The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-10-16
FOR THE CENTRAL PREsDYrERIAN.
Narrative of the State of Religion

In taking a review of the year that has
passed since the last meeting Of the Synod
Of Virginia, it is our first duty aud our hap
py privilege to render to our covenant
keeping God the tribute Of our humble,
sincere and hearty thanks.
The period that has just elapsed is one
of no ordinary moment. 1t is period that
is destined to be memorable in the annals
both Of CbuIch and State q period that
has been eneompassed by the darkness and
the mists Of death; and yet period sig
nalized BY the shock of revolution, and the
glory of heroic and victorious resistance
The fearful struggle in which during this
time our nOblest energies have been task
ed to the uttermOst, has been no heated
discussion of the forum, or the deliberatiye
floor, but has been conducted over many
an agoniziug battlefield, '.with the noise of
the warrior, and with garments rolled in
blOOd." AT first God did not seem to smile
upon our defensive operations. Disaster fol-
lowed hard upon disaster, until the faith of
some was ready to fail. But the Lord put
it into the heart Of the Chief Executive Off
Ger Of the nation to call upon the Christians
Of the entire country to humble themselves,
with fasting, acknowledgement and prayer.
The appointed day was duly and extern
sively observed; and like a column ofsweet-
smelling incense, the united supplcations
Cf the whole people went up before the
God of battles, and was graeiOusy accept
ed through the intercessions of our great
High Priest. Almost before the weeping
wOrshippers had risen from their knees, the
answer came; and gloriously did God at
length avenge MS own elect, who now con
tinued to cry unto him day and night, and
to present to him the sacrifice OF broken
hearts. Our prayers were heard we were
wonderfully delivered ont of the hands of
our enemies; and now followed solemn
but most delightful season of thanksgiving
and praise. Again our God-fearing Presi-
dent called upon the suffering Church of
Christ, throughout the Confederacy, to as
sarnble in theig v~rirUs placss aF Worship
no longer for purposes of humiliation; bot
for the sweetest Offices of adoring gratitude
and 10y. The holy time was sacredly OBJ
served; and thousands of Christs saints
that day were refreshed and exulted in their
King. Since the date of this prOclama-
tiOn, new series of victories has accom-
panied the march Of our armies, and as a
Church we would again "call upon our souls
to bless the Lord, and all that is within US
to magnify His holy name"
The contrast presented between the post
tion of the Synod to- day, and the position
Of the same body year ago, is broad and
striking. We were then emerging from the
agitating scenes which attended the sepa-
ration Of Southern Presbyteries, from the
Presbyteries of the North. We are now,
by the good hand of our God upon us, au-
spiciously united with the General Assem-
bly, of the Presbyterian Church in the Con
federate States of America, and already-as
we would fain trust and pray-ike him who
in the apocalyptic vision, rode upon the
white horse, 90 forth ''conquering and to
conquer"
The year that has Just closed, has been
pre.eminently year of conflict and a year
of trial. It has been, in the case of most OF
churches, a season Of crisis aud probatiOns
and it is our now unerriDg conviction, that
while many false professions have been dis
covered, and the love Of many has wsxed
cold, the souls Of those whom Jesus Christ
has loved and purchased, have been ''puri-
fed as gold that IS tried in the fire."
The attendance on the ordinances Of re-
ligiOn has, in many places, been necessarily
interrupted; but on the whole the indica-
tions of a desire and determination on the
part of Gods people to keep up the minis
trations Of the sanctuary, have been cheer
ing. 1t has been the painful lot of seve-
raj of our ministers to labor within the lines
of the enemy. Others, under similar cir
cumstances, have felt it to be their duty to
seek other and more inviting fields.
The attendance on the weekly prayer
meeting has been seriously, though not per
haps-in the majority of our churches,-in-
iuriOusly diminished. The war has taken
off most of the male members Of our con-
gregatiOns but others have come in to take
their places, and the attendance ST females
has been increased.
Due regard has been paid by pastors and
sessions to the Importance of maintaining
Catechetical instruction, the Bible-class and
the Sabbath school.
The contributions of the past year to be-
neyolent objects have of course been cur
tailed; bat the spirit of Christian iberai-
ty especially in behalf of our soldiers, has
been greatly awakened and put in exercise,
The devotion of our people to the army and
the cause Of the country, has perhaps no
parallel In history; and these emotions of
patriotic ardor and tender natural affection,
have in innumerable instances sought q
commOn channel with the sweetest and most
precious Outgushing of the Christian heart.
In some places Union weekly prayer
meetings have been held, and often with
the most gratifying results. A spirit Of
ea-aeSt supPlica.iOn has peryaded many
communities in vh'ch orr Cau~'A is strongly
rsprs aepted, and 1-ayeTs hove Sseended to
Goa iroa 6gvs.iag asarts that he would re-
member .he desOiatons of Zion. If it is