Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-10-30

spring of 1882, and in the fall of the
same year removed to Pennsylvania,
where he still lives at a very advanc-
ed age, still very efficient and hon
ored member of the U. P. church.
In 1885 by the removal Of the above
named elders 1t seems that Sharon as
an Associate congregation lost its or
ganization. After this time we hear of
no more Associate elders, nor Of any
organization Of Sharon as an Associate
congregation.
During the period intervening be-
tween 1882 and 1885, as far as the wri-
ter can learn. Sharon congregation was
in a kind Of transition state. Be this
as 1t may, in 1885, we began to hear
Of an Associate Reformed congregation
Of Sharon, supposed to have been or
ganized by Associate Reformed minis
ters Of the First Presbytery At what
precise time this congregation was or
ganized, the writer can get no relia-
BILE information. Tradition says 1t was
done by the Rev. Thomas Ketchins,
who had recently himself come over
from the Associate Presbytery of the
Carolinas to the First Presbytery Of
the A. r. p church, bringing with him
a number of congregations It is
highly probable that it was done In
1885 or 1885.
Who preached to this congregation,
as supplies from the A. r.. P. presby-
terry and how often cannot now be
told. Old people tell us that Revs
Ketchins, Flennikin. DR.. Boyce Nc
Donald, ]. s. Pressly and 8. c. Miller.
all preached more or less. For several
years before the writer's settlement
among them, II seems to have been
their custom to have sacramental
meetings once year in the summer
time. One lady still living, says she
attended the sacramental meeting con-
Quoted by Rev. Thomas Ketchins In
1886. Whether or not this was the
time when the congregation was or
ganized do not know. It was likely
1t was done the year before this. It
is known to the writer that DR.. James
Boyce held sacramental meeting in
the summer Of 1840 and Rev. L. Nc
Donald held one in the summer Of 1S43.
The writer Of this sketch preached at
Sharon once or twice in the latter
part of 1912, and also in the beginning
Of 1S43.
~ to-,
united with Smyrna and Olivet, both
in York county, South Carolina, In a
call addressed to the writer This call
was moderated by Rev. R. c. Grier,
then pastor Of Bethany and Pisgah,
now the charge Of Rev. E. E. Boyce.
1t was presented at the meeting Of
presbytery at Hopewell, Chester coun-
ty, in October 1S43, and was accepted.
BY this call they asked for one-third
time, promising to pay therefor $15S.
The ruling elders subscribing to this
call were John Galloway, J. N. McEl-
wee, Sr., John Kennedy and Hugh A.
Galloway. These were the elders
elected and ordained at the reorgani-
zation Of the congregation. The writer
was ordained and installed pastor of
Sharon and the above named congre-
cations on the first Wednesday OF De-
cember 1843. Rev. Thomas Ketchins
Matt. II, II. Rev. L. Mcdonald led in
the ordination prayer and addressed
the pastor and Rev. s. c. Millen ad-
dressed the people. 1t was cold and
stormy day, nevertheless there was a
good congregation. The writer began
his pastoral labors at Sharon on jan
uary /, 1874.
At this time there were still few
families in the bounds Of Sharon ad-
herring to the Associate presbytery Of
the Carolinas. Among them were the
families of Joseph Wylie, Robert Gill
fillan, John Rainey, Joseph Fitzpatrick
and Mrs. Laughridge. These families
were all received into the Associate
Reformed church within year or two,
after the writer's pastoral relations
began at Sharon. Some Of these ac-
cessions from the Associate church
were more than ordinarily intelligent
and of good department. In the fall
of 1874, the eldership was increased by
the election Of Robert Gilfllan and
Thomas Whitesides.
AS we would antecedently expect
from the recent transition Of the con-
gregation the love of piety and morals
was not altogether as good as it should
have been. 1t Is certainly true that
the fruits o righteousness are sown in
peace of them that make peace. In
temperance, Sabbath breaking, neglect
Of family worship were quite preva-
lent. But 1t must be said in commen-
dation of the people that for the most
part they submitted to the discipline Of
the church readily. The attendance
upon public ordinances from the first
has been rather remarkable. During
a pastorate Of thirty years, 1t has not
been the writer's lot to preach to q
cold, empty house. After all however.
the aggregate visible results Of this
long pastorate are by no means cal
culated to foster a spirit Of pride and
self qualification. AS a general rule
our young people when they grow up
recognize their baptismal engagements
and make a public profession Of reli-
gion. Occasionally a family or indi-
viduals are gathered in from the
world, and sometimes as matter OF
convenience and accommodation one
would come over from other churches.
This latter class has never done much
in the way of promoting the peculiar
usages of the A. r. P. church. So af-
ter all our membership today Is little
II any over double what 1t was thirty
three years ago. But we remember
with gratitude the kind words Of our
Blessed Lord. Fear not little flock 1t
is your Fathers good pleasure to give
you the Kingdom"
About the year 1S47, the congrega-
ton with the aid Of very liberal do
nation by Captain John Blair Of York
vile, who had in former years lived
in Sharon and had been a member
there, with some other small dona-
tions outside her own members, built
a large and commOdious church 60Xi0