) 
 
 AN 
 
 HISTORICAL ADDRESS 
 
 DELIVEEED AT THE DEDICATION OF 
 
 I 
 
 
 .jji 
 
 !ACK CREEK CHURCH, 
 
 MAECH 21st; 1857, 
 
 BY 
 
 KEY. S. C. ALEXANDER Pastor. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE CONGREGATION. 
 
 SALISBURY: 
 
 n 
 
 PRINTED AT THE "HERALD" OFFICE. 
 
 1857. 
 
 

 CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 ) 
 
 I 
 ) 
 
 ) 
 } 
 
 ; 
 
 Arart 26, 1857. 
 
 Rev. and Dear Sir: — At a meeting on the 4th instant, of the members of 
 Back Creek Church, the undersigned were appointed a committee to wait on \ 
 you and request a copy of the Historical Address delivered on the 21st ulti- ( 
 mo for publication. A regard for posterity, and the perpetuity of so valua- \ 
 ble a record of the almost lost History of our Church, gathered with much ) 
 care and research, ought to be had in a more permanent form. 
 
 You -will confer a favor that will meet the desire of many friends in thus 
 
 complying. ) 
 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 JAMES E. ANDREW, ) p • 
 
 DAVID R. BRADS HAW, / ^ ommmee - j 
 
 Rev. S. C. Alexander. \ 
 
 Miranda, Rowan County, N. C, ) 
 { April 29, 1857. / 
 
 > Gentlesien :— 1 received your note to-day, asking for a copy of the His- 
 
 c torical Address delivered by me, at the dedication of Back Ci'eek Church. — 
 ) If it can add any thing to the honor or welfare of Christ's Kingdom, 1 most \ 
 cheerfully acquiesce in your request. I 
 
 S. C. ALEXANDER. 
 
 James E. Andrews, ") „ ) 
 
 ~ T > t> > Committee. \ 
 
 David R. Bradshaw, j ' 
 
 i 
 ) 
 
 ) 
 
 ) 
 
 S 
 
 >%) 
 
) 
 
 ) 
 
 \ ence of Incarnate Deitv. 
 
 The Prince of Peace in the fulness of time entered its 
 
 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. j 
 
 ! - ! 
 
 IIaggai, 2 — T). "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of , 
 
 j the former, saith the Lord of Hosts, and in this place will I give peace, saith ) 
 
 r the Lord of Hosts." \ 
 
 I . ) 
 
 > IIaggai had looked through the glass of prophecy, and ; 
 
 ) beheld in the far dim distance of more than five centuries, $ 
 
 ) the Temple which was built in his da} r , still standing, 
 
 ) crowned with a bright halo of glory. Although not deck- ) 
 
 { ed with Golconda's gems, nor overlaid with the gold of ) 
 
 \ Ophir, no pillar of fii-e adorned its summit, and no Sheclii- S 
 
 ) nah was there. Its architectural beauty and magnificent , 
 
 ( proportions, were great, it is true, but vastly inferior ) 
 
 c to the first, the Temple of Solomon. Notwithstanding all s 
 
 \ this, the Prophet is bold to declare, that the "glory of this ] 
 
 f> latter house shall be greater than of the former," yea infin 
 
 ) 
 s 
 
 iteiy greater, because it was to be honored with the pres- \ 
 
 \ 
 
 portals, and the glory of Messiah was its crowning excel- 
 
 ) lency. The more spiritual dispensation of the Christian \ 
 
 J> Church was to be built upon the ruins of the Mosaic econo- ) 
 
 i ( 
 
 
( 
 
 ) 
 
 ) 
 ) 
 
 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 my. The typical ceremoney of the Jewish ritual, was to 
 be exchanged for the immediate worship of the meek and 
 lowly Jesus. The humble disciple could thus make a near- 
 er approach to his God ; and himself become a priest, v and 
 an honored Levite from whatever nation or tribe lie may 
 have sprung. 
 
 The first Temple stood in peerless grandeur, as the cen- 
 tre-point of Hebrew worship, and the capitol of a theocrat- 
 ic government. It held in its types and shadows, the germs 
 of the Christian Religion, which were to be developed in 
 the person of the Saviour, who, in the appointed time, ap- 
 peared as the "greater glory of the latter house." In oth- 
 er words, the Prophet means to say, that the moral gran- 
 deur of the Christian Religion is to be greater and more 
 glorious than all the physical splendor of the Temple ser- 
 vice, even in its palmiest days. Its gorgeous worship, and 
 imposing ritual are not to be compared with the beautiful 
 simplicity of the last, and more spiritual dispensation. — 
 Hence, of a truth, " the glory of this latter house was 
 greater than of the former." "And in this place," adds 
 the Prophet, "will I i^\\Q peace saith the Lord of Hosts." 
 And He who has all power in heaven and earth, is able to 
 \ meet every promise, and to fulfill every prophecy. 
 
 \ "In this place," in the second Temple, the Prince of 
 Peace did appear, and brought peace to troubled souls. — 
 He came to loose the fetters of sin, and bid the captives 
 go free. He came to proclaim pardon to the condemned — 
 freedom to the enslaved, and liberty to a world in bondage. 
 He came to break down the wall which encircled the chil- 
 dren of Abraham, to offer peace to all the nations of earth. 
 The Gentile world had ever been cast off, and for thous- 
 ands of years wandered in their own ways. Now, they are 
 
 m 
 
 4V# 
 
 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 ) called to partake of the blessings, and enjoy the peace of 
 ) the Gospel of the Son of God. 
 
 J 
 
 But, we do not purpose on this occasion, placing in con- 
 trast the excellencies of the first and of the second Temple. 
 'Not the greater glory of the Christian Dispensation, when 
 compared with the Jewish. However pleasant and proflt- 
 
 ') able this might be, yet circumstances naturally turn our 
 
 thoughts in another direction. 
 
 We have met to-day to dedicate this house to the wor- 
 ship of Almighty God; and to pray that he may "give 
 peaee" to us in this place, and to our successors, even down ( 
 till the end of time. We have also met to celebrate the c 
 goodness of the Lord, as manifested to us and our fathers, 
 for more than half a century. Although God has not visi- i 
 ted us in dreadful splendor, as he did ancient Israel, neith- 
 er has this mount of ordinances been overshadowed with ) 
 the thick clouds of darkness, Jehovah's chariot. Nor has 
 it been illuminated with His lightnings, nor shaken with the 
 thunders of Sinai. 1 et He has often condescended to make 
 known His stately steppings in our midst. Often have the 
 genial showers of divine grace watered this part of His 
 vineyard. It will doubtless be both interesting and profit- 
 able, to trace the history of this Church from its beginning 
 to the present time. To recount the throes and pangs con- 
 nected with its birth — to observe its healthy growth, and its 
 steady march onward and upward. We wish also to re- 
 member gratefully her first Pastor, who broke unto this 
 people the Bread of Life — who led them by the still waters, 
 and through the green pastures of a Saviour's love ; and 
 then to glance at his successors. We wish, also, to notice 
 briefly, those noble men 'who first ruled in this Church, 
 
\ f •» 1 -% 
 
 X 6 
 
 ( 
 
 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 but who are now fallen asleep ; and then to number their 
 ) successors. Thus we desire to bring- to recollection " the 
 former things" that if possible, we may catch something 
 of the spirit and zeal of our fathers ; that we may be stim- 
 ulated to nobler actions* more enlarged benevolence, and 
 greater energy. 
 
 Owing to the entire want of the early records of this 
 Church, this task is attended, with not a few difficulties.-— 
 For more than a score of years there is not a Sessional Re- 
 cord to be found, nothing official is left to show, whether 
 the Session ever met, or in fact whether there was a Session 
 at all or not, until the 15th of May, 1830. It is not a little 
 surprising that men so accurate as were our ancestors, who 
 <j did every thing by rule, should have entirely neglected this 
 important matter. But, notwithstanding this, we have been 
 
 ( 
 
 so fortunate, as to find a few old documents which long ) 
 since have been carried into the garret, or thrown into some 
 unfrequented corner, which give valuable statistics and re- 
 veal important truths. Moreover, there are yet two or three 
 venerable fathers with us, who remember well the early 
 history of Back Creek ; and also, the " times of refreshing 
 which came from the presence of the Lord" in 1801, 2 and 
 3. Their eyes still flash, and their hearts kindle afresh when 
 they tell us of those times. But let us commence our story : 
 
 During the latter part of last century, infidelity spread 
 like a contagion all over our country, from one end of it to the 
 other. It gathered round the Church, and settled down up- 
 on it like a thick cloud of moral death. Although far re- 
 moved from the busy marts and thorough-fares of the world, 
 this retired part of the Lord's vineyard did not wholly es- 
 cape the infection. A cold dead formality had well nigh 
 chilled the vitals of true religion. But this state of things < 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 7 
 
 \ ' . , ( 
 
 :' . . < 
 
 > was not permitted to remain long. God heard and answer- "J> 
 
 ed the prayers of his faithful servants. His life-giving j 
 
 spirit was sent forth with power, and breathed upon the ) 
 
 valley of dry bones, and an army of living men stood up S 
 
 to praise Jehovah's name. This was an important era in ( . 
 
 ) the history of our Church and country. It was a time s 
 
 when angels in heaven, and men on earth rejoiced together. \ 
 
 It was a time when a most powerful and sudden death- ( 
 
 ) stroke was given to the cause uf infidelity. So that its hid- \ 
 
 \ eous form has never since been reared so high in the ma- \ 
 
 I 
 
 jesty of its ugliness to pollute and annoy the Church. Thy- I 
 
 atira with her then widely extended limits, seems to have < 
 
 been thoroughly aroused in those exciting times. \ 
 
 \ 
 
 As in all communities, so in that venerable Church, there I 
 
 \ necessarilv existed a great diversity of sentiment. The ( 
 
 { time had now come, when this diversity was to be fully < 
 \ manifested. The Revival of 1802, let it be remembered 
 
 ) 
 
 was accompanied with many strange phenomena, such as 
 "jerking," "leaping," "shouting," "swooning," and many 
 
 such-like bodily exercises. Those who were possessed of 
 
 < 
 
 ) 
 
 \ more ardent zeal and strong affection, thought this aneces- 
 <J sary part of the revival, and produced by the influence of 
 c the Spirit. While those of a more phlegmatic tempera- 
 < ment, and less impulsive nature, looked upon it as dross 
 around die precious metal ; or rather, as the work of Satan 
 trying to counterfeit and hinder the work of religion. Thus 
 there were two parties formed, and each doubtless, consci- 
 entiously thought they were right. Those who favored the 
 "exercises" were called the " revival party ," as if they a one 
 were desirous of promoting the cause of religion. While 
 those who thought differently were called " opposers " or \ 
 "anti-revivalists," as if they wished to hold back the Gos- ) 
 
) 8 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. ) 
 
 pel car. One party wished to have profound silence dur- 
 ing public worship. It mattered not how eloquent the 
 speaker was, or how powerful the movings of the Spirit, 
 all must be quiet and still. The other party wished to give 
 vent to their feelings in whatever way inclination might 
 lead. If they felt happy they would shout aloud for joy, 
 or if distressed they would cry out for mercy. The congre- 
 gation ofttimes presenting the appearance of a Bochim-Ba- 
 bel. 
 
 Thus the matter went on for two or three years each 
 party becoming more and more sensitive ; and owing to the 
 weakness of human nature, one seemed to exasperate the 
 ( other, until it become evident to all that some final and de- 
 ) cisive action should be taken for the welfare of the Church. 
 > A day of fasting and humiliation was appointed, that they 
 ; might pray for wisdom to guide them in the path of duty, 
 ) and that they might adopt some plan of action which would 
 be for their peace and edification. The day was according- 
 ly observed. At which meeting the Session was publicly 
 charged with a neglect of their duty in permitting what 
 was looked on by one party as disorder and confusion to 
 exist, in time of public worship. The Elders defended 
 their conduct in a mild and christian-like manner, but all 
 to no purpose. Neither party was willing to submit to the 
 other. Thus the day seemed likely to close without having 
 bettered their condition. But something must be clone was 
 the universal feeling. Whereupon, it was resolved unani- 
 mously, tha all those who sympathised with the " Revival 
 Party," and acted under its influence, should be permitted 
 to withdraw from the Congregation, and leave the other 
 party in the quiet possession of their house and minister. 
 This resolution was acted upon immediately, when about 
 
 kg Jg] 
 
~ — » 
 
 t 
 
 > HISTORICAL ADBBESS, 9 < 
 
 ; - — , : 
 
 ) thirty families withdrew, including five Elders- — all that < 
 
 Thvatira then had — men of whom the world might be < 
 
 ■ . < 
 : proud. This was the birth-day of Back Geek. The mo- 
 
 ther travailed with pain, and a noble daughter was born, — 
 
 Thus the infant colony, springing off from the western ) 
 part of Thyatira principally, was left without a minister, < 
 and without a house in which to worship. But with zeal )' 
 like theirs, with hearts so large, and hands so willing, all 
 difficulties were soon removed, and their .necessities met. 
 They resolved to build a house in their midst, in which 
 they could worship as their conscience dictated. 
 
 To this resolution Thyatira, and a great part of the Min- 
 
 ) 
 i 
 
 ) 
 
 isters of the Presbytery, were much opposed. Thyatira 
 
 was grieved at the loss of so many of her best men, and the 
 
 whole matter was duly considered, and after much discus- 
 sion, was postponed till the next Fall meeting. The little 
 colony continued to meet on the Sabbath,* and spend its 
 
 ^During this time the Congregation worshipped in a large barn, about a 
 mile distant from the present Church. This was continued until Presbytery 
 granted them their request, and recognized them as a Church. Tins is also 
 
 Clergy were afraid lest the movement would result in more 
 \ harm than good. Thus the infant colony was called to meet 
 new difficulties at every step in its progress. \ et withal, 
 ) undaunted it pursued its course. And in < >rder that it might 
 not appear to be acting contrary to the "powers that be," 
 the venerable John Barr was chosen as a delegate to the 
 \ next meeting of Concord Presbytery, which was to hold its j 
 J sessions at Hopewell Church, and to commence on the 14th 
 March, 1805, there to present a petition from the people he ) 
 represented, asking Presbytery to grant them a dismission 
 from the mother Church, and to organize a Church in their 
 midst, to be known as the Church of Back Creek. The ) 
 
 m 
 
10 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 sacred hours in reading the Scriptures — in exhortation, 
 prayer and praise. Their heart was fixed on having a 
 separate Church organization. Accordingly, at the next 
 meeting of Presbytery, which was at Rocky Hirer, Mr. 
 
 Thomas Cowan and Mr. • Locke appeared en behalf of 
 
 Thyatira to advocate her rights, and to oppose the petition 
 of the colony ; and Mr. John Ban* appeared in behalf of 
 the petitioners. 
 
 The subject was one of no small importance. The inter- 
 est of Christ's kingdom in this community was at stake. — 
 ' The venerable Presbyters felt the weight of responsibility 
 resting on them. Patiently and calmly they pondered the 
 matter, and finally concluded from all the attending circum- 
 stances, that it would be the part of wisdom to grant the 
 petitioners their request — Provided, the spot on which they 
 purposed building their house of worship, was not less than 
 live miles distant from Thyatira. And in order that all 
 parties might be satisfied with regard to the requirement in 
 the proviso, the venerable Dr. Hall, of Iredell, travelled 
 over the road between the two places, with his famous sul- 
 ky, and found it to be on close measurement, the distance 
 required. Thus, on the fifth day of September, 1805, the 
 Church of Back Creek was recognized as a separate organ- 
 ization, and was accordingly enrolled with the other 
 Churches under the care of the Presbytery of Concord. — 
 Although fortune at first seemed to frown, it soon began to 
 smile upon them. Soon they had erected for themselves a 
 comfortable little log house in which they worshipped for 
 several years, which is still standing, and serves to remind 
 us of olden times. Doubtless many hallowed associations 
 
 a beautiful instance of submission to the rightful authority of "the powers 
 ] that be." ) 
 
 gg ^ ___ . n 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 11 j> 
 
 < 
 
 c 
 
 cluster around that ancient building. Although nearly 
 } all who worshipped, within its walls, have fallen asleep, or 
 are, like unto it, fast going hack unto the dust again, not 
 many years elapsed until it became necessary to have a j 
 more spacious building. { 
 
 In 1811, the venerable house, that we have just left, was < 
 ) erected. The little flock having thus struggled through c 
 
 ( 
 
 s 
 
 many difficulties, and having at last gained for itself " a 
 local habitation and a name," still there was no shepherd 
 to watch over them, and to lead them through green pas- 
 tures There was no one to feed them with the bread of 
 heaven. Although they were feeble, no task was too hard 
 for them to accomplish if it, tended to their spiritual wel- 
 fare, and to the glory of God. They immediately sought 
 for a Pastor, and obtained the services of the Rev. J. 1). 
 Kilpatrick for one half of his time. And on the nintli of 
 April, ,1807} Presbytery being at Poplar Tent, he received and J 
 accepted their call, — Back. Creek's first call to her first Pas- S 
 tor. O that she could always call such men, when a Pas- \ 
 tor is needed. S 
 
 I 
 
 Mr. Kilpatrick was emphatically the very man for the 
 people who called him. He suited in every respect. There 
 was a remarkable degree of congeniality in their tempera- I 
 mentis; both' w ere naturally warm-hearted and impulsive. < 
 
 11 was truly a happy day when this union was formed. — 
 It was a meeting of kindred spirits. It may be both ap- ) 
 propriate and interesting here, to give a brief historical ) 
 sketch of this eminent servant of the Lord. 
 
 lie was born October the 8th, 1763, near Poplar Tent ( 
 Church, in wliat is now Cabarrus County, North Carolina. ) 
 The e is a tradition that he descended from some illustrious ) 
 
 
Hg'~ > "~~^~ -——-—— -^^^— -— ^^^^^^-~-.-~ ^ - ™ 
 
 (, 
 
 12 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 After his sojourn there, he came to Salisbury, and spent 
 about eighteen months, in order to complete his classical 
 course, under the training of the learned John Brown, D. 
 D., who was afterwards successively President of Colum- 
 bia College, South Carolina, and of Athens College Geor- 
 gia. Being thus thoroughly armed and equipped for use- 
 fulness, he was led in the good providence of God to feel 
 it was his duty to become a watchman on Zion's walls. — ■ 
 lie immediately commenced the study of theology under 
 the direction of Rev. James Hall, D. D. We are not in- 
 formed at what time he was licensed ; but at the age of 
 thirty, he was ordained to the full work of the Gospel min- 
 istry by the Presbytery of Orange, f and installed Pastor of 
 Third Creek Church. 
 
 -Gen. Andrew Jackson was a class- mate of Mr. Kilpatrick, and it so turn- 
 ed out that they were both charmed with the same lovely lassie. But she 
 
 (<i 
 
 family in the North of Ireland. But without any records 
 or reliable documents to point out his ancestral lineage, it 
 is impossible for us to establish either its truth or its falsity. ) 
 
 The days of his boyhood we infer, were spent in retirement 
 at the old home-stead, in Cabarrus. But, after he had 
 grown to riper years, he commenced the study of the clas- 
 sics — was sent to Mr. Finley's celebrated Academy, in 
 the Waxhaw settlement. At the age of twenty-one, while 
 there reading Virgil, and passing through, not only the 
 books, but also the period of poetry, he was captivated by 
 the charms of one of Adam's fairest daughters. The love- 
 ly Miss Dickey, of Waxhaw, claimed the young man of 
 promise as her own. It was not long till they stood be- 
 fore the altar of Hymen, and in the presence of angels and 
 men, became plighted partners for future life.* 
 
m 
 
 1IIST0KICAL ADDRESS. 13 ) 
 
 chose rather the fortunes of the soldier of the Cross, than the honors of him 
 who was destined to be one of America's proudest military chieftains. 
 
 ( 
 
 About thirteen years after, on the 9th of April, 1807, he 
 was also called to the Pastorate of Back Creek Church, as ( 
 before stated, one half his time at each place. Thus early ; 
 was he fixed permanently in his field of labor. He had a ; 
 great work to do, and God spared his life and gave him j 
 strength to perform it. Pie continued to labor in the field 
 in which he was located until death " closed his bright eye ) 
 and curbed his high career." For more than thirty-live 
 years he was the Pastor of Third Creek, and for more than 
 twenty-two years of that time, he also led the flock of Back 
 Creek, to the fountain of Salvation. The great work of 
 building up the kingdom of Christ continued to be the all 
 absorbing object of his life, till the 20th of September, 
 1829, when the Lord called him home to rest from his la- 
 bors, and to wear his crown. Thus fell a gallant soldier. — < 
 For many lone years he had fought under the banner of 
 Prince Immanuel, and proved himself faithful till the last. 
 He was a noble man — was possessed of a large heart, gen- 
 erous feelings and willing hands. As a public speaker, he 
 was not remarkably gifted as an orator; nor celebrated as 
 a logician. But the great success with which he met, w r as 
 owing in no small degree, to his profound earnestness, his ? 
 plain, pointed and powerful application of truth. Often ^ 
 while delivering his solemn messages, the big, manly tear, \ 
 would steal down his cheek, showing that he felt what he ) 
 said. 
 
 He could sympathise with his people in all their distress- 
 es ; hence, he and his flock were knit together in love, as 
 
 f The Presbytery of Orange then extended over all that territory now oc- S 
 
 cupicd by Concord Presbytery. 
 
&*#" -<m 
 
 14 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. < 
 
 were the hearts of David and Jonathan. During the great 
 Revival of 1802, lie took an exceedingly active part. Some 
 \ thought him too enthusiastic. He loved to see his people 
 weep under the truth, and what good man does not? and if 
 they were disposed to shout aloud and praise God for His 
 
 \ 
 
 wonderful goodness to them, he made no sort of objection. S 
 
 On one occasion, it is said, while preaching at a certain 
 
 place, many of his hearers became noisy in their joy, so \ 
 
 much so that those who were opposed to that sort of pro- ) 
 
 cedure, thought it better to carry outside of the Church, \ 
 
 those who were inclined to shout; one after another was ) 
 
 taken, until quite a multitude had been removed. Theven- ; 
 
 erable minister paused for a moment and came down from ) 
 
 the pulpit, and remarked that he "loved to preach to those j> 
 
 noisy people,'' and went out into the grove where they J 
 were, and resumed his discourse. Mr. Ivilpatrick lived in 
 
 excitement. He loved to see men feel their religion, and s 
 
 who does not? Religion is of sufficient importance to ex- ( 
 
 < cite the most stupid soul, and when felt to arouse the dull- ( 
 
 est of men. I 
 
 } 
 
 < 
 
 Hence, during his ministry, Camp-meetings were com- 
 mon occurrences. Multitudes of families from a distance, 
 as well as those near by, would assemble around the sacred 
 spot, and soldier-like, pitch their tent and spend many days ) 
 and nights together in the solemn worship of God. On oc- ) 
 casions like these, the great soul of Ivilpatrick was fired \ 
 with holv zeal for the glory of his master, and for the sal- \ 
 vation of men. How delightful it must have been to see 
 this consecrated grove illumined with the camp-fires of de- 
 vout worshippers, and to hear these hills and valleys echo X 
 the high praises of Jehovah. When Ave hear the history of j 
 those times recited, we almost wish that we had lived in 
 
 ( 
 ) 
 
 ( • b 
 
I HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 15 
 
 After the death of Mr. Kilpatrick, the congregation was 
 ( without a minister for about one year, until the 5th of Oc- 
 
 c the clays of our fathers. Religion seemed then to take a 
 I deeper hold on the human heart than it does now. But 
 • those times are gone. A half a century has rolled away. 
 ) And great changes have been wrought ; cold, calculating 
 utilitarianism seems to have taken the place of earnest en- 
 thusiastic religion. But to return, time would fail us to tell 
 ) all the excellencies of the first Pastor of Back Creek, or to 
 > speak of all the interesting occurrences in his eventful min- 
 ; istry ; occurrences too, that are worthy of a place on histo- 
 S ry's permanent page. Suffice it to say, while he lived, he 
 5 lived in the hearts of his people, and labored for the up 
 ) building of the Church, and for the glory of the Redeem- I 
 ) er's kingdom. And now since he is dead, his memory is ( 
 ) cherished with the fondest affection ; and his works do fol- ( 
 low him. Doubtless the effects of his life and labors, will i 
 be felt on generations unborn. 
 
 His body lies in Third Creek grave yard. "He sleeps 
 his last sleep, he has fought his last battle. ~No sound can s 
 awake him to glory again," till the Archangel's trump 
 shall bid him arise. \ 
 
 tober, 1830, when the Rev. Andrew Y. Lockridge, a Licen- ) 
 
 tiate of Lexington Presbytery, Virgin ia, was invited to be his ) 
 successor. On the 25th of May, 1832, he was ordained and 
 installed Pastor of Back Creek and Third Creek Churches, 
 one half of his time at each Church. This arrangement 
 
 continued till 1836, when Back Creek employed him for the ) 
 
 whole of his time. He remained with this people to break > 
 
 unto them the bread of life until 1845, when he removed ) 
 
 to the Presbytery of Cherokee, in Georgia, where he still S 
 
 lives ; and is ministering to a Church called Pleasant Green. \ 
 
( 16 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. < 
 
 ( 
 
 May his life and labors ever be pleasant, and may be be 
 spared to a green old age. 
 
 On the 31st March, 1846, he was succeeded by the Rev. 
 Thomas E. Davis, who continued to minister unto this peo- 
 ple in holy things until March, 1851, when he removed to 
 Rutherfordton, and entered upon the labors of a Domestic 
 Missionary. 
 
 In June, 1852, he was succeeded by Mr. Robert Agnew, 
 
 a Licentiate under the care of Concord Presbytery, who 
 S remained only for the short space of one year and two 
 ) months. His time and labors were equally divided between 
 
 Thyatira and Back Creek. These two Churches, long sep- 
 { arated, were again united. The venerable mother of more 
 ( than a hundred years, and her daughter of half a century, 
 S a°rain embraced each other. Mav their mutual love in- 
 
 crease with their age; and may the ties of affection, which 
 
 bind them now, yet be stronger ! 
 
 In March, 1854, he who now addresses you, commenced 
 his labors in your midst. May the Lord of all grace ever 
 give him wisdom and ability to perform aright the solemn 
 duties of his office. Let us next notice briefly, the Elder- 
 ship of the Church. Her first rulers, five in number, were 
 elected and ordained in Thyatira. But after Back Creek 
 sprang off and became a separate organization, they having 
 come with the seceding party, were elected again to the 
 { same office here, that they held in the mother Church. 
 
 The original Bench was as follows : — Thomas King, John 
 < Barr, William Bell, Abraham Lowrance and Thomas Gil- 
 ( lespie. Their life has been sketched in another place, and 
 \ therefore it is not necessary here to recite it again. But 
 \ such men as these deserve a more extended notice. They 
 
HISTORICAL ADDKESS. IT > 
 
 should have a place in the history of the Church, as well ) 
 as a place in our memory. They performed a great work, ) 
 in their day, both for their Church, and for their communi- ) 
 
 ) tj. They served their Master with fidelity, and are doubt- 
 less now, enjoying a rich reward for all the toils they bore, 
 and for all the trials they endured. They have long since 
 gone to their graves, where neither praise nor blame, have 
 any power to arouse them. The dull cold ear of death can- 
 not hear. Then, honor to their names, and peace to their 
 
 I ashes. 
 
 ) 
 
 On the 27th of December, 1806, William Kilpatrick, 
 
 ') 
 
 Samuel McMeely and Geurge Andrew, were added to the 
 list of Elders — men of whom we cannot speak too highly. 
 Each was distinguished for his own excellency of character. 
 When sitting in council about the welfare of the Church, it 
 
 > is said William Kilpatrick would devise ways and means 
 for the prosperity of Zion. George Andrew would dis- 
 
 ) course on its practicability. He would present it in one 
 aspect and then in another, imorder that it might be weigh- 
 ed well, — while the venerable John Barr and Samuel Mc- 
 Eeely who knew their Bible by heart, would decide wheth- 
 er it were right or not, or whether it would be for the gen- 
 eral good. Thus each wheel in the machinery performed its 
 part ; and the consequence was, the Church, like a healthy 
 plant, grew and nourished, and became a praise in the land. 
 In 1833, another addition was made to the Session by the 
 election and ordination of William King, Thomas Mathews, 
 John Houston, John M. Lowrance, and Abner Adams. — 
 Only two of this number are spared to be with us now. 
 The other three have fallen asleep. They were men with 
 whom you were all familiar. Their names are embalmed 
 
 j 
 
 i -?\ 
 
mrc 
 
 18 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 in jour memories. Their excellencies are well known. — 
 And yon have long since mourned their loss. 
 
 In 1836, Col. John F. McCorkle, Ebenezer McEeely, and 
 Dr. D. C. Mebane, were numbered among the Rulers of 
 Back Creek. The two last mentioned, have removed to 
 different fields of labor. Mr. J. St. Kilpatrick was elected 
 in 1841, but continued only a short time. He and his ven- 
 erable father, William Kilpatrick, were soon afteiwvards 
 borne to the house appointed for all the living. In life, 
 they were united, and in death they w r ere not divided. The j 
 father died on one day, and the son followed on the next- 
 Mr. John Shive, an Elder from Bethpage, was received into 
 this Church, and also elected as one of her Elders. After 
 a few years sojourn with us, he set out to seek his fortune \ 
 
 William King, John M. Lowrance, Col. John F. McCorkle, 
 D. II. Patterson, James E. Andrew, and Dr. Samuel D. Ran- 
 in. In all, there have been twenty-one Elders in Back 
 Creek, since its organization ; thirteen of that number are 
 dead, and nine are living. It may here be remarked with 
 propriety, that the Session of this Church has been repre- 
 sented three times in the General Assembly. George An- 
 drew r was twice honored with a seat in that body, and Wil- 
 liam King once. 
 
 Speaking with reference to the dead, w T e honestly believe 
 that no Church can boast of a better Eldership, than that 
 which lived and ruled in Back Creek. It was their meat 
 and drink to do their Master's will. Their religion was 
 
 m the great West, where he yet lives. The present Session ^ 
 
 \ 
 ( 
 } 
 
 of this Church consists of the following gentlemen, viz :— 
 
 ( 
 
 ever of a lively sort. In fact the Church was born in the 
 midst of a revival, and often since, has it been watered with ) 
 with the dews of heaven. Bible Classes, Sabbath Schools \ 
 

 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 19 
 
 ) 
 
 I and Prayer-Meetings have here, ever been considered ne- 
 ? cessary accompaniments, to the preaching of the Gospel. 
 Hence, God has often heard their prayers, and conferred 
 rich blessings upon the Church and her children. And 
 may we, the unworthy sons and daughters of noble ances- 
 tors, never tarnish the good name handed down to us, by 
 proving recreant to our high trust, or by being sluggards in s 
 the Lord's vineyard. May we ever worship with our whole 
 heart the God of our fathers ; yea, may we pant after Him 
 as the hart panteth after the water brooks. 
 
 And, in conclusion brethren, let us dedicate this neat and 
 tasteful house,* to the worship of the Most High, as a \ 
 thank offering, at this semi-centenary celebration because 
 of his wonderful goodness to us. In His good providence, 
 this Church has been preserved for many years. It has 
 been blessed with Ministers and Rulers until now. It has 
 grown from a small and feeble flock to its present size and 
 strength. And this day we are permitted to assemble in a 
 building of beautiful proportions, and one in some degree ) 
 worthy of the object for which it was erected. We, and 
 those who lived before us, until now, were content to wor- 
 ship in a sanctuary of more humble pretensions; but God 
 has done great things for us whereof we are glad. It should 
 be the earnest prayer of all, that the glory of this latter 
 house might be greater than of the former. That our use- 
 fulness as a Church might be more extensively felt. That ( 
 by our instrumentality, peace might be given to many 
 troubled souls. And that the Gospel of the Prince of 
 
 *This house was erected under the supervision of the following Committee, 
 viz ; Dr. Samuel D. Rankin, Chairman, Col. Alfred M. Goodman, Treasurer, 
 Col. John F. McCorkle, Maj. David R. Bradshaw, and David H. Patterson. ) 
 They performed their part with fidelity, and therefore deserve to be honora- 
 bly mentioned. 
 
 >3Lg§] 
 
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 < 20 HISTORICAL ADDKESS. ( 
 
 \ - 
 
 Peace, by our assistance, might speedily be carried to I 
 earth's remotest bounds. Our fathers did well, yea they 
 acted nobly in their day. But G-od calls upon us to do. more ( 
 than they did. They lived in what may be called a forma- c 
 tive period, when the machinery of the Church for enlarged 
 benevolence was being prepared. We are "fifty years in ) 
 their advance, when that machinery, in a measure, has been 
 completed. And now occupying this vantage-ground, God 
 calls upon us to make that machinery bear with power up- 
 on the world. Just as our opportunity for doing good in- 
 creases, just in the same proportion does our obligation to 
 labor increase. 
 
 G-od has called us upon the world's great stage, in the 
 midst of the nineteenth century — when opportunities for 
 usefulness stand thick around us, and surely he expects each 
 man to act well his part. And, brethren, we must act that \ 
 part n-ow, — to-morrow we may be gathered with the pale 
 nations of the dead. We are this day forcibly reminded of 
 the truth that we should do quickly that which we purpose 
 doing. Many lived to see this building commenced, 
 who never saw it completed. Among those were four heads 
 of families, who fondly hoped to be with us at its dedica- 
 tion, but to-day they lie in yonder grave-yard. In a few 
 more years, and God only knows how few, we all shall be 
 gathered with them, to our cold and silent graves. O then, 
 let us be up and doing while it is called to-day. With gen- 
 erous hearts and liberal hands, let us labor while we live. 
 Let us gird the Gospel armor on, and work like christian 
 men. Let us never grow weary in so glorious a cause. — 
 
 Let us determine never to lay down our weapons until vic- 
 tory shall crown our noblest efforts. And until the whole 
 Church shall arise and " shine, clear as the sun, fair as the 
 moon, and terrible as an army with banners." 
 
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