Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-12-14
Pastoral Letter from the Press
bytery of st. ClairsvllIe to the
Churches under its care.

BTe.hreH Bet0Ued an the LOrd:
We have been this second time waiting
for the promise" which we have heard of
Jesus. Refreshed in soul, and united in
sentiment as to the necessity of time of
refreshing from the presence of the Lord,
we send you this letter. The dropping state
of religion and the want of unity aud har-
mony in the work of the Lord, and the
boldness of Satan and his cmissaries are
known to all, and should be mourned by all
Gods children. The desire for change in
greatly elevated standard of piety, has al
ready been poured ont upon many Of Gods
servants, Minister'S aud Laymen. This
indicates His willingness to bestow still
greater blessing Brethren, the blessing
desired is not a temporary religious excite
ment, such as may have been enjoyed in
times past, but an outpouring of the Holy
Ghost commensurate with the promise Of
God, aud such as will reproduce the apostol-
ic tyre of religion in the whole church. -
That this blessing to its full extent may be
bestowed upon US by the "God and Faith
er of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, !"
We address you in His name and in the
spirit of love, exhorting: That every
stumbling block be put out of the way
To this end, let there be an honest putting
away of the old eaven of malice and hatred,
and prayerful following after the things
that make for peace. Lot there be faith
full search on the part of every one, in his
own heart, lest there should lurk the
sin of Achan-the coveting of the golden
wedge and the Babylonish garment. More
over, we exhort to the faithful putting
away OF worldly onformity-especally in
providing for and going to the promiscuous
dance--in providing for and indulgng in
the habit of using wine" AMI strong drink,
which things are mot convenient" but
especially do they "grieve the Holy Spirit of
God" We would especially stir up your
minds "by way OF remembrance" to the
duty OF prayer, as the great means Of bring
ing do,on the promised comforter. Too
many families, the heads of which profess
Christianity, are placed in the catalogue OF
those upon whom God has said he will pour
ont his fury, because they ''call not upon
His name regularly in prayer, morning an1
evening. How many neglect the duty of
secret prayer, is known only to God. The
mnltitudes that stay away from the weekly
prayer. meeting and from the weekday ser.
vice of the sanctuary are known and mourn
ed over by the ministers and elders within
our bounds. We would therefore, earnestly
press it upon all under our c,re that the
great means to secure n return of the Holy
Spirit to our hearts, our families. and our
churches, is the jauhfM and constant draw
ing nigh to God in secret, family, social,
and public prayer. We would also have
You remember that giving Of aims is toor.
ship, and no more to be omitted than pray
er and the hearing of the word, and would.
therefore, urge it upon you all to exercise,
and pray to God to cultivate within you the
grace Of giving, that thereby all the tythes
be brought into the store house of God. -
Then may we expect Him to open the win
dows of heaven and pour out upon usa
blessing, till there shall be no more room to
receive it. And now, Brethren, we pray
God that He "for Christ's sake weuld grant
you; according to the riches OF his grace,
to be strengthened with might by the
spirit in the inner man. that Christ may
dwell in you by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love- may be able to com.
prehend with all saints what is the breadth
and length and depth end hight, and to
know the love of Christ which passeth
knowledge, and that ye may be illed with
all the fullness of God
Now, unto Him that is able to do exceed
ing abundantly above all wo ask, or think
according to the power that worketh in us
unto him bo glory in the church, by Jesus
Christ, throughout all ages, world without
| end Amen,