Page 58 - History of Rockingham Co
P. 58
KOCKINGHAM COUNTY

minister" of whom Matthias Selzer had spoken. After a day

and a night in association with him, Brother Gottschalk gave
him a fair report."*

In July, 1748, Brethren Spangenberg and Reutz were in

the vicinity of Brock's Gap and Timberville. On the 26th of
the month they were at the home of Adam Roeder, for whom

it is probable that Rader's Church, just v/est of Timberville,

was named. The Brethren made note of the fact that Adam

Rader's mother was at that time eighty-six years old, and
that she was Hving in Lehigh County, Pa., a member of the
Macungie [now Emmaus] congregation. Crossing the Valley
toward the east, the missionaries came to the Massanutten
settlements, where they reported Germans of "all kinds of

—denominations Mennonites, Lutherans, Separatists, and In-

spirationists. "5

Early in December, 1749, Brethren Schnell and Brand-
mueller were on a missionary tour in Virginia. They came

down from the vicinity of Staunton, into what is now East
Rockingham, and made record of their goings and doings in

the following interesting narrative:

On December 2nd we continued our journey the whole day, because

we wished to be with the Germans on Sunday. Once we lost our way.

But our desire to preach to-morrow strengthened us in our journey. In

the evening we attempted to hire a man to go with us part of the way,

but none was willing. We continued for a time down the Tschanator, and

arrived rather late at the house of the sons of the old Stopfel Franciscus,

who kept us over night.

On Sunday, December 3rd, the young Franciscus went very early

with us to show us the way to Matthias Schaub's,6 who, immediately on

my offer to preach for them, sent messengers through the neighborhood
to announce my sermon. In a short time a considerable number of people

assembled, to whom I preached. After the sermon I baptized the child

Weof a Hollander. staid over night with Matthias Schaub. His wife

Wetold us that we were always welcome in their house. should always

4. For an extended account of Mr. Klug's life and labors, see Huddle's
History of Hebron Lutheran Church, pp. 31-38. See also Virginia Maga-
zine of History and Biography, January and July, 1904.

5. Virginia Magazine, January, 1904, pp. 238-240.

—47—
   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63