Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-10-29

Often, in those early years, was mucl
cast down, and but for the sympathy Q
my little band of brethren and sisters
and the counsel of my father, who en-
couraged me to hold on, I would proba
bly, have abandoned my post in dis
! couragement. Yet those were years O
mercy, and in reviewing them, my
prominent feelings are gratitude to Coz
for goodness, and sorrow that I was no
more earnest and devoted.
The M. HI. was to have been dedicat
ed on the 1st Sunday in Oct, But tha
was stormy day. / felt desolate enough
Specially had fears for congregation
for our members did not exceed, if they
reached dozen, and we had no outside
adherents on whom I could count. ]
shuddered at the thought Of preaching
to empty pews. But God was. better
than my fears. On the End Sunday in
Oct. we had very successful opening
Crowds gathered I preached, in the
morning, the dedication sermon from
the text Lord loved have the habita.
tioAs of thy house and the place where
thine honour dwelleth :" aud, at night
my Introductory, as pastor, from the
words, "As much as in me is, / am ready
to preach the Gospel to you, that are al
Rome also ;''-little dreaming, by the
way, that this was afterwards to be
literally fulfilled in my history.
During that Fall aud Winter some
thing of the enthusiasm belonging to the
novelty of our enterprise was maintain
ed, and ere this waned, we were blessed
with season of refreshing" in connec.
tion with protracted meeting in which
we hsd the aid of brethren J. A. Broadus
and Cornelius Tyree. BY this meeting
we received new impulse and gathered
in much good material, principally from
the Sunday School. This last, which
had been established and conducted to
considerable prosperity by the well di-
rected efforts of brother Alex. Pope
Abel, during his temporary residence
in the place, was, from the beginning,
one of the most hopeful features of the
enterprise. Before this protracted meet
ing. all our weekly services had been
he'd in private houses, and very pleas
ant they were but from that time we
began to hold them in the lecture room,
and those meetings were during my en-
tire connection with the church as large
ly attended, in proportion to the mem
bership of the church as any prayer
meetings / have ever known.
In the year, 1860, the Baptist General
Association of Virginia met with the
Staunton church, it being the first of its
sessions ever held West of the Blue
Ridge. By the hospitable aid of the
community and the generosity of the
members of the church-some Of whom
paid considerable sqms of money for the
purpose-it was magnificently enter
tained. The guests were well pleased,
and the meeting left fine impression
on the community, and gave US a new
impulse, besides paying the balance OF
our church debt.
About this period, was, by the per-
mission of the church, much absent
travelling in behalf of the Allegheny
High School-afterwards Allegheny
College, which after brief, but brilliant
career, went down, with many other
good things, during the war, its build.
ings being twice destroyed by fire-the
second time by the Federal Army.
During the active campaign of 1852,
was Chaplain in StoneWall Jackson's
corps, my place in Staunton being sup
piled by bro. John H. Taylor, who had
been licensed by the church. After my
return, held, in connection with my
pastorate, the place of post chaplain,
visiting daily among the sick and
wounded soldiers who filled the build
ings and grounds of the d. and d. and
B. Institution, and almost every day
low to his last resting place, while I Of.
ten preached three and four times on
Sunday. 1t was also my privilege to
make an extensive tour to the South in
behalf of Army Colportage and to visit
and preach to the Army of Northern
Virginia during the great revival. Larg-
er and more enthusiastic congregations
it has scarcely ever been my privilege to
see gathered. On one occasion, I preach
ed to cr 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, stood almost alone
as Baptist minister in large part of
the Valley. [ do not think there was
another Baptist pastor within forty or
fifty 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.
The 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, 1 wish to say that |
have ever since had most painful i'm.
preston that I did far less than I might
aud ought to have done.
MY relations with the Staunton
church were always pleasant, and, as q
rule, great harmony prevailed among
the members. Certainly for the firsl
eight or ten ~ears, this was remarkably
the case; the business meetings were
short and free from angry discussion, al
votes were unanimous; and the breath
of discord was unknown. So true was
this, that sermons on peace and brother
ly love, prepared for ether congregations
felt it unnecessary to preach in Staun'
ton. Before commencing my pastoratt
there, | was speaking of the church tt
DR.. Jeter, and remarked that I believed
there were no leading members. 81
don't matter" replied he, "providec
there are only good following members )
We were blessed in this regard, and I
though insufficiently supported, anc
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
1t would be grateful to my feelings to
mention individuals who were part cuIar
ly active as church members and par
ticularly kind to me personally, bu
delicaoy restraints my pen. But the
Lord not only "knoweth them that art
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 yer,
liberal in their contributions and th
church itself was, in this respect, one O
the banner churches of the State.
think it right to mako special leferenc'
to the colored membership of the church
among whom were some excellent chris
tians. One of these was Anderson, tn
beloved and trusted slave of Simpson F
Taylor. He was long the only Baptis
in Staunton. and his earnest prayer t,
God was that Baptist church might b
established there. This prayer he live,
to see answered. Some Of my most ap
preciative hearers were among the col
ored people, who occupied one of the sid
galleries. Prominent among these, wa
Laura Campbell who loved to hear th
gospel and was ready for every goo