The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-30
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Visiting of Feeble Churches in West Hano-
yer PreSbytery.

The plan adopted by West Hanover Presbytery
for having its vacant and weak churches and des-
titute parts visited this summer by its ministers,
as designated two and two for each particular
field, is an interesting experiment. If carried
out efficiently, it will prove, | am quite sure, a
great advance on the old system Of visitation by a
single minister, and las was generally the CASE
only for q Sabbath The late General Assembly,
if mistake not, in some document adopted by it,
suggested general operation OF this sort, as a
matter of concert among ministers. Anything that
could tend to encourage the peculiar "protracted
meeting" way of getting up" revivals, or to
cherish the itful August meeting species of con-
version and piety, might well be deprecated. But
this is something different, both in design and
character. And, in order to its efficiency and sue
cess,-which may be very important not only in
the direct local results but in the effect Of example
on other parts of the Church; | beg leave to
make few suggestions to those concerned.
To the ministers appointed 4r .5 m
l. That they concert, as speedily as possible,
with each other and the people whom they are to
visit concerning the time for visitation, so as to
have it known in good time in the community to
which they are to go, and avoid collision with ar
rangements made by other denominations. July
and August afford, in most country places, the
most advantageous seasons for such an operation.
3 If the two visiting brethren, or each of them,
can take with them brother of the ruling elder
ship,-some gody and jealous man, who will take
part in public prayer or give word of exhortation.
they may find such man right arm to them.
make this suggestion from my own memory Of the
happy effects of such combination of effort, in
some actual cases.
8. Look into the condition Of the Church visited
as to the Sunday school operations, prayer meet
ings-the practicability and duty of sustaining
these, what can be done toward supporting and
employing minister, the harmony and good walk
of the members &C., &c. r
This is an appropriate part Of the work of your
mission; and on these points you may give coun-
sci and stimulation the benefits of which may well
repay all your labor and reach generations unborn
4. Let the brethren who are to go on these ex-
petitions prepare their own hearts for going to the
work, in the spirit of humility, and yet in the
spirit of faith and zeal. Let them baptize their
plans and efforts with prayer, and these plans and
efforts shall be baptized with the divine influence
and benediction Some good will come, in some
way-perhaps great and lasting good.
5. | believe thorough visitation Of the fami-
lies, of the particular church, with prayer coun-
sci and exhortation in each, and private personal
conversation so far as opportunity may be found,
will be most valuable auxiliary to the preaching
efforts. The Presbytery, believe, contemplated
this as an essential part of their plan. Neighbor.
hood prayer meetings might very proftaby pre-
cede and accompany the preaching services of the
central point and even there, it seems to me, the
time might be most proftably spent partly in So
cial prayer. Do we not relatively, on such occa
sions, give the time too much to mere preaching,
and speak too much to man rather than to God,
from whom cometh the power, the efficiency, the
increased"
But let me say to the brethren, elders and mem.
bers Of the churches visited, much very much,
depends on you in the case before us; and the
Master holds you responsible for it. You cannot
tell how much the highest interests Of children,
kindred friends and the, precious casse-ef-
nsuss.nsr ll..,.-aepend on your faithful earnest,
efficient cooperation.
Give timely and good notice of the coming of the
brethren, and get people around you interested in
it beforehand.
Make your preparations, and try to get every
body else to do it, for attending, with your fami
les on all the public services so far as practicable.
Do not let these ministers come to you from a
distance, with labor and cost leaving their own
families and churches, and find you just rubbing
your eyes to the consciousness of the fact that the
time had crept on you for some such an appoint
ment to be fulfilled.
Look forward to the visitation with much of
humble, fervent prayer. If this is appropriate to
the men who are to come, how much more is it so
to you. Not only pray in private and in your fam.
lilies, but gather the other church members, if you
can, that you and they may pray together before
hand. Social blessings ought to be socially sought
"Where two or three" &c. 1.-The time yea, the
set time" &C. Why? For the servants" &C.
psalm eli Is, l4.) And if it might not seem
piety-and it is as old-fashioned as the times not
only of our Presbyterian forelathers, of the Apos-
ties, and even of patriarchs and prophets-I would
suggest the observance, in your church and fami-
les of day of fasting and special prayer. Who
that reads the Bible can doubt that blessing
might be hoped for from such preface to the eff
forts to be made?
Let me advise that, so far as they desire, some
one of the elders or private members accompany
the visiting ministers when they co. at least for the
first time and perhaps in other cases, to the fami
lies Of. the church and congregation. Let the peo-
pie see that you are heartily with those brethren in
the work of their mission.
1t may not be inappropriate to add that contri-
button for the Sustentation Fund or some other
public object of the Church, ought to be taken up
during the services Of the occasion. Aside from
the duty as positively enjoned on all the churches
by Presbyteries and General Assemblies, it is meet
that our obations should accompany our prayers
and our labors for Christ's cause,
All which, is respectfully submitted ?" with the
humble prayer that cheering accounts may come
up at the next meeting of the Presbytery, of this
two and two" evangelism IN.
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN