The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-06-16
FROM THE LIFE OF A WEST vIR-
GINA METHODIST PREACHER
WORTHY OF PERUSAL.
Rev. Dr.. Fullerton Reviews Through
the Columns of the TeleFan His
Thirty Years Work in the West
Virginia Ministry.



or these friendships were renewed. when
Mr. Fullerton became pastor at Morgan
town. These men were always ready to
encourage and advise the young pastor
in his early ministry. At the end of
this year, though he was cordially invit-
ed to remain. Mr.. Fullerton asked for a
change of pastoral charge, as the work
was too heavy for his physical strength.
His next appointment was to Oakland,
Ind, not the nice, easy station of today,
but large circuit, embracing at that
time, besides oakland, Terra Alta, An
rora, Deer Park, and several preaching
places in the country. The first year he
had an assistant about his own age. Oak
land had one preaching service every
Sunday. the other places every two
weeks, the pastor and assistant, Of
course, alternating at all the appoint
ments.
At the end of the first year the charge
was divided, Mr.. Fullerton being then left
without an assistant. while the young
man who had been associated with him
left the NJ. E. church and entered the
ministry of another denomination.
While pastor at Oakland Mr.. Fullerton
preached twice on one Sunday, three
times on the next, did good deal OF
travelling on horseback and held in two
years eleven protracted meetings. These
added to the church more than 100 mem
bers.
II vas a source Of much pleasure to
find at Oakland large class OF promis-
ing young people, who were nearly all
members of the church. There was also
at Oakland one ofthe best choirs in the
conference. Many of these Young people
have made their mark in the business
and professional world since. Among
them was our progressive business man.
Mr.. L. L. Loar. Of the firm of Loar &
White. of this city, and the Loar broth
ers of high business repute of our neigh
boring town of Grafton.
or. Fullerton, to meet the needs Of
the young men and women, at once or
gained normal class for advanced Bib
lical study. to which and its meetings he
often looks back as among those pleas
ant memories one does not like to forget.
Among the prominent workers in this
church was Mr.. David Loar, the father
OF the younger Loar already mentioned.
He also has recently passed to his re-
ward.
During this pastorate a number Of lay
men. accompanied by the pastor, started
out one Monday morning to select a
piece Of ground on which to hold a camp
meeting. These men were Rev. J. N.
Davis, an honored local preacher, who
still does good work on this charge, and
has been Sunday school superintendent
for between thirty and forty years, Judge
Henry Hamin (since deceased) and Squire
5. L. Townsend, also gone over the shad-
owy river. They selected beautiful site
near a beautiful spring, but, owing to
circumstances. the camp meeting was
postponed. That same location Is now
part of Mountain Lake Park and the
spring Of water was what Is now the
celebrated Crystal spring" 50 noted in
the history Of the park. Only few
years aiterward the park was laid ont
and has ever since been one OF the most
popular summer resorts Of this country.
It's efficient superintendent, Rev. l.. \.
Rudisill, has brought it 30 a very high
state Of beauty and modern cultivation.
Now for a really ludicrous incident
u the first year Mr.. Fullerton was on
this charge. He. with two other young
preachers, was holding special services
At a country church The night was
dark, the rain falling in torrents. Services
over for the night, all the congregation,
with lighted lanterns gone, three preach
ers standing by the pulpit. not one OF
whom had an invitation to spend the
night. They three took counsel "one
with anOthcr;" they remained in the
church all night, slept, or tried to sleep,
in their overcoats on the benches, cx-
tinguished all the lamps but two.
Along after midnight a solitary horse.
man was heard coming along; two Of
the preachers began to sing: the horse.
man paused a moment and then took
to his heels, n If he were followed by
something awful. The sounds OF hi:
fight could be heard for some time and
no doubt, he thought the church was
haunted; and. SO it was by three weary
hungry Methodist preachers. who, II
early morning. repaired for a splendid
breakfast to the home of man who
had not been at services the night before
What long night it was!
To Be Continued.)