Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-18
By CASPAR NAMES

RELIGIOUS News Editor OF The Star
MASSANETTA SPRINGS, Va,
Aug. 18.-The history Of Massa-
Meta Springs as a Bible confer
ence meeting grounds is one Of
uncertain beginnings. gradual
accomplishment and current
success.
When a small group of far
seeing church leaders took over
the beautiful site in 1922. they
were faced with a heavy finan-
cial burden. Few people thought
the churchmen could carry the
project through successfully.
Today the venture is a sue
cess well beyond the dreams of
the original group. This year 26
conferences have been held,
starting June 8 and ending Au-
gust 26. The attractive hotel
and AZ cottages on. the tree
laden 1873 acres. capable of hous-
ing nearly 1900 persons, has
been filled since the season
opened. Indeed, dormitories in
Madison College at nearby Har-
risonburg, Va, have been used
to take care of the overflow
guests.
Spirit Of Ability Prevails
One reason for its outstanding
success has been the spirit of
"togetherness" prevalent. Mem
bers Of numerous denominations
from many States work cheer
fully together as part of the
Bible conferences. There is an
emphasis upon the elements that
bind rather than separate
Christians.
This INSTRUMENTATION quail
ity is best illustrated by point
ing out the church Affiliations of
ministers addressing the current
35th annual Bible conference.
They include Presbyterian, Bap-
fist. Methodist, Church of the
Brethren, Episcopal, Evangelical
United Brethren, and Lutheran
clergymen.
Famous Speakers Heard
Great preachers and lay
speakers occupied the rostrum
in the white, wooden meeting
hall on Auditorium Hill during
the 34-year Bible conference his
tory at Massanetta Springs.
William Jennings Bryan, the
Great Commoner" and boy
Orator" spoke there in 1924. Five
years later, Sergt. Alvin York,
hero of World War I, explained
his exploit of capturing 1872 Ger
mans by asserting, THE battle
was fought the night before in
my dugout. upon my knees in
prayer to God"
DR.. George Truett of Dallas,
Tex, THE Beecher of America;
DR.. Joseph r. Sizoo of Washing
ton: Evangelist Billy Sunday; DR..
Daniel Polling. and DR.. Peter
Marshall of Washington were
among those, who addressed
Bible conferences in the audi
torium beneath the old oak trees.
This year well-known names
on the program are DR.. John
Sutherland Bonnell of New York;
DIR. George M. Docherty of Wash
ington; DR.. Edwin T. Dahlberg of
st. Louis; DR.. Raymond I. Lind
quist of Hollywood, Calf. and
DR.. Norman v. Hope Of Prince
ton, N. j.
History Of Resort
During the last century the
grounds. then known as Taylor
Springs. was famous as a resort
for political. social and religious
gatherings. Notables. of Eastern
Virginia, among them the Madi-
sons and Monroes, were frequent
visitors.
In 1916 the Methodist Episco-
pal Church leased the property
for ten years as an annual camp
ing site. Eventually, in 1888. the
land was bought by a mineral
company, and the healing water
was bottled and sent as far as
Africa.
A DR.. Burke Chrisman, presi-
dent of the company, died in
1909 and the property was bought
by J. r. Lupton. who built the
brick hotel now in use. He OPP
Grated the springs as a summer
resort until 1920.
That year he decided the land
to Hampden-Sydney College for
a secondary school. The college
found the site unsuitable for that
cHRISTlAl