The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16
PRESBYTERIAN EM1GRANTs.

A correspondent of the Schenectady IN York;
EUening Star, writing from Amelia c. H., Va,
under date of May 25th, gives some interesting
statements concerning the Rev. DR.. Van Raalte
under whose superintendent large number OF
families Of Hollanders have been settled in that
county. The facts which have come to our knowl-
edge concerning this movement are ola very inter-
estng character, in two respects First, as to the
effect Of this colony upon the labor of the country.
These Hollanders, it is well known, are among the
most peaceable, industriou, people in the world,
Injured to toll, and exceedingly frugal in their hab
its. Would that whole counties could be stocked
with them. DR.. Van Raalte is a minister Of the
gospel Of high standing, and of long experience
in the work Of colonizing his countrymen in Amer
lea. He is delighted with their prospects in Vir-
GINA, and says that if the people will only be rea-
sonable in the price asked for their lands the en-
igration from Holland to Virginia will soon be i'm
mense.
The other fact to which we refer is that these
people are all Presbyterians, and on that account
should be regarded by our Church with peculiar
that they are not only very orderly in all respects
as citizens, but are deeply imbued with religious
sentiments, and with reverence for sacred things.
Let it be our care to show them in all possible
ways that they are welcome to home in the land,
and, as far as can be, to home in our Church.
In the course of generation they may become
entirely assimilated to US, and prove source Of
valuable strength.
The writer to whom we have referred, after
speaking favorably Of the county'of Amelia, and
of the prospects of the neighborhood, says
"What adds greatly to the local interest of the
place is fact, known to some of our citizens, that
the Rev. DR.. Van Raalte has selected this as the
centre, or headquarters and base of operations III
his important and praiseworthy enterprise of estab
fishing in this and adjoining counties, colony OF
settlement of Hollanders DR.. Van Raalte brought
his family here from Michigan, some two months
since, and is giving his whole time and devoting
all his energies 10 the laborious work of seeing
those Holland emigrants comfortably located upon
lands Of their own, and in finding employment fol-
those who have not the means to buy land, shelter
for the destitute and help for the sick while he is
faithful in caring for the religious instruction and
spiritual wants of all The task the Doctor has
imposed upon himself is not only one requiring
great labor, but one of vast responsibility, the
weight of which would, with the work and care
demanded, crush man with less energy and per
severance. Dr. Van Raalte is not only man Of
work. but he has an indomitable WILL and with
him there is no such word as fail, and above all
he is a man of great faith and implicit trust in
the Master he serves. He is laborng to better the
temporal condition of his people, to give then
homes of their own in this land of promise,
where land is not only cheap but generous and
fruitful. He is also laboring for their improvement
and advancement in school and church privileges
lie intends that the school house and the church
shall 20 where this people go, and where they
locate the great centre of attraction and bond O.
union that binds them together as people anc
attaches them to the land of their adoption, shal
be the church and the school. All who are at al
conversant with what DR.. Van Raalte has accom-
plished in the West, will not only wish him God
speed in this great and noble enterprise, but viii
have confidence in his ultimate success"