Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-11-26
AN OLD SANCTUARY MADE NEW.
DEDICAToRY sERvICES-AN INTERESTING
EVENT IN RoCKBRIDGE HISTORY.

OBLIGATORY sERvICES-AN INTERESTING
EVENT IN RoCKBRIDGE HISTORY.
The people of Rock bridge cherish their time
honored institutions with sacred attachment
The county was organized during the Revolu-
tionary war, and 1t is one of the few whose
boundaries remain as originally laid out. Au-
gusta is the parent county, and that part OF hcl
ancient domain claims cotemporaneous as
sociattons with the mother in the progress o.
early events. With the old Presbyterian
churches OF Augusta, familiar by their names tc
the people of Augusta, also we're erected Mon
mouth, Timber. ridge, New Providence, &c.
then part of Augusta in colonial time
The church which is now the subject ofrefar-
ence is not one of the original class, but Of the
immediate descendants of those who erected
affairs when the country was wiidern esq. ano
who, following in the footsteps of their fathers
enlarged the boundaries for the worship of Goo
as 1t had been delivered to them. III the North
river valley east of Lexington and ON the Dor
ders of the Lexington and Falling Spring con-
gregations, is a large and fertile section o.
Rock bridge. In ii, have dwelt the McCorkles
Paxtons, Steeles Edmondsons, Glasgo
and Hamitons from the days which rescued
the country from savage rule. About fifty
years ago, the then living of these numerous
and influential families, erected Presbyterian
chu1ch-a stone building. in which there war
regular service till the troubles OF the times
twenty-five years ago, common alike to all
unsettled the condition of that neighborhood
Many eminent ministers resident and visiting
have OBLIGATED there, but 1t may be said in re-
cording history that the ground work Of the
establishment of the church was the Sabbath.
school, then instituted by Mr.. A. B. McCorkle
of that community, afterwards minister, and
at one time pastor of Bethel Church 10 Angus
ia. He now resides in Alabama. The church
then erected was dedicated. bearing the name
of Ben Sslem, and continued in regular and
cherished favor with the people Till causes over
which they had no control hrous ut adversely
and sorrow. 'Unoccupied, and with perhaps
not soundly built walls, 1t exhibited, during
the last few ears, evidences of decay and I'M
safety. With the desire of the people to restore
their church to its place in the Piesbytery and
for their own good. they foand kind friend in
the Rev. D. e. Irwin, formerly pastor at Tim
berridge, now residing in Lexington. Under
the direction of Presbytery he visited the COM
munity, and organizing the resources of his
congregation. soon evived its languishing
energies, nd prepared for rebuilding the old
sanctuary on new and more attractive Site
All LliS mas DSon NccOUyllS1st N 1883 IMAM
two years. and, OF Saturday. tho 22i instant
the dedicatcry services were rendered in i'm.
posing style with solemn reverence.
The new building is il every respect credit
to pastor and people. ana the extended benefit.
will long perpetuate the value Of their united
efforts and earnest ZEAL
Assisting Mr.. Irwin on the occasion, was Rev
7. L. Preston. DID,, of Lexington; Rev. Mr..
Penick, of Monmouth; Rev. Alfred Jones
of Timber ridge; and Rev. V. W. Wheel
er, of the NJ. E. Church, South, Lexington cir.
cult. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by
Mr.. Irwin, taking the second chapter of Hagga
as the basis of his discourse, which was pro.
found and delivered with the fervency char.
acteristic Of the sermons of that able speaker.
With such history in reviewing the erection OF
the Temple, in its application to the crcum-
stances and surroundings of the res ored Ben
Salem and its Israel to the privileges of a new
ly consecrated altar where their fathers wor-
shipped the Great Jehovah the reader can well
imagine the deep interest as well as joy which
spread their hallowed influences over the scene
The day was beautifully bright and lovely
one of retiring autumn, and will long have g
Judgment with It's association. In the hearts o.
all In that community who love to perpetute
the institutions Of their fathers In the progress
fthe times.