Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1886-02-13

CnwrfttcR History.
by q Septu;lgcE;lriln.l

The conversion Of Il MIN of such
strong and well-known prejudices as
Fox-hunting Tom Burton naturally ex-
encd a marked influence upon his COM
munity, The rapid increaseof Method
ism in that section from $500 to 1872
WIS doubtless more largely due to this
fact than to any other influence bealing
upon that period. The weekly meetings
at his house became the ncighborhood
centre nf attraction, and the results at
tending them were scarcely less than
M rvelous.
During the winter these meetings
were held inside the dwelling, i'll sum-
mer out in the barn, and in the fall the
ncighbors united with him in building
a large bower in the yard. Here
"bower-m tingsn were held, the ser
vices heing protracted in proportion to
the demands and exigencies of the occa-
son at one Of these extra meetings,
Mr.. Jonathan Smith, (well-known
throughout the county but Il few years
ago). Was converted at eleven years Of
age.
Though not a shoutcr himself, Mr..
Burton believed that no meetings was
success which did not wind mp with one
of these demonstrations, and he MES
never willing that the services should
bc ended without general shout. He
was. in fact, the acknowledged leader
and manager IT these occasions, and
held himself strictly accountable for per-
feet order and decorum. At one of the
Mrn-meetings Capt. William LeCato
who was present, land doubtless we'll
into his cups, us was often the casp).
determined to participate in the e1er-
cises. Elbowing his way into the crowd
he soon joined Justify with tie singing.
and gradually firing up to the spirit of
he occasion, began shouting with the
others. Being Il man of prodigious size
and muscular strength,he doubtless soon
cclipsel all competition, and his pres
ence becoming known to the sisters, II
scene ensned Which speedily brought
Mr.. Burton to the front. The Captain
WIS led to the door, and after excusing
himself to the old gentleman, promised
not to repeat tile offence.
After Mr.. Burton's conversion he
abandoned the chase though it is said
his favorite horse would break from his
stables whenever he heard the cry of the
dogs, and leapins fences and bitches
follow nn with the chase 1t is also
said of the old gentleman, though hard
" ,rtditalle 10 relate that lie could be
heard by his hounds from his home to
tie heal! of Br#dtorl's Neck, Il distance
OF more than three miles.
When it was deemed advisable to
build a meeting house, and the old gen
tlenan had decided a half acre of land at
his gate for that purpose, Il conference
of the society WAS held 10 fix upon !,
name for the building. MI Burton
himself suggested the name of New
Friendship" but when the question
was put TO vote it WAS decided TO call it
afterits founder there being but one dis
sentlng voice, and that WAS Mr.. Burton
himself. 1t was also decided that the
old gentleman should continue to eXer-
else the same ntrol and management
in the church rs he had formerly dnne at
his honse. An arm. chair WAS placed
for him at i commanding point, from
which he could not only hear the SER
mon but note the~ronduct of the au-
dience: and any disorder in the congre.
cation was sure to bring ont the well
known tap of his cane on the floor. or
even to raise tile cane thnealcningly
above his head. And here from this old
meeting house-roughly constructed
and never finished, with its stiff. I'M
comfortable benches, and its tall. con-
tracted pulpit. unwarmed in winter and
stufTy and sitting in summer-wcnt
out Il spiritual influence. the power and
scope of which must always hallow tie
sacred spot upon which it stood. 1t
will continue a reproach for years upon
the Mcth0dism of that locality. that in
thasuccessive changes of later days,
even the name has been dropped from
hei-roll of honor, and old Burton's be-
came henceforth mere memory Of the
past.
Thomas l'urton died in 1921. He
left two sons and ore daughter: another
son having heell lost at sea. The Rev.
Joshua Button. a man distinguished for
piety and dtv tion to the church, WAS
the eldest; Garrison, a useful member
and life long friend of the Metho list
litinerancy was the other. His hospital
ity WAS proyerb i'll the church for
many years of his life, and is doubt, IS
gratefully remembered. evcn yet 10y
many members of the Wllmil gton and
Philadelphia Conferences.
[ro BE CONTINUED.
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