A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 16

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"But what was the result? Hear him again:" 'A short time since I was again on my round of missionary preach- ing. On Sunday morning I preached on this side of the river at a small church, some miles from Clifton. In the after- noon and at night I preached in Clifton. And what will be your surprise when I tell you, that sure enough that same respectable, gray-haired old man, christian I must now call him, had faithfully complied with his promise. He had fitted up the house for a church, had a very good pulpit in it, a good stove, and a fire in the chimney at the other end. The seats were not completed, but the people sat on planks, held up by logs of wood sawed off the proper height, without backs. The house was even lathed, and I understand he intends to have it plastered; and the next time I come, he says, he will have the seats finished with baeks to them. There sat the good old man at the afternoon service and at night, close to the pulpit where he could hear distinctly, with a fine smile upon his aged countenance, in his own church, filled in every part with attentive hearers of the Gospel. And he seemed to me, more than repaid for his outlay in what he appeared to enjoy. His good old wife sat beside him, and though up- wards of seventy years of age, had walked more than two miles through the mud to hear the precious gospel. And after night services were over, the pious old lady came up to me leading her married daughter, who, she said, had been brought to God by my preaching; and with an overflowing heart she thanked me, and said: 'Sir, I feel like shouting like a Methodist, I feel so happy, though I am a Baptist.'

"On another occasion he visited the miners at Peytona, on

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Big Coal river. We omit a description of the utter desti- tution of that region, as testified to by the best authority. The State senator from that place was kind enough to ex- ert himself in his behalf, and hunt him up a place to preach in an old house called The White Oak,' just on the banks of the river, in the midst of some tall pines, the primitive growth of the forest. 'He also very kindly accompanied me around to houses of the miners, to invite them to attend preaching at the hour we had appointed; and to my surprise I found several who were Church-of-England people, had their English prayer books, and were rejoiced to hear that I was a minister of that church. They wanted their children bap- tized, and a thousand other things they had to say, so over- joyed were they, to which I had not time to listen. I had an excellent congregation at old White Oak. I was treated with great respect and attention; and, services being over, was pressed to come up again and preach, and they said they would build me a church better than old White Oak. I have since received many invitations from these simple hearted miners to come and preach again for them.'

"The committee hopes that the Convention is not wearied with the length of this report. It seemed impossible to pass by such interesting details, and may we not suppose that others could give us a similar experience? Surely enough has been said to show the demand for more work and more workers, and to justify us in the hope that the Diocese will gladly aid, by an enlarged liberality, to enable us to engage in more enterprizes of the kind. There is but one way to extend the usefulness of the Church, by the missionary ac- tivity of those whom God has blessed with the possession of His precious gospel. There is but one way for the Church to prosper at home ,and its members to grow in grace. and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, by their giving their prayers, their means, their time and strength to the blessed work of Christian missions."

The treasurer reports $493 received for the contingent fund from the churches. Of the parishes reported as de-

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linquent the three in Putnam county, and the three in Hampshire county, were no doubt practically extinct.

Parochial Reports:

Mr. D. H. Conrad, Lay Reader and Sr. Warden, Trinity Church, Martinsburg, reports:

Mt, Zion Church, Hedgesville-The vestry of the Church have made no return of the state of the membership; but have sent on by the subscriber their contribution to the Bishop's fund. The Convention is referred to the last report of the Rev. R. T. Davis, as the probable condition at pres- ent of the church as to the number of communicants, &c.

Trinity Church, Martinsburg-Baptisms 4; communicants 39; Sunday school teachers 7; scholars 40. Having no Rec- tor, no account has been kept of the contributions. The us- ual collections have been taken up in Church, and individ- uals have sent on their customary subscriptions to be ap- plied to objects in connection with the Protestant Episco- pal Church; and perhaps, in many instances to the usual objects not in connection with the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Since the last of September, 1859, the Churches in Mar- tinsburg, and Hedgesville (Trinity and Mt. Zion) have been without a pastor, the Rev. Richard T. Davis having at that time resigned his charge, and removed to Orange Court House, Virginia. The Rev. Dr. Andrews has, upon two oc- casions officiated for us at night after his service in Shep- herdstown; and once administered the Holy Communion in Trinity Church. The subscriber, under the authority of the Bishop, has officiated as Lay Reader regularly in both par- ishes, on alternate Sundays. He believes with only one omission at Hedgesville, or perhaps two during an absence in Philadelphia. He has also conducted the congregational prayer meetings on Thursday evenings in Martinsburg, with- out intermission; and has officiated as superintendent of the Sunday school in Martinsburg and taught on Sunday af- ternoons, a Bible class, first of young women, and recently of young men. But it would be vastly better for the

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churches, if they could secure the services of an ordained, and properly qualified minister of the Gospel. All our ef- forts hitherto to secure one, have been, so far, unavailing.

The Rev. W. T. Leavell, Rector of Wickliffe Church, re- ports preaching occasionally at Kabletown.

Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-Rev. C. W. Andrews, Rec- tor. Baptisms 9; communicants 66. Sunday school teach- ers 10; scholars 80; families 25. Contributions $571.93.

Norborne Parish, Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, Middleway -Rev. Wm. McGuire, Rector. Baptisms 1; communicants 36; families 21. Contributions $83.67.

Zion Church, Charlestown-Rev. Charles E. Ambler, Rec. tor. Baptisms 10; communicants 108. In two Sunday schools teachers 22; scholars 120. Contributions $1,710.09.

St. Mark's Church, Coalsmouth-Rev. Alonzo J. M. Hudson, Rector. Baptisms 5; communicants 14; Sunday school teach- ers 8; scholars 36; families 17. Contributions $93.67.

The present Rector took charge of this Church at the be- ginning of April, 1859. It had been some eight years without a minister, but lay reading and the Sunday School were kept up by the Senior Warden, Col. F. Thompson. There are now twenty-two candidates for confirmation. Much has been done towards repairing and improving the parsonage and grounds, but the amount is not yet ascertained. The tax for the Bishop has been neglected, but shall be attended to at once.

Rev. Thompson L. Smith, reports:

St. John's Church, Kanawha Parish-Baptisms 10; communi- cants 53; Sunday school teachers 11; scholars 70 ; families 35. Contributions $499.76.

St. Luke's Church, Kanawha Parish-Baptisms 1; communi- cants 21. Contributions for rebuilding Church $188.00.

St. Paul's Church, St. Paul's Parish, Lewis County-Rev. T. H. Smythe, Rector. Baptisms 19 (10 colored infants); commu- nicants 31; Sunday school teachers 10; scholars 55; families 30. Contributions $800.

Of the Convention Fund, $7.00 came from the Church in Clarksburg. I have had charge of that Parish but a short

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time, and am unable positively to give the number of its com- municants. The $800 mentioned above, has been expended upon our parsonage, in which I now live. The lot and build- ing cost about $2,000, and by next Christmas, if the Lord prospers our handiwork, I hope no man shall have any claim upon it.

St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling-Rev. E. T. Perkins, Rector. Baptisms 33; communicants 188. In two Sunday . schools, teachers 47; scholars 300. Families 125. Contributions $2,- 003.87. There is now a class awaiting confirmation.

St. John's Church, Wheeling-Rev. James Moore, Rector. Baptisms 9; communicants, 63.

The present Rector took charge of the Parish on the 4th of October, 1859. During the Winter the Sunday school was well attended. Teachers 19; scholars 125. Average 943. The late freshet considerably damaged the Church, which on account of its liability to such disasters, and for other rea- sons, is most unfortunately located, We were deprived of the use of the Church for two weeks, and having no room for our Sunday school, the consequence is that the attend- ance of both teachers and scholars has fallen off. We trust, however, that we shall overcome the difficulty when we get fairly to work again.

St. John's Church, St. John's Parish, Pleasants County-Rev. W. L. Hyland, Rector. Baptisms, 4; communicants, 12. Communion als $6.29. This Parish is altogether missionary ground. I have officiated in the Church on Cow Creek, and in St. Mary's, the shire town of the county, once in each month during the past year, the congregations in both places have been large, and apparently much interested in the services. Our few friends there are much encouraged by the renewal of the monthly services and seem disposed to do all in their power to make these services effectual for good to the whole community. The statistics of this Parish during the eighteen months Rectorship, of the Rev. Mr. Cole- man are included by him in his report of Trinity Parish, Par- kersburg.

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Trinity Church. Parkersburg-Rev. W. L. Hyland, Rector. Baptisms 5; communicants 45; Sunday school teachers 8; fam- ilies 25. Contributions, $228.43. The present Rector took charge of this Parish during the session of the last Conven- tion, and the above report embraces only the past year. I enclose the report of my predecessor, Rev. Thos. K. Coleman, and would only remark concerning it, that the Parish in Pleasants county seems to be included in it. Several families named by Mr. Coleman as belonging to this Parish, and a number enrolled by him as communicants, I have been unable to find.

Report of Trinity Parish, Parkersburg, for 18 months-Rev. Thos. K. Coleman, Rector. Baptisms 13; communicants found on Register 28; added during vacancy 11; during my Rector- ship 23; by confirmation 17; removed 11; withdrawn 1; died 3; present number 64. Confirmed 17. Sunday school teach- ers 6; scholars 40; also the catechism is taught openly in the Church each week. Families 45. Contributions $300. Began service May 10, 1857; and resigned November 13, 1$58.

Convention of 1861. St. Paul's Church, Richmond, Va., May II. Bishop Meade preached the opening sermon: (Gen. 47:8, 9.) Bishop John's presided.

No representation present from West Virginia.

From Bishop Meade's report: "Between the close of our last convention in Charlottesville, and the annual exercises of the Theological Seminary, I visited all the congregations in Western Virginia. As they have also been visited by our Diocesan Missionary, Mr. Kepler, and by Dr. Minnigerode, at the request of the Bishop, and more recently by Bishop Johns, all of whom will have more or less to communicate concerning them, I will only state that my confirmations in the different places amounted to seventy-nine in all."

From Bishop Johns' Report: "June 5. I preached at Bun- ker Hill. 6th. I preached in Trinity, Martinsburg. 7th. I preached in Mt. Zion, Hedgesville and confirmed one. Sth. I preached in Trinity Church, Shepherdstown. 9th. I preach- ed in Grace Church, Middleway. 10th. I preached in Zion

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Church, Charlestown and confirmed twelve. 12th. In the evening, after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Suter, I adrdessed the same congregation. July 25. Accompanied by the Rev. R. H. Mason, I entered on a visitation and missionary tour in the counties of Bath, Greenbrier and Monroe. August 1, I preached at the White Sulphur and baptized an infant.

4th. At Union, I preached in the Methodist Church in the morning, and Mr. Mason in the afternoon. 5th. Morning and afternoon we alternated in the same place. 6th. In the Presbyterian Church in the morning, I preached and confirm- ed 3; after which, assisted by Mr. Mason, I administered the Lord's Supper. In the afternoon Mr. Mason baptized three colored children, and I preached to the servants.

Through the indefatigable exertions of Miss Caperton, a suitable lot has been secured and the means obtained to erect a church in Union. If I am not mistaken, the building is un- der contract, and soon, the friends who have been so devoted to this enterprise will have the satisfaction of occupying their own house of worship. At night I preached at the Salt Sulphur Spring.

April 12. I preached at Fairmont at night and also the next morning, confirming six. 14th. I preached in St. John's, Wheeling, and confirmed nine; at night in St. Matthew's and confirmed seventeen. 15th. I preached in Christ Church, Wellsburg. 16th. I preached in St. John's, Brooke county. Though the roads were scarcely passable, and the snow was falling fast, the congregation was there in goodly numbers; and though without a minister for now more than two years, yet I had the satisfaction of confirming 11 persons presented by the Rev. Mr. Perkins, who had kindly visited this Parish, and conversed with those who desired to renew their baptismal promise and vow. This congregation, so steadfast, and growing under most unfavorable circumstan- ces, will deserve the generous consideration and aid of the Diocesan Missionary Society. In addition to the other grat- ifications of this visit. I must mention the presence of my venerable friend, the Rev. Dr. Morse, of Steubenville, Ohio,

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accompanied by the Rev. B. Christian, and the Rev. S. W. MeCarty, of the same Diocese, who, notwithstanding the in- clemency of the day, came over on horseback to unite in the services at St. John's. We returned with the good Doctor to his hospitable home and were kindly refreshed on our way to Wheeling.

17th. I preached at Moundsville in the morning, and at night in St. Matthew's, Wheeling, when I confirmed six per- sons, belonging to St. John's, Wheeling. 20th. I preached at Cow Creek, and confirmed three. 2ist. I preached in Trin- ity, Parkersburg, and confirmed seven, at night I preached again in the same church. 23d. I preached at Ravenswood. 24th. My appointment was at Pt. Pleasant at night. Owing to a strong head wind the progress of the boat was so impeded that we did not reach the Point till about 9 o'clock. We went immediately to the church, where services had been con- ducted by the Rev. Messrs. Smith and Sturgis, the congrega- tion were singing the last hymn as I entered the chancel. At the close, in compliance with my request they resumed their seats, and afforded me an opportunity to account for my late arrival, and to speak to them a word of exhortation.

At Wheeling, the painful intelligence which reached us from the East, strongly inclined me to return. This feeling was increased at Parkersburg, but as we received no letter mail, and I could obtain no reply to a telegram which I sent to Alexandria, I resolved to keep on until I was overtaken, by some positive and decided information. This was not long in coming. It was brought down the river by the boat on which I left Ravenswood, but too late to change my direc- tion. I therefore kept on to Point Pleasant, sixty miles, offi- ciated there, as related, took passage up the river at 2 a. m. on Thursday, April 25, and by travelling day and night reach- ed the Seminary Hill by 10 p. m., the next day, though the usual route through Washington being obstructed, I was obliged to diverge at the Point of Rocks, and return by the way of Leesburg. On arriving at home, I found that some of the students of the Seminary, whose residence was in the

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North, had thought it expedient, under existing circumstances to return to their homes. The parting from their professors and fellow students, was with many tears and mutual pray- ers. May God in His mercy direct and prosper them in their preparatory studies elsewhere, and make them able and suc- cessful ministers of His glorious gospel.

I must express my great regret at having had to forego a few of the appointments of my recent visitation of the Western portion of the Diocese, particularly those at Weston and Clarksburg, which on my former visitation, I had prov- identially been prevented from reaching, and where there are a number of persons who desire to be confirmed. I can only say, that it will be my pleasure to avail myself of the earliest opportunity to visit those Churches, and render such services as may be required.

Every visit in that section of the Diocese impresses me more and more with the importance of making it the field of prompt, earnest and strong missionary labor. It peculiarly needs this, and under God's blessing, will, in due time, rec- ompense for any liberal outlay which may be made. I trust the door will soon be opened for this Christian enterprise, and men and means be furnished to prosecute it as it deserves."

The Diocesan Missionary Committee reports: Cash paid Rev. W. L. Hyland, Parkersburg, $150; cash paid Rev. H. S. Kepler (at large) $1,706.02. Some of Mr. K's time was spent in West Virginia. Cash paid Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Kan- awha, $89.13; cash paid Rev. Thompson L. Smith (as mission- ary at large), $400; cash paid Rev. G. B. Sturgis, Pt. Pleas- ant and Mercer's Bottom, $150; cash paid Rev. Wm. McGuire, Middleway, $50; cash paid Rev. A. J. M. Judson, Coalsmouth, $100; cash paid Rev. T. H. Smyth, Weston, $200; cash paid Rev. R. H. Mason, traveling expenses, $27.90; cash paid Rev. Dr. Minnigerode (missionary tour), $74.05; cash paid Rev. D. J. Lee, Fairmont, $206.25.

Received from little girls: Charleston, Kanawha, $1.00; Trinity Church, Martinsburg, $10.25; Mt. Zion, Hedgesville, $8.41; Charlestown, $110.50; Shepherdstown, $81.58; Bunker

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Hill, $7; Middleway, $5; Church at Union, $27; Morgantown, Mr. Jno. Rogers, $20; Moundsville, $10; St. John's, Brooke county, $10.01; Wellsburg, $7.35; Ravenswood, Mrs. Henri- etta Fitzhugh and daughters $5.00; Weston, $8; Fairmont, Mrs. Mary G. Watson, $10; Christ Church, Fairmont, $9.10; Clarksburg, $3.05; St. John's, Brooke county, $3.25; Parkers- burg, $10.50; St. John's, Charleston, $12; Sunday School, $3; St. Mark's, Coalsmouth, $5; Point Pleasant, $5.20; Grace Church, Ravenswood, $7.05; St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, Sunday School, $50; Trinity, Martinsburg, $20.44; Christ Church Fairmont, $4.55; St. John's, Wheeling, $24.85; Trin- ity, Parkersburg, $15.33; Grace, Ravenswood, $3.25. Total, $437.69.

Parochial Reports:

Rev. Wm. D. Hanson reports:

Mt. Zion Church, Hedgesrille-Baptisms 6: communicants 73; contributions, $36.76; Sunday school teachers 8; scholars 45.

Trinity Church, Martinsburg-Communicants 48; Sunday school teachers 9; scholars 35. Contributions $79.27.

Christ Church, Clarksburg-Rev. Thos. H. Smyth, Rector. Baptisms 7; communicants 14; Sunday school teachers 6; scholars 30. Contributions $152.50. I have been officiating in this Parish on alternate Sundays, for more than a year, in which time I have baptized five adults. The interest mani- fested in the Church, and the attendance at worship, were quite encouraging, the first part of the year; but the gloom resting upon the nation, has settled upon the minds of the people, and paralyzed their energies in religious matters, as in everything else. The prospect at present is dark for doing the Lord's work; but our (rust is in Him who hath put in His own power all times and seasons.

St. Paul's Church, Weston-Rev. Thos. H. Smyth, Rector. Baptisms 16; communicants 32; confirmed 6; Sunday school teachers 9; scholars 60. Contributions $158.

There was a larger class than usual here, and also several candidates at Clarksburg awaiting confirmation, but owing

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to the troubled state of the country, Bishop Johns could not visit us. This second disappiontment has discouraged me not a little, and I am afraid materially injured the churches under my care. There is a great deficiency in the Conven- tion fund, although I have done my best for this, and every other year to collect it, both by notice from the pulpit and personal application, but there are some who cannot and others who will not pay.

Grace Church, Ravenswood Parish-Rev. W. L. Hyland, Rec- tor. Baptisms 2; communicants 18. I am unable to state the sums collected, either for objects connected with the Parish, or those in connection with the Protestant Episcopal Church. A collection was taken up for the Education Soci- ety, by Bishop Meade, and by Bishop Johns for the Diocesan Missionary Society. Dr. Minnigerode and Mr. Kepler, also received contributions, if I mistake not for the Missionary Society of Virginia. The Communion alms were placed in the hands of a member of the vestry, the amount of which, to- gether with the contributions for repairs on the church, I do not recollect. The Sunday school is still kept up by some zeal- ous ladies and contains about forty scholars. I commenced officiating for this congregation some time last summer, and have visited it once in each month since. The time of my appointment is the Wednesday on or preceding the full moon, I have reported the whole number of communicants although eight or nine of them never attend the services, in conse- quence of their remoteness from the Church.

Trinity Church, Shepherdstown -- Rev. C. W. Andrews, Rec- tor. Baptisms 8; communicants 87 (of which 5 colored); Sun- day school teachers 16; scholars 90. Contributions $391.

Zion Church, Charlestown-Rev. C. E. Ambler, Rector. Bap- tisms 6; communicants 109 (of which 2 colored); Sunday school teachers 18; scholars 140. Contributions $455.82.

Alex. T. Laidley, Secretary and Junior Warden, St. John's Church reports:

St. John's Church, Kanawha Parish-Baptisms 9; commu-

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nicants 60; Sunday school teachers 14; scholars 55; contribu- tions $1.2.

St. Luke's Church, Kanawha Parish-Baptisms 2; communi- cants 19. Since the 2nd of December last, these churches have been without a Rector. The vestry of St. John's has made arrangements for the support of a minister, and as soon as the service of one can be had he will be called.

The disturbed condition of the country, precludes the prob- ability of procuring one for the present. The late Rector, still resides in Charleston, and in his vocation as missionary at large, for this part of Western Virginia, gives us an occa- sional service. It is a deplorable state of things for us; but we hope, when the events through which we are now passing shall have subsided, and under the blessing of Divine Prov- idence, peace to our distracted country, shall be restored, we may revive. There is no part of our State, where the Church can do so much good as in this valley; and we pray that our Eastern brethren may extend to us a helping hand.

We intend to keep our church organization, having, at the usual period, on Easter Monday last, elected a new vestry; and afterwards the vestry met, organized and appointed the usual officers for the ensuing year.

Trinity Church Parish, Marshall County-Rev. David J. Lee, M. D., Rector. Baptisms 3; communicants 22; contributions $428.65 (of this $400 for lot for new Church and Rectory).

The Rector has had charge of this Parish but nine months, having resigned April 21, 1861; during which time the congre- gations have been much increased, and much interest awak- ened in the interests of the Church. With a view to more extended efforts, several of the vestrymen have purchased a fine location for a new Church, Rectory and Seminary, which will be begun as soon as peace shall be restored to our unhappy country, and the financial pressure removed.

St. John's Church, St. John's Parish, Pleasants County-Rev. W. L. Hyland, Rector. Communicants 16; confirmed 3; Com- munion alms $3.25.

The services in this Parish have been once in each month,

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as reported to the Convention last year. The congregations in the church on Cow Creek, and in St. Mary's, have been remarkable large and attentive, and, although little fruit has thus far been developed, I am nevertheless, persuaded that there is in both places ground for hope and encouragement. More frequent services would doubtless be productive of much good. But alas! while the harvest is great the laborers are but few. We have no house of worship in St. Mary's, but our Methodist friends have generously accommodated us with the use of their church; and for their kindness, the Rector re- turns for himself and people their grateful acknowledgments.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 16

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