Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-05-02


ERs WHO HAVE FALLEN AsLEEP-CHAR-
AcTER OF THE PRESENT PREsBYTERY-
OPENING DISQUALIFICATION OF THE
New Book OF DIscIpLINE-T TOUCHING
SCENE
&c, &c, &c.
Lexington Presby terry one of the most noted
religious bodies, of its size, that assemblies in
this country, commenced its session at the Pres
byterian church here on Wednesday evening -
1t numbers "a ministers rep resenting 40 church
es and among it's clergy who have no charge oil
regular congregations, are Rev W. II. Ruffner,
State Superintendent of Public Instruction j.
Rev. VIM S. White Principal of the Ann Smith
Academy at Lexington and Rev J. l.. Kirk
patrick Professor at Washington and Lee Uni
vcrsty Some of tho most distinguished men,
bers of the Presb yterian church have been men,
bers of this Presbytery, among them Rev. Will
liam Graham, the founder of Washington Col
lege the famous Rev. Archibald Alexander, D.
ID, Rev. Geo. A. Baxter D. D, Rev. Leonard
Spence D. D., Rev. DR.. Mcfarland and Others.
ORIGIN OF THE PREsBYTERY.
Lexington Presbytery was instituted out OF
Hanover Prcsbytery, in 1856, and at first en-
braced within its territorial limits all the State
of Virginia west of the Blue Ridge and north of
New River Its first meeting was held at Tim
Der Ridge church, Rockbridge county, in Sep
tender, 1856. At its formation, it was compos-
ed of ten ministers viz John Brown, Archl-
bald Scott Edward Crawford, Benjamin Erwin,
John Montgomery, William Wilson, Moses
Hoge, John McCue. Samuel Carrick and Samuel
Shannon. A brief account of these ministers of
the last century may be instructing to our read
ers at this time.
SKETCH OF THE FIRST TEN MINISTER'S
The Rev. John Brown, the first moderator OF
4he Presbytery, was graduate of Princeton
College, and in 1853, became the pastor of New
Providence church Having ministered to that
church for forty-four years, he resigned
his charge and removed to Kentucky, where he
died in 1903. His wife was daughter of John
Preston, one of the first settlers Of of Augusta
county, and the an cestor of the extensive family
Of that name Several of his sons were distin-
suished in political life, one of them, James
Brown. was a member of the United States Sen
ate from Louisiana, and for six years United
States Minister in France. B. Gratz Brown, of
Missouri late candida tt for the Vice Presidency,
is his great grand son.
ARCHIBALD SCOTT.
The Rev. Archibald Scott was native of
Scotland, educated in Pennsylvania, came to
our Valley as teacher, and was licensed to
preach in l777. He was for number of years
pastor of Bethel church, in this county. He
died in l799, and was buried at Hebron church.
The Scots of Hardy county are his descendants,
AS also the Sprouls and McPheterses of this
county.
The Rev Edward Crawford was educated at
Princeton He removed to Tennessee at an ear
ly day and little is known of him.
BENJAMIN ERWIN.
The Rev. Benjamin Erwin was educated at
Princeton In 1880 be became pastor of Messy
Greek church, in Augusta, and Cooks Greek
church, in Rockingham. He died pastor of his
first charge. His descendants still live in Au-
gusa and Rockingham.
JOHN MONTGOMERY.
The Rev. John Montgomery was, we believe,
native of Augusta Co., and was educated at
Princeton. He was FOR several years pastor of
the church at Winchester, but in 1889 removed
to the Pastures, in this county, where he resided
till his death He has many descendants in this
county, Mr.. VIM. W. Montgomery being his
grandson.
WILLIAM WILSON.
The Rev VIM. Wilson was born in Pennsyl-
wania, but grew up in Rockbridge county, un-
der the ministry of John Brown. He was for
many years the pastor of Augusta church, sue
ceeding the Rev Jas. Craig, the pioneer preach
err of this region, and being succeeded by DR..
Spence. Our fellow countymaD, Mr.. Thomas
P. Wilson is son of his.
MOSES. HoGE
The Rev. Moses Hoge was born in Frederick
county in 1852, and educated at Liberty Hall
Academy, Rockbridge Co. At the time Lex
ington Presbytery was formed, he was pastor of
church in Hardy county. He afterwards lived
at shepherdstown, and finally became President
of Hampden Sidney College. The Rev. DR..
Hoge of Ri chmond is his grandson.
JOHN MCUE.
The Rev John McCue was licensed to preach
in 1882, and first settled in Greenbrier county
In 1871 he became the pastor of Thinking Springs
and Staunton churches and ministered to the
former till 1918. On the Goth September of that
year, be Was thrown or fell from his horse and
was instantly killed. while riding alone to
church Col Franklin McCue, of this county:
lis his son.
SAMUEL cARRICK
The Rev. Samuel Carrick was born in Penn
svlyania. but came to the Valley of Virginia
while he was quite young. He was, for a few
wears, pastor of Rocky Spring church. In II SO
he removed to Tennessee. He afterwards was
elected by the Legislature, President of Blount
College. subsequently known as East Tennessee
University.
SAMUEL SHANNON.
The Rev. Samuel Shannon was educated at
Princeton, and became a Preacher in 1880. In
1884 he was ordained Pastor of Windy Cave
Church On the Cowpasture River; but in 1881,
he removed 10 Kentucky.
THE OPENING OF THE SESSION
The handsome interior of the Presbyterian
church, brilliantly lighted with its new chan
deliers, was filed with an attentive audience
at o'clock, when Rev. Harry Gilmore, of
Rockbridge, the moderator Of the last SEES
sion, preached the opening sermon, from the
text II am not ashamed to preach the Cos
mel of Christ" The speaker described the
difficulties Of the situation, political and So
eial, when these words Were uttered by
Paul. and showed how much greater they
were in those days, when member of con-
suered race preached the Gospel Of Christ,
in opposition to the established faith Of the
Romans who were the conauerors, than they
are to those who now preach Christ. The