The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-23
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES.
Southern Presbyterian.

becoming more and more a point of religious in
terest. 1t is in the midst of what is known as
the trucking region" of Hanover where tie
finest sweet potatoes, melons, and tomatoes are
raised, and where the people do their own work,
and are rapidly growing in prosperity. Thirty
years ago this population wild and reck-
less, and could hardly be called Christian. The
earnest sTertions of a few lovers of Christ
male and female, wrought wonders One of the
most successful of these was Rev Henry S.
Osborn, who. since his residence there, has been
IN Palestine and has written very interestin
and instructive book on the Holy Land, and
who is now Professor in Oxford University,
Ohio. Largely by his exertions the first " Beu-
lah" church was built. 1t was destroyed during
the war, being in the immediate neighborhood
of Old Cold Harbor, where some sangunary bat
ties were fought and where National Gene.
etery is now located. By great exertions the
Beulah church" has been rebuilt. 1t is
modest but graceful and convenient building,
standing In pleasant grove, about half mile
from Cold Harbor and the Cemetery, and not
more than seven or eight miles from Richmond.
The services are held in the afternoon of the
second and fourth Sundays of each month.
~, d.
within two years past, have increased so much
that, in good weather and under favoring cir
cumstances, the church has overAowed, and the
officers have lately provided movable seats to
be used in the front and side aisles Being a
pleasant afternoon drive from Richmond it is
becoming more and more custom with people
from the city TO attend the services Much good
may be hoped from the influence of this church.
The Hat Creek church, in the lower part
of Campbell county, Va is probably the oldest
Presbyterian congregation in the Synod of Vir-
GINA. 1t is singular how its history has escaped
the attention of our people
l. 1t was organized and finished its house of
worship in 1.742. So it antedates by sir gears
the time at which Samuel Davies came to Han
over county. Va, (viz. 174S.) See Histori-
cal Collections of Virgins" by Henry Howe
page 293.
2. 1t was founded by colony of Scotch Irish
Presbyterians, lead by Mr.. John Irwin, who mi-
grated from Pennsylvania to Virginia in the
year 1879, allured by the prospects of securing
as much good land as they desired free AT
this time there was no white person living
within 35 or 40 miles of the place which they
chose, on Hat Creek. 1t was full so years be.
fore Lynchburg was founded.
| 3. Within three years after the settlem ent
was begun the people had built them log
church Rev. Gilbert Tenant, of New Jersey,
came to Hat Creek in 1912, and for twelve
months preached to the people. He gathered
the people of the congregation into an organized
form, and had ruling elders elected during this
year.
| f. Ever since that period this congregation
has gone along its course, doing Gods work.
Among its ministers, after Mr.. Tenant, have
been found the following: first, Mr. Waddell.
Of him the record testifes, it was said 40 years
back that of all the preachers who had preached
at Hat Creek, none was so much of an orator
as Mr.. Waddell was. Under his instructive and
edifying preaching the church sat for term of
! years, and prospered." Next, Rev. David Rice
took charge of the church He after many
years of great usefulness moved to Kentucky
and there ended his days. The next supplies
were William Mahon, Carey Allen, William
Irwin, and James Mitchell Then later in 1913
Rev. Archibald McRoberts was employed
with head bald as an eagles" In 1909,
Rev. Nash Legrand took charge of the church.
"his labors at Hat Creek were unquestiona ably
| SiOaIlJ DlCooSdi anu CudJ W luo COuNeIblOQ OF
souls 1t is said that Rev William Hammersly
attributes his conversion to his labors." He re-
signed in 17l4, and himself died shortly after in
Nelson county. He was succeeded by Rev
John s. Mclean, then Rev l. Cochran, then
Rev Samuel Armistead, then Rev. William
Hammersly, then Rev. Alexander Carrington,
then Rev J. A. Scott. Jr. This, in brief 4 a
sketch of the Hat Creek church
5. At present the church has a membership
of 175. With Gods blessing, it still bears fruit
in old age it is fat and AOurishingi to show
that the Lord is good ]. A. s., JR.
Harrisonburg, va.-On the I'd Sabbath Of
July there was Sacramento meeting at this
church, the Rev. John A. Preston, of Franklin,
West Va, assisting and preaching number Of
interesting sermons. Two additions on pro-
ftssion, one the younger daughter of the pastor,
Rev DR.. Bowman.
On the 1st Sabbath Of July the Rev. DR..
McIlwaine, Of Baltimore, Secretary of Nome
Missions, presented that subject with earnest
ness and apostolical spirit. A Home Mission
Society is forming.
On the night Of the 18th inst, Rev. DR.. B.
NJ. Smith of Union Seminary, preached on
" Christian Education" The fundamental truths
presented deserve most frequent repetition
everywhere for the preparation of young mar