The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-09-16

The Memorial Services at chuehville Church.
Interesting "reminiscences,

sAsSaSSe4AR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
On Sabbath last, religious services, second
in solemn interest only to those which
marked the retirement ofthe old pastor, Rev
William Finney, on January first, 1854, six
teen years ago were held in the Presbyte-
rian church, at Churchvile. The occasion
was the last sermon within the walls of the
old edifce. previous to putting upon it the re-
pairs and alterations which, when completed,
will constitute the building a new sanctuary
almost The announcement that such SER
vices were to be held, drew together large
congregation, including representatives Of
all denominations in the county. The regu-
lar sittngs of the church were inadequate to
accommodate the throngs, and new sittin gs
were improvised in the asles and about the
altar. The officiating ministers were the
pastor, Rev. Mr.. Paxton, Rev Ebenezer Fin
ney, and the venerable father of the latter,
Rev. William Finney, who sixteen years ago
relenquished the pastorate, after an uninter-
rupted ministration of more than forty years
lie had, at the solicitation of his people,
come from his retirement to preach the last
sermon within the old walls about to be de-
molished. Under the circumstances, more
than the usual solemnity pervaded the con-
gregation and attended the services
After the chanting by the choir, of the an
them, "Fhe Lord is in his holy Temple" &C.,
and the usual Introductory services, Rev.
VIM. Finney announced his text, from the
18th verse of the Goth chapter of Acts of the
Apostles" Then Agrippa said unto Paul,
Almost thou persuadest me to be Christ
ian."
The discourse opened with a comparison
between those who, sitting for stated seasons
beneath the sound of the gospel, become
Christians indeed, and those who are almost
persuaded within the fold, yet die in their
sins, rejecting the great salvation. He, the
speaker, for forty years as an ambassador of
Christ, had stood between the living and the
dead of this congregation, and in that time
he had witnessed the passing away of one
entire generation, and the succession of their
many of whom now sat within
sound OF his voice. He had, in his minste-
rial capacity, consigned to the grave, given
away in marriage, and baptised father, moth
er, daughter and son. He had been with
them in the day of sickness and death, and |
visited them in the hour Of gladness and re-
oicing. He had the assurance that many had |
been elected to eternal life, but there were |
thncn hn hali tod hafu
ons, who were almost persuaded to be Christ
ans.
Trom the history of the church, (mostly |
avn from the sermon of 1854 we extract
he following incidents of the discourse.
According to the best accounts, this church
vas organized in the year 1739-one hund.
ed and thirty-two years ago.
1t was got up by the instrumentality of
he celebrated Whitfield, during one of his
ourneys across the American Colonies. 1t
vas originally called Whitfeld's meeting
louse, but afterwards received the in.appro-
,riate name of Deer Creek. 1t was the first
Presbyterian church in this county, and
he first church ofany denomination, within
circuit of many miles. The edifce was
'uilt oflogs, and stood in the east corner of
he lot now owned by Mr.. Wellmore Hop
rims, and nearly opposite school house,
'rected by Mr.. Thomas Jeffrey. A grave
'ard in which mutitudes have been inferred
till marks the spot. Why it was removed
o this place, is not now known. The trans
ca, however, took place seventeen years be-
ore the Revolution.
During the first seven years of my rela-
ion to this church, we worshipped in an old
lilapidated building, which stood nearly on
he same ground as that occupied by the
louse in which we are now assembled
vas built in 1759-one hundred and eleven
years ago.
"In 1S1a-the year my pastorate began