The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-07-09
lil4lg.'I 'I1431 ll3I
Fourth Street ME-. church.

Memorial of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Wheeling, W. VA, from
the Earliest Records, and Especially
the History OF the Fourth street N.
e. Church, from theYear1s 10 1866.
The exercises at the Fourth Street
NJ. E. Church yesterday were of an in
teresting and impressive character. At
o'clock general Glass meeting was
held until the hour for public preaching
arrived, when the opening hymn was
read and prayer offered by Rev. Samuel
Barnes-the scripture lessons were read
by DR.. Wesley Kenney, and the sermon
preached by Rev. T. NJ. Hudson, from
the three verses of the 133d Psalm. The
effort of the Rev. Mr.. H. was worthy of
him and the occasion, and produced a
fine effect upon the large congregation
assembled to worship tho last time
within the walls of the old sanctuary.
After sermon, the sacrament of the
Lords Supper was administered to
hundreds of commandments. Among
those assisting in the distribution of
the elements, we noticed our venerable
friend, DocToR CHARLES MCLANE, of
Morgantown. The choir, led by DR..
Logan, delighted all present with their
charming music. The society will
worship in Washington Hall during
the erection of their new church.
In the afternoon at 211 o'clock, the
Sabbath School, congregation, and
crowds of citizens assembled to hear
addresses from former. pastors, among
whom we noticed Revs. Hudson, Ken
ney, Brockunier and Barnes, together
with ministers from other charges.
Captain Robert Hamilton read a histo-
ry ofthe organization OF, the society, an
abstract of which give below.
The firstrecord of the church is dated
November 9th, 1905, and reads as fol-
lows: "Ohio Circuit, Baltimore Confer
enCe," and in the proceedings of the
Quarterly Conference, this entry is
found: "Ordered, that double breasted
coats, Jackets and suspenders should be
laid aside by the members of the con-
ference, and that the members use their
influence throughout the circuit TO
bring about uniformity in dress"
Wheeling paid that quarter to support
the minister in charge, 6215 cents. The
Presiding Elder, James Hunter, that
year received $7,75; Daniel Stephens
$40; James Watts $50; leaving, at the
close OF the year, $3, 3,621finthetreasury. 1f
To many in this day it may seem
strange that the church authorities at
tempted to regulate the dress of its
members; but they had the, example of
all welliregulatedI Igovernments in es-
tablishing u particular style of dress
for their soldiers, so that they might be
recognized whenever and wherever
seen. 1t. is certain that a very great
change has taken place in this
respect, and Methodists dress very
much as other people; Whether the
change has been for the better, we leave
others to decide. Is.-s..
On the 24th of February, 1878, Noah
Zane and wife donated and conveyed
by deed, to John McColloch, Asahel
Boothe, John List, ,Jr., Benz. McMechen,
Abraham McCullock, Richard Carter
and Daniel Zane, trustees, lot of
Wheeling, Ohio county, Virginia, on
which they erected church in
that and the following year. Rev. John
Waterman, preacher In charge, by his
popularity, eloquence and zeal, greatly
aided the trustees in obtaining the
necessary funds to build and finish the
church. Wheeling, at this time con-
tanned population between 1900 and
], 300, and this was the first house of
worship erected in the then village.
The membership of the charge NUM-
bered about 80 persons and Asahel
Boothe was appointed leader of the.
class. ..ss, t,f f.5.g5 .,- .-l.s. t5re i.
From 1920, the yearly records show
the number of communicants down to
1882, except the years 1923 and '24. Rev.
George Brown was Presiding Elder in
1920, and Daniel Hit Preacher in
charge. The members numbered 6l,
probationers Y, arranged in two classes.
In
preacher in charge, under the eldership
of Rev. Daniel fHitt-members 12I-re-
moValS 29, ,dropped7. Willis, a member
who had the misfortune to be a colored
man, was this year sold by his master.
In 1922 Rev. James Moore, minister;
Rev. James Paynter, Elder; 1928 and,24
William Barnes preacher, Rev. George
Brown, Elder; 1925 John Waterman,
preacher, and Rev. Brown Elder. The
membership this year numbered 1913.
In 1928 Rev. a, Furlong, preacher, Rev.
William Stevens Elder-members III,
arranged in 8 classes-removals 81,
dropped Z, expelled 3, deceased 1; 1927,
Rev. I. NJ. Hudson, preacher, Rev.
William Stevens Elder; membership ut
the close of the year 12I; 1928 Rev. X. G.
Hattou, preacher, same Elder as in
Including Is proba=
tioners, 1913; 1929 and 80 Rev. Charles
Cook, preacher, same elder as in 1929
ter of 1881 and 1872 protracted
meeting was held under the aus
spices of Rev. j. Newland Matiitt
and large accessiOnS were made TO the
membership. Their house became too
small to oaccOmmodateth the congregation,
and at a Quarterly Conference held on
May 3D., 1882, it was unanimously re-
solved to build new church, the one
occupied at present being the result of
the effort. The plan was drawn by
Capt. Robert Hamilton; the Rev. VIM.
Lambden, r. Hamilton, John List, Jo-
seph Morrison and Elijah Day being
appointed committee TO raise sub
Prompt payment was the order of the
day in those times, as the subscriptions
were made on the terms, one-third in
hand, one-third in three months and
the other third in six months. Rev.
Lambden, Daniel Zane and X. Hamil-
ton were appointed a building commit
tee, with authority to build a house 60
SO. with basement, galleries, &c. The
church was finished in 1886, although
it had been used for some time before
that year. Rev. q. ii. COston was
preacher in charge during 1881 and 80
with Rev. Robert Hopkins, Presiding
Elder, and the membership numbered
at the close of the conference year of
1882, 273. In 1888 and '34 Rev. Hop
kins was continued as Elder and
Rev! T. NJ. Hudson as Pastor, with
Reverend J.aiJ. Swayze, as assistant.
In, tho enumeration of these dates, it
must be remembered that the calendar
year and tho Conference year do not
terminate at the same period,-the lat
ter closing sometime in June, we be-
lieve. Rev. J. q. SAMSON was sent as
| Elder in 1884 q IS, Rev. Limerick as
preacher in charge. Mr.. SAMSON con-
| tinued as Elder until 1887, with Rev.
4 Wesley Browning as preacher in 1886.
During 1S37-S-9 Rev. s. r. Brockunier