15 Preaching trip

15. Preaching trip Autobigraphy - James H. Oliphant

CHAPTER XV. In 1892 I went to see our people in West Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D. C. I first left the railroad at Great Capon. I was not expected there, having come a day later than expected. No one was at the train to meet me, so I inquired for Elder T. N. Alderton. I found he lived two or three miles out. I walked out to his house. It was mountainous. I saw a man plowing with a team of cattle harnessed as horses. It was interesting to me to see such a team. I found Elder Alderton at home. He was born in 1849, died in 1906. He was a fine specimen of our race, a large and fine looking man. I felt drawn to him on our first acquaintance, and we were fast friends till his death. We had meeting at his home a day or two. The church there has since built a nice house.

We then went to Page county, Virginia, to a church of which he was pastor, and met a nice audience of plain people. I first met Elder S. K. Booton at this place, who was an interesting man. At this church I first saw a public collection taken up among Primitive Baptists by passing baskets around. I was sorry to see it at the time, but I .felt better satisfied about it after hearing them talk about it. They said it had been their custom from the settlement of the country. They thought that outside friends and well-wishers were glad to help the church when it was made convenient to do so. This custom prevailed in all the churches as I remember. There are a great many Primitive Baptists in the "Page Valley," and they are a noble set of Baptists, sound in the faith, and worthy people. I visited the church at Luray and found that division had come to them over the Means question. A lawsuit resulted since then, and the court decided in favor of our people, thereby holding that our brethren there were the true Primitive Baptists. It was a righteous decision, I am sure, and I rejoiced with our people in their being sustained in their efforts to maintain our sentiments in the world.

I was at the home of Elder T. S. Dalton, who then lived in Stanleyton, Virginia, and we have been true yoke fellows ever since. He is an ornament and an honor to our people. I was at Front Royal, where Elder John Clark started "Zion’s Advocate." He was born in 1804, started "Zion’s Advocate" in 1853, and died in 1882. He was truly a great man. I visited the churches he had served and stood in the pulpits which he had once occupied. The brethren loved him dearly.

I was at Fredericksburg on this trip and walked over the battlefield there, and the graveyard where our slain soldiers were buried. I enjoyed all these Virginia people and found them hospitable and generous. It was on this trip I was at Manassas Junction and preached in one church there, which is built on the Bull Run battle ground. It was interesting to hear men who were in it detail the circumstances of the battle. On this trip I first met Elder C. H. Waters, of Washington, D. C. He afterwards visited me here and our churches, and we esteemed him as a true and able defender of our cause. I met also Elders Norton and Oliver, of Washington. Our people have two churches in the city of Washington, one in care of Dr. Waters and the other of Elder Rowe, of Baltimore. I met him once, but not on this trip. He is an able and noble man. I enjoyed our people in the city. They are nice, good people, humble and plain as those I met in the country. As I recall this visit, and the good meetings we had, and the enjoyment I had at their homes, I feel tender. I love these people and all their elders. No division of sentiment, no jealousy among their elders, but peace and love in all their churches.

I was at an association and the elders present. Each of them was doing what he could to keep from being elected moderator of the meeting. They were making an earnest effort, and it looked so good, each one trying to stand foot of the class. A spirit like this brings peace and keeps peace. The capitol buildings were all interesting to me. I visited the White House in company with Dr. Waters. Harrison was then president, but he was away. His private secretary was a plain man, and treated us with the utmost respect.

While in Washington I reserved a day to go to the ocean, and when I went to the depot to make this trip I found a special car had been placed for my use. I was astonished at this, and thought I was not equal to the occasion, but when I found it was for me alone, I felt easy. Some of our people were connected with railroad people, and the company furnished the car free. This was the first and only time I ever saw the ocean, and it was grand. I spent the day on the seashore and was in sight of the ships that go up the bay to Baltimore and Annapolis and other points. At all times of the day there were from ten to twenty ships in sight. The tops of the smokestacks were the first in sight and last out of sight. I noted many things of interest at the coast, but will not detail them. I returned that evening to the city in time for church. I greatly enjoyed the members and elders in the city. I shall ever remember Elders Waters, Norton and Oliver. All lived in the city and did all they could to make my visit pleasant.

I have visited these people in Virginia several times since. I was at Culpepper where James Ireland was once imprisoned for preaching, and saw the ground on which the jail stood where they burned pepper and tobacco to keep him from preaching. I was at Roanoke, which is a good town. We have a large church there and it is good to meet with them. Quite likely I shall never see these places again, but while I live I shall remember them as the salt of the earth. Elder R. H. Pitman has now made his home in Luray, Virginia, and is an excellent preacher and good young man. I hope he will be a blessing many years to come.

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." We ought to be peaceable, Christ is our example and He was peaceable, "The Prince of Peace." We ought to "strive together for the things that make for peace." We ought to love each other, and watch over each other for good. If Christ has loved us, and given Himself for us, we ought to love each other. We all have our trials and heartaches; we ought not to increase each other’s burdens. Our burdens are heavy enough; we ought to try to lighten the cross for one another. If we are called to the ministry, the cause is a common one, and we need each other’s help and prayers. We are all en route to the same home, let us be fellow pilgrims together. I love peace, and as I get older I see more and more how good it is to live in peace. There are many reasons why we should bear with one another, and forgive one another. The Lord bears with us in our evil ways, and has forgiven us all our sins. Then let us bear with one another and forgive one another. When we come to death we shall not regret that we have been patient and forbearing and forgiving, one to another.