The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-06-20


of from twelve to fifteen miles.
The three preaching places during this first
year were Namozine in the east; Amelia Court
House, twenty miles to the west; and Painesville
ten miles further west. My residence was aboul
mile and half north of Amelia Court House
The members of the two churches were scattered
over of from five to six hundred square
miles i'll Amelia, and besides there were some
families in Dinwddie county attached to Namo-
zine Church, whose residences from ten to
twelve miles from their place of worship. The
heads of two or these families were elders of the
church, and they and their households attended
worship with commendabe regularity when the
roads were passable. 1t must be remembered
however, that conditions at that day much
more favorable than at present. Then large
part of the citizens were in easy circumstances
some of them rich according to the prevailing es
innate. A large majority of the people owned
horses and vehicles and good proportion; some
slaves, numbering from five up to fifty more
The servants, too, were trustworthy, and their
masters and mistresses felt hesitation in go
ing from home, leaving their premises and young
children to their | never heard of any
misadventure coming from the confidence thus be
slowed. Masters were kind to their servants and
trusted them. Servants felt their responsibility
and lived up to it. The negro unces aunts and
mammies of the olden times, called them
unknown in these days
My work in Namozine Church was begun on
the first Sabbath of December, 1858 | drove up
from Petersburg, twenty-five miles, on Saturday
to the hospitable home of Colonel w. f. c. Greg
DRY, some years later well known and valued
minister of East Hanover Presbytery. The next
day | made many acquaintance at church. and it
not long before l knew the people in the
neighborhood. After giving out the notices this
first Sabbath, | stated that while my residence
would be more than twenty miles from this
church, L would, D. V. be present at every ap-
pOntment, and that they might expect me without
fail unless 1 was providentially hndered l had
furnished myself with everything necessary to
protect me from rain cold, whether in We
hicle horseback. My health vigorous
my energy and go-a-headitiveness unlimited, and
my powers of endurance large; so | did not hest
tate, inexperienced as / was, to commit myself to
task that would be hard of performance.
The roads in Amelia, good enough usually in
and fall, were something peculiar amid
the rains and SHOWS, the freezes and thaws of
winter. Moreover, between Amelia Court House
and Namozine there were two creeks, which, I'M
der heavy rains sometimes swollen to the
extent that they could not be forded except at
peril These things were not known to and
not reckoned with when gave notice that migh
be expected without fail. Nevertheless, far as
| remember, l did not miss appointment
although | came dangerously it
had spent Saturday night at the house of an
old college mate, William A. Reese, of Dinwiddie
county, a ruling elder in Namozine Church
During the night there heavy downpOur OF
rain. His house was ten or twelve miles from
the church and creek lay between. At break
fast time Sunday morning the atmosphere was
murky and the skies lowering. Reese said he
thought he would not venture and advised
that l should not attempt it, 1 would have
to a swollen creek and probably have to
swim my horse. To my inquiry whether the ford
dangerous, he answered, NO" and gave me
directions how to proceed. In due time, there
fore, took my leave, mounted my horse and de-
termined to reach the church in time, if possible.
After having ridden mile or two, I heard the
Gathering of horses hoof behind me, and there
Reese riding up. He led the way across the
swollen creek in safety it being necessary to SWIM
short distance at the middle of the stream, and