The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-05-20
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"reminiscences of a Pioneer.

There is a system in carrying out the
Gospel of the Son of God. When he
ascended on high he gave gifts unto men.
Among these gifts were evangeists and
pastors; the former to plant the Cos
pei where it was not, and the latter to
watch over and feed the Church of God
which he had purchased with his own
blood. 1t is greatly desirable that each
church should enjoy the labOrs of an in
telhgent and godly minister, and that he
should remain in one place as long as
God in his providence will permit him.
If he is faithful and devoted, and his
people cooperate with him, his usefulness
will increase from year to year. The in
fuence of such an one is never fully un-
derstood in time. Few congregations
properly appreciate the gift of faithful
pastor. 1t is deep and Pervading. 1t
embraces the best interests of time, and
extends through eternity. Children grow
up in the fear of the Lord, and general
ly, at an early age, devote their hearts to
the Saviour. Being wise to win souls, he
will. often find the thoughtless and unbe-
heving coming to knowledge of the
truth through his instrumentality. The
happy influences of well ordered church
are not confined to its immediate locality.
The wayfaring man, who halts to enjoy
the Sabbath's rest, with its precincts, will
carry away with him hallowed recollec-
tions which will prove germs of future
benevolence. Well may each one who is
conscious of so laboring for his Divine
Master adopt the words of the Apostle,
81 magnify mine Office !"
While on my long and tedious journey
from the land of my fathers to my future
field, / spent Sabbath in Marietta, Ohio.
There found church very much upon
the model of which / have been speak
ing. At that time there existed state
of things which have long considered
as greatly more desirable, than those
scenes usually denominated powerful re-
vivals of religion. l do not mean that
we are to limit the Holy One of Israel,
or to prescribe to the Most High mode
for his operations. But | refer to those
apparently forced excitements where
man, instead of the Holy Spirit, seems
to lead the way. Here there was, if l
may so speak, noiseless progress of
Divine footsteps. In the house of God
there was nothing strikingly distinguish
able from ordinary congregations, save
that instead of listless indifference, as
is too frequently seen, there was fixed
and fearful attention to the Divine Word.
/ remember also that after had return
ed to the hospitable residence where l
made my short abode, | was requested by
the excellent lady of the house to con-
verse with several young persons of her
family, whose anxiety for an evidence of
the Saviour's love seemed intense. The
work was manifested by unostentatious
calls apon the pastor and other expert
enced Christians, with desire to unbur-
den their thoughts, and to enquire if
theirs was the way to Zion. Among
those who had recently found Him of
whom Moses in the Law, and Prophets
did write, was a gentleman of more than
ordinary distinction as to wealth and in
tellectual attainments. He had formerly
been skeptical in his views, but a living
Christianity around him, had under the
Spirits influence, convinced him that re-
hgion was more than name. The work
upon his heart seemed deep and genuine.
He was very modest and retiring, and per-
haps, at that time, too fearful of notorie-
ty. l saw him few years after this and
discovered that like Nicodemus, he had
ceased to be afraid to confess the Saviour
openly.