Neve, Virginia's Thousandfold Man tells the story of Archdeacon Frederick Neve (1855-1948), the legendary clergyman and missionary who established missions, schools, and churches throughout the Blue Ridge and Ragged Mountains of Virginia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in England, Neve accepted a post in Virginia as a young man, becoming pastor of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood in 1888. He soon realized the need for his ministry among the people of the surrounding mountains and hollers. Riding his horse Old Harry, he ventured into primitive areas where contact with the outside world was sporadic at best. The church facilities that he helped establish - often with the aid of his close friend Nancy Langhorne (Lady Astor) and her family, changed the lives of thousands of people and his legend lives on to this day. The book includes vivid descriptions of mountain life and of Neve's spiritual initiatives, including his poetry and inspirational Order of the Thousandfold. Beautifully illustrated with numerous photographs. NEVE - Virginia's Thousandfold Man, by Frances Scruby, is an adept chronicle of the growth and achievements of the Reverend Frederick Neve. His work to establish schools, medical assistance, and churches in the Blue Ridge Mountains is smoothly intertwined with the fascinating events of his time. The vast achievements of Reverend Neve as builder, poet, philosopher, minister of the people in this region are awe-inspiring. He was dedicated to maximizing his usefulness to God and man, and his desire to be a thousandfold more useful than ever before is an inspiration for all. We should each aspire to be a true member of the Order of the Thousandfold. --Patricia Bunker Shivers, Ph.D. and C. Alex Shivers, Ph.D., Knoxville, TN Frances Scruby's fluent, colorful style, full of anecdote and humor, goes far in doing justice to this great Christian pioneer and Episcopal priest, who came from England to Albemarle County, Virginia, in 1888, and, over a period of forty years, established, with the help of indomitable men and women, a network of churches, missions, medical stations, and schools in the mountainous areas of Central Virginia. The Archdeaconry of the Blue Ridge, combining the Christian Gospel with education, revolutionized the lives of the isolated mountain people. Frances Scruby evokes masterfully the social movements of the time, the hard daily life in the mountains, the tremendous, sacrificial labors of Neve and his companions as they crisscrossed the Blue Ridge and administered the far-flung missions and schools, and the priest s personal joys and sorrows as he married twice, raised daughters, and saw a son and both wives to their graves. Frederick Neve was a truly great man, and this moving presentation of his extraordinary life will be an inspiration for readers of all ages. --The Reverend Dr. George Hobson and Mrs. Victoria Hobson, Paris, France An engaging, gracefully written tale that draws the reader into the story of how one well educated urbane Englishman, full of faith, brought knowledge, healing, and the holy church to the frontier hollows of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley. The author understands and shares the love of the rugged mountain folk and of the church that kept Frederick Neve bound to his calling--- rallying church and people to faith, hope, and progress. With this book Scruby sets the story of the Episcopal Church ground where Neve and his renowned horse Old Harry led the folks to pray to be a thousand-fold more useful. A neat story well told. --Professor J. Howell Smith, Winston-Salem, NC Frances Shirley Scruby grew up in Greenwood, Virginia. She represents the fourth of seven generations of her family to attend Emmanuel Episcopal Church there. Mrs. Scruby graduated from Greenwood High School and holds a commercial certificate from the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, and a B.A. degree in business management from Mary Baldwin College, Staunton. Her prior publishing experience has been as co-author of feature articles for magazines and newspapers, the most recent in 2002 - a retrospective study called Nancy Langhorne Astor, Sportswoman Unsung. Mrs. Scruby s career experience has been in industrial, arts, and social service organizations. She is the widow of Dr. Ralph Scruby, industrial research scientist.