The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1917-05-25
Mr.. DIxON'S SPEECH.
Continued from Page ~

Continued from rage i.
which they had endured from kings
and princes and mobiles, because Of
their religious faith and practices, that
provision in the Federal Constitution
that the Congress of the United States
shall have no power to confer any title
of nobility was so inserted at their in
stigation and their procurement, be-
cause the fundamental principle that
underlies the government of the Pres
byterian Church is its democracy. The
people are supreme i'm that they elect
their officers who are to rule over
them and their representatives who
are to make the laws for their govern
ment. And this fundamental principle
prevades the whole spirit and meaning
of the Federal Constitution.
At the time of the establishment Of
the Presbyterian Church in what is
now known as the City of Paris, this
city consisted simply Of few rudely
CONSTRUCTED log huts and did not ex-
coed, according to the best authorities.
more than about three hundred per-
sons in its population. 1t had not even
risen TO the dignity of having a
name; it had never been incorporated
as municipality; and it was not UNI
| til 1889 that the Virginia Legislature
passed an act Incorporating it as a
municipality under the name Of Hope
well; and in the following year, 1870,
the same Legislature changed this
name TO the City of Paris.
The Reverned Andrew Mcclure was
the pastor who organized and minister
ed to this congregation until his death
in 1893 II appears from the records that
during the years that Mr.. Mcclure
ministered to this church, he likewise
ministered TO a Presbyterian Church
located at Riddles Mills, and known
as Stoner-Mouth Church. The old
walls of this church were standing at
time well within the memory of the
speaker.
The first church building in, this
city was stone building located upon
lot now occpied by the residence of
the late James T. Davis. This build
ing, sometime about 1920, was taken
down and a brick structure was built
upon the same site, during the minis
try of the Reverend John Mcfarland.
This church at Paris was organized
by what is known as Pennsylvania
ganized in 1856, and was the first
Presbytery organized west of the Allie
CLANCY Mountains, and the ministers
composing this Presbytery were: The
Rev. David Rice, Rev. Andrew Nc
Clure. Rev. Thomas Craighead, Rev.
Adam Rankin and Rev. James Craw-
ford.
In the spril;Ss of 1895 the Rev. SAM
uel Rannells, likewise an emigrant
from the State of Virginia, succeeded
the Rev. Andrew Mcclure rs the pas
tor of this church, and he continued
his ministry from that time until his
death on the 26 day of March, 1917. 1t
is recorded of him that he was a most
earnest, jealous and laborious worker
in the interest of his church. He came
to Paris as a single man, but after a
few months he returned to Virginia, |
where he was married, and returned !
to this place with his bride. And |
from the time that he came to this /
church In 1895 UP even till this hour,
1t is shown by the records that some
member Of his family or some one of /
his lienal descendants has been con-
nected with this church; and il is now
in its sessions by Mr.. Jas.
D. McClintock, great-grandson.
This pious and Cody man had two
sons who likewise entered the minis
ny of the Presbyterian Church and
we're highly successful in the Masters
,ause.
The Rev. Mr. Rahnells was succeed
ID by the Rev. VIM. Wallace, a man of
most brilliant talents and ardent piety..
ut who died after pastorate of but
ne year. He was succeeded, I'm 1920,
" the Rev John Mcfarland, and
BILE, vigorous and learned minister, :
nan of strong character, who left his
IMPRESS not only upon those OF his i'm
lediate day ana time, but upon this {
even to this day. His pas
Orate was TERMINATED by his death ,
n the % day Of July, 1928. During !,
is ministery the efdeBship of his :
hurch, which has ever been a most !.
otent factor in the work Of the Pres :
yterian organization, was composed !,
[ earnest, pious ant jealous men. who e
bored in connection with their pas
,r in a most efficient manner.
During his administration the church \
as divided into, districts, and one $
lder was assigned to each district. 6
was the duty Of this Elder to visit e
he members OF the congregation in h
is district and to oversee the conduct y
{ the members. and to see to il that Z
he slaves and the children Of the h
lmily received religious instruction. v
is shown by the records that it was |,
lade the duty OF these Elders to n
ounsel with and to advise and warn /
ny who failed to discharge their
hristian duties or to conform to the 4
lles and regulations of the church, :,
nd if sueh counsels and such warn q
lgs we've not needed, il was their i
uty to see that such persons were 4
rought, upon proper charges, before f,
ne Session of the church for trial.
Que of the most active Elders, and
ne who, SO Tar as | am able to ascer-
ain from the records, was probably
ne among the first Elders indicted {
nto Office upon the organization OF the {
A.. chnr thnpoaffnr