The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-17

baths spent In England, Ireland, Scot
land, Germany, Switzerland, France,
and Belgium, and service in Presbyte-
rian, Episcopalian, Methodist, Baptist,
Independent, Lutheran, Roman Catho-
lie, and Greek Churches, so that they
have specimens from nearly all the lead
ing divisions of Christendom in Europe.
1t would of course be unfair to draw i'm
portant differences from premises so mar
row, but with my previous knowledge of
the main facts bearing on the subject,
these personal observations enabled me to
reach, or to confirm conclusions, which
without this previous knowledge would
have been doubtful. One thing at least
can say, that [ have not in all these
services heard as good sermon as [
have often heard at home. 1t is true
that one cannot judge of preacher by
S. gle accidental discourse, nor have l
done so, for in some cases L could easily
see that the sermon was below the aver
age power of the man. But in nearly
every case, L believe that most of the
people of Richmond heard on that day,
at least as good sermon, as did, and
[ am sure that / have often heard a bet
ter sermon than the best of them all,
(which was Surgeons | do not say
that our preachers are abler men than
those | heard, for in some cases, / know
to the contrary, but that the sermons |
happened to hear were inferior to those
| could hear on any Sabbath in several
of our Richmond churches that / could
name, and to those | have heard at our
Presbyteries and Synods. And much as
we deplore the state of religion in our
bounds usually, | am sure that if it were
what it seems to be in all these Continen
tai churches at least, we would be ready
to give up in absolute despair. Hence,
should / be spared to return to my be-
loved flock, and co-Presbyters, it will be
with feeling that we all have far more
to be thankful for in a spiritual point of
view than / had ever before supposed,
and | hope | shall work with better
heart, and a more cheerful hope than
ever, feeling that in spite Of the'many
things our people have to sadden them,
they have also many more to cheer them,
if they only knew their mercies from the
hand of the Lord. We have not the
hundredth part of the reasons for dis
couragement in our youngest born mem
ber of the Protestant sisterhood, that
MANY of the oldest Churches in Europe
have, but very much to excite gratitude
and hope. The Christian world will af-
ter while understand and appreciate our
position, and if they did not, our unity,
harmony, and mutual love, compared with
the perilous elements of antagonism and
schism in many others is sufficient
cause for encouragement amidst all our
poverty and privation. We have reason
to thank God and take courage, and if
we labor in patience, and hope, We shall
not labor in vain. | am writing these
lines in a place where much precious
blood flowed under the terrible rule of
the cruel Alva, when Antwerp was stained
with acts of persecution, which stand in
CHASTITY contrast with its deeds of hero
ism in that memorable seige, with the his
tory of which you are acquainted in the
pages of Motley. When | remember
what these men suffered, that VIC might
enjoy the privileges we now do, | feel
ashamed of myself ever to think of the
small sacrifices we are called to make,
the fruit of which our children's children
may enjoy, and bless our memory.
But / must bring this long letter to a
close, as our time of starting is at hand,
but l will leave it open until we reach
Bremen, where | expect to mail it, and
will add postscript then, advising you
of my latest movements. Until then,
adieu.
BREMEN, September 18th.
We reached here safely yesterday, af-
ter visiting Holland. The weather was
not very favorable for getting pleasant
impressions of that amphibious country,
if any such are to be obtained of it. |
have not space to give you any of these
impressions now. You may have them
in some form soon, when | have little
leisure.
We have thus, by kind Providence,
completed tour that included some of
the most interesting localities in Ger
many, Switzerland, France, and Holland,
without accident or detention, and with a
singular amount of good weather, con-
sidering the extreme wetness of the sea-
son everywhere this Summer. Some Of
my impressions you have had in various
forms, others must be reserved for some
of those pleasant scenes of fraternal re-
union in the future, such as we have had
in the past. Meanwhile, with much love
to the "Church in your house,, and
others, who by that law of mental para
dox, that every traveller knows so well,
are nearer to me the further | am away
from them, | am,
Yours fraternally,
EAST HANOVER.