The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1905-11-17
PRESBYTERIANISM
IN PALATKA.
Interesting Paper Read by Rev.
L. r. Lynn at the Presby-
IT terian Church Last
4 Sunday.

nearly the whole OF what now con-
stitutes our city was owned by the
late Mr.. H. r. Blanchard, husband
of our mother in Israel and father Of
two of our present members. He
disposed of this property for $500 and
thought he was making good sale.
In this small village, no man, pos
sibly, occupied a larger place in the
esteem and affection of the people
than did the late Judge VIM. A. For
ward. We use the term advisedly
when we say he was sort OF univer-
sal bishop in the community.
With this servant of God at its
head, as superintendent, an inter-
UNCONVENTIONAL Sabbath school was
conducted in the old court house,
which stood on the lot now occupied
by the cigar factory. Representing
the Methodist constituency, the
mother of our present Lucas family
was faithful teacher.
Representing the Episcopalians,
we would mention Misses Gertrude
and Emma Bronson as earnest and
active workers.
The testimony of these pupils is
that they loved Judge Forward. He
was an affectionate, thoughtful, gem
tie Christian man. The lamented
Rev. E. P. Crane, who was so inti-
mately associated with him as his
pastor in the early days of the exist
ence of this church, wrote of him so
late as 1887: "To this day / cannot
think of Judge Forward without a
tumult of longings."
In the summer of 1866, this man,
with other resident Presbyterians,
being desirous of the regular services
of Presbyterian minister, united in
an invitation to the Rev. Joseph M.
Quarterman of Mt. Vernon, Ca, to
supply the mission field of Palatka
and Orange Spring. This invitation
was accepted and Mr.. Quarterman
began his labors on the first Sabbath
in November. This was the real es-
tablishment of Presbyterianism in
Palatka, though the church was not
formerly organized until Feb. l6,
1866. On that date Rev. DIR. j. H..
Meyers of st. Augustine, acting un-
der the authority of the Presbytery,
organized the church at this place
with eight members-7 by letter and
| on profession of faith. Their names
are as follows: Judge VIM. A. For
ward, Mrs. Mary A. Forward, Mrs. E..
w. Quarterman, Mr.. A. W. Cassells,
Mrs Mary Ann Devall, Mrs. Sarah
Jane Askew, Mrs. Francis Price and
Miss Lydia J. Forward. All of these
have been called to their reward.
The sacrament of the Lords Sup
per was celebrated on April 10, 1856.
On that beautiful Lords day morn
ing the following were received into
church membership: Mrs. Harriet
G. Blanchard, by letter, and Mrs.
Mary A. Hickman, Miss Ruth
Blanchard (our present Mrs. Jeffries)
Miss Mary Devall (Mrs. Benet), Miss
Eliza Brown MRS. Gray on profess
sion of faith. In July of this year
Miss Eliza Devall was also received
on profession.
The good hand OF our God has been
upon them and us, in that these all
remain with us until this day.
Rev. Mr.. Quarterman was officially
installed pastor over this church on
Nov, 9th, 1856 and died on Mar. 29th
1858, in his thirtieth year, greatly
mourned.
Judge Forward was appointed tt
draft suitable resolutions. We quott
brief extracts from the same and fol
two reasons: They reveal to us Mr.
Quarterman and enable us to catcf
the spirit of Judge Forward:
"Though early called to his reward
and to exchange the cross for thu
crown, his work was done. 'Tha
life is long which answers life's grea
end His uniform and untiring de
votedness to the cause of the Savio
he loved, his Constant desire to seel
out his duty as a minister of tn
cross, and at any self-sacrifice to full
| fill it, his Christian meekness ant
humility-that loveliest grace whicl
shone so brightly in his character
all seemed to give him an experienc
beyond his years. AS n minister o
the cross, he preached unto US Jesus
and o, how earnestly. In tho ver.
tone of his voice and expression 0
his face, when he entered the pulpit
one could almost see the moving Q
that spirit, who had come down T.
him IN answer to prayer. But V
love to look back to his pastoral Wis
its. With him the charm of doing
good act was broken as soon as it Wa
made known
With such a man the church had
good beginning.
Rev. Z. o. Frierson supplied tn
church a part of the year following
Rev. e. P. Crane took charge an
preached first on Nov. 20, 1859, All
continued until the civil war dis
persed the inhabitants. He sti
served at the little church at Orang
Greek and after the restoration {
peace supplied this church at inter
walls. His last visit and servic
among us was in the spring of 1906
He has been gathered to his fathers
In 1871 Rev. B. @. Robertson wa
called. He died in about one yea
after taking up his work. Durin
his brief term of service he great
endeared himself to his people.
Revs. Edward Wurtz, b. l.. Bake
of Monticello, Dodson, = Bur-
Henry Brown, = Patterson and Dl
j. H. Myers subsequently supple
the church.
In 1877 Rev. E. FL. Briggs was in
stalled and continued pastor till nea
the end of 1880.
Rev. w. A Hendrickson cam
next as supply.
Rev. DR.. Samuel 7. Wilson becam
pastor in 1882. Following DR.. Wilso
came Rev. DIR. ] b, Dunn as supply
Rev. Luther H. Wilson succeede
DIR. Dunn.
Rev. VIM. S. Wallace became pas
tor theiatter part of 1890 and cor
tinued for about four and a ha
years.
Enr n short tinaa Rev. Thns. {