The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-08-07
Roberts Church Centennial.


The Centennial celebration Of Roberts
Church, in Rock Mills Township, last
Saturday was most interesting occasion,
], 500 and 1000 people, nearly every section
of the County being represented. The
congregation had mads preparation for the
| event, and the substantial little brick
Church, with the surrounding grounds and
cemetery, looked as clean and neat as
possible to make it. The congregation,
too, had looked forward TO the occasion
with the most pleasant anticipations, and
in this we feel safe in saying no Que was
disappointed. Of course, the Church was
inadequate to hold the people, but by
filling up the corners and aisles with bench
es and chairs, the ushers succeeded in
seating about 500 people, the majority OF
whom were ladies. The windows also
afforded large number on the outside to
| hear the exercises.
The choir, which was composed of about
thirty young ladies and gentlemen, lead
by Prof. M. L. Willis as organist, occupied
seats in the gallery, and at about 1880
o'clock the exercises opened with prayer
by Rev. r. H. Reid.
On the rostrum sat the pastor, Rev. Z. G.
Ligon, Rev. D. Z. Frierson, D. D., Rev.
DR.. Riley, Rev. Hugh McLees, Rev. R. 81.
Reid, Of Spartanburg, and Rev. D. w.
Humphreys, of Florida.
The address of welcome by the pastor
was exceedingly interesting and appropri-
ate. After warmly welcoming all present,
he alluded briefly to the history of Amer
lea and Presby terianism, and spoke Of the
organization of Roberts Church. He said
the Church had among its members three
of the oldest persons in the County, Miss
Jane McLees, aged 95, Mr.. James McLees,
aged 90, and Mr.. Alex. Campbell, aged 30,
all of whom are able to attend the regular
services of the Church, and were present
on this occasion.
Mr.. Ligon's address was followed
by the Centennial sermon, which was
preached by Rev. D. w. Humphreys,
OF Florida a son Of the Rev. David Hum
phreys deceased, who served Roberts as
pastor for forty.eight years, from 1921 to
1860. After stating how much pleasure it
on this occasion, Mr.. Humphreys an
nounced as his text. Deuteronomy 32 =
Remember the days of old, consider the
years of fmany generations ask thy father,
and he will sheT thee; thy elders, and
they will tell thee" The speaker gave a
brief history of the organization of Presby.
terianism, and then took up Calvanism, /,
and explained what it meant.
He spoke of the influence Of Calyinism
on Europe, and in the United States, and
said that Calvin was responsible for the
liberty of our government to-day. The
sermon occupied more than an hours time,
and was most able and interesting. To
attempt synopsis Of the sermon would
not do justice to it,
After prayer and singing hymn, the
congregation was dismissed for an hour,
during which time dinner was enjoyed.
When the congregation reassembled,
Rev. Hugh McIees read an historical
sketch of the Church. He said he had no
record of who organized Roberts Church,
but it was named in honor of Col. Roberts,
of revolutionary fame. The Church was
first called Simpsons Meeting House, the
first pastor being Rev. ohm Simpson. He
gave q brief sketch of MIR. Simpson and Of
all Of the other pastors who have served
the Church mp to this time. He spoke Of
the salary some Of the first pastors received,
none of them getting exceeding fifty dol
lars year. Five dollars was the largest
amount any one member would subscribe
to the pastors salary, and from that sum
down to 124 cents made up the subscription.
frequently a member would subscribe
busllel of corn or gallon Of whiskey.
He also alluded to the time when the Pres
byterians had camp meetings, and told Of
an old lady who walked nine miles to the
Church on the regular preaching days.
The sketch was very interesting and should
be preserved by the Church.
DR.. Frierson followed Mr.. McLees and
read sketch of the first pastor, Rev. John
Simpson, who came to this section from
New Jersey, and who now had q number
of descendants in this County. This
sketch, too, was full of interest.
A sketch of Rev. David Humphreys, the
old pastor, was then read by Rev. r. 81.
Reid, of Spartanburg. This sketch was
especially interesting to the large congrega-
ton, many of whom had long known and
esteemed this faithful old man of God.
Mr. Humphreys began his ministerial
work in 1919, at the age of &c years. he
preached his first sermon at Chambers, n.
C., and it was the first sermon ever preach
ed in the place.
After singing a hymn and Home, Sweet
Home" the bonediction was pronounced
and The congregation dismissed. The oc.
casion will not soon be forgotten by those
who were present.