The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-07-17
SKETC Chs
ERoaF THE LIFE OF A WEST vIR-
GINA METHODIST PREACHER
WORTHY OF PERUsAL.
Rev. Dr.. Fullerton Reviews Through
the Columns Of the Telegram His
Thirty Years' Work in the West
Virginia Ministry.
sI.atch XIV.

senior members OF the couIeIGuGe- ny.
Sanford has served half century in
the effective ranks. a Christian gentleman
beloved wherever known, a man who has
but few enemies, genial and sympathetic,
honorable in all the responsibilities of
life and as modest as minister can be.
DR.. Warden was quiet, thoughtful and
unostentatfous, reserved IN disposition
and at the same time true in his friend
ships and devoted to loyalty to his
church an. able preacher and wise coun-
selor. he is now resting from his la
bors in his declining years at Grafton.
aCome up and help me establish the N.
Il. church at this point" was the invita-
ton AIr. Fullerton received from a young
minister stationed 100 miles from
Charleston on the like Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad. eve want you to
help us IN special services in this new
field for week or two" Mr.. Fullerton
went, found new town rapidly growing,
rough and wild as new railroad towns in
that region of country usually We're. The
Young preacher from whom the invitation
came had no church building, no organ
i1ed congregation; in fact, nothing just
then TO build on. Special services under
the care of another branch of Methodism
were in progress IN the town. These
good people had a church house of their
own and were established. The needs
of the place so far as the Methodist de-
nomination was concerned seemed to
be fully met Mr.. Fullerton, therefore,
took the train the next day and returned
home. His policy has always been not
4 AL SOflh
branch of the Methodist church has al
ready prepared to hold the fort, and is
fully equipped to do so. 1t is very
strange in these days of modern frater'
nal greetings to see two or more branche9
of the same general denomination hold
ing the same doctrines and in the main
the same church, with nothing to divide
Them except a difference in sectarfan
name or an old prejudice from some early
controversy which the Gathers" had, try
ing to sustain themselves in some small
town or rural neighborhood, spending
much money to keep up two or more or
ganiaztion of the same faith, which one
il sufficient, and where two or more min
listers have less than a living salary. To
such vain methods Of Christian work the
posed and has SO continued to this day.
Though such opposition has not always
attracted on his behalf the popularity
which many desire, and which sometimes
is caused to be known as an ardent ana
jealous purpose to advance the cause.
Alas! the pity of it, to see in many
small country villages from six to
dozen little struggling churches, with
IA many threadbare, struggling preach
ers and poorly clad families, for which
these pastors are responsible. These are
not dreams, burt facts. Christianity III
not helped by these few and feeble or
carnations. Ono good, strong church
for each denomination would be a great
blessing to such places and bring about
spiritual prosperity and harmony an the
community, but as it is the opposite Is
often true, and chickering's and bitterness
are found.
One Saturday while Mr.. Fullerton was
at Charleston brother minister, who
had just erected fine new church forty
miles from the city, came TO see him in
a great state of excitement. what am
/ to do" said this eccentric brother
.'Have Just received telegram from Dr.
Deli he can't come; had to fill some
other forgotten engagement. You must
come and take his place. Church musa
be dedicated tomorrow. In need OF
money; Sl,7OO to raise. You must come"
Well, Mr.. Fullerton, in company with
a friend, started on Sunday morning at
8 o'clock, and after drive of eight hours
held the dedicatory service, preached
long sermon and raised the debt. For
ali this service and providing supply
for his own pulpit, he received nothing
except the sense of having done good
deed. When the peculiar brother afore-
said was Introducing the substitute
preacher to the congregation, he salu;
ar I meet DIR. - will whip him"
Mr.. Fullerton said nothing to this
strange threat against the absentee UNI
til near the close of the service, when ne
informed the pastor, it must be taken
back in the presence of the entire CON
gregation and apology offered, as the I'M
preston made by such a threat would
remain long after the occasion was Tor
gotten. The good brother, with tears
and pain, did as requested and all tho
people said amen. That pastor and the
man who was to dedicate that church
have long since passed over. to the ma
;ority. The man who accompanied Mr..
Fullerton has also gone and the person
who was supply on that day at Charles
ton is likewise numbered among those Oh
the church triumphant. Such is lie.
Alosl how many changes in SO brief
period. THE church at Charleston during
this pastorate had prosperous time