Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-03-18
CoLORED PREsBYTERIANs.

Last week has been big time with the
colored Presbyterians of Yorkville, and
Of the Fairfield presbytery, synod Of the
meeting of the presbytery with the church
at this place, and the few colored presby-
erians in the community are very much
gratified at the result. Rev. j. G. Sim
mons, pastor of the church here, has
given The ENQUIRER the following. in
formation in regard to the presbytery
and session just closed:
Fairfield presbytery is part of the
Northern Presbyterian church, and part
of the synod of the Atlantic. Its bounds
include all the eastern part of the State
from the Broad, Congaree and Santee
rivers, and comprises So churches, sup
piled by 80 ministers,
"The session of presbytery just closed
convened on last Wednesday with Rev.
NJ. J. Seabrook, of Sumter, as moderator
Rev. I. D. Davis, of Maysville, stated
clerk; and Rev. H. N. Payne, D. D.,
Field Secretary of the Freedman's Board ,
Presbyterian church, U. s. A., officiating.
"The visiting delegates numbered 6S in
all, including 80 ministers and "a elders,
and the work generally was Of q routine
nature. Two new ministers were ordain-
ed. They were D. c. Wilkes, and -
Veal. j. II. Cooper and Junius Gregg,
Jr., were licensed to preach, and A. j.
Jefferson was taken under the care OF
presbytery.
ION Thursday night there was big
meeting in the court house. Quite a
number of our white friends were in at
tendance, and some good addresses were
delivered by DR.. D. ]. Sanders, president
of Biddle university; DR.. H. N. Payne
and DR.. G.. T. billiard. The general sub
ject Of the addresses was Presbyterian
ism for the Masses
ION Friday night, the exercises were
devoted to the advancement Of woman's
missionary work. Mrs. M. NJ. Jones, OF
McConnellsville, presided, and several
carefully prepared essays were read. Mrs.
Jones resigned the presidency of the
Woman's Presbyterian society, and Mrs.
M. C. Young, of Rock Hill, was elected
as her successor.
"Presbytery adjourned sine die on Mon
day night, to hold its next meeting with
Bethlehem church, in Sumter county,
commencing on the second Wednesday in
September.
"All the members Of presbytery were
most favorably impressed with Yorkville.
They say that they do not remember that
the body has ever had more successful
meeting in its whole history, and we are
particularly grateful to our white friends
for their kind treatment. Had it not been
for them, hardly know what we would
have done. They fed and provided for 20
delegates for the whole stay in town, and
also helped us most literally with their
contributions. They are Christians, and
if we do our duty, with their help, am
sure that we need not have any fears as to
the result of our efforts in establishing
flourishing Presbyterian church at this
place."
Rev. Simmons is very intelligent Ne
gro with good education, and is quite
earnest in his work. At the request of
the reporter, he outlined the history of
the effort to establish church here. The
first attempt of which he has any knowl-
eSGsd dates back about 10 years, and was
made by p.eacher named Blake. Blake
labored for sci feral years and was follow
by Rev. M, a Johnson. He was follow
ed by Rev, Rkubep Nance, Next came
Rev. J. A. RaAey, then T. A. Nance and