S*0894 Concurrent Resolution, By Wilson, Courson, Giese, Jackson, Lander, 
Patterson, Ryberg, Setzler and M.B. Williams
 A Concurrent Resolution congratulating the First Presbyterian Church
 (Associate Reformed Synod) of Columbia, South Carolina, on the occasion of its
 two hundredth anniversary, June 4, 1995.

   05/31/95  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-66
   05/31/95  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-108

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

CONGRATULATING THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (ASSOCIATE REFORMED SYNOD) OF COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THE OCCASION OF ITS TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY, JUNE 4, 1995.

Whereas, the First Presbyterian Church (Associate Reformed Synod) of Columbia, South Carolina, will celebrate its two hundredth anniversary on June 4, 1995; and

Whereas, the First Presbyterian Church, which is often called "First Church", was in fact the very first church organized in the new city of Columbia; and

Whereas, its first pastor was the Reverend David Ellison Dunlap, who, though only twenty-three years of age at the time, was ordained to the Gospel ministry and installed as pastor of the new church at a meeting of Presbytery held in the State House on June 4, 1795; and

Whereas, the admonition given at that meeting of Presbytery that "It is greatly contrary to the interest of a young town to be growing up without the Sabbath Day's observation", has provided the basis for the growth of not only the First Presbyterian Church but also all the other churches throughout the city; and

Whereas, the elders and pastors of the First Presbyterian Church have always been in the forefront of the leadership of their denomination; and

Whereas, the members as well as the leaders of the church have often been stalwarts in the effort to maintain the doctrinal purity of the Presbyterian denominations and the Christian faith; and

Whereas, the First Presbyterian Church has played a key role in the history of the development of the City of Columbia, the State of South Carolina, and the Southern region of the United States through the pastors who have served its members, particularly James Henley Thornwell and Benjamin Morgan Palmer in the crisis years before and during the War Between the States, Samuel Macon Smith at the beginning of this century, James Wyly Jackson for twenty-five years before, during, and after the Second World War, as well as those who have followed; and

Whereas, the First Presbyterian Church remains today a beacon of faith and loyalty to Almighty God, not only as an inspiring spiritual landmark in the City of Columbia but also as a vibrant, caring congregation which seeks to carry out The Great Commission both in making Columbia a "City Known for God" and abroad through its sister relationship with the Vinnitsa Church in the Ukraine and the denominational missionary opportunities in Pakistan and Mexico; and

Whereas, the burial ground which became the Churchyard of the First Presbyterian Church has become a hallowed repository of the remains of Christian leaders in the City's and State's business, political, and cultural communities; and

Whereas, the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina, leads even today as the largest Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States of America; and

Whereas, the membership and staff of this dedicated congregation are acutely aware that there is no glory in its history or prominence or greatness as man measures such things, but as Benjamin Palmer said in his dedication of the current church building in 1853, "Let its glory be found in the purity, soundness, and unction of its pastors; in the fidelity and watchfulness of its elders; in the piety and godliness of its members. Let its glory be as a birthplace of souls, where shall always be heard the sobs of awakened penitence and the songs of newborn love. Let its glory be the spirituality of its worship, its fervent prayers, its adoring praise, and the simplicity and truth of its ordinances and sacraments. Let its glory be the communion of saints, who here have fellowship one with another and also with the Father and his son, Jesus Christ. Let its glory be as the resting place of weary pilgrims toiling on toward the heavenly city--the emblem of that Church above--where congregations ne'er break up, and Sabbaths never end"; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are greatly pleased to have the opportunity to recognize this outstanding congregation on this auspicious occasion. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognizes and congratulates the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina, for the inspiration of its past and the hope of an even brighter future on the two hundredth anniversary of its founding, June 4, 1995.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the pastor and members of Columbia's First Presbyterian Church.