Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-13

waited into the homes of the desolate
and the hearts of the sad and to remind
the weary of the nearness of that beauti-
full land which in dark days they sor-
rowfully think to be very far off.
On the 18th of July, 1879. the congre-
cation for the thirteenth time in its his
tory was solemnly convened for the pur-
pose of calling a shepherd to lead the
flock. The lot fell upon one who for
more than five years has been endeavor-
ing to realize this responsible trust. The
cordial cooperation of an intelligent and
devout people simplifies very much the
labors of the pastoral Office. As in an
army, where the chief watches in the
distance, and the soldiers, well discip-
lined and trusty. achieve the victory, SO
in the church. the faithful, consecrated.
obedient disciples of the heavenly Mas
ter are conquering the world for Christ.
Within these five years there has been
an encouraging increase In the Presby-
terrain Church in Martinsburg. along with
her sister churches. that gives pleasant
prophecy of the future of our active. busy
town. The fountains of generous lber
atty have been sending their grateful
streams out into many sterile places of
the earth, far and near, carrying glad
ness to many sorrowing and perishing
souls.
The congregation have built most de-
lightful and commodious manse at cost
of something like $4,000. which in their
quiet and cOmmon-sense way they have
paid for, within a few hundred dollars,
by putting their hands into their own
pockets and testifying their faith by their
works. There is a pleasing tendency to
aE ekr
and the weak supplementing each other.
The same is true of all the churches in
town. improvement and growth have
marked each congregation. It makes
one s heart glad to see new houses of
worship coming, like the butterfly from
its chrysalis, out of the old shells that
once greeted the eye. 1t tells of life. 1t
demonstrates that christians are wide
awake and on the alert. These things
are the most irrefutable answer to the
satanic sneer that religion is hypocrisy
and the church an imposition. Take
these churches out of Martinsburg. and
the principles of law and order and Sc
curity which they represent, and make
necessary and the real estate of the
town would depreciate by one-half to
two-thirds of its value. Life would not
be worth the living in any such place
For neither life nor property could be
made secure.
The present pastor. Rev. F. NJ. Woods kindly
prepared for us the above able sketch. He re-
ceived his Academical education at Morgan
town. W. Va. under the preceptorship of Rev.
]. r. Moore, A. N. In May, 1868. he entered
WASHINGTON College, Washington. Pa, Junior
Class half advanced, and graduated July, 1864.
In September of that year he entered the The
illogical Seminary of the North West. at Chic
ago, Ill., where he spent two scholastic years.
In Aug. 1865. he went to Union Theo. Sem.
in the spring of 81. He at once engaged in
active work MS supply of the little church of
HARDWOOD, Stafford Co.. Va, near Fredericks-
burg, where he was ordained and Installed
pastor on the Sd OF Nov, 81. He continued in
This field until the LIST of Oct. II when he re-
moved TO West Middlesex, Mercer Co., Pa,
where he took charge off church and remain
ed until Aug, 1879 when he came to this city
as pastor of the Presbyterian Church. The
successful results of his labors here bear wit
ness TO his zeal and ability.