The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-10-24

Sunday. 1t was also my privilege to
make an extensive tour to the South in
behalf of Army Colportage, and to visit
ana preach to the Army of Northern
Virginia during the great revival. Larg-
er and more enthusiastic congregations
1t has scarcely ever been my privilege to
see gathered. On one occasion, preach
ed to an entire corps, which crowded
close around me in natural amphithe-
atre, heard without difficulty.
In the latter part of the war, and i'm
mediately after it, I stood almost alone
as Baptist minister in large part of
the Valley. [ do not think there was
another Baptist pastor within forty or
1ifty miles, to the North, South and
| West of Staunton. Consequently the
Staunton pastor had the privilege of
preaching in many of the churches and
| administering the ordinance of baptism
IN many of the waters of all that region.
.Ihe church was always very kind in al
lowing me to go when and where wish
ed, and most of my holy days were
| preaching excursions. But lest it be
thought that seem to boast of abundant
evangelistic labors, wish to say that I
have ever since had a most painful i'm
preston that did far less than I might
and ought to have done.
My relations with the Staunton
church were always pleasant, and, as
rule, great harmony prevailed among
the members. Certainly for the first
eight or ten years, this was remarkably
the case; the business meetings were
short and free from angry discussion, all
votes were unanimous; and the breath
of discord was unknown. So true was
this, that sermons on peace and brother
~ love, prepared for other congregations,
felt it unnecessary to preach in Staun-
ton. Before commencing my passionate
there, 1 was speaking of the church to
DR.. Jeter, and remarked that I believed
there were no leading members. sit
don't matter" replied he, "provided
there are only good follo0ing MEMBERS"
We were blessed in this regard. and I,
though insufficiently supported, and
needing to supplement my salary by
labor:ng with the pen and in the school
room, yet lived contentedly with my
little flock, and we were like one family.
Tt would be grateful to my feelings to
mention individuals who were particular
ly active as church members and par
ticularly kind to me personally, but
delicacy restraints my pen. But the
Lord not only "knoweth them that are
his" but also has his eye on those who
are foremost in love and zeal, and they
will not lose their rewards. Some of the
members, both rich and poor, were very
liberal in their contributions and the
church itself was, in this respect, one of
the banner churches of the State. I
think it right to make special reference
to the colOred membership of the church.
among whom were some excellent chris
tians. One of these was Anderson, the
beloved and trusted slave of Simpson F.
Taylor. He was long the only Baptist
in Staunton, and his earnest prayer to
God was that Baptist church might be
established there. This prayer he lived
to see answered. Some of my most APP
preciative hearers were among the col
ored people, who occupied one of the side
galleries. Prominent among these, was |
Laura Campbell who loved to hear the |
gospel and was ready for every good
work, and who was followed to the
grave by large congregation both of
white and colored persons, the white I
deacons of the church acting as pail
bearers. We had also, in those days, a
special Sunday afternoon service for the
colored congregation, at which the Pas
tor presided, but in which the colored
brethren freely exercised their gifts and
often those meetings were peculiarly
spirited and pleasant. After the present
order of things, consequent upon the
war, was ushered in, was once much
rendered at a crowded political meeting
IN the Courthouse, by brother Ben.
Downey, one of our most venerable col
ored members, to the spiritual privileges
which the colored people had always en-
joyed, under God at the hands Of the
Baptist church and pastor.
For various reasons, / have limited my
"reminiscences mainly to the earlier years
of the church's history. But I wish to
make one exception. wish to pay
tribute to the pastorate of my successor
when I left for the University. Return
ing two years after, found, in various
departments, evidence of the excellent
pastoral labor of brother Williams, who
will doubtless be with you at your An
niversary, rejoicing with you and with
brother Manly over the blessings which
God has vouchsafed. Since I came
abroad, I have heard with joy and
gratitude of the increased and in
creasing prosperity of the church I'M
der the wise and Jealous leadership of
their present noble pastor, DIR. Charles
joyed by you. We ministers are gladly
'your servants for Jesus sake" "For
a0e are lobourers together with God: ye
are Gods husbandry Tor cultivated
farm, We are Gods building.
Therefore let no man glory in men. For
all things are yours; whether Paul, or
Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life,
or death, or things present, or things to
come; all are yours; and We are Christ's
and Christ is Gods"
Concluding my "reminiscences, take
pleasure in testifying to the kindly re-
lations which always subsisted between
US and the other churches and ministers
of the town. In the period before the
existence of our church, Staunton had
not been remarkable for friendliness be-
tween the different denominations
Fortunately, the Presbyterian and Epis-
copalian pastors and I all commenced
in Staunton about the same time, and
we were all young men, and all disposed
to live together as brethren, and labor
for the salvation of souls. The success
sive pastors of the other congregation
united with us in the same spirit, and
we all were accustomed to meet with
more or less regularity for social con-
verse, and for conference and prayer in
reference to the spiritual state of the
community. Without pretending to
special Intimacy, we sympathized with
and helped one another, and each felt
that he was safe in the hands of the
rest. believe the example of the min
listers was not without its effect upon
the churches and the people generally.
"a any lotcI lie ldcC Was as nave SCa-
ted, and peace and good feeling pre-
vailed among the different congrega-
tions. All my experience convinces me
that there is perfect compatibility be-
tween firmly holding and frankly an
nouncing what we believe to be the
truth, and an exquisite courtesy towards
those who differ from us and large
heartedness which embraces all who
bear the image of Christ.
AS have been writing, I have been
impressed anew with the Importance
and sublimity of the institution of the
local church, and the greatness of the
privilege of church membership; and
this last, surely in proportion as the
church is conformed in organization
and spirit to the Word of God. Ger
tainly we come first to Christ, and after
wards to the church; but, introduced
into living New Testament church,
what blessed home for our own train
ing, and what field for the exercise of
influence! We, as individuals, pass
away but the local church to which we
have belonged Hves, and continues to feel
the mower of 0ur oha ra otor O n loboro