Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-02-23
The Cradle of Presbyterianism in
Tennessee.
A Very Interesting Article on Its Early
History.
For the Herald and Tribune.

ties to attend to elsewhere. Therefore
the principal part of the work devolved
upon our ever faithful and efficient
pastor, Rev. j. w. c. Willonghby, as
sisted by President Cooter, and Profs.
Mcclure, Mcconnell and Armentrout,
in connection with the officers and
Christian workers of the church and
vicinity, who have been very efficient
in the good work that has been done.
Salem is one of the oldest churches
in the Mississippi valley, having been
founded about the year 1880 or 1881.
The original structure was built of logs
and was used for the double purpose
of church and school room it was re-
ally the original Martin Academy
building of 1852. In 1906 Washington
College was chartered, and very soon
thereafter frame building was erected
for college purposes. The old log house
was used as a church, however, until
1926, at which time the present brick
building was completed then the old
house was torn down and the logs sold
to different individuals. Joshua Green,
who was an elder in the church, trus
tee of the college and also magistrate
of the county, and considered very
good citizen of his day, bought por-
ton of these logs, and taking them to
his farm about one mile southwest of
the church constructed with them o
building which was used as still
house. After the death of Mr.. Green
some of the logs of the stillhouse were
used in the construction of a barn. In
1875 the writer got part of one of the
logs from Adam Greene, who is a great
grandson of Joshua, and out of the
wood Alexander .Mathes, ESQ.,, decd,
made several walking canes and dis
trbuted them among his friends at the
Centennial at Jonesboro.
Now, if all the scenes that we're trans,
acted arouIid these ola logs IN their va
rious spheres were matters of record,
we imagine the history would sell for
lots of money.
At one time within their walls as a
church DR.. Samuel Doak preached a
sermon SO strongly tinctured with Cal
vinism that many of his congregation
and church members were greatly an
gered, and it was only by a strong eff
fort that they controlled themselves to
the end of the service. DR.. Doak OBJ
served the effect his sermon was hav-
ing upon his hearers, and just before
he pronounced the benediction he said
if any of the members of his church did
not adhere to the doctrine he had pro-
mulgated for them then and there to
make their objections known or forever
thereafter hold their peace. One Jon.
athan Colon, who was an elder in DR..
Doak' s church, arose, pale and trem-
bling with grief and rage, and cried
out in loud voice:
Sammy Doak, dismiss this congre-
cation |"
Doak shouted aloud to Colon to be
seated, and soon afterwards pronounced
the benediction. Just as the sound OF
the ''amen" was dying away, Colon
at the top of his voice exclaimed:
Sammy Doak Sammy Doak You
commenced your sermon in lie and
you ended it in q lie, and twas -
lie from beginning to end"
Such language as this coming from
from Elder Colon, who was also @
Justice of the Peace, greatly grieved
and incensed DR.. Doak, and he said in
his most commanding way:
Jonathan Colon, hold your peace
or l will have you churched for insub
ordination and profanity"
"Yes," replied Colon, "and l will
have you PREsBYIERY-ED for promul
eating false doctrine !"
Soon all was "fixed up" as to tha
sermon, but up to the present day
there seems to be some difference o
opinion as to the doctrine of election.
At other times within and aroun(
the sacred precincts of this old churcl
i DIR. Doak and many of his most devou
hearers were affected with what th'
doctors at that day termed 1.-The jerks.
The twitching of the nerves at time
was so great that the patient would b.
thrown to the floor and lie there TO
a time seemingly oblivious to their sur
roundings.
On another occasion during preach
ing there came messenger runninl
into the church and said that the In
dians were at the McGhee place, abou
two miles south, and were scalping tn
women and destroying property. A
. once the men were on their feet read,
to start for the scene of carnage, Will
} some of the women were screaming
!, DR.. Doak ordered all to be quiet Will
he asked for divine assistance in tn
, anticipated conflict. He then buckle
) on his sword and ordered all to folio,
: him. When they reached the McGhe
: place they found great excitement. Th
: Indians had left, taking some beddin
and provisions and McGhee's onl