Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-05-26

them and poisoned their minds against
missions. But this was only for a
short while. They soon returned to
the support of the mission movement,
and the church has been ever since a
missionary body.
The progressive and missionary spir-
it Of the church is further attested by
the fact that it sent out arms in sever
al directions, and established places
Of worship, some Of which grew into
independent churches.
One of these arms was Chalk Level,
beyond Sugar creek. Another was at
Ezell's meeting house, where Marvin
now is. A church was organized here
called Buck Hill, which was disbanded
in 1859 or 80, after which the remain
ing members were organized into the
Pleasant Valley church.
Sardis, beyond the Catawba river,
was another arm Of the church, which
in 1886 was organized into a church
by sending out thirty eight members.
Because of death and removals, this
church afterwards became extinct
Mill Creek church. beyond the Cataw-
ba river, was also an arm of the
church which developed into a church.
In 1898 ten members were dismissed
to form in Charlotte which was the
beginning Of organized Baptist effort
in that city. Owing to discord and
deaths this first church disbanded,
but the survivors were afterwards or
ganized into the Tryon Street church
of that city.
Flint Hill is also the mother Of Un-
ion. Fort Mill, Oak Grove and Pine
vile churches. 1t is entitled to be
hailed today as a mother, yes, and a
grandmother Of churches Heavy
drafts have been made upon her vital
ity and life to form organizations else
where. And still the call Of the city
draws away from her sons and daugh-
ters to swell the working forces Of the
cities and towns. 1t is safe to say that
there is scarcely nearby church any
where which does not number among
it's best and most useful, former Flint
Hill members. What this old church
has meant for the upbuilding Of Gods
kingdom on earth only the last day
can reveal. May it go on doing its
gracious work until the Master him.
self shall come to claim his own.
On August 9th, 1911, the first wor-
ship was held in the second building,
which stands where the new building
is now located. This building which
was of logs was enlarged in 1888 by
adding a frame addition.
Two years previous to this, in 1885,
James Thomas was called to the pas
torate to share the labors with Rev.
John Rocker, who was now getting too
infirm to meet the demands Of his
responsible position. During the two
years service of Rev. James Thomas
over a hundred members were added
to the church. Father Rocker sell
dom preached after this. but in 1887,
the people met at the church Of wor-
shin and no preacher being present,
they repaired to the home of the now
aged Rocker. who preached to them
touching sermon on Finally. brethren
farewell" In 1886. he did his last
baptiZing, the associate pastor being
sick. He was then very feeble and
had to call in the help of two dea-
cons to baptize the twelve candidates.
The sermon referred to above was
"nssibly the last one he ever preached.
He died June 21st, 1910, aged 80
years. 8 months and 13 days. The
church supported him while he lived.
and his widow after his death. From
Major w A. Graham's History of
South York Association" have
learned that he also served Hebron
and Lower Rahama churches from
1S00-1S19 He is described in this
work by one who remembers him IN
her fathers home as a lovely Chris
tian gentleman" That he was a faith
full workman, his labors bear abundant
proof He has left behind monu-
ment more enduring than brass, for
while his grave. in the cemetery nara
by the church. is marked by marble
slab. his name is held in loving re-
membrance by hundreds of the de-
scendants of the fathers who through
I, ;ctr hrnl1Uht a.
vior. Following is the inscription upon
his tomb: In memory of Elder John
Rocker. who was born on the 18th day
Of March, 1855, in the state Of Vir-
ginia, and departed this life on the
oath of June. lS40. in the saith year OF
his age In 1882 he united himself
with the Baptist church. In 1888 he
entered the ministry and in 1872 be-
came pastor of Sugar Creek, (noW
Flint HID, church, in which he re-
maned until the time Of his death.
In the midst Of joy we now nave
sorrow. Evil reports followed MT.
Thomas. He was tried by a council
convicted of immoral conduct and eX-
cluded from the Lisleville church, An
son county. y. c., of which he was a
member. This was n heavy blow to-
the Baptists. The church was we'll
nigh in despair. 1t declined to such
an extent that they could hardly get
enough members together to hold a.
conference. But realizing that they
must hold the fort, the faithtul ones
got together and called another pastor,
Rev. VIM. Novel;, in 1S41, who served
them until 1912. Rev. John P. Pritch-
ard, father of DR.. Thos. H. Pritchard'
served the church as supply 1896
"A. He had been one of the ten men,
bers dismissed in 1888 to begin the
eventful career Of Baptists in Char
lotte. Pritchard was followed by Rev.