EIGHTY-FIRST SESSIONS
OF THE
PRESBYTERY OP FA YETTE VILLE.
FA YETTEYILLE, bTor'r 4, 1853.
Presb}rtery met according to adjournment, and was opened
with a Sermon by the Moderator, Rev. James Jones Smyth,
from Eph. i, 22: "And gave him to be the head over all things
to the Church."
Constituted with Prayer.
PRESENT.
Rev. Messrs. Simeon Colton, D. D., Adam Gilchrist, Hector
McLean, Hector McNeill, Arch'd Smith, James P. McPherson,
Neill McKay, Daniel Johnson, Wm. H. Hogshead, Neill Mc¬
Donald, Hector McAlister, James Jones Smyth; with Elders,
Messrs. Jesse G. Shepherd, from Fayetteville; James McCal-
lum, Philadelphus; James S. Harrington, Barbecue; Archibald
McCallum, Cypress; Milton Mcintosh, Laurel Hill; Archibald
Leach, Centre; Neill McPhail, Longstreet; Duncan Shaw, Ga-
latia; Alexander Kelly, Carthage; Mai com McDonald, McPher-
son's; John Elliot, China Grove; Angus S. Baker, Lebanon;
Wm. N. Whitted, Beth-car; John Caldwell, St. Paul's; and
Duncan Malloy, Lumber Bridge.
ABSENT.
Rev. Messrs. Robert Tate, Samuel Paisley, Wm. N. Peacock,
John R. Mcintosh, Frederick K. Hash, James O. Stedman,
Hugh A. Munroe, Colin Shaw, Duncan B. Black, and James
M. Sprunt.
Rev. George McNeill, by the hand of Rev. Wm. H. Hogs¬
head, returned his letter of dismission, which he had not pre-
sented to the Presbytery of Orange, and accordingly his name
was again enrolled.
Rev. Neill McKay was elected Moderator, and Messrs. Wm.
N. Whitted and Duncan Shan-, Temporary Clerks.
Rev. Messrs. Gilchrist and Johnson rendered satisfactory-
reasons for their absence from the last meeting of Presbytery.
Rev. Messrs. Gilchrist and McAlister, and Mr. J. G. Shep¬
herd, were appointed a Committee on Religious Exercises.
4
Rev. H. McLean introduced Mr. Duncan D. McBryde, a
member of Centre Church, to the Presbytery, as a Candidate
for the Gospel Ministry. Whereupon he was examined upon
his experimental knowledge of religion, and his motives for
seeking the Gospel Ministry. These examinations being satis¬
factory, he was accordingly taken under the care oi Pres¬
bytery as a Candidate for the Gospel Ministry, 011 probation.
The following subjects for trial were then assigned Mr. Mc-
Bryde, viz: For a
Latin Exegesis—"An Christus ut Mediator adorandus sit?"
Critical Exercise—First five verses of John's Gospel.
Lecture—Luke, 11th chapter, 24th, 25th and 26th verses.
Popular Sermon—2 Corinthians, 4th chapter, 3d verse.
Presbytery then adjourned, to meet to-morrow morning at 9
o'clock. Closed with prayer.
Saturday Morning, FTov'r 5, 1853.
Presbytery met according to adjournment. Opened with
prayer. Present as above, with the addition of Elders Messrs.
Patrick Murphy, from Six Puns; Duncan Malloy, Lumber
Bridge; ¥m. J. Cromartie, South River; Mr. —=— Ballentine,
Mt. IJoreb; Henry Elliot, Sardis; and John McDonald, Rock-
fish Factory.
Rev. Messrs. Colton, McLean and Gilchrist were appointed
a Committee to examine the Latin Exegesis and Critical Exer¬
cise of Mr. McBryde.
The examination of Candidates was made the order of the
day for 10 o'clock on Monday next.
Mr. John Elliot was appointed to collect arrears of Contin¬
gent Fund.
A motion to authorise Mr. Elliot to pay to Dr. Colton the
amount he might collect, after considerable discussion, was laid
on the table.
The Moderator announced the following Committees, viz:
1. Committee of Supplies.—H. McLean, FT. McDonald, and
A. S. Baker.
2. On the Narrative to Synod.—Dr. Colton, D. Johnson, and
M. McDonald.
3. To audit Treasurer's Boole.—A. Kelly, J. S. Llarrington,
and A. Leach.
4. On the. Minutes of G. A.—Wm. II. Hogshead, J. P. Mc-
Pherson, and M. Mcintosh.
5
_ Also, the following Committees on the Examination of Can¬
didates for Licensure, viz:
7 I
1. Committee to Examine on the Languages, Latin, Greek,
and Hebrew.—Dr. Colton, George McNeill, and N. McDonald.
2. On Mathematics, Arts and Sciences.-—Daniel Johnson, J.
J. Smyth, and J. G. Shepherd.
3. On Theology, Natural and Revealed.—A. Gilchrist, H.
McLean, and A. Smith.
4. On Ecclesiastical History.—Wm. IL. Hogshead and H.
McNeill.
5. On the Sacraments cmd Church Government.—Geo. Mc¬
Neill, J. J. Smyth, and N. McDonald.
The Ministers appointed as Supplies to vacant Churches re¬
ported in part, which reports were accepted, and were general-
The Committee on the History of the Churches in the bounds
of Presbytery made the following Report, viz:
uTo the Moderator and Members
of the Presbytery of Fayetteville:
"The Committee on the History of Church within the bounds
of Presbytery, report: That they have made some progress in
procuring some statistics, but are not yet prepared to submit
any portion of their labors to your Rev'd body, and pray fur¬
ther time may be allowed. Respectfully,
"JAMES BANKS, Chairman.
"Nov'r 5th,' 1853."
Reports from Candidates being called for, a written report
was received from Mr. James McQueen, which was accepted.
Rev. Messrs. McLean and Johnson made verbal reports in be¬
half of Messrs. Hugh G. Livingston and John Darach, which
were accepted.
On motion, Rev. J. J. Smyth and Patrick Murphy, Esq.
were appointed a Committee to devise ways and means for the
liquidation of the debt due by Presbytery for the erection of
Mizpeh Church.
Rev. Arch'd Smith, one of the Trustees of Davidson College,
made a verbal report thereon, which was accepted
At the request of the donors, the $25 58 contributed for co¬
lored missions, were appropriated to pay Dr. Colton.
The Treasurer was ordered to pay Messrs. E. J. Hale & Son
their account for printing our last Minutes.
Resolved, That 600 copies of the Minutes of our present Ses¬
sions be printed.
Clinton was chosen as the place of our next regular semi-
6
annual meeting, and the time Thursday the 6th day of April
next, at 12 o'clock M.
At his own request, Mr. Henry Walsh, one of our Licentiates,
was dismissed, to place himself under the care of the Presbyte¬
ry of Chickasaw.
By request, Resolved, That when Presbytery adjourn, it ad¬
journ to meet in Wilmington during the Sessions of Synod.
Presbytery took a recess until after public worship, after
which was had a free conversation on the State of Religion,
then a recess until 3 o'clock.
3 o'clock p. m.
Presbytery met.
Rev. H. McLean, from the Committee to examine the Latin
Exegesis and Critical Exercise of Mr. McBryde, reported fa¬
vorably, and recommended that those pieces be sustained as
parts of trial for Licensure. Rev. D. Johnson reported favora¬
bly as to his examination on Natural Science, and Dr. Colton
favorably on Languages; all of which reports were adopted, and
his trials so far sustained.
Rev. H. McLean, from the Committee on Supplies for vacant
Churches, made a Report, which was adopted, viz:
"Macedonia—Rev. Wm. H. Hogshead and Wm. N. Peacock.
"Mt. Carmel—Rev. A. Smith and H. McLean.
"Harmony—Rev. J. R. Mcintosh and N. McDonald.
"Mizpeh—Rev. J. J. Smyth and F. K. Nash.
"Bethlehem—Rev. N. McKay and H. McAlister.
"Each one Sabbath, and administer the Sacraments if desirable.
"H. McLEAN.
"A. S. BAKER."
Rev. Daniel Johnson was appointed to preach a Sermon on
Education, at the next semi-annual meeting of Presbytery, and
Rev. Adam Gilchrist his Alternate.
On motion, the order of the day for 10 o'clock on Monday
was reconsidered, and the examination of the Candidates,
Messrs. Martin McQueen and D. D. McBryde, was immediate¬
ly commenced. They were examined on Theology, Church
History, Church Government, and the Sacraments. On all of
which their examinations were sustained. They also delivered
Lectures on the subjects assigned them, which were sustained.
Mr. John Elliot, from the Committee to collect arrears of
Contingent Fund, reported as follows, viz:
"Committee to collect Assessments due from delinquent
Churches, report: That they have collected
7
"From Longstreet,
" Tirza,
" Beth-car,
" Ashpole,
$7
$7 00
9 00
12 00
8 00
$36 00
"Your Committee, on examination, find that Six Dollars of
the money due from Galatia Church has been paid over to the
Treasurer since the printing of the last Minutes of Presbytery.
Also, Eight Dollars of the amount due from Sardis has been
paid to the Treasurer but not entered on his book; making
Fourteen Dollars—which, added to the $36 collected, leaves a
balance due Presbytery of $365 28.
[FTote.—From the above must also be deducted Twenty-four
Dollars paid by Black Fiver Chapel.]
At his own request, the Treasurer was permitted to correct
his book as regards the above Eight Dollars.
Fev. J. J. Smyth presented the following Feport, viz:
"The Committee to which was referred the indebtedness of
Presbytery to Mizpeh Church, report: That they find that the
sum of $128 40 is still due by Presbytery, with interest there¬
on. And they recommend that a subscription be taken up at
this time, and that the deficiency, if there be any, be equally
divided among all the members of Presbytery; and that the
Stated Clerk be required to notify each member of the amount
at which he is assessed, and request him to be ready to pay said
amount at the next stated meeting of Presbytery at Clinton."
[Note.—$128 40-7—24=$5 35, which, with the interest, is-
the amount required of each Minister according to the above
resolution.—S. C.'s Notification.]
This Feport'was adopted.
Presbytery took a recess until 7 o'clock; then heard a Pres-
byte'rial Sermon from Fev. H. McAlister on Domestic Missions,
founded on Amos, vi, 1: "Woe unto them that are at ease in
Zion." After which a collection was taken up for Domestic
Missions, amounting to $50 58.
A Popular Sermon was delivered by each of the Candidates
for Licensure, which Sermons were also sustained. After which,
having responded to the usual questions propounded in our
Confession of Faith, they were Licensed, to preach the Gospel
of Christ, and their Commissions given them.
Mr. Kelly presented the following Feport, which was adopt¬
ed, viz:
"JOHN ELLIOT, Ch'n."
8
For Domestic Missions,
Foreign "
Commissioners' Fund,
Cumberland Academy,
Board of Publication,
Davidson College,
Church Extension,
Board of Education,
Colored Missions,
Balance on hand,
vou. not rec'd.
vou. not rec'd.
$37 27
no vou. rec'd.
"The Committee appointed to audit and report upon the
Treasurer's Book respectfully report: That the following Table
exhibits the Receipts and Disbursements since the last meeting
of Presbytery, and the amount now in hands of the Treasurer
for each object:
Receipts and Disbursements of the Treasurer since the 8th of April
1853, and balance on hand, viz:
Receipts. Disbursements.
$50 27
78 56
137 27
55 75
3 25
12 00
12 40
17 15
25 58
"The above amounts have been received previously to the
13th of April 1853, and are charged in Book A; and the follow¬
ing amounts have -been received since, and are charged in
Book B:
Receipts.
For Domestic Missions, $174 76
Foreign " 157 08
Commissioners' Fund, 305 27
Cumberland Academy, 43 00
Board of Publication, 3 27
" Education, 4 15
$50 27
78 56
100 00
55 75
forw'd.
12 00
remitted, and voucher not rec'd
forw'd. no vou. rec'd.
25 58
Disbursements. Balance.
$158 96 ' $16 80
> 158 08
159 59 145 68
43 00
forw'd, and no vou. rec'd.
"All of which your Committee submit, and ask to be discharged.,
"ALEX'R KELLY, )
"J. S. HARRINGTON, V Committee."
'A. C. LEACH,
).
On motion, Resolved, That Rev. Adam Gilchrist tender the
thanks of Presbytery to the citizens of Eayetteville for their
kind hospitality;, and also to sister Churches for their christian
courtesy in opening their doors to our Ministers on the Sabbath.
As Mr. Neill McArthur subscribed $5 to pay the debt of
Cumberland Academy, and as his Church (Rockfish Factory),
assumed the debt and paid more than that sum, his debt was
ordered to be cancelled.
Mr. John Elliot was ordered to pay the $36 in his hands to
the Treasurer.
Presbytery adjourned, to meet in Wilmington during the
Sessions of Synod.
Closed with prayer.
W. N. WHITTED,
DUNCAN SHAW,
Clerks.
9
WILMINGTON, Nov'r 10, 1853—9 o'clock A. M.
Presbytery met. A quorum being present but the Modera¬
tor absent, Rev. Neill McDonald, the last Moderator present,
took the Chair, and opened the meeting with prayer.
Pev. Messrs. Robert Tate, Colin Shaw, Duncan B. Black and
James M. Sprunt appeared in Presbytery, assigned satisfactory
reasons for absence and tardiness, and took their seats. Also
the following additional Elders: John Everitt, from Everitts-
ville; Malcom McLeod, Brown Marsh; Jeremiah Hand, Hope¬
well; H. W. Beatty, Black River Chapel; Edward Hall, The
Grove; and Robert W. Gibbs, Wilmington. Also the following
as Alternates: Patrick Cromartie, South River; Keneth Black,
Carthage; Daniel McNeill, Lumber Bridge; and Geo. McNeill,
Eayetteville.
The Minutes of the Sessions in Fayetteville were read, amend¬
ed and approved.
The Rev. Matthew B. Grier presented his dismission from
the Presbytery of Baltimore, to join the Presbytery of Fayette¬
ville. Whereupon he was examined on his experimental know¬
ledge of religion, his views for seeking the Gospel Ministry,
and on Theology. These examinations being sustained, he was
received as a members of this Presbytery, and his name ordered
to be enrolled.
After recess, the Moderator took the Chair.
The following subjects were assigned to Mr. James McQueen
as parts of trial for Licensure, viz: For a
Latin Exegesis—An sit justificatio ex fide, vel operibus?
^ 7 771 ' —Luke, xvi, 9—13.
jrujjw^jur wr/non—Heb., ii, 17, 18.
On motion of Rev. C. Shaw, the Church of "Six Runs" was
dissolved, and all the members thereof attached to the Shiloh
Church, except Mrs. Bryan, who is hereby attached to the
Grove Church. And Rev. C. Shaw was appointed to preach
at the Six Runs, and declare the Church dissolved.
Messrs. R. W. Gibbs and H. W. Beatty were appointed a
Committee to collect arrearages due for Cumberland Academy.
The Stated Clerk presented the Statistical Report to the Sy¬
nod of North Carolina, which was adopted, and is as follows:
"The Presbytery of Fayetteville would report to the Synod
of North Carolina: That at this time they consist of Twenty-four
Ministers, and have under their care 53 Churches, 4 Licentiates,
and 4 Candidates. That on the 17th day of November 1852,
2
10
tliey lost by death the Rev. John Mclntyre: That on the 7th
day of April 1853, they received the Rev. James P. McPher-
son from the Presbytery of Harmony; and on the 8th they dis¬
missed the Rev. Evander McNair to join the Presbytery of
Brazos, and Rev. George McNeill to join the Presbytery of
Orange: That on the 4th of Nov. the Rev. George McNeill re¬
turned his letter of dismission, which had not been presented
to the Presbytery of Orange, and accordingly his name was
again enrolled: That on the same day they received Mr. Dun¬
can Daniel McBryde under their care as a Candidate for the
Gospel Ministry on probation: That on the 5th they dismissed
Mr. Henry Walsh, one of our Licentiates, to place himself un¬
der the care of the Presbytery of Chickasaw; and Licensed
Messrs. Martin McQueen and D. D. McBryde to preach the
Gospel of Christ: That on the 10th Nov. 1853, they received
the Rev. Matthew B. Grier from the Presbytery of Baltimore;
and dissolved the Church of Six Runs."
Rev. H. McAlister, Chairman of the Executive Committer
of Domestic Missions, made his report, which was accepted,
and is as follows:
"Your Committee regret that their Report must necessarily
be as their work—almost nothing,—unless they report in self-
defence; that the information which is essential to successful
operations, and which we had reason to expect from brethren
in various parts of our bounds, has been entirely withheld.
"Your attention is called to the melancholy fact, that while
the number of vacant Churches has been increased, but little
aggressive effort to lengthen the cords of Zion has been made.
"We regret to learn that the Churches, Mt. Carmel, Harmo¬
ny, Mizpeh, and Macedonia, for the last year under the c^re of
Mr. Henry Walsh, though blessed with the addition of fifty
members on examination, are now vacant. Their liberal sup¬
port of the Gospel Ministry proves them worthy of a faithful
Pastor.
"The Presbytery will learn from former reports the number of
vacant Churches and important points which ought to be occu¬
pied. Thus it appears that our Ecclesiastical machinery moves
neither North, South, East nor West. True, we are much en¬
couraged by the cheering reports of brethren, to believe that
the present augurs well for the future. We have the evidence
that God is in our midst; and shall we resist the power of His
Spirit, by hesitating to lengthen the cords of Zion, while en¬
deavoring to strengthen her stakes?
"To urge forward this exceedingly important work, we very
respectfully propose the following resolutions, which we hope
will be adopted in spirit and practice, if not in form:
11
"1st. Resolved, That to become successful Ministers of Christ,
we must possess His Spirit of Missions; and to become true
successors of his appointed Ministry, we must copy their exam¬
ple—preach the Gospel as our whole work, for which and by
which we live.
"2d. Resolved, That each Minister be required to labor one
month as an itinerant missionary within our bounds wherever
God in His Providence may direct, and report the result to this
Presbytery at her next Annual Sessions, and that each Congre¬
gation follow their Minister with their prayers.
"All which is respectfully submitted for your prayerful con¬
sideration.
"H. McALISTER, Ch'n."
The above Report was adopted, except the first Resolution,
which was postponed for consideration at the next meeting of
Presbytery.
Adjourned until to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock. Closed with
sprayer.
Friday, 9 o'clock A. M.
Presbytery met according to adjournment. Opened with
prayer.
The Minutes of yesterday were read,, corrected, and adopted.
Resolved, That the consideration of organizing a Church at
Pike Creek, and the Memorial from Tirzah Church, be stricken
from the Docket.
Took a recess until to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
Saturday Morning, Hov'r 12—9 o'clock.
Presbytery met. Opened with prayer.
The Congregation of Wilmington presented a Call for the
Pastoral labors of the Rev. Matthew B. Grier, which was placed
in his hands, and which he accepted. But at his request, on
account of ill health, his Installation was deferred.
Rev. Colin Shaw tendered the resignation of his Agency for
Domestic Missions, which was accepted.
Presbytery had a recess.
After recess, Presbytery met.
Rev. Arch'd Smith gave notice that Fayetteville Presbytery
12
was entitled to four Trustees of Davidson College. But few
members being present, Presbytery declined going into an
election.
Tlie Narrative of the State of Beligion within our bounds is
as follows, viz:
"The Presbytery of Fayetteville, in making their Annual
Report to the Synod of North Carolina of the State of Religion
in, their bounds, repeat their regrets that some of the Churches
have failed to send up reports of their religious condition and
progress during the year. The reports received show the
Churches to be in an unusually healthy and prosperous state.
Attendance on the ordinances of God's house has been very
good. About four hundred have been added to the Communion
of the Church,—the largest number that has been received for
many years.
"The benevolent enterprises of the Church have generally
been attended to, but the contributions have been small, in
many cases very small, considering 'the ability of the Churches.
"A growing attention is paid to Sabbath Schools, Bible and
Catechetical instruction.
"Presbytery believe that there never was a time when they
had greater cause for devout thankfulness to God for his deal¬
ings with them than the present; nor have they ever had more
encouragement to labor zealously and faithfully in the Master's
Vineyard."
Presbytery then adjourned, to meet in Clinton, on Thursday
the 6th day of April next, at 12 M.
ARCH'D SMITH, S. C.