Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-10-09
Moral and Religious.
For the Spectator. I

For the Spectator.
Not long since it was the writer privilege
spend several pleasant days in the county 0
Augusta, and enjoy the hospitality of many kin,
families. The occasion of this visit was tn
meeting of Lexington Presbytery at Bethe
Church, on the 10th of September.
The opening sermon was preached by th
Rev. W. G.. Campbell. The sessions of tn,
body were presided over by the Rev. T. D. Bel
of Harrisonburg. The proceedings were con
Quoted with much good feeling and christian
courtesy, although some matters Of an exceed
lngly delicate character were discussed. Rev
w. w. Houston, pastor-elect Of Warm Springs
and Windy Cave churches, was solemnly or
dained to the gospel ministry by prayer, anG
the laying on Of the hands of the Presbytery
Mr.. Daniel Blain was licensed to preach, anG
directed to labor for the present under the di
rection of the committee of Missions Thil
young brother gives promise of future useful
ness. and some one OF our vacant congregations
would do well to secure his labors.
Nearly four hundred persons have been re-
ceived as church members during the past &C.
clesiastical year.
Some gratifying statements were made re-
specting the interest manifested in Sabbath
schools by many of our congregations. The
children and youths of our land are the hope oi
the church, and the hope of the country. 1t is
one of the sad features of the times that family
religion has greatly declined, hence the impor-
tance of the Sabbath school to counteract in
some degree the remissness of parents profess
edly pious, and the neglect of such as have no
piety, in securing to the young the all-important
benefits of religious instruction. In Sabbath
school near the Rockbridge Baths, over twenty
thousand verses of Scripture were repeated in
one week. The teachers could not hear all on
Sabbath, consequently the children would meet
their teachers during the week.
The personnel of the Presbytery was interest
ing The Moderator, Rev. IT, ID. Bell, of Har-
risonburg, is the only one of the United Synod,
who was connected with the Lexington Presby-
terry in the recent union of New and Old School
Presbyterians in the South. He presided with
marked ability, and discharged the duties of
the Chair to the great pleasure of all.
The stated clerk, Rev. Samuel Brown, of
Rockbridge county, and pastor Of New Mon
mouth Church, near Lexington, is minister
greatly beloved by all Of his brethren. His sin
cere piety and humility reminds us Of what was
said Of Nathaniel, an Israelite, indeed, In whom
there is no guile Few living ministers in our
bounds have performed more arduous self-deny-
ing labors for thirty years, and yet, from his
cheerful, happy appearance, one would suppose
his had been a life of ease. Thus is exemplihed
what the prophet has long since observed
they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew
their strength
Those present will long remember the vene-
rable trio that sat near the Moderator's table,
Drs. Mcfarland, White and Bowman, who ever
took part in the proceedings, and were ready
upon all occasions to impart the benefits OF their
counsels, and long and varied experience.
These aged brethren hand down to us the
precious teachings of the past and are spared
by the great Head Of the Church for this high
and holy purpose.
DIR. Mcfarland is the pastor of Bethel. For
forty-three years, save a brief interval, he has
ministered in holy things to his afectionate
charge Most of his early hearers have pre-
ceeded him to the upper fields, leaving him
with their sons and daughters to point them to
heaven and lead the way. In his life he has
had many sorrows, so true it is that whom the
Lord loves He chastens, and those who are to
receive the white raiment and the palm of vic
tory must pass through much tribulation The
smitings of his Fathers hand have been sore
and repeated the past few years. He mourns
the death of two noble sons. One fell sudden
w. but safely, in battle. The other, after es-
Gaping with his life, but not his health, the
perils of battle and the sufferings of prison, re-
turned home, fingered a few months, and died
in hope.
1t was their Father privilege to find for them
a grave in the sweet land that gave them birth,
while the mourning Meta" whose fifty writ
ten words are cherished in many homes, sings
their requiem.
Long shall we mourn for those whose lives
Were offered up in vain.
We miss them in our vacant homes,
Nor can from tears refrain!
Forever cherished in our hearts,
Their names, nor deeds can rust;
And though they sleep beneath the sod,
They are glorious in the dust
The attendance of the people upon public
was deep and solemn, and we hope and pray
that rich blessing is in store for the church of
Bethel, the kindness ofwhose members endears
them to the members of Presbytery. God S
word will not return to Him void, it will be Ell
ther the SAVIOR of life unto life, or of death unto
death to those who hear. 10 those beloved
people, all of whom we shall see no more in
this world, may the word preached be the pow
er of God to their salvation.
MONTEREY, October, 1866. W. I. ?.