Smyrna times., 1880-03-03
For the Smyrna Times
Methodist History on the Peninsula.

The ancient village of Duck Creek, so
long at rest trOla the busy turmOils Of life,
at length emerges from comparative OBJ.
security 10y research into Ecclesiastical his
tory for the oligen of denominational
Christian vitality that pervaded this sec
ton OF country. Long before the Revou-
ton. England. Ireland, and Scotland had
sent out missionaries to Gvangelze the
scattered population of this vast continent
On thls Peninsula many substantial ehur-
ches were erected, and ministers sent from
the mother country to offeiate in them to
hold their membership together and enlist
fresh recruits.
The village of Duck Creek was known at
great distance, but not for the extent of
its Limits, nor the number of its popula-
ton. Situated at the head Of navigation
on Duck Creek from which it took it's
name, and on the State road through which
communication was held by the northern
cities with the most remote part of the
Penlnsula It's geographical position brought
it iRte notice.
As far back US l704 the Rev. Thomas
Crawford came from England missionary
from the Established Church-to this village.
As many as six were sent consecutVely,
and preached to the people of the sur
rounding country who met there to wor.
ship. The first church Of this denemna.
ton was frame building on the hill in
the village, whore there still remains
tombstone of great age. The last mis-.
| sionary sent was the Rev. j. McGaw who
arrived here in 1867, and closed his labors
| in 1856, and went to otiiciate at St. Pauls
| in Philadelphia. lind there is some dis
crspancy here with regard to datos. The
above does not agree with what Dir. Coke
gave when he preached for DR.. McGaw at
st. PaulH, Phladelphia, on his arrival to
| this country in Nov, 1854. We have the
utmost confidence in the goodness and
greatness OF both these eminent diyines,
and suppose the difference in dates could
be reconciled, 10y suppoSing that DR.. Nc
Cav Was there at that time in expectation
OF call, or possibly, he might have ac-
cepted call there while he still held
supervision over st, Peters hers.
URder his ministry st. Peters Brick
| Church between Duck Crock Village, and
Duck Creek Cross Roads was flashed. 1t
was grand structure | suppose for the
| times. Its high pulpit and sounding board
are still retained in my memory. My
grand parents after their removal from
Maryland, and my mother, when child,
attended the ministry oil DR.. Mc(iaw, while
| Rector of this church. My mother taught
mo to respect his memory, long before |
saw his name figure in Methodist History
| The names Of the ycstry men have
| forgotten. with the exception of Daniel
| Cummins, the grand father of Col. George
| Cuminins and his brothers, who reside in
this town, also Of the late Bishop George
! d. Cummius. The Rev. Dr's lraternal
feelings manifested to the Methodist
| i,.,t -
transition for his congregation TO turn over
to the Methodists after he left, which
suppose the most Of them did
An applicant for membership in the 81.
+. Church will be received if he desires to
save his soul, and lead new life 1t is a
church formed for religious progress, mani
tested III the lives of its members. 1t is
not asked If they believe in particular, or
general redemption, in absolute or condi-
tional dscras. There have been and still
are many C.Avanistic Meth odists in Eng
land. The great Whitfield was one, whose
fame in this country extended from Maine
to Georgia, and his usefulness was com.
mensurate to his fame.
AS have gone around the Peninsula in
search of Methodist History, and arrived
several times at the place of my nativity
propose to remain here until shall have
finished my historical sketches. If sud
, denly find myself in New York Philadel
f phia or Baltimore, it will be to relate his
torical progress that effects our d6stin,
here.
shall not confne myself in this locality
to our own Church. but shall pluck flower
from the garlands of other denominations
that may emit as oderifereus perfume a
that exhaled from Methodism.
, s. ?. NJ.