The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-11-03

then q member Of the First Presbyter-
ian church Of this city. It hrst met in
the basement Of Mr.. Otis house, now
the residence Of Mr.. Joseph seybold.
1902 Water street. But upon the organ
ization Of the Third Presbyterian
church the Sabbath school met in the
school house, but was not ohielally con-
nected with the church until the con-
gregation secured a building OF Its
own. Then It became a part of the
church.
The new church at first consisted Of
only fourteen members, who were re-
ceived as follows: From the First
Presbyterian church, of Wheeling. AM
drew Hall. Duncan Campbell, Marga-
ret Campbell. Hiram Martin, Elizabeth
Martin and Mary Garvlston; from the
Reformed Presbyterian church, Of
Three Ridges, Pa. Rosanna Harris;
from the Forks Of Wheeling church,
Thomas Mccombs and Elizabeth Nc
Combs. his wife; on examination,
George Blake, Grace Blake, William
Little. Delilah Little and Sarah Hils-
man.
Andrew Hall was the FIRST ruling el-
der Of the new organization, and re-
malned a faithful officer until death
opened the door for him to enter the
church above, in the year 1864. Mr..
Hall not only was careful to guard the
spiritual interests Of the church. but he
contributed literally to IT materially.
When. in the year 1851, the first brick
building was erected, he, being build
ing contractor by trade. was given the
contract to erect the building, and he
donated nearly all Of the required ma
terIal.
1t is interesting to note that during
the last fifty years the Hail family has
been prominently identified with the
life and growth OF this church; and
that 1t is still well represented in the
list of members and workers.
on the same day Of Mr.. Halls cleo
tion to the eldership. Mr.. Thomas Nc
Combs was also elected to this office.
He continued to be an efficient officer
until he moved from the bounds Of the
congregation in 1855.
To watch over the financial affairs Of
this young and struggling church, Mr..
George Blake and Mr. Hiram Martin
were elected as the first board of truss
tees Of the Third Presbyterian church.
Such. in brief. is the story of the or
ganization.
Early Days.
Very few people who are now living
can realize what great changes have
taken place in this part of the city since,
November 2, 1919. At that time RItchle-
town was not within the corporate lin
its of Wheeling. Cornhelds and swamps
interviewed between the two towns.
Ritchietown was little village com
posed of few houses, scattered pro-
mlscuously amidst the fields and
swamps. There were no modern i'm
provements; no paved streets, no street
cars, no street lamps. The people
waded through the mud to church, at
night. carrying lanterns with them,
Drinking water was drawn from wells,
and water for other purposes was dip
ped from the river.
It is related by an old member that
when the good people assembled for
their Sabbath evening service they
brought candles with them to furnish
light in the church, and that the SER
mon being rather long and the people
wishing to economic. blew their can
dies out during the sermon. The candle
on the pulpit alone was reckoned to
furnish sufficient light during the dis
course in the little meeting house. An
old hymn book now in the possession
of Mrs. Margaret Henderson was the
first hymn book used in the Third
church. Its leaves are burnt by one of
those candles, the candle by accident
having been held too near the book
that the singer might see more distinct
ly. The book was owned by Mr.. Dun
can Campbell, who was one of the
charter members OF the church and one
OF its founders and benefactors A
small volume OF such interesting anec-
dotes might be written concerning the
early years OF this organization and
the trying circumstances in which the
Third Presbyterian church was estab-
lIshed. These were the days Of small
things, but God has warned US mot to
dsspIse the day Of small things" In a
certain sense these were the most i'm
portant days Of this organization, For
years the struggle was great bit the
Halls, the Mccombs, the Martins, the
Blakes, the Llttles, the Otis, said this
is our church, we have planted this
vine, we will continue to water 1t and
we viii look to God to give the increase.
OF the charter members and officers
who looked upon the original organiZa-
ton, only one remains upon earth,
Mrs. Elizabeth McCombs, now living In
Martins Ferry, Ohio. The others have
gone to their reward, but the church is
here. The Lord has established the
work of their hands"
Rev. Alfred PAUL was the first pas
tor, 1S5O-52; then followed, Rev. Edgar
Woods, 1S53-57; Rev. j. v. Dodge, 1852
60; Rev Marcus wIshart, 1S6l-62 Rev.
r. v. Dodge. 1S6S.s4; Rev. Jonathan
Cross, 1868; Rev. A. G. Engleson,
1875: Rev. Daniel Williams, 1859;
Rev. Joseph G. Lyle lS79-s4; Rev, SAM
uel G. Hair, lSSI-S6; Rev. w. NJ. Ea-