The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-24

1871 to 1850. and from 1851 to 1865
and from 1870 to 1874. He served the
church twenty-six years, and during
that time In tine history Of the church
we find the name of Captain Hancock,
James Broadway. James Benton and
Wash Stratton as clerk
Rev. Samuel p. Morton was born
November 20, 1906, at Parmerville.
near the Narrows on Yadkin River.
and died June IS, 1887, and was buried
at Red Hill. In Arson county. He lived
to his eighty-second year He was a
man OF good education and logical In
his reasons. All who knew him were
impressed with the tender regard for
his friends and acqualntances lie
was strong believer in the insplra-
ton OF the Bible, and evidently dis
ciple of shubal Stearns. He was
leader OF the Israel Of God during the
dark days Of the Civil War. But the
church records at the old Rocky
River Church do not show that there
was ever a Civil War The church did
not miss single conference meeting
during the War Between the states.
IL did not seem to interfere with their
church work at all. Just before the
war, In the year 1852 the church had
meeting, in which twenty-one were
added to the church. Rev. Samuel
P. Morton took up the mantle of John
Culpepper In the old frame building
and carried 1t twenty-six years, and
finally gave it up in the good old
arbor located where the present build
J ing now stands. In 1853. In the hottest
days of the fight between the States
the record book of Rocky River Church
shows 154 members on the roll There
is now living In Stanley county a
colored man who was reared In the
home of Wyatt Nance, the first re-
corded church clerk OF Rocky River.
He was five years old when the old
building was erected, located few
yards from whore the present one is.
preach In the old log house on the
Gaddy place. and also in the first
frame building.
Rev. Il. L. Davis served the church
as pastor in the years of 1867. 1868
and 1869. In the years 1875 and 1876
the records show as pastor the Rev.
Mr.. Phifer and Rev. Mr.. Foreman.
Rev. Z. L. Davis comes again as pas
tor In 1879 and 1880. Mr. Davis was
strong believer in the great COM
mission. He came to the Missionary
Baptist from the Hard Shell with
strong convictions of Gods work.
AfcoS SDHNiSltciS ilc!G MN, conquered
him and mastered him. His appeals
to men were strong, and he preached
the gospel without fear of man. There
was nothing cold or compromising In
his preaching. He handled the great
doc trine Of Gods work with gloves
off. His devotion to beautify was un-
Tagging; no sowed the seed In the
Rev. G. o. Without did a great work
for Rocky River and also for
the regions around. He has been, and
Ia now. one OF North Cardinals great
pioneer workers When the list OF
the men who have made good in the
cause of the Baptist hosts IN this Sec
ton Is called his name stands high
upon the roll In the records we find
the names of j. T. Freeman, S. H.
McLendon. James Broadway, w. n
Bivens and e. M. Brooks as clerk OF
the church during those last years
e. NJ. Brooks became minister OF
the gospel, was ordained at Rocky
River Church and served the church
for season, and is now living and
preaching at churches in Union and
Stanley counties acceptably. In the
years 1889 and 1890 Rev. A. Marks
| who now resides at Marshville, was
the pastor of the church. Active and
Jealous In his work. firm believer
| In repentance and faith, he led the
| church in its steps. During this
| period the new church was dedicated
| The dedication sermon was preached
| by Rev. ]. r. Fan, at the time pastor