The Baltimore County union., 1884-10-25
west Liberty-Bentley sprines.-A cor

West Liberty-Bentley Springs.-A cor
RESPONDENT of the Baltimore Methodia writes as
folIows under the above heading:
"This is the Oldest appointment on what is now
called Bentley Springs Circuit, East Baltimore
n;strict. Revs. Il. NJ. West and w. H. Dell, pas.
tors. As this is Centennial year, there are many
things of the past, which, if revived, have
thought might be interesting to the present gen.
GRAFTON.
az recently visited this charge and find the
church bears the date of 1919. Sixty five years
have passed since its erection, and my familiarity
with it for the last half century enables me to
give a brief sketch of it. It is dear spot to me,
as the dust of my grandfather and mother Mere
dith lies in its cemetery. one having passed away
forty two and the other fifty two years ago.
There remains now but one of that long lived
race of the Merediths, an aunt, and she is in the
ninetieth year of her age.
"Wbile sat in the church on that Sabbath day
and looked at those front seats, which some h,lf
dozen Of those grand old Methodists of that day
occupied. could not refrain from thinking of the
past. This aged aunt, whose mental faculties are
still good, and whose memory is remarkable for
one so far advanced in life, found in her accus-
toned place in the church, delighting in the wor
ship of God. In conversation with her, she stated
that she distinctly remembered and was present
at the funeral of Bishop Asbury, who was inferred
uuder the pulpit of the preseut old Eutaw Church
in the year 1916, but whose remains were subse-
ouently removed 10 Mount Olivet Cemetery; she
also remembered hearing Bishop McKendree ad-
dress the large concourse of people assembled on
the occasion referred to. The old homestead still
stands, which Bishop Asbury visited and in which
he slept. Here my mother was born just ninety
four years ago, and passed away eleven years
since.
"This historic church was in former years in
cluded in what then called Hartford Circuit,
which took in all of Hartford county from Havre-
de- Grace and Abingdon. and was the seat of the
parsonage. In my youthful days, whilst visiting
my grandparents and attending church at West
Liberty, the Rev. John w. Cronin, preacher in
charge, brother Of the present G. c. CrOnin of the
Baltimore Conference, made what may be con-
sidered phrophetic announcement. He was an
extraordinary man and of wonderful faith.
revival had commenced, he preached a wonderful
serfnon, anu ciOsing the Bloie ana walking ue'
iberatelv down the pulpit steps to the altar took
ont his wntch and said that in less than fifteen
minutes there would be such a manifestation OF
divine powcr that none would be able to gainsay
t. Before the time expired he lay PROSTATE
within the altar-the power descended, its recep-
ton was testified by the congregation, and good
old Methodist shouts abounded. Bro. Cronin
continued to labor most successfully for some
years. he ended his career in middle life in Staun
ton, Va, and there awaits the resurrection of the
Just Things have changed since then. Where
there was either no church or but one, now
churches appear all over the country, our church
having four circuits and one station.
"The old stone church, now to be deserted, was
dedicated in the spring following it's erection by
the Rev. Charles B. Tippett. At that time there
was no Sabbath school; the first effort made in
this direction was bv young minister, the Rev.
Elijah Miller, transferred afterwards to the Phil
ade!phia Conference; it, however, did not flourish
for lack of help. But after a time that grand
man. Robert Emory, came along and laid hold
and held fast. and it began to prosper. No man
could be found to act as superintendent. A de-
voted lady, Miss YelIott, sister of the present
Judge Yelott, came to the rescue, and served as
superintendent until the Rev. John Anderson, ap
pointed to the circuit, took her as his companion
for life. The Gospel seed sewers of those days
did their work nobly, and a time will come when
they will return rejoicing, bringing their sheaves
with them"