davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-06-04
EXCHANGE HOTEL,

ORANGE COURT HOUSE VA.
TIlE Undersigned respectfully an
nounces to his friends and the public
that he has just opened the above Hotel, (re-
Gently thoroughly repaired and rehtted.1 y
stocked II with new furniture, and is pre-
pared TO furnish as comfortable accomm1-
ultlons as can be had in the country.
Summer boarders will find this one of the
most desirable locations as to health, society
ana beauty Of scenery, in Virginia.
May %, 1865.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-06-04

g ~ Vuarrels would never last long
Il the Nuit were on oite side only,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19
"He Went Before Them" "

"And they took their journey from Sue
Goth, and encamped in Ethan, in the edge
of the wilderness. And the Lord went be-
fore them by day in pillar of cloud, to
lead them the way; and by night in pillar
of fire, to give them light; to go by day and
night: he took not away the pillar of the
cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night,
from before the people" Jehovah not
only selected path for His people, but He
also came down to walk with them therein,
and make Himself known to them according
to their need. He not only conducted them
safely outside the bounds of Egypt, but He
also came down, as it were in His travelling
chariot, to be their companion through all
the vicissitudes of their wilderness journey.
This was divine grace. They were not
merely delivered out of the furnace of Egypt
and then allowed to make the best of their
way to Canaan. Such was not Gods man
ner toward them. He knew that they had
toilsome and perilous journey before them,
through serpents and scorpions, snares and
difficulties, drought and barrenness; and He.
blessed be His name forever, would not suf
fer them to 60 alone. He would be the
companion of all their tolls and dangers
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19

yea, "He went before them" He was
ga guide, glory, a defence, to save from
every fear" Alas that they should ever
have grieved that Blessed One by their
hardness of heart. Had they only walked
humbly, contentedly and confdingly with
Him, their march would have been tri-
umphant one from first to last. With Je-
hovah in their forefront, no power could
have interrupted their onward progress from
Egypt to Canaan. He would have carried
them through and planted them in the noun
tain of His inheritance, according to His
promise, and by the power of His right
hand; nor should as much as a single Ca
naanite have been allowed to remain therein
to be thorn in their side. Thus it will be,
by and by, when Jehovah shall set His hand,
a second time, to deliver his people from
under the power of all their oppressors.-
May the Lord hasten the time!-Notes ON
Exodus.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19

The DIFFERENcE.-It deserves to be re-
marked that the man who is saved from sin
by love is softened by the love which saves
him; but the man who is kept from sin only
by pride in made more hard. He may be
as near the sin in his real heart as ever, but
he maintains false outward character, and
builds an unsafe barrier in his nature against
open sin, be being very severe upon sinners
This is the reason why mere external re-
formation brings in vanity and pride, and al
uncharitableness, sins which, if not as dis
reputable in the sight of men, are as hateful
in the view of God.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19

Thus, in 1868, each settled pastor re-
ceived from the Sustentation Fund ESQ,
and an average addition from his congrega-
ton of ETA. In some cases the addition
was nothing, in others rising to the amount
necessary to meet the expense of large city
congregations.
Upon the Sustentation Fund is predicated
the system of provision for widows and
orphans. A fund is established under the
name of "The Free Church Minister'S
Widows and Orphans Fund" 1t embraces
separately and distinctly, "The Widows
Scheme" and "The Orphans Scheme" :"
The fund is derived partly from special con-
tributions and legacies, but mainly from an
nual assessments on the pastors whose fami-
lies are to derive the benefit. These assess
ments are payable out of the Sustentation
Fund, and are deducted before any payment
of salary out of that fund. The payments
are as follows:
l. An annual premium of five pounds to
the Widows Scheme, and two pounds to the
Orphans Scheme, for each pastor partaking
the benefits of the Sustentation Fund.
2. An entrance fee of ten pounds, paya-
Bile in two annual payments.
8. A further marriage fee of five pounds
for. each minister already married, and like
sum for each subsequent marriage, if the
minister be under forty-fve, and ten pounds
if over that age. This fee, however, is not
payable, if the bride be widow who is on
the fund.
The resources arising from these various
contributions are subject to the payment of
annuities to the widows and orphans of de-
cedents, at the rate of s927 to each widow,
during continuance of widowhood; and of
e1O to each child under Is years of age,
whenever a widow survives, and of Els if
there be no widow. These annuities are
subject to such additions as the state of the
funds will justify, under the advice of an
actuary. According to the last report, they
amount to $50 per annum to widows, and
913 to orphans, equal to, say, $195 to the
widows, and $65 to each orphan, in gold.
For example, the family of the Rev. John
Robinson, who leaves widow and five
children, draw from the fund an annual sum
equivalent to $700 of our currency.
have omitted details, and leave the read
ers to their own deductions.
SAMUEL J. BAIRD.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
N arrative.

~ oA - -
Chesapeake Presbytery presents to the
General Assembly the following Narrative
of the State of Religion within their bounds
during the last twelve months.
Although there has been no great revival
of religion anywhere among us during that
period, our churches generally have been in
creasing in the number of their communi'
cants, and have been advancing in piety; at
present they may be said to possess tone
of piety decidedly healthful. Sabbath schools
and prayer meetings have been for the most
part maintained; a number of fourishing
Bible classes has been reported to us. The
attendance on the public worship of God
has increased; most of our congregations
seem to be cultivating the grace of liberality,
and some of them had manifested degree
of it unprecedented in their history. Some
handsome church edifces have been erected,
and others injured by the desolation of war
have been repaired and improved. We have
to lament, however, that some of our smaller
congregations are destitute of the preaching
of the Word, or have it preached to them
after long intervals, and that most of our
feeble churches have undergone decline,
while some of them are, we fear, on the very
verge of extinction.
R. B. WHITE,
c. H. NoURsE, Committee.
7. L. FrTzHUGH,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19
Narrative of the State of Religion in the
Bounds of East Hanover Presbytery dur
ing the year ending April 1st, 1862

In all Piedmont and Tide.water Virginia,
the disorders incident to the times have
pressed so heavily, as to make it much more
difficult than usual, to support the preaching
of the sanctuary. Four of our more inter-
esting churches, which for a long time en-
| joyed the steady labor of two of our minis
ters, have on these accounts been given up /;
and it is only with the most peculiar effort
that most of the rest are provided with pub
lie ordinances. Much more effort than be-
fore is needed to sustain all our congrega-
tions; and the people give evidence Of
appreciating the difficulties of the work by
attending in larger numbers the preaching
of the gospel. Without any general revival
the churches have not been destitute of the
evidences of Gods presence; and there is,
certainly, an unusual degree of harmony and
peace among our people.
Sunday schools are perhaps receiving
more consideration than ever before. All
Christians seem to be stirred up in respect
to these nurseries of the faith; and while
Methodists and Baptists are paying special
attention to the work, our people are not
behind in what seems to be most remarka-
BILE revival of this important interest.
Prayer-meetings and the week night
preaching of the word are attended, we be-
lieve, more numerously than in former peri
DDS of our life as Presbytery.
Efforts have been made in Richmond for
the instruction of the colored people; but as
a usual fact, other religious societies secure
a stronger hold than we upon this class Of
our people.
Services instituted by DR.. Stiles, (our
evangelist in different parts of our Church
have met with very decided blessing; q
number of deserted fields have been reached
and strong feeling of desire awakened in
the Presbytery that we could extend oul
stfictly missionary undertakings.
During the year, two of our ministers
have been removed by death; two have
sought other fields; and two of the churches
thus bereaved are still without settled pas
tors.
The erection of new church-ediGce il
Charles City county; the repair of Others
in Nottoway and Henrico; the erection ol
repair of several mission chapels; grea
advance in the fine structure of the United
Church in Richmond; the completion of th'
large church in Norfolk; and other exter
nal improvements have been made certain
during the past year.
On the whole, we have great cause t.
bless God for his mercies, and have mucl
reason to be convinced, that materia
strength, and the integrity of our outward
: wealth, are not essentials to the prosperity
] of religion among US.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19
Very truly,
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
TIE DIACONATE.

There was question proposed by one of
your correspondents recently, in reference
to the relations of the elders and deacons in
our Church government-which is, to my
mind, one of very great Importance to us in
the present juncture of our Church work.
Our book is very brief in its definition of the
nature of the Office of deacon, and the duties
of it, and it fails entirely to suggest any
form of organization for the body. The
question of the relation of the deacons to
the session does not cover the whole ground
upon which the Church needs to be enGght-
ened. Neither do know of any elaborate
and satisfactory discussion Of this subject,
such as we have of the nature and duties of
the eldership.
write this therefore in the hope of elici-
ting discussion of this subject from some
one who has given it a thorough examina-
ton. In attempting to give greater eficien-
cy to that department of labor assigned to
the deacons, and to establish system, the
following practical questions have come up:
1st. Do the deacons constitute separate
and distinct court from that of the session
Or do they act only under the direction Of
the session as the rulers of the house of God
I'd. If they constitute separate court,
only subject to the session as the session is
to the Presbytery, what is the precise ma
ture, and what the extent of their jurisdic-
ton? Does it covertall the temporalities
of the Church, the ordering and gathering
of contributions for all objects, and the dis,
bursement of the same, or is it limited to
congregational collections?
Sd. Do they exercise jurisdiction in
tempOralities, like that exercised by the ses-
sion in spiritual matters? Or what is the
exact relation which they sustain to the con-
gregation in its organized capacity.
4th. Is the pastor the moderator of the
court as of the session? And do the same
rules of procedure apply to it as to the ses-
sion?
5th. What record of proceedings is ne
cessary to be kept and to whom is this re-
cord to be submitted for review? and what
the kind and extent of jurisdiction exercised
in this review?
All these seem to me practical questions,
needing elucidation and discussion. AS at
present constituted in the great majority Of
our churches, the deacon's court has no real
and organized existence--and occupies, even
in the understood theology of our Church.
no defined position. Can any one help us
to an understanding of this subject by dis
cusSiOn of the Scriptural warrant for, ant
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19

under Presbyterian influence. 1t ia not
meant to be affirmed that the schools you
encourage ought be under direct ecclesiasti-
cal control, but they ought to be under the
influence of Presbyterians. There are,
throughout our country, schools for children
of both sexes under Presbyterian influence,
in which as thorough and as extensive an
education can be acquired as in any of the
proselyting schools which are so much ap-
proved by some of the members Of our
churches. If, however, Presbyterian schools
that now exist are not good enough, make
them better by your encouragement, or es-
tablish others of the highest excellence; for
you have all the educated men and women,
the money, and the children that are neces-
sary for the purpose.
By your duty to your offspring, and your
regard for their temporal and eternal welfare,
by your obligations to our Church, by your
respect for principle and truth, we charge
and conjure you no longer to place your
,chileyen under the influence of those whose
pAions you disapprove, butte use
al the means which seem adapted to make
them both Christians and Presbyterians;
and we pledge ourselves, as ministers, and
as ruling elders, to use our influence in the
pulpit and elsewhere, to aid you in your
effort. R. B. WHITE,
JNo. B. Ross, Committee.
P. HARRISON,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19

of tears, and then arrive on the hills, the
happy hills where light forever shines,
where Joy forever smiles
We cannot persuade ourselves that the
present is all that is of man. "There re-
poses deep in the human spirit the idea of
the perfect. Amid the sense of our own
imperfection, and the sight of imperfection
in all that surrounds u.s.. there is deep in
tuitive conviction that there exists some
where the infinitely pure, thesnfnitely beau
tiful, and the infinitely good. Often when
the spirit fingers lonely sRnd meditative
among the wrecks of earthl5 5shopes, and feels
that it can no more cling ' things which
perish, it is drawn by sw&t attraction,
made up of faith, hope andloTe, into a far
off silent world of peace, purity, and perfec-
ton. Beneath our sense o guilt, beneath
those mOnitiOns which chidej 5 as wanderers,
beneath the collision of sensk, of sin and of
sorrow are heard, in soft, p&rnfully pleas
ant undertOnes, of higher, Eolier, and hap
pier realms. There is, at such times, a
growing weary of present thinanG s
that are Isasassssssassap spirit -
outlet from that which is in part, and an in
let into that communion where that which is
in part shall be done away"
Yes, We know that,
There as land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign;
and the belief of recognition and reunion
in that glorious world of all the pure and
the good, whom we have known and loved
here, is sufficient to divest our separations
of half their gloom. "Thy brother shall
rise again, said the sympathizing Saviour
to the weeping sisters of Lazarus. Now,
had there not been associated n his mind
the idea of recognition by the ssorrowing
sisters, wherein would hav,' consisted the
great consolation intended by that assertion? !?
But while wehave every reason for believing
that eternity will be spent in the most pure
and happy spiritual intercourse between
those who have known and loved each other
here, the chief object of the saints blessed
ness in that happy world will be the
Saviours presence. We shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is. Paul's great
desire, when thinking of heaven, was that he
might be with Christ Happy, happy, glo-
rious world The souls of the redeemed
are before the throne. They serve him day
and night in his temple, and he that sitteth
on the throne shall dwell among them
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst
any more; neither shall the sun light on
them nor any heat, for the Lamb which is
in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and lead them unto living fountains of waters;
and God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes.
And now, Mr.. Editor, with tie above re-
Elections, bring this long series of articles
to a close, sincerely thanking you for the
space you have allowed me, and the patience
you have exercised towards me, as well as
the favorable notices you have taken of my
imperfect performances.
Very truly, \. *. *.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"REMINISCENCES OF A PIONEER.

The post.boy hastens with onward speed.
The eagle moves with lightning swiftness in
pursuit of his prey. The vapOr appears for
a little while and then vanisheS away. We
gaze for moment upon the swift ship as it
moves upon the ocean, but it is soon lost in
the distant horizon. We listen to the tale
that is told, but it soon fades from the mem
Ory like a half-forgotten dream. To-day
the shepherds tent stands solitary upon the
margin of the forest, but tomorrow it is not
seen. When, like Joseph in search of his
brethren, we ask for its inmates, the answer
is, "They have departed hence"
Such are some of the pictures of human
life as drawn by an immortal pen; and such
is human life as realized by every one when
nearing its utmost boundary. Few things
are more melancholy than to look back upon
a generation almost wholly passed away
To begin with our earliest sehoOl-mates and
aequaintances, after the lapse of half a GEN.
tury, or three-score years, and trace their
history is sufficient to depress the spirit Of
the most unreAecting. How many have we
left behind in their childhood and youth
How many have fallen in the prime of their
days? How few can we find who have not
gone the way of all the earth Here We
may make long pause, and by the magic
of memory call before US their blooming
faces, look into their bright eyes, listen to
their cheerful voices, and almost imagine
them again present with US. But how soon
does the illusion vanish, and truth whispers
that we shall see their faces no more. When
Hannah More had outlived nearly all the
companions of her earlier years, with what
touching reflections does she refer to the
JohnsOns, the Kennieotts, and the BoScawenS
of her sprightEer days. But when she
hears of the death of Sir w. W. Pepys she
almost sinks under the reflection that she
now stands alone. Oh there is something
unspeakably sad in viewing life as connected
only with the present world, Could we en-
tertain this view, we might well exclaim with
the Psalmist, in his dependency, "Where-
fore has thou made all men in vain !" But
when we keep before US the chief end Of
man, and reflect upon the glorious future
that awaits the righteous, we may well adopt
the language of one of the lOveliest of un-
inspired writer's in saying that, "It is a gra-
cious ordination which has reduced our age
to span. Three-score years and ten fol
the righteous are sufficiently long, and more
than such term allowed to the wicked
would render them beyond all measure vile,
Shall we then accuse, shall we not rather
bless the Providence which has rendered oul
passage short? Soon, soon we pass this vale
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
LIFE ASSURANCE-The SCOTCH SYSTEM

Mr.. Editor,-.Absence from home for
some time to come, will prevent my follow
ing the subject of life assurance any further
at present, as to the general principles and
policies involved. In the meantime let me
ask your new correspondent, who opens in
yours of the Goth ult., with an ability which
promises light on the subject, to give us
such definition of gambling as will clearly
and accurately diferentiate it from all else
which is liable to be confounded with it
Upon such a definition the whole question
must turn.
My object at present, seizing an opportu-
nifty by the wayside on a journey, is to
give brief sketch of the system of life as
,Gprance adopted by the Free Church. Of
!, fosqHss'fninistry.
when the Free Church withdrew from its
connection with the Government, system
of sustentation for its ministry was adopted,
of which, the following were the principal
features. A large central fund was estab'
lished, composed, partly, of theincOme from
permanent funds, and partly of annual
contributions of the churches to the
object. This fund constitutes a general
sustentation fund, for the pastors of the
Church, from which an equal distribution
is made to each settled pastor. This fund
constitutes the principal source of pas
toral support. In addition, each congre-
CATION, according to its ability, contributes
supplementary salary to its OWL pastor.
The results of this system will be understood
by the following table of the average quin-
quennial results:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19
SALUTATI0N TO JESUS CHRISTIAN
EASTER HYMN.
BY JOHN CALVIN.


The following sacred hymn is taken from Dl
SchafF volume entitled Christ in Song. d.
Schaff says: This hymn, together with eleve
others, mostly translations of Psalms, written
French, was recently discovered by Felix Brove
of Neuchatel, in an old Genevese Prayer Book
and first published in the sixth volume of the nev
edition of the works of Calvin, by Baum, Cunt
& Renes, 1865. 1t reveals poetic vein, and
devotional fervor and tenderness, which one woul
hardly have suspected in the severe logician.
The English translation is by the wife Of Prof
Henry B. Smith, D. D., Of the Union TheOlOgica
Seminary, New York.
/ greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
True Bridegroom and sole Saviour Of my heart!
Who so much toll and wo
And pain didst undergo,
For my poor worthless sake,
And pray Thee, from our hearts
And idle grief and smsrts
And foolish care to take.
Thou art the king of mercy and of grace,
Reigning OmRipotent in every place;
. -. OO SOmSI " NNAh6 0Hu
Within our hearts to reign,
|, And our whole being sway;
Shine in us Thy light,
And lead us to the height
Of Thy pure, heavenly day;
Thou art the life by.which alone we live,
And all onr substance and our strength receive (;
Comfort US by Thy faith
Against the pains of death;
Sustain US by thy power;
Let not our fears prevail,
Nor our hearts faint or fail,
When comes the trying hour.
Thou art the true and perfect gentleness;
No harshness hast Thou, and no bitterness:
Make us to taste and prove,
Make us adore and love
The sweet grace found in Thee;
With longing to abide,
Ever at Thy dear side,
In Thy sweet unity.
Our hope is in no other save in Thee,
Our faith is built upon Thy promise free;
Come! and our hope increase,
Comfort and give us peace.
Make us strong and sure
That we shall conquerors be.
And well and patiently
Shall every i'll endure.
Poor, banished exiles, wretched sons of Eve,
Full of all sorrows, unto Thee we grieye
To Thee we bring our sighs,
Our groanings and our cries;
Thy pity, Lord, we crave;
We take the sinners place,
And pray Thee, of Thy grace,
To pardon and to save.
Turn Thy sweet eyes upon our low estate,
Our Mediator and our Advocate,
PrOpitiator best
Give US that vision blest,
The God of gods, most High
And let us by Thy right,
Enter the blessed light
And glories of the Sky
o, pitiful and gracious as Thou art
The lovely Bridegroom of the holy heart,
Lord Jesus Christ, meet Thou
The Antichrist, our foe,
In all his cruel ruth
The Spirit give, that we
May in true verify,
Follow Thy word of truth.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19

COMMUNION WITH GoD is the best prepara'
ton for intercourse with men. Nothing sc
much awakens the mind and affections, moth
ing so much draws man out of himself
nothing so inspires simple honesty of pur
pose, nothing so much insures right guidance
in all we say and do, as prayer, in which thu
soul engages in humble, holy, flial fellow
ship with Him who is invisible.