The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-01-14
REsPoNDENCE.
Letter from Rockingham County, Va.
SCANLoN's CABIN, Cooks CREEK
CHURCH, ETC.
January 9, 1880

OCANLON CABIN, COOK OREEK
CHURCH, Etc
January 9, 1880.
NesSTS. Editors, S,-Scanlon' Cabin, a
short distance from Harrisonburg, where
the meetings, of which I wrote you some
time ago, were held, was once a groggery
where the railroad hands were supplied
with whiskey. This small building has
been used for two or three years for pub
lie school-house Steele's school-house, and
occasionally there was a religious service
held by Rev. VIM T. Price of Cooks
Creek church. AT the earnest request of
two or three persons, Bro. Price was in
duced to hold continued meeting there
in October and November last About
thirty or forty persons met regularly, only
three or four Of whom were members of
any church. Of this number over twenty
appeared as inquirers during the meet
ings. Fourteen have applied for admis-
sion to Cooks Greek church others will
go elsewhere
During the meetings, Rev DR. Bowman,
of Harrisonburg along with members of
that church, assisted. 1t is thought the
two churches might unite in carrying on
a mission work in this quarter greatly to
the well-being of the community around,
many of whom now attend church no
where. About all towns, perhaps, there
may be found belt of territory too far
removed by distance from country meet
ing-houses, and for one reason or another
somewhat removed in sympathy from the
churches OF the town, not near enough to
feel themselves of the town, yet too near
to avail themselves, easily of the advan-
tages OF. the country, reminding one on
the Sabbath day of a district '6etaUee7a
tie lines.
The date of the organization of Cooks
Creek church is not precisely known, but
it occurred before 1855. The church
building was many years ago removed
and rebuilt, and Is since known locally as
Nea0 Erection. In l780, when Harrison
burg was laid off as town, it was used
as preaching point, an organization eff
fected, and the two, as one charge was
known as the Harrisonburg and Cooks
Creek church. Among its pastors, are the
names Of A. B. Davidson, Daniel Baker,
Abner w. Fitzpatrick, A. H. H. Boyd,
Thos. L. Hammer, and Thos D. Bell. The
present pastor has been greatly blessed in
his labors, which have been with much
praying and tears, and intense feeling of
responsibility The opinion has been ex
pressed by aged persons Of other denom-
nations, that New Erection has not been
In so good condition for half century
Praying is more visible.
Of Harrisonburg church much may be
said likewise. During the twelve years
the conscientious and able truth-expound-
ing pastorate of Rev. J. Rice Bowman
D. D., it has doubled its membership. and
still there is promise.
Both these are promising fields of labor
and their progressive attitude calls for
much thankfulness to Him, who alone
maketh His ministers a fame of fire. "
And yet grows and grows the work of
elevating the spirituality of the people.
Oh breath, come like a rushing mighty
wind and by thy warmth fuse all hearts
into one in fellowship and in effort in all
the churches We apprehend Christ by
faith we see Him yonder in the "hea-
venly places but we ought, in this dis
pensation Of the Spirit to seek, above all |
things, to be filed with the Holy Ghost.
striving after the same by a spirit al WAYS
conscious of a higher attainable spiritu |
ality, influence, usefulness. always indulp-
ing in earnest desire and prayer for the
same, and thus "practicing the presence |
Of God. ~
It is only as individual Christians are
filled and moved by the Holy Ghost that
they can best use their personality for God
in moving others. When enjoying His
presence in large measure they are pow
erfully moved it cannot be hid: tits then
they are powerful in moving others fire
is communicable
Is the way in which most Of our churches
nntornnr,l ltt 20 IN n,1iAn 90 nA.-rn.L.-.. l.. -