Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1925-07-24

! Stickley, and the present pastor, H
y c. Mayhem. (others there were
: not known to the writer.)
The oldest member. in point o
e years and membership, Is Mrs. Caro-
t line Hutchinson. now "a years old
e for about rs years an active Chris
!, tian.
In letters published in the ''Lif,
, and Writings of G. w. Able, by Pete
Ainsley." in 1875, find mention o.
preaching at Narrow Passage schoo
house and at other Valley points
where churches of the Disciples OF
} Christ now are well established. But
in writing to the Annual Convention
with the Sycamore Congregation" In
Richmond, Va, in 1871, Mr.. Able
wrote anent the fewness of church
buildings in Virginia.: Nor can the
Valley of Virginia boast but little
more, there being but one organized
congregation. with it's own house OF
worship, within any corporate linn
its throughout its whole extent, from
Maryland to North Carolina; this
honorable exception being the town
of Edinburg. Shenandoah County.
We mean, Immediately on the line of
railroad"
Brother Able, had he lived until
thic Glad bour Mould hayo eooc ~ -
fulflllment of wish he expressed In
letter written to Brother Parrish
in the latter part of 1868: God
grant that the good work may go on,
until, in all regions where the heav-
ings of old oceans bosom are per-
ceived. the hearts of her sons and
daughters may be vocal with the
praises of the Prince of Peace. Yea.
may those whose praises sweep on
in Piedmont's hills and plains, gath
ering new strength as they pass the
Blue Ridge on the right, mingling
with the voices of sons and daugh-
ters of music in Shenandoah's wales,
and again reinforced by the melodies
of the sunny fields, south of old
James, and, met by the choirs of the
southwest, make old Allegheny's
highest peaks ring again with the
praises of God and the Lamb
Methodist Church
The Methodists began preaching
in Edinburg in 1S56-'57. Rev. ].
Eakin was preacher In charge, and
Rev. S. B. Dolly was his junior
preacher
At that time, Edinburg was a part
of Woodstock circuit, which then en-
braced the greater part of Shenan-
doah County. In 1S57-'5S, Rev. z.
w. Kelley served the work. In 1852
80, Rev. ]. w. Wolf and Rev. s.
Cummings were in charge of their
circuit. Rev. James E. Armstrong
was assigned to the charge in 1861
and remained during the four years
of the Civil War. leaving the charge
in 1865. In 1S65-'66, Rev. DR.. ].
p. Hyde served the charge, and
through his efforts an extensive re-
vival. in 1866, was held and Meth
odism in Edinburg became an as
sured fact
Prior to this time, as nearly every
denomination had done, the services
were held in the ''old brick church"
on the hill. Soon after DIR. Hyde
came to the work, arrangements were
made with the United Brethren
Church. by which the Methodists had
the privilege of preaching there reg
ularly. At this revival, along with
score or more of other substantial
people, ]. S. Hutchinson professed
religion and joined the church. Soon
after uniting with the church, Mr..
Hutchinson decided to enter the
ministry. which he accordingly did
in March, 1870. He was sent to
Woodstock that year as junior
preacher to Rev. ]. w. Tongue. who
was known as preacher in charge.
His rise in the conference was rapid
and soon he was sent to the best
and most desirable charges. He was
presiding elder for number of
terms, and on several occasions he
was sent as a dlegate to the General
I Conference (the law-making body of
10. dfaA
as a great honor among Methodist
preachers to be sent to the General
Conference. When the infirmitives
of age came upon him and he was
forced to retire from his labors. he
bought home in Edinburg. where
his last days were spent among the
1 people he loved and who in turn
loved him. His widow. In feeble
health, still lives with US. Rev. Mr..
Hutchinson was one of number OF
Edinburg boys who distinguished
themselves in life. He was born and
raised in the house now owned and
occupied by w. A. ("Peter") Hisey
On Woodstock Circuit
: Edinburg was on the Woodstock
circuit for many years. AS the mem
bership of the several churches grew
stronger, new circuits were formed
and Woodstock charge became small
er and smaller. until finally there
were only two churches. Woodstock
and Edinburg. remaining on tn.
, charge. These two churches formed
! distinct charge until 1889. wheI
r Woodstock had so increased In mem
a bers and wealth that it was mad,