Year: 1875




Dear Brother,-On several occasions with
in the last year or two, you have earnestly
solicited me to give you some account OF the
origin of the church of Christiansburg,
Montgomery county, Va, as it was under
my ministry that organization took place.
Others also have frequently made the same
request, especially DR.. White, Of Lexington,
and Rev. James Morrison, of New Provi-
dence, before their death, and several others
still living. The reason Of this desire, it is
presumed, may be that these persons have
understood that there were circumstances
rather peculiar attending it.


Without further introduction, somewhat
detailed account will be given of the state OF
that community, and the source of the first
movement to secure Presbyterian preaching
and have Presbyterian church established
amongst them, and also the circumstances
under which that church was organized.


A half century ago that community were
little disposed to boast of high state of
morality or social virtue. On the contrary
they often gave to the writer detailed ac-
counts of things calculated to make very
different impression. Among other things
they gave minute and graphic description
of one of the most fatal and tragical "Gfdirs
of honor" on record One bright morning
about dawn of day two young men of high
position, with their companions or accom-
phces, stepped out few hundred yards from
the village, equipped for the deadly conflict
dressed in new suits furnished for the Occa-
sion, their weapons were rifles, the distance
but a few steps. At the given signal both
shots took fatal effect. One of the antagonists
fell dead on the spot. The other received
fatal wound and fingered till the next day,
long enough to find out that he had killed
his best friend. The next day, as the funeral
procession passed in sight, he exclaimed,
"t1ere goes my best friend" How unfor-
tunate he had not made the discovery little
sooner.


These and other circumstances, together
with the extensive prevalence of intemper-
ance, show how much they stood in need of
that remedy which pure gospel alone can
afford. But by what motives they were in
Auenced to seek this remedy may not easily
be understood. The religious influence in
the community. was very limited. The
Methodist brethren had a small church, and
were making strenuous efforts for its increase,
but not in manner approved by the more
prominent citizens, or agreeable to them.
This may have had some influence. Or per-
hsps they thought that matters had got to
such state that change was desirable for
the temporal good of the community. What
ever may have been the motive, they began
to confer together on the subject.


Either casually or by appointment num-
Der of the principal citizens were together
one night at the Hotel. The inquiry was
made whether any thing could be done to
procure Presbyterian preaching. Some one
had heard that the Presbytery of Lexington
was to meet at New Providence church in
October. This was in the year 1926. They
forthwith drew up petition to the Presby'
terry to send them, if possible, preacher,
and accompanied it with subscription of
considerable sums of money for his support.
They promised that they would welcome any
one whom the Presbytery would send, and
do what they could for his maintenance.
These papers were sent by some one from
the New Dublin church, then in Wythe
county. These particulars were received
from an elder of the Christiansburg church,
still living, and who has been exerting a
continued influence for good in that church
and community for fOrty-eight years. May
his end be peace and everlasting JOY


The Presbytery met at New Providence
church on the 10Th of October, 1926. The
writer had Just returned from Princeton and
was licensed to preach on the 23d. By
order of the Presbytery, Christiansburg and
its vicinity were designated as his field Of
labor, in answer to the petition sent. AS
soon as arrangements could be made, he SET
of on his solitary journey, and on the 10Th
of November preached his first sermon in
the old Court House that stood in the mid,
die of the street. the only place for all kind;
of public meetings, and which continued tc
be the place of preaching during the whole
time of his ministry there. Though small
and substantial brick house of worship wa
put up during that time, it was not finished
till afterwards. The people received ant
treated me with all the kindness and cour
tesy that could have been expected, and CAV
encouragement by attending the stated wOr
ship, and in various other ways Yet, tn
prospect seemed to me anything but bright
There was no church building or churc
organization. l was at great distanc
from any of my ministerial brethren wit
whom l could take counsel, or from whoI