The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-20
From the Lriag Literary Gazette.
Some "reminiscences of Westminster,
Maryland.
BY REV. ]. t. WARD, D. D.

just HIUy-Gnree years nafe oidPseu oihSo
| first heard of Westminster. was then
lad in my thirteenth year, at the old home
in Washington, D. c. My father, the
Rev. Ulysses Ward, having attended the
Methodist Protestant Conference held in
Westminster, April 1888, in the old Union
Church, the walls of which are still stand
ing in the Westminster Cemetery Gin which
church he was ordained elder at that Con-
ference), returned home and gave glowing
account of the hospitality of the people and
the beauty of the country, which made a
lasting impression upon my young mind,
and made me anxious to become personally
acquainted with the people and the coun-
try. How little did I then dream that in
after years it would fall to my lot to be-
come so intimately associated with them as
| have been
In 1841, my first year in the itinerant
ministry, was appointed, with Rev. DIR.
John S. Reese, to Pipe Creek circuit.
Westminster did not then form part of that
circuit. Our nearest appointment to it was
the Pipe Creek appointment, but during
the winter a special invitation from the
people at Westminster caused DR.. Reese
and myself to visit them. We made our
home with the family of the venerable Isaac
Shriyer, and on the evening of December
18th, 1841, 1 preached for the first time
in Westminster, from Rom. x:1, "Brethren,
my hearts desire and prayer to God for
Israel is that they might be saved" The
little NJ. P. Church that stood upon the
same site now occupied by the larger and
more elegant edi6ce, was crowded to its
utmost capacity, my humble message was
enthusiastically received, and 1 formed ac-
quaintance with many persons to whom l
became devotedly attached in Christian as
sociation in after years. Francis Shriver
was then the Superintendent of the Sunday
School, and Joshua Yingling led the sing
ing in the congregation.
In 1857 I was again appointed to Pipe
Greek circuit, with Rev. j. I. Murray
(now President of the Md. An. Conf }
Westminster then formed part of the cir
cult, and my colleague and l preached here
alternately every two weeks. Besides the
renewal of former acquaintance, of course
formed many new ones, for my term of
service continued for three years. These
were among the most delightful years of
my ministry, and l may say of my life.
On all parts of our circuit there were ex-
tensive revivals of religion; most memorably
at the Liberty and Pipe Creek appoint
ments, during the winter of 1859, and
at Uniontown and Westminster. On the
entire circuit 227 members were received
into church during the three years by my
colleague and myself. Among those re-
ceived at Westminster were many who
afterwards filled important places in the
church until death removed them to their
reward on high, and others who remain still
faithful in the service of God and humanity.
In August, 1864, having just recovered
from a severe illness, being then stationed
in Washington, D. O., | made trip north
for the benefit of my health, and on my
way home visited my friends in Westmin-
ster and vicinity, spending most pleasant
week with them. During the next year,
my health still being feeble, began to
think of choosing some place where might
make my home, supposing it would be but
for few years at most, and those not such
years of active service in the ministry as
the previous quarter Of century had been.
My thoughts turned to several points where
I had, during my active years, found pleas
ant associations, and [ visited those points
looking for some suitable little homestead
where I might settle. At length my at
tention was providentially directed to West
minister, and in September, 1865, l CON-
cluded to purchase the property known as
f'Rose Hill,' which then belonged to my
friend and Christian brother, Henry l..
Norris, and had formerly been the resi-
dence of the Rev. Isaac Webster, who died
there in February, 1851. After I had
fully arranged for the purchase of this place
my health seemed somewhat to improve,
so that | hesitated about Withdrawing from
the active work of the ministry. Then
again the feeble state of my health seemed
to demand that I should retire from the
active work, and so was revolving the
subject in my thoughts, when one day in
January, 1866, I happened to find that the
words Westminster, Maryland, formed
the anagram ''ny mind aoants real rest, :"
and I believed that I should enjoy this by
settling at Rose Hill However, at the
Conference in March | reported myself
willing to take any appointment the Con-
ference might see fit to give me- After
due consideration of my case, it was deem
ed advisable that l should carry out my
plan and remove to my newly-purchased
home. 1 came with my little family to
Westminster on Thursday, March 20, 1866,
and by the kind invitation of my friend
and Christian brother, Michael Baughman,
we made our home with his family until
our little home could be prepared, and then
moved into it April Bird. Since that time
Westminster has been our abiding place,
and we have been identified with its in
habitants and its interests.
Great changes have taken place during
these years. The number of inhabitants
has been almost douhledi seven new church
edifces have been erected; old houses have
disappeared and better ones have been
erected in their stead; many new and ele-
CANT houses besides have been built; bust
ness has increased and fine stores have
been established; fire department has
been organized; the streets have been
lighted with gas (sometimes); an abundant
supply of water has been introduced, and
the streets have (not yeti been fully paved.
In the facilities for education there has
been marked improvement The public
schools have been provided with fine build
ings, and private schools for young children
have done good work. But the most not
able item in this connection is that West
ern Maryland College has been established.
The idea of such college here had been
entertained by Prof F. R. Buell. and others
before l removed to Westminster; but I
became identified with the enterprise from
its incipiency, and am now about to close
the eighteenth year of my connection with
it as its President, to be still a member OF
its faculty, however, and my interest in
and devotion to its welfare shall continue
undated 1t seems to me that every cit
izen of Westminster ought to be proud of
this grand institution, and do all in his
power to promote its prosperity. During
| the wears of its existence it has educated