Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-03-18
The Churches of AatgMst0.
Rocky Spring Church.

AS il was the request and some have written
a short history of the churches in Lexington
PresbyteTy. will try and give sketch OF
Rocky Spring congregation, as it may be inter-
estinq Co some But as the old records of the
church are lost or misIaid, there may be some
errors in dates, &C.
Some few years after the close of the Revo-
lutionary war, the Rev. Mr. Craig organized
the church Of Rocky Spring, and preached a
while there. He, I believe, preached after
wards at Augusta church and Thinking Spring
church.
Rev. John Montgomery, Of Frederick coun-
ty, Va, married the only daughter land only
child) Of Col. Thomas Hughart, near Rocky
Spring. He was wealthy farmer at tnat day.
Mr.. Montgomery came to Rocky Spring in
1791 and preached there until 1916, when fee.
BILE health caused him to quit preaching. He
died in 1918.
Rev. John d. Ewing was then preaching a
part Of his time at Rocky Spring. | do not know
how long he preached there. In 1921 or '22,
be ordained two ruling elders-A Archibald Kin
caid, Sen, ard Robert Guy, Sen. At this
time, Rev. John Paxton preached short time
as q missionary. Afterwards Rev. Thomas
Caldwell prcaehed while in 1925.
Rev. Alex. Iempleton preached one half of
bis time at Rocky Spring and the other half at
Central Union, now in Highland, some two OF
three years.
Rev James Kerr preached at Rocky Spring
8 tew years.
There had been but few additions to the
church for years. Some ladies held prayer
meeting In school house In the neighborhood
once week, and had been praying for reyi-
val Of religion.
About that time, the Rev. James g. Wilson
came and preached oae of his convincing and
conyictiug sermons. There was much feeling
10 the church. Some would say, Can any good
thing come out of Rocky SPRING.
After he dismissed the congregation, On his
way from the church, he found several on their
knees in great distress, like the Jailor, praying
what must We do to be saved?
Mr Wilson told them all to come back to
the church and be would talk TO them
They came back and many of the congregation
were still ct the church. Gir. W. talked and
prayed and appointed preaching for next day.
Mr., R0bt. Danlap, Sen, enc Of the pillars Of the
church, said when he came to the church next
morning, Nv hat is the Lord going to do with
US? ! vas sent for last night about II clock
to go to a neighbor's house, and found some
on their knees praying, others weeping" Mr.
Dunlap has been dead many years.
The meetings were continued and about
thirty we're added to the chDrch-many Of them
were pillars in the church as long as they lived.
IsFaeiises indeed
Rev. Mr. Kerr having left for some years,
in the year 1910 or II Rev. Jno s. Blain got
cal! from the churches Of Rocky Spring and
WilliaDsvilta. lie Vas then in Randolph Co.,
Va He came and remained until his death.
Although Rocky Spring was often without p
stated minister during those twenty years, yet
the church vas not forgotten by Lexington
Presbytery.
The pulpit in the little old log church was
often filed by the big guns OF the Gospel.as the
saying is-by the Rey. George Baxter, D. D.,
Henry Rufaer, D. D., Conrad Specie, D. D.,
John Heodren, D. D., Francis Mcfarland, D.
Rev. " ~ Calhoun, Rsy. James Payne, Rev.
Samuel Brown, Rev. John Vanlear, Rev, Aud.
B. Davidson and others.
But where ere now that faithful band.
That oft did labor in that stand,
That God would some poor sinners save
Their tongues lie silent in the grave
al gone to reap their rewards, we trust, in
Heaven. All those named, thus far, are dead,
but the Req. John D. Ewing and Rev. Samuel
Brown.
In the year 1853 and "a, the congregation
had good brick church pUt up near where
tbs old enc stood. The brick and carpenter
work was good. as honest men did the work.
In the year 1865, the congregation bought a
piece Of land, adjoining the graveyard, as the
old part was nearly filed up with graves and
had all enclosed by a good locust-post and plain
fence, wherein Iieth the mortal remains OF two
minsters-Rev. john Montgomery and Rev
John 3. Bl&in-and Eve Ruling Elders, name
~: Archibald Kincaid, Robert Guy. Sen.,
William Guy, father and son, Eugene Irwin
and Charles A Dunlap, and many others that
that were members q the church.
There shall they slumber in the ground,
Till the ArchangePs trump shall sound
And bid the sleeping dead arise,
To meet the Saviour in the skies.
The present Ruling Elders are VIM. ".
Montgomery, Thomas A. Clayton, a. <. Clay
ton, John 5. Gay and James 4. Clavtop,
In the Summer Of 1856, Rev. VIM T. Rich
srds0n, then OF Waypesbcro', came TO Rocky
Spring and preached about week his pointed
and convincing sermons that brought many to
reflection and crested much feeling. Some -
or Is joined the church. As Mr. r. had to
leave, Rev Thomas L.. Preston, then Pastor of
Hebron church, was written to, requesting him to
help US. He came and preached nearly week
two ooInrnunions 81 were added to the church
aud Of then-a dnlts-were baptized, some CT
them gray-headed. It was q solemn scene to see
them go aud ial on their knees il front Of the
pulpit and the venerable Pastor weeping, bap-
tiziDg them. a. .he close Of the Pastors SER
vices he said rise,and sing the 45lst hymn:
Come, Christian brethren, ere we part,
joln every voice and every heart
All hearts did join, bus the voices were
weak, the feeling was 70 Intense.
Mr., Balm becoming so feoble thnt he could
not preach regularly, the congregation procured
The services ef Rev. P Fletcher, Of Church
wills, to preach orce moo.h for a while. They
thsa-gaTe hev. Alr. VI infree q call for ore-hgif
of his tine-the ether hall he preached at
Williamsyiile. Bath county.
Mr.. Wiafree vas installed at Rscky Spring
some months ago. The Rev. BIr. EIetoheS
preached and gave the charge to the Pastor