The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-06-03

To The Free Lance
In an interesting news letter from
Hampstead. published IN your issue ot
May 2Olh, there appears an item, which
docs Rev John McNabb. of hIscounty AN
uuintentional injustic | say uuinten-
tional because | feel sure that the writer
Of that item had no thought or lnten-
tion Of wronging Mr. McNabb. OF even
knew that the article would indirectly
or otherwise detract from the beloved
divine (whcre he is not well known "a
single trait OF virtue although | kn "
not who is the author IF the Hlmp-
stead letter, aud do not even suspect
who wrote it
In speaking Of Mr. McNabb, the
writer said
"He has done some good work
among the poor. but, being Of
the High Church, he has never assimi-
lated with other denominations " *.
Il may be safely said that Mr. Men abb
has done more for the poor and needy
and sick people, in his community,
in the last few years than any ether
one man in King George county And
his unceasing work Of charity-yisit-
ing and administering 10 the necessi-
ties Of the sick and destitute-has nO'
been confined to any particular class or
denomination. When informed e a
case Of sickness or destitution he never
stops 10 enquire what denomination the
party belongs to, but hastens to the
afflicted home and does all that a min
lister Of Christ and an unselhsh Christ.
ian can do | do not say this from any
hearsay. but from what | actually
and positively know Of Mr.. McNaob
and his work in this county l know
Of many cases OF illness among Metho-
dists and Baptists where Mr. McNabb
was the fist minister Of the Gospel to
visit, pray with, and comfort the suif-
ering. and | know Of some cases where
he has been the only minister to visit
members Of the Baptist church, through
a long spell of illness
No Episcopal minister in this county
ever assimilated with other denomi-
nations " as freely as Mr.. McNabb has
with the Baptists and Methodists since
he has been rector here, and 1t Is doubt
gul if any minister Of any denomina-
tion every assimilated " as freely
with other denominations as he has
done and is doing Mr. McNabb was
the most constant and welcome visitor
and spiritual comforter at the dying
bedside Of the most pronounced and
straight laced " Baptist preacher who
ever lived or died in King George
He has time and again conducted
services in Potomac Baptist Church
performing the marriage ceremony and
funeral services for members Of that
church and denomination He has time
and again attended services at the
Methodist church, and one of the most
powerful extempOraneOus prayers heard
in this county in recent years was de-
livered by Mr.. McNabb in Trinity
Methodist church during a revival con-
Quoted there by tho Methodists several
years ago. No Episcopal minister in
this county ever performed the marriage
ceremony and conducted burial services
for as many Methodists and Baptists as
Mr.. McNabb has done during his resi-.
dence here.
have been a member Of the Baptist
denomination for many years, and ex-
pect to remain in the Baptist church the
balance of my life. but, from my per
sonal knowledge of Mr.. McNabb and
his work in this county. l regard hin
as one of the most unselfish and mode
Christian ministers ever knew in any
denomination, and the estimation in
which he is held by other denomina.
ton here is evidenced by the fact thai
both Methodists and Baptists are now
uniting with the Episcopalians in ap.
pealing to him to reconsider his resig
nation and remain in King George.
A Baptist.