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Editor Banner:
    Mount Zion Church belongs to the M.E. order. The date of its organization I do not know. But there is, or was, over the pulpit in the meeting house, an inscription, written by somebody's forefinger in the soft plastering, which read: "No chewing tobacco in this house if you please sir. Nov. 1833." An early date, and an excellent motto, quite remarkable for that period. If the conscientious scribe who wrote the gentlemanly notice to ungentle manly auditors, could have seen, in prospect, what I have since seen in reality, of pools of tobacco juice on that floor, it would have greatly vexed his soul. By way of compensation, however, I have heard the use of tobacco severely denounced in edifying homilies from that same pulpit.
    This church has never, I believe, been troubled by heresy. The time honored standards of Methodism have held unquestioned sway. To hear of divisions on doctrine in this theologically quiet locality would startle the whole township.
    In political matters, the neighborhood may claim a little consideration. John S. Shillideay, in his day the best loved, and most hated man in the township, lived here most of his life. W.M. Campbell was raised here. John H. Rogers, upon whom has fallen the departed Shillideay's mantle, is a member of this church; and so, also, is "Waley" Deputy, present Justice of the Peace.
    By the way, this is one of the primitive seats of the Deputys-the Georges, and the Jims, and the Bills, and Sols, and the Zacks-the Ponys, the Humpy, the Hoggys, the Possus-O, what a lot of them!-not to mention the "woman folks."
    For the last twenty-five years the church has been peculiarly exempt from personal quarrels; but the neighborhood, notwithstanding its present very peaceable character, had, a dozen years ago, a most unenviable notoriety for disgraceful quarrels.
    Mount Zion has never been a wealthy church. Most of the real estate in this locality, and consequently most of the money, has been, and is, in the hands of men who are not professors of religion. From these men the church has received, of course, some help from year to year; but not what would have justly been expected of them, and they would have given, had they been members of the church. In consequence of this state of affairs, there has always been a heavy burden upon the willing ones among the brethern; and there have never been wanting here a few who would bear burdens willingly, faithfully, and best of all humbly.
    I have little knowledge of the present condition of the church, except that its members and strength were matarially increased during the past winter. Rev. A. Scott is present Pastor. The house, a frame, is in good repair, and I see nothing to hinder the prosperity of the church.        MACK.

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