The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-10-06

AN INTERESTING HISTORY
OF THE SpRiNGToWN BAPTIST CHURCH
IN BAMBERG COUNTY.
CoIlated and Written by Rev. ". D. Mcmillan,
of BIackviIle- the Time Of Its
Organization in 1903 to 1908.
The Sprin gtown Baptist church was Or
ganized in the year 1903 The Presbytery
consisted of Rev. James Sweat and Rev.
Nathaniel Walker. 1t does not appear
as to who constituted the covenant MEM
bers, since the records Of the church have
been lost or destroyed, and much of val
liable information in regard to the early
history of the church is not obtainable at
this remote period.
Rev. Nathaniel Walker was elected pas
tor, and Elijah Ford and John Sutton
were chosen. Deacons. 1t seems from a
statement in small book by Rev. L. b.
| Shuck, published in 1867, and comprising
what available information could be OBJ
tained in reference to the history of the
churches of the Barnwell Association,
that the membership of Springtown
church at that time was very small, and
for some ler 9Th of time its condition was
not prosperous.
Rev. James Sweat became its first pas
tor, but it continued in condition OF
spiritual coldness. Rev. Handsford D.
Duncan succeeded Bro. Sweat in the pas
torate, and James Simmons also preached
for season. At this time Lot Copeland
and Daniel Matheny were chosen deacons'
Rev. Darling Peoples was next called to
the pastoral charge of the church. il
Odom at this time was church clerk. Bro.
Peoples remained with the church for
several years, and it was during his pas
torate that &. glorious revival occurred, at
which time nearly one hundred persons
were baptized into the fellowship OF the
church. From this occasion the church,
which had good reason to praise God for
the abundant manifestation of the Holy
Spirit in her midst: entered upon career
of prosperity.
j. W. Matheny was added to the num-
Der of deacons. Rev. John Brooker now
became pastor, whose life and character
of purity, zeal and conservation are too
well knowt to require comment. Rev.
Lewis M. Brown succeeded Bro. Brooker,
who with Rev. James FAINT, ministered
to the church for five or six years, when
Bro. FAINT was left in charge entirely. At
this time Aaron Rice and DR.. B. s. Sweat
were elected deacons.
This brings US up to the year 1S45, at
which time Rev. Elliott Estes became pas
tor, but remained only one year. Clinton
Lee now became church clerk. At this
period the church seems to have lapsed
into cold state, but in 1916 Rev. w. T.
Sanders became pastor and it took on
new life and had marked increase both
in numbers and efficiency. Every year
was characterized by revivals of greater
or less extent for sixteen years, in which
Bro. Sanders was pastor, when he resign
ed to enter the Southern army. 1t was
during Bro. Sanders's pastorate that DR..
B. 81. Sweat was called and set apart to
the gospel ministry. Some Of the deacons
having died, H. W. Kennedy and D. Il.
Rice were elected deacons. D. Bowling
became clerk and was succeeded, at his
death, by T.. Counts. We come now to the
pastorate of Rev. JAS F. Buist, who sue
ceeded Bro. Sanders in 1862.
1t is to be regretted that from this time
to 1883 there is no data from which a con.
nected history of the church can be com.
piled, thus appears gap of about 20 years.
1t is known, however, that Rev. J. F. Buist
served the church acceptably for several
years. 1t is also remembered that during
this period Rev. Marion W. Sans was
pastor for some length of time. In 1883
we find Rev. John G. Williams in charge
of the church, and it is also known that
his pastorate began several years preced'
ing that time. In 1895 Dr.. W. B. Rice, c.
c. Faust and G.. B. Mcmillan were elected
deacons. A.. F. Free was clerk at this
time.
In October, 1892, Bro Williamsresigned,
and Rev. G. P. Erwin became pastor and
resigned in April, 1897. Rev. j. NJ. Bos-
tick was called to fill the unexpired por.
ton of the year. In December, 1897, Rev.
J. F. Morrall was called and served one
year. d. D. Free was clerk at this time.
In November, 1893, Rev. W. D. Rice was
called to the pastorate and served the
church up TO December, 1900, when the