The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1907-08-07


of the church, was ikSsathe
end with one window on each
hight and ventilation, and some
like a portfolio, about 18 inches
owe and to the right Of the pulpit,
sodbtless for the benefit of the preach
and class leader.
The sounding board consisted of two
p beams placed overhead to hold
Hates in position. 1t then became
of the churches of the South Caro-
Conference, which at that time
Embraced the territory extending from
Tape Fear river in N. c., to the Ala
bama line, and was divided into eight
tSSresiding Elder Districts. Therefore
leither the preacher in charge, nor Pre-
hiding Elder was expected at the church
Aayyory oft \. The Rseacher or Circuit
rider as he@ss y called, had usu-
ally one rest day during the week-say
Monday, Tuesday morning with horse
!, and saddle bags, he would leave home
= to fill hisappointments, preaching every
day during the week-and two or three
y times ongSunday at the more important
n points; hence a small county church
would seldom have preaching on
Snday by the Pastor, still there was a
of faithful local preachers, who
sd efficient service, and gave to
- ~ all tic churches one or two Sun
day services per month.
From 1926 to 1910 the regular pastors
were: Revs. Barnett Smith, Jas. Stock
dale, David Ballew, H. A. G. Walker,
JAS. Staley, John Mccall, David Seal,
Saml Dunwoody, apd others.
Under the administration OF the
above pastors, the little chucrh grew in
i'll strength, an numbers, and everything
led to move on nicely for a few
VYet-alas-societie as we'll as
RITUALS do not always float on beds
MSen
enetifhe between 1885 and 1910
Hism or discord sprang up IN the
D ranks of the little church relatives to a
= point Of discipline, and quite a mum
Der withdrew from the church, led by
Henrick Arnold, who wasa local preach
er and united with the Protestant Meth
odist Church.
I Strife, as a two-edged sword cuts
both ways, and when the crucible is
applied, the separation is made. after
the mist had cleared away" the faith
full few remained true and loyal to the
church and sustained the pastor in his
administration.
During the year 1841 Revs. Jno. G..
y and M. e. Humbert having previouly
moved from Beaufort, S. c., to Ten
nessee returned to their native state,
located in this section, and placed their
certificates of church membership at
Mount Bethel, which added two names
to the short roll.
The official members were: Rev. Jno.
G. Humbert Local Elder Green Ber-
ny Riley ''Class Leader" Elisha w.
South Steward. Then began the wri-
ter's experience in the old log church.
He remembers to have met Mrs. Re-
becca South and also Jno. Taylor who
A%e.s-tWo of the original founders of
= the church and lad passed the limit
Of four score, and were as ripe shocks
of grain ready for the Harvester.
4 1t was a rule of Methodist families
TO make preparation on Saturday to
allow all members of the family to at
d tend church on Sunday. Old men and
women, young men and maidens frequen-
A-Slv rode horseback to church.
The young ladies were expert and
krraceful riders and could test the mettle
R,of' their steed. 1t was considered a
W small matter to ride 6 to 8 miles to
church. Sunday morning.
The Sunday school was organized in
1912 with G.. B. Riley as superinten-
dent. The writer does not know
whether a Sunday school had been
conducted at the church previous to
that date, but he does known that there
mas been a Sunday school held there
every year since that time.
Among the books used was w~eekly's
= catichism and it was quite a relief to
the young pupils when Capers' catichism
n substituted in lieu thereof.
Classmeetings were held in the old
log church also and attendance at
classmeetings was a test of member
ship. and while they have become abso-
lcte, vet they were occasions of great
10y and pleasure to'the Christian.
| In these humble homes therewas a
room furnished..for the preachers use,
and what a jubelee in the household
when making his round he would stop
10 spend the night; the best of every
Ahing was at his command.
The church gradually grew in strength
J Ind membership and about 1848, Jas.
Epps was appointed superintendent
Sunday school with the other officers of
the church still filing their former
The following pastors served the
church from 1912 to 1850:
Reys: Geo. Moore. Jno. Qimm9maB,
Pillis Haltomt Hugh ognurn g., b.
Nd, and j. wv. Miller as junior preach
This brings US up to tshl BheH a
surch was built