Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-05-31

HE n
The last services in the old Methodist
Church Of this place were held on Sunday
As the principal feature of the mornings
exercises, Rev. Mr. Hamill read history
Of the organization, a. far as could be OBJ
tanned from the records, from the first con-
veyance Of land BY Charles Washington, at
the beginning Of the century, afterward
added to by Matthew Ransom and Others,
and the erection of the first building, which
was replaced in 1892 by the present house
much enlarged in 1858. 1t was an instruct
i've summary Of the progress and work Of
Methodism in Charles Town, with list Of
the pastors from 1920 including many since
eminent in that and other churches, a large
proportion of whom have finished their
course with Joy. The old records also con-
tanned the names Of many good men and
women who we're active members and who,
faithful unto death, have become part of
the church triumphant Other interesting
and suggestive items were included in the
sketch, showing some changes in methods
and customs as the years passed, but no
departure from the Distinguishing doctrines
and forms Of MethOdism nor diversion
from its legitimate aim-the salvation Of
men.
In the afternoon Rev. J. W.'Tongue con-
d9ct,l a well-attended experience meeting,
aud a. the evening service letters were read
from a number Of former pastors who had
been invited to participate, and the sermon
was appropriate to the occasion.
~
Sergt. Charles c. Benn, of Clarke county,
now at the Confederate Soldiers Home,
near Richmond is critically i'll from stroke
of paralysis. Sergeant Benn has seen
great deal of martial life. He enlisted in
the regular army of the United States under
Col. Thomas T. Fauntleroy and served in
Florida and on the frontier for five years.
When the war between the States came on,
be came South and served as member of
the "Stonewall" Brigade until detailed by
Gen. Joseph T. Johnston as his orderly
Charley Benn, when in the old army in the
Territories. received THE FREE PRESS as
regularly as the mails could deliver 1t,
and made his remittances in gold, and for
years it has been going to him at the Sol
diers' Home in Richmond. After the sur
render Of General Lee, he was paroled at
the same time and place with the editor of
this paper-at New Market, April 10, 1868.
Well do we remember his asking the parOl'
ing officer: rs it true that old Abe has
gone up?"-the report having reached US OF
the shooting of President Lincoln. Our
old comrade has our sympathy in this day
of his affection. We hope his life may be
spared to him yet awhile and that later he
NAV be triumphant on the fields Of glory
Memorial Day exercises at Edge Hill Gem
etery Saturday. were well attended, though
flowers were not as layishly strewn as If the
season had been more advanced. In the
absence of Rev. DR.. Hopkins, president of
Lee Memorial Association, Mr.. David
Howell presided and introduced the speaker
of the day, that brave soldier and cultured
gentleman Col. Richard Henry Lee, of
Clarke grandson Of r. II. Lee of indie
pendence memory, and relative Of Gen.
r. r. Lee-who defended vigorously the po-
sition of the South in the conflict, and paid
an earnest tribute to the men who gave their
lives for the Confederacy Hon. J. Morti-
mer Kilgour, of Loudoun, who was present
was called for aud responded with charac-
teristic fervor. There was singing by
choir under the direction of Madame Ruhl,
accompanied by the Cornet Band; Rev.
Dallas Tucker offered prayer, and Rev. DR..
Campbell pronounced the benediction. The
speakers stand was adorned with beautiful
bouquets, generously supplied by Mr. Pen
mock from his gardens. The soldiers graves
in the Methodist and Episcopal graveyards
as we'll as those in the cemetery were deco
rated. Mr.. B. c. Washington was mar
shall.
The misstatement in the Wheeling Regis
ter bv some anonymous and, most probably,
irresponsible scribbler, that Mr.. Ramsburg,
who wat defeated by Mr. Neel for county