West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1882-03-08
RaYenSWOOd.
The Presbyterian Church Re0iral, and
Resuits-The T0wn-Hs Trade
and Future, Gc

ED. FREEMAN | write to give
you, and fyou please, the readers Of
the FREEMAN, an account OF pro-
tracted meeting which was conduct
ed in our church here for nineteen
days, and which was concluded last
Sabbath week.
Rev. J. Garland Hammer, pastor
of the Calvary Presbyterian Church
in your place, was with US from
the first, and did all the preaching,
except four sermons.
Notwithstanding the fact that
the roads were exceedingly bad,
and that we had very wet weather
much of the time, the audiences
steadily increased until the house
was crowded. A deep seriousness
was soon manifest, which continu
ed undiminished to the close of the
meeting.
Bro. Hammers preaching was
eminently scriptural. He preached
The Word clearly and forcibly. He
made much of The Blood, and he
relied on tn e Holy Spirit to carry
home this Word with power. His
Illustrations were numerous and
exceedingly happy. This pouring
in" Of Gods word continually, was
remarked by all who heard him.
But the preaching and praying
were helped by going out to the
people-talking and praying with
them at their homes and places Of
business; and to this outside work,
under Gods blessing, | largely at
tribute the success Of the meeting.
And now, as to results:
l. The members of the church
generally have been greatly reviv
ed, encouraged and strengthened
2. Backsliders are reclaimed.
3. Sinners were converted. Fiji
teen have already united with our
church, two by letter, and thirteen
by confession of their faith. More
will yet be received. Some express
ed a hope in Christ who will join
other branches of the church. Nine
Of those received are heads of fami-
lies. Some Of them are persons of
considerable influence.
| could give you number of in
teresting facts in this connection.
Of one or two | cannot refrain from
speaking. We have had four drug
stores in our place-West Virginia
Drug Stores. Your readers know,
by sad experience, what they are in
many cases, not in all. They are
frequently called by other names by
some people. Well, one man had
leased a piece of ground on which q
building was erected, and in which
was kept a "Prescription Drug
Store"
Before our meeting came to an
end this Drug Store was closed !
am told that this man bought back
the lease, and the building is now
to be used as a meat shop This
brought joy to the heart of every
good citizen in the town,
Another man, toe owner of an
other Of our Drug Stores, gave up
the objectional part fhis business,
made public confession, and declar-
ed that he would henceforth (by
Gods help, lead a christian life
He has united with our church, and
we believe he will be as good as his
word. This conversion caused great
rejoicing.
We feel that our church has been
strengthened, and that great good
has been done. We giue all the praise
to God
Now for a few words about
RAvENsWooD
itself. This place has a population
Of from eight to nine hundred souls.
1t is well located, on a high river
bottom. The Ohio river has been
on Front Street only two or three
times, l believe, within the memory
of the oldest inhabitant, and the
ground rises gradually from that
point back a distance Of nearly
three-quarters of a mile.
We have a very large trade for so
small'a place. This is because the
town is built on the South East
side of the great curve made by the
Ohio River in that direction, called
"The Great Bend" 1t is, therefore,
| the nearest DOint for a LARGE norton