The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-12-08

The first revival services which resulted
in forming the nucleus of the present
Methodist Episcopal Church began in the
month of October, 1S49, under the direc
ton of Rev. Thomas w. Shippers, who
afterwards became an honored and use
full member of the Philadelphia Anuua
Conference. About miles from Rising
Sun, at Nit. Pleasant, he held series o
meetings at which there we're many con
verified among whom honorable mentor
should be made of Rev. Elm Kirk who
is at present local preacher, Caroline
| Krauss and Esther Foster all members
at Rising Sun Church, all enjoying good
health and bright hope of heaven
| Methodist religion does help encourage
and keep. Their first prayer meetings
and class meetings were held in a wheel
wright shop owned by Jacob W. Kirk
Alter hard day S work he would sweep
! out his shop, construct benches and erect
with great care the mourner's bench,
Though unconverted at this time himself
he believed it was right for men to mourn
for their sins, and with slab and three
large blocks to rest 1t on, it became a
place where Gods glory shone into dark
hearts aud illuminated their characters
with the beauty of holiness. This wheel
wright also gloried in the cross in after
life and has passed away to his reward.
Jacob W. Kinks widow and daughter are
still with us, bright examples of Chris
tian piety and motherlY love.
In 1858 Rising Sun became one of tue
appointments on Zion Circuit and re-
NAMED so until 1871 There was divi-
sion on Zion Circuit this year and Rising
Sun, Hopewell, Mt. Pleasant and Row
landville became a circuit with Rev. j.
U. Weston as pastor.
The class organized in 1S49 began to
increase and four years passed away,
when they commenced the erection of
their first church, modest brick struc-
ture. The lot was bought for $65 of
Edwin Haines, whose honored grandson
is prominent member OF our present
church. The lot upon which the church
now stands was secured by Rev. John
Bayne. Financial poverty was king
over our people at this time, but what
they had they gave in the name of the
Lord Rev. Henry S. Sanderson was a
newer of wood and a drawer of water also
pastor in charge. Rev. Elm Kirk feeling
the necessity of place to worship in, gave
twenty five dollars, all he had, it was a
legacy lett by his grandmother the only
legacy ever left to him, except the legacy
OF Christ's peace which passes all under
standing. It was an investment which
draws eternal interest. The church was
built and dedicated by Rev. D. w.
Bartine, D. D., who was stationed
at Lancaster, Pa. His text was
"Evermore give us this bread The
sermon is spoken of as one of great spirit
ual power and is remem bered by some still
alive as season when Methodists could
shout the praises of God. When about
to be dismissed they found that the un-
dried paint had stuck to their clothes
closer than a brother. The following
brethren were members of the first Board
of Trustees: John Barnes, John Rutedge,
Thomas Fryer, Elm Kirk, Charles H.
Krauss, John 7. Egan, Emmor U. Cham
bers, Jonathan McCardIe and Elwood
Fryer. For eighteen years this little
church stood as a monument to Metho
dism in this community and a Bethel to
their souls. To those knowing this part
of the country regard the foregoing as
one of the greatest achievements ever
known in this county for Methodisn.
Being surrounded by followers of VIM.
Penn on every side, it was not an easy
matter in those days to be Methodist.
Methodsts, cedar like though, grow in
all climes, in all weaGhers, under all cir
cumstances and succeed in touching the
hem of Gods garment and show to the
world the vitality of the divinity of
Christ.
Iu June LIST 1872. the corner stone OF
the present church was laid. Rev. Joseph
Cook was pastor. The building was com
pleted at cost of S11, S42 80 and dedica-
ted October, 10th, 1878. Rev. C. N.
Sims, D. D. l. L. D., and Rev. W. II.
Chapman, d. D., preached on the occa-
sion. The intention of the building COM
mittee was, after great deliberation to
build church costing $4,000, to their
great astonishment when completed and
furnished it cost nearly double that
amount. This statement at first stag
gered the lovers of Methodism for a mo.
ment, and after heroic effort and great
sacrifice they found an indebtedness on
their building unprovided for, to the
amount of s7,o4222
Rev. Joseph Cook remained as pastor
from 1872 to 1878; Rev. J. d. Kemp from
1874 to 1877; Rev. w. J. O'Neil from
1877 to 1879, Rev. 7. B. Klliam,
from 1879 to $780, After an absence OF
three years Rev. John D Kemp returned
and served secoud full term of three
| years, (1SS0 to 1888. He stood up as
their leader in this great undertaking to
pay off this debt. By this time, this
loyal, wboe-souled people had paid
s14, 100 % on principal and interest OF
| 50, 81. 40 more than the original cost, and
yet there was a debt of So, 1865 remain.
ing on the church. Many meetings were
held, many plans adopted and carried
into effect without resulting as was earn.
estly desired At last the following Cir.
| cular was sent out.
"We are pow engaged 10 an earnest
| effort to pay the balance of the indebt
edness of Rising Sun Methodist Episco
pal Churchl
| First To obtain subscriptions to ths
amount of the whole debt, before any O
the subscriptions, part or parts thereo
shall be payable.
Second, All sums over five dollars shall
be payable in four equal instaments, 81,
| lloHIHS dpai u ouc louieu Pay aoio "hoi
the whole debt is subscribed, with inter
est on the balance until paid.
Third, All sums of five dollars and un
der payable when the whole debt is sub
scribed Our church is the ouly one il
the village. We are weak financially
and few in numbers Our burden
weighing us down, aud retardlng GU
spiritual growth among us.
Send your contributions to Rev. J. I
| L 1