Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-03-06
from "The Faithful Word" by Rev. w, T.,
Prica
Sketches Of Greenwood Church.

. Within the Southwestern limits O
u Bath county, Virginia, along the bank
oil Jackson river, with rapid current O
4 crystal purity, is sequestered rural com
munlty. Here there are dozen or NOR,
homes, on lands ofgrea. natural fertility
and reposing amid scenes of romanti,
ioveliness. For generations, these farm.
have been occupied by persons attached
(, TO the Presbyterian faith, and there has
been preaching more or less regularly
, Ior more than seventy-fi five years. Rev
A. Is. Davidson in his reports of evan
geiistic tours to Allegheny and Bath
counties, mentions his hospitable recep-
ton at the home of Alexander McClintic,
the elder, and of the pleasant and inter-
estlng services enjoyed therein. Private
houses and school houses were used for
religious services until 1860 About that
time very neat and commodious build
ing was erected on beautiful spot, un-
der the auspices of Rev. James M. Rice,
pastor of the COvington church.
Among the ministers who have
preached here, more or less regularly,
we may recall the names of James Paine.
Samuel Brown, Dion G. Pharr, Alexan-
der Hogshead, w. T. Price, James M.
Rice, and N. w. Calhoun.
In the writer's memory are storad
away many pleasant and interesting re-
miniscences of his brief and imperfect
youthful ministry in the Greenwood
congregation, two or three years before
it was an organized church.
There were coZy social Sabbath day
meetings at the old McClintic mansion,
occupied by the aged and aimiable sis
ters. Nancy and Peggy McClintic, two
| lOUaIt Ityf ", ,r;o oil, 4
Among his best friends, was Mrs. Major
Bolar, enc of the most intelligent ladies
to be found anywhere. There were over
howing congregations, gathered in the
Summer time, at the old dilapidated Cav
endIsh residence, when Rev. J. G. Brown
from Frankfort, or Rev. r. G. Walker
from Union church, would kindly be
present to render their efficient and ac-
ceptable assistance.
Among the names he tenderly cherish
es, ia Fannie Mann, one of the most ma
ture, intelligent Christian characters. it
was ever his pleasure to meet with
among young people. She was bright
and joyous in spirit as the bird that sings
at the gate of the morning.
In domestic affairs, she. was diligent
and skillful, and yet her attaintnents in
aivlne knowledge often put me to the
| O-NSA' AASA PiSty was LiIS~I vi tue closet
and prayerful study of the scriptures,
without note or comment. Her self
trained pen was that of the ready writer,
and her letters, if not lost, would be a
treasure, ii properly arranged She has
passed away to higher service
| 1t is among his recollections too, the
scene that transpired in the dying cham
Der of Johnnie Brown, grand son Of
Mrs. Rolar. He was youth of marked
promise, but consumption had marked
| him as its own.
OF all that conamuned upon that occa-
sion, but one remains, and he writes
these simple annals.
Little Willy Bradley" is often
remembered. One of the greatest suf-
ferers that ever lived, that we know any
thing about
A true account OF this lad would SIM
ply be incredible TO all except those
who may have seen him. He die. not
wish to get well, for fear he might forget
God, and live ia sin, like so many well
people do, and like he did, before he be-
came so sick.
In the porch of the Cavendish house,
one Sabbath morning of a communion
occasion, touching scene was witness
ed by the writer.
Two aged gentleman citizens of prom
iasnce and honored for their virtues, had
been rivals in politics, which had result
ed in feelings of bitter personal animos-
| lty. One OF them venerable Ruling
Elder. was high-toned gentleman, and
for years he felt that he had been gross
ly wronged and misunderstood by the
other person, who was not member of
the church, but gentleman of strict
| integrity, and high sense of honor, like
| wise.
For twenty years they stood aloof on
their dignity. Each had passed the limit
of seventy years.
The Ruling Elder made the first ad-
vance, and in tones tremulous with emo
| ton, said: "Let us shake hands and be
friendly, for want to live the rest of my
time On earth in peace and love with
every one."
Their aged hands remained clasped for
several moments in hearty friendship,
and both were glad to be friends again.
During the ministry of Mr.. Rice,
Montgomery Presbytery organized
Greenwoo ! church; part of the members
lived in Allegheny, but the greater num-
ber lived in Bath, and as the meeting
house was in Bath, the church was trans
ferred to Lexington Presbytery. The
elders, Alexander and James McClintic.
| Mr.. Rice was succeeded by Rev. N. w.
Calhoun, whose brief ministry here was
terminated by death. He was quickly
succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. A.
+. Laird, whose earnest and devoted ser.
vice has been crowned with fattering
success.
Mr.. Laird serves two other churches
Mountain Grove, in Bath, twelve miles
West of Warm Springs, and Rehoboth,
in Highland, sixteen miles farther North
from Mountain Grove.
Thus it is seen, that the labors of this
laborious minister extend nearly forty
miles. Such is the outline of his field,
that he passes near the most of the fami
lies of h charge as he journeys from
point to point. and can thus pay his pas
toral visits and meet his appointments
simultaneously.