Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-05-27
Churches of augusta.
Mt. Tabor Church.


Standing on the summit of a hill, mile
to the right of the Lexington road lead
ing from Staunton through Middlebrook, nine
miles from StauntoD, is the church Of Mt.
Tabor. Tt is built of brick surrounded by beau
tiful hills, covered either with waving grain,
green pastures, or the freshly leaved forests
A short distance south stands we'll known
point called the Sugar Loaf. This is a perfectly
conical-shaped hill, towering high above the
neighboring hills entirely covered with origi-
nal forest trees, and may be seen from many
parts of the county. The church has recently
been papered re-painted, new pews have been
made, and undergone an entire change within,
and now it is as nice looking country church
IS can be found. fe
The land was purchased from Mr.. Peter
Strouse more than thirty years ago. 1t was
built by that part of the congregation which
worshipped at ST. ohm 8 church. The dedica-
ton sermon was preached In March, 184O by
Prof. Charles Kranth, of Gettysburg, Pa, to a
large audience. Many that were present on
that occasion now sleep within the buryipg
ground near by.
Rev. ID. Il. Bittle was the FIRST preacher. A
goodly number were gathered into the church
under his ministry. He received a call to the
Presidency of Roanoke College, which he &C.
cepted and has been there since.
His successor was Rev. Mr.. Luddon, whose
labor was best to many.
His sucoessOre were Revs. Bickle, Richard
son and Shirley.
Sometimes in 1856. Rev. A. A. J. Bushong
became the Pastor, and has continued as such
since. He breaches every Sabbath morning at
the church sometimes in Middlebrok of Sab.
bath evenings.
Preaching was held or laet Friday and Sat
urday preparatory to the communion, which
was administered on Sabbath the 18th.
On Saturday an excellent sermon was preach
ed from the wor6s-"Let brotherly love COZ
tinue"-by the Pastor. He exhorted his hear
ers to be forgiving and kind to one another al
ways remembering 80 have the beam out of
our own eyes before we attempted to get the
mote out Of our brothers.
Giving Abraham and Lot as an example OF
peace and forbearance towards each other,
When the hocks got too large to permit them
to remain as near Eeighbors, Abraham sug-
geeted that they should separate as strife arose
between their herdsueD, giving Let choice Of
the country spread out before them-he takins
the remainder. But now a-days, in case youl
neighbor or yourself disliked leaving their DOS
session-as would be very natural-both liking
the locality, go and have q conversation with
him; good talk often did much Ia the way Of
reconciliation. be further. said, as many or
ders and societies in colleges wore badges show
ing to which they belonged, so he though
the Christian ought to wear a badge. Otter
locking at it, 1t might remind him of the du
ties ne ought to perform. Many more very in.
teresting remarks were made during the ser
mon.
The discourse On Sabbath morning was in.
teDsely Interesting, from the words-'They
shall come from the north, from the south, y
&c.
He spoke Of the attraction of Heaven; God
Jesus Christ, angels and the redeemed saints
from all parts of the earth as proved By the
text, as coming from the north, the south, the
east and the west
he was glad it was not UNCONVENTIONAL hcay.
en-, but the Christians heaven, where all would
meet, though differing here On earth in some
points. From the text it was place of rest
They shall sit down." Rest was refreshing
to the tired man. 1t was place of intelligence
He advanced an idea which DIR. Dick speaks Of
as the knowledge acquired 10 the present state
VIII be carried along with us, when we wine
our flight TO the eternal world losing none
OF our mental faculties or our identity. This
WITH much more was said-closing with an hymn
after which the Lords supper was given. A
large crowd was present-some from other
churches which are now without pastors.
The graveyard is nicely enclosed, Three
large monuments and several handsome tomb
stones mark the last resting place of many per
sons | noticed the graves of several soldiers
who fell 10 the late war 10 defence Of their dear
Southern land. Among other Inscriptions.
noticed the name of Margaret Sarah Catharine
Elizabeth Mary Virginia Ann Grey Henderson
Hefner.
a newly made grave showed where Mr.. Geo
Dull. one Of the Oldest elders in the churoh
had been laid to rest. He was a pillar in the
church. and will be missed in the lower sanctu.
airy. lie vas converted under the Rev, I .,Jones'
preaching. His pastor spoke very feelipglv Of
him, as being absent from the circle gathered
around the pulpit at the communion.
Messrs. Geo. Shuey, B. f. Hailman and
John Brubeck are among the Elders.
There is parsonage belonging to the church.
lying near the Sugar Loaf
Synod willconvene at this church in August.
a large number Of ministers and delegates will
probably be in attendance, as there are a gree
many followers of Luther in Virginia 1T
~ ID the Valley. especial
May 10Th, 1873. EV. A.