Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-05-13
MethOdism In Old Times.

Our friend, A. &. Rohr, has in his
possession the Recording Stewards
Minutes for Rockingham Circuit of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, contain
ing the proceedings of the Quarterly
Conference from 179S to 1922. The Cir.
cult at that time embraced Waynesbo
70, Staunton, Harrisonburg, Spring
Creek, Brooks Gap. Linvill's Creek,
Port Republic, New Market and Wood
stock.
| In lSO2 Brother Bruce was Presiding
Elder, and Brothers Pitts and Moore
were the Circuit Riders. The preach
ers received as their salary. $50 per an
mum, and their necessary travelling ex-
| penses.
In 1879, at the Quarterly Meeting held
in Aug. the amount paid by Staunton
for the support of the ministers was so
cents. The number of members was 49,.
In 1899 Bishop George was one of the
Circuit Riders for Rockingham Circuit
Harrisonburg is put down in the min
utes for several years as Rocktown, and
it was not until some time about 1878 that
the name Harrisonburg was intreduc-
ed.
In 1900 Bishop George was Presiding
Elder and brother Painter Circuit Ri
der. Joseph Cravens was the Recording
Steward for number Of years.
At the quarterly meeting in Februa.
ry, 1902, among other items of business,
Bro. J. Ward, Circuit Preacher, handed
over to the Recording Stewart ST. 90, the
amount received by him for marrying.
In 1902 Brothers Cassell and Ward
were the Circuit Preachers 1t was dur
ing this year that one of the most re-
l. L. l.
ed in history. Bishop Asbury visited
Rocktown, and conducted services for
two days. After he left mischievous
on Linvills Creek, was seen by Uncle
Billy Bryan, who was Local Preacher
residing below town, and in answer TO
a question of Billy Bryan as to how the
meeting was getting on, said that there
was wonderful meeting and that ev-
erybody was getting religion. There
was no truth in the story, but Uncle
Billy believed it, and he at once circu.
lated the report all through the country.
The next day great many families
came to town in their wagons, bringing
provisions for several days, and propose
ed to camp out. On arriving in town
they found no revival going on, and
that Shaver's story was all a hoax.
Brother Cassel, concluded. as so many
friends had come to town, that he would
preach that night. He did so, and in
the midst of his sermon there was an
extraordinary outpouring of the Holy
Spirit so abundant and powerful that
the whole congregation seemed awe
struck. All over the church was heard
the cry of weeping penitents, and cries
for mercy. The meeting was contin.
ued for nine days and nights, incessant.
ly. There never was before, we pre-
sumo, meeting lasting nine days and
nights withoutsuspendin the exercises
single hour. 1t is now known in Me.
thodist history as the mine days meet
ing"
In 1911 the following were the class
leaders in Harrisonburg JOS Cravans,
James Burgess. DR.. Peachy Harrison.
VIM. Cravans, Joseph Thornton, Jacob
Rohr. William Wheeler was the SEX
ton of the church for many years, and
like the preachers, did not receive an
extravagant salary, as the following
minutes show MAY l, 1910, William
is to keep the house to the first of No
vember Next for Z dollars and half to
Wash the house once IN the time"
There are a good many other points of
interest in the old record, to which we
may refer at some future time.-Rock-
inghdna Register.