Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
TWO NOTED PREACHERS.
Amusing Stories Told About the
Witty Encounter of These DiNines,

Correspondence of the Evening Star.
MARSHALL, Va, November ID. 1896.
The revival in the Baptist Church, re-
Gently closed and one row being conducted
by the Methodists. have both been attended
by remarkable success, as already reported
IN The Star. The amity and fellowship be-
tween these denominations are in striking
contrast with the feeling displayed in the
beginning of the century as manifested
then by the leading exponents of those
CHURCHES. Then there were Very few
churches in this section of the country and
the preachers rode long distances and held
services on Saturdays and Sundays. rarely
getting to any one church oftener than
once month. The old men of today recall
this period with great pleasure and never
tire of relating their reccllections of those
good old times. The most noted expounders
of the Gospel in northern Virginia then
were the Revs. RosZell of the Methodist
Church and Gilmore of the Baptist They
were rigid and unyielding believers eacn
in the tenets and doctrines of his OWE
faith and advocates of the church mill
tant considering it their duty to ''hew to
the line, let the chips fail where they may"
In upholding their doctrines they not only
attacked the opposing principles of the
other church, but these two being almost
the only preachers of their respective de
nominations in Loudoun and Fauquier. they
frequently INDUCED in sharp and vigorous
personalities in the pulpit and elsewhere.
which at this day would be apt to beget
A
talk with one who has lively recollection
of these mssterful preachers recalled a
rumber OF interesting anecdotes which
have never found their way into print.
On one occasion they both had appoint
ments in Leesburg on the same Sunday,
and. as was the custom in those days. they
received new members into the church at
the close OF each series of meetings. Re-
turning TO their homes after church the
two congregations met on opposite sides
OF the same street.
The Methodist divine. thinking to deliver
srarting thrust in the hearing of almost
the whole of both flocks. called across the
street to the shepherd of the Baptist fold
"iow dye do, Brother Gilmore; one of
your members Joined our church today"
"Ah ha, that's all right" replied the
placid immersionist. "back-sliding Baptists
make very good Methodists."
Constant themes of difference between
them. upon which an opportunity TO cross
swords was never suffered to pass un-
noticed. were close communion on the one
side and the insufficiency of infant baptism
on the other. One communion day in the
Baptist Church. Rev. Mr.. Roszell made il a
point to be present. having no service at
his OWL church on that day. He had seat
on one of the front benches. Mr.. Gilmore
spread the communion table with great
care Just in front of where the Methodist
divine was sitting, ami when all was ready
he cleared his throat and with great
soIemnity said in his powerful and i'm
presSive voice:
Brother Roszell. If this were my table
/ should invite you to partake; but being
my Fathers / dare not"
Instead of sinking through the floor, Mr.
Roszell calmly replied:
Brother Gilmore, If this were your table
/ should await your invitation: but being
my Fathers l shall help myselfr' and,
suiting the action to the word, reached over
and with great seriousness and soemnity
took the bread and wine. without molesta-
ton. to the intense amusement of the con-
gregation.
They were both great lights in their
churches dearly beloved by their people
and possessed of vigorous Christian fer
vor that made itself felt and resulted in
great good wht reyer their ministrations
were carried on.