My Methodist Heritage: George T. Embry

From Jacqueline Cook’s A Tabernacle of Living Water:

“Written for the centennial of Dooly County Campground, A Tabernacle of Living Water begins in 1874 with the vision of circuit rider George T. Embry, who felt he was called of God to build a Methodist campground in the wilderness near Vienna, Georgia. . . . Embry wondered why his horse kept pulling farther upstream. Deciding to investigate, the circuit rider allowed the horse his head. Sparkling cascades of water tumbled over the rocks here at the ford on Pennahatchee Creek three and one-half miles northwest of Vienna, Georgia. The coolness of the water was an inviting contrast to the hot sun of summer 1874, but still the horse went farther. On the south side of the creek, they came to a large spring bubbling out from under a rocky hillside. A pool of clear, pure water was formed several steps from the creek and made a small branch before the water flowed from the spring to the run of the stream.Drinking the unusually cool, sweet water, Embry experienced a thrill of excitement mixed with awe. Conscious of the guidance of God, George T. Embry, Sr. felt impelled to explore further. He climbed the slope on the north side of the creek and came to a high, flat area which he knew would remain dry. The breeze cooled him as he stood beneath the beautiful old trees. He knelt for a searching meditation. . . . But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.“