The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-08-16
by Y2GLINKSCAIEs &zIANGSTON.

to work to get Baptist church organized
at this place. Mr.. NJ. Webb, q brothe
of the late Elijah Webb, donated the sit'
i on whichthe church stands, contrac
4 VAS fst to Mr.. John CLARK, the father o
4 our late brother and beloved deacon, J
B. CLARK, and soon neat edifice be6ttint
the, times was erected. The following
!! episode may interest and revive tht
memories of some who read this sketch
The Rev. Sanford Vandiver was tbe first
minister called to its pastorate, and ht
was also the first minister called to the
Greonville Baptist Church; and Vas the
second minister in the Association To
which he belonged who called "mourn
ers up to. be prayed for" Those we're
illiterate and persecuting times, and fol
such innovations ministers suffered much
for conscience sake. He was most
pleasing and charming speaker, and ]
never listened to sweeter or more must.
cal voice. It possessed apeculiar pathoE
and melody, which gave him great power
over his hearers. Notwithstanding his
educational deficiencies, if it had moi
been for the great illiteracy of the times
in which he lived be might have become
! q peer in the pulpit. Alexander Camp
bell, who assisted him in series Of
revival services, wrote in complimentary
terms of his ability aud eloquence.
In 1857 Mr.. Brown was prominent in
the advocacy of a new and more commo.
:dious church, and he contributed liber.
ally; to the enterprise. Rev. Richard
Furman preached the dedication sermon,
It was an able, earnest and most appro.
| pirate discourse. delivered with power
;and JUNCTION.
When the war closed the church was
involved in debt. Judge Reed and Mr..
Brown were the only survivors whose
names stood on the church bond, but
after much discussion and delay the debt
was satisfactorily adjusted by the church.
Throughout Mr.. Browns long life,
with all its varying yicisitudes, he mani
tested a deep interest in the welfare OF
the church. to which he belonged. Rev.
.. s. Murray, who preached bis funeral
sermon, said HE has loved all the pas.
tors Of his church" and though he was
strong and decided in Baptist principles,
he. was eminently catholic in sentiment
and liberal in action to all denomina.
:tions. He encouraged and aided his Sec
ond wife in her efforts to establish Grace
Church Of this place. The late Bishop
Davis, Rev. Edward Miles, and others,
in their correspondence with her in
regard to the church, said "We cannot
get along without Mr.. Browns advice
and counsel"
The Episcopal Church in Anderson
was organized in 1859, and the artistic
little house commenced ia that year vas
completed in 1860. Previous to that
period, dating from about 1910, special
services were held by different divines Of
that denomination, first in one church,
then in another, and sometimes in the
Court house or Town Hall, whichever
place could be. secured for. the occasion.
The attendance was usually small, as the
beautiful liturgy peculiar to that demon
ination, aud which to the adherents Of
that church is.its most attractive feature,
was almost denied liberation in aeon.
munity where for the first time the gown
aud surplice had been introduced.
The long four years war was bright
period in the history of Anderson Eris.
copal Church. The little chapel was
filed Ito its utmost capacity every Sab.
bath with interesting auditors of refu-
gees, and here were others up to this
Etime who had been non liturgal in prac-
tice and sentiment, who had now become
adopts in.ceremonies and genuaections,
and could be seen vending their way
there with q prayer; book in their hands.
| Ca festivals ike Easter a sentiment OF
beauty pervaded all the appointments.
Tie musical programme was exception
ally elaborate, the choir sang sweeter
and better than on other days, and
ssunhilingly attracted tbrongs Of people.
On sne of these occasions, Rev J..N.
Elliot, the much.admired and gifted
rector, invited a plain countryman to
attend The services. He replied: 81 feel
out of place there; don't know when to
I get up aid down." In q merry way Mr..
E. replied "Come and behave like Mr.,
Brown"
Mrs. Eleanor sain. Clair Brown-died
in 1879. There is much to attract any
one in theaccount Of her experiences in
benevolent social and church enter.
prises, which, with her, had been life
long and sll.absorbing work. Many
difficulties and embarrassments were
met with, which required inexhaustible
energy to overcome. If she has any
knowledge of What is going on below, il
may be one If her chief pleasures tc
know that the church is steadily increas'
ing under the ninistrations of the rector
who is doing all the good he can. With
its fine element # devoted lady workers
w;n are active al d alive to church enter
prises, Grace chuych has bright future
before it.
!. Mr.. Brown was Foremost in securing s
branch of the Columbia & Greenvillt
Railroad to this place, subscribing S., ,00(
to its capital stock. Nine other gentle
men, whose names Ihaye forgotten, sub
scribed like sum. President Hammett
of the Road, said: "Eis advice to me hal
been invaluable" The late Thomas
Perrin, when President of the same Road
wrote him frequently in regard to it
management. He was not speaker, bu