The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1907-09-04
ikEs
HISTORY OF MOUNT BETHEL
CHURCH.
BY JOSEPH b. HuMBERT.
Chapter III.


Bethel church it will be we'll to keep
i'm sight the rapid growth of Methodism.
Churches. multiplied, Conferences in
creased and circuits were made smaller.
The South Carolina Conference in 1850
embraced the State of South Carolina
and western North Carolina.
To the delight and qualification of
the Church Rev. Samuel Townsend
was returned to the Laurens Circuit in
1851. He was not only a pastor, but
did the work Of a Colporter as well. He
knew how to handle and sell books; and
he placed many good books wherever
he went. The official members of Mt.
Bethel Church at this time were:
Rev. Jno. G.. Humbert-Local Elder.
Green Berry Riley-Class Leader.
Elisha w. outh-Steward.
Jas. M. Epps- Superintendent of
Sunday School.
After much de~liberation the members
agreed to build a new Church, provided
sufficient funds could be obtained. The
above named persons started the list
with a liberal subscription for their
means. This was increased by the
small membership and also by friends
and members Of other Churches. When
the effort to raise the money had been
exhausted as usual, the amount desired
was not obtained, only getting about
n half the amount wanted. How to
build a 81, 900 Church with $500 was the
proposition that was confronting the
members.
Another serious question arose as to
the location of a new Church for there
was no suitable site on the old Church
lot for a nice building. While near by
lying north and west was a beautiful
location which had recently been under
the p~lowshare with natural drainage at
all points, an ideal spot for a Church.
Also about 400 yards beyond was a
magnificent spring bubbling five thous-
and six hundred gallons of pure water
per hour. This seemed to have been
designed for some noble purpose.
To meet the emergency, Rev. Jno.
G.. Humbert proposed that if the Church
would purchase 10 acres of land includ-
ing the desirable location, extending to
and beyond the spring, that he would
pay one half Of the amount necessary
to purchase the land. The offer was
readily accepted which decided the
question of location and building a new
Church. With such men at the helm,
failure was not to be considered, for
there was always "a handful of meal
in the barrel and a little oil in the
cruise" With the limited amount Of
funds in sight, the above parties agreed
to furnish the necessary lumber which
was to be of the pest the forest could
afford; and within a few months every
thing was ready and the building com-
pleted and. dedicated without one dol
lar Of Indebtedness.
I'm 1852 Rev. A. w. Walker served
as pastor, in 1858 Revs. Henry BAGS
and Robt. Boyden were the pastors.
Boyden was a brilliant man from
Charleston, and this his first year in
the Conference he proved TO be a very
popular preacher. During the year he
conducted a special meeting at Mt.
Bethel, and several persons united with
the Church. Among the members was
John J.. Gilkerson who became a loyal
and faithful member, a true Christian
and served as an official of the Church
for several years previous to his death.
In the year 1854 DR.. Robert j. Boyd
was preacher in charge of the Laurens
Circuit. He was a splendid preacher,
:, .Ipn,,o. mo I, nfnl1nnfi1a1u onI n nrnnn-
incnt member Of the Conference. He
was the father Of the late Col. Robt.
Boyd of Darlington, one of the first
lawyers of the State. During the year
DIR. Boyd with the consent and work
ing in harmony with the members of
the Church, organized and established
Il Camp Ground at Mt. Bethel. The
plat secured was south and east of the
new Church. 1t was laid off in a square,
with a large harbor in the center under
which the services were held.
The tents were located along the
outer edges Of the square. These were
of light wooden structure and usually
enclosed and divided into different
apartments by cotton bagging. These
made very pleasant abodes for August
weather, The hospitality of the tent
holders room became proverbial and it
was a pleasure for them to entertain
their friends who attended the meet
ings. Their tents would be filled to
the utmost capacity, for large numbers
from adjoining counties visited the en-
campment.
The order of exercises for the day
was the sounding of a trumpet just at
dawn, to arouse the encampment, and
again at sunrise for family worship at
the tents. The trumpet was sounded
at the STAND for services at 8 and IL
Il. m. and at 3 and p. m.
At night the Camp Ground was light
ed by fire stands placed at intervals
around the harbor, and with candles
under the stand.
One of the prominent features of
the first camp meeting held, was a
sermon preached by Rev. Jno. w. Kel-
ley, at II a. IN. on Sunday, on the
subject of missions. He had recently
I.- - [-l.r- - - -