The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-04-24
CECIL METHODISM.
"REMINISCENCES OF OLD BETHEL
CHURCH.
How the Primitive MethodiStS Sang
With Spirit, and Prayed With
FervOr In Their Meetings.

With Spirit, and Prayed With
FervOr In Their Meetings.
Oh. for the days of childhood.
When down the sunny glade,
And through the tangled wildwood,
The livelong day strayed;
When DER the sun-capped mountain
leaped the dancing rill,
Or lay beside the fountain,
To list the wild birds trill"
The pleasant memories clustering around
the early childhood of the writer, associated
with school houses and churches. are readily
recalled, long after every vestige of the build
ings has passed away.
Permit me, Mr.. Editor, to trespass on
your columns, by mentioning some little in
cidents that may. perhaps, be read with
pleasure. My thoughts dwell on "Old Bethel
Church" which was erected in 1890 and
stood until 1S49, when it was torn down and
the present edillce erected. The Old Bethel
Church was situated near Chesapeake CITY,
Back Creek, Summit Bridge, and Bohemia
Manor. From these several places, fiocked
large numbers of men and women, on Sum
days, and at other times. to engage in de.
votiona exercises. They never failed. in
sunshine or storm. to occupytheir accustomed
places.
The church was II square building, of brick,
with two doors. through one OF which the
women entered; the other was for the white
brethren and sisters, the latter turning aside
to the steps leading to the gallery.
Tine has made various changes. The
colored population now have their own
churches, and schools. But in those DAYS
the colored people in the gallery were not
Objectionable to the intelligent members of
that church.
The class leaders were John Biggs. and
Noble Blddle, who looked after the spiritual
condition of the flock; while Samuel Thomp
sob, who resides within Il stones throw of the
new edillce, and recently celebrated his 9th
birthday led the colored members.
During protracted services, the colored
members were often called on to lead IN
made the very arch ring. while singing, in
their inimitable manner
There is balm in Gilead.
To make the wounded whole.
There Is power enough in jesus
10 neal the sin-Sick soul"
They partook of the communion after the
white members had all partaken.
1t Is now the season of an eXta meeting.
No evangelist is sent for The preacher has
reliable help in the membership When sis
ter Lydia Groves. "A cripple, makes one leap,
it is the signal of victory.
The two amen corners were always filed
the sisters on one side, and the brethren on
the other. Their manner of dress, as well as
their godly life, made an impression. If the
spirit moved one, there was general hand
shaking in that corner 1t would afford
amusement now, but not 50 in those days; it
was part OF their devotion to thus express
their love to the blessed Master.
The preachers were Rev. Henry White, Rev.
Lawrence Lawrenson. Rev. VIM. W. Foulks,
Rider, Tibbles, etc. All these have passed
away, but to many their memory is sacred.
The church was always filled. After an
awakening sermon, the members, led by
brother Kane, gathered about the altar, and
began to sing.
Come yc sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
run of pity, love, and power:
He is able,
He is willing; doubt no more"
Night after night was that old familiar
hymn sung, never losing particle of its
peculiar charm. No one was asked to hold
up their hands, but 20 get off their seats and
come to the mourners bench. When the
pentent made start for that objective point
hearty response from the membership
showed it meant something. Soon gathered
the old folks, and whispered words of cheer
to the anxious ones. They were not rushed
through as in these days. No one had to
I announce "a soul converted But when
'glory, glory and shouting proceeded from
the altar, every one knew Il wanderer had
come home.
Brother John Kane led the singing. He
sang long and loud. He might have been
heard at least one-fourth of mile The
convert sometimes remained more or less time
III u tldnct. L uc ucdT, SOou Olu slsterS would
cluster around and sing appropriate hymns
When every thing was quiet and the saved
one began to show signs of life, then came
another outbreak of shaking of hands and
embracing each other, and an old-fashioned
hug made the new convert feel a hearty
welcome.
Only few of the old heads ale living: but
Brother Samuel Thompson recalls many of
the scenes spoken of, and often in his heart
would, no doubt like to witness such an
outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our modern
churches.
My memory fails me to mention positively
the manner of furnishing light. | know it was
not electricity or gas, but am certain | have
heard they used tallow candles. Then some
brother not gifted in prayer or altar work,
kept the candles trimmed. When the lights
became dim he piled the snuifers. The i'm
mediate result was increased luminousness
The building was heated by "A template
stove. The contributions were taken in a
little black pouch, suspended at the end of a
long pole.
The membership of the new church is moi
large; but sufficient interest is taken by those
who have loved ones buried in the adjoining
cemetery. to look after the advantage and
success OF the present society