#presbyterian church Georgia

[battleforgodstruth]

The American Mind in 1776 Pt 5/6 - Joe Morecraft Lecture on American History

The American Mind in 1776 Pt 5/6 – Joe Morecraft Lecture on American History Joe Morecraft is a preacher of the gospel (https://heritagepresbyterianchurch.com/) and a noted lecturer on contemporary political and historical trends in the United States. Joe was born in 1944 and is a native of Madison, West Virginia. Joe Morecraft earned a Bachelor degree in history from King College in Bristol,…

[todieforimages]

Sardis Presbyterian Church and Cemetery-Coosa, Georgia

Sardis Presbyterian Church congregation began in 1836. The cemetery was established at the same time. The earliest known burial is Rev. James Hervey McArver, who died in 1841. Built in 1855, the church was where the Sardis Brigade of the 6th Georgia Calvary was organized here on May 9th, 1861. The church remained open until 1979. It is still opened on special occasions. It was placed on the…

[lboogie1906]

Lucy Craft Laney (April 13, 1854 - October 23, 1923) educator, school founder, and civil rights activist was born in Macon, Georgia to free parents Louisa and David Laney. David Laney, a Presbyterian minister and skilled carpenter, had purchased his freedom approximately twenty years before her birth. He purchased Louisa’s freedom after they were married. She learned to read and write by the age of four, and by the time she was twelve, she was able to translate difficult passages in Latin, including Julius Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic War.

She joined Atlanta University’s first class, she graduated from the teacher’s training program. After teaching for ten years in Macon, Savannah, Milledgeville, and Augusta, she opened her school in the basement of Christ Presbyterian Church in Augusta in 1883. Originally intended only for girls, when several boys appeared, she accepted them as pupils as well. By the end of the second year, over 200 African American children were pupils at her school. Three years after the founding of the school, the state-licensed it as Haines Normal and Industrial Institute. The school was named after Francine E.H. Haines, a lifetime benefactor of the school who donated $10,000 to establish the institute. In the 1890s, the Haines Institute was the first school to offer a kindergarten class for African American children in Georgia. By 1912 it employed thirty-four teachers and had over nine hundred students enrolled. The most prominent graduate of Haines Institute was Frank Yerby, the noted author.

She helped to found the Augusta branch of the NAACP. She was active in the Interracial Commission, the National Association of Colored Women, and the Niagara Movement. She helped to integrate the community work of the YMCA and YWCA. She served as the director of the cultural center for Augusta’s African American community.

She was one of the first African Americans to have her portrait displayed in the Georgia state capital in Atlanta. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Today in Christian History

Today is Friday, January 6th, the 6th day of 2023. There are 359 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

786: Martyrdom of St. Abo in Tsibili, Georgia. A Muslim perfumer from Baghdad, he had become a Christian and attempted to strengthen Christians and win Muslims to Christ.

1088: Theophylact delivers a flattering address in Constantinople before Emperor Alexius that results in an unwelcome “promotion” to the position of archbishop of Ohrid, Bulgaria (now in Macedonia). Homesick, he will write obscure letters to distract his mind.

1374: Death of Andreas Corsini, Italian bishop of Fiesole. After a reckless youth, he converted and became a strict Carmelite, and was credited with being a prophet and miracle-worker. (Under the Florentine calendar his death is given in 1373.)

1422: Jan Ziska, blind Hussite general and master tactician, defeats Sigsimund of Bohemia at Nebovidy, one of many defeats he will inflict on Bohemia’s enemies.

1494: Columbus and his men celebrate the first mass in the Americas, on Isabelle Island, Haiti.

1628: Bribed by Roman Catholics, Turks in Constantinople seize a press that is preparing to print a small catechism written by Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Cyril Lukaris. Jesuits had already maneuvered to exile Lukaris for several months.

1771: First baptism takes place among the Moravian converts of the Saramaccas people, near where the Senthea River empties into the Surinam River. Chief Arabina, the mission’s first convert is baptized.

1772: Death of Samuel Johnson, a New England clergyman, educator, and philosopher. In 1724 he had opened the first Anglican church built in Connecticut, after which he had served as a missionary for the Anglican Church, and played an important role in setting the standards and curriculum for King’s College, New York, (later known as Columbia University).

1829: The Indiana State Legislature incorporates Hanover Academy, begun two years ealier with six students by Presbyterian minister John Finley Crowe. The school sits on land donated by Presbyterian Elder, Williamson Dunn, who becomes one of the trustees.

1835: Businessmen operating in China circulate a paper among themselves, calling for a “Morrison Education Society” to bring the gospel to China. The society is named for pioneer missionary Robert Morrison who had died a year earlier. They raise several thousand pounds to support the mission and offer the post of missionary to Samuel Robbins Brown.

The Swedish Mission Society is founded.

1844: Hermann Anandarao Kaundinya is baptized in Mangalore, India, with two other young Brahmans. He becomes a notable educator, pastor, and Bible translator in the Kanarese district.

1850: Conversion of Charles Spurgeon who will become one of the most notable pastors of all time. He had entered a little Methodist church because of cold and snow where a deacon told him to look to Christ. “I can never tell you how it was but I no sooner saw whom I was to believe than I also understood what it was to believe and I did believe in one moment.”

1852: Death in Paris, France, of Louis Braille, developer of the reading system of raised dots for the blind which bears his name. He is just forty-three years old.

1884: Death in Brno (in modern Czechoslovakia) of Gregor Mendel, a monk who through persistent experimentation had discovered the laws of genetics.

1894: Death of Theophan the Recluse, a Russian Orthodox author, priest, and bishop. He had written several works, among them a translation of the Philokalia, a famous collection of the church fathers. Typical of his sayings was, “Attention to that which transpires in the heart and proceeds from it—this is the chief activity of the proper Christian life.”

1902: Edith Warner, a Presbyterian missionary, sets out from Asaba, Nigeria, to become the first white woman to visit the East Niger.

1921: Death of Alexander Whyte, regarded as the finest preacher of the Free Church of Scotland. He had also served as professor of New Testament Literature at New College, Edinburgh, and wrote the popular Bible Characters.

1934: Peter Deyneka and four other men meet to form the Russian Gospel Association.

1948: Janani Luwum converts to Christianity in Uganda. He immediately asks his family to pray that he won’t backslide, but rather lead a godly life. Eventually he will become an archbishop and will be executed by the brutal dictator Idi Amin.

1973: Death in California of Pentecostal evangelist Tommy Hicks, allegedly of alcoholism. Nineteen years earlier he had packed stadiums in Argentina, winning thousands to follow Christ.

1986: Death in Grand Rapids, Michigan, of Elsie Rebekah Ahlwen. She had served as an evangelist among America’s Swedes and wrote the hymn “He the Pearly Gates Will Open.”

1992: Naimat Ahmer, a Christian educator and poet in Pakistan, is stabbed seventeen times in earshot of students by a Muslim who claims Ahmer has insulted Mohammad. Ahmer taught that Christ is the only way to salvation.

[spinstrackingsystem]

Independent Artist Christian Music Associationwinning singer, rapper, songwriter Ashante P.T. Stokes aka PTtheGospelSpitter started as a backing vocalist in R&B and Hip Hop and has gone on to become a rising gospel artist. Who Is PTtheGospelSpitter? Early releases like “Understanding God” and “God is Love” established his appeal to R&B and Gospel fans. His most recent radio single, “Kingdom” is PT’s first MediaBase Top 40 charting single. The pop charting also contributed to PT’s first CCM charting Top 20 with both Christian Voice Magazine and Cashbox. “Kingdom” peaked at #11 in USA Christian/Gospel iTunes sales over a 5 week chart run. His visual music praise/worship version of “Kingdom” won Best Music and Sound at the Experimental, Dance and Music Film Festival. His “Kingdom (Dance Therapy)” version debuted as #40 all genres, iTunes Top 100 and as of this writing has been top of the Christian and Gospel chart in several countries, most notably Turkey (14 weeks and counting on the chart) where it has peaked at #3 on Apple Music. It also charted on Spotify’s Local Pulse charts for NYC and Houston. South to the North PT is from Atlanta, Georgia where he was raised as a youth chanter at Wheat Street Baptist Church and playing hand bells at Hillside Presbyterian Church. His mother sang in the Gospel choir which traveled in the US and abroad often with PT in tow. Read the full article

[cannibalanimals]

Track List: Eugene McDaniels - A Love Letter to America SAULT - Scary Times Dead Prez - Walk Like a Warrior feat. Krayzie Bone Meshell Ndegeocello - Trouble* groundsound - Losing My Mind…Decolonial Beat Oyoubi - Laraaji DJ Manny & TCJ - The Lost Highway Fela Kuti - Colonial Mentality June Jordan, 1991 Gabe Nandez x Preservation - Dirge* Eugene McDaniels - Cherrystones Menahan Street Band - Make the Road by Walking Group Home - Up Against the Wall (Getaway Car Mix) Ice Cube - Bird in the Hand Toni Morrison - Interview with Jana Wendt for Toni Morrison: Uncensored, 1998 Living Colour - Cult of Personality Erykah Badu - Soldier Dr. Joy James - (New Bones) Abolition and Revolutionary Love @ First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, 2024 Camille Yarbrough - All Hid James Baldwin - Meeting The Man: James Baldwin in Paris, 1970 Darryn Jones - Revolution duendita - born with power Nick Holder - The Power Structure Stevie Wonder - It’s Wrong (Apartheid) Sticky Dub - Trample the Beast Black Rave Culture - If I Must Die* Staceyann Chin - Raise the Roof** Georgia Anne Muldrow - Blam Boukman Eksperyans - Imamou Lele Outkast - Liberation

[johnhardinsawyer]

Make it Shareable

John Sawyer

Bedford Presbyterian Church

11 / 3 / 24 – All-Saints Sunday[1]

Psalm 119:1-8

Mark 12:28-34

“Make it Shareable”

(Grace and Gratitude – Week 4)

This past week, we hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive at the church.  I was proud to see some of you here, donating blood that will be used in hospitals and other places of need.  Now, I know that there are some people who are unable to donate blood, and that’s completely understandable.  There’s no shame in it.  But if you can donate, I highly recommend it.  

When you go to give blood, there is this questionnaire that you take in which you answer questions like, “Have you been out of the country in the last three months?” and “Have you ever had a dura-mater brain-covering graft?”  Now, I am bald, but I’d like to think I’d remember whether or not I’ve ever had one of those.  

There are plenty of other questions on the questionnaire, but, it’s funny. . .  they don’t ask questions like, “Do you want your blood to go only to people who root for the New England Patriots or the Georgia Bulldogs or the Los Angeles Dodgers?” “Do you want your blood to only go to Presbyterians?” or “. . . to people who are left (or right)-handed?”  It’s kind of like, how in the hospital, if you’re on the receiving end of a life-saving blood donation, you don’t get to say that you want to only receive blood from a certain kind of person who has certain qualities.  You can’t put restrictions on who will receive your life-saving gift or who will give you a life-saving gift, if you need it.  Your gift just needs to be shared. . . and received. . . with no restrictions.

You know, there are plenty of restrictions in life – some that we put onto others (or, ourselves) and some that get put onto us.  There are portions of the Bible that are full of restrictions – plenty of “thou shalt not’s,” from “thou shalt not kill”[2]to “thou shalt not work on the Sabbath day,”[3] from “thou shalt not eat the rock badger”[4] to “thou shalt not clean mildew off of one’s dwelling without calling a priest to come bless your clean dwelling.”[5]  By the way – twenty years as an ordained minister, and I’ve never been called upon to bless a mildew-free bathroom.

All-in-all, the Hebrew Bible contains some 613 laws.  Some of these laws are fairly easy of us to understand.  Others, not so much, all these years later.  At the time in which they were written down, though, these laws sought to promote faithfulness to God and the health and well-being of the community.  All these centuries later, there are still many of our Jewish relatives in faith who study these ancient laws and apply them to life, here, in the present day.  But even they acknowledge that sometimes, you just need to simplify some things.

In today’s reading from the Gospel of Mark, we find two experts in the law – one of the scribes in Jerusalem and Jesus – both simplifying and intensifying the law as it stood at the time.  

You might remember that last week, we heard the story of what happened when Jesus was passing through Jericho on the way to Jerusalem.  By this time in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus and his disciples have arrived in Jerusalem.  

It is a tense time in the life of the nation.  Not only are they living under occupation by a foreign empire – the Romans – but there are so many differing political and religious views.  People are worried about the future of the nation, and the future of religion, and so many other things.  And now, this Jesus fellow comes to town and causes a stir at the Temple and calls the political and religious leadership into question.  

So people want to know what Jesus – this teacher and healer from the small town of Nazareth –thinks about all sorts of things.  They start by asking him about whether people – especially religious people – should pay taxes to Rome or not.  There is no religious law against participation in civic life,[6] but I’m sure people have some questions in terms of faithful guidelines for this participation.  And so, Jesus says, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s and give to God the things that belong to God.” (Mark 12:17)  Next, they ask Jesus about the resurrection, trying to trap Jesus into saying something wrong or blasphemous about what supposedly happens after someone dies.  Jesus responds, saying something like, “Our God is God of the living, not the dead.” (12:27)  In other words, “Love and serve God right now – while you’re alive – and God will sort out whatever happens afterwards.”

And in today’s reading, we have a scribe – a teacher in the law – asking Jesus, “Out of all of the 613, which is the most important?”  Now remember, the original intent behind all of the commandments was to promote faithfulness to God and seek the well-being – the wholeness – of the community.  So Jesus – who clearly knows his Bible – pulls not from the traditional 10 Commandments in the Book of Exodus, or the lengthy lists of laws that follow, but from two brief passages in Deuteronomy and Leviticus.  From Deuteronomy 6:  “You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”  (Deuteronomy 6:5). Jesus adapts these words, slightly, saying, “with all your mind, and strength” but essentially, we have a commandment that is all about faithfulness to God – loving God with all that we are and all that we have.  And from Leviticus 19:  “. . . you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)[7]  Here, Jesus is saying that the well-being of the community – the wholeness of our relationships with others – is to be based on the way that we love one another.  

In today’s reading, the scribe who asks Jesus about the most important commandment quickly agrees that Jesus has spoken rightly.  They basically take all 613 and condense them down – sum them up – into two:  Love God.  Love your neighbor.  Faithfulness to God.  Wholeness of community. 

It is important to note that these two laws about love are not “proscriptive” – telling us what we should not do. . . restricting our behavior.  Instead, these commandments are “prescriptive,” because they describe a way of life that is expected of us by God.  These commandments seek to establish a way of life for us.  They set us free to love God and neighbor in ways that honor and respect and humbly serve God and neighbor.  In the Letter to the Galatians, when Paul describes what this might look like, he lists what he calls the “Fruit of the Spirit”:  “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  And then he writes, “There is no law against such things.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

In Jesus Christ, we can see, clearly, that God loves us with an everlasting love.  There is no law against this love.  God shares this love with us again and again as grace upon grace upon grace – a life-changing, life-saving gift.  When we come to the Lord’s Supper, Jesus reminds us – again and again – that he is giving himself to us, in love, and that in and through his love, we are mysteriously made one with God and one another and are strengthened – physically and spiritually – to love God and neighbor with all that we are and all that we have.  

There are no restrictions on the love that God shares with us – but we do experience this love best when we receive it, through faith, and freely share it.  God’s love is imminently and infinitely shareable in and through the gifts we offer to God and neighbor.  And just as God places no restrictions on the love that God has for us, we would be wise to follow that example.  

Now I know that loving God and loving neighbor are not easy things, especially when God seems so big and mysterious and holy and especially when our neighbors are hard to love, but I would encourage you (and encourage myself) to not hold back, just the same.  What if we started small – broke it down into bite-size pieces?  The author and pastor Wayne Muller writes,  

We only make one choice.  Throughout our lives, we do only one thing – again and again, moment by moment, year after year. . . The choice is this:  What is the next right thing for us to do?  Where, in this moment, shall we choose to place our time and attention?  Do we stay or move, speak or keep silent, attend to this person, that task, move in this or that direction?[8]  

To which I would ask, what if our choice – choosing the next right thing for us to do – is guided by love. . . Love of God and Love of neighbor?  Whether we are choosing how to spend our time, choosing what or to whom our attention should be focused, prayerfully choosing what to write on our estimate of giving card to the church, prayerfully stepping into the voting booth on Tuesday – how do our choices reflect our love for God and our love for our neighbor?  

Jesus chooses to share God’s love with us – body and blood, heart and soul.  No restrictions.    How do we reflect and share God’s love in ways that faithfully share that love with no restrictions?  In all that we do, in all that we choose, in all that we love, may we do so as humble followers of Jesus, living the law of love, seeking to be faithful, and giving all that we are and all that we have for the sake of the wholeness of our community, nation, and world. . . for the sake of the kingdom of God.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.   

---------

[1] Year B, Proper 26.

[2] See Exodus 20:13.

[3] See Exodus 20:8-11. 

[4] See Leviticus 11:5.

[5] See Leviticus 14:33-57.

[6] See Romans 13.

[7] Actually, the entire verse, here, is “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” 

[8] Wayne Muller.  A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough (New York: Harmony Books/Three Rivers Press/Random House, Inc., 2010) 27.

[logginspromotion]

Independent Artist Christian Music Associationwinning singer, rapper, songwriter Ashante P.T. Stokes aka PTtheGospelSpitter started as a backing vocalist in R&B and Hip Hop and has gone on to become a rising gospel artist. Who Is PTtheGospelSpitter? Early releases like "Understanding God" and "God is Love" established his appeal to R&B and Gospel fans. His most recent radio single, "Kingdom" is PT's first MediaBase Top 40 charting single. The pop charting also contributed to PT's first CCM charting Top 20 with both Christian Voice Magazine and Cashbox. "Kingdom" peaked at #11 in USA Christian/Gospel iTunes sales over a 5 week chart run. His visual music praise/worship version of "Kingdom" won Best Music and Sound at the Experimental, Dance and Music Film Festival. His "Kingdom (Dance Therapy)" version debuted as #40 all genres, iTunes Top 100 and as of this writing has been top of the Christian and Gospel chart in several countries, most notably Turkey (14 weeks and counting on the chart) where it has peaked at #3 on Apple Music. It also charted on Spotify's Local Pulse charts for NYC and Houston. South to the North PT is from Atlanta, Georgia where he was raised as a youth chanter at Wheat Street Baptist Church and playing hand bells at Hillside Presbyterian Church. His mother sang in the Gospel choir which traveled in the US and abroad often with PT in tow.

[atlantaartisticweddings]

Map of Historic Places of Worship and Wedding Venues in Atlanta

As an Atlanta wedding photographer I have always enjoyed visiting some of the great historic places of worship.  Some of the oldest and examples of grand Atlanta architecture are found in these historic churches and temples.  Let’s explore some of Atlanta’s greatest landmarks and wedding venues.

One of my favorites is Christ the King.  The parish was formed in 1936 during the great depression. Today it is thriving pillar of the community with 5,000 families.  When the  building was completed in 1939 it was officially declared by Architectural Record Magazine as “the most beautiful building in Atlanta”.  It is in the heart of Buckhead on Peachtree Street. You enter through the grand entrance in the front with a large staircase leading to double doors that are adorned with two tall spheres with a stained glass window at the top. It has tall stained glass windows down the sanctuary with a handmade organ in the back.   On the second floor under the sanctuary they have a huge Bridal room to handle any size bridal party.  Many people use this church for its beauty and central location to other Atlanta reception halls.  If you are getting married their wedding guild members are some of the most seasoned professionals in Atlanta doing sometimes hundreds of weddings a year.

Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception dates back to the 1840s, making it the oldest church in north Georgia and Atlanta's first Catholic church. Construction on the building at Central Avenue and MLK, Jr. Drive, just south of Underground Atlanta, commenced following the Civil War and finished in 1873. Heavily damaged in a fire in 1982, the building was reconstructed to the original design by W. H. Parkins. The details within the church are stunning. There is stained glass in the balcony surrounded by the magnificent pipe organ which gives your wedding a feeling of grandeur. The sanctuary has large arches that rise to the tall ceiling. The staff are so gracious! I have worked with Monsignor Henry Gracz on several weddings. He is so thoughtful and accommodating.

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral was started in 1905. The congregation first started meeting on the second floor of a sporting goods store. Its members then relocated to a Presbyterian Church and then a Jewish Temple until they raised enough funds to build their own facility on Clairmont Road. The church is based on the Byzantine style of architecture. There are two sanctuaries: a small intimate sanctuary located next to the business offices and a large sanctuary which you see from the road also connected to the reception area and kitchen, where they make all the goodies for the Greek Festival they have there every year. The larger sanctuary has a hand painted ceiling and walls with beautiful stained glass accents.

The Temple, established in 1860 to serve the needs of the German-Jewish immigrants, is the only non-Christian historic house of worship in Midtown. The neoclassical Temple was designed by noted Atlanta classicist Philip Trammell Shutze in 1931. While dramatically scaled back from the pre-Depression plans, the sanctuary takes cues from Venetian churches Shutze saw while studying in Rome. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, The Temple was a center for civil rights advocacy. Its civil rights role was one of the central themes in the movie Driving Miss Daisy.

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, founded in 1905 was the first sanctuary of the congregation located downtown. It started out as a mission congregation. The present location in Midtown, built of Tennessee quartzite and Indiana limestone, is a quasi-Gothic sanctuary featuring sleek lines and almost Art Deco massing that belies its 1952 completion. It is a beautiful church that is centrally located next to the Georgian Terrace, where your out of town guest can stay, and right across the street from the Fox Theatre, where you can hold your reception. It is a large church with many opportunities for wedding photos inside and out.

Historic Places of Worship in Atlanta

Ebenezer Baptist

The Temple

First United Methodist Church

Central Presbyterian Church

Cathedral of St. Philip

St. Luke's

The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Conception | Atlanta (catholicshrineatlanta.org)

Christ the King

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation 

[umangkumar919]

Discover Perry's Past: A Historical Walking Tour Through Georgia.

Nestled in the heart of Georgia, Perry boasts a rich tapestry of history waiting to be explored. From its humble beginnings as a railroad town to its pivotal role in the Civil War, Perry's past is as diverse as it is fascinating. Embark on a journey through time with a historical walking tour, where every step unveils a new chapter in Perry's story in Georgia.

The Origins:

Our journey begins in the historic downtown district, where the echoes of Perry's past can still be heard amidst the bustling streets. Founded in the 19th century as a vital stop along the Southwestern Railroad, Perry quickly flourished into a thriving community thanks to its strategic location and fertile land. Today, remnants of its railroad heritage can still be seen in the charming architecture and preserved landmarks scattered throughout the town.

Civil War Sites:

As we venture further, we encounter Perry's significant role in the Civil War. Visit the Old Perry Hotel, which served as a hospital during the conflict, offering a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by both soldiers and civilians alike. Nearby, the historic Perry Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to resilience, having weathered the storm of battle to remain a beacon of hope for generations to come.

Architectural Gems:

Perry's architectural landscape is a testament to its storied past, with each building bearing witness to a bygone era. From the grandeur of the Houston County Courthouse to the quaint charm of Victorian-era homes, every structure tells a tale of perseverance and progress. Take a leisurely stroll down Carroll Street, where a treasure trove of architectural delights awaits around every corner, offering a glimpse into Perry's vibrant past.

Cultural Heritage:

No visit to Perry would be complete without immersing oneself in its rich cultural heritage. Explore the Perry Area Historical Museum, where artifacts and exhibits chronicle the town's evolution from a humble railroad stop to a thriving community. Attend a performance at the historic Perry Players Community Theatre, where the arts have flourished for over half a century, bringing joy and entertainment to audiences of all ages.

Natural Wonders:

Beyond its historical and cultural attractions, Perry is also blessed with natural beauty that beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. Explore the scenic trails of the Flat Creek Nature Area, where lush forests and tranquil waterways offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Or, venture further afield to the nearby Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, where annual events celebrate the state's agricultural heritage in grand style.

Conclusion:

As our journey through Perry's past draws to a close, we are left with a newfound appreciation for this charming Southern town and the resilient spirit of its inhabitants. From its humble beginnings as a railroad outpost to its vibrant present as a thriving community, Perry's history is a testament to the enduring legacy of those who came before us. So lace up your walking shoes and prepare to be transported back in time on a historical walking tour of Perry, Georgia. The stories are waiting to be discovered, and the adventure awaits!

[battleforgodstruth]

Election Day Sermon 2012: Hope For the Future - Joe Morecraft III Sermon Isaiah 40

Joe Morecraft is a preacher of the gospel (https://heritagepresbyterianchurch.com/) and a noted lecturer on contemporary political and historical trends in the United States. Joe was born in 1944 and is a native of Madison, West Virginia. Joe Morecraft earned a Bachelor degree in history from King College in Bristol, Tennessee. In 1969, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia…

[whitepolaris]

The Curse of Jacksonboro

And whosever shall not receive you, nor heareth your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the Day of Judgment, than for that city.

These words, from the tenth chapter of Matthew, or similar ones were pronounced by a hunchbacked, long-haired, bearded traveling preacher as he crossed a bridge over Beaver Dam Creek. He took off his shoes and shook the dust from them, then walks away from Jacksonboro, a town organized in 1794 as the county seat of Screven County.

Details vary, but the tale is that Lorenzo Dow became upset after some rowdies pitched bricks through the windows of the Methodist church while he was delivering a fire-and-brimstone sermon. Lwter, when the evangelist followed the thugs into a tavern and destroyed a barrel of whiskey, the drunken ruffians pummeled him. Seaborn Goodall, businessman and Good Samaritan, intervened, took the preacher home, and attended to his injuries. Dow wisely decided to head out of town the following day, but as he passed the tavern, he was again accosted by ruffians. Dow left Jacksonboro in an apocalyptic fury, leaving behind his curse.

And what a curse it was. Every residence and public buildibng in town eventually burned, collapsed, succumbed to floods, or was torn down-with one exception. Seaborn Goodall's home survived. "It [Jacksonboro] gradually disappeared from the face of the earth," wrote local historian Dixon Hollingsworth, "and became one of the dead towns of Georgia."

It is a great story, but looking into Dow's life, there is some question as to whether it actually happened.

Dow was born in Coventry, Connecticut, on October 16, 1777. He received the call to the ministry at age eighteen, but finding scant enthusiasm from the Methodists within his state, he became a somewhat eccentric, wandering preacher. He was constantly on the road, rarely spending two days in the same place and often walking thirty-five miles a day. When, as infrequently happened, horses were given to him for his ministry, he rode them until he was forced to sell the mounts for food.

This minstrel of the Gospel soon acquired the name "Crazy Dow." Wherever he traveled, people teased and harassed him, and he was rarely welcomed by mainstream ministers. Dow's journal records numerous accounts of rude behavior and physical attacks and the usual rejection by Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Baptists, and even his own Methodists. He probably condemned many towns across the country, but still, in his treks he always found good Christians to take him in.

In 1820, Dow's wife of sixteen years died. After remarrying, he wrote more than preached, producing books and pamphlets in which railed against Catholicism, the Whig Party, and eventually Methodists for excessive "popery." In later life, Dow made a decent living selling a patent machine. He died in Washington, D.C., on February 2, 1834.

Did Dow actually leave a curse on Jacksonboro? His journals do not mention the town, though he certainly passed it on his treks through Georgia. And local accounts have him traveling through the town in 1821 or 1830, by which he was largely writing at home. The 1821 date is frequently given because there are no records of Seaborn Goodall owning a house in Jacksonboro before that time. On the positive side, an examination of county birth records shows that a number of children were named Dow following the 1821 episode.

"I think most people here believe that Lorenzo Dow put a curse on the town," said Hollingsworth. Dow "stirred up the people in towns where there was a devotion to carousing and drinking liquor. He condemned these kinds of people in a very personal way. The roughnecks of the town didn't like him."

During the 1970s, the Dell-Goodall House was restored by the Daughters of American Revolution, and it is open for tours on special occasions.

[todieforimages]

Mountville Presbyterian Church-Mountville, Georgia

[lboogie1906]

1st Lieutenant Dr. Lionel Hodge Newsom (November 11, 1919 - January 2, 1991) Educator, HBCU President, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity President was born in Wichita Falls, Texas to Lawson and Georgia (McCullough) Newsom. He enrolled at Lincoln University, Missouri where he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He graduated with an AB and earned an MA in Sociology from the University of Michigan. He enlisted in the Army as a private and served in China, Burma, and India before being honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. He helped to establish a wartime Alpha chapter, at Fort Benning, that at one point comprised 65 men.

He married Alpha Kappa Alpha member Jane Maxine Emerson (1946) and the couple had one daughter. He returned to Lincoln University where he taught History and Sociology. He taught at Southern University and Stowe Teachers’ College. He returned to Southern University and became head of the Sociology department. He received his Ph.D. in Social Pathology/Anthropology from Washington University.

He was associated with Alpha Phi Alpha and was a founding member of the Beta “Boule” (Chapter) of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He worked as an advisor, treasurer, chairman, and often the president of numerous additional Alpha chapters and Boules.

He became the Professor of Sociology and the Director of the Woodrow Wilson Scholarship Program at Morehouse College. He served as the seventh President of Barber-Scotia College and associate project director for the Southern Regional Education Board in Atlanta. He was President of Johnson C. Smith University and President of Central State University. The administrative building at Central State and the gym at Barber-Scotia College are both named in his honor.

He served as the Chairman of the Georgia Council of Human Relations and was the 22nd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (1965-68). He was a member of the board of the National Missions Presbyterian Church USA and a lot civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. He received the Alpha Phi Alpha Award of Merit. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #alphaphialpha #sigmapiphi

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Pastor Stuart B. Latimer, age 84, of Taylors, SC, went to his heavenly home on Thursday, September 7, 2023.

Stuart was born to George and Florence Latimer in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was active in Youth for Christ in Hamilton during his teenage years. He graduated Valedictorian from Saltfleet High School and decided to attend Bob Jones University. Stuart met his wife Charlotte Polk from Frostproof, FL at Bob Jones, and they were married in 1962. He went on to receive his Master in Biblical Studies and completed post-master’s studies at BJU while teaching at the university.

Stuart became a USA citizen in 1971. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1972 and helped found Peoples Bible Church in Greenville, where he pastored for 22 years and had significant ministries to Furman and Clemson students. Stuart and Charlotte hosted thousands of college students in their home for meals and discussions throughout their ministry. Stuart was a popular speaker at family conferences, youth retreats, college retreats, and pastoral conferences.

Stuart lost his knee to a shotgun blast from a robber on a mission trip to Trinidad in 1994, but one of his former Furman students was able to save his leg. For the rest of his life, he was known for his walking stick with a carved turtle at the top which he called a “great conversation starter” (as though he needed one of those!). He joined the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination where he pastored Devenger Road Presbyterian Church for 15 years. After retiring, he continued to preach at multiple churches in South Carolina and Georgia, including regular preaching at Living Hope Presbyterian Church in Greer, SC. During the last year of his life, Stuart and Charlotte were encouraged by the television ministry of First Presbyterian Church, Greenville and by the in-home ministry of the pastoral staff.

He was an honorary cheerleader at Shannon Forest Christian School in the 1980s where his children attended, and he was known for the bellowing cry “Go Shannon Forest!” He was a huge Clemson fan and proudly wore a bright orange jacket wherever he roamed. His love for his children’s school and university is only surpassed by his love for their children. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, talking to them, joking with them, grilling them, and other assorted adventures with Papa. Stuart and Charlotte loved traveling together during their retirement years, including two trips driving to Alaska, all the way to the Artic Circle.

Throughout his life, Stuart wrote “Letters of Encouragement” (and later emails) to waiters, store clerks, baristas, friends, visitors, relatives, strangers on the street—anyone he had the opportunity to meet, even briefly. God gave him the gift of encouragement and a warm smile which he used to influence many lives. He believed the Bible is God’s love letter to us and wanted everyone to know that they were “worth more than the whole world put together.”

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Charlotte; his daughter, Michelle, her husband Jay Case, their children Elena and Alexander; his son, Stuart Jr., his children, Grace Anne (Thomas) Henley, William, and Lewis; and his sister, Marion, her husband Dave Pyke, and their children and grandchildren. Stuart was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather—he will be impossible to replace.

Services for Stuart will be held Thursday, September 14, 2023. Visitation at 12:00 pm followed by a Funeral Service at 1:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., Greenville, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Foothills 390 Keowee School Rd. Seneca, SC, 29672 or to Samaritan’s Purse.

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AMY GOODMAN: Bree Newsome singing “Stay Strong: A Love Song to Freedom Fighters.” Bree Newsome is the 30-year-old African-American woman who scaled the flagpole on the grounds of the Columbia, South Carolina, Capitol and took down the Confederate flag, saying, “In the name of God, this flag comes down today.” She’ll be our guest on Democracy Now! on Monday. Tomorrow, we’ll describe what took place when we were in Columbia just after her arrest, when we saw her being arraigned at the jail. But this is Democracy Now! I’m Amy Goodman.

We’re talking about the FBI launching an investigation into fires set at seven different African-American churches in seven days. So far, none of the blazes have been labeled as hate crimes, but investigators say at least three fires were caused by arson. The fires began on June 21st, just days after the Charleston massacre, June 17th, and have occurred in six different states: in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Ohio.

A black church in South Carolina was the latest to catch fire. The blaze on Tuesday at the Mount Zion African Methodist Church in Greeleyville may have been triggered by lightning. Twenty years ago, the church was burned to the ground by members of the Ku Klux Klan. Meanwhile, in Knoxville, Tennessee, a fire at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church was determined to be arson. A reporter at local station WVLT spoke to church elder Marshall Henley.

KELSEY LEYRER: Two different fires were started at College Hill Seventh-Day Adventist last night, one at a side entrance to the church where churchgoers says it appears someone set fire to bales of hay right outside the doors. The church van was also set on fire. And to make matters worse, the church only got the van about six months ago. It was vital to a lot of the church’s community outreach projects. Some of those will now have to be placed on hold because they believe that van is a total loss.

AMY GOODMAN: Another fire on June 23rd at the predominantly black God’s Power Church of Christ in Macon, Georgia, was also reportedly set on purpose. Then, on June 24th, there was a fire at the Fruitland Presbyterian Church in Gibson County, Tennessee, that was suspected to have been caused by lightning. The same day, there was a three-alarm fire at Briar Creek Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Local station WBTV spoke to the church’s pastor, Mannix Kinsey.

REV. MANNIX KINSEY: When I got here, I was even amazed to see that the flames were so high. And, you know, of course, I’m thinking, “Oh, my goodness, this church is going to be destroyed.”

DEDRICK RUSSELL: The estimated damage is more than $250,000. The pastor of three years is grateful brick and mortar was all that was ruined.

REV. MANNIX KINSEY: A life was not lost. You know that the buildings can be repaired, they can be built over.

DEDRICK RUSSELL: While the pastor deals with this fire, he also has to deal with the fact this may be a hate crime.

REV. MANNIX KINSEY: We’re still talking about this same issue, and this is 2015. And so, we all have to consider what else do we need to do, you know, to actually be able to work together.

AMY GOODMAN: Meanwhile, on June 26, there was another fire at a Glover [Grove] Baptist Church in Warrenville, South Carolina, that was first burned down 20 years ago by the KKK, and one at the Greater Miracle Temple Apostolic Holiness Church in Tallahassee, Florida, that was caused by a tree limb that fell and started an electrical fire. Another fire was in Ohio, where the College Heights Baptist Church burned down Saturday night.

On Wednesday, NAACP President Cornell William Brooks issued a statement in response to the fires. He referred to the Charleston massacre that preceded them, writing, quote, “When nine students of scripture lose their lives in a house of worship, we cannot to turn a blind eye to any incident. As we wait for authorities to conduct their investigations, the NAACP and our state conferences across the country will remain vigilant and work with local churches and local law enforcement to ensure that all are taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of every parishioner.”

All of this comes as the KKK has announced a rally for later this month at the South Carolina state House in support of the Confederate flag. There are reports South Carolina legislators now have enough votes to push through the flag’s removal.

For more, we go to Montgomery, Alabama, where we’re joined by Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has been tracking these most recent fires.

Richard, welcome back to Democracy Now!

RICHARD COHEN: Thank you, Amy.

AMY GOODMAN: Talk about the significance of what’s happening throughout the South now.

RICHARD COHEN: Well, look, when it comes to race, the country is on edge, especially the black community. You know, we have a background of the killing of unarmed black men at the hands of the police. You add to this the Charleston massacre and now this string of fires at black churches. You know, it’s just a very combustible combination. You know, it’s certainly true that perhaps most of these fires are not arsons, and maybe none of the arsons are hate-motivated. But still, you can understand, with emotions so raw, you know, why people react this way. And certainly, you can’t dismiss the possibility that at least some of these fires have been set in retaliation for the taking down of the Confederate flags. There’s a lot of anger in the white nationalist community over what’s been happening lately.

AMY GOODMAN: So, take the one in Greeleyville, the church burning down, the most recent one in Greeleyville, South Carolina. Governor Haley, Nikki Haley, came out immediately and said it was clearly lightning. She said something like, “We saw the lightning hit the top of the church.” But then people within the investigation said, “How does she know this?” This was reported on a TV station close to those who were investigating. But that church does have a history. Talk about what happened 20 years ago in Greeleyville.

RICHARD COHEN: Well, you know, there was a group called the Carolina Knights of the Ku Klux Klan that was involved in burning the Greeleyville church, as well as the Macedonia Baptist Church in Clarendon, South Carolina. We actually had the privilege at the Southern Poverty Law Center of representing the Macedonia Baptist Church and got a multimillion-dollar verdict against the Klan for the burning of that church. It put the Klan, you know, kind of out of business. So, you know, you have this kind of history, and I guess Governor Haley is trying to tamp down emotions and maybe spoke too quickly. And I guess it’s—it’s important to realize that you shouldn’t jump to conclusions in either direction too fast.

AMY GOODMAN: What do you think has to be done right now, Richard Cohen?

RICHARD COHEN: Well, look, all of these fires have to be investigated thoroughly. And, you know, I think the forensic experts are very, very good at that. And then I think that we have to continue to look at the racial issues that divide us. You know, we’re at an interesting point in our history, an interesting point in time, when suddenly people, especially in the white community, I think, are suddenly more aware of the divisive nature of some of the symbols, like the Confederate flag, like Confederate holidays, and, I think, are more willing to address not just those symbols, but some of the substance that continues to keep our country separate and unequal.

AMY GOODMAN: Calling for congressional hearings into domestic terrorism?

RICHARD COHEN: Yes. We have called for those hearings before both the Senate and the House, the committees that look at the Department of Homeland Security. You know, since 9/11, we’ve—you know, our resources in the domestic terrorism fight have skewed perhaps too heavily towards jihadi terrorism, at the expense of the forms of domestic terrorism that we saw exhibited in the Charleston massacre. You know, what we think is, we should allocate our resources in accordance with the nature of the threat. 9/11 will always be the Pearl Harbor of our time, but that doesn’t mean all the resources should go in that direction.

AMY GOODMAN: In Alabama, the governor, unlike Governor Haley in South Carolina, simply, without talking about it beforehand, took down the flags on the state Capitol, the Confederate flag. Can you talk about the significance of this? You’re in Montgomery.

RICHARD COHEN: Yeah.

AMY GOODMAN: And also, he’s supposed to be making another announcement today.

RICHARD COHEN: I’m not sure what his announcement is today, Amy, but I can tell you, we were incredibly happy and applauded the governor for what he did. It was very, very forward-looking. And I think it was really quite an important thing, and probably a difficult thing for him to do politically. Another thing that I want to applaud the governor for is, you know, he disagreed with the Supreme Court same-sex marriage decision, but he immediately came out and said, you know, “It’s the law of the land, and we should follow it.” And that’s not the case with all politicians in Alabama. The chief justice of Alabama, Roy Moore, is still on his soapbox ranting and raving against the same-sex marriage ruling. So I think, you know, Governor Bentley should be applauded for helping the state look forward rather than backward.

AMY GOODMAN: I mean, it has been very much kept under wraps, what he’s going to announce today, but it might relate to that. Has anti-LGBT violence increased since the same-sex marriage ruling of the Supreme Court?

RICHARD COHEN: Well, I don’t know if we’ve seen any uptick since the same-sex marriage ruling. What we have seen, though, is an apparent uptick in the recent years, because as more—you know, more people in the LGBTQ community feel comfortable coming out, you know, they’re more likely to be targeted, because it’s more—they’re more open. You know, in terms of sheer numbers, hate crimes against black people are the most common. On the other hand, from a percentage standpoint, the LGBT community is the most likely to be victimized by hate crimes.

AMY GOODMAN: Richard Cohen, I want to thank you for being with us, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, speaking to us from Montgomery, Alabama. Tune in tomorrow for our Independence Day special, as James Earl Jones reads Frederick Douglass’s 1852 address: “What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?”

FREDERICK DOUGLASS: [read by James Earl Jones] What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is a constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham.