venerable saint stands on
Jordan's banks and looks across to Canaan $
happy shores. waiting to pass over to the resttul
side. On October 22nd, 1882, he preached his last
week he took i'll. 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: 81 know whom ] have believed, and
am persuaded that lie is able to keep that which
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 dellv-
cred the Masters Summons, and were waiting to
convey the emancipated spirit to the upper sane
tuary. When asked if he felt his SaviOur's pres
ence, he replied in the Affirmative When asked
what passage of Gods word was most comtOrt-
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: ~ trust
- lr
had his long ministry to 60 over, what he would
do, he quickly replied: ''Preach Christ and the
doctrines He then commissioned his success
sor in Bethel to deliver this message to his old
fear and trembling" A little while later, there
were two short breaths and the long life was end
ed. The veteran preacher, the toil-worn laborer,
laid off the sweated harness and entered into his
rest. On Monday morning, November 18th, lSs2
"grave in a full age, like as shock of corn COM
eth in in his season." On Tuesday morning we
laid his body away with sorrow and hope ; and
there does it peacefully sleep in Bethel buryine
place. among three thousand others, his kindred
and his people, awaiting together the sound OF
that resurrection trump which will make that
vast city ofthe dead heayc with thousands strug-
Cling into immortality.
Mr.. Watson was preacher of the gospel in
the Presbyterian Church for tifty-siX years; for
forty 1.-TWO years he was pastor of Bethel church
he died aged eighty-four years nine months and
eight days.
AS to ancestry, Mr.. Watson was of Scotch
Irish descent. In personal appearance he was
tall, slender, and very erect. In social inter-
and frugality characterized his life at home
He was not demonstrative in any relation OF
life. He was man ofmuch prudence, safe and
iudicous in counsel and slow to speak of the
faults of others. He was careful to maintain
the mastery Of his appetites. All his mental
lon1ipntal h>y of trnt
His conduct was controlled by Il love Of right
and his heart was filled with the love of God
Upon the foundation of truthfulness, upright
ness and Godliness, he had reared the supcrstruc-
ture Of his character. Eminent conscientious
ness was prominent and outstanding feature
AS q preacher there was Nothing brilliant OF
flashing about his pulpit performances, but what
he said was generally sound and delivered in a
conversational style. AS a theologian he was a
Calvnist; and, besides possessing a clear con-
ception ofthat system, he loved it. AS presby-
ter 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 et1acing
hand Of time will not soon destroy
1t has not been claimed that our deceased faith
er was flultless. He never made such an as
sumption himself. 1t had been grevious fault
if he had The perfection of character is the
possession of no man on earth. 1t is the perOg-
ative of Inspiration, in its delineations of hui
man life, to portray both the vices and virtues
Of men; for God is righteous and omniscient
We are neither; we are sinners. 1t is our priv
ilege to fold together the blotted leaves, which
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 sacra-
mental host-that great multitude which no man
can number-Of all nations and kindred and
people and tongues, standing before the throne
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,
and with palms in their hands, and in that royal
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
Lords house, and drink of the river Of his pleas
ures forevermore. Respectfully submitted.
R. a. WEBB,
J. II. SAVE.
This report was, on motion, amended as
originally read, by inserting after the words
"When his co-pastor and successor" in the
tenth paragraph, the name, "Rev. Robert
A Webb" and Us thus amended, was unan-
imously adopted by a rising vote.
The serious illness of Rev. DR.. Howe, OF
Columbia Theological Seminary, was an
nounced by Rev. Robert A. Webb, who Of
fered resolution of sympathy, and that
Presbytery join in earnest prayer for his re-
covery. The resolution was adopted, and
the Moderator designated Rev. Mr.. Tren-
holm to offer a supplication to the Throne of
Grace for the recovery of DR.. Howe, which
he proceeded to do, Presbytery uniting.
Committee No. s. on Sessional Records, re-
ported, and was discharged.
On motion of Rev. H. B. Pratt, he was eX-
cused 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 tonight, was
granted to the Rev. d. E. Jordan and Elder
J. w. Ashwood.
The Moderator appointed the following
commission to organize the church at Rich
burg: Rev. j. H. Saye, Rev. l.. H. Rob-
inson, Elder John J. Stringfellow. Alter
nates-Rev. j. G. McN1ullen, Rev. H. B.
Pratt, Elder Henry Miller.
Presbytery then adjourned until 8 A. NJ,
on Monday.
MONDAY MORNING, April 16.
Presbytery convened, pursuant to adj
jourHment.
After devotional exercises, the clerk pro-
ceeded to read the minutes of Saturdays
sessions but before completing the read
ing thereof on motion, the reading was
suspended, in order to give Rev. DR.. Mack,
of Columbia Theological Seminary, an Op-
portunity of addressing Presbytery before
his departure on the morning train for Col
umbia.
Dr. Mack made the sad announcement Of
the death of Rev. George Howe, D. d.,
LII. D., which occurred at his residence in
Columbia yesterday afternoon. DR.. Mack
then proceeded to address Presbytery in be-
half of the Theological Seminary, and rep
that institution as in a prosper
GUS condition, with an efficient faculty, a
full attendance of students, and encouraging
and increasing endowment. He was high
ly mplimentary of Bethel Presbytery for
the liberal encouragement it had extended