Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-01-25
Edae6eld Association.

This is the sixth oldest Assoclatlor
in the State, those previously organl,
zed being Charleston, Bethel, Broad
River, Savannah and Saluda. The
Edgefeld was probably formed from
the Bethel. There is no authentic
record as to it's organization. The
minutes of old Hardy's church show
that at it's April, 1907, meeting, mes
isengers were appointed to attend 9
conference "not far from old Ridge
in contemplation of forming an. asso,
citation this side of Saluda." In Au-
gust of the same year delegates were
sent to the Association. It was known
as the Beulah the first year. The first
reliable record available is the min
utes Of the 1918 meeting.
At this time there were forty-one
churches with a total membership of
2,259. These churches were within
the territory now embraced in both
Edgefeld and Ridge, and many, if
not all, now in Aiken and Edisto; and
some from what is now Barnwell,
Orangeburg and Abbeville. The old
est churches now members Of the
Edgefeld are Horns Creek, estab-
lished in 1858, and Big Stevens Creek
in ITS. Horns Creek is said to be
the oldest church in this part of the
State, and has been the center of re-
ligious affairs in years gone by. La
dies came on horseback from Charles
ton on occasion of dedication of first
building. During the Revolutionary
War Tories were encamped on the
grounds and attended services; a
month later American soldiers were
there and attended services.
In 1921 Basil Manly went home
from the first meeting of the State
Convention with the Edgefield dele
gates and did a great work preaching
the gospel. He was one of the COM
mittee appointed by the Convention
to select a site for Furman Academy
and Theological Institute. The school
was established at Edgefeld and OPP
ened in 1927, with Joseph Warne, an
Englishman, as principal. Here were
the seeds sown that in later years
grew into our Furman University and
Theological Seminary. DR.. w. B.
johnson was pastor at Edgefield as
president of the Female College. The
records show that the Edgefeld As
ISOLATION was loyal to education by
its contributions. In 1851, at a cru
cial period, two men from the Edge
field, pledged their savings to the
amount of $1,000 each that Furman
University might be established.
Among other great educational lead
ers and Christian workers were,
Nicholas Ware Hodges, Zebulon Ru-
dolf, James M. Chiles, Zedekiah Wat
Kins, John Trap, D. D. Brunson, ].
Norris and w. P. Hill.
So far as we know Rev. Edmund
Bostford, founder of Stevens Creek
church, was one of the first preachers
in this section. In 1918, the names
of ordained ministers were; John
Landrum, Thomas DeLoach, S. Cart
ledge, James Head, Henry King, E..
Brazial, P. Bush, F. Walker, j. Gal
sloway, w. Walker and C. Davis. Dur
ing the period 1S2O-3O there was a
scarcity of ministers.
Old Customs and Practices.
One of the main objects was to
promote acquaintance, union and fell
lowship among brethren, churches
and associations. Messengers were
received from and sent to other as
sociations so that a uniformity of
faith and practice might be promot-
ed. Questions en- doctrine were usual
ly discussed. Mission work was fos-
tered. At the 1916 annual meeting a
collection of $421.50 was taken for
publication of the Burma Bible. Tenn
perance was a live question as early
as 1924. 1t was stated that many
practiced total abstinence. There
were a few Sunday schools which re-
ceived favorable comment.
State of Religion.
There was a great revival in 1909
10. AT Antioch $50 were added to
the church. The greatest revival in
the history Of the body was in 1881.
There were times of religious de-
preston, so low that at the meeting
in 1924, a resolution was passed to
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