Postings from Years Past
Baptist Church in Alexandria
By Pastor Samuel Moore Shute
Alexandria Gazette / January 9, 1858
By Pastor Samuel Moore Shute
Alexandria Gazette / January 9, 1858
The Baptist church in this place has been very greatly cheered and blessed during the past two months. One of the most interesting, as well as most successful revivals of religion, I have ever been a witness to, has been graciously bestowed upon us from the presence of the Lord. During the months of September and October, a few faithful ones, mourning, over their own spiritual barrenness, and the extreme coldness of many of the members, humbled themselves before the mercy seat, and agonized in prayer with God. Our weekly meetings for conference and prayer soon grew deeply solemn and interesting. The usual Friday night lecture was given up for the time being, that more time might be devoted to prayer.
Very soon the desire was expressed that the brethren would meet every night for prayer, conference, and exhortation. On the 9th of November, therefore, we began our protracted meeting. The Rev. Lovell Marders came and preached for us during two weeks. His sermons were weighty with solemn truths, uttered in the loving language for which that good brother is proverbial. An unusual seriousness soon pervaded the large congregation, which nightly gathered in the sanctuary. Before Bro. Marders left he had the pleasure of knowing that about fifteen persons of different ages, indulged a good hope through grace that they have passed from death unto life.
Immediately after Bro. Marders departed, the Rev. H. W. Read, formerly missionary in New Mexico, but now the pastor of a church at Falls Church Village, kindly came to our assistance. He remained with us three weeks, preaching every night to large and attentive audiences. Some of his sermons, especially those into which he could weave the striking incidents of his own adventurous life for the past eight or ten years, produced deep impression in the minds of his hearers. His efforts, like those of the brother who preceded him, were blessed in the conversion of souls; and he, also before he left, had the pleasure of seeing some fifteen more rejoicing in a good hope in the Saviour.
After Bro. Read's departure, the Rev. G. W. Samson, of Washington, preached for us two nights, and Rev. C. George two nights, and the Rev. G. F Adams, of Baltimore, three nights. Under the ministration of these three brethren, also, short as the time they spent with us was, others have been brought to a saving acquaintance with the truth as it is in Jesus. Thus, from the opening to the close of our meeting -- and it has only just now closed -- the Lord has not ceased to bless us. About eighty, in all, came forward to ask an interest in the prayers of the Lord's people. I have already baptized forty. About ten more are waiting to be baptized; and about ten more still, are deeply concerned about their souls' safety.
Pastor Samuel Moore Shute served from 1855-1859.
Very soon the desire was expressed that the brethren would meet every night for prayer, conference, and exhortation. On the 9th of November, therefore, we began our protracted meeting. The Rev. Lovell Marders came and preached for us during two weeks. His sermons were weighty with solemn truths, uttered in the loving language for which that good brother is proverbial. An unusual seriousness soon pervaded the large congregation, which nightly gathered in the sanctuary. Before Bro. Marders left he had the pleasure of knowing that about fifteen persons of different ages, indulged a good hope through grace that they have passed from death unto life.
Immediately after Bro. Marders departed, the Rev. H. W. Read, formerly missionary in New Mexico, but now the pastor of a church at Falls Church Village, kindly came to our assistance. He remained with us three weeks, preaching every night to large and attentive audiences. Some of his sermons, especially those into which he could weave the striking incidents of his own adventurous life for the past eight or ten years, produced deep impression in the minds of his hearers. His efforts, like those of the brother who preceded him, were blessed in the conversion of souls; and he, also before he left, had the pleasure of seeing some fifteen more rejoicing in a good hope in the Saviour.
After Bro. Read's departure, the Rev. G. W. Samson, of Washington, preached for us two nights, and Rev. C. George two nights, and the Rev. G. F Adams, of Baltimore, three nights. Under the ministration of these three brethren, also, short as the time they spent with us was, others have been brought to a saving acquaintance with the truth as it is in Jesus. Thus, from the opening to the close of our meeting -- and it has only just now closed -- the Lord has not ceased to bless us. About eighty, in all, came forward to ask an interest in the prayers of the Lord's people. I have already baptized forty. About ten more are waiting to be baptized; and about ten more still, are deeply concerned about their souls' safety.
Pastor Samuel Moore Shute served from 1855-1859.