The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-16
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Down the Peninsula.


Missionary operations are now excl
ting considerable interest throughout our
Church, and l am happy TO know that
this feeling is not confined to the foreign
field. The labOrs of our own Evange-
lists in the more destitute regions of the
South, are followed with anxious eyes,
and l trust with prayerful hearts. A
few items in reference to these efforts in
one particular direction, are forwarded
for publication, with the view of enlist
ing still more effeetually the piOus inter
est of the reader in their behalf.
That portion of Virginia which is North
of the James, and East of Richmond, has
for many years been almost abandoned
by the Presbyterian ministry. In the
Peninsula between the James and York
rivers there is not now single resident
minister. Recently certain efforts have
been instituted to advance our cause in
this direction, and with encouraging
prospects. The new church soon to be
erected and organized in Charles City,
is to be regarded as an advanced post in
support of our missionary work. DR..
Stiles has lately visited this part of the
field, and by public preaching and pri-
vate intercourse with the people, has
made most favorable impression upon
their minds. Much spiritual good is ex-
pected to result from his visits, and his
return will be hailed with pleasure.
Last summer, the writer visited the
neighborhood of Barhamsville, in the
lower end + New Kent, and had the sat
isfaction Of preaching in a Methodist
church to a large and intelligent audience.
Still more recently he devoted fifth
Sunday to the same community, preach
ing in the mornia at a Methodist church
in James City, and at night in a school
house at Barhamsville. The audiences
were large and very attentive to our re-
presentation of the truth, Our Metho-
dist brethren every where win our hearts
oy the cordial welcome they extend to
US. They have our deepest sympathies;
for in these communities they are sur
rounded and opposed by religious ele-
ments whose influence is very prejudicial
to the cause of evangelical truth.
Our Baptist friends also received us
with much kindness. There are few
Episeopalians in that region, and of
Presbyterians a number so small that |
am ashamed to record it, But these few,
we rejoice to know, are earnestly en-
gagged in the service of God, and extend
around them a hallowed influence.
To meet with Christian friends under
such circumstances, to enjoy their over
flowing kindness, and "go up with them
to the house of God in company" with
hearts congenially engaged in the same
sacred cause, is a privilege and pleas
ure beyond the common walk of virtu-
Gus life 1t was delightful to both par
ties. And such was the influence of the
new ties formed by the visit, that ar
rangements were made to repeat it du-
ring the winter.
Whilst we cannot hope, at present, to
extend our organization into communi-
ties where we have so little material at
command, it seems to be an obvious duty
to cherish the affection entertained by
these scattered sheep for the domestic
field. The life of the Church ought to
carry its nutriment and refreshment to
the very tops of the tWigs. But besides
this, we have a powerful motive in the
adaptation of our doctrine and worship
10 eounteract the errors prevalent in
these portions of the State. ''Justifca-
tiOn by faith, is the great saving truth
which the people need to deliver them
from plausible heresies. And our plain,
decorous, solemn method of worship is
equally removed from ritual extraya-
gance on the one hand, and from slOven-
ly negligence on the other.
May God smile upon the efforts that may
be made to extend its influence over this
6ue region, which is destined to be the
home Of a numerous and prosperous peo,
pie. May He sustain the faith and con-
stancy of those whom He has stationed
there as the representatives Of our prin-
ciples and our evangelical spirit.
MISSIONARY.