The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-11-14
The Egis & Intelligencer
Bel Air, Md, November IA, 1854.
Mr. Kietfer's II historical Discourse on the
Churchyille Presbyterian Church.

Editor Of AEgis and InteAigencey:
Feeling deep interest in everything pertain
ing to the history of our county, Hartford, and II
the records of the good men who have resided In
it, to its honor and advancement and have gone
to their final rest leaving their good works be-
hind them as examples and guides for those who
follow, 1t was with peculiar pleasure that we read
the following beading in dhs gas ana iGegsmee
ton Churchville Presbyterian Church. An
abstract of the historical discourse delivered by
by Rev. w. T. l.. Kieffer, Sep. 1884. in the Pres
byterian Church, Churchville, Hartford county,
Md"
the discourse, expecting 10 NM au ample anu
appreciative sketch of the beloved pastor of SO
many years. the Rev. William Fnney.
Our disappointment may well be imagined
when we found that the pastorate of this great
and good man. which extended over period of
A years Of the Sh1rcas most Narsh nn f
newspaper columni Truly may we exclaim
''lSic transit gloria mundi''
1t is simply stated by the author that 1.-THE
limits of this abstract are too contracted for the
review of hun or his life work, both of which are
No history of the Churchvie Church would be
half completed without an ample sketch of MIR.
Finuey and of his valuable service TO the church
to all of the older citizens of the county. in and
out of his church. but without some written re-
cord how long will he be known? And 1t is true
that graceful monument marks his last resting
place but no monument can DO Justice 10 the
memory of such man. Most truthfully, though
of the honored names of Hartford, and his work
one Of the richest legacies, ever bequeathed her."
Yet such name and snch legacy only occupy
ing twenty-five lines in history.
Although not All Ola man. our own recollections
of Mr. Finney, in the pulpit extends back TO the
attendant upon his services at Harmony church.
and from our earliest recol ectons Of his preach
ing to the date of his resignation of the pastorate,
he continued to I'LL our idea of preacher and
good man. We have heard many sermons
from Sn 9 eH n3gs Parts sS of
that none of them, in our estimation, We're
so beautiful and impressive as those of Mr..
Finney. Free from excitement, and devoid
of wild gesticulation, he spoke in calm, yet
clear and distinct voice, the tones of which,
ladened with poetic imagery and solemn truths,
penetrated every heart and filled 1t with the
truth and beauty of his own gentle and loving
nature. Socially, as well as in his character as
minister, those who enjoyed the privilege of his
Friendship speak of him as the representation of
a delightful companion, and in all the relations
of life, as a true man.
Let us hope that some veteran or his congrega-
ton, who knew him long and well. will yet place
on record faithful and complete account of his
valuable life and services, for the benefit of the
youth who have grown into manhood. and
womanhood since his retirement from the pulpit.
Alas that we should SO often be called upon
English dramatist, when he said
1.-The evil that men do live after them;
The good is oft inferred with their bones.
There is point in M. Kieffershistorical dis
course which appears to our apprehension as an
error of statement; and really 1t was more es-
pecially our purpose, upon taking up our PEN
to correct this apparent error, than 1t was to add
a chaplet to the memory of one of the best men
who ever resided in the county of Hartford, Rev.
VIM Finney. The point that we refer to in Mr..
Kieffcr's discourse, is that in reference to the
priority Of the existence OF the Churchvile Pres
except Spesutia. in this end OF the county, then
Baltimore county. Mr.. Kieifer dates the origin
of this church. then in different location, in
the year 173S Now from authentic legal records.
the original of which has been examined by the
writer copy OF tSa cn h Is nP% be-
called Quakers.' at that day, but now more
generally known as the Society of Friends" had
known as the Deer Creek Meeting House some
years anterior to the date given by Mr.. kieffer as
the origin of the Chnrchvlle church The deed
Quakers," occupied by their Meeting House,"
at the upper end of Darlington, and where they
property having been purchased by them from
Nathan Rigbie who signed his name in bold char
acters Nat Rigbie and who is SAID TO- have been
county-then Baltimore, Mr., James Rigbie Mas
sey, of this village, is a lneal descendent of the
famous Col. Rigbie In the description of the
property in the deed it is stated that the bound
aries given, include the Meeting House." and
pie called Quakers for a public Meeting House
forever" This deed clearly establishes the fac'
prior to the year 1887. 1t will scarcely be object
ed that this "Society" is included in Protestant
denominations for it is well known that the
Quakers protested moro emphatically, If possible,
against the Roman Catholic church, than an!
other. They also include in the protest the Epis
copal. Presbyterian and all "Steeple Houses. as
other churches were formerly denominated by
them.
These facts. Mr.. Editor are given, not to crafty
any personal preferences, but simply to vindicate
the truth of history
We have had it in contemplation for several
years to give the people of our county. through
the columns of The fgiS an outline of the early
history of the old Friends citing House referred
to, in our village. We may yet venture TO at
tempt the task; though, thus far the paucity OF
the materials at our command scarcely justifes
the undertaking. The subject is one of deep
interest, and is closely connected with nearly
every one of the older families of our neighbor
hood But this much only for the present.
Very truly, yours, -
W. STUMP FORwoOD.