Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-12-15
Lexington Presbytery.

Lexington Presbytery held special meet
ing at Chenille, Gilmer Co., Va, 18-21st
Nov. at which place and time Mr.. &c. Bear,
Licentiate, was ordained to the full work
OF the Gospel Ministry and installed pastor
of Chenille Church. Mr.. Bear completed
his theological course at Union Theological
Seminary, Prince Edward Co. Va, last
Spring, was licensed at Harrisonburg by the
Presbytery May 9Th, 1885, aud by appoint
ment Of Home Missionary Committee went
soon afterwards to Glenville. The cengre-
cation at Chenille aud the Presbyterians
in that section SO highly appreciated his la
bors that call was made out for his ser
vices and he having signif1ed his willing
ness to accept the same, the Presbytery
held the meeting as stated above. Mr.
Bear enters upon his work with encourag-
ing prospects for usefulness. Gilmer Co.
is situated ON the Little Kanawha River.
Like most Of that region the country is
billy, but the soil is generally rich, finely
adapted to grazing, and where arabic is
productive, producing, wheat, corn, rye,
oats and buckwheat and Vegetables in aban-
dance to supply the wants Of the population.
Chenille is the seat of State Normal
School which is patronized by several
contiguous counties and if once reached by
railroad must become place Of consider
able importance. The population Of Gilmer
county at last census was 7106, Calhoun
6O74. 1t is expected that Mr.. Bear will Ia
Dor In these counties. Though this coun-
try has been occupied by Presbytsrians in
part and some churches organized gener-
alton since, yet they have not had Presby-
terrain preaching with regularity. For the
last two or three years, Lexington Presby-
terry has again obtained possession of the
country and has had Rev. Fl. r. Smith
laboring as Evangelist in several counties
along the Parkersburg Branch of B. & O.
r. R.; also in Gilmer and Calhoun counties.
Rev. D. M. Layton, now of Highland, spent
ono year in Gilmer, and now Mr.. Bear has
located permanently. It's earnestly hoped
his labors may be greatly blessed. He is a
man Of fine education, energetic, and de-
voted to his work and willing to endure
hardness, it need be, for the Masters sake.
He has the opportunity of preaching the
Gospel to those who as teachers of public
schools, will mould the characters Of the
coming generation in large region of
country.
1t was this fact, among others, that the
State Normal School was located at Glen
vile, and but little religious influence was
exerted by the Presbyterian Church in that
section, that led the Presbyterians to desire
connection again with Lexington Presby-
terry. Mr.. Bear after leaving Washington
and Lee University taught a classical school
in Beverly, w. Va, and his success in this
work and his popularity with West Vir-
ginians, caused them to look to him for in
struction as Minister of the Gospel. That
he has been called to labor as settled pastor
~ 4, L.. l. -
he be the means of doing much for 'fhe
cause" r. G. WALKER.
From the Greennrier (W. Val Independ en- t..
DEATH OF Miss SUE E. McELHENNEY.-
The intelligence of the sudden death of
this lady, last Friday morning, filled the
hearts of her many friends with sadness. =
But why sadness? Is it sad to drop the
rude staff of life and mount up Oh wings as
eagles? Sad to lay down the cross and
arise with the crown? Sad to cease from
the labors and tolls of this life and rest
forever in the mansions of the blest? Sad
ness is not the word. 1t is s'far better to
depart and be with Christ" The grand
doctrine of the resurrection of the body
and the recognition of the saints should
chase away all gloom incident to the death
OIL a CnrlStldu, ior uShOu 10 SWdiloWcu up
in victory The deceased was a daughter
of the late Rev. John McElhenney. d. D.,
founder of Presbyterianism in Greenbrier,
and died of pneumonia at the old home
stead on the hill after an illness Of two days,
aged about 81 years. The writer of this
notice knew the departed intimately, and
loved her for her many christian graces
and purity of life Meath tie fallen and
the falling snow she was laid to rest in the
Cemetery last Monday, to calm
" await the final summons to arise with
the Just made perfect. ~