Pleasant View Church

(Chestnut Grove, Fayette Co)

(1860-)

 The Brethren at Work  07-19-1881 p 428 & 429 Vol. 6 No. 27  

Fayette Sta., W. Va., July 8th, ’81.

  Oh my! but it is hot!  Thermometer indicating 98 in the shade, yet we will try and fet off a few thoughts or items. Last evening closed our labors and visit in this part of the Lord’s vineyard.  Having been preaching for the last six day in succession, our vice (as is frequently the case in hot weather) has almost failed us, but a little rest will bring us out all right.

  As a result of our labors here would say there have been five additions to the church, with others near the Kingdom, and the church seems to be revived.  The season was a very busy one, harvest being on hand, yet our meetings were mostly well attended, and the calls for preaching in other localities very pressing.

  A short history of the church here may be of some interest.  I write from memory. I think bother Henry Sauger, Sen., of Pendleton county, West  Virginia, was the first to move into the county with his family.  That was nearly thirty years ago. Soon brother John Thomas of Rockingham county, Virginia moved in.  he had been put in the ministry a short time before.  The doctrine of the Brethren here was, in certain particulars, a strange doctrine. Much opposition and some persecution followed, but the cause prospered. Twenty-four years ago your unworthy writer moved to the county. a year after, with my wife we united with the church. The year following was elected to the ministry.  The war came up, and Fayette county became as a dividing line between the contending elements.  On the battle ground was a poor place to contend for non-resistant principles.  The safety of myself and family required I should flee to a more safe retreat.  We went to Iowa, leaving all our earthly possessions behind at the mercy of devastating armies.  Brother Thomas also left, as did a number of the Brethren, to escape the fate of the conscript law.  As might be expected the church was scattered, our church house destroyed and the dark gloom of war pervaded the whole section.

 When the clouds of battle had disappeared and peace once more spread her wings over out once happy land, the spirit and overruling Providence of God seemed to say, “Go back to the land from whence you came.” We went.  The members were hunted up; are organization affected.  Some time after, brother A. Hutchison moved into the county.  IN course of time came also his father, Eld Samuel Hutchison.  The church began to prosper again.  Bro. A. left and moved to Missouri, but after a while returned. In the meantime I was put to the full ministry, and on the return of brother A. H. the field being so large (embracing a number of adjoining counties, and our old elder much a affected) he, too, was ordained to the elder’s office.  We worked together harmoniously for the Master’s cause. After a few years Bro. A. H. returned to Missouri.  My labors became very much extended, and my health began to fail.  Brother Joseph Hutchison, G. W. Crouse, Samuel Riner, and Charles Master were called to the ministry.  In 1873 we moved to Colorado. Soon after brother J. Hutchison was ordained as elder, and labored faithfully in his office and was esteemed by all.  but alas! the hand of death cut him down in his prime.  His life, in a great measure, was a sacrifice for the good cause. His death was a great loss to the church and community. The year following, Eld. S. Hutchison died at an advance age, and was gather home to his reward for a well spent life in the cause of his Master.  Samuel Riner is now their elder.  Brethren James Hutchison and A. Evans have been called to the ministry within the last year.  We entertain a special interest for the church in Fayette and adjoining counties, and trust the Lord will bless the members, and the cause may prosper there.

  Crops in this locality are moderately good. The leading product is tobacco.  The fruit crop is abundant.  The crop of sweet cherries in some localities is so large that only a small proportion of them will be gathered.

  We shall soon leave for Augusta Co., Va., via the C. & O. railroad.     J. S. Flory

Deacons:

Henry Sanger    Died 1872

Wm. Moser Sr  Died 1872