The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-23

but in the Fall Of 1888 delegates were
appointed and letter written to the
Reedy River Baptist Association, into
which body the church was duly and
cordially received. In March, 1884,
three additional deacons were chosen
J. B. O'Neall, N. T. Mendenhall and
Drayton Nance and, by special reso-
luton Of the church, they were ''re-
ouested to conduct all prayer-meet-
ing, from time to time, and to take
part in any other religious exercises
to which they may be prompted by
the Spirit, in aid Of the pastor
Of the church, At the end Of 1884,
the highly efficient and blessed pastor
ate Of Mr.. Hodges came to close.
In January, 1885, Rev. Daniel Man
gum, pastor Of Bush River Church,
was invited to the pastorate and en-
tered upon his labors, assisted by Rev.
E. Lindsey. At the same time, Dea-
cons ONeal and Mendenhall having
shown decided gifts for public speak
ing and the conduct Of public Wor-
ship, were by the church "authoriz-
ed to exercise their gifts in any way
that they might deem their duty, eth
er in public prayer, exhortation or
preaching" 1t was no uncommon
sight at that time, and a deeply i'm
pressive one, to see the tall figure Of
the pastor, clothed in a long white
robe and followed by number of can
didates similarly clad, attended by
vast crowd, marching in procession
to the baptistery in the grove already
mentioned, to administer the ordin-
ance Of baptism. And as they march
ed, the pastor would line out the words
Of some appropriate hymn and lead
in the singing Of it, in which all the
people joined.
In February, 1886, Thomas Frean
was licensed to preach, and in the
Fall Of 1887 he was ordained to the
ministry. In '37, Mr.. Hodges return
ed to the pastorate Of the church,
preaching, however, only once a
month through '37 and part Of '38.
He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas
Frean, and during his pastorate in
1S4O, Rev. j. A. Chaplain acted as
assistant. MI. Frean's ministry end
ed with the year ~, and he was sue
ceeded by Rev. Samuel Gibson, Of
Greenville, who rode down through
the country and filed his appoint
ments once or twice a month. At the
end of three years-in JAM, 1846-he
was succeeded by Rev. J. G. Lam
drum, Of Spartanburg, and in 1S4S he
was succeeded by Rev. NJ. c. Barnett,
also Of Spartanburg, whose pastorate
lasted two years-to the end Of '49.
During this period Of the church's
history from the close Of Mr.. Hod-
ges' pastorate to 1850-no decided
change in its condition. had taken
place, but it had sustained the loss Of
two Of its leading Influential men,
bers in the death Of Thomas Pratt
and the removal of DR.. Mendenhau to
Charleston.
In February, 1850, after CORES
pondence by Judge O'Neall through
DR.. Mendenhall, the church called
Rev. J. j. Brantly, then Of North
Carolina, and on the 18th Of May, in
that year, he began his long and use
full pastorate. On the 11th day Of
November, 1850, Y. J. Harrington,
who had been the treasurer OF the
church from it's very origin, and
deacon from the time Of his election
two months after the church was con-
stituted, gave up his owrk and enter
ed upon his rest. Drayton Nance sue
ceeded him as treasurer Of the church,
and in 1852, G. T. Scott was elected
deacon. At the May meeting in 1852,
the communion set, still used by the
church, was given by the pastor,
through Deacon John S. Carwile, who
presented it in the name and at the re
quest Of DR.. Brantly, ''together with
the expression Of hope, that the
season, in which it may be called in
to use to remind US Of our Redeem
er's death, may afford US a foretaste
of that sweeter communion which we
may all enjoy in our Redeemer's pres
enee." In the same year, through the
active efforts Of the female members,
who had what they called ''working
society,"" money was raised and some
important Improvements were made
in the church building. On the 9Th OF
November, 1852, just two years after