Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1901-02-16
BUHrON-0AK GROVE CHURCH.
Its Hiuo~y From IsOI-18Ol by Mrs
w. N. Easou.

| w. ~.
The itinerants had such broad
fields Ia which to labor that they
could seldom be present at any one
church; therefore the interest OF that
early time centers around the faith
full lay members and the consecrated
local preachers, to whom 90 much OF
the success of the early church was
due. Captain Burton was the CEN
trail figure until his death In 1921 and
always displayed far more earnest
old age and later love than for that
of his youth and early affection.
Among the local preachers OF that
period was Rev. Matthew Floyd,
who for forty years,by faithful labor
and godly life did much for the
growth OF the society and for its
spiritual uplift. Besides there were
Rev. Thomas Smith, abundant in
labor; Rev. George Wescott, a man
full OF good works and all ardent be-
lever in prayer; and Rev. Griffin
Callahan, devoted to Christ's cause
and to the welfare of the church. 10
addition to these Rev. Joshua and
Garrison Burton, sons Of the founder,
wrought faithfully and we'll. The
former an itinerant in youth, but for
years local preacher, was dis
tinguished for piety and christian
devotion, the latter was lifelong
friend to the church and to the
Methodist itinerancy, his hospitality
almost pr overb, his life an exam,
ole, "known and read Of all men,"
These men all zealously devoted
much OF their time, their means,
whatever talent had been given
them, and their spiritual power to
the upbuiding Of Burton, AID to the
spread of Methodism at time when
the cause was weak and needed
earnest advocates. They helped to
plant the seeds that have since pro-
duced an abundant harvest to the
honor OF Him whom they served,
both ia upright, moral living of men
and in the salvation of many immor-
tai souls. Among the early members,
and the first of that society who went |
out as an itinerant to preach the
gospel of Christ, was Thomas Andres
Elliott, who was ordained at Phila-
delphia by Bishop Francis Asbury in
1903, and died in 1915, preaching the
truth of Jesus. His life though brief
was potent for good in bringing
others to Christ and into the church.
very important event, and it may
we'll be said to have been the most
important Que in the history of Bur
ton occurred in 1918, when Sunday
school was organized, Il thing hither
TO unknown and unheard of in con-
nection with a church. How wide
and far-reaching its beneficent in
fiuence for the increase of scriptural
knowledge among those who had
meager opportunities for instruction,
now promUtive of the advancement
of religion and OF spiritual develop
ment, eternity alone Can reveal.
Through this, and through the class
meeting, which has long since fallen
into disuse and become thing OF the
past, and through other potent in
flusnces, from that old meeting
house, where our grandfathers and
great grand fathers worshipped,
roughly constructed as it was, with
stiff uncomfortable benches and tall
pulpit, unwarmed in
winter and sitting in summer, went
out spiritual influence, the power
aud scope of which can never be es-
timated.
AS time passed by the original
building became too small to accom-
modate the increased and increasing
consisting as it did at
that time of both whites and colored,
the former occupying the main build
ing and the latter tile gallery, and it
became necessary to enlarge the
house After hard struggle fifty
dollars was raised for that purpose
and twenty feet were added. Later
the gallery was extended the entire
length of the addition. 1t was then,
November 8, 1884, that Garrison
Burton and his wife decided the land
on which the church was situated to
the Philadelphia Conference, with
j Joshua Burton, Jonathon Smith,
John s. Beach, Levin W. Mock,
James Ashby, Sr., William Chance,
John Edmonds, George b. Mapp and
Littleton LeCato, trustees, all of
whom have passed into the great be-
yond to render an account Of their
With the enlargement of the
church a new era in its history be-
gan, and from this time on there is
fuller record OF the progress and de-
of Burton. Ia 1885, Rev.
Levi Scott, afterward bishop, was
presiding elder of Snow Hill District,
which at that time included Burton,
and in fact all the Methodist :.
churches on the Eastern Shore.
Rev. Jefferson Lewis was preacher in .
charge of Northampton Circuit and =
o lstor of Burton. He was not only
an able preacher but live pastor;
and began his pastorate with the
speedy enforcement of many whole
some but long neglected rules. He
nav be said to have instituted new
Ill linn