Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-09-02
Van Buren,, Pm.

tarost somo of your readers who
have never wondered chow tho
Cumberland Presbyterian church
found its way into Pennsylvania.p
Because of the place of its origin,
many think II was the outgrowth
OF tho slavery wranglo, and since
coming hero / have been asked
moro than once why all Cumber.
lan6 Presbyterian preachers are
from tho south, and the question.
ers are invariably surprised at our
UNCONVENTIONAL history, and to
know that we arc enlisting men in
tho ministry from oil sections of
this country. Only last year this
presbytery admitted an English.
man by birth, o graduate of Prince.
ton, and two others, trained for
the ministry in the Congregational
church.
"Bethel," the church | serve,
Is the second Cumberland Presby.
terrain congregation organized in
this state.
Persons who have read "Alice
McDonald,' or the history of the
denomination, will remember "Ten
Mile" This is a creek, and we
have also supper Ten Mile"
These are in the camp meeting
section, where the revivals of
1881 opened the way to our de-
nominational existence. "Con.
cord" was organized in 1881,
Bethel" in 1882, and both of
these congregations are active.
Bethel has about 200 members
from the leading families in this
section, owns a neat, brick house
OF worship, q well.kept cemetery,
and q twO'story parsonage, with
orchard, garden, barn and all the
conveniences of a well ordered
home, located in the midst of the
prettiest surroundings in the state.
Daily mail and telephone connec.
tiOns, close enough to the city to
get fresh meat and ice, and far
enough away to grow cucumbers
and tomatoes, and at the option
of the occupant may be heated
with coal from the mine, close
enough to go afterit witha wagon
or with cheap natural gas.
The denomination now has -four
presbyteries in the state and owns
over 100000 worth of property
exclusive ola college that is lib
orally patronized.
This is perhaps one of the most
presbyterian Of Presbyterian
counties. In fact, the saying that
sits principal products are black
topped sheep and Presbyterian
preachers" is a chronic joke. OLD
school, new school, United Pres
byterians and Cumberland Presby
terians have created an overwhel
ming Presbyterian sentiment. The
people are of Scotch. Irish descent
Presbyterian stock, you know
from way back. The organization
of the G. p. church here nearly 7(
years ago met with strong resis
lance, but it has long since beer
admitted to full membership, and
now we all dwell together in unity
and the soil" of brotherly kindness
flows as freely as the oil OIL
Aaron's beard in the olden time.
We all preach whatsoever will
as..earnestly as ourMethodist neigh
bors, about the only difference
being found in the fact that the
Presbyterian is afraid he is moi
elected and the Methodist knows
that he is elected, but is afraid o.
the final count-out, and really it is
difficult to determine which is il
the worst fix-thess Presbyterian
who is not elected, or the Metho
dist, who was elected all right, but
was Counted OUT by the devi
after the election. The fact Of the
business is, they are both in 9
slippery road. The Presbyterian
who has a genuine case of religion
don't "fall from grace" because
of course he can't fall, and the
Methodist who is thoroughly con
verted don't fall from grace, be
cause he don't want to fall. Either
is safe. The Presbyterian who is
afraid that he is not elected, has
never been a candidate; and the
Methodist who is afraid he will b,
"c0unted out" has received q ligh
vote. The Presbyterian never hat
the grace to fall from, and thu
Methodist had such weak variety
of it that the fall need not make
his head swim. Thoroughbre,
christians do not worry abou
Election, fallin' from grace, etc
They have too many other things
to do.
But here L 60. Writing some
thing that all christians know
Pardon me, will you.
Z. M. HURST.