The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-06
BURN CHURCH MORTGAGE.
BlSlIOPVILLE PRESBYTERIANS
CELEBRATE DIAMOND AN
NIVERSARY.
special Services of Thanksgiving
Mark Great Occasion for Faithful
Flock,

day long to be remembered by the
Presbyterians of this town and thei,
friends of the city and county, in that
1t was the 18th anniversary Of the
organizing and erecting here Of the
church of that faith.
This being the case, the officers
pastor and members thought 1t proper
to have special Service for the an
niversary, the service being q ming
ling Of Thanksgiving and jubilation,
the occasion being the burning Of a
mortgage that has long stood over the
magnificent new church erected by
the people few years ago.
This church has a remarkable his
tory in several ways. 1t has been a
regularly organized church for 75
years and in that time 1t has had but
two church buildings and but four
pastors. one of these, the present pas
tor, the Rev. l.. L. Legters, to whom
more than any other one man the
success OF this celebration Is due.
1t has another unique record in
that 1t had one man to serve as or
ganist for almost 40 years-George
II. Reid, who retired from this posi-
ton just a year or SO ago--and that
w. Il. Law for more than S5 years
was member of the choir. for a part
OF that time the entire direction OF
the singing devolving upon him.
The only sad note in this glad oc-
casion was the announcement that
after this service Mr.. Law would re-
tire as chorister, he having been
forced to do this much to the re-
gret OF the church, on account OF
failing eyesight.
The programme of exercises, sig
nificant and inspiring. was one Of
unusual interest.
1t follows
Anthem. Great Ia the Lord" dox-
oiogy; invocation; hymn 1876; Scrip
ture; prayer: hymn 81; announce
ments: anthem, II Lay My Sins on
jesus;" historical address, the Rev.
Hugh Il. Murchison: burning Of the
anthem, Come Holy
Spirit" address, THE Future" the
Rev. w. +. Gregg; greetings. the Rev.
II. c. Hammond; hymn 23; benedic-
ton.
Mr.. Murchisons address was enjoy
ed by all and was in many respects
revelation to the members themselves.
The historical incidents of greatest in
ICrest were that part of the history of
he church ante-dating the freedom
VI the slaves. there being read from
he record the names or several ne
sroes as having been received into
the membership of the church. He
told the exceedingly interesting story
OF the immigration Of Scotch-Irish
TO South Carolina in 1880, Of the es-
tablishment of Presbyterian church
at Kingstree. of another at Indian
town, of its further spread uL Black
river to Salem (B. R.) church, then
Mt. Zion in Lee county, the real
mother Of the Bishopville church, and
hnally of the organizing and building
in fhia chnrch IN, 1000
Many accounts read from the
permanent records Of the church
show how strict were those of the
earlier times Several members were
tried for conduct unbecoming mem
bers Of the church and In some cases
were convicted and expelled from the
church.
The Bishopville Presbyterians
within the short space of three years,
have built. at cost OF over $4,000.
a magnificent church building, the
burning OF the mortgage during yes
terdays exercises marking the final
payment of the cost OF building the
new church. Within the short period
Of one year. since October 1912. this
church has erected a handsome new
manse. increased it's gifts to all other
causes, paid the debt on the church
and contributed in cash almost $1,000
n month in that time. All this has
been done by tho representatives of
Just 81 families which compose the
membership of this church, none Of
whom can rightly be called wealthy.
This church has given to the min
istry and missionary field several OF
it's sons and daughters.
The present pastor of the church,
the Rev. Mr.. Lcgtcrs. to whom much
OF tho success OF this celebration is
due, Is Il native of the state of New
York. Another taking prominent
ana hitting part in this celebration
was the Rev. Francis Gregg Of Rock