Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-10-24
Notable Day at Timber Ridge
Church Sunday

Church Sunday
Sunday last, October 21st, was a
notable day in the history of the
"Old Stone" Presby terrain church
at Timber Ridge, it being the cele-
bration of the 150th anniversary
of the erection eff the sacred struc-
ture. Eloquent addresses, stirring
music, the presence of numerous
descendants of the pioneer settlers,
the generous hospitality of kindly
people, all combined to make the
gathering a memorable end pleas
ant occasion.
The meeting opened at l0:45
O'Clock with the doxelogy, followed
by the invocation by Rev. G. R..
Stribling of Waynesboro mod
orator of the Lexington Presbytery,
in sessicn in that church, after
which the congregation, lea by an
excellent choir, united in singing,
"Come, Thou Fount of Every
Blessing" Rev. j. E. Booker of
Lexington read the Scripture les
son and offered prayer. The greet
ing and welcome on behalf of the
congregation wes extended by the
pastor, Rev. j. A. Trostle, who
briefly rec;ted the history of the
founding of the church, the deeds
of sacrifise and devotion Of the
early settlers in providing for
themselves house of worship. In
closing he presented gavel to the
Prssbytery, which Was made from
q leg of the first church built in
the comm unity, which Was in the
year 1742. Rev. VIM. G.. White of
Warm Springs, the stated clerk,
responded to the address of well
come and in turn presented the
gavel to the moderator, Rev. Mr..
Stribling, who expressed his appre-
citation of the gift On behalf of the
Presbytery. Among the interest
ing things said by Rev. Mr.. White
was that the Presbytery of Lex
ington was born in the Timber
Ridge church, the first meeting
having been held in that church
26, 1742.
"Early Settlers wan the subject
of an interesting and instructive
address made by Mr.. A. t. Barclay
of Lexington, in which he traced
the history of the Scotch Irish,
who fed from Scotland on account
CT religious persecution and took
refuge in the north of Ireland,
whence they came to America, and
in the wilds of this new country
these sturdy people established for
their selves rude homes and churches
in which they and their children
might worship God unafraid. The
speaker referred TO the early pio-
neers as being men of rugged hon
esty, fervent piety end patriotic
citizens. No little surprise was
occasioned by his assertion that
St. Patrick, the recognized patron
saint of Ireland, was Scotch
Irish Pre- sbyterian.
Rev. G. b. Strickler, d. D., of
Union Theological Seminary, Rich
mond, spoke on the theme, "Presby-
terrain Doctrine. His address
was a strong presentation of Pres
byterian faith, clearly and simply
stated. He introduced his re-
marks by laying down the broad
proposition that Presby terians be-
Iieve implicitly in the inspiration
Of the Scriptures, the Old as well as
the New Testament, and that they
we're written by holy men Inspired
Of God. DR.. Strickler treated his
address under the heads Of Gods
absolute sovereignty, human free
agency, and divine DEGREES. His
address was amplitied and illus
rated and made profound i'm
preston on his hearere.
Rev. w. w. Moore, d. D., also
If the Union Theological Semi
nary, Richmond, delivered a pol
shed address on "The Rock on
Which the Republic Rest, " which
severed wide acquaintance with |
literature. The VOID of God he |
declared to be the palladium of the
United States. The development
If the intellect, said he, does not
the mora character OF a
people. The subject was treated
lnder the topics of the Bible as
necessary to the best interests of
'ur civil government, sound
morality and spiritual life.
Rev. Alfred Jones, D. D., Of
Va, a former pas
or, spoke on the subject. "Her
'astors and Elders" He referred
eelingly to many of the former pas
ors and elders whose lifework is
ow complete, but the influence of
whose good deeds and Christian
ives is yet felt and will be felt to
he remotest generation.
An incident OF interest at the
lorning session was the announce
lent by the pastor of the presenta-
ion to the church Of two brass
objection plates, sent by Mrs. +.
}. Mcdowell Wolff of Atlanta, Ga,
Tho is daughter of Governor
ames Mcdowell. Accompanying
FRS. Wolf IS letter was the follow
ng: "This gift is presented to
he Old Stone church at Tim Der