The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-09-01
The Presbyterian Reunion At
Washington, Pa, Yesterday.

Tie Presbyterian Re"unlOu NJ
Washington, Pa, Yesterday.
Yesterday was the day fixed for the
Presbyterian reunion at Netherlands
Grove, Washington, Pa. We do not
know why the 3lst, or last day, Of August
was fixed for the time Of holding the
social gathering, but We do know that a
more auspicious and beautiful day could
not have been selected. The weather was
delightful, and in the glorious shade
afforded in the grove those present en-
joyed n "lodge in vast wilderness" The
grove is admirably located, being within
quarter Of mile Of the town, and not
hundred yards from the Hemp6eld and
CHARTERS Valley railroads. The only
drawback is the lack Of water. Yesterday
there was bountifuI supply Of water on
the ground, il having been hauled in bar
rels, which were conveniently located at
various points in the grove. Ample
seating capacity for over one thousand
persons had been arranged in well
selected portion Of the grounds. in front
Of the speakers stand. The stand was
handsomely decorated, and afforded seats
for the officers, speakers and musical
directors.
Al about 10 o'clock in the morning the
excursion train on the Hempfeld road
reached the grounds, there being four
crowded cars. Headed by T. NJ. Todds
excellent cOrnet band, The vast concourse
Of people fell into line and marched to
the grove where hundreds Of people had
already assembled. Soon the Charters
train arrived with seven cars crowded to
their utmost capacity. A little later u
second train Of three or four cars on each
road arrived, and soon about three thou
sand people were scattered in the woods.
The tirst thing done was to scatter oil
in groups, build fires and prepare dinner.
Temporary tables were erected, and in
many places clean white cloths were
spread over the green carpet abounding
in the woods. The supply Of provisions
brought in baskets was abundant, but the
greater portion soon disappeared. The
early rising, the ride through the bracing
country air, and the brief romp through
the fields had seryedto sharpen appetites,
and we are sure ample justice was done
at epch and every festive board.
At about IL o'clock large Mason &
Hamlin organ was placed upon the stand,
and Prof. Mellor, OF Pittsburgh, took
charge OF it. MT. NJ, Todd, Of West
Alexander, appeared with his cornet,
and really excellent vocal and instru.
| mental treat was afforded, many Of the
ladies and gentlemen assembled taking
part in The singing. The Moody and
sankey collection OF hymns was used on
the occasion. The selections were all
familiar, and some Of the grand choruses
made the woods rs.echo again and again.
The meeting was formally opened by
the election OF Hon. J. X. Moorhead, oi
Pittsburgh, as President, with large
number Of Vice Presidents and several
Secretaries. Upon taking the chair, Mr.
Moorhead made brief but most appro'
PIRATE, address. He said the assembly
was gathered in the sheep.foll Of Penn
sylvania, many Of the best shepherds
were present, and he hoped all would be
gathered, a united band, in the upper
sheep.fold, with Christ, the Great shep'
herd, at their head.
Rev.S. L. Wilson, Of Allegheny Theo'
logical Seminary, led in prayer.
| DR.. John Stockton. OF Cross Creek, Pa.
was The first speaker. He was selected
to make the opening address as he is th'
Oldest member Of the Presbytery Of Wash
ington and the synod Of Pittsburgh, will
both ofwhich the Presbyterian Churches
Of Wheeling are connected. Dr,stocktor
has been pastor Of The church at Gross
Creek for over ,fofty:nine years, and has
preached constantly in that one field oi
labor. There Is not one minister in ter
thousand who can look back upon such
glorious record. OF course he is dearly
beloved by his congregation, having mar
ried many OF the older members OF hii
church, baptised. and married their chill
dren, and in some instances their grand
children. The Doctor confined his re
marks mostly to the early history oil thu
church, having been personally acquaint
ed with many Of the early pioneers o
Presbyterianism in this section Of coun
ltry. His address was eminently befttini
the occasion, and he delivered 1t will
the force and eloquence for which he ii
noted.
Brief addresses were made by Rev. c
NJ. McLane, OF the United Presbyterian
Church, Of CanOnsburg, Pa, r.Jacobns
Of Allegheny Theological Seminary, ant
{ Hon. John Scott, Of Pennsylvania. Th'
addresses were all pointed and interest
ing, and the vast crowd remained with
in range Of the speakers stand for ovel
two hours. The exercises were inter
spersed with singing familiar hymns.
These exercises over, then came III,
Hand,shaking and greeting Of friend,
who had not met each other for years
A more social and old.iashioned goot
time has not been enjoyed anywhere il
this region within our remembrance
There were probably thirty or fort!
ministers in the assembly. The attend
ance OF laymen was large and III,
) number OF ladies present quite no
; ticeable. The whole assemblagc seemet
to be a very happy, social throng. AL
! together, the occasion was one Of th'