The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-07
INTERESTING EVENT.
Dedication of the Madam Russell
Memorial Church.


MARION, VA, June 6.-special.-on
Sunday, June Sd, the Madam Russell
Memorial church CMethodist Episcopal,
South, at Saltville, Va, was dedicated.
This beautiful little church is memorial
OF one of the most-perhaps the most
remarkable of the woman pioneers of
Southwest Virginia.
Madam Russell was among those hardy
settlers of Virginia who, moving still
westward, were attracted by the beauty
and fertility of the mountain country of
Southwest Virginia, and there made them
selves homes.
Born in Hanover county, Madam Rus
sell was a descendant of two Of our old
est Virginia families. Her father, Colonel
John Henry, is famous now, not so much
for anything he himself did, but because
he reared a son whose name stands pre-
eminent on our list of heroes-Patricl1
Henry. But Colonel John Henry in his
day was of no small significance in the
colony. At the head of his regiment he
showed as much zeal for good King
George as his son ever displayed in
opposing that worthy. Mrs. Henry.
Madam RusselIs mother, was of the old
Louisa county family Of Winstons. Her
brother. Colonel William Winston, was
noted for the same cast of efoquence
which afterwards made his nephew SO
famous.
Before her marriage with Mr.. Russell
Miss Henry became the wife of Colonel
Campbel-he who led the American forces
at the battle of Kings Mountain, where
few hardy mountaineer- hunters, with
out authority from a king or q congress,
overthrow and destroyed a large division
Of Cornwallis's trained troops.
But Madam Russell's work was to bring
tidings of peace, rather than of war. Her
rude Lighthouse was a gathering-place, a
home, for all those soldiers of the cross,
who, like John of old. felt it theirs to pre-
pare in the wilderness a way for the
lord. These holy Aien Travelled often
through painless woods and over track
less mountains, bringing spiritual aid and
comfort to the scattered mountain set
tiers, so far removed from all church
influences.
OF such earnestness Were these men,
through such difficult ways did they
sometimes journey, that it is said a noun
taineer, when asked what had broken the
path through a seemingly-impenetrab
wood, answered: "A bar or Methods
irctiit-rider-one"
At Madam RusselIs these soldiers Of
God found a home. Among these was
Bishop Asbury, the first Methodist bishop
in America. She encouraged them when
they were disheartened; she advised them
when they needed help; she prayed with
ana Tor them. often she accompanied
them in their journeys through the noun
tains. In this rough little Lighthouse, hid
den among the everlasting hills, many a
service was held and many a prayer
went up from souls filled with
celestial fire. Surely, it is fitting that
this spot should be kept as holy ground
that there should be reared a monument
to these immortal souls who in their work
live again.
It is pleasant to think that perhaps
from her final restng-place on the sum
nit of one of the hills she loved Madam
Russell looks down and sees how the
work or the Lord begun by her has pros
pered how now through all this mountain
country church, bells are heard and
church-spires are seen-how Sin the
mountain the glory Of the Lord has been
revealed
The church, a beautiful stone struct-
ure, having four large memorial windows
stands just in front Of the old Madam
Russell home, which still remains. The
church was built by Methodists all
through the South, who felt that this was
the most fitting way to show their rever-
ence for this cody woman.
The dedication sermon was preached by
DR.. Sullins, president of Centenary
College, Cleveland. Tenn. a large crowd
was in attendance, and much interest has
been taken in this event