The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
new CHURCH At BRADLEY.
AFTER BEING BLOWN DOWN 1T IS RE-
BUILT AND IS BETTER THAN BEFORE.

Dedicated to Divine Service On sun
day. May 26. ISs3---History OF the
Congregation.
Upon the completion Of the Augusta and
Knoxville Railroad n few Baptist families
settled in and near this place. These, toseth-
er with The Baptists in the vicinity, fcellns
the Importance and necessity Of good church
privileges Il full and free expression or oplI-
ion and Interchange Of sentiment, resolved tn
make and effort To erect at the beautiful ana
prosperous town of Bradley Baptist church.
without q house and without means the con-
situations and deliberations of this deter
mined little band terminated In an appllca-
ton TO the Executive Board to allow them
the privilege OF organizing at this place n
Baptist church. In response to SAID call tnis
church was organized October l!th, lSS', Win
seventeen members. lwill read ;he minutes
of that days proceedings:
Previous notice being given, q number OF
peOple assembled at Bradley's this day. Bro.
J. L. White stated that the object OF the meet
ing was to organize Baptist Church at ibis
place, and asked the Rev. r. w. Seymour to
take the chair.
On motion Bro. ]. L. White was requested
to act MS Secretary.
The following persons handed in letters ana
enrolled their names us members:
Bro. J. L. White and wife, Sister NJ. Il. White,
Bro. J. NJ. Jordan and wife, Sister Lula Jor-
dan; Bro j. NJ. Pruitt and wife, sister NJ. NJ.
Pruitt and their daughters, sisters Alice ami
Eva Pruitl; Sister Fannie Cochran, Bro. b. W.
Carwilc and Sister Emma Carwilc. Bro. >. L.
league and wife, Sister Elizabeth Tcasuc
Bro. Richard Duncan and wife sister ltcbecca
Duncan, and their daughter Sister Sa!lie Dun
can; Bro. James Tolbert.
The Confession Of Faith was read, and after
some remarks BY Bro. Seymour and full and
complete statement by Bro. J. III. Jordan in
regard to the motives that induced US, ana
why we desired Il church a committee OF
t...a ictn rn-
auested to take the matter into consideration
The committee consisted of Rev. II. c.
Smart and Bros. C. A. C. Waller, j. G. Leavell,
J. w. Payne and Joseph L.. Hughey, from
Greenwood church.
Bros. ]. II. Wideman, W. E. Co:hran, G. NJ
Sibert from Horeb church;
Bros. V. Griffin and y. P. Burnett from Mt.
Moriah church.
ported favorably, and recommended that Il
baptist church be organized ut Bradley, and,
On motion OF BRO. J. H. Wideman. Rev. II.
C, Smart delivered the charge in an able. ear.
nest, clear and forcible manner, giving good
practical instruction and advice.
There being no further business the meeting
adjourned.
This little band now went to work In ear,
nest, to secure thes services @ OF pastor to build
minatIon deserves and merits the admiration
Of every Christian, and be it said to their
credit after Il few months OF tol !. sacrifice and
object. Rev. He. Smart was unanimously
elected pastor: Deacon j. NJ. Jordan, Treas.
urer; J. l.. White, Church Clerk. And just
beyond the crest in front with spires pointing
heavenward, stood the beautiful Baptist
Church erected ut Il cost OF near two thousand
dollars. Well do remember the pride and
pleasure experienced by that little band upon
the completion OF that handsome building.
Happiness Is too proud pro word to express & their
and prayer 10 God had been answered. Re-
Joicing at what had been accomplished, the
field seemed inviting and all things anspi-
cious. Little did they know or realize what
was in the hidden future.
Now, the events of by-gone years come
crowfiing up for review. One service only
was held in that beautiful church and that
sermon was preached by Rev. l.. NJ. Aver.
On the 18th OF February. 1851. the most de
StructIvc cyclone ever known in this COM
munity demolished and laid waste that build
ing. Ny heart grows sick Mt the recital, when
tell you nothing remained but 4 mass OF
ruins. Tears were freely shed, and mcthnks
there was plying eye In heaven. None but
ourselves can ever know the midnight OF our
blasted hopes. We had exhausted ourselves.
felt unable to rebuild, and what to do we
knew not. Our sencrouS-heartcd Christian
brother, J. NJ Pruit had advanced money to
complete the church, which at the the time
was unpaid. After conference il was thought
best to tell Bro Pruit TO take and make what
he could out of the wreck. In the goodness
and magnanimity of his heart he let the
ruins lay, nursing the hope that something
would be done. For weeks this little band, SO
TO speak, were at sen without chart or COM
pass While delberating and consulting us
TO what was best for us to do, many letters
were received, expressing sympathy, and
some contained substantial aid in money or
draft. This Inspired lis with courage, strength
and resolution. SympathiZng friends said.
rebuild your church. These expressions were
comforting and stimulated by our pastor Rev.
H. c. Smart, whose sympathy. appreciative
n ifpS n
rs an Inspiration. During this interval our
sister church Horcb kindly offered us the use
of their church. for purposes of cnnlcreE ce
and worship which was accepted.
After consultation alu con inference IL was de-
cidcd to make an effort t. rebuild. After the
night Of our dcsolation the morning liahi Is
breaking. Gods ways are mysterious, but we
know they are wise. The Christian path ad-
vances by turns and struggles. and by and
by the way will go sm"othcr and straightcr
and the sweet end will cOElr. Gradually time,
the great alleviutor Of human sorrow. trans
formed Il bitter disappointment into a sad
sweet memory. This building was COM
menced when ont of funds. our generous
and liberal Bro. Pruit. on: Of the abundance
with which God has blessed him, came TO The
rescue and supplied tie deficiency, and this
house OF GOd-thiS gate 10 iIrarrl-stands be-
fore you to-day monument 10 perpetual l."
his name as n libcral dispenser of that chari-
ty which SootheS and hr;i!SsGnd GlrSSeS man.
kind. The truly gratelui heart may not be
able 10 Tell OF 5TdllJutc, bNL ciiil lPtt ilnu love
and act and Bro. PrutS ninritOriOuS conduct
has enshrincd his name III our affections and
we cherish the memory o; that name with
deathless love and devotion. Grant that the
Master will spare him many years q; health
and usefulness, and in the sweet by and by
give him blessed immortality.
Rev. Il. G. Smart served this church four
years accrptihly and in the fall OF lSS7 gave
notice that he would have to sever his connec-
tiOn with uS.
Rev. J. :. Jordan was then unanimously
elected and Is our highly esteemed ana much
beloved pastor ut this time. Sorrow teaches
the preciOusnessof sympathy, and in referring
TO our community and especially To our noble
women, Il glow of generous feeling fills the
heart Too much praise can scarcely bc he
slowed upon the noble self sacrificing women
of this church and community. To all WHO
contributed or extended help aid or assist
ance 10 erect this temple OF God. we thank
YOU more than words can say. May tie ben
ediction and bcnison OF heaven attend you
and be your vigil and guardian angel To lac
bright celestial shore. Sow, let the dead past
bury it's dead and with our affections on that
bright forever. let Us look forward TO the cGm-
ing glOriCS of the future, and Il future we trust
nr happiness and prosperity. Let uS feel that
this cOiisecratru building Is PLACE for minis
trriny and trainin" for lifcS duties Of tender
clustering associations for fGture years. II is
moro than that, IL is u happy starting point
huIluwrd by II hope that points to heaven.
May our councils and deliberations receive
The impreSS appreciation and approving
smiles Of the great creator and LET US iccl anu
rculiZc that this house IS II monument, erected
in gratitude 10 Cod and in solemn pledge Of Il
better life. }. j.. W iiiIE,
Church Clerk.
Talk From t7ir 1sGNnt.