Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-05-02
RAppaHANNooK, PREgByrERY YESTERDAY

/ RAPPAHANNoCKsFRE SBYTERY-A YESTERDAY
! EVENINGS PRoOEEDIN ass--The Presbytery
re- assembled at three o'clock, when narratives
on the state of religion iE the several churches
of the Rresbytery were related by the different
pastor, and OF. which the following is a con-
densed report, as presented ythe Chairmanlof
the committee on thatssubjeet- DIG tas9 9
! This AIoRNINd, Tn making a statement Of
the state Of religion in the churches under ITS
care, the Presbytery of GRappahannock have
emily one case of Rhat is usually termed aLreyi-
val OF religion to}report AT the Fall meeting
Eof the Presbytery W hich was in the country con-
gregatien on the Catectin, in Loudoun county,
/ the preaching Of the me beers Of the Presby-
terry, during recesses and at mig hts was produce
tive ofvisible and growing seriousness among the
people. Semueh was this the case hatthe meet
Inc was continued for near week after the
adjournment, and a number OF the members OF
the congregation, prlncip lily young people OF
the families Of the church, under 2the lnstrucr
tioH- and Amusement of the pastor and amlnlsT
tering brother, remaining to ASSIST hin, 81 emf
braced the hope Of the gospel, and hages be-
come hopeful and interesting members: OF the
church, while the older members, 1t is judged,
were greatly edited and confirmed in their
knowledge and love OF the precious truth.
The good fruits of the revival are believed to
continue in an improved condition OF the cause
Oh our redeemer among that people. Another
church. and the largest, and most important in
the Presbytery, has been witness. throughout
tho period covered by this report Of more or
less Of seriousness, and enquiry about personal
religion. Several persons at each OF the seve-
raj ocomnlunions have under the private IN
struction and adVisemeut ot! the pastor and the
session made profession of faith In Christ, and
become as Lambs OF his fold the church
Itself generally sympathizing in good degree.
In another country church that was, and Is
without d pastor, meeting held during num-
Der Of days BY two ministerlng brethren, not
members of~this Presbytery, was apparently
blessed in sagremarkaole degree, but the very
inclement character of the, winter, the ad-
vanced age and feeble health Of the brother
of the Psesbytery, who alone was able to,assem-
BILE and preach to the congregation after the
meeting mentioned, leaves thepresbytery with
outithe means of knowing of the permanency
of the result of the interesting days OF the
meeting or of the seriousness which those days
and services have developed. There have been
in smaller measure in other churches, similar
evidences among us of Athe influences from
Heaven that move and save the souls of men
The attendance, generally, upon the ordinary
ministrations of the word, is reported to have
been encouraging, and the attention to the word
preached serious and hopeful Sabbath schools
and Bible classes are reported IN most OF the
churches, and with statements in regard to
them that make us hope for times OF refresh
ing 10 the future. A number of the churches
have adopted the plan of weekly collections for
the charities OF the church-others, for reasons
they think good, have only made collections as
heretofore, and of the adequacy of those col
lectlons, 10 the circumstances, we torbear to
judge, though few of them seem liberal as
compared with the past. gga ebiail
We are afraid that family religion is largely
defective as compared with the teachings of the
word of God. The Lord, it is true, loveth the
gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of
Jacob, yet the interests Of our Zion, whatever
others may do, cannot dispense, we think, with
the sacrifices Of the home altar It moves our
hearts to think, as we sing lz9a y52 sa1
aah'Once, o Lord, Thy garden Aourished, 80
-. Every part looked gay and green,
Then Thy word our Spirits nourished, Ea
@llls Happy seasons we have seen. a%
But droughtsha since succeeded, I@.11.
And sad decline we see,
Lord, Thy help is greatly needed,
Help can only come from Thee.
The unoccupled territory and religious ,destl 4
tutions within our bounds are very large. They
are appalling, when we consider the meagreness
and feebleness of our resources But, alas the
saddest featureirthe comparison is not there
but in the poverty of this Prcsbytery itself in
the resources of the blessed promise. If1only
every man of us was full Of faith and Of the
Holy G host, We would probably BE full Of hope
also, and seem to hoarthe words Of the blessed
Master, '.Fear not little flock, it is!y your Fa-
Tiers good pleasure to give you the kingdom"