Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1950-12-21

century, somewhere about 100
years ago, when Methodism had
just begun to breathe the free air
of the U. S., the people of Goshen
were visited by the Foster Father
Bishop Asbury) of the then small
but healthy church organized at
Baltimore on Christmas Day 1884.
If we may judge from the name
given this locality we should sup
pose that it was even then land
flowing with milk and honey. Later
farmers shipped milk and the bees
had a hive on the front door of
the church.
True to the instincts which have
always characterized the Metho-
dists there is no wonder that when
the preachers heard of Goshen
they lost no time in seeking it out
and establishing themselves in
such a fertile and picturesque
country.
1t would be interesting to know
who first suggested the idea of
building church in this. neighbor-
hood, who was the architect. and
who the builders and whoI first to
preach, therein. However in the
year 1890 Ignatius Pigman gave
plot of land for shillings and
the church was built. We can
imagine that together with the
preacher, two or three persons
after having told the Lord their
purpose and sought His guidance
and blessing, walked along the
road to select site on which to
build House for the Lord. 1t
must be as central and convenient
as possible and hence halfway be-
tween the two cross roads was de-
cided upon. Very soon was heard
the hammers beating time to the
merry song of the saw, while the
ak, in slow but determined tones,
told the inquisitive passerby that
the people had mind to work.
The little log church was very
plain in arpearance-no plaster
on the walls-no underdrawing-
no painting or decorating of any
kind. In those days more atten-
ton was paid to utility than to
beauty, The benches were made
of just one plank without back
| rests.
Fancy if you can a person ac-
customed to sitting in one of our
comfortably cushioned pews, sit
ting on one of those rough
benches patiently listening to, and
evidently enjoying a sermon an
hour and a half long from the text,
Endure hardness as good
soldier"
The floor was boarded and some
where there was bad place, for
it is said that Mrs. Wilson, a ner-
vous lady, accidentally went
through-the scene may be better
imagined than described.
The pulpit was a very tall mar
row box elevated some three or
four steps from the ground. Early
pulpits were built high, so that
when the minister sat down he
might have moments relief from
the searching gaze of his congre-
cation. 1t also offered a place of
seclusion to which they could re-
pair after long journey on horse
back and arrange their disordered
toilet and make other preparations
for the service without any fear of
being molested.
1t also gave the minister an OPP
portunity Of finding out how the
congregation behaved in church
during his absence. A story is told
of one good brother who reached
the church before any of his con-
gregation, and of course made his
way at once to this little combin-
alton OF closet and pulpit. There
he sat meditating while the people
gathered in the church and en-
gagged in conversation and laugh.
ter. Suddenly deep and solemn
voice was heard saying, "The Lord
is in His Holy Temple, let all the
earth keep silence before Him"
One minister of the old log
church was a Mr.. Jones from Eng
land who studied for the Catholic
priesthood and coming to accept a
church in Washington, stopped al
a revival service of the Methodists
was converted, and entered the
ministry to win great fame as