ASSOCIATE REFORMED SYNOD OF THE SOUTH.

THE annual proceedings of this body will appear as usual. They have been omitted for a few years.

In Memoriam.

"PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS.' Psalm cxvi. 15.

PRESSLY, REV. JOHN S.-The son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Thompson) Pressly, was born in Abbeville District, South Carolina, in 1794. His mother died when he was four years of age, and he was raised in his uncle David Pressly's family, who was an eminently conscientious and godly man, and who was strict in the religious training of those who were members of his family. His means of acquiring the rudiments of literary education were very limited. Until the years of manhood he had not enjoyed very fully the advantages of the common school. Nor does it appear that at this period of life he indulged any hope of gaining a liberal education. About the year 1812 he accompanied his brother and family to the State of Ohio, and remained in the Northwestern States during three years. Among the incidents of this period may be noted the fact of his serving in the capacity of a volunteer in the United States army in the war with the Indians. In this service he endured the severe cold of a winter campaign in the latitude of Lake Erie. At the end of six months, the object of the campaign_being gained, he was discharged, and soon after found employment in teaching a school in the State of Illinois, in the region then known as the "American Bottom." Shortly after this time an incident occurred that exhibits the strong desire which he felt for the acquisition of knowledge, and gives him a prominent position in the ranks of the self-educated. Not satisfied with present attainments, he availed himself of the privileges of a good school in Preble county, Ohio, and met the expenses by splitting fence-rails during the time that could be spared from study, mornings and evenings. Befere the close of the year 1815 he was again engaged in teaching a school in his native district, South Carolina, near to his uncle's residence on Rocky River, and so far as appears, notwithstanding his singular energy of character, did not at this period aspire to anything higher than to render himself useful in the capacity of an elementary English school-teacher. He was prostrated on a bed of suffering with a painful illness, during the violence of which he received the medical services of Dr. Joseph Gilbert. On his recovery the doctor, who had suggested to him the desirableness of a classical education, proposed to lessen the difficulty growing out of a scarcity of funds by furnishing him with his own books. Thus encouraged, he at once

made preparation to embark in the career that engaged his attention during the greater part of a long and useful life. Accepting the doctor's kind offer, he entered as a student in Church Hill Academy on the 19th of June, 1816, where he prosecuted his studies until Aug. 19, 1819. The academy was conducted by Rev. James Gambel, assisted by James Sloss, a student of theology. In October of 1819 he entered as a student in South Carolina College. His college course extended through a period of two years, which, however, was not marked by any incident worthy of special notice.

In 1822 his career of classical teacher began. And it is due to his memory to affirm that in this field of usefulness, in which he labored at intervals during the balance of his life, he attained an enviable reputation. His first charge was Union Academy, in the southern part of Abbeville District, S. C. He continued here for two years. Among his pupils in this school were the late Rev. E. E. Pressly, D.D., Rev. J. P. Pressly, D.D., Hon. T. C. Perrin and J. A. Calhoun, Esq. The subsequent two or three years were devoted to schools at Cambridge and Beaver Dam-the latter in Laurens District. About 1828 he was called to the charge of a high school in the section where he began his classical studies, and which in memory of the former he called "Church Hill Academy." Among the students of this school were the late Rev. Robert McMullen, D.D., Rev. A. P. McMullen, S. McMullen, M.D., the late Rev. J. L. Young, the late Rev. N. Haslet and James and J. M. Giles, Esqs. Soon after this his labors as classical teacher were interrupted for a time by a call to a new sphere of duties. For one or two terms he was elected to a seat in the State Legislature of South Carolina by the people of Abbeville District. As a member of the Legislature he established for himself an enviable reputation for punctuality and strict attention to business. His connection with the Legislature, however, involved him in the heated discussions on the subject of State rights which agitated and divided the country for several years immediately subsequently to 1832. In the spirited contests of these times he was called to co-operate with some of the leading men of the district, and also to oppose in discussions such men as Hon. D. L. Wardlaw, Hon. J. N. Whitner and Hon. George McDuffie. These facts, connected with his short political career, evince that the same perseverance and energy that elevated him to a high place among accurate linguists, were not fruitless when directed to the discussion of constitutional questions. On the happy subsidence of the agitations of this period Mr. Pressly returned to his private calling.

The founding of a high school at Due West, S. C., by the Associate Reformed Synod of the South, of which he was invited to take charge in 1835, opened a new and inviting field. The school under his control and instruction attained deserved favor, and continued to increase in the number of pupils until the fall of 1839, when he resigned his connection with it. At this date the institution assumed the college form, and many of the early graduates of Erskine College can testify to the ability and success of his labors during his connection with it as principal.

Now released from all engagements connected with teaching, he availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded of making preparation for the office of the gospel ministry. He proceeded to Oxford, Ohio, where he spent one session in the seminary of the Associate Reformed Church, enjoying the instructions of the late James C. Claybaugh, D.D. On his returning in the fall of 1840 he was licensed by the Second Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Church, South. After attending during the ensuing session in the Associate Reformed Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Pa., he was employed until the autumn of 1842 in visiting as a missionary destitute churches in the

bounds of Synod. In October of that year he was settled as pastor of Bethel Church, in Burke county, and Ebenezer, in Jefferson county, Ga. For a period of five years he continued his labors in this field with zeal and punctuality. The amount of public speaking performed by him in meeting the duties of his position induced a bronchial attack of so formidable a character that he yielded to advice and for a time discontinued public speaking entirely. As he indulged but little hope of being again able to engage in regular public speaking, in November of 1847 he resigned his pastoral charge. His fears, however, in this matter were not fully realized.

He never again assumed the pastoral office, yet during the remainder of his life he continued occasionally to preach, and at times his preaching was frequent. A portion of the year 1848 was devoted to missionary labors in north Georgia. These labors were again suspended by a return of alarming symptoms of bronchitis. And to render himself useful in the midst of these discouragements he resumed his old profession. The years 1849-50 he passed in teaching in Newton county, Ga., and Anderson C. H., S. C., and preaching occasionally as opportunity offered. But owing to sudden attacks of hoarseness he found himself at times unable to meet his appointments. This so annoyed him that he again concluded to retire from the pulpit. In this state of mind he turned to. Generostee, the scene of his youthful associations, as a quiet retreat for the evening of life. Having erected a neat cottage near to the church, in the fall of 1851, he found himself in the possession of a pleasant home. In this he spent his remaining days, with the exception that the year 1860 was spent in charge of the military school at Anderson C. H.

With only a few days' sickness he expired on the first day of June, 1863. He married in 1842 Miss Martha Jane Strong, a daughter of the late Rev. Charles Strong, who survives him.

As a man he was sociable and agreeable. He was fond of company when it did not conflict with his duties. His information and general attainments rendered his conversation not only agreeable but instructive. In the social circle he was free in his intercourse and easy in his manners. His scrupu lous regard for truth, however, restrained him from light conversation and jesting. As a friend he was constant. His extensive intercourse with society in the different spheres in which it was his lot to move constantly enlarged the circle of his friends. As a Christian he was devoted. It seemed to be his constant care to be good and do good. He was ready to meet opposition or reproach, if need be, for the doctrines of the gospel. He was anxious not only to gain for himself the pearl of great price, but by becoming Christian influence to lead others also to glorify our Father in heaven. As a teacher he took a high stand. He was regarded a strict disciplinarian. His rule of government, however, was not regarded over strict by students who desired to make attainments in learning and a profitable use of time, though perhaps they were galling to the idle and vicious. He was untiring in his efforts to impart a critical knowledge of the first principles of the languages, and insisted on an intimate acquaintance with the grammar. The principles taught in it he was careful to explain and apply in the reading and construction of the languages. It may affirmed that as a teacher of the Latin and Greek languages he had few superiors. As a preacher his character was distinctly marked. In the pulpit he was earnest and dignified, and in the presentation of truth clear and pointed. He was a hearty supporter of the doctrines of the Westminster Confession of Faith, and was ever ready to advocate them openly on every suitable occasion. His hearty assent to these doctrines and form of government and directory for worship, adopted by the

Associate Reformed Church, did not so distinctly mark his character as his opposition to any compromise of these for usages which he regarded less scriptural. It would be an act of injustice to his memory, however, to present him as wanting in brotherly feelings toward other denominations. Few ministers were more ready to recognize the image of the Divine Master in his devoted followers of whatever denomination. Yet so strong was his love of candor that he insisted on a distinct avowal of differences of faith whenever such did exist. He did not cherish the spirit of persecution. He had no disposition to constrain the faith of others. But if diversity of sentiment there were in fact, he insisted on its candid avowal.

AGNEW, S. A., Gunstown, Miss.
BEAMER, A. B., Union, Va.
Betts, C. B., Winnsboro', S. C.
Bonner, J. J., Due West, S. C.
Bonner, T. J., Fairfield, Texas.
Boyce, E. E., New Centre, S. C.
Boyce, D.D., J., Youngsville, S. C.
Boyce, J. K., Covington, Tenn.
Boyd, J. C., Frog Level, S. C.
Brice, R. W., Chester, S. C.
Bryson, D.D., H., Fayetteville, Tenn.
Burrowes, James
CALDERHEAD, E. B.

Castles, J. K., Hickory Grove, S. C.
Chalmers, J. C., Charlotte, N. C.
DAVIS, S. P., Rocky Plain, Ga.
GALLOWAY, J., Due West, S. C.
Gordon, G., Louisville, Ky.
Gordon, D.D., N. M., Keene, Ky.
Grier, D.D., R. C., Due West, S. C.
Grier, R. L., Troy, Tenn.
Grier, W. M., Allenton, Ala.

Alabama....
Arkansas.....

Georgia.....

Illinois.........

51

HADDON, D. F., Scuffletown, S. C.
Hemphill, J. L., Due West, S. C.
Hemphill, W. R., Due West, S. C.
Hunter, John, Charlotte, N. C.
JACKSON, W.C.

LATHAN, R., Yorkville, S. C.
Lee, Thomas, Crawfordsville, Ind.
Lowry, J. A. S., Forts, Ala.
MILLER, JOHN, Camden, Ala.
Miller, J. G., Auburn, Mo.
Moffatt, W. S., Troy, Tenn.
Murphy, H. L., Sulph. Wells, Tenn.
Myers, J. A., Clarksburg, Ind.
McDaniel, J. L., Cotton Plant, Miss.
McDonald, L., Lewisville, S. C.
McElwee, W. M., Lexington, Va.
McElroy, John M., Cross Keys, Ga.
McLaughlin, J. G., Querys, N. C.
OATS, M., Russellville, Ark.
PATRICK, JOHN, Rusellville, Ark.
Patton, E. L., Long Cane, S. C.
Peoples, J. H., Columbia, Tenn.

Phillips, D. G., Louisville, Ga.
Pressly, David, Starkville, Miss.
Pressly, J. E., Mill Hill, N. C.
Pressly, D.D., J. P., Due West, S. C
Pressly, W. B., New Stirling, N. C.
Pressly, W. L., Moffattsville, S. C.
RANSON, A., Cowan's Ford, N. C.
Robinson, D. P., Craigsville, S. C.
Robinson, H.H., Cotton Plant, Miss.
Ross, R. A., Blairsville, S. C.
SIMPSON, J. H., Chester, 8. C.
Sloane, A. S., Fayetteville, Tenn.
Sloane, H. T., Frazierville, S. C.
Spence, W. W., Claiborne, Ala.
Strong, J. H., Portersville, Tenn.
THOMAS, A., Savannah, Ohio.
Thompson, D.D., H., Timb. Ridge, Va
Turner, Thomas, Carmi, Ill.
WEED, J. P., Troy, Tenn.
Wilson, John, Monticello, Ark.
YOUNG, J. N., Due West, S. C.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES met according to appointment in the First Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, Nov. 15, 1866. GEORGE HOWE, D.D., the retiring Moderator, opened the session with a discourse from Zechariah iv. 6, 7, 10:

"This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerrubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth."

The Permanent Clerk reported the following commissioners as members of the