The First Baptist Church
Charleston, SC
By Rev. Basil Manly, 1856
Chapter 4
BETWEEN the year 1770 and the commencement of hostilities with the mother country, the church seem[ed] to have entertained the ideas of erecting a new place of worship and of establishing a separate interest. Whatever the design was, nothing seems to have been done beyond the purchase of the lot. I am not able to trace the lot out of the church's possession; but I suppose it was sold, to assist them in the repairs of their edifice, after the close of the Revolution.
PATRIOTISM OF THE CHURCH When the troubles of the Revolution began, Mr. Hart, and the church generally, very warmly espoused the cause of the country. At this time, Mr. Hart had acquired considerable acquaintance and great influence in the back-country; so that the "Council of Safety," desirous of exerting a salutary influence on the people of it the interior, in relation to the measures of Congress and the political interests of the country, appointed him, in 1775, together with the Rev. Mr. William Tennent, and the Hon. William H. Drayton, to travel among them, for the purpose of conciliating them to the government, engaging them in its support, and removing their misapprehension and prejudice. "It was believed that the influence Mr. Hart exerted on this occasion was the means of preventing bloodshed, when the tories first embodied."
REV. JOSEPH COOK. Still in prosecution of the same design, dear alike to the church and its pastor, Mr. Hart went early in 1776, to the High Hills of Santee, where a numerous meeting of dissenting ministers and others had been called to consult on measures for the common welfare. There, the Rev. Joseph Cook, father of the present Rev. Joseph B. Cook, was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Furman, then pastor of the Baptist church at that place. He was immediately ordained by Rev. Messrs. Hart and Furman. As Mr. Cook's residence was near Dorchester, he took his dismission immediately, and joined the Charleston church; as we find that, in 1777, he was a member, and represented the church in the Association, in November of that year. He had been educated by Lady Huntingdon at her college of Trevecca, in Brecknockshire, South Wales, came over to this country on a mission, at her suggestion, and under her patronage; and was a while at Mr. Whitefield's Orphan House, in Georgia, under the late Dr. Percy. In 1778, he was called to the charge of the Euhaw church, as the successor of Mr. Pelot. His ministry, especially after the Revolution, during which he had passed through some trying and humbling scenes, was peculiarly impressive. He was both "a son of thunder," and "a son of consolation;" - and many will remember him with lively emotions to their latest day. He closed his useful life, September 26, 1790, in the prime of manhood, being only a little more than forty years of age.
INCORPORATION OF THE CHURCH The Legislature of the State having invited the various churches to apply for charters with equal rights and privileges, this church very ear1y applied for, and obtained, incorporation; - the charter under which it now acts bearing date March 19, 1778. For several years after this, however, they continued to transact their secular business through the agency of trustees.
DEPARTURE OF MR. HART South Carolina was now destined to become the sanguinary scene of war, and on the approach of the British to Charleston, Mr. Hart's friends advised his retreat. Accordingly, in the month of February 1780, he took his departure from his affectionate people, and, as it proved, his final departure from the southern States. On his way he was joined by Mr. Botsford, who went with him as far as Virginia, where he remained during the remainder of the war. Mr. Hart continued his course to New Jersey; and, in December following, at the solicitation of the Baptist church at Hopewell, he took the pastoral care of them, and continued in that relation until his death.
THE CHURCH SEIZED BY THE BRITISH He had not long left Charleston, when it fell into the hands of the enemy; and, probably out of revenge against Mr. Hart and his society, they seized on both the meeting houses, converted the principal one into a store house for salt beef and other provisions, and made a forage house of the other, which was still in possession of the General Baptists.
From that time, all public worship was suspended in this church, until independence was gained, and peace restored.
LOSS OF ACCUMULATED PROPERTY But this was not the only way in which the church suffered during that distressing struggle. From the statement made after Mr. Hart's departure, viz: April 27, 1780, by Col. Thomas Screven, the acting trustee and certified by Major Benjamin Smith, and Mr. Thomas Smith, the church possessed indents, &c., then in Col. Screven's hands, to the amount of L14,700. This sum was in the currency of the country, a guinea being of the value of L7,75 and had been accumulating through most of the years of Mr. Hart's prosperous ministry. The friends of religion, then, instead of bequeathing their property to heirs, "they knew not who;" or even leaving all their substance of their own children and family, made the church their legatee. Several of the benevolent donors are mentioned: Providence Hutchinson gave L400, James Fowler L500, William Screven, grandson of minister Screven, L600, Martha De Harriette L500, Benjamin De Harriette L500, Elizabeth Gibbs L1000, Messrs. Justinus Stoll, Thomas Rivers, and Patrick Hinds, L600, and William Tilly, son of minister Tilly, of Edisto Island, gave, besides all his own and his father's books, the sum of L3076, 14, 6. This last sum consisted of bonds at interest; the assignment of them was made March 9, 1772, to James Brisbane, William Brisbane, Thomas Screven, Thomas Rivers, David Williams, Patrick Hinds, and John Rivers, Trustees of the Baptist congregation. The annual interest was paid to Mr. Tilly, for his support during life; at his death, the trustees were to bury him out of the principal; and then forever thereafter, the interest to be applied to the support of the Rev. Oliver Hart, and his successors in office. The available fund in 1772, was sufficient to yield an annual income of L1430. But, by various losses sustained during the war, and particularly by the depreciation of paper currency, it was found when war was ended, (as appears by a statement dated February 22, 1784,) that all the church, as well as the debts due them, reduced to sterling, according to the established rate of depreciation, amounted but to L444, 6, 3, 1/2.
CHURCH AIDNG THE STATE The government being greatly embarrassed by the expenses of the war, all the money they had in hand, viz: L331, 16, 6, was put into the public treasury. I suppose it was again refunded to them in due time; but of this we have no account.
THE RETURN OF PEACE But all their privations and losses might well be borne, in view of the unspeakable blessings, both civil and religious, which the Revolution had gained. The price it had cost was immense; and this church seem to have paid the full share; yet all was forgotten in the grateful sentiments which the dawn of liberty inspired. Their place of worship, long desecrated by the possession and vile use of the enemy, they yet venerated more than ever; because it was now nearly associated with the triumph of civil and religious freedom - with the complete establishment of those principles of entire toleration, the glory of this country, for which the Baptists had been the first to contend, and for which the founders of this very church had suffered. With gratitude and alacrity, therefore, becoming the momentous period, the scattered church assembled, on the restoration of peace; fitted up their building with a temporary pulpit seat, (for everything of the kind had been demolished by the British,) and agreed, April 14, 1783, to invite, though their trustees, the Rev. Mr. Hart's return. The letter was written by the Rev. Richard Furman, who was then in town on a visit. In reply, June 26, 1783, Mr. Hart declined the invitation; and assigns, as his reasons, the providential direction he had received to Hopewell, New Jersey - the strength of mutual attachments - the pleasing prospects of the church he served - his own better health - his opinion that a younger and more active man was necessary for them - and his comparative want of success during the latter part of his residence in Charleston. He advises that, until temporals can be arranged for the comfortable support of a pastor, they should content themselves with such occasional supplies as could be obtained from their own and other denominations. Although this advice did not seem to meet the views of the church, they were yet unable to procure a pastor for several years.
REV. R. FURMAN CALLED The number of trustees was increased, March 8, 1784; and at the same time they resolved to call Rev. Mr. Richard Furman to the pastoral charge. His engagements with the church at the High Hille at Santee, at this period, formed impediments to his removal, he could not surmount. The church therefore renewed their call to Mr. Hart. This second invitation threw him into a distressing perplexity, from which he scarcely knew how to escape. After a little delay, however, he recommended them to invite Mr. Furman, and promised that, if they failed in that attempt, he would either come himself, or send them one better qualified. The church feeling scarcely at liberty to make a second application to Mr. Furman, Mr. Hart writes, August 2, 1785, to urge them to do it, suggests some means they should take in order to obtain his consent; speaks of him as "a prize of inestimable worth," which they should by no means lose; and concludes by exhorting them all to pray earnestly for the object, to engage also the prayers of other Christians; and adds, "if he comes in answer to prayer, he will come with a blessing." He wrote, at the same time, to Mr. Furman to urge his acceptance of their call. The church, it is believed, followed Mr. Hart's wise and pious counsel; and ultimately obtained their object.
SUPPLIES Meanwhile the church was occasionally supplied with preaching. Once in three months, some of the ministers from the country came down to administer ordinances; - and sometimes they would spend several weeks in town. Mr. Furman himself often came, and was greatly blessed in building up the church. The names also of Joshua Lewis, James Fowler, Joseph Redding, and of various others, were rendered dear to the church by these labors of love. Mr. Botsford's labors were frequently bestowed here, during this period; and his visits were greeted as the harbingers of Christian strength and consolation. At one time, when he had spent two months in town, he writes, March 30, 1785; "There is a pretty work begun. We go from house to house, and, bless God, sweet times we have: several are under serious impressions; crowds attend the public meetings, and in the private meetings I have introduced praying for those poor distressed souls who ask."
METHODIST CHURCH About this time, also, the Methodist brethren obtained their first establishment in Charleston. The place of worship they occupied for some time was the old Baptist meeting house, then left vacant, of which they had the gratuitous use, and which stood nearly on the spot where we are now sitting. Their preaching also excited attention, and a period of unusual seriousness ensued.
VALUABLE ADDITIONS The Baptist church received many valuable additions; among which was Col. Thomas Screven, great grandson of the first pastor, and son-in-law to Mr. Hart; and who was the active, useful friend, Treasurer and Deacon of the church for many years. Two young ministers also were now brought into the church, the Rev. Peter Bainbridge and the Rev. Charles O. Screven, late pastor of the Baptist church in Sunbury, Georgia. These were baptized nearly about the same time, in the latter part of 1785 or the beginning of 1786. Mr. Bainbridge was twenty-two years of age. Mr. Screven was but a lad. The former gave encouraging promise of usefulness and distinction, and held a respectable standing for a few years; but ended not so well. He removed in to Mary1and. The 1atter grew up like Samuel, in the house and at the altar of God, - was its faithfu1and honest minister for many years, and lately c1osed a life of usefu1ness, in a temper ripe for glory.
EDIFICE ENLARGED During this period, the trustees engaged with zeal and energy in the repairs and enlargement of the meeting house. since the peace, they had borne a principle part of the expenses of the church themselves; but now a general effort became necessary. The prospects of the congregation were such as to render more room desirable. To effect this, the front part of the building was extended several feet towards the street; three galleries were erected and vestry rooms prepared; a baptistery was built, (for, before that, the ordinance was administered in a font situated in our present church yard,) a new pulpit was erected, and the situation of it changed, from what had been the end of the house, to what became the end after the alterations. Subscription papers were drawn, and circulated, in 1785 and 6, among the community at large, who felt a great sympathy for them on account of their known distresses during the Revolution. The sums obtained by these means, amounted to $2,341.48. To this the congregation added all their own funds; - but were still left in debt. And the debt was not finally discharged, until the pew system went into operation. They then by common agreement laid an assessment on the pews equal to half the rent, and no one was considered the holder of a pew until the assessment was paid. The sum thus obtained, together with the avails of subscriptions promoted chiefly by Mr. John Hart, son of the minister and a member of the church, in 1788, and 90, freed the congregation from debt.
The church meanwhile had taken measures, according to Mr. Hart's advise, to obtain a pastor; and sent a, renewed and urgent call to Mr. Furman. With a deliberation and conscientiousness which ever characterized all his movements, he took the subject into serious consideration. The claims of duty seemed strong in favor of his acceptance. To obtain a proper supply for the church of which he was the pastor, at the High Hills of Santee, was a principal difficulty: and as Mr. Bainbridge was now a licentiate of promise in the Charleston church, Mr. Furman wrote to town as follows: "I remain in great perplexity about removing to Charleston, and for that reason should be glad if Mr. Bainbridge could come to the Hills as soon as possible; as I think it might be a means of opening the way of duty, both to him and myself." Finally, however, the difficulty was surmounted by the clear convictions of duty in his own mind, and he accepted the call. His pastoral relation was reckoned to commence, in effect, from the 18th of October, 1787; although he did not remove his particular membership; nor his residence, to town, until after the meeting of the Association in November of that year.
=============== [From American Baptist Memorial, Basil Manly, editor, 1856, pp.293-297. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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