Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-16
MISCELLAN A n Y .
From the Central Pres5yterien.
Augusta Church.


Augusta Church.
Messrs. Editors.-I have been very much in
terested in series of articles, lately concluded
in your paper, containing history OF koek NV
er church. n. @. The author says in his last
number, sthat probably few if any other ooun-
try churches in the u S. have the same to say,
that for one hundred years, they have had regu-
lar pastors for ninety-one years. This is GER
tainly remarkable fact, but think the Old
Stone church in Augusta county certainly can
exceed that. Existing III years, it he's had
regular pastors los years and only tour pastors in
ali that long period. Augusta Church, or as it
was formerly called, the Old Stone Church, is
situated on the Valley turnpike, miles North
of Stauutou. This congregation, with Thinking
Spring, was originally called the Triple Forks of
the Shenandoah, and embraced in its area
large extent of the finest land in the county
Its green pastures by the side of the quiet wa
tiers were settled by Scotch Irish, Presbyterians
from principle and preference. AS early as
1887, one hundred and twenty years ago, they
petitioned Donegal Presbytery for supplies; and
again in 1889, they renewed their supplications.
That year o Mr. Thompson was sent to visit
them, and also Mr.. John Craig, licentiate.-
In the Spring of 1740, they gave Mr.. Craig a
CHI WLllCIl JIG uCCcptCN vNuS, o'N ~ OOPN0hi
ber he was ordained,and installed as their pas
tor. Mr.. Craig was native of Ireland, and had
taken an A. NJ. at the College in brief manu-
script of his early life, he says, that for two
wears after leaving College, he was sorely dis
tressed in body and mind how to steer his course
through the world, so as to please God, and do
good to man, and secure his own eternal happi-
ness. His prospects in q worldly point of view
were fattering enough, but this could not satis-
fy his mind nor answer the ends of his long la
Dor and studies, which had been with a view
to the ministry; if it pleased God to qualify
him for it, and call him to it.
A low estimate of his own abilities, and many
other discouragements, induced him to abandon
the idea. and for some time he devoted himself to
the study of medicine. But his mind was i'll
at ease in his new course, and after an alarming
spell of illness, he,was brought to the throne of
grace, and received from God both health and
comfort. He says he now felt willing to serve
God in any Office. station, or relation he pleased
TO fit him for. His attention was soon turned
to America, and with the consent of his parents
he came to this country in 1874, being then in
his twenty-fifth year. He attended the Synod
of Philadelphia in September, and presented
his letters of recommendation from ministers in
Ireland After spending three months in anx-
ious efforts to obtain suitable location, he at
length found home with the Rev. John Thomp-
son, of Chestnut Level Pa, one of the most able
and prominent divines of our church in that
day. Here Mr.. Craig taught school one year
or two years, before presenting himself to the
Presbytery for licensure. He passed the usual
trials, and was licensed by the Presbytery of
Donegal in 1877.
1t would appear from the manuscript that he
spent the time until 1889, in missionary work in
the frontier settlements of Virginia. He says,
when he came to the people of his charge, over
which he was settled in 1740, that they received
him in the most friendly manner, and that this
friendship continued, with but few exceptions,
for thirty years, Cat which time the manuscript
was written.) "ln this | have been most hap
DIV. but destitute of all conversation, direction,
or advice of fathers or brethren for more than
ten wears, being about 200 miles from the near
est Presbyterian minister. The place was new
settlement, without q place of worship or any
church order, q wilderness in q proper sense, and
n few Christians settled in it, with hundreds of
the heather Qndians) travelling among us, but
generally civil, though some people were mur-
dered by them about that time. To choose
session to please the people and myself, and to
unite their affections when ordained, cost Inc
much thought and labor, and God granted that
blessing also, which was the strength and stay
of the congregation. It was large, by computa-
ton about thirty miles in length, and twenty in
breadth" Tue people agreed to have two meet
ing-houses, Thinking Spring and Augusta church,
expecting they would become two congrega-
tions, as they did in few years. Mr.. Craig at
first ministered at both places, bat after the sep
aration gave his whole time to Augusta church.
lie never seems to have had warm attachment
for the Thinking Spring part OF the congregation,
but in describing the other section hes says, 'the
people were fewer in numbers, and much lower