The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1861-11-02
For TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Narrative

Orhe State Of RrLiglo@ vut'n the bounds Of
the Synod Of Virginia, during tie gear
1060-61.
In reviewing the eyentful year that has
passed since our last meeting as a Synod,
and in casting our eyes over the churches,
the first emotion of our hearts is humble,
sincere gratitude to God.
Oar State was the first Of our Confedera-
cy on which our enemies designed to send
the fury, and the desolatiOn of a ruthless,
and barbaroua invasion. And had this
pose been accomplished the assemblies
the people for worship, and the preaebin
OF the everlasting Gospel would we'll Rga
have ceased among us, and our affairs an3
our firesides would have been involved il
a common ruin. We. kneW not how far our
God would suffer the fury OF the adversary
to press us. We knew not how hot must
be the fires of this Christening affection; for
when we remember our shorteOming as q
church and a people, our hearts must have
pronounced the sentence just, even though
our candle-stck were removed utterly out
of his place, and the church and Che COM
monweeth left to perish together. Bet cur
Cod hes called uoQp 5is unt- ia. q. ~ 49,.
his judgments, bat to praise lis nscy
And all the glory be TO his name, that in
only very few of our border churches have
the ordinances of religion been interrupted
and the work of the church seriously him
dered, and that the gospel is regularly and
Faithfully preached even in these troublous
times.
And we learn from the reports of all our
Presbyteries that prayer-meetings are null
tiplied, that the attendance upon them Is
nearly everywhere increased, and that q
spirit of prayer more abounds.
There is a more realizing sense Of the
all-controlling providence of God, Q need
more deeply felt of bis guidance ans ais
help, and more honest giving to him, spc
not to man, the glory of our success, and
our security hitherto.
We are persuaded also that our Christian
people never offered SO much and such esru-
est prayer for their country and theiririends,
as they offer now; for our land, that its
foundations may be laid in truth and justice;
that her righteousness may go forth as
brightness, and her salvation as lamp that
burneth for our people, and especially oar
soldiers, that our God would shelter them
from diseases of the camp, and cover their
heads il the day Of battle; but more, and
more earnestly, that they may be delivered
from the temptations of a soldiers life, end
enlist as soldiers of the cross.
Our congregations have been thinned By
the members that have gone to the field,
but those who remain have been, perhaps,
more punctual than heretofore; SO that, in
some places, the numbers attending upon
the ordinances have not been diminished.
The Sabbath schools have been sustained
as usual; only that in some places they have
been crippled by the absence Of teachers,
who have girded on the sword.
The contributions to the LORDS treasg y
nave been made almost ASK sdie3ly a.
other years, though somewhat diminished
by the mercantile arrangements, and peca-
MARY pressure of the times.
Some things, however, we have to deplore
The love of some, under the opportunities
of worldly anxiety, has waxed cold. And
the Sabbath, we fear, has been often and
needlessly desecrated by the reading of the
secular papers and the talking of secular
news.
The church's work of conquest has not
prospered, as in many other years. Some
of our churches have been blessed With rg-
vivals, and we hear of soldiers here saa
there turning unto God.
But fewer, we believe, have been the
captives of the cross, than at other times,
unless in some year of great spiritusl
drought.
We fear, therefore, that some of our poo-
pie and churches have par'ly yielded to tie
temptations Of the times, and tlat some
have said that this is not the time Tor the
Lords house to be built.
With deep gratitude to God for all that
is hopeful among us; with humiliation aus
repentance for that which is unfavorab
with more confding committing to
keeping of the precious interests 81 opf
church and our country, we have made g.
review of our church.
Humbling ourselves, as it Is hoped we
more and more do, we trust his promise to
lift US up, and to make even the wrath Of
man to praise him.
PRESBYTERY OF WINCHESTER.
The Presbytery of Winchester at its
meeting, Oct u, resolred, "That this Pres
bytery take the necessary steps to be con
.tG. 49, Cd Sc Vt-,t-., o 600 4