Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-16

natured, prudent governable people, ana hDe-
rally bestowed part of what God gave them
for religious and pious uses, aid now enjoy the
benefit in decent and becoming manner to
their satisfaction; always unanimous among
themselves, loving and kind to me these thirty
years, with whom enjoyed the greatest salts
faction, and serve them with pleasure" This
congregation at first worshpped in log cabin
near the graveyard, but in 1747 they com
menced the present stone ediice on a hill side in
beautiful grove of oaks On the blank leaf of
copy of Matthew Henry's Method of Prayer"
once belonging to Mr.. Craig, is the following
memorandum, in his own hand writing: "July
2Sth, 1747, this day being invited by the under
taker of our Westinghouse to see the foundation
of it laid, was desired to lay the first stone,
being cornerstone, which did with this un-
premeditated benediction, MAY He who is tho
chief cornerstone of His church prosper the
work. and countenance it, as long as it shall be
used for his glory" In those days men must
have had "willing hearts, and those given them
of God. There was not wagon in the settle
ment, and the rock was drawn on sledges, and
the nails and glass brought 200 miles from Will
liamsburg on pack-horses. The people contribu-
ted cheerfully their money and labor to accom-
plish the work, and after two years or more of
shin, the oldest in the Valley of Virginia, still
used, loved and venerated by large number Of
Gods faithful people. The interior of the build
ing has been altered, plank floor substituted
for the stone tagging, and pews and pulpit of
more modern form introduced, but the exterior
has still the same rough walls, and the pointed
gable roof The lines OF the stockade around it
are still to be traced, built in the times of Brad
docks war, when the people and pastor, with
rifles on their shoulders sought refuge in the
church. from the attacks of the Indians. Indeed
they often worshipped on the Sabbath with their
rifles stacked in the aisles.
When they had completed the church, they
ordered sacramental service from London. 1t
was so much more handsome and costly than
they expected, consisting of eighteen pieces, of
large size, and richly plated, they held meet
1 ing to deliberate whether they should not re-
! turn it, They were on the point of doing SO,
! for money was q scarce article in those times,
but a venerable old man urged their keeping
them. and denying themselves some uxuries,
that they might provide the Lords house with
furniture neat and respectable, and show poster
ity, that they loved the sanctuary and its ordin-
ances more than to dwell in ceiled houses. And
this same communion service, with only re-
plating few years ago. is still ours, precious in
our eyes, for its intrinsic value, and its rich as
socationg.
Mr.. Craig preached to this congregation un-
til his death in 1774-thirty -four years, and was
buried in their graveyard A stone slab was
erected by the church of Augusta, in expression
of their gratitude to the memory Of their late
beloved pastor. For six years the church was
vacant, but these were revolutionary times,
when war and bloodshed were rife throughout
the land, and though far removed from the
scenes of war, this congregation yet sent forth
many patriot sires and sons to fight their coun-
try's battles And 50 the flock were left as
''sheep without shepherd"
In 1850 the Rev. Vim. Wilson was ordained
and installed pastor. He was of Scotch Irish
pareptage, but born in Pennsylvania, and while
a youth removed with his parents to Virginia,
and settled in the New Providence congregation.
He BECAME student at the Mount Pleasant
school near Fairfield, taught by Rev. Jno. Brown
and Rev. VIM. Graham, a school which was af-
forwards removed to Liberty Hall, and then to
Lexington, aud now Washington College
Mr. Wilson was licensed Oct. %, 1779, by
| Hanover Presbytery He ministered to the con-
eregation with great acceptance until 1910, 80
wears. when on account of infrmities from cry
sipelas in the head, he was released from his
pastoral charge, but such was the unwingness
of the people to give him up, he continued to
supply the pulpit tor more than year. He re-
sided in the vicinity of the church until his death
in 1886, and frequently preached and assisted in
the communion service, always loved and reve.
red by the people. With his successor he lived
upon terms of entire confidence and friendship,
and no petty jealousies ever disturbed their in
tercourse with each other, or the congregation.
Mr.. Wilson was one of the original twelve mill
listers, that constituted the Presbytery of Lex
ington, when it was organized in 1856, and we
find from the minutes, he was ever one of its
most regular attendants, active in all business
matters especially in the examination of candi-
dates for the ministry.
The congregation was supplied from Oct 49,
II, until the fall of 1912, by the Rev. Jehab /.
Graham. E.