The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-28
ACROSS THE HORDER.
In Greene County. Pa.-Recoilcctions o.
old Time Religion aud Preaching.

In Greene County, Pa.-RecOllcctions 81
OId Time Religion aud Preaching.
GREENE COUNTY, Pa, July %.
Correspondent Of the Intelligencer
Your correspondent, after an early
morning ride on the cars to Cameron and
a tiresome hack ride Of twelve miles to
Jacktown, finds himself comfortably
seated this afternoon on the porch OF a
rustic cottage couple Of miles from the
above mentioned town, enjoying the
rural scenery spread out ike panorama
before him. The bottom below, with its
waving fields oigreen corn ;thesplendidhil
farms, lately stripped Of their golden har.
vest; the sheaves Of oats which dot the
fields like little monuments OF natures
bounty to man; the variegated fields and
woods; the invigorating breezes; the
sweet warblipg OF innumerable birds; the
buzz OF the honey bee as he goes by with
| laden thighs; the merry voices OF the
mowers in an adjoining field, and
"The old ,wallOT:;SAuntsd barns
Filled with summers ripened stores,
Its OlOrOus grass and barley sheAYeS,
From their low scanOlds 10 their caves"
are sights and sounds and qualifications
to the senses only to be appreciated by
the city chap Just escaped from the heated
streets and nolsome smells OF the town.
This is truly grand country, and even
the farmer appears satisfied with the re-
suits OF his labor. I visited this section
about twenty-five years ago, when every
thing was conducted in the most print
tive style, and the people appeared per.
fectly contented to live the quiet pastoral
Lives they did. The community is made
up principally OF Scotch Presbyterians, q
people noted for their strict morality and
still stricter orthodoxy, and at the time |
speak OF when the Disciples, or Camp.
bellites," as they were called, attempted
TO establish church in this region, 1t was
looked upon as a religious innovation de-
serving the condemnation OF every true
believer. In those days the Presbyterian
Church was very unpretentious structure
situated in the woods, and to which the
good people at every recurring Sab
bath aocked from the country for miles
around. They came principally on horse
back and every horse hltched in the grove
hard by represented worshiper in the
church, and some Of them possibly two,
for it was not an uncommon thing for a
"iellow" to take his "girl" up behind him,
and thus ride to church. Rude benches
answered for seats, and when the veneer
able minister gave out the hymn, the
choir rose from their places in the middle
OF the congregation and rendered the
music in manner never to be forgotten
BY the listening stranger. This choir WAS
composed principally Of one iamily-the
father, three daughters and three sons
and, in my opinion, their singing was far
superior to the modern operaticstyle. Some
OF them are still living and some OF them
"in the churchyarQ lie." About l0o'Clock
the preacher would commence hissermon,
and at noon recess would be taken for
lunch, which every one brought with him,
and which was enjoyed in groups
under the shade. OF the spreading trees.
On reassembling the minister would
gather up the thread OF his discourse"
and prolong the same sermon for an hour
or so longer But all these things are Of
the past, and, as some OF the older people
here say, this community has been struck
with "the vanity OF the world" The rude
old church has given place to modern
built edifce, with all the luxuriant i'm
provements, even, we presume, the choir
with organ accompaniment. The people
ride to church in their carriages and bug
gies, and next Sabbath the pulpit OF this
Scotch Presbyterian Church will be ocCu.
pied by Rev. Kincade, a Disciples minis.
ter. The spinning wheel has long rested
queitly in corner OF the thunderstorm,
and its place is occupied by the piano or
organ. The sun-browned Maud Mullers,
who in harvest time assisted in "a raking
OF the hay" are away at some fashionable
seminary. All this in the eyes OF the rising
generation is.a step in civilization, but to
the old people who think the world has
never advanced since their young days, it
is the deplorable degeneration Of the age.