A Historical Sketch of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Synod

XI Rh'FPRMI l> PRFSItYTFRIAN CHURCH GKNKRAI. SYNOD Chapter XIV We now turn our attention to the history of General Synod within the bounds of the Western Presbytery. A m stated in the previous chapter, at an early date many of the Covenanters in South Caroline immigrated to the southern parts of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Those who came to Illinois located in Randolph, Perry, Washington, Marion and St. Clair countie- in the early years of the 19th century. They brought with them their religious principles as well as their earthly belongings. They knew well how to carry on re­ ligious work in their “Society Meetings," and soon sought for and obtained the services of Rev. Samuel Wylie, who came as a missionary to Illinois and Missouri in 1817. He had been li­ censed by the Middle Presbytery in Philadelphia, Pa., in 18-15. He arrived in Kaskaskia, at tlw^mouth of the Kaskaskia river just above where it empties into the Mississippi, in the month of July 1818. This was a very important place in those days. Here the State Capitol was first located, and also the place from which Gen. Clark started his expedition to Vincennes, Indiana, at an earlier date. His field of labor was in Randolph, Wash­ ington, Ferry, and St. Clair counties. He began his work at Eden, which for many years was a village a mile east of the present town of Sparta. Here a congregation was organized and the first Session was constituted May 24, 1819. less than a year after his arrival in Kaskaskia. In the month of June 1819. the congregation made a call for Rev. Wylie. His work as a missionary occupied bis full time for the present, and on May 22, 1821, a second call was made and signed by 35 members, and the subscription for his support was $208. He was installed pastor May 18, 1821. He remained pastor until his death, March 20, 1872. Incidentally we may note that his successor. Rev. W. J. Smiley, was installed pastor over the Bethel congregation on the 5th of June, 1872, and remained pastor for 50 years. These