George Washington Flowers Memorial Collection DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY OF COLONEL FLOWERS DECENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF KINGS MOUNTAIN PRESBYTERY. LINCOLNTON, NORTH CAROLINA NOVEMBER 12TH, 13TH, 1912. The Tenth Anniversary of the organization of Kings Mountain Presbytery was celebrated in the Presbyterian church in Lincoln- ton, November the 12th and 13th. The Presbytery of Kings Moun- tain was organized in Lincolnton, November the 18th 1902. It was set off from Mecklenburg Presby- tery and composed of the five counties of Lincoln, Gaston, Cleve- land, Butherford and Polk. An interesting programme had been arranged for the occasion by the committee having the matter in charge. Au invitation had been extend- ed to all the churches of the Pres- bytery to send delegates, and the occasion was pleasant and profit- able to those who attended. The exercises were presided over with ease and grace by Rev Geo. A. Sparrow, to whose preparation of the programme and persistent ef- fort much of the credit for the successful celebration is due. Tuesday evening the exercises were opened by an address of wel- come by Elder A. M. Hoke of Lincolnton; response, P. W. Gar land, Esq., of Gastonia, which was followed by an address out- lining the history of Presbyter- ianism to the formation of Kings Mountain Presbytery by Elder A. Nixon. Wednesday morning Rev. R. A. Miller discussed the subject, "Has Kings Mountain Presbytery justi- fied the action of Synod in the sep aration." Rev. S. L. Cathey read a Memorial of the deceased Breth- ren -charter members. Touching remarks were made by a number of the delegates on the lives, char- acter and works of the departed. Wednesday afternoon from 2 p. m. until 7 :30 p. m. was devoted to social intercourse. The ladies entertained the delegates and the congregation at a reception in the Confederate Memorial Hall. The hours spent in this interesting old Hall were ielightfully passed and will be long treasured. Wednesday evening Rev. W. E. Mcllwaine of Charlotte in felici- tous words brought greetings and congratulations from the mother Presbytery — the Presbytery of Mecklenburg. Eev. W. R. Min- ter gave an outline of a decade of Home Mission Work in Kings Mountain Presbytery. Rev. G A. Sparrow spoke of the growth of Presbytery's interest in the Orphan's Home at Barium Springs and of the work and outlook of the Westminster School. This w s followed by Rev. W. E. Mcll waine on the growth of Mission Work in the Presbytery and in the Synod of North Carolina. Thus passes into history an in- teresting occasion, Rev W. R. Minter, at much pains, had collec ted and placed on the walls of the church, tablets containing much of the Presbytery's work and ac coraplishment. From these, large- ly, the data following is taken. PRESENT AT ORGANIZATION. ' Ministers: R. Z. Johnston, J. J. Kennedy, R. A. Miller. G. A. Sparrow, R. C. Morrison, M. McG Shields, W. R. Minter, T. C. Croker, S. L. Cathey, J. T. Wade. Elders: G. W. Long, L. R Welch, H. L. Ramsaur, S. M. Wilson, A. Lee Cherry, S. D. Burgin, J. G. Morrison, R. L. Ry- burn, George Cansler, A. C. Clark, J. Q Holland, J. M. Barber, Frank Robinson, C. H. Lineber ger, R. E. Brown, J. E. Reinhardt, R. C. Kennedy, J. T. R. Dame ron, J. L. Clemmer, C. E. Nei&ler and C. F. Hunter. KINGS MOUNTAIN PRESBYTERY. Organization in Lincoluton, Nov. 12, 13, 1902. Decennial celebration in Lincolnton, Nov. 12, 13, 1912. "Here we raise our Ebenezer." SYNODICAL GENEALOGY. Synod organized in 1717; di- vided into the Synods of New York and Philadelphia, 1741; 1758, the two Synods reunited; 1788, the Synod of the Carolinas was organized at Center church, Iredell county, N. C. ; the Synod of North Carolina was established in 1813. PRESBYTERIES. Genealogy of the Presbytery of Kings Mountain: The first Pres- bytery organized in 1706; 173 7, Presbytery of Philadelphia; 1758, Presbytery ot Hanover, Va. ; 1770, Presbyterv of Orange; 1795, Pres- bytery of Coucord; 1869, Presby- tery of Mecklenburg; 1902, Pres- bytery of Kings Mountain. MODERATORS. The Presbytery meets in the Spring and Fall, so there are two Moderators for each year except the first, 1902, Rev R. A. Miller; 1903, Revs. R. Z. Johnston and W. H. Wilson; 1904, J. M. Forbis and W. A. Murray; 1905, J. B. Cochran and T. C. Cioker; 1906, G. A. Sparrow and Cornel- ius Miller; 1907, M. A. Hender- son, James Thomas; 1908, W. R. Miuter and R. C. Anderson; 1909, A. S. Anderson, G. L. Cook; 1910, R. A Miller, C. H. Little; 1911, R. S. Burwell* and S. S. Oliver; 1912, A. C. Jones and W. J. Sechrest. STATISTICS. The following figures are for the years 1902 and 1912, respectively: Churches, 31, 39; ministers 14, 18; elders, 99, 127; deacons, 83, 120; Sunday School enrollment, 1523, 3 2227; members, 2180, 3043; con- tribution for Beneficence $3,050.00, $7,985.00; local expenses, $10,119 $19,502 00; total offerings $13,- 169 00, $27,487 00. FOREIGN MISSIONS. Kings Mountain Presbytery's contribution to Foreign Missions b> yeais: 1902, $565 00; 1903, $875; 1904, 1905, $832.00; 1906, $862.00; 1907, $874.00; 1908, $1869; 1909, $2,174.00, 1910, $1692.00; 1911, $2,185.00; 1912, $2872. MANSES BUILT. At Dallas, Forest City, Belmont and Mount Holly. Provided, Loray and Cliffside; rebuilt, Gas- tonia and Lincolnton. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL. Principals: 1902 and 1903, J. R. Sandifer; 1903 04 W. W. Brandt; 1905 07 W. R. Mirter; 1907 (halfyear) G. T. Pace; 1907- 1909 R. C. Morrison; 1909 11 J. K. Hail; 1911 T. E. P. Woods. woman's union Organized in Gastonia June 12th, 1907. President: 1907-1908, Mrs. D. R. LaFar; 1909 10, Mrs. J. S. Wise; 1911 12, Mrs. L. M. Hull. FOREIGN MISSIONARIES. Miss Kittie McMullen, China; Mr. Carroll Whitener, Japan. CHURCHES ORGANIZED. Beattyville, Bethany, Bnstic, Cliffside, El Bethel, Poors Ford, Goshen, High Shoals, Loray and Union Mills. CHURCHES BUILT. Beattyville, Bethany, Bostic, Cliffside, Drusilla, High Shoals, Loray and Saluda. Rebuilt: Kings Mountain and Union. IN MEMORIAM. Four ministers of the charter members of the Presbytery have died: Rev. R. Z Johnston, Rev. J. J. Kennedy, Rev. W. H. Wil son and Rev. M. A. Henderson; and five of the elders: S. D. Bur- gin, J. G. Morrison, J. Q. Hol- land and A. C. Clark. Paper Read By A. Nixon At De- cennial Celebration Of Kings Mountain Presbytery Held With Lincolnton Presbyterian Church November 12th and 13th, 1912. American Presbyterianism like American citizenship, has de- rived its distinctive character from many and diverse influences. As we trace the course of its his tory we find it receiving tributar- ies from distant and varied sources yet all blending in a current that flows in a channel of its own and marked at every stey by features peculiar to itself. Commingled in it, and made more or less homo- geneous by it, we find the ele- ments of English dissent, Irish fervor, Scotch persistence and Huguenot devotion. There is scarce a memorable event in the history of protestantism in the old world that does not assist to elucidate the , character of its founders. It inherits alike the memories of the noble men who fell victims to the bigotry of Alva or Laud, or eudured the brutal cruelty of Landerdale or Jeffries. P3481 3 4 In the annals of the German re public, the heroism of the Nether- lands, the suffering of the Hugue nots — culminating in the bloody St. Bartholmew, the sterling cou scientiousness of the Puritans, and the unswerving loyalty to Christs crown and covenant evinced by the countrymen of John Knox, may be discerned the elements of the training which shaped the views and character of its founders. Thus, without taking any other church on earth as its model, it was built up out of materials drawn from sources the most diverse and into a structure that constitutes its own type. Even in the new world it was sometimes constrained to renew the struggle which had become too familiar in the old and was modified by local influences. Yet ere long it was left unmolested, and, in a field broad enough to tax to its utmost energies it was called to the task of competing with other denomi- nations in the noble work of evan- gelizing a young and growing em- pire. Until about 1735 the Province of N. C, was comprised in 3 counties, Albarmarle, Bath and Clarendon, and these in turn were subdivided into precincts. This subdivision was abolished in 1738 and the counties as we now have them began to be formed in rapid succession. New Hanover was a precinct of Bath set up in 1728. Its eastern limits were then as to day the great Atlantic Ocean. We will now briefly follow the changes taking place to the west and note the formation of new counties as westward the course of empire takes its way. Bladen was set up in 1734 its eastern boundary was defined but westward it extended to the bounds of the government, comprehending the whole of the State west of New Hanover. In 1749 Anson was set up from Bladen, its western tei minus the indefinite one just mentioned — the bounds of the government. As those who penetrated the western wilds became remote from the seat of government a new county would be demanded. De- cember the 11th 1762 the western portion of Auson was set up into a new county and called Mecklen- burg with county seat the Queen City of Charlotte, names given in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg wife of his Majesty George III. Mecklenburg comprised all the territory between Lord Granville's line and South Carolina from An- son county westward. In 1768 all of Mecklenburg county west of the Great Catawba river was set off into a new coun- ty, by the name of Tryon county and Saint Thomas Parish, so named in compliment to the royal Gover- nor, William Tryon. In 1779 the patriots were bat- tling for Independence, the name of the roval governor was blotted from the cata'ogue of counties, the territory of Tryon split in twain, and the new counties thus formed, Lincoln and Rutherford, named in honor of the distinguished patriot generals, Benjamin Lincoln and Grifl&th Rutherford. The old counties of Lincoln and Rutherford have since been sub- divided into the counties compris ing the Presbytery of Kings Moun tain. 5 It is a coincidence worthy of passing note that the bounds of Kings Mountain Presbytery are coterminous with the royal county of Tryon and Saint Thomas Par- isly. Tryon county according to a survey made during Governor Tryon 's administration was re- ported to be forty five miles from north to south, and eighty miles from the Great Catawba river on the east to the Cherokee Indian line on the west. The pioneers came into what is now the bounds of Kings Moun tain Presbytery when its territory was a part of Anson county; they continued to come when it was Mecklenburg and Tryon, and up to and after the Eevolution. The first presbytery in this country was organized in 1705; the Presbytery of Philadelphia was organized in 1717; Hanover, 1758; Orange, 1770; Concord, 1795; Mecklenburg, 1869. In response to an overture from certain minis ters and churches on the west side of the Catawba river, the Presby- tery of Mecklenburg in session at Albermarle, October 1902, sent an overture to the Synod of N. C, asking for the division of Meck- lenburg Presbytery. The Synod at Winston, October 24, 1902, granted this overture and set off the counties of Lincoln, Gaston, Cleveland, Rutherford and Polk into a new Presbytery to be known as the Presbytery of Kings Moun- tain. The ministers and the represen tatives of the churches met in this church, November the 18th, 1902, our venerable presbyter, Rev. R. A. Miller presiding, and the Pres- bytery of Kings Mountain was or- ganized by electing Rev. S. L. Cathey Stated Clerk and John F. Love Treasurer. As thus consti- tuted the Presbytery of Kings Mountain comprised five counties, fourteen ministers, thirty-one churches and 2180 communicants. This Presbytery bears a historic name, I was present at. the organ- ization, and well remembes the presentation to the moderator by Rev. Mr. Shields a gavel carved from wood cut on Kings Mountain by a descendant of one of the Kings Mountain heroes. When Kings Mountain Presbytery met for the first time at Kings Moun- tain I sent the moderator a gavel carved from the mud sillofRam- sour's Mill — a mill established by the pioneer Derrick Ramsour in the Reign of his Majesty "George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ire- land, King, Defender of the Faith etc.," and made historic by the defeat of the loyal adherents of his Majesty, George the Third, at the Battle of Ramsours Mill, June 20th 1780. It was a happy coin- cidence that the moderator re- ceiving the gavel was Rev. Wil- liam Ramseur Minter, a descend- ant of the famous old pioneer. Following the exploring expedi- tions sent out by Sir Walter Ral- eigh in 1584, the first attempts to plant English settlements within the limits of the United States were made upon the soil of North Carolina. Their failure left the country long unoccupied. Mean- while settlements established in Virginia were spreading and in course of time along the sounds P34813 6 and the streams of the east was a population composed of English- men from Virginia, settlers direct from the mother country, German Palatines, Swiss, French Hugue- nots, Scotch Highlanders and a few New Englanders. While such settlers were filling up the east, pioneers of another type were coming into this immediate sec- tion, now the bounds of Kings Mountain Presbytery. About the year 1737 the Scotch Irish from the north of Ireland, coming by way of Pennsylvania, began to occupy the beautiful valleys of Virginia, and the waters of the Eoanoke, while scattered families were following the Indian Traders Path, and settling the wide stretch of country included between the Yadkin and the Great Catawba. Between the years 1745 and 1750 this settlement overflow- ed the Great Catawba, and along its west bank, in what is today Lincoln and Gaston counties — the eastern border of Kings Mountain Presbytery — the cabins of the Scotch Irish were beginning to supplant the wigwams of the red man. These were a stern and virile people familiar with the National Covenant of Scotland and the Westminster Confession of Faith, whose preachers were trained in the creed of Calvin and Knox. At the same time another branch of the human family were passing to the west and settling beside the Scotch Irish. These were the Germans or the Pennsyl- vania Dutch. The German im- migration grew out of desolating wars that made existence in their native land intolerable. In this land of hills and vales and un- broken forest, they exemplified the primal injuncton, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it." In few cases did these different nationalities in the first instance, locate upon the same territory. The consciousness of kind was strong enough to segregate those of the same race, lauguage, relig- ion and habit of mind. The Eng- lishman, the Highlander, the Ger- man and other European Nation- alities occupied strips of land across the state, generally in a south westerly direction like so many strata of a geological forma- tion. The nationalities for the most part settling in what is now the bounds of Kings Mountain Pres- bytery were the Scotch Irish and the Germans. The German and the Scotch Irishman had been neighbors in Pennsylvania, they continued so in North Carolina, and today in most of our veins in- termingle the blood of the German and the Scotch Irishman. Col. W. L. Sauniers, North Carolina's versatile and distin- guished historian, after describ ing the route our ancestors came from Pennsylvania, pays them a tribute, which well applies to the inhabitants of Kings Mountain Presbyter}. "Remembering the route (General Lee took when he went into Pennsylvania on the memorable Gettysburg campaign it will be seen that very many of the North Carolina boys, both of German and Scotch Irish descent, in following their great leader, 7 visited the homes of their ances tors, and went thither by the very route by which they came away. To Lancaster and York counties in Pennsylvania North Carolina owes more of her population than to any other part of the world, and surely there was never a better population than they and their descendants, never better citizens, and certainly never better scldiers. The maxim that one is known by bis companions, was in use among the ancient Romans, nos- citur ex sociis, as was the con- verse, ex uno disce omnes, from one learn all. Invoking these rules for brevity of mention," I recall on the east side a Scotch Irishman to whom nature had been profuse in external gifts; whose features, regular and classic in outline, would have satisfied a sculptor, form, noble and com- manding, cast indeed in natures finest mould; a man whom I have seen and the most commanding person I ever saw: citizen, lawyer, member of the General Assembly, Speaker of the House, United States and Confederate States Senator, Secretary of the Navy, candidate for Vice President con- sidered by mauy North Carolina's most distinguished son, William Alexander Graham; In the famous gubernatorial campaign of 1844, Gov. Graham found in a Dutch citizen and neighbor a foeman worthy of this great man's steel, — a gentleman of fine person, fine address, of large legislative experience and high position at the bar, an opponent whose open generous, temper, pol- ished oratory and elevated mode of argument, won the regard and respect of all parties, the brilliant and lamented, Michael Hoke; In the titanic struggle between the States among those who gave their lrves to the Southland's cause was a member of this church whose father was a German, his mother Scotch Irish, who for cour- age and gallantry was promoted rapidly through the grades to the rank of Major- General, Stephen Dodsen Bamsaur; On the east side a Scotch Irish- man whose mother was a German for heioic daring and high sol- dierly qualities became a distin- guished Brigadier- General, today a Christian soldier on life's side of the great divide, the knightly and well beloved, Robert D. Johnston; A German of this town whose mother was reared in the blue atmosphere of Beatties Ford, en- listed with the first volunteers, the Southern Stars, with rapid promotions passed to the rank of Major General. Spared long years among us, but lately passed over the river to rest under the shade of the trees, the great Confederate leader, Robert F. Hoke. The pioneer Germans were large- ly followers of the great central figure of the Reformation, Martin Luther and the Swiss Reformer, Ulrick Zwingle, whose doctrinal symbols were the Augsburg Con- fession and the Heidelburg Cate- chism. There was diversity of churches and religious creed among the pioneers, and at an early date the various denom- inations now laboring in the bounds of this Presbytery were or- ganized and at work. The Pres- 8 byterian church owes its origin to those of our ancestors who were members of the Presbyterian churches of Scotland ' and Ireland. In order to understand who the Scotch Irish are we must "go back for a moment to those dim almost uncharted regions of history which disclose the tribes of the Germanic forest pouring down upon the wreck of the Roman Em- pire. When the successive waves of the Teutonic Invasion broke upon Brittain they swept up the mountains of the north driving the native Picts and Scots before them, and no part of their con- quest was more thoroughly Dan ish and Saxon than the Lowlands of Scotland. But the Highlander who represented the survival of the great Celtic race, untouched by the Roman or the Saxon inva- sion, and the Lowlander who rep resented the invaders were quick- ly welded together in a common hostility to their great and grasp ing English neighbor on the South. The Celtic blood mingled with that of the Teutonic tribes, they quarreled, they fought side by side, they intermarried; they mod- ified each other, and gradually adopted each others customs and habits of thought. While the Highlander looked down upon the Lowlander as a trader and shop keeper, and the Lowlander re- garded the Highlander as wild and barbarous the ties of blood and common suffering were strong between them and they were all Scotchmen. Scotland has a history — one of the most remarkable in the annals of men. Shut up in a narrow region of mountain and of lake; a land of storm, and cold and mist, with no natural resources except a meager soil and a tempestuous sea to yield a hard earned living; poor in this world's goods and few in number, yet for six hundred years these hardy people main- tained their independence against their powerful foe to the south- ward aud only united with him at last upoq equal terms. Those six centuries of bitter struggle for life and independence waged continuously against na- ture and man, not only made the Scotch formidable in battle, re- nowned in every camp iu Europe but developed qualities of mind and character that became insep arable from the race. The Scotch intellect passing through this severe ordeal was quickened, tem- pered and sharpened. When the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland was depopu lated by the armies of Elizabeth and James the First, it was re- populated largely bv immigrants from Scotland who called them- selves Scotch Irish. Transplanted into Ireland, he was again in a rough country, turned into a wilderness by fire and sword. Soon its prosperity attracted the greedy e>es of Euglish landlords and the Euglish parliament and they began to reap a rich harvest of rents and taxes. As there had been a tide of emigration from Scotland to Ire land in the seventeenth century so one hundred years later, after enduring many trials, thousands of Scotch Irish immigrants came across the wide Atlantic to these 9 hospitable shores. Again in this country the Scotch Irishman found himself in a wilderness untouched by axe or plow, and infested with savage foes. With fearless heart and undiscouraged enthusiasm he cut his way through the trackless forest, beat back his painted ene- mies, built the log cabin, and alongside of it the church and the schoolhouse, tilled the virgin soil, and helped to lay the foundation of our splendid civilization. The Scotch Irishman has a deep craving for liberty and a strong sense of his rights, bred into him by centuries of despotism and he has stubbornly refused to have his neck under a yoke. In Scotland both state and church drew coils around him, but he could not be bound, and his Scottish obduracy and Celtic blood rebelled; so he was taken into a partnership in which the Scotchman has equal rights with the Englishman. John Knox arose as the embodiment of the conscience of his people, shattered the papal yoke and established the Scottish church in the freedom it has today. Transplanted to Ulster and transformed into Scotch Irishmen this restless masterful man en- joyed a season of prosperity and peace, but presently industrial and religious oppression was laid upon him, with a heavier hand than he had ever known before, and yet these unreasonable and obdurate Scotch Irish were Pres- byterians still. This oppression depleted Ulster of much of its best blood and drove thousands of Scotch Irish into the forests of Pennsylvania. In this country they found a more congenial atmosphere and soil. Its wide spaces and fresh air conduced to breadth of thought and freedom of spirit. But they were still under dominion of the same English power; and when the growth of the colonies ap proached the point where separa- tion from the mother country be- came inevitable, the Scotch Irish- man came to the hour of his op- portunity, if not ot his revenge. Eager to tear off and shatter the yoke that had galled and embit- tered them on their native shores, they rushed into the conflict, and with their patriot neighbors at Eamsours Mill, Kings Mountain and the Cowpens, made Yorktown possible and completed what they began when John Knox defied the Queen and Ulster the King. From the year 1750 family after family and group after group suc- ceeded each other in rapid pro- gression, induced hither by reports wafted back of the fertility and beauty of solitudes where con- science was free and labor volun- tary, and soon the settlements grew dense enough for a frontier and they were uniting themselves into congregations for the purpose of enjoying the ministration of the gospel. The request for this sketch car- ried with it the liberty to roam at will the fields of history. In the short time at my disposal I have done so, and now at my conclusion have perhaps arrived where I should have begun, namely, the history of the church ana of the 10 churches within the bounds of Kings Mountain Presbytery. Of course the establishment of this Presbytery, its accomplishment, its work and prospects devolves on other speakers. In the early days people buried their dead on their own home steads, for at the first there were no churches, then churches few and far apart. There is scarce an old pi station today but has on it a private burying ground. These burying grounds were sacred spots and most of the churches with which I am familiar were estab lished at some burial place. The oldest church on the rolls of this Presbytery is situate far to the west mid the beautiful hills aud fertile vales of Eutherford county. A burial ground was se lscted on vacant land when this country was under the dominion of Great Britain. Hence when it became a place of worship the church was called Britain. Here repose the remains of many patri- ots of the American Revolution. Duncan's Creek is a fair daughter of Britain. The pioneers following an Indian trail crossed the Great Catawba at a ford which yet retains its Indian name, Tuckaseegee. A stranger in those days passing through took sick; his pleasing manners endear- ed him to those who nursed him; when he died a burial place was selected for his body on the brow of the hill near a brook. The fam- ilies near buried their dead be- side the stranger, and that place is now a city of the dead. In choos ing a place for public worship reverence for the dead led the peo- ple to this place, and here is his- toric old Goshen. The first pale face to set foot upon the soil of Lincoln county was the bold pioneer, John Beattie. The shoal at which he crossed the Great Catawba forms a splendid ford, and yet perpetuates his name, Beattie's Ford. The Beat- tie burying ground on his home- stead, was in a level spot shaded by oak and hickory near a spring. A rude log structure erected there was called Beattie's Meeting House The second church was erected in 1808 at which time James Connor, Alexander Brevard, John Reed and Joseph Graham, distinguished Revolutionary soldiers were the Trustees of Unity Congregation. The present edifice at Unity was e/ected in 1833 when John D. Graham, Daniel M. Forney and John Knox were the trustees. Dr. Humphrey Hunter, a patri- ot and soldier in our country's struggle for independence became pastor of Goshen and Unity in 1796. Lincolnton was one of his mission points. There was no reg- ular organization during his min- istration The fruition of his la- bors was the establishment of this church in the year 1823. Gen. Joseph Graham and Capt. Alexander Brevard selected a fami- ly burying ground midway between their homesteads, and in the grave- yard at Machpelah have been laid to rest the remains of many his- toric dead. During the ministry of the venerable Robert Hall Mor- rison, D. D., the church at Cas tanea Grove was built on the high- way between Goshen and Unity. Dr. Morrison closed his will with 11 these touching words, "I expect my body to rest in Machpelah graveyard beside the precious dust already there." Olney, Long Creek, Shiloh and New Hope are among the older churches, each with a history of fasinating interest, but I must for- bear further particular mention. The fathers made history, and we owe their memories a debt of grat- itude But they were too much absorbed in the struggle for exis tence, civil and religious liberty to write and perpetuate it, so much is already lost. I close with the suggestion that it would be well for Presbytery to see that the history of each church even to the youngest on the roll — all that can be gathered — is written, and if not published in some enduring form, that the materials at least be filed away among the archives with the stated clerk for the use of some future historian, and thus preserve the names and services of those who wrought in the heroic past the fruition of whose labors are the great blessings we enjoy. ROLL OF CHURCHES Date of Organization — Pastoral Charges And Pastors — 1912. Brittain, 1765, Duncans Creek, 185—, Drusilla, 185— , Union Mills, 1905, Rev. G. L. Cook. Goshen, 1775, Mount Holly, 189-, Stanley Creek, 1891, Rev. S. I,. Cathey. Unity, 1775, Machpelah, 1848, Cas- tanea Grove, 1861, Rev. Chas. H. Little. Olney, 1776, Union, 1856; Rev. Geo. A. Sparrow. Long Creek, 1780, Kings Mountain, 1884, Bessemer City, 1899, Rev. S. S. Oliver. Shiloh, 1780, Shelby, 1858, Rev. James Thomas. New Hope, 1806, Rev. R. S. Burwell. Lincolnton, 1823, High Shoals, 1908, Rev. W. R. Minter. Hephzibah, 1838, Dallas, 1851, Waco, 1891, Ironton, 1891, Cherryville, 1893, Rev. W. J. Sechrest. Rutherfordton, 183—, Sandy Plains, 185— , Columbus, 1894, Poors Ford, 1912, Rev. F. B. Rankin. Gastonia, First, 1882, Rev. J. H. Henderlite. Lowell, 1889, Rev. R. A. Miller. Belmont, 1890, Rev. W. S. Lacey. Forest City, 1893, Mooresboro, 1894, Bethany, 1904, Bostic, 1910, Rev. C. C. Carson. Henrietta, 1896, Cliffside, 1909, Rev. C. L. Wicker. Loray, 1907, Rev. A. S. Anderson. Date Due 1 Form 335. 45M 8-37. N.C # 204 Z99A v. 2 1900-30 no s .24- 40 P42923