Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-10-09


States the Chaplain of the Second Vir-
ginia Regiment, of the famous Stonewall
Brigade, and during the latter part of the
war served on the staff of the gallant
General John B. Gordon. He was after
its organization and for long while
Commander of John w. Rowan Camp.
United Confederate Veterans. and he has
been for years President of the Lee
Memorial Association.
Preceding his sermon on Sunday last
the venerable pastor said
Forty years ago today began my
ministry here in response to a call from
this congregation. My formal installa-
ton, however. did not take place until the
following December. My reception was
cordial and affectionate; and have no
reason vet to doubt the continuance of
the affection and confidence of this con-
gregation, which are sincerely recip-
rocatcd. Few pastors can have more
reason for gratitude to the Head of the
Church for happy relations in this respect
than your minister, or more cause for low
ing and confding in his congregation.
"Of the adult communicates and men,
beers of the congregation who welcomed
me forty years ago, the overwhelming
majority have ceased to worship with us
here and are resting in their graves.
Very few remain. Many have been
dismissed to swell the number of workers
in other churches, north and south. east
and west. A>goodly number have come
to us from other churches to fill the
vacancies in our pews and add to our
company. / have endeavored to hold
fast the form of sound words and to
preach to you only that which is written
in THE Book. / have not Stunned to
declare all the counsel of God have
endeavored to preach to you. without
partially to persons or classes. the neces-
sity for repentance towards God. faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ as the only term of
salvation, and the consequent duties you
owe to God.
During this reriod. which is long in
human life, you have all Bonded under
the weight of some great sorrow. Your
fathers. where are they? Your chambers
have been emptied and your hearts have
been oppressed under the burden lof
bereavements. Other troubles have also
overtaken some of you. Through these
trials, with mingled feelings of pain and
pleasure. it has been my privilege to
minister unto you the supporting promises
and guiding counses of your heavenly
Father.
This congregation has preserved the
unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace
For this fact thank God and commend
you. i beseech Enodias, and beseech
Syntyche, that they be of the same mind
in the Lord
You have contributed to all benevolent
objects presented to you by the Church,
and to many of them with becoming, if
not with the largest possible liberality.
Congratulate both you and myself
upon the pleasant relations existing be-
tween this congregation and others Of
this community, and for similar relations
between those of US who are ministers OF
the gospel. Our Lord says other sheep
have which are not of this fold 1t |
qulckens my gratitude. and gives me
pleasure to know that l have warm
friends IN other churches and among
those who are not members of anv
christian church.
Mathematical figures are feeble, |
inaccurate. and incompetent opponents |
of the work and trials of church and its |
pastor Yet for whatever they may be |
worth l give few statistics, as the |
tangible results of my ministry, viz:
Added to the Church $40
Baptized AIS
Couples married 3S4
Dismissed to other churches 1872
Buried mot including funerals at
which only asslsted) 1881
Now, my wish and prayer for you are
expressed in the text, Thes iii IL
And the Lord make you to increase and
abound IN love one toward another and |
toward all men even as we do toward |
you.
For more than generation hath the
good Bishop of bonneville" gone in and
out before his people in Charles Town
baptized their children. solemnized their
marriages, visited and comforted them
III their affection, and buried their dead.
May he live long to enjoy the firm friend
ship and veneration of the good people
among whom his lot has been cast.
The ladies are arranging for areception
to be given to DR.. Hopkins at the manse
on thursday evening of next week. by the
members of his congregation and other
friends in the community.