davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30
For THE CENTRAL. PRESBYTERIAN.
A Few Exceptions to IS. L. c.

Dear Brother Brown,-Will you allow
me to take few exceptions to some of
the generally good observations of rs.
L. c., on Palpit Mmaer2 The rea-
son why make them will appear from
the exceptions themselves. The subject
is important, and l think great deal too
much overlooked in our Seminaries and
by our preachers, and | am glad that
layman of intelligence and cultivated
taste, as his brief articles indicate, feels
called upon to address the ministers Of
the Gospel on this theme. l hope a
deeper and wider interest may be awaken
ed on this subject
The Spirit of God, through St. Paul,
has thought it of sufficient Importance to
give special and general directions as to
the mode of conducting public worship.
Such passages as, {" Let all things be
done unto .edifying. "Let all things
be done decently and in ORDER 4. e. be-
comaagly, or rather deeorousy, .6eauti-
fully; and each part of the public SER
vice at the proper time and in the pro-
per way. Dr.. Hodge says: "The ex-
hortation is, so to conduct the worship
that it may be beautiful; so as to make
a pleasing impression on all who are right
minded " Now this divine direction is,
to a very sad extent, by great many
ministers overlooked. | have seen the
public service conducted in just the op-
posite way-such laundering, confusion,
irregularity and awkwardness in giving
notices, in administering the Lords Sup
per, in baptizing persons, especially in
fants, in postures, tones of the voice, nasal
reading, mis-pronunciation, &C., sc, as
to be exactly contrary to the apostolic
direction of "6eautitaly and ia order. "
In St. Paul's Epistles to Timothy and to
Titus, he uses such language as this,
"Let no man despise thy youth, but
make thyself a pattern of the faithful,
in word, in life, in love, in faith, in pu-
rity. Until l come apply thyself to
public reading, exhortation, and teach
ing. Let these things be thy care; give
thyself wholly to them; that thy i'm
provement may be manifest to all men.
Give heed to thyself and to thy teaching.
| (COnybeare aud Howson's Translation,
To Titus he says also, "Lct no man de-
spise thee" l remember hearing DR.
Sampson expound this verse to the stu
| dents of Divinity more than twenty wears
ago, and he argued that minister should
study to acquire such intelligence, cha
raeter and manners as would every where
and at all times command regard, respect
or influence. Let no man despise thee
for want of piety, for want of Bible
knowledge, for want of common infor
nation, for want of good taste, goot
manners, common sense, &c, @c.
All [ have to say with reference tt
IS. l.. C.'s" hints and structures, il
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30

This is the adaptation of it to the par
ticular occasions of each Sabbath. The
regular vicissitudes of this kind are quite
numerous. You will have at least four
communion sabbaths in the year. Each
of these gives three special occasions ;
the Sabbath preceding, the Sabbath of
communion, and the Sabbath succeed
ing. The topics appropriate to each
of these ought to be made respec-
lively, the subject of prayer. Then
there are four meetings of important &C.
clesiastical bodies, four seasons of the
year, the first and the last Sabbath of
the year, with public fasts and thanks
giving, and other distinctive occasions oc
curing annually. Those have men
toned cover nearly half the Sabbaths of
the year.
If the whole should be concluded with
the Lords Prayer, it would be agreeable
to many, and not displeasing | think to
any. If you do so use the Lord Prayer,
you are not required to determine what
shall be the form of words with which
you will close. If you do not, then
adopt two or three of the appropriate
formulas, and use no others. And let
me advise you to give the formula perba-
tam, without any expansion. For exam
pie; if you use the Geological form,
render praise simply to the Father, Son
and holy Spirit, and not to The Father,
our Almighty Creator, The Son, our Di-
vine and Compassionate Saviour, and The
blessed Spirit, our gracious Sancti6er and
Comforter. Or if you use the Mediate
rial form, do not say; "for the sake of
Jesus Christ, for whom we praise Thee,
in whom we trust, and in whom wehope,
living and dying, to be found" Will
you think it too petty in me to refer to the
manner in which you pronounce the last
word, Amen? Remember that l have
undertaken at your request, to note very
minute things which more able writer's
would consider unworthy of notice, and
yet they are not unimportant, since they
are connected with the worship of God.
Try and not be peculiar in your utterance
of this last word. Do not mutter it, nor
yet be explosive. Give it its customary
pronunciation and accent; that is, each
of the two syllables should have the same
stress laid on it.
The last prayer differs from the first
mainly in two respects. 1t is much
shorter. Its, nevertheless, areal prayer,
and therefore ought not to be curtailed,
as is sometimes the case, into mere
formula. Undue breyity suggests the
thought, that you feel when your sermon
is done, all is done. 1t also should be
adapted to the sermon which it imme-
diately follows. Let this adaptation con-
sist however rather in continuing the
general sentiment, than in resuming any
ef oric~--.s .sff .yoy, tr-r-e to follow the
sermon of brother minister, do not 90
over the heads of his discourse, nor try
to improve upon it, aud above all, avoid
complimenting him. l think that it is
not often expedient even to make spe-
cial supplication for man before his
face. may add here, though not just
in place, that | do not think it appropri-
ate to repeat poetry, even verse of
hymn, in prayer. 5. l.. G.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30
The COURSE OF LIFE of many pious

Christian affords few facts for memoir.
"One day telleth another - in the calm
unexcited routine of daily duties. 1t
does not require "some great thing 10
make a saint. The commonest and sim
plest action of every day life, in ones
usual trade or occupation, if done from
the love of God and in his faith and fear,
may assume the value of high virtue.
Gone may sweep the floor to God or to
the devil" One may bargain or buy Or
sell, one may teach school or conduct
law suit, or weave web, or bring up a
family, or carry on domestic concerns,
in such way as may improve or injure
ones own soul according to the motive.
The elect of God have been hallowed in
the most unpromising circumstances, with
apparently every external influence
against them. Men have been damned
in the midst of the highest spiritual priv
ileges, with every outward circumstance
ministcring to their religious necessities.
We have not to 90 out of ourselves, or
beyond our daily circumstances, for the
materials of our probation. We shall be
saved or lost, according as We have
served or neglected God in the common
occupations of everyday life.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
TWO MITES.

'' Two mitesl" Alas,-the paltry sum
And yet it was her all;
A feeble woman, widowed too,
With many a farthing's call.
'Tis true the temple had its claim,
But surely such as she,
BY Providence were quite exempt
From Israers treasury.
Not so the pious widow thought,
And her two mites were given,-
All unobserved save by one eye,
And that the eye Of Heaven.
Her after lot no record tells,
But o We cannot think,
That meath screly pinching want,
God suffered her to sink.
Approvest thou? Then, do likewise,
That widows spirit SEEK
And thou shalt have, All surely have,
The blessing of the NEE;
Nay, if thy store, time, talents, strength,
Be but two mites in ALL
Go cast in Gods treasury,
And precious fruit shall fall.
Monterey, "a, Jan. 1867.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30

CONDITION OF TIE HEATHEN.-Rightly
said DR., John Owen, in his sermon be-
fore the English Parliament, two hun
dred years ago: "No men in the world
want help like them that want the gos-
pei. Of all distresses, want of the Cos
pei cries loudest for relief. A man may
want liberty, and yet be happy, as
Joseph was; a man may want peace, and
yet be happy, as David was; man may
want plenty, and yet be full of content
ment, as Micah was but he that wants
the gospel, wants everything that can dc
him good"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30

ueSn. DO we are not lar wrong In say
ing tbat the alaya. ,asaaal- al-spansaAian.iaan-
life, to this extent, that in the majority
of cases when man is really obliged to
have anything, he finds or makes the
means of getting it, Notwithstanding his
sad plant of poverty.
In all this the truth is being proved,
"Where there is will there is way"
Now cannot Christians apply this same
rule in the struggle to meet the wants of
the Church? What though it seem a
great and arduous work to sustain her
Will man see his mother starve while
he stops to count the cost Of giving her
nourishment? No more should the child
of the Church see her in her present con-
dition, and allow her to remain thus while
he is debating question upon which
neither God nor natural affection allows
any debate. Our dear mother goes
mourning about the streets; sits wound
ed and faint by the wayside. And will
her children neglect her wants ? Will
they suffer her cry for help to go un-
heard, or if heard, unanswered? Surely
if there is wiH,. there is ecay of help
ing her.
Let Christians consider this well. Let
them remember that every want of the
Church is want of Christ; that every
call from the Church is call from
Christ, who died that they might live. II
seems scarcely possible that there can be
neglect of the Church in which there
is not denial of Christ, for Christ and
His Church are one. Therefore, when
the Church is made to stand knocking
and waiting at our doors until her Clocks
are wet with the dews of the night, .
there stands Christ, enduring such treat
ment. When we see the Church lying
weak and suffering by the way, and YET
pass by on the other side, this is as if We
were passing unheeded, the cruci6eC
body of Christ, but for whom our soul:
would forever dwell in the flames of hell
And when in the feverish race after the
things of this world, we trample the
Church under foot, we are trampling tn,
body of Christ under foot also. Is it no
so, brethren Here then are the two
great struggles-one, that we may sup
ply the wants of the body; the other, tina
we may not dishonor Him who died t.
redeem us. If the gaining of world.
ease is worthy of sacrifices and self-de
malls, is not Christ much more worthy
To the world we owe nothing; it is bu
the servant which our Father has pro
vided to supply our wants through tn
pilgrimage to our blessed home. Blu
what do we not owe to Christ-what hav
, we that Christ did not purchase for u
by His precious blood? Il beseec
you, therefore brethren, by the mercie
of God, that ye present your bodies
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unit
God, which is your reasonable service,
II. II. H.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30

SOME one advised Alexander Logan,
a witty Scotch advocate, to read a. BON
bastic book on good subject, saying:
"Don't you like to expatiate in that
ficld?" when he replied, Il cant get
over the style
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30

App0mattOH; fitzpatrick was at boyd
ton; Caldwell in Nelson county; Taylor
was gathering church in Halifax; John
NJ. Fulton was in Buckingham; Silliman
in Leakville; Brookes in Fluvanna; Cur
tis in Brunswick; Cochran at large, as
missionary, and J. G. Hammer supplying
Richmond for time. All these but Tay-
lor, had been pupils of DR.. Hoge. Pax
ton took charge of Greenfield, South of
the Appomattox.
Mr.. Leach was induced to remove from
Berkeley and cast his lot in with the
young brethren and young congrega-
tions in the counties around the College
and Seminary. He hesitated long before
his mind could become satisfied about re-
moval. Against the removal, were
united and attached congregation, and
undoubted evidence of great usefulness.
For the removal, the prospect of useful
ness among population for whom he
felt great sympathy, and the better pros
pect for means to rear an increasing fami-
ly, and the solicitation of friends and re-
lations. It was his desire to find his call
to leave Berkeley as clear as his call to
go there, and he therefore moved eau
tiously. The Presbytery reluctantly
agreed to dissolve the pastoral relation,
and transferred him to the Presbytery of
Hanover in 1926.
He finally fixed his residence in Cum
berland county, bordering Prince Ed
ward, about mile and a-half from Farm
vile. To meet the wants of rearing and
educating his family, he applied himself
to agriculture, in its most profitable
form. The production most sure of a
market and remunerating price, was
tobacco. Like the population around
him, he became a planter as his father
had been before him, and united labor
in the soil with labor in the ministry.
Yours, very kindly.
G. C. r.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30
For THE CENTRAL Presbyterian

To BE CONCLUDED.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30
IS For THE CENTRAL PREsBYTERIAN.
To the Grandchildren of Rev James Fl
c. Leach, D. D.
LETTER ".

LETTER ~.
Your grand father had for his com
peers in the ministry and neighbors, az
ministers count neighbors where congre
cations are wide spread, DIR. Hill Of
Winchester, who had lost little of his fire
and energy, though age began to show
its impress; Matthews, of Shepherds
town, in the meridian of his mental power,
and demonstrating with increasing clear
ness his fitness for any position to which
he might be called, and for that one to
which he was finally called, in the Theo-
logical Institution in Indiana; in Mar
tinsburg, John B. Hoge, who stood the
most popular preacher in the county,
with the great mass of intelligent peo,
pie; Walton, his fellow-student, in the
vicinity of Charlestown, and Glass, his
predecessor in Gerardstown5 with his
warm heart and metaphysical mind; in
the neighbor town of Winchester, and
across the Blue Ridge, the energetic
Scotchman, Williamson, at Middleburg,
who may be called the Presbyterian apos,
tie of Fauquier; and down on the Rap
pahannock, the successful Wilson at
Fredericksburg, now professor in the
Union Theological Seminary; and among
the Western ridges, Mr.. Black, the kind
and faithful minister in Hampshire, and
Scott, the amiable teacher in Martins
burg. These were men to meet with in
Presbytery; and to be in esteem with
them was an honor. This honor Mr..
Leach enjoyed, for his strict attention to
his pastoral and Presbyterial duties, and
his correct knowledge and appreciation
of the Confession of Faith and Form of
Government of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr.. Leach was good member of Pres
bytery. Tenacious of order and eti-
quette, he strenuously defended the dig
nifty of Presbytery; and to careless in
novations he was troublesome opponent.
"Mr. Moderator, is that according to the
rules of order?" sounded an alarm to
any hasty mover of a doubtful PROPOSE
ton. In any position, he believed, like
John Randolph, that there might be too
much legislation in all governments, and
like him opposed multiplication of
laws. ss
The Presbyterian Church in Virginia
was, at this time, awaking to clearer
views and greater efforts in the cause of
her Lord. And the duties of ministers
and people in all their Christian relations
were fully discussed in the Presbyterial
meetings, and the responsibilities Of min
listers duly weighed. The spirit, mean
ing. and application Of the Confession of
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-01-30

slow to see what was plain to all others,
that no man would dare to insinuate
aught against his faithfulness and sue
cess; or if one was daring enough to do
it, he could not bear the frowns of the
Synod and the disapprobation of the
Church. The old man, in his feebleness,
was dearer than ever to the Synod and
the Church. But his mortal career was
run. He struggled through the winter
with disease, and in Philadelphia, in the
month of July, 1920, he passed away to
meet his Saviour.
This event brought with it the neces-
sity of electing successor. The Synod
could not agree upon which of the breth-
ren to confer the honor and labor of the
Professorship. She had in her bosom
five that, in after years, were called to
the Professors chair; Baxter, Rice, Mat,
thews, and the two Wilson's, together
with others that appeared in merit equal
to any position. But on no one at that
time could the eyes of all be turned.
After much consideration, at the meet
ing in Staunton in 1922, the whole sub
ject of the Theological school was COM
mitted to Hanover Presbytery, which
had raised, in years past, small fund
for a Theological school, and had laid
the foundation for Library by the pur-
chase of some standard works in Theolo-
gy. This Presbytery, on the 18th of
November, met and accepted the trans
fer; drew the plan of Seminary dis.
tinct from the College, and unanimously
chose John H. Rice, D. d., then pastor
in Richmond, for their Professor. 1t
was not till tho month of June, 1923,
that DR.. Rice became satisfied of his
duty in regard to his election. He ac-
cepted the Professorship. In deciding
this question, DR.. Rice was called to de-
eide another, viz: call to the Presi-
dency Of Nassau Hall, New Jersey.
The reasons he gave DR.. Alexander for
declining the one and accepting the other,
reflect honor on his judgment and dis
cretion.
The changes in the arrangement OF
Congregations in Prince Edward and
Charlotte, connected with the separation
Of the College,-which fourished greatly
under the successor of DR.. Hoge, Mr..
Jonathan P. Cushing,-from the Theolo-
gical school now committed to DR.. Rice,
together with the increase of young min
listers from the classes of DR.. Hoge,
caused aremodeling ofministerial charges,
and an enlargement of Sabbath services
by lessening the area of the preachers la
bors, and adding to the number of min
listers. John B. Hoge was induced to
leave Berkeley county and become pas
tor of the church on Shockoe Hill, in
Richmond: Kirkpatrick became pastor
The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-12-20
The ENQUIRER End the GAR

The Enquirer ind the GA. r.
The Enquirer of the 7th inst. motto
les thetcall for the Grand Army Con.
lvention in the following contempt.
uous manner:
"The G. A. r. Humbug holds a
National Convention on the 18th ult.,
at Philadelphia"
You will show the cloven foot, you
growing, contemplate coward. You
are sure to let no opportunity pass
wherein you cam say word in vii
li6cation or contempt of the returned
soldier. Will the time ever come
when you will forgive the men who
compose the G. A. R. for the drub-
bisg they gave your ssfriends and
brothers", In the South?
1t would be much more becoming
in you, when soldiers meeting is
mentioned, to be quiet, and thus give
loyal men an opportunity to forget
that you are one of the pack that
urged brave but misguided men into
rebellion, giving every assurance that
you would assist them, but when the
time for action came, you, sneak like,
left them to their fate, while you
stayed barking in the rear.
Yes, you sneak rebel. a Convention
will meet, and the G. A. r. will live
and be as ready in the future as they
were in the past to make your broth
ers 'fear, if not respect the national
flag, and when you ands4our coad-
tutors succeed in klndl he flames
of another civil war, &c. A. r.
will be grand nucleus for the loyal
men of our nation to rally around
Republic.
The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-12-20
FL n ID L A ", o.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 90, 1867
NATIONAL UNION REPUBLI-
CAN CONTENTION.

SoN SSIt JIN L SNs
In another column will be found
the call of the National Union Re-
publican Committee for Conyen-
ton to nominate candidates for the
respective offices of President and
Vice President. The call clearly
shows in its language the principles
upon which the Republican party has
acted and still acts, and invites those
citizens who rejoice that the war OF
the rebellion accomplished what ii
was intended to-the overthrow Of the
rebellion who think the Government
has the right to perpetuate its exis-
tence against all foes; who feel that
an economical administration of,pub
lie expenditures is necessary; the
complete cxtirpation of slavery
and the reorganization of the rebel
States and their return to practical
relations as States with the Govern
ment, to send delegates who will rep
resent their sentiments. This is a
platform in itself sufficiently COM
prehensive for the great Republi-
can Union party to stand upon, and
one that the people can be asked
to support. The principles are these,
and it requires only little elabora-
ton to make it just what it should
no
The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-12-20
THE NEXT PRESIDENT.

Considerable discussion among
Ohio papers has been held, recently,
in regard to the next candidate for
President of the United States. We
say discussion, but perhaps that does
not exactly express the idea, from
the fact that nearly every paper has
given its preference to General Grant
for the high position. ALI the coun-
try papers, with two or three excep-
tions-and those exceptions have not
expressed an opinion-favorh him., A
number of the prominent dailies also
have given the great General a lift.
while others have opposed him.
AS the case now is, if newspapers
are any indication of the feelings of
the people, Grant has the preference
of the people of Ohio.
Very likely Gen. Grant would
make a good Executive officer Of the
Government; though owing to his
'proverbial reticence, but little is
known of the sinner man." or of
what he is capable, except as he shows
it in actual execution. We all know
that he made a good General, and
that since the war he has been most
ly right in his course as commander
of the armies in the unreconstructed
States. Further we know--and this
is point worthy of note-that as
soon as he was appointed Secretary
of War, ad interim, be Immediately
commenced retrenching the expens-
es of that Department, and bringing
them down to as near peace footing
as the unsettled state of the South
would admit. Thus far in his public
life, Grant has succeeded, and made
fewer mistakes than are usually COM
mitted by men filling high positions.
Whatever may be said against
Grant, in any shape, will not lower
him in the estimation of the people,
but we know of many who prefer that
he should remain where he is-who
think that he is eminentiy "the right
man in the right place" His
position is looked upon by all as con-
ferrlng greater honor than to occupy
the Presidential chair.
For President we do not belieyeI
that Grant is the best man that might
be nominated, yet if he should be the
choice of the Union Republican Con-
vention we would cordially support
him. AS the matter now stands. we
consider his chances superior to those
of any other men who have been
named in that connection. In fact,
Just at this time he is the only man
prominently spoken of for the posi-
ton. Clubs in his interest have been
formed in Washington, New York,
Cincinnati and other prominent cit
les, and his friends seem inclined to
begin early and work long for him.
Our preference for candidate for
President would be Ex- Morton,
of Indiana. He is e man of known
executive ability; his care for the
soldiers during the war partook more
of the Good Samaritan than of a pub
lie officer, and his love for the coun-
try is intense. With hia for Presi-
dent and Grant as commander of the
army, the country would soon settle
down in peace, and the wheels of
trade begin to move in the South in
its wonted channels with vigor un-
paralelled.