|
|
Mill Creek Church (1878-?)
Primitive Christian & Pilgrim June 25, 1878 p 396 vol. II No. 25 From North Carolina. Dear Christian: I left East Tennessee two years and a-half ago and traveled over part of North and South Carolina, and finally settled down in Polk Co., N. Carolina. I began to talk t3 the people about the Brethren's faith and practice, but it was strange to them. They never heard of such a people before. Trine immersion was new to them. They had never thought of it and several other things, such as the Holy Kiss and taking Oath and non-resistance, &c. I got them to reading the Bible and I kept talking to them, and some of them told me they believed the Brethren were right and they wanted to hear some of them preach. So I wrote to Bro. P. W. Dove, of Tennessee and I was made glad to meet him and A. J. Vines, on the 20th of April, 1878.— The brethren stayed with us until the 29th and preached thirteen sermons. They preached the Word with power and the result of the meeting was seven souls were added to the fold of Christ. My wife and six of my neighbors and some others were nearly persuaded. They are counting the cost. The brethren organized us and our little body consisted of eight members. They thought it best to elect officers, so we cast our lots for a speaker, and the lot fell on your humble writer. The lot for deacon fell on W. H. Cantrell. The time came that we had to part with the brethren we loved so dearly, but we have a hope if we meet no more on earth we will meet in heaven, where there will be no parting, no more sorrow nor pain, nor death, but where all is love, and joy and praise. Dear brethren and sisters, let us all work for Jesus, and obey all his commands and precepts. The world may laugh and point the finger of scorn, for Christ says all they that would live Godly shall suffer persecution. Though we have troubles in this world we should bear them patiently, for Christ has suffered for you and I, giving us an example that we should follow his footsteps, and we have the promise that if we hold out faithful until death, we shall have a home in heaven—a house not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens. Let none of us be drones, but workers in Christ's vineyard, for the harvest is great but the laborers are few, and as soldiers of the Cross it is our duty to hold out faithful until death. There is much required at our hands, and we should be up and doing; while it is called to-day, for the night cometh when no man can work. I will close, hoping all the brethren will pray for us, that we may have a home in heaven with all God's children. Yours, fraternally, Geo. A. Beanscom. White Oak Hall, Polk Co., N. C.
The Gospel Messenger Feb. 16, 1901 page 109 Vol. 39 No. 7 Mill Creek. – This leaves us in the beginning of a series of meetings to be conducted by Bro. A. J. Vincs, of Jonesboro, Tenn. Brethren Vincs and F. W. Dove held the first series of meetings ever conducted by our Brethren in this county (more than twenty years ago) which immediately resulted in the organization of the Mill Creek church, electing Bro. Geo. A. Branscom to the ministry, who has been a faithful shepherd of the flock until the present day. - Samuel P. Jones, Melvin Hill, N. C. Feb. 4.
The Gospel Messenger August 18, 1906 page 524 Vol. 45 No. 33 Mill Creek church met in council Aug. 4. One important item was the dividing of the church into three congregations. In accordance to appointment, the members of Melvin Hill, N. C, met Aug. 8, and were organized into a separate congregation. The new congregation at Melvin Hill starts with fifty-five members, seven deacons and one minister, one elder and other officers. Also the members of the Brooklyn, S. C, community or district met Aug. 9, and were organized into a separate congregation and will be known as Brooklyn church, S. G. It is the first and only church in the State of South Carolina. A part of the membership is in North Carolina. The church starts out with forty-eight members, five deacons and an elder.—Geo. A. Branscorn, Melvin Hill, N. C, Aug. 10. |