MINUTES.
OF THE
PRESBYTERY OF FAYETTEVILLE,
AT THEIR
SEVENTY-NINTH SESSIONS,
*
HELD AT
CARTHAGE, IV. €.»
On the 14th, 15th, and 16th of October,,
1852.
FAYETTEVILLE :
PRINTED BY EDWARD J: HALE & SDNs
1852,
SEVENTY-NINTH SESSIONS
of the
PRESBYTERY OF FAYETTEVIILE.
CARTHAGE, October 14, 1852.
Presbytery met according to adjournment, and was opened
with a Sermon by the Moderator, Rev. ¥m. H. Hogshead, from
Philippians, ii, 21: "For all seek their own, not the things which
are Jesus Christ's." Constituted with prayer £>y the Moderator.
Present.—Rev. Messrs. Samuel Paisley, Hector McLean,
Evander McNair, Hector McNeill, Arch'd Smith, John R. Mc¬
intosh, Frederick K. Nash, Hugh A. Munroe, Neill McDonald,
Hector McAlister, ¥m. H. Hogshead; with Elders, Messrs.
John A. Campbell, Daniel B. McCaskill, Daniel B. McKenzie,
James McCallum, Arch'd Ray, John McGugan, Arch'd Mc-
Callum, Duncan Patterson, Win. McDougald, John McFadyen,
Malcom McLeod, ¥m. C. Birney, Evander Mclver, Hayes W.
Beatty, Duncan McNair, Neill Morrison, Norman Ferguson,
John Elliot, Alex'r Kelly.
Absent.—Rev. Messrs. Robert Tate, John Mclntyre, Simeon
Colton, D. D., Wm. N. Peacock, Adam Gilchrist, Hugh Me-
Laurin, James O. Stedman, Neill McKay, Colin Shaw, Duncan
B. Black, Angus C. McNeill, Daniel Johnson, George McNeill,
James M. Sprunt, and James Jones Smyth*
Rev. John R. Mcintosh was elected Moderator, and Rev. H.
A. Munroe Temporary Clerk.
Mr. Henry Walsh, a Licentiate, presented a letter of dismis¬
sion and recommendation from the Presbytery of Raritan, and
was received under the care of this Presbytery.
Rev. Messrs. Wm. H. Hogshead and Evander McNair, and
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Mr. Alex'r Kelly, were appointed a Committee on Religious
Exercises.
The I£resbytery»then had a recess until 4 o'clock P. M.
At 4 o'clock P. M. the Presbytery met, and was called to
order by the Moderator.
Rev. Vm. N. Peacock appeared in Presbytery and took his
seat. •
Rev. Messrs: Vm. 1ST. Peacock, 1ST. McDonald, and F. IL
ISTash were appointed a Judicial Committee.
Also, Rev. Messrs. II. McAlister and II. McNeill a Commit¬
tee of Supplies.
Rev. Arcli'd Baker, a member of Concord Presbytery, being
present, was invited to sit as a Corresponding member.
On motion, Resolved, That the Rev. A. Baker, who is an
Agent for Davidson College, be heard this evening after Ser¬
mon on the subject of his Agency.
A communication was received from Rev. Angus C. McNeill,
assigning satisfactory reasons for his absence, and requesting to
be dismissed from this Presbytery to join the Presbytery of
South Alabama. "Wherelipon, it was
Resolved, That the request of Rev. Angus C. McNeill be
granted, and he is hereby dismissed and recommended to the
Presbytery of South Alabama, as a Minister in good standing;
and his reception into that Presbytery will dissolve his connec¬
tion with this.
A communication from Rev. J. J. Smyth was received and
read, assigning reasons for his absence, which were considered
satisfactory.
A communication from the Trustees of Davidson College was
received, read, and laid on.the table.
Mr. Martin McQueen applied to be received under the care
of Presbytery as a Candidate for the Gospel Ministry. He was
examined on experimental religion, and his views for wishing
to enter the Ministry. The examination was sustained, and he
was received under the care of Presbytery.
Rev. Messrs. II. McLean, H. McAlister and ¥m. N. Pea¬
cock were appointed a Committee to examine Mr. McQueen
on his literary course.
Presbytery had a recess to attend preaching.
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After Sermon, tlie Moderator took the'Chair, and called the
Presbytery to order.
A communication from the Presbytery of Concord, relating
to Davidson College, was received, read, anil laid on the table.
Rev. A. Baker was heard on the subject of His Agency; after
which it was Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to take
into consideration the wThole subject of Davidson College. Rev.
Messrs. F. K. Rash, Wm. R. Peacock and Arch'd Smith were
appointed said Committee.
Presbytery then adjourned, to meet at this place on to-mor¬
row morning at 9 o'clock.
Closed wTith prayer by the Moderator.
Friday Morning, Oct. 15,—9 o'clock'
Presbytery met according to adjournment, and was opened
with prayer. Present as on yesterday, with Rev. Messrs. Gil¬
christ, McKay, and George McReill,«who assigned satisfactory
reasons for late attendance and took their seats; ^Jso, Elders,
TIenry Elliot, Esq., Dr. A. D. McLean, and Mr. Jno. McDonald.
Rev. George M. Gibbs, of the Presbytery of Concord, and
Rev. James H. McReill, of the Presbytery of Orange, being
present, were invited to sit as Corresponding members.
Rev. Evander McRair and Rev. Reill McDonald were ap¬
pointed a Committee on the Raijrative of the State of Religion.
A communication from Dr. Colton was received, read, and
laid on the table.
The Committee on the affairs of Davidson College reported.
The Report was accepted and adopted, and is as follows, viz:
The Committee on the affairs of Davidson College, having
considered the papers put into their hands, as well as the state¬
ments of the Agent, are decidedly of opinion that a crisis has
arrived in the history of that Institution which requires the
hearty co-operation of all its friends for its endowment and the
elevation of its literary character.
In order to discharge our share of the responsibility that
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rests in common u.pon the Presbyteries of North Carolina, as
well as what arises frorp the relations we sustain to it: Be it
Resolved, 1st. That we consider it a matter of the first im¬
portance that, as a Denomination, we have a College which
shall illustrate the educational principles of our fathers, and
furnish to our sons instruction based upon Baptismal vows, and
enforced by all the Gospel.
2d. That Davidson College, by its location, funds, and the
start it has made in this great work, challenges our co-operation
and assistance above all others.
3d. That we reiterate our sentiments of attachment to this
enterprise, and heartily invite the Agent to visit our Churches
with a view to complete the endowment of the Institution, and
pledge ourselves to present .the importance of a Denomination¬
al College, and that we present Davidson College as worthy of
our patronage.
4th. Inasmuch as, agreeable to the provisions of the Char¬
ter, the Presbyteries are called to meet in Charlotte on the 1st
"Wednesday in November, in order to fill two important Pro¬
fessorships, as well as to transact other business intimately con¬
nected with the prosperity of the Institution, we will adjourn
to convene as a Presbytery in Charlotte on the above day.
5th. That, inasmuch as the Board of Trustees and the Pres¬
bytery of Concord have proposed an alteration of the Charter,
so as to transfer the election of Professors, as well as the gene¬
ral management of the Institution, to the Board of Trustees,
this Presbytery most cordially approve of the proposed change.
F. K. NASH, Ch'n.
Rev. George McNeill and Mr. Arch'd Ray were appointed a
Committee to examine the Treasurer's Accounts.
Rev. Messrs. A. Gilchrist and N. McKay, and Mr. H. Wr
Beatty, were appointed a Committee to examine the Minutes
of the General Assembly and report.
Rev. Messrs. Wm. N. Peacock, II. McLean and N. McDon¬
ald were appointed a Committee to draft a Minute expressive
of the feelings of this Presbytery in view of the death of the
Rev. Hugh McLaurin.
Rev. Arch'd Smith and Rev. Hector McAlister were elected
Trustees of Davidson College.
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Rev. J. J. Smyth as Principal, and Rev. H. McAlister as
Alternate, not being prepared to preach on the subject of Do¬
mestic Missions, their appointment was continued.
The organization of a new Church was reported,—to be known
by the name of Montpelier. It was taken under the care of
Presbytery and enrolled. The Assessment on Montpelier Church
was fixed at $8; on Mount Carmel at $6, and on Bethel at $5.
The members of Presbytery were called on to state what had
been done by the Churches to liquidate the debt of Cumberland
Academy. It appeared that most of the Churches had attend-'
ed to the matter.
The Treasurer being absent, ITenry Elliot, Esq. was appoint¬
ed Treasurer pro tern. ^
Resolved, That Henry Elliot, Esq. pay the money collected
here over to Mr. James Martine, Treasurer of Presbytery, and
that Mr. Martine, out of any moneys collected for Cumberland
Academy, pay to Rev. Simeon Colton, D. D., the remainder of
the $750 assumed by the Presbytery of the debt of said Academy.
Presbytery then entered upon the free conversation on the
state of religion. This being concluded,
The Committee of Supplies reported. The Report was ac¬
cepted and adopted, and is as follows,, viz:
At-"Whiteville.—H. A. Munroe and J. McPherson., To hold
a protracted meeting.
Pair Bluff.—C. Shaw and IT. A. Munroe. A protracted meet¬
ing-
Bethesda.—H. McLean, II. Walsh, W. II. Hogshead. Pro¬
tracted meeting.
Bethlehem.—A. Gilchrist, D. Johnson, H. McAlister. Pro¬
tracted meeting.
Lebanon.—IT. McLean, F. E. Hash. One Sabbath. J. R.
Mcintosh, as often as convenient.
Mt. Edwards.—Dr. Herring, D. B. Black, C. Shaw. Pro¬
tracted meeting.
Mt. Williams.—Dr. Herring, J. M. Sprunt, G. M. Gibbs.—
Protracted meeting.
Presbytery had a recess until candle-lighting.
8'
After recess, a communication was received from Mr. Sidney
G. Law, one of our candidates, asking for a dismission to place
himself under the care of the. Presbytery of Par it an; which re¬
quest was granted.
The Committee appointed to examine Mr. Martin McQueen
reported, and recommended that his examination be sustained.
The Peport was accepted and adopted.
Trial pieces were then assigned to Mr. McQueen, viz:
Por a Latin Exegesis—"An Christus pro omnibus hominibus
aut pro electis solis mortuus est?"
For a Critical Exercise—15th Ps.
Fop a Popular Lecture—19th Ps., beginning at the 7th verse.
For a Popular Sermon—Eph. i, 7.
A communication was received from J. M. P. Atkinson and
others, respecting a Church in Washington City, which was.
read and laid upon the table.
The Committee on the Minutes of the General Assembly
made a Peport, which was accepted and adopted, and is as
follows:
"The Committee to whom was referred the Minutes of the
General Assembly, respectfully refer the Presbytery to page
212 of said Minutes, with regard to the observance of a day
(the last Thursday of February next) of special prayer for Col¬
leges; and recommend that this day be observed as far as prac¬
ticable by all our Churches.
They would again refer the Presbytery to page 221, respecting
the erection of a Presbyterian Church in Washington City, and
recommend that the resolutions of the Assembly be carried out;
with the exception of the- Sabbath named in the last resolution
for taking a collection; and that such collections be taken up
for said objeet on some Sabbath in the month of November or
December.
They would bring to the attention of Presbytery the Protest
of Pev. Dr. McKinney,' in regard to a cheap Peligious News¬
paper, and take occasion from said Protest to urge the dissem¬
ination of Peligious intelligence throughout our bounds, and •&>
recommend to each family of our people* the taking of any one
-of the papers setting forth our peculiar doctrines and polity,-™-.
9
sueh as the Presbyterian, weekly or semi-monthly; Watchman
and Observer, or Presbyterian Banner."
Mark s Creek Church, in Richmond county, was fixed upon
as the place, and the Thursday before the second Sabbath in
April next, at 12 o'clock M., as the time, for holding the Spring
Sessions of Presbytery.
Presbytery then adjourned, to meet again in this place to¬
morrow morning at 9 o'clock.
Closed with prayer.
Saturday Morning, Oct. 16,—9 o'clock.
Presbytery met and was opened with prayer.
Present as on yesterday.
The Minutes were read and corrected.
Absentees were called on for their excuses, which were all
sustained.
The Committee on the death of the Rev. H. McLaurin m#de
their Report, which was accepted and adopted, and is as fol¬
lows:
"The Presbytery of Fayetteville having received the sad in¬
telligence of the death of the Rev. Hugh McLauiln, one of their
members, who departed this life on the 31st of August last, in
the State of Georgia, where he had removed a few months pre¬
vious,—as a testimonial to his worth, and their sense of be¬
reavement, unite in the following resolutions:
Resolved, 1st, That whilst we bow with humble reverence
and submission to the dispensations of the Providence of God,
the reflections of long social and ecclesiastical communion and
counsel, force upon our minds painful recollections of the past.
But when we contemplate the life and christian character of
our beloved Brother, our hearts are inspired with a confidence
that is well calculated to banish the gloom and melancholy of
death, and transport our thoughts beyond the toils and difficul¬
ties of this present life, into the scenes of glory and rejoicing
2
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that await all the redeemed in Heaven. In retrospecting his
character as an embassador of Christ, he possessed the utmost
integrity, sound judgment, and true piety; as a writer, he waS
sensible, concise, and orthodox; and at all times had an ardent
zeal for the promotion of the salvation of the souls of men, and
the glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom.
Resolved, 2d, That we sympathise with his beloved widow
and children in their destitution and affliction, and in our pray¬
ers recommend them to the special blessings of the Saviour, who
has graciously promised to be a father to the fatherless and a
husband to the widow.
Resolved, 3d, That our Stated Clerk be requested to transmit
a copy of these resolutions to the Watchman and Observer, and
also to the Editor of the Presbyterian at Philadelphia.
¥1. N. PEACOCK.
H. McLEAN,
n. Mcdonald."
The members of Presbytery, appointed as Supplies, were
called on to state whether they had fulfilled their appointments.
The appointments were generally attended to.
On motion, Presbytery resolved to take the proper steps to
ordain Dr. Herring as an Evangelist, at our Spring Sessions, if
the way be open. Whereupon Presbytery assigned to Dr.
Herring, for a popular sermon, Rom. v: 1.
A Call from the united congregations of Carthage and Union
(in Moore) for the pastoral services of Rev. Wm. H. Hogshead,
was presented to Presbytery. The Call was put into his hands,
and by him accepted. Steps were taken for his installation.—
Rev. H. McAlister was appointed to preach the sermon; Rev.
George McNeill to give the charge to the Pastor, and Rev. A.
Gilchrist the charge to the people.
The Committee on Domestic Missions reported.
The report was accepted, amended, and adopted, and is as
follows:
"Your Committee report, 1st: That they have been no little
interested in the work assigned them, though comparatively
nothing has been done in supplying the vacancies within your
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bounds; yet we hope that Presbytery will remember that he-
cause we were not aided by your Itinerant Missionary, (the ap¬
pointment being declined by the worthy brother selected,) we
have been so cramped in our operations as to feel that we were
almost passive instruments, authorized to supply without any
means of knowing the destitutions—the wants of those to be
supplied. We literally work in the dark, unless some one shall
providentially give us needed information relative to your weak
and vacant Churches, as well as your destitutions where the
sovereign grace of God or Christ crucified is not preached.—
We feel that the cause of Presbyterianism and the truth must
suffer loss until this evil be remedied: Therefore we recommend
that it be made the duty of each Minister to visit the vacant
Churches near them, to preach from house to house, and hold
protracted meetings, and thus acquire all necessary informa¬
tion relative to having them supplied with ministerial labor,
and reporting regularly such information to the Chairman of
the Committee of Missions.
2d. Your Committee report the difficulty they have in sus¬
taining those who will not devote themselves wholly to the
work of the Ministry. We consider ourselves burdened with
the heavy responsibility of recommending to our Board labor¬
ers in his vineyard, and of seeking for them a support from the
treasury of the Lord. But how shall we recommend, or seek
support for one who will not forsake all things for the cause of
Christ? The work of the Ministry is of such momentous char¬
acter that it required the Apostles to leave all and follow him.
The whole time, and all the powers of mind and body were de¬
voted by them to the work of the Ministry. In short, they had
but one work—to preach the Gospel. These we take as exam¬
ples, and we confess that they are worthy. Then, shall we con¬
tribute from the treasury of the Lord means to the support of
those who will not leave all and follow him? One such decid¬
ed laborer is worth more to the Church than many of those who
hesitate as Lot's wife, saypg, I would go on, but I must look
back at the precious treasure in Sodom.
3d. We report further, that the following Churches have been
supplied during the last Presbyterfal year, mostly without our
instrumentality, and entirely without any pecuniary aid from
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us: "Wilmington, St. Paul's, Bethcar, and a missionary station
at Lumberton, and Mark's Creek, Mt. Carmel, Harmony, Bar¬
becue, Cypress, Mt. Pisgab, and a missionary station among
the colored people.
But finally, we are grieved to report that there are a few
Churches yet unsupplied with the Gospel Ministry. They are
as follows: Bethlehem, Lebanon, Mt. Edwards, Mt. Williams,
Bethesda, and Macedonia. We have no means of making any
arrangement with those'Churches in order to supply them with
the preached Gospel. Presbytery, we hope, will do something
for destitute Churches, and not leave them to languish and die.
We conclude our report by respectfully submitting the whole
matter to your prayerful consideration and final action.
II. McALISTER.
D. JOHNSON.
J. MARTINE."
Gen. Alex. D. McLean, Elder from Tirza Church, appeared
in. Presbytery and took his seat.
The following Overture was presented to Presbytery:
"Would not the sermons of Ministers of the Presbytery of
Payetteville better affect the audience, if they were delivered
extempore, or without confining their eyes closely to notes or
written sermons?
IIENRY ELLIOT."
On motion, the said Overture was referred to the next semi¬
annual meeting of Presbytery.
Messrs. Duncan McNair and James McCallum asked, and
obtained leave of absence.
It was ordered, that the members of Presbytery go up next
Spring prepared to liquidate the balance of the debt of the
Rockingham Church, assumed by Presbytery.
The memorial from Tirza Church was again laid over.
It was ordered that 500 copies of the Minutes of Presbytery
be printed.
The Treasurer was ordered to pay Messrs. E. J. Hale & Son
for printing the last Minutes.
13
The Committee on the Narrative made a report, which was.
accepted and adopted, and is as follows:
"In making to the Synod the annual Narrative of the reli¬
gious condition of the Churches committed to our care and
guardianship, the Presbytery much regrets a failure on the
part of several of our Churches to send up reports of what the
Lord has wrought for them during the past year, as this failure
will prevent as full and accurate a report on this subject as
might be at once interesting and desirable. This failure is the
more regretted inasmuch as from the reports that have been
furnished, the Presbytery would render praise and thanksgiv¬
ing to God, and with gratitude record the fact, that the past
year has been one of more than ordinary favor and blessing to
several Churches in the bounds of our Zion. "While some few
of our Churches may have stood like.the mountains"of Gilboa,
upon which neither the rain nor dews of heaven descended, yetV
our hearts are made to rejoice in the glorious intelligence, that
few years have occurred in our history so marked with the- pre¬
sence of the Holy Spirit in our Churches. Put few Churches
from which reports have been received have been left unvisited
entirely, and some have been remarkably and richly blessed.
While it is impossible for us to report the entire and accurate
results of our labors and toils in tlpe Master's vineyard for the
present Synodical year, we may say in general, that the atten¬
tion to religion has been deep and solemn, and the additions to
our several Churches on profession of faith in Christ amount to
260,-—an increase largely in advance of former years. For
such evidence of God's favor and precious fruit of our labors,
we would thank God and take courage.
But while we have much ground for gratitude for the gra¬
cious visitations and dealings of God towards' us* during the
past year, we have also much cause for"humiliation in the fact,
that so many seem to have been passed by in the visitation of
the Master to his Churches; and we are left yet to learn in the
dust and ashes of weeping penitence, that the Lord's hand is
not shortened that it cannot save, 'nor Iris ear heavy that it can¬
not hear; but that our iniquities and unbelief, and they alone,
have separated us from him, and withheld the more rich and
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copious outpourings of his free Spirit from refreshing all our
Churches.
The Boards of our Church have been sustained in most of our
congregations with commendable liberality. Yet we regret
that there is so little systematic contribution, which by its reg¬
ular operation, might reach annually every member of our con¬
gregations—-furnishing, tlufm an opportunity of showing the
strength of their attachment to the Savior and his cause.'
Sabbath School and Catechetical instruction is generally at¬
tended with a good degree of encouragement, both among our
white and colored charges; and while we rejoice to record the
fact, we very much fear that in too many cases, its practical ef¬
fect has been, a^id still is in a good measure, to remove the
feelings of solemn responsibility from parents and masters, and
diminish family instruction, and become a substitute, instead of
an aid to household instruction.
In completing our survey of what the Lord has wrought for
us and our portion of Zion, wre feel that wre have more than
enough of coldness still within,' and desolation without, to hum¬
ble us in the dust for our unfaithfulness and neglects, and to
excite to more strenuous efforts and greater zeal in our work;
and more than enough of success and precious fruit, not only to
•fill our hearts with fervent gratitude to God, but to nerve our
hands and encourage our hearts, with new and increased ener¬
gy in the work of the Master who has called us and put us in
trust with his Gospel, and td induce us more and more to live
for him who died for us."
Eev. Evander McNair asked for the dissolution of the Pas¬
toral relation between himself and the Bluff Church. Where¬
upon it wras ordered, that the Bluff Church be cited to appear,
by her Commissioner, before this Presbytery, and show cause,
if there be any, why this request should not be granted.
Besolved, That in view of the pleasing state of things in our
Churches, the last Sabbath in December be observed as a day
of Thanksgiving.
Besolved, That the thanks of this Presbytery be tendered to
the citizens of Carthage, and to the members of the several
Churches of this place, for their kindness, hospitality and chris-
15
tian courtesy; and that Key. Mr. Hogshead make known the
same.
The Presbyterial report to Synod was presented, accepted,
and adopted, and is as follows: *
"The Presbytery of Fayetteville^ should report to the Synod
of North Carolina: That at this time, '.jpiy consist of Twenty-four
Ministers, and have under their care kgfty-four Churches, Three
Licentiates, and Five Candidates: That .on April 8th-10th,
1852, they received Rev. James Smyth from the Pres¬
bytery of East Hanover; dismissed Mr. Duncan D. McLean, a
Candidate, to put himself under the ^ care of the Presbytery of
Indianapolis; dissolved the Pastoral relation between the Rev.
Samuel Paisley and the Church of Euphronia: That on the 31st
of August they lost by death the Rev. Hugh McLaurin: That
on the llth-10tli October they received Mr. Henry "Walsh, a
Licentiate, from the Presbytery ot^Rafitan; and received under
their care Mr. Martin McQueen, asji Candidate for the Gospel
Ministry, on probation; dismissed Rev. Angus C. McNeill, to
join the Presbytery of South Alabama; and received the Church
of Montpelier under their care.
ARCII'D SMITH, S. C."
The Presbytery then adjourned,, to meet at Danville "during
the Sessions of Synod, at the call djTthe Moderator.
Closed with prayer.
ARCH'D SMITH, S. C.
DANYILLE, October 23, 1852.
Presbytery met according to adjournment, at the call of the
Rev. Wm. II. Hogshead, the last Moderator present.
Opened with prayer.
Present.'—Rev. Messrs. Arch'clSrnith, Neill McKay, Colin
Shaw, Win. II. Hogshead, and George McNeill; with Elder
Mr. Ilayes W. Beatty.
Absent.—All the other Ministers and Elders.
v . 16
>
No business being presented, Presbytery adjourned, to meet
in Charlotte, 011 the first vY ednesday (3d day) of November
next, at the call of the Moderator.
Closed with prayer. . *: . |■,
APCI1T) SMITH, s. c.
Iv
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