The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-04-21
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED
PREsBYTERY At ORA.

The Associate Reformed Presbyte
rians Talk of Union With the Uni
ted Presbytcrians---Mcm Pres
ent...Students Licensed..-Interest'
ing Discussion.
ORA, LAURENs COUNTY, April lG, 1856.
| The Presbytery met according to adjourn.
meut at Bethel church, at Ora, in LaurcnS
county, one of the ch urches under the pastora
care of Rev. d. F. HaddOn. He has been pas
tor of this church for forty years, ana by me-
ability as a preacher, his faithfuineSs as a pas
tor and his character as man he has galneu
the love not only of his own congregation, Dut
OF all those whose privilege 1t is TO sit under
his ministration and who come In contact
with him. This church is not a very large
one in membership, but it contains some OF
the best people in the Associate Reformed
church. 1t had been ten years since frespy-
terry had met here and tie people were look.
ing forward to it with pleasure Although II
was a busy season with the farmers yet on
Friday morning good crowd had assembled
atthe opening Of It's SESSIONS
The meeting was opened by IS sermon rom ron,
the retiring Moderator, Rev. d. w. Reid, from
the 2d chapter of 2 Corinthians and lIth verse.
This was one of Mr.. Reid's happiest efforts,
perhaps the best we have ever neard from
him. After the sermon the Presbytery was
Rev. J. S. Mills. of Louisville, Ga, was elect.
ed Moderator OF this meeting. The following
members were present:
Philips, d. D.. Rev. W: NJ: Grier, D: p, Rev.
H. II. Sloan, D. d., Rev. j. l.. Hempbill, Rey
J. c. Boyd, Rev. II. F. Bradley, Rev; d. W.
REID, Rev. p. F; Haddon, Rey. G PrcSsly, + Kev a,v
Auley, Rev. w. w. McNIorris, Rev. E. P. Nc
C!intock, Rev. C. f. Iodd.
Elders-R. w. Haddnn. W. j.. Bryson, d. a
Chestnut, G. s. Brown, John = Lyon . 2ha1nera Ghm IL
Students-H. b. Blakcly.O. Y. Bonner, B. II
Grier, Z. 3. Stewart and Thomas e. Boyce OF
W Rev. ". NJ. Hardin of NJ. f: church was in
vited to q scat as 4 visiting member, anu was
introduced to the Presbytery, to which he re-
piled in words of Christian kindness.
There was guile contest for the place ol
next meeting. Four congregations applied ior
il, namely: Ebcnezer, Ga, White Oak, Ga,
IIopcwcll, Ga, and Gel!crostee, S. c. Speech.
es were made pressing the claims n % eacn iha o5
church now supplied by Rev. J. L. Hempnill,
was selected. The time appointed for. next
mecling-is Saturday before the second Sab
bath Of September.
The congregational reports were generally
encouraging. Nine churches showed deficit
on pastors salary, these amounts were. how
ever, small. Only one congregation reporting
the death Of an elder. that OF Troy reporting
tho death Of Mr. +. Cook.
Three ladies societies sent up reports OF
their work, and all such societies were re-
quested TO send up reports at the fall meeting
White Oak, Ga, requested the MODERATION
of call. Tho request was granted ANA Rev:
G. 4. Todd was appointed to perform that
duty. This church has sixty seven communi'
cantS, and is well able to support pastor
1t has been supplied for several years BY Rev
]. l.. Hcmphill, and i. is understood that the
call will hc made out for him.
Rev. II. +. Sloan was appointed at the !nsl
meeting Of presbytery to survey ne iIeld az
would be justified IN organizing church at
that place. lie reported that he thought al
this time it would be impracticablc..
The report Of the finance committee is al
ways listened to with a great deal of interest
We give the assessments upon the churches
in Abbcville county. Assessments for Foreign
Missions upon Due West S13l, upon Long
Cane and Cedar Springs Sl30, upon Troy 81
Due West 500, upon Long Cane and Cedar
Springs Sl95, upon Troy SIS, and upon Lodi
During the meeting Of Presbytery the stu
dents whose names were mentioned ABOVE oe'
irercd trial diScOurses and they we're sus'
tanned as specimens of progress. The foul
young men belonging to this Presbytery were
licensed on Saturday. The charge was made
by DR.. Phillips and was al able one delivered
in his characteristic style. The ceremony
was very impressive The young men were
given permission to labor during the summer
at their own discretion.
,
with the United Presbyterian church vas
brought before the house; the roll was calleo
and the members were requested to give thcll
views upon the matter before amy molten al
all was made.
We give Il brief report Of the remarks ol
each one. or course we will not at'empt ;
full report, only enough TO show how each del
cgatc or his church stands.
DR.. Sloan Ever since this question was frs
agitatrd | have been Il secret friend Of Union
believe it would do good, believe it would
be good for us and for them, but Will oppose
| it now on account of its brewing tlouble-
trouble will surely grow out of it. My session
had Il meeting recently to discuss the matter
Eight elders were present, four were III laVol
of Union and four were opposed. NV consre
CATION is about equally divided. The opposi
| ton is determined.
Rev. d. +. IIaddon-I think the remarks
| this evening should come more particularly
the people and know their sentiments anu
know their sentiments and feelings Dettcl
than the ministers do.
Rev. w. l.. Pressiy-I will speak only fol
have no faut to find with the Basis; / have
no scruplcS about it. l do not subscribe I.
their testimony on slavery because l am no.
asked todo SO. l am willing to accept th(
| Basis fully. l cannot see any 0bstacie 10 .
union; none have been presented. There Il
as much difference between our own people
as between the United Prrshytcrians and us
There is no difficulty in doctrine but in pe0
! PIC. mere Has Dcci a. Will tti.o thtlO I'D ~
there is Of IL. l DO not favor union at every
sacrifice. would not create disScisi0ns.
would not have any union that would lcaV'
any considerable minority out of the union.
Rev. &. T.. TOid-1 am for union; am also
! for peace; if we cannot have both. let us nave
peace believe If we would look at tlll'
nom true spiritual point OF view we coul'
all see oTr Way ccar Iorbearance e. w"nla q, D
no more discussion of union.
! Rev. ]. c. BOyd-I am for union. We are
the saline in doctrine. discipline, worship, ant
traditions. AS long as we remain apart w
glad if the United Prcsbyterians would Wip
out the slavery article. While 1 oppose tina
article, would 20 into the union. My people
do not support me in this My two sessions
are unanimously opposed to il. That being
the case, l am not prepared to vote for the
! basis.
Rev. e. P. McClntock-My session is bitter
in its opposition to this union discussion
Men who are generally mild and gentle are
bitterly opposed to it. They want the discus
sion stopped. Personally, If q majority @
synod favored it. and we could 70 into !
without disruption might favor it. But
it not putting the head of the church TOT
! flraway from us?
Rev. ID. G. Phillips-I have no prrjudic
against the union. | used TO have, but ~ hi
wasted away. But it occurs 10 me that thi
union is bad pnlcy--let well cnel,gh alone j
good policy. We are getting along very well
Il is jnconvcnient. They could furnish us ne
men or money rltnrr. III subscribe 10 VII
slavery article, would subscribe to what
! knew to tie q lie. could go into tho union
! but have no desire to do so. / can eat
| crow, but don't banker after crow. believ
If l 60 can take my congregation; il sta.
out think they will stay with me. Let II
have peace Let us not split. l am on th
fence
Rev. y. w. Rcid-I am In favor of over
turning it down to the sessions that the.
mag get the sense of the people for they ar
greatly concerned. am in favor Of union.
Rev. II. +. Bradlcy-iS for ovcr-turnins thi@
to the sessions we cannot do that: we have 1T