Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-05-11
HICKORY GROVE PRESBYTERIANS.
Account of the New Church Which Was
Recently Organized.

HICKORY GROVE PRESBYTERIANS.
Account of the New Church Which Was
Recently Organized.
| Correspondence Of the Yorkville Enquirer.
HICKORY GROVE, May 9.-Through the
kindness of Brother Therrell, ministerial
supply Of Blacksburg Presbyterian
church, we were invited to he present at
the organization of the new Presbyterian
church at Hickory Grove, flourishing
little town on the o. r. 4 G. railroad, II
miles below Blacksburg. All the COM
missioners were present, consisting OF
Revs. NJ. r. kirkpatrick, w. G. Neville
and James Russell, with Elders G. l.. Nc
Neel, John l.. Davies and Jno. A. Byers.
The exercises were opened with the usual
ceremonies of singing the praises of God
in the spirit of song, and most appro-
pirate prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Neville,
followed by a most excellent sermon by
the same brother. After the sermon, the
Rev. NJ. r. kirkpatrick called the COM
mission to order according to the direc-
tion of presbytery, and proceeded prompt
ly to the business in hand. Every MEM
ber appointed on the commission was
found to be present, and after prayer by
the moderator and finding the way clear
for the organization of the church, at
once entered upon the discharge Of that
duty. Twenty-siX names were enrolled
as members, and the organization was
completed by the election of elders and
deacons as follows: Elders elected and
ordained, or installed: J. II. Howe and
f.. +. Bell, Sr. Deacons, j. j. Robinson,
Jas. J. Howe and +. +. Bell, Jr
The new church was named Hickory
Grove p Presbyterian church, and starts of
under favorable auSpicies. The commu-
nifty is strongly Presbyterian, as there is
a large and prosperous \. K. +. church IN
existence already, and it is to be hoped
that the best of feeling will pervade, not
only the two sister churches toward each
other, but also the other denominations.
The Baptist church very kindly gave the
Presbyterians the use Of their church
building for the services of the occasion,
and Rev. Mr.. Thacker, Of the Methodist
church, participated in the meetings as
far as he could, consistently with his other
duties.
The new church is the product of the
labors of the evangelist Of Bethel presby-
tery. the Rev. Mr.. Russell. This devoted
brother has labored in this evangclistic
field with wonderful success, but his fail
ing health and the advice of physicians
has induced him to ask respite from his
arduous labors for few months, during
which time he proposes to visit his native
home in Scotland. All who are at all
conversant with his unwearied labors in
the past, will join heartily in the prayer
that his trip to his father land may be
blessed to his complete restoration to his
former robust health. lie does not preach
for money, as he fixed his own salary at
5000, as he thought that was ample for his
own support, as he has no family. This
new church is alive with enthusiasm, and
proposes to build new church building
at once, and they will need some outside
help, which we hope will be cheerfnlly
given.
Your correspondent Graves the privilege
of testifying to the hospitality of the peo-
pie of Hickory Grove. Although COM
parative stranger, we felt quite at home
with this generous people.
We found an old friend in the person OF
the principal of the academy, Mr.. Slaugh-
ter, who once taught in the graded school
at Greenville. and new and esteemed
trend-MiSs Wilson-from Virginia. Mr..
Slaughter is hustler in the school room,
and he has an able assistant in the person
of Miss Wilson. She is lovely i'll person,
and well qualified mentally for the ardu-
Gus duties Of teacher.
We cannot clio Sc this rather lengthy no
tice of our visit to Hickory Grove with
out calling attention to the fact that the
good people of the A. r. u. church have
an orphanage established there for the
benefit of this unfortunate class of socie-
ty. 1t is under the superintcndance OF
the Rev. Mr.. Simpson, assisted by a
worthy lady matron. The institution is
in it's incipient stage-only two years old
with family of about Il dozen orphan
children to start with. Such institutions
never fail.
Miss Matte Bell conducted the organ
music and singing very successfully, al
though that was her first experience in
that line. No doubt the music depart
ment of the new church will he well con-
Quoted under Miss Matte.
The religious services conducted by the
Rev. Mr.. Russell from night to night,
were concluded on Sabbath evening, by
an exec llent sermon and the communion
service. All denominations participated
in this delightful service.