Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-10-01
/" HARMONY /"
Sunday school Picnic.

L
hration of the "Harmouvn SUNDAY
School held last Saturday in the
grove adjoining Harmony church,
two miles from Falling Waters.
The picnic was one of the most
pleasant in every particular, that we
have attended in long time.
The arrangements were complete in
every respect. A stand had been
erected in the grove and tastefully
trimmed with evergreen. In front
of the stand, facing the audience,
was the words Welcome" in large
letters. An organ was placed on
the stand, and seats for the audience
provided on the ground in front.
The announcement that Rev. j.
t. Ward, d. d., President of the
Western Maryland College, at West
Minister would be present and deliver
an address drew a large attendance
from the surrounding country. The
speaker, accompanied by his vile,
arrived on the grounds in the car
riage of Mr.. u. S. Cunningham
about half-past y o'clock. The time
previous to his arrival was made to
pass pleasantly by music furnished
by the choir, accompanied by the
organ. And better singing we have
never heard in country church.
Two large tables were arranged in
the grove, and on them a most mag
nifficent dinner was spread. They
fairly groaned under the weight of
ham, beef, chicken, vegetables of
almost every kind, bread, butter,
jellies, fruits, pies, cakes, &C.. On
the arrival of the distinguished
speaker dinner Yves served. All pres
emit were invited, and If any failed
to partake it was not the fault of the
active and energetic committee. The
grounds were also well supplied with
excellent ice'water.
After dinner Captain Maxwell re-
quested all present TO be seated in
front of the stand. The choir sang
a hymn, after which he introduced
the Rev. Mr.. Ward.
The speaker began by saying he
deemed it a great privilege and
pleasure to be permitted to return
here to the scenes of his early minis
terial labors of forty years ago, to
talk at a Sabbath School celebration.
His feelings under the circumstances
were peculiar. In looking around
he saw but few of the faces familiar
TO him forty years ago, and but three
who then gave him active support In
the work he had undertaken, and
they now occupied seats on the stand
with him. About thirty-seven years
ago he came to this section by APP
pointment of his conference. He
was then young man of % years of
age, and of but three years in the
ministry. He entered upon the work
before him with fear and trembling,
and with sole reliance upon the |
strong arm of Jehovah for success.
He was permitted by his conference
to remain three years in this field of |
labor, an unusual thing in the case
OF young unmarried preacher. The |
memories of those three years were
among the brightest in his life. He
felt that the labor had not been in
vain nor barren of good fruit. He
would mention an incident that &C.
CURED at that time, and which had
a great bearing upon the results of
his labors. A lady from the vicinity
of Little Georgetown attended a
protracted meeting at Bedington,
and was converted to God. On her |
return home she wrote him to come |
to Little Georgetown and preach. |
He went. There was no church |
there, and he preached In school |
house on the hill near the village. |
A great work was started. |
Some twenty-five persons professed |
religion in short time. The meet
ings were kept up and the people
locked from the surrounding coun-
try until the little school.house
would no longer hold the audiences.
They then moved 10 an old ware
house that stood on the banks of the
river. A brother now on this stand
pointing to Mr.. Eli Fleming) fur
nished stove and table, and the
good work was carried on In the old
warehouse. Itspread and continued
to grow until its influences were felt
throughout the country. Men for
sock the gambling table and came to
the altar the drunkard gave up his
cups and came. Men OF the world
forsOok their evil ways and sought
forgiveness on Bonded knees at the
rude "monrner's bench' in that old
warehouse, and the old building rang
IA /