Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-03-03


for one man. His church embraced three hun
dred members. The Sunday school interest |
had been increased There were no places to |
accommodate the scholars. Very little had
been done in the missionary cause. The peo-
pie could not get money because OF the stay
law. Some people could hardly get enough 10
keep them from starving The prospects OF
the church were bright, there was no doubt on
that point. He had held four camp meetings,
two Of which would rank with the camp meet
ings of forlaer days. He spoke of parties who
had seized on NJ +, Church property and con
tinued to hold it, He thought IN time the
church would get all Of the property it now
claimed in West Virginia, as the judges there
would appoint trustees favorable to Its interest
He alluded to Gen. StonemaL' order giving
the use Of the churches Oh alternate Sabbaths
to the NJ. f. Church and M. f. Church,
South. The prevailing impression was that
the NJ f. Church would finally get the
churches in Virginia also under StOneman's
order he had been occupying a church Sun
day evenings. He thought the cloud was lift
ing, and that the whole Of the people OF the
section in which he labored would be absorbed
in the NJ Il. Church. The speaker said he
had been much abused in the secular prints
though no attempts had been made at personal
violence. He claimed to be native Virginan
and intended to stick come veal or woe.
Rev. Mr.. King, Of Augusta county, said that
one year ago he left ST. Charles, Mo-, to take
charge of the Rockbridge circuit, and found on
his arrival there that he had been represented
as political agent, sent to teach the colored
people how to vote. According to the repre-
sensations made he was looked upon as having
been dispatched thither by the Congressional
Republican Committee Of Washington ID. I.
1t was by the use of such means that the NJ.
f.. Church, South sought to accomplish It's
ends. Cen Schofeld had ordered that the
NJ &. Church should use the churches hall OF
the time on Sunday. The Southern preachers
in consequence, had circulated every concelya-
bic SANDER against the ministers OF the Nj. Il.
Church. 1t was done to prevent people from
attending. They would watch and report the
names CT the whites who came, and IN Rock
bridge once turned negro out OF his house Tor
going to hear the speaker lecture on education.
In Augusta the church had forty nine mem
bers and six probationers. There Stoneman
continued the order OF his predecessor-glvln
them the use of the church half OF the time.
His lie had been threatened he did not care
for that, or value it as against his blessed
church. The better class of the Southern PEG
pie were friendly disposed he believed that
that class would some day rise up and call Us
blessed. lie gave some OF his ministerial ex
pericnce spoke OF the persecution OF Union
men who had been driven in caves, &c, but
SAID they would die for their church. The
speaker wanted all the churches; then there
would he none to mOlest or make us afraid.
He wanted little law as we'll as Gospel IN his
District and he had reason TO believe that We
would soon get it, The last remark was
greeted with hearty amens.
Rev. Mr.. Mitchell -ad that Cen Stoneman
was not IN fault,
Mr.. King reported $3.50 for the Missionary
Fund
Rev. Mr.. Pierce, Of the Rockingham Dis
trict, reported So 80 for missions. The Cos
pei work was progressing IN his held OF labor
There were camp meetings, love ieass and
class meetings lie thought the field prom
Isng one.
Rev Mr.. Milburn, of he Abingdon District,
Chattanooga Conference, said he was battling
for Tie Lord amidst much persecution and
threats, but no violence. Had had numerous
accessions to the church. Had met with much
opposition in the Cabcl Circuit, where the
church doors were closed against him. la his
section all the property was owned by the
high-ia lutins, some OF this class possessing as
much as 20, 900 acres OF land. They SAID 10
him "you can stay here The Union people
there were very poor, and were oppressed by
their richer neghbors The people could not
get any money TO pay their preachers. lie
was seventy two years old, aud had during the
war, as Federal scout, often slept IN caves to
avoid the rebels People in his section still
believed in old fashioned Methodism. The
cry of negro equality had kept many from
visiting his church. His missionary collection
was necessarily small, for the reason OF his
folks being so robbed.
Rev. Mr.. King said that while the majority
Of his members were very poor, yet his church
embraced some OF the best families in that sec
ton. He spoke Of the effective aid rendered
by Rev j. T. Rippetoe in the spread of the
Gospel.
Rev. Mr.. Crumley, of the Abingdon District,
reported So p for missions. He said on one
occasion a Southern preacher made an appoint
ment on the day allowed him at the church.
He heard of it, and went there fully expecting
his life would be taken found 400 persons as
sembled He resolved to wade in, and told the
other party, who had opened his Bible, and
was about TO commence that to avoid diff
Guilty he had better select another place Tor his
Grafton, Finally it was agreed that he should
preach first lie commenced, but soon found
InaC some IWenty-IuTec evil Iulnueu peISOlS,
seated near the pulpit We're determined to
render his effort abortive. lie wanted an un.
adulterated Union church erected They were
now afraid to put up such an edifice one for
the use Of those loyal both to their country and
their God.
A communication was read from the New
Y ork Sunday School Union; also one from the |
New ork NJ. f. Church relative to the neces
sity Of more ample details concerning Home
Missions.
Bishop Ames said it gave him great pleasure
to meet the brethren; they had difficult task |
to plant the Gospel and raise chnTches There |
was no varying in the manner Of Methodist's
preaching the word of God it was the same
whether in Vermont or Virginia, Japan or
China His church was not in Virginia to rob
Or despoi the people Of anything they owned.
Its warfare was against the Devils Kingdom.
Tie was glad to see that the Gospel work had
prospered. The days OF chivalry in Methodsm
had not yet expired. Our duty was to labor
or the salvation Of souls, striving to do good
IS long as life lasted. lfit was Cod pleasure