The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-03-03

was a demand for more convenient church.
facilities. The Methodists put up house OK
worship first, and afIsrwards the Eplscopa. s
lians built a church. The Presbyterlans were :
not long in realizing the Inconvenience OF
worshipping at so great a distance as Upper
Long Cane church, and SOW plainly the disads
thei fIet that many OF the Abbevt!le people
felt a. greet attachment for the old church,
and owingt0 that other fact, the difficulty or
as"f sa;s aSse as x ESe e 70 %ark s
structing building for their own usel was
not @ dsyGad
work was led by Elders David Lessly, Z. 6:
Perrin, j. F.. Livingston ana K: FL. WardlaW.
In This good w9k k tnsss s ta ssas Esss
Branch, r. A. Fair, Thomas Th9mson, and
others. Dr. J. F. Iivinpston and David Less :
ly took the subscriptions and built the church,
which was finished in the Summer SH q dsSa.
The the 10Th Of August. 1854. The great reviyalis
Dr.. Baker. was in this country at that time,
that day that he commenced ten days meet
Ing in this church on the 14th Of September:
Doctor Baker is therefore, supposed to be the
Public notice was also given at the same same time
place on Sunday, the oath OF September-Dr.@ Z
James H. preaching tine
had no pastor, and the congregation, whether
worshipping at Abbeville or Upper Long,
Cane, depended upon such supply as they
N sSg s suPPy5s P s Rss as RRx Hes Rsss
Hoyt assumed the pas!orate Of Upper
part. and on the 18th day OF May, 1856, he
was installed. being the first regular pas
tor to preach the gospel al this house. The
reader will bear In mind the church organiza.
= khas,{ fO Inn or1d
until the Spring Of 1868, was identical with
that at Upper Long Cane-the building at Abb 4
beville however, being the property Of the in,
dividuals In which a, 1t Was agreed that t,ras the
for the convenience of such members as might
live in the village. The church organization,
including members, deacons' elders, aiai anu
| Of worship. BY agreement. after the compile
tion OF the new house of worship at Able. Z
vile, the time Of the pastor Of Upper Long
bath day service, but the Abbeyllle church
had preaching every Sabbath night
The subject OF q division was agitated for
many years but there wns bond Of uniiSSsn, iSs I
citizens Of the village had an equal interest
in the Upper Long Cane Society fund, and as Z
matter of course, were not willing to sur
money which was 10 useful In the liquidation 4
OF church dues. The members Of tue Upper
Long Cane church who were not interested IN
the village church, were, as rufe. opposed TO I
division OF the funds, however willing they I
may been for their brethren to withdraw to 1
| themselves and organize as a aseparate church. 3
After an agitation OF the question for many
Society, consented to n division Of the net
profits accruing from the fund, with the mn.
uerstanding, whether expressed or implied
lage would, AS heretofore, give their aid and
'?ES lie tinal Step then toward division Of Ire
| church was made In March, 1897, as will ap-
pear in the following petition to the south
Carolina Presbytery, In which the prayer Is
formally made, including the reasons moving
| them thereto. 'a..r., -, ... y.
PETITION TO SEVER EXISTING RELATIONS
pAND TO FORM A NEW ALLIANCE. ,5%
ABBEvILLE VILLAGE, March, 1868.
| To the Presbytery OF South Curoli,d:
| The undersigned. members OF Upper Long
Cane church, In Abbcville District, respect
lie them RS colony from Upper Long Cane,
| to establish sepnrate and independent Pres.
| byterian church IN the village Of Abbeville.
In this application your petitioners would
list, That the application does not spring
from faciious or unchristian spirit. by any :
the spirit OF friendship, brothery love aud
kindness pervading our entire congregation
was never better, and is Of the most cordial,
and Christian character. 5r..r.t
end, That the motives of your petitioners.
as they humbIy trust, sincerely are. to pro-
mote Presbytefianisnf In their community,
and to secure to themselves the privilege and
Lords Day In the use Of the forms and doc.
trines peculiar TO their own beloved Church.
They, regard the location OF Upper Long
Cane church, one and three-fourths miles IN
the country, as having been from the first
greatly against the PRONUNCIATION and diff
fusion of the principles Of our denomination
as r ha tness ms
services in our village, by ministers Of onr
Church, except at long, irregular or chance In
tervals. In the meantime other denomina"
tabished churches here, furnishing the peo-
people with the convenience Of public weF-
ship, and familiarlizing their minds with tho
churches respectively. The consequence has
been that some, probably. many, born and
reared in Presbyterian families. have Joined
these churches, whilst others, actually MEM
bers Of the Presbyterian church, locating In
our village, for the mere sake of onveniencr,
have connected themselves Herewith.
The building and opening OF house Of woy.
ship in the village in 1854, though furnishing
great relief in the promises, is but an insutii.
cient remedy. Under existing arrangements
In the congregation, we have morning SER
vices in the village but two Sabbatls in the
firth Sabbath being usually given 70 Long
Cane or elsewhere. Our people not having
the means of conveyance To reach the church
in the country, nor being able especially
being too great for ladies and children, as q
general thing to walk. either in the winter or
summer monshs. worship In churches OF 9th:
er denominations; in some instances and
sons walking 10 the country, and wives and
daugh srs and little ones remaining behind.
Brethren, these things ought not SO to be.
We feel them to be grievances, but we are
| bel nless i'm the PREMISES We appeal to you
to apply the remedy-to give relief
| 3rd. The granting OF the prayer OF the pc
ttioners will not abridge, but on the contrary
promote. the church privileges Of the country
| the congregation consists OF upwards Of sew
entv families, living on their farms, thrifty
in their habits and abundantIy able. with tha'
aid TO which they would be entitled from the
| funds of the "Cpner Long Cane Society" to
command the ,rhole time Of a flrst-class mill
lister.
4ih. Your petitioners feel and submit, that
be entitled from division OF the interest &C.
cruing from The "Uppcr Long Cane Society,""
they would he enabled, under the blessing
Of the adorable Head OF the Church, to-
support q minister abundanty eo,nre
tent to edify them in the great thing Sertain-
ing 10 our holy religion. And,
5th. That after the separations II allowed,
there would still remain several bonds, OF
infant and tender cosony, TO wit: TAe .Unper.
Long Cane Society" which VIII retain its pre-.
sent organization, holding lbs funds for the;
which cluster Thousand hanowed memories
and sweet affections; and the frequent oppor-
tunitieS Of commingllns In worship, upon
communion and other occasions, as ia other
and brighter days.
Brs.hren, for the reasons above assigned.
your petitioners ask. that you hear and grant
the prnyer of their petition, and as in duty
bound. your petitioners will ever pray. &C..