The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-04
wAYsIDE NOTES.


A few items Of interest connected with a
journey to aud from the Synod of Virginia,
are worthy OF some passing notice.
|. The prosperity Of the country. As na-
tive of the alley, aud having spent most of
our life In it, We have always known well its
immense agricultural resources. These have
been demonstrated more fully within the last
three years, and It's rapid restoration to active
trade and 60 general prosperity are enough to
fill the heart with JOY. Unlike Eastern Va,
the labor of the Valley has not been dimin-
IShed. One of the most intelligent gentlemen
OF Rockingham county did not hesitate, in
conversation on this subject, to express the
opinion that labor there had never been so
plenty or so cheap within his knowledge. The
same is substantially true of Augusta and
RockbrIdge. Extraordinary efforts have been
maze to bring into use all that is available
Such negroes as remain are generally Obliged
to work, or suffer want and many landowners
who formerly were under no necessity that
way, are now hardy sons of toll. The four
last years have been years of strenuous efforts
to restore the waste of war; and with fine
lands, well as fine seasons for the most
part, hard times are Enthusiastically passing
away. The people are generally living about
as abandantly as in former times, and seem,
Notwithstanding the trials which still unques-
tlOnably press upon them, to be moving on in
good heart The towns of StauntOn and Har-
risonburg give greater tokens of active b,lSi-
ness than in old times, and are growing faster.
2. The State Of Religion. Our informa.
ton is gathered from the Narratives from the
Presbytery of Lexington and elsewhere, and
from private conversation. While there is
much to lament, there are also items for
thanksgiving. Our congregations in general
remain in full numbers, and the disposition to
cleave to the church of their fathers remains
in tull strength. The good order of religious
ObServanees is not essentially disturbed. In a
number of places decided advance is to be
noted. The support of the pastors, while in
some churches neglected, is in most common
daily attended to. Upon the whole, Lexing-
ton Presbytery has great cause of thankfulneSS
chat so many valuable elements of prosperity
are in her hands and now that other parts OF
the Church are so severely tried, her people
ought TO strive to the utmost not only to uphold
the institutions of religion among themselves,
but to extend a generous helping hand to the
many afflicted, deSolated parts Of the Church,
so as to strengthen the things that remain,
aud are ready to die What blessed results
would come from genuine revival of religion
all over that fruitful, prosperous country
How soon OVERLOOKING hearts would make
OVERLOOKING hands, in ways without number
aud now little imagined. The old PenteeOstal
Outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Jerusalem,
was time when great grace was upon them
all, when the multitude of them that be-
heved were of one heart and one soul. And
then 1t was, under the present necessity"
that no man felt like saying, that aaght of
the things which he possessed was his own.
The condition of our people now may not be
exactly the same as was that of the disciples
themselves, as TO require us to have AL
things common" But there has never been
period when it so nearly approached that
state; and just in so far as it does, the Urinci-
pie becomes binding in its application. Never
has the time been known amOngu US when Chris
tians should so much feel that this is not
time to hoard wealth. but to impart it freely
to the many who are deeply destitute. These
are testing times such as we have not before |
experienced, aud Christians have rare op-
pOrtunity 20 show that such words as 1.-The
fellowship of the Gospel and 'the commu-
Mon of saints, have meaning worth more
than tongue can tell.
3. Female Education In the Valley, Pres
byterians seem alive to this good work. In
HarriSonburg our excellent brother, the Rev
Philander Custer is at the head of the Semi |
nary, eOmmOdlous edi6ce meeting the eve OF |
the traveller at the South end Of the town.
The beautiful private residences built or in |
building around it, will make this the court /
enc" of HarriSonburg Mr. Custer is known
as a ripe scholar and veteran in his profess |
sion The County of Rockingham alone is
able to give him an ample support.
In Staunton the Aug,ssta Fe1nale Semi
nary is in tull tide OF success, enlarging its ac
and fulfilling the wishes of its
founders. We had few spare minutes to
visit it in company with the Rev. b. NJ. Smith.
on our return home. As We entered the prem
ises, both called to mind the time and labor
and money we had spent upon this Institution.
from its first foundation till the time we left
the county. For long time its success was
doubtful. 1t Is not so now. We came to the
conclusion that there is good reason for hold
i0g ON to a good thing, and that all we aud
others expended was well laid out. The
school is truly rich blessing to the land, and
especially to the Presbyterian Church. The
reader viii pardon the feeling that would lead