The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1919-01-03
DEDICATION OF NEW PRESBYTE-
RIAN CHURCH.
CONTINUED from Page II

learned minister, man of strong
character, who left his impress not
only upon those of his immediate day
and time. but upon this community
even to this day. His pastorate was
terminated by his death on the 28th
day of July, 1928. During his min
istry the eldership OF his church,
which has ever been a most potent
factor in the work of the Presbyte-
rian organization, was composed of
earnest, pious and jealous men, whc
labored in connection with their pas
tor in most efficient manner.
During his administration the
church was divided into districts,
and one Elder was assigned to each
district. 1t was the duty of this Ell
der to visit the members of the con-
gregation in his district and to over
see the conduct of the members, and
to see to it that the slaves and the
children of the family received re-
ligious instruction. 1t is shown by
the records that it was made the
duty of these Elders to consult with
and to advise and warn any who
failed to discharge their Christian
duties or to conform to the rules and
regulations of the church, and if
such counsels and such warnings
were not needed, it was their duty to
see that such persons were brought,
upon proper charges, before the Ses-
sion of the church for trial.
One of the most active Elders, and
one who, so far as I am able to as
certain from the records, was prob
ably one among the first Elders in
Quoted into Office upon the organiza-
ton of the church in 1887, or shortly
thereafter, was one Joseph Mitchell
who filled this Office with great zeal
and ability for period of more than
fifty years. And it is shown by these
records that some Of his family or
their descendants have been members
of this church from his time until
now. And they are numerously rep
resented in the present membership
Among these descendants is one of
the present most efficient ruling Ed
ers, Mr.. Charles B. Mitchell, a great
grandson.
1t is interesting to note that dur
ing the early years of the history of
this church the discipline of the
church was strictly enforced. 1t was
during Mr.. McFarland's administra-
ton that one member was tried by
the Session upon the charge that he
had been guilty of unnecessary travel
upon the Lords Day. 1t appeared
from the facts that he had some i'm
portant engagement in neighboring
town some miles away, early on Mon
day morning, and in order to be able
to reach this point as early as he
desired on Monday, he travelled por-
tion of the distance on Sunday after
noon preceding, and he was convicted
upon the charge
Again, it is recorded that one MEM
Der was tried for collecting usury
upon debt. Numerous trials were
had of persons upon the charge of
failing to attend public worship in
the church for a period of twelve
without lawful excuse. And
this seems to have been one of the
rules and requirements of the
1t is also interesting to note that
from the earliest organization of the
church and, as 1 am advised, even
until as late as the breaking out Of
the Civil War, it had been the custom
of the church to receive into its men,
bership colored slaves who made a
and proper profession CT
their faith, and provision and place
was arranged for them n the churcn
building in which the white masters
and it was made the
duty of the masters of these slaves
who were members of the church t.
have the infant children of these col |
ored slaves baptised and these, along |
with all other infants, were baptized |
into the church and are referred to III |
the church as baptized members.
Shortly after the occurrence of the |
great revival at Cane Ridge, noted |
for the wonderful physical manifesto
lions exhibited by many of those who
attended those services, these mani |
such as falling upon the
floor and writhing in their bodies,
some shouting, some barking and |
making other loud outcries, had
seemed to have pervaded the Presby-
terrain church in this section, or, as
should more properly say, there
seemed to have arisen a practice IF
making such demonstrations during |!
the public services, as the auditors
would be moved, which was an entire
innovation in the worship of the |
Presbyterian church, and which was
not according to the accepted stand
ards and practices of the church. |
And by reason of this, the Rev. Joel |
Lyle, who was minister of the |
Presbyterian church, although never |
pastor nor officially connected with
The church in Paris. butt who. lived in
40 4 1