The phrase, “course of medicine,” was meant to comprehend in its signification the whole routine of treatment demanded by nature to rid itself of disease.  This usually consisted of a Lobelia emetic or vomit, more or less thorough as the symptoms of the impending disease appeared to require.  Preparatory to this vomit, and in connection with it, warm and stimulating infusions or teas were administered to induce very active sweating, or “free perspiration,” as it was called.  As an aid to this, steaming the patient was sometimes resorted to.  The “course” usually took up several hours.  After all was gone through with, the patient was allowed to rest, excepting, however, the administration of a few mild sedatives or soothing nervines, to induce sleep.  The reader may conclude that the patient very likely needed rest after all this treatment.

Prejudice against the system has grown old, and nearly died out; and, at this point of distance in time, it may be calmly said that “the course of medicine” very often seemed to do much good.  Many were ready, at any time, to bear testimony in behalf of its efficacy in their own individual cases, and in those in their families; and it is hard to conclude that mere confidence in the treatment, and in the hands by which it was administered, could effect so much good.

Brother Kline went into it with a sort of zest and zeal that looked a little as if he might have hitched it to his train of religious duties.  Be this as it may, one truth is sure, a truth which Wordsworth has beautifully woven into the poetic lines which follow: 

  “The sick he soothed; the hungry fed;
    Bade pain and anguish flee: 
  He loved to raise the downcast head
    Of friendless poverty.”

SUNDAY, May 28.  To-day we held our first regular meeting in our new house.  It has been decided to name it “The Brush Meetinghouse.”  This is a frame building, constructed by Christian and John Wine, sons of Samuel Wine.

“The Brush” is a small section of country in Rockingham County, Virginia.  It lies between the North mountain on the west side and Linville’s Creek on the east; and between the North Fork of the Shenandoah river on the north and the head waters of Muddy Creek on the south.  It comprises, probably, sixteen square miles.

Samuel Wine, one of the pioneers of the German Baptist Brethren, raised a very useful and respectable family in the very heart of the Brush.  Of his sons, Christian, and John, and Samuel, and George were set to the ministry of the Word in the church of their father’s choice.  Michael, the only other son, is a deacon.

Jacob Mitchell, who spent his last years in the same Brotherhood, raised a very respectable and intelligent family in the Brush, at the place now occupied by his son Joseph A. Mitchell, and officially known as Cherry Grove; that name having been given to the post office kept at the place, from the great abundance of sweet cherries which for many years have grown there and in the vicinity to great perfection.