The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-09-28
Editorial Correspondence.
A "REMINISCENCES OF EARLY LIFE.


providence led my way over the North noun
tain to the ROckbridge Alum Springs, whence,
after spending only few hours at this Ia
nous fountain of health, my course was down
Dunlap's Creek, until within sight of Goshen
Depot, on the CovingtOn and Ohio railroad.
Making here a sudden turn to the right,
was in little while involved in the depths OF
Striekler's Gap. After many travels through
the mountain passes of Virginia, none OF
them makes so deep an impression upon me
as this. That through the Blue Ridge, along
the James river, exceeds it in some respects,
chiefly because you have there the sight of
noble stream-here only one Of its branches
But, taking into account the extreme narrow
ness of the de6le, the stupendOus mountains
and crags almost hanging over you, and, OF
course, the great depth of gOrges IN view,
the sudden, surprising turns of the road, the
interlappings and bendings Of the ridges,
Suggesting a doubt whether one can get
.dfJasl,) ~ r0t hel,earc 20 place q b.'tfe
al I have ever visited. 1t is a scene of Wild
ness and grandeur which the beholder cannot
soon forget. The effect on the present occa-
sion was the greater, because my ride Of six
miles through these deep silent shades was
alone and during the last hours of day; for,
as 1 emerged into the great Valley at Strick-
ler's Springs, and turned to catch side view
of the old familiar Jump on my left, the last
rays of sunlight were leaving its lofty peak
1t was an admonition to hasten on my jour
ney; but suddenly u "reminiscences of years
long gone by bound me as if by some magic
power, and for time banished the thought
of everything else. Was l not on holy
ground? Just where the North river breaks
through the mountain, and Immediately to
the right of the road, l witnessed more than
forty years ago a scene some of the people OF
ROckbridge yet speak of, and which certainly
was one of remarkable interest. As no &C
count of it has ever been published, l will
attempt description; conscious, however,
that it is a very inadequate one.
The time to which 1 refer was about the
year 1922, and the day was one on which the
communion of the Lords Supper was to be
administered. Interesting services, and large
" attended, had been held for two days pre-
ceding. The Sabbath was one of loneliness,
such as this latitude often gives in September.
The assembly was immense. Carriages were
then rarely to be met with, and the multitude
came almost entirely on horseback. They
had poured over from Kerr's Greek, and down
Walkers and Hays Greek, and through the
Gap from the Pastures they had gathered
from Lexington, Tmber-ridge, Fairfield and
New Providence. The hearts of the people
were deeply moved by "pOwer from on high,
and not only the most entirely good order,
but the deepest solemnity also was to be
marked by even a casual observer. The
church on the river was then and for many
wears after under the care Of the Rev. An
drew B. Davidson. Whether on the present
occasion he preached in the morning | cannot
now recolect, but he conducted most Of the
communion services in his usual fervid man
ner, and with much popular impression a
very large number we're admitted to the
Church upon profession of their faith. The
stricken penitent, the rejoicing convert, the
riper ioy of older Christians were all mingled
together, making it communion season long
to be remembered.
When the morning services were closing,
notice was given that DR.. Baxter would
preach in the afternoon. After short inter
mission, upon the singing of hymn, the
congregation promptly and eagerly re-assem-
bled. No one seemed to have departed;
hardly a straggler could be seen. From the
stand to the foot of the mountain, and Gas it
had been in the forenoon) seated on the
rocks for twenty or thirty yards up Its steep
side, there was a dense mass of human faces,
upon which an all absorbing interest was
plainly depicted After the usual religious
services, Or. Baxter gave out for his text
that striking passage in Is. 81: 20, 2l: "But
the wicked are like the troubled sea when it
canDot rest, whose waters cast up mire and
dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to
the wicked" He was then in the very prime
of life, and his mighty powers of intellect in
their full maturity. His religious sympa-
thies too, always quick and tender, were now
overRowing, for his heart was all aglow with
the revival pervadiug the country. L was
then but little boy of eleven years old, but
having recently united with the Church, my
interest was intensely excited, and l can re-
member distinctly to this day the general out
line of his sermon.
He first stated briefly, but with great clear
ness and force, who were meant by the
wicked; that it included all who were alien
ated from God. He next demonstrated from
mis- moral government and the constitution
L.