PUBLICATIONS — OF THE — SCOTTISH INSTITUTE OF AMERICA BULLETIN No. I REV. ROBERT TATE'S HISTORY —OF— BLACK RIVER CHAPEL (A short and imperfect sketch of the rise and progress of the Black River Church, commonly known by the name of the Black River Chapel) SEPTEMBER, 1925 Copyright, 1925 Elizabeth Janet Black Secretary and Director SCOTTISH INSTITUTE OF AMERICA (Affiliated with the Arran Society) The National Press, inc.. Wilmington. N. C-seaoe DEDICATED TO James Nicholson Corbett, Elder, Black River Presby- terian Church, and James W, Colvin, Elder, Caswell Presbyterian Church, who collected, preserved and passed on the Tate Manuscript to ELIZABETH JANET BLACK Cf Z* 3 c.Q- REV. ROBERT TATE'S HISTORY OF BLACK RIVER CHAPEL A Short and Imperfect Sketch of the Rise and Progress of Black River Church, Commonly Known by the Name of Black River Chapri. For a number of years previous to the Revolutionary war in this country, which commenced A. D. 1775, there was a constant and increasing immigration of families from the Highlands of Scotland and other parts of Europe to this Western hemisphere. Some of these peoples after hav- ing landed on the American shore came and settled on Black River and South River and their tribu- tary streams, while many others pressed onward to the West and Southwest in quest of a home, a home that might be permanent and which they might be permitted to call their own and afterwards their children's. Some of those families who were disposed to stop and settle down in this place were professors of the Christian religion and were mostly of the Presbyterian faith and order — Daniel Kerr, Murphys, Hendrys and MacDuffies. These people soon felt that they were indeed strangers in a strange land and they perceived they were destined to trials and privations neither few nor small, and the want of Gospel privileges ap- peared not the least grievous and oppressive. The land of their Fathers, on which they had so re- cently turned their backs and to which they had bid a long farewell recurred to their minds in lively and daily remembrance. That was in many respects a blessed land, it was a land of Bibles, of holy Sabbaths, of Sanctuaries, whither the tribes of Israel Went up with joy and songs upon their heads and where they enjoyed the care, the sympathy, the prayers and the institution of God's ministering servants. But behold their lots were now cast upon a land far removed from all these soul refreshing privileges, they knew now from sad experience that they were dwelling in an howl- ing wilderness, in a dry and desert land, where there is no water, no Sabbaths, no Sanctuaries, where are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David, and where the Lord is great in Zion and is high above all people, no Pastors to go in with them and out of the Pastures of the Great Shep- herd of Israel. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie, light is sown for the righteous, it shall shine. God is mindful of his covenant and if his chosen should be called to go toi the utmost ends of the earth, his left hand will lead them and his right hand shall hold and embrace them. In those days of spiritual darkness and dearth, however, God had some good in store for these bereaved and destitute sojourners. And probably as far back as the year 1760, or further, this neighborhood was favored with the presence and labors of a certain Revd. James Tate, who was a Pfesbyterian minister and was from Ireland and whose residence was in Wilmington, N. C. This gentleman was a profound scholar 1 and the first teacher of classical literature that ever was in that town. As a man he was of easy and courteous habits, as a professor of religion he was consistent, and as a minister of the gospel his sermons were edifying, although they were not delivered with great vividness and energy. He was indefatigable in his ministerial labors, in journeyings often little fire kindleth." Let a spark be stricken from the steel and let it fall on some combustible matter, it will take fire and spread until a mighty flame is produced. Where yesterday peace and harmony and fellowship reigned and prevailed, today, strife, ill will and bitterness have obtained the ascendance. It came to pass in the following way, as I am told: On a certain Saturday, it was said that the Revd. Colin Lindsey attended a sale of property somewhere on the Northwest River and bought a yoke of oxen and had them brought to his home on the following Sabbath. This deed was soon proclaimed as it were upon the housetop and in the streets. Several of Mr. Lind- sey's warmest friends and the friends of the church for which they had prayed fervently, and waited long, were ftearful that such a report would have a very unfavorable effect upon their Pastor and the cause of God within the bounds of that church. Several respectable members of the church were much aggrieved at the circulation of such a rumor but I am not aware of the names of any of them, except two individuals, viz., Mr. Sam'l McAlister and Mr. Danier Kerr, the father of Daniel Kerr. These brethren with sorrow of heart for their Pastor and with sympathy for the chuch of Christ, Went to him not to condemn him or offend him but to warn and admonish him against the repetition of similar deeds in time to come. In the discharge of this duty, though very painful to them, they hoped, evil aspersions for the future might be prevented. But Mr. Lindsey, it is said, took it very unkindly and became rather indignant. And on the first opportunity that occurred, while in the pulpit gave indications of his being offended with these brethren and that he considered their conduct to him as unchristian and unbrotherly and an assumption of too much authority. From this procedure of Mr. Lindsey, the number of his friends became more and more diminished. Beside this charge there were others subsequently alleged against Mr. Lindsey, viz., of drinking spirits to excess, of using improper language, and of indulging in passion. The friends of the church and also of their Pastor from efforts already made were soon convinced of their ina- bility to arrest the evils that had befallen the church, and of restoring peace and order within its walls. They therefore began to think of applying to Presbytery, in the hope, these devisable ob- jects might be obtained through the influence of that body. In the capacity of a representative of this church Mr. Samuel McAlister was chosen to go to the Presbytery of Orange, which was to hold its session in one of the churches in Mecklenburg County. Accordingly Mr. McAlister (also Wil- liam Robinson) appeared in that Judicatory and gave a statement of affairs in the church he repre- sented and presented a petition requesting their counsel and aid. This was in the fall of the year, perhaps 1790 or 1791. The prayer of this petitioner was heard and granted. An adjourned Presby- tery was appointed to meet at this church in the following winter. That Presbytery was compos- ed of Dr. Jas. Hall, the Revd. Messrs. David Kerr, who I think at that time preached in Fayette- ville or in the neighborhood, he was the first President of the University of North Carolina, he was from Ireland, Jacob Lake, Sam'l Stanford and Colin Lindsey. The issue, to which this contro- versy was brought by that Presbytery was: The Revd. Colin Lindsey was sharply though broth- erly rebuked by Presbytery and urged to drop all altercation and to return in love and christian fellowship to his flock. But the wound that was inflicted was not healed. A final separation took place between the Pastor and his people and the Revd. Colin Lindsey removed to the Raft Swamp I believe. At that Presbytery Mr. John Mackamy Wilson was licensed to preach the everlasting gospel. The church was now vacant. The Presbytery of Orange, though few in number, were not unmindful of this church, they sent them occasionally some supplies. A Mr. Jno. Anderson, Jas. Bowan and Wm. Paisley were sent by Presbytery in the years 1794, 1795, and 1796. About the year 1797 the Revd. Sam'l Stanford undertook to minister to this people, one Sabbath in the month, but owing to sickness in own person and family, his labors here were not continued more than two years when he withdrew. The church became vacant again. In the fall of the year 1799, Robert Tate, a member of the Orange Presbytery, and who had lately been ordained Pastor of the united churches of Rockfish and Hopewell engaged at their re- quest to assume the charge of this church and to give them one Sabbath in every month. The first sermon he recollects of preaching in this place was from Psalms 43:4: "Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God." From which words he attempted to show the use and benefits of the public ordinances of the Gos- pel and the joys and delights the believer has from the hope of being reconciled to God. John Anderson, William Robeson, C. Henry, were Ruling Elders then in this church. Sam'l McAlister had gone to his rest, and Thos. Devane had withdrawn if he had not returned to the world. The members of this church, and indeed all the inhabitants in this neighborhood, I well remember, were kind-hearted, hospitable and polite. But I also remember that very little discipline had been ex- ercised in the church. The pastor was young and inexperienced and he took hold of that weapon with a trembling hand. The pastor had a lively reminiscence of many popular customs that pre- vailed in those days in high places and low places, among the wise and honorable and also among the ignorant and ignoble. Dancing had its warm advocates among all classes of people. It was countenanced here even by professors of religion and by them it was admitted into their homes, particularly on marriage occasions. The gallons, or more truly the barrels, of spirits the Pastor had seen used on such occasions were not few. Gambling and horseracing were idols also in those days with many men, and for the worship of which some hardly regarded the most costly sacrifices. It was likewise a custom with some people here and elsewhere to provide cakes and spirits to be serv- ed up to those friends, who were in attendance, at the burial of the dead. This custom was adopt- ed no doubt by the relative^ of the dead with kind and honorable feelings to their friends. But this custom was certainly calculated to diminish from the solemnity of the occasion and to afford to the inebriate an opportunity of gratifying the appetite. But I am happy to say these instances were rare. Some of God's people in this place looked upon these customs as sinful ways of the world with grief of heart and tears and with fervent and importunate prayers, they wrestled hard for this re- moval. These prayers were finally heard and answered and these customs were doomed to die a death long since. And it is the prayer of many Christians they may never be revived and especially among those who call themselves Christ's. For the greater part of the ministry of R. Tate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was ad- ministered in this church twice in the year, and almost on every occasion some members have been added to the church. Not long after his connection with this church Alexd. Henry, Allen Shaw, Geo. Bannerman, , were ordained Ruling Elders in this church. A few years after- wards William H. Beatty, Esq., John Colvin, Cornelius Murphy and Wm. Henry were ordained Rul- ing Elders in this church. In the year 1829, towards its close, a Temperance Society was formed in this house. From the novelty of the thing with some, from the prejudice and opposition of others, only two or three members were found willing to rally around its standard. But from further developments of its principles and a little better acquaintance with its merits in a short time, it grew mightily in number and reputation, and it carries its own proof with it wherever it goes of its excellence and unspeakable advantages to saint and sinner, to soul and body, for time and eternity. On the first Sabbath in June, 1832, it pleased the great Shepherd of Israel to favor this por- tion of his heritage with a remarkable refreshing from his presence. The Spirit of God on that oc- casion was in a remarkable mannfer poured forth on saints and sinners and it is hoped many pre- cious ones were saved and called with a holy calling not according to their own works, but accord- ing to his own purpose and grace which was given them in Christ Jesus before the World began. On that day 50 or 60 persons gave themselves to God in the Courts of his house. This happy change, we trust, in the souls of many was effected by the blessing of God on the means of his own appointment through the instrumentality of the Revd. Thos. P. Hunt, who appeared willing to spend and be spent for the salvation of souls, whose desire it seemed to be, as it is of many who are called revival preachers, to labor solely and exclusively. On the first Sabbath in August this church was again favored with many tokens of God's pres- ence and of his loving kindness, no less than 50 or 60 were this; day received into the fellowship of the church. On this occasion the Revd. Lemuel D. Hatch and Revd. Wm. Brobston were present and we trust their labors and prayers were blessed. Some of those who avouched the Lord to be their God and Christ to be their Saviour on those occasions, it is true, have turned from the ser- vice of the living God to serve dumb idols. But it is cause of gratitude to Almighty God that the greater part of those who on those two days alluded to named upon them the name of Christ seem- ed determined to follow on to know the Lord, of all such we hope the things that accompany their salvation. Owing to the enlargement of the church, to the excitement still prevailing and also to the declining health of the Pastor and his inability of preaching to them more than once a month, the congregation thought it advisable to obtain more ministerial aid. Accordingly the services of the Revd. D. A. Campbell were obtained about the beginning of the year 1833 when the church was united under two Pastors. While this church was thus united it was pleasing to see the work of the Lord prospering, his word had free course and was glorified in the salvation of many and to hear many on every Sacramental occasion inquiring what they must do to be saved. While this was a Collegiate Church Geo. W. Bannerman, Esq., John Hendry and Mr. H. Beattie were ordained Rul- ing Elders by R. Tate and under their united ministry the Temperance cause waxed stronger and stronger. At the organization of a new church called Hunt's Church on Widow Moore's Creek, Rob- ert Henry, Esq., and Mr. Wm. Colvin were ordained Ruling Elders by Revd. Campbell, which church is extinct now. While good will and fellowship were cultivated between the pastors and among the members of this church and while prosperity and peace seemed to be attendants on God's earthly Zion here, the Revd. D. A. Campbell came to the determination to remove from this part of his Master's vineyard and having resigned his pastoral office in this church, he did remove some time in the latter part of the year 1834, contrary to the entreaties of his christian brethren. The whole charge again devolved on the former Pastor R. Tate. The services of Mr. Thos. R. Owen were however obtained some time in the year 1834. The preaching of Mr. Owen being well receiv- ed a call was made out for him and sent to the Presbytery of Fayetteville, of which he was a licen- tiate, at its spring session. Which call he accepted and was ordained by an adjourned Presbytery appointed for that purpose. This Presbytery consisted of Revd. Messrs. Sim. Colton, Wm. Brob- ston, and Robt. Tate, ministers. Shortly after this Robt. Tate applied to the session of the church for an entire release from his labors here, which prayer being granted he finally withdrew his de- mises. The Revd. T. R. Owen came into this church under such favorable circumstances that a happy and lasting union might have been anticipated, yet he resigned his charge of this church in the space of two years or thereabouts and sought another spot in his Lord's vineyard where he might labor. The additions to the church under his ministry were few. Then the church became vacant. In the fall of the year 1838 the Revd. Henry Brown assumed charge of this church and con- tinued to minister to this people with great acceptance and success, although the additions were small until May, 1840, when he removed to Virginia. Sunday school meetings, and prayer meetings were well attended, and the benevolent institutions of the day were generally encouraged and sustained during the ministrations of both Mr. Owen and Mr. Brown. Jas. Kerr, Esq., and Mr. Luke Register were ordained Ruling Elders in this church by Revd. Mr. Brown. The church edifice was completed and dedicated (dedication sermon was preached from Matt. 2:11) to Almighty God in the beginning of the year (1818). A certain Mr. Pritchard was the work- man who built it. It was built principally under the superintendence of Wm. H. Beatty, Esq., one of the committee. The late Mr. Robert Murphy had this pulpit made and put up at his own expense and he generously made a present of the same to the congregation. — Finis. 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