The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-19
LETTER FROM BOTETOURT.
Correspondence Of The Richmond Dispatch.
Meeting Of the Valley Baptist Associa-
tion-Large Attendance-IatereSti''g and
able DiscassionS-A Land Of Plenty.
RiTcu.NaS. August II, Is


The Valley Baptist Association-com-
posed of delegates from churches IN Mont
gomery, Giles, Pulaski, Roanoke, Botetourt,
Allegheny, and Rockbridge-has been in
session here for the past four days. The
Introductory sermon was preached, by re-
quest Of the Association, by Rev. DR.. A. Nj.
Poindexter, from the text, Therefore be
We steadfast, immovable-always abound
ING in the work of the Lord" Your CORE
spondent had not the privilege of hearing
the sermon, but learns that it possessed
that vigor of thought and earnest presen-
tation of home truths which so character
ICES this distinguished divine. Among the
visiting ministers present were Rev. Drs.
Burrows, Curry, and Poindexter, and Rev.
Messrs. Woodfn and Biting. :.
The letters from the churches indicated
that some of them were in healthy condl-
ton, while others were languishing. Ihey
report that in most cases the negroes have
Withdrawn from the white churches ana
connected themselves with the :" African
Valley Association" There was, however;
one notable exception. The Enon colored
church. located near Hollins Institute, IN
Roanoke county, has elected Rev. ); n.
Harrison (pastor- of the white ~church) as
their pastor, and sent an application to be
receiyed into the Valley Association and be
represented by white delegates. Their ap-
plication was unanimously granted. Pro-
fessor, C. L. Cooke was elected moderator,
and Mr.. Farley clerk.
Rev.. C. G. Biting, of Lynchburg,
preached on Friday night to very large
and attentive congregation. The order OF
the day Saturday morning YVES the report
on education. After addresses by Rev.
Drs. Curry and Poindexter, and short talks
by several others, seven hundred dollars
were secured towards the endowment OF
Richmond College. sFer rs3.u = a. .'
Rev. DIR. Burrows represented the Educa-
ton Board, and made one of his happiest
speeches in behalf of the plan of systematic
benevolence recently adopted by the demo-
mination in Virginia. This subject was
further discussed by Drs. Poindexter and
Curry, and deep impression was made by
their stirring speeches.
Rev. j. William Jones presented the
claims of State and Domestic Missions, and
after forcible speeches from Professor
Cooke and others liberal contribution
was obtained. s.
DR.. Burrows preached In the afternoon at
the Presbyterian church, which was kindly
placed at the disposal of the Association.
AT night Rev. A. B. Woodfn preached in
the Baptist and Rev. j. William Jones in
the Presbyterian church. On Sunday the
crowd was so large as to be oppressive.
Scarcely half Of the people could get within
hearing of the preaching even by crowding
the doors, aisles, and windows of the
churches. At IL o'clock DR.. Curry preach"
ed ut the Presbyterian and DR.. Burrows at
the Baptist church. Rev. c. C. Biting
preached for the colored church, and, BY
the way, it was noticeable fact, in view
of representations at the North, that the
position of preacher to the negroes seemed
to be coveted by all of the ministers who
had to preach. In the afternoon o Sunday
school mass meeting was held at the Bap-
fist church, while Rev. A. B. Woodtin
| preached at the Presbyterian church. Ii
was literally o "mass meeting" and only
the thrilling speeches of Drs. Burrows and
Curry could have compensated one for edg-
ing his way into the dense crowd.
AT night Rev. W. r. GIFT preached at
the Presbyterian and Rev. j. r. Harrison
at the Baptist church. The order Of the
day this morning was the report on Sunday
| schools. The report was well-considered
and ably-written paper by Major ]. W.
Johnston. Professor C. L. Cooke made On
able and earnest speech on the subject.
The Association attended to various local
matters and considered the subject Of for
eign missions, upon which addresses were
made by Reys. j. William Jones 'and
George G. Thraser.
Catawba, in Roanoke county, was select
ed as theJplaee for holding the next Asso-
eiation. ft
&, This afternoon EQUITIES Of Churches to
Pastors" EQUITIES Of Pastors toChugches,"