Midland Church

Midland Church

(1883-)

Brethren at Work July 19, 1883 page 8 Vol. 8 No. VIII

Dear Brethren:—

According to the arrangements made at the District Meeting at Maurertown, Shenandoah Co., Va., May 12th, the Brethren there appointed met at Midland, Fauqueir Co., Va., Juno 2, to organize the church here, Brethren appointed were Elders Isaac Long, Daniel Bake and Samuel Shaner. Elder Solomon Garber and Samuel Cline (speaker) were hero; some other Brethren from the Valley were with us. Forty-one members answered by letters and several did not hand in their letters yet. There are about fifty-three from Rappahannock to Manassas junction, distance about twenty-eight miles, on the Virginia Midland Railroad. All came hero in the last two years. The church was organized and we made choice of Elder Isaac Long as our Elder and Bro. Solomon G. Snell as speaker.

Many hearts were made to rejoice when we looked back twelve months from that day, when the writer of this bit of church news was in the Valley, proposing that the Brethren form a company of twenty families and move to Fauqueir. Now to think that in this short time, we have more than we asked for! About eighteen months ago, when the pioneer brother, Joel Garber, and family came here, it was nearly nine months before the Gospel was preached here by the Brethren. Eld. John A. Miller and I were the first to preach the doctrine m this county, thirteen months ago, with perhaps half a dozen members in the congregation. So it continued for eleven months. I was here perhaps four or five times, and a few other brethren, during the time from May, '82 until March, '83. I sold out in the Valley and came here \with my family. I have been holding meetings here regularly at different points, while there are many calls that I cannot answer. There is a great demand for having the Word preached here in its simplicity. We also made further arrangements at this meeting to build a house in which to worship. We began early in the Spring to raise means to build and we have met with encouragement on every side (but still need more). We propose to build 30x45, 15 feet high, supposed cost $1000. We have most of the lumber on the ground; expect to raise it directly after harvest, and have it ready for a Lovefeast in the Fall.

This is a fine country here in what in called the Piedmont region. There are three counties, Culpepper, Fauqueir and Prince William, where homes can be had as cheap as anywhere in the United States, taking everything into consideration. Land can be had from $10 to $40 per acre, according to improvements $15 to $25 land with improvements, such as house, stable, orchard, fencing, etc., will yield from 12 to 20 bushels of wheat per acre and 20 to 10 bushels of corn, grass according. This is a fine grass country; water good, climate good as any in the Middle States; and where the water and climate are good, health will be good in proposition. The citizens are kind, sociable and common.

In conclusion, I will say, this is the county to come to it you are tired of the West, with its changeable climate and many objections with only one advantage,—if it can be called an advantage—that is, its rush onward. What we want here is energy. I think the time is come that the South can be settled up and our Brethren can preach the Gospel as a witness throughout the whole South, for it has about quit politics and gone into business. It any brother has a suggestion to make in regard to the height of our church, whether it is too high to sound right, we will hear him gladly, tor we want it right. If any want information about this country, we will gladly give it. We want more brethren here to help' us preach and live out what we preach. Two were baptized while the brethren were with us. The brethren stood up boldly in defense of the doctrine, proving to these people that I was not alone, on the great ancient principles of the doctrine ot Christ May the Lord bless them and all of us that have come out, that we may be faithful to the end. Jacob Hedrick.

[ A house 30 by 45 ought to be not less than sixteen feet in the clear, nor should it be higher than eighteen feet It will also sound better if the speaker stands at the end instead of the side. It is good to have the people enter the house at the front end, and have the speaker's desk at the other end. There should be no window just behind the speaker; end windows should be placed on either side of the speaker, so that when looking at the preacher, your eyes will not be dazzled by the light of a window directly behind the speaker's desk. If all the seats are made exactly six feet long, two rows, end to end, can be placed in front of the desk, and one row on each side of the house. against the wall, leaving two aisles three feet wide. This arrangement avoids au aisle in front of the speaker, and also does away with the danger of getting different length seats mixed, as the seats will fit any place you may put them.—Ed.

The Gospel Messenger Jan. 15, 1895 page 37 Vol. 33 No. 3

From Midland Church, Va.

Dec 26 we met in council in the Valley house. Considerable business came before the meeting,— come of great importance. It was decided to build a meetinghouse in the northern part of our congregation and a committee of five brethren was appointed to look at different sites and report at our next council.

It was also decided to divide the Midland church into three new churches. As our church at present comprises nearly a dozen Counties in northeastern Virginia, it was thought better for the advancement of the cause to make three churches and then cultivate the field better. Bro. Dennis Weimer recently closed a series of meetings in the Auburn schoolhouse, one of our regular meeting places on the outskirts of the church, where eight members lived. Five dear souls were made willing to accept Christ as their Savior.

Sunday, Dec 30, we closed our Sunday school at Cannon Branch for the next three months. I hope till another year we can have an evergreen school. On the third Sunday of every month we took up a collection for missionary purposes. Enough our school averaged only thirty-two we gathered $7.43 for that purpose. We decided to give half to " The Sisters' Aid Society," of Washington, and the other half toward erecting a meetinghouse in Washington. Two of our young sisters also solicited about §7.00 for the Denver Mission. May God bless our weak efforts at spreading his Gospel! Dec. 26 we had the first snow of the season,—several inches,—and some real cold weather since then, and a little sleighing.

J. E. Blough, Va., Jan 1.

The Gospel Messenger Jan. 15, 1895 page 37 Vol. 33 No. 3

From Midland Church, Va.

J. E. Blough, Va., Jan 1.

The Gospel Messenger September 17, 1895 page 604 Vol. 33 No. 38

From the Manassas Church, Prince William Co., Va

We met in special council at Cannon Branch schoolhouse, July 31, 1895, for the purpose of organizing ourselves into a new church organization. As previously stated in these columns, the Midland church was divided into three churches last Spring. – Midland, Nokesville and Manassas. Our is the Manassas church, and consists of three minister in the second degree, two deacons and about fifty members, with fair prospects of more moving in. It comprises of part of Prince William, all of Fairfax, Alexandria and Loudoun counties. With the Blue Ridge on the west, and the Potomac on the east, a large field is opened to us in which our church is practically unknown. The Brethren church is comparatively young in Eastern Virginia.

On the above occasion, elders E. L. Brower, L. A. Wenger and J. P. Zigler, from the “Valley,” were with us and we had a pleasant and agreeable meeting. the principal business of the meeting was the organization. Eld. J. S. Holsinger, of Nokesville, remains our elder for the present; Bro. J. E. Blough is Clerk. Isaac K.Harley is our Treasurer, and sister Martha Holsinger and Alice Conner solicitor. We also decided to hold quarterly councils, beginning with the first Saturday in October. We held our Harvest Meeting Aug. 17, at Cannon Branch. Bro. M. G. Early, of Nokesville, delivered a practical discourse. A collection was taken up for the purpose of buying a Bible and lamps for our new church.

The carpenters are now at work on our new church at Cannon Branch. We hope to have it ready for dedication early in November. Eld Geo. S. Rairigh, of Johnstown, Pa., expects to begin a series of meetings in the new church Nov. 6. During these meetings we will dedicate the church and hold a love feast. Exact dates will be given later.

We still lack some funds to complete the house, and any contributions from our friends will be gratefully received. Those who have so nobly responded have our sincerest thanks. Elders Wenger and Zigler gave us several able sermons while with us, - one on “The Prayer-covering.” And one on “Baptism”

Many home-seekers have been to this county this summer, - among them a number of members. We have a desirable country and invite all who are looking for homes in a milder clime, to give this part of the South a visit before buying elsewhere. I am no real estate agent and hove no land for sale, but know that cheap and desirable land can be brought close to the railroad and within ten to thirty miles of Washington, D. C. J. E. Blough. Aug. 29

The Gospel Messenger Aug. 13, 1899 page 508 Vol. 37 No. 32

Madison. – We met in special council July 22, to effect an organization. According to a previous decision of both the Midland church and the members of Madison County, Eld. S. F. Sanger, of Manassas, the brethren M. G. Early, of Nokesville, Dennis Weimer and John Good, of Midland, Va., were present. Eld. S. F. Sanger presided. This organization will be known as the Madison Church. The territory embraces all of Madison County. Bro. Abraham Conner, of Manassas, Va., was chosen as elder of this congregation. It was decided to hold a series of meetings sometime between Oct. 15 and 30, if we can secure the services of a minster then. – Novella E. Utz, Brightwood, Va., Aug. 2.