The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-05-28
A COUNTRY CHURCH.
ESSAY Read at the May Meeting OF the
Cecil Farmers Club BY Rev.
D. E. Shaw, D. D.

ID. Es OudN' -
The subject OF this paper Will not CAUSE
surnrise am sure, since we are met III
manse wide discretion has been lodged
hv thio ch,h Nc to the subject of an essay in
the hands of each one who mas the privilege
of being its host. The line OF thought mas
sugyested itself to the essayist on account OF
his own chosen calling.
Otbar members Of this club may enlighten
us upon the comparative value OF fertilizers,
the importance of improved machinery or
tbs attitude of the farmer to the economic or
raform movements of our time. But a min
later will feel more at ease If he selects a
tonic which lies nearer to his own point of
observation II the shoemaker should stick
to his last, it will not be inappropriate that a
parson should have something to say on this
theme.
The country church is often spoken OF In
terms OF compassion, because it is sin the
country In this generation the tendency OF
our whole life is toward the city. Life is
more vigorous there, and as the struggle for
existence becomes more keen. men turn
away from the rural community with its
quiet round, to the exciting hustle and move
ment OF the town or city. Just because the
current is flowing towards the city, does the
work Of the country church become more
important. If the sources of supply are i'm
pure, then the moral dangers of the city
increase Immediately. The city is constantly
drawing upon the country for fresh blood.
there being steady demand for young men
and women who are vigorous of health and
industrious of habit. II it is the function OF
the country to supply this new material, it is
highly important that the churches in the
country should maintain the most vigorous
life. But the country church is associated in
the minds of many with total lack of archi-
tectural beauty. narrow pews, bare ugly
walls and a constant struggle for existence.
Sometimes the community changes so thor
oughly in its character that churches for
merly strong find it difficult to maintain an
existence. Great anxiety is expressed by DIR.
Strong in his latest book on the moral condi-
ton of our country life, on account of the
constant drain from them to keep up the
vigor OF the city populations.
Those who live in this immediate region
and who are acquainted with the large and
vigorous Presbyterian Churches in this
county and across the Pennsylvania line, do
not share all the fears of Dr. Strong with
regard to the moral condition of the rural
districts. But as my theme is ga country
church, let me speak more directly of the
church, which it is my privilege to serve as
pastor.
What is now known as the West Noting
ham Presbyterian Church was formally or
ganized in the year 1924. The original place
OF worship was near the village of Rising
Sun. During the revival OF religion which
occurred in New England and the Middle
States from about 1884 to 174O, the congrega-
ton became divided and another house of
worship was erected, within sight and indeed
within sound of each other These stalwart
coonists maintained the worship OF God in
their respective buildings down to the close
of the 18th century. They were originally
from Scotland and the North of Ireland, and
did not easily change their minds when once
they had made them up on any subject,
especially on the subject of religion.
The ministers OF that day were sometimes
rather trying to their congregations by reason
OF their original temperaments in some cases,
and in others because of some habits which
were not edifying, to say the least. 1t is
often amusing and always instructive to
learn, how resolutely an obnoxious pastor
would be resisted by some determined elders,
until finally the reluctant Presbytery would
be compelled to exercise its authority, and
dissolve the uncomfortable relation, To
Illustrate the eagerness with which some Of
those early Presbyterans attended public
worship on the Sabbath, permit me to refer
10 tne tradition current about some young
men living in Hartford county. They crossed
the Susquehanna on Sabbath morning fast
ened their boat to a tree on the bank and
walked to the church near Rising Sun. This
spirit mas not yet wholly died out OF the
church, and If some fami.lrs are not now
seen in the church on Sabbath MORNINGS the
pastor is morally certain that something
serious has occurred in the home to prevent
their attendance.
Side by side the two congregations wor-
shipped, until about the close OF the century.
when time began to disclose its healing
effects. 1t was felt that they could comfort
ably worship together without any sacrifice of
principle. Evidently they felt it was adyls-
able to seek a site in a different locality, and
among lot OF faded documents in the pos
session of the pastor, there is one in which
is recorded the vote Of the congregation
upon the merits OF the locality known as
stony Batter Very wisely according to
the Judgment OF the writer. "Stony Batter"
did not seem to be a very satisfactory location
to the majority possibly on account of the
name.
Finally the Presbytery interviewed and
appointed a committee OF gentlemen who
SELECTED the present site and the church was
erected about 1901. 1t has been remodelled
since and beautitled, and is now one OF the
most attractive and comfortable country
churches Of the Presbyterian body in this
country.
With membership Of nearly 800, a -four
ishing Sunday School, woman's Mite socie
ties, three mission bands and an energetic
Society OF Christian Endeavor, this country
church is showing itself not unworthy Of its
devoted ancestors. Many changes have taken
place since its first organization, TIA vears
Al. E..