Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-08-26
THE METHODIST CENTENNIAL YEAR
CELEBRATIONS IN ROCKBRIDGE.


dren's day." in the celebration Of this the
centennial year of Methodism in America,
was to be observed in our neighboring county
of Rockbridge with very great interest," it
was deemed appropriate that the SPECTATOR
should have one of its staff present. There
are several circuits of the Baltimore Con-
ference in Rockbridge, and the Fairfield
had its day last Saturday.
Friday afternoon sent refreshing show
er of rain, cooling the heated term Of wealth
er, and Saturday morning came with genial
breezes, and all nature beaming with smiles
to greet the day of holy work. The old
town, so long known in Valley history, was
alive with animation at early dawn in prep
aration for the occasion-the celebration by
Sabbath schools of the Giro uit, of the day
which numbered one hundred years, since
the followers of Wesley planted the banners
of theinow largest body of christians on this
continent ON our shores. Invitations had
| been sent out to the Sabbath schools of all
other denominations in the bounds of the
circuit to unite in the celebration. 1t was
cordially received, and the hundreds of hap
| Ply faces gave evidence that there, mingling
in a general festivity, were the youth of
that entire section Of country. 1t may be
noted as a fact, that within the territory of
the Fairfield circuit, embracing several
Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist
churches, the per centage of schools and
scholars are larger, according to popula-
ton, than any of the adjoining rural dis
tricts. Along the Valley plateau, down in
in the South river valley, and far up in the
eastern mountains, churches abound and
Sabbath schools exist and prosper. From
all this wide area they came in full organi-
cations with officers and teachers, assem-
bling in the Methodist church at the east
ern end of the town. The procession Of
one-fourth of mile in length, was soon
formed with banners and insignia of Office,
showing thorough order and discipline, and
| that the management was in no unframed
hands. The column with military precis-
ion under chief marshals James E. Glenn
mer and VIM. F. Templeton, moved through
to the western end of the town to the large
grove of oaks on the "Cherry Grove" estate,
where ample preparations had been made
for the intellectual, as we'll as the social,
| joys and festive pleasures OF the day.
On entering the grove, the ranks of two
were opened right and left, and rear passed
to front, and the stand surrounded in order.
Trains of Jerseys and other modes of trans
portation came from all quarters, laded
with the choicest supplies of the land,
which were soon spread on long tables
forming hollow square in preparation for
feeding the multitude
Rev. G. L. Torreyson, in charge of Fair
field circuit, called the assembly to Or
der, when strains of molly music broke
forth with 'All Hail the Power of
Jesus narne' resounding from the organ,
presided over by Miss BERTHE G. Cochran,
and the choir led by Rev. A. P. Boude of
the Baltimore Conference.
The opening prayer was offered by Rev.
B. NJ. Wheeler Of the Lexington circuit.
Then came in renewed sublimity Of song
and echoing melody of the organ-"Glori-
Gus things of Thee are spoken.''
After this was the responsive service of
questions and answers, by the special class
representing the various Methodist schools,
which embraced the origin Of the Metho-
dist Church and prominent events in its
history in our country to the present time.
Then the fine musical features of the day
were renewed by singing, "From all that
dwell below the skies,''
The centennial address being next in the
programme, Mr.. Torreyson introduced Rev.
A. P. Boude whom he had pressed into SER
vice for that feature. The prominence of the
speaker in the larger works of the confer
ence and the special interest of the day pre-
pared all present for an address which
abounded in statistics and historical refer
ences and illustrations of the highest inter-
est. The establishment and growth of
Methodism in America was referred to by
many historical facts and illustrations,
which were presented in strong array, and
showed much research in cotemporaneouf
history with the advent of the Methodist
denomination. The particular dispensations
of Gods providence in the establishment of
liberty in America, was in close. association
with the expansion of his church on the
new continent. He strongly enforced the
unity Of his own, by broad Catholic prin-
ciples towards all sister churches, ard in the
fulfllment of all Gods designs for his own
glory he accepted the existence of the Ro-
man Catholic church in the scope of His
purposes.
The hour of noon arriving, the large
throng were invited TO the tables where all
were beautifully Toasted, and it is not an
over calculation to say that one thousand
persons were present to partake of the
hospitality mutually contributed for mutual
enjoyment.
The afternoon proceedings were opened
by the introduction Of Rev. Alfred Jones,
of the Presbyterian church, who referred
to the present circumstances under which
the large assemblage was convened, and
to characteristic customs of Methodism and
Presbyte1ianism. Addressing himself to
the particular features Of the day in which
the Sunday school organizations and schol-
ars occupied chief place, he expressed
the high degree of pleasure it afforded him
to contribute to the Christian and social
unity of the occasion.
During the intervals now occurring, the
musical features, organized as in former
references, rendered several rev and charm
ing pieces appropriate to the centennial
era.
As DIR. Lafferty would say when looking
over Methodist fieldday, Mr.. Torreyson
had held in reserve his young associate in
the ministry, Rev. B. NJ. Wheeler, of the
Lexington Circuit, for the "stragetic move
ments." In appropriate wit and pleasant
humor, Mr.. Wheeler must have taken les
sons from that man of ever-active brain