Written by W.R. Clack–1913<\/p>\n
This being the 38th anniversary of the organization of the Baptist church at Old Friendship, Rhea County, Tennessee. The church held a short memorial
\nservice at twelve M. on the third Saturday in November 1913. Rev. P. R. Brown of Kingston, Tennessee, delivered an address which was both interesting and instructive. Following the address a brief history of the church from 1875 to 1913, was read.<\/p>\n
Prepared by W. R. Clack, Historian, as follows:<\/p>\n
To our Pastor and the members of the Old Friendship church greetings. Dear
\nBrethern and Sisters–let us turn back in our minds today for a few moments,
\nand briefly sketch or review some of the incidents connected with the
\norganization of the Old Friendship church. In the year 1875, there was no
\norganized church in this valley, and no regular divine service kept up.
\nTherefore a few old veterans in the service of Christ, feeling impressed with
\nduty, and realizing the necessity and great importance of organizing a church
\nhere, entered into a compact, to establish an “altar of prayer” and
\nerect a house to be dedicated to the service of God. Eighteen brethren and
\nsisters, as follows, to-wit;<\/p>\n
Micajah Clack,\u00a0 Margarette Clack, Jas. Johnson, F. M. Clack, Amy Johnson, Mary V. Clack, Susan M. Hurst, W. R. Clack, Sabria C. Clack, C. Stephen Breeding, W. S. Wyrick, C.
\nWyrick, Feebie Wyrick, Evan Breeding, Wm. Owens, Barbara Ann Owens, Lucinda
\nPinion and Martha Breeding.<\/p>\n
This list consisted of one minister, 4 deacons and 13 lay members who had procured letters of dismission from sundry churches and was constituted a church of Christ, at Breeding’s school house (now known as\u00a0 the Garrison schoolhouse) On the 4th Saturday in Nov., 1875, by a presbytery\u00a0 composed of the following ministers: J. B. McCallon, of Ten Mile, J. K.\u00a0 Chastin, of Fellowship, Asa Newport of Hinds Valley, and A. Haun of Yellow
\ncreek, Churches, upon the articles of faith and rules of decorum, set out in\u00a0 the church record. After which the church organized by electing Eld. James\u00a0 Johnson moderator and W. R. Clack, clerk.<\/p>\n
At this point they cast about for an appropriate name for the church and sister Margarette
\nClack, then 79 years old, suggested the name Old Friendship, which was
\nunanimously adopted. We were at the time dependent upon our good neighbors and
\nfriends for we had no place or house of our own for public worship and was also
\ndestitute of means to build, but we were neither dismayed nor discouraged. We
\nplaced our full strength into our plans, put our faith and trust in God and
\npushed ahead. Eld. James Johnson, W.R. Clack and Dr. W. M. Wilson were
\nappointed a committee to select a site for the church, and to raise the
\nnecessary means to build a house. They procured this beautiful site from Dr. W.
\nM. Wilson and his estimable wife. The means was soon raised to build a house
\nand the work on the building under the directions of Bro. Johnson and Clack was
\npushed to completion in August, 1876, at which time the first divine service
\nwas held in this house. Elder Asa Newport conducted the services. Since then a
\nregular monthly service has been kept up here by this church and the Lord has
\ngraciously blessed our efforts in bringing many precious souls to Christ. Elder
\nJames Johnson served continuously as pastor of this church for nineteen years
\n(and four) months, or until his demise, which occurred on the 29th of March,
\n1895. During his pastoral care of this church 43 other names were added to the
\nchurch roll. Elder J. S. McCallon was then called to the pastorate of this
\nchurch and served for nine years and three months. Elder J. R. Smith served as
\npastor for four years. Elders S. A. Waller and William White served as pastor
\nfor nearly two years each. W. R. Clack has served continuously as clerk since
\nthe organization of the church. Elder James Johnson, W. R. Clack, Dr. W. M.
\nWilson, Arch McCaleb and Spencer G. Clack were selected trustees. A. C. Ewing
\nand J. D. Gillian were selected to fill vacancies occasioned by the death of
\nElders James Johnson and Arch McCaleb. W. R. Clack is the only one of the
\noriginal trustees of the church now living. Since the organization of the
\nchurch, including the 18 charter members, 101 names have been enrolled upon our
\nchurch record. 31 have been dismissed by letter. Withdrew fellowship from 4,
\nand 24 have died, leaving total membership at present 42. Of the original
\nmembers only two names (W. R. Clack and Sabria C.Clack) are now left upon the
\nchurch roll. Six were dismissed by letter and ten have died.<\/p>\n
“How peaceful and how powerful is the grave
\nWhich hushes all, a calm unstormy wave
\nWhich oversweeps the world.
\nNo one hears the door that opens
\nWhen they pass beyond recall.
\nSoft as loosened leaves of roses,
\nOne by one our loved ones fall.”<\/p>\n
Twenty-four members of this church have died since the organization in 1875. Their names\u00a0 and dates of death are as follows:<\/p>\n
The above 10 were in the organization of the church. The following 14 joined since:<\/p>\n
The battle day\u00a0 of these old veterans in the cause of Christ is past, their life’s work is
\nended, but their works will follow them. We mourn the loss of all these dear
\nbrethren and sisters in Christ who have passed beyond our mortal touch and
\nvision, but we feel and realize that our loss is their gain, so let us banish
\nsorrow from our minds today–and rather rejoice that our names are written in
\nthe “Lamb’s Book of Life.” By and by we hope to meet our loved ones
\non the eternal shore beneath the wide expanded Bowers of the Tree of Life,
\nrobed and crowned for the society of heaven.<\/p>\n
The services\u00a0 were closed by the congregation standing and singing the verses of “In (Copied from the original printing by Edna Clack <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Written by W.R. Clack–1913 This being the 38th anniversary of the organization of the Baptist church at Old Friendship, Rhea County, Tennessee. The church held a short memorial service at twelve M. on the third Saturday in November 1913. Rev. … Continue reading
\nthe Sweet Bye and Bye”<\/em> led by Bro. Jonas Duckworth of Meigs county.
\nBenediction by Rev. T. O. Dake of Meigs county.<\/p>\n
\nSachs, 1986)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n