Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-09-17
BETHEL PRESBYTERY.
FULL AND INTERESTING MEETING OF
THE FALL SESSION.
Reported for the Yorkville Enquirer.l


Bethel Presbytery convened in regular fall
session on Wednesday morning, Septem-
ber 9th, at Bethesda Church, and was open
ed with a sermon by the retiring Modera-
tor, Rev r. A. Webb, who based his dis
course ON Acts xvi, 81. The roll-call show
ed that out of total Of % ministers, IS
were present, and out Of total OF Al
churches, 81 were represented.
Rev. II. 3. Pratt, of Lancaster, was elect
ed Moderator. Rev. D. Harrison resigned
the office of Stated Clerk, and Rev. r. A.
Webb was chosen his successor. Rev. Geo.
Summey, of Chester, was elected assistant
clerk.
Concord Church presented call for Rev.
E. G. Smith, of Mars Bluff, S. G. HopeWell
Church called Rev. J. S. White for one half
ments were made for his installation in No
vember. Allison Creek and Beth Shiloh
Churches presented callsfor Rev. Roger Mar
tin, of Shoe Heel, N. c., and he signifed his
willingness to accept the calls. AinWell and
LongtoWn Churches called Mr.. II. Fl. New
man, candidate for the ministry, who has
been supplying them during the summer.
Fishing Creek Church was chosen as the
next place of regular meeting. 4
On Thursday morning, Rev. II. R. Eng
lish preached an able sermon to large and
| dGlcullFS anu dllSI IilC SCli1iol
a congregational meeting of Bethesda Church
was held, at which the Rev. J. Lowrie Will
son resigned the pastorate of this old and
most honorable Church, of which he has
been pastor since 1869. 1t has been his first
and only charge. The congregation prompt
ly determined to resist the acceptance Of the
resignation with energy at the bar of the
Presbytery. The Presbytery heard the re-
quest of Mr.. Wilson, and unanimously and
heartily declined to accede to it, and refused
to grant the dissolution.
| After some discussion of the Presbytery's
method of conducting its work through an
Executive Committee, the Presbytery de-
| termined to adhere to its plan Of working
through general committee.
Rev. Roger Martin, Of North Carolina,
preached on Friday morning very inter-
esting sermon to an attentive audience.
The discourse was universally spoken of with
the highest appreciation.
Some ringing speeches were made in be-
half of the venerable and useful college OF
Davidson. The Rev. Luther McKinnOn,
the new president, is on the ground, and
has begun his career under the most favora-
Bile auspices. Three new professors are also
at the institution, making full faculty OF
seven able men, who begin with 90 students
on the grounds.
The Presbytery, on assembling, found ev-
erybody, male and female, young and old,
discussing Olivet's move to McConnellsville.
Olivet Church lies about two miles west
of McConneilsville, and the village has
heretofore been exclusively the territory
of Bethesda, which is four miles distant.
This summer about twenty-one MEM
bers of Bethesda went to Olivet, and
Olivet thereupon determined to come to
town. At once contract for $2,7 700 brick
building was let, and the foundation of the
new house was laid. The session of Bethes-
da protested The feeling on both sides
rose high. The action of Presbytery touch
ing this matter is the following:
Whereas, it has come to the knowledge of mem
bers of Presbytery, that the Session of Oliyet
of certain territory, which was also claimed by
the Session of Bethesda Church, and this after
they were requested by the latter session not to
do so till the question at issue could be decided
| by Presytery
Resolved, i. That in the judgment of this Pres
| bytery it is not right for one OF the parties to
disputed claim, thus practically to settle in his
own favor the question in dispute, and this
action of the OliVet Church was practical adJu-
dcation Of the claim.
Resolved, 2. That the Presbytery regrets that
the courtesy of waiting, in answer to the request
of the Bethesda Session, was not shown; but
since the matter has proceeded so far, Presbytery
| will not interpose to check the building OF the
| Church, only enjoining most earnestly upon the
parties hereafter tendery to respect the rights Of
others, and to study the things which make for
| peace.
This paper was unanimously and heartily
adopted, and the hopeis generally expressed
that all will now become quiet
The Presbytery's committee to prepare
narrative to Synod on the State of religion,
as exhibited by the reports from the various
Churches, was so doleful that all the men,
bers under the jurisdiction of this body
ought to read it. 1t is as follows:
Bethel Presbytery respectfully reports to the
Synod of South Carolina, that it is in great grief
at the low state practical religion in its bounds
1t comes clad in weeds and ashes. 1t brings no
report to gladden. the Synod heart. Things are
not depressed as low as they can be; still we
search almost in vain for single refreshing sign
of progress during the past year, and we have to
the S still P~sts s in
While there has been preaching, with some
degree of regularity, in all our churches during
the past year, and while every pastor comes up
| credited with fathfulness in the discharge OF
duty, yet there is an array of facts which makes
us bow our heads with shame.
We have failed to establish family religion in
| our homes though we have tried by entreatles,
by instructions, by admonitions, by warnings,
| by emphatic inunctions, to prevail upon our pa
| rents to indoctrinate and govern and hold wor-
ship with their families. Every Church under
our jurisdiction comes to us and tells us to our
faces that this matter is deplorably neglected.
And furthermore, this radical evil appears to
be striking its roots deeper in the face of all the
opposition with which we can confront it.
| In addition to this, only one church out of
forty-one, reports anything like special revival
| during the past year. This strikes minds
as a grievous thing and bitter, and our hearts
cry, "Hath the Lord cast off forever?"
| Again. there is intemperance among many OF
our members. The complaint comes up from
many churches that this evil exists among them,
| md 81 increasing.
| Again, the majority Of our churches inform us
that they have members, and some Of them whole
families, who habitualy neglect the Lords
house word, worship and SERVICE and there are
no signs of Improvement in this direction.
| Still further: While most of our churches in
form us that the sentiment of the people is against
worldliness, there comes to us at the same time
the report that this evil prevails in the face of
this sentiment and the discipline ofthe church
| Peace and harmony is reported rs prevailing
among our Churches. The Sabbath, IN most con-
gregations, is said to be well observed. Our
Evangelist is enconroged in his endeavors to
recover the waste places in our bounds.
We express great sorrow at this report of the
state of religion in our PresbyteTY, ana ask lor
the concern and help of the Synod.
The Presbytery adopted heartily the fol-
lowing resolution of thanks, and then ad-
iourned to meet at the call of the Moderator,
during the session of Synod at Chester in
October:
Rcsolued that the thanks of Presbytery. arc
due and are hereby given to the good people OF
Bethesda Church and vicinity for their Kind ana
generous entertainment of members during Ses-
sions of Prcsbytery and to the railroad lines for
reduced rates of travel.
Bethesda handsomely entertained the
vi cno,,ooJ apyiouc tn IN Ill