The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-21
Vol. 4.---No. 39.
Narrative of the Presbytery of Montgomery
on the State of Religion.
To tile General assembly Of the Presbyte-
rian Church IN the United States.
THE PREACHED WORD.

rian Church IN the United States.
THE PREACHED WORD.
The Head of the Church, in His great
kindness, has spared the lives of all the
ministers of this Presbytery during the past
year, and has given them, with but few ex-
ceptions, the needed health and strength to
discharge the duties of their calling; for
which our thanks are due to His blessed
name. The work of preaching His Word
has been performed by the ministers in their
respective charges, regularly and with some
measure of earnestness and success. But
their zeal and activity in their Masters
cause are not commensurate with the inf
mite Importance of their work, nor equal to
the demands of their VOWS of conservation.
The most of them are pastors who are ac-
lively engaged in their Masters work, unin.
numbered with world avocations. The mis-
sionary field Of the Presbytery is divided SO
that each part may receive the preached
Word, and enjoy the pastoral services of
Gods ambassador.
Many circumstances have conspired to
prevent the adoption of plan by which the
colored population within our bounds, who
have in great measure ceased to attend the
worship of God, in the houses provided for
them in connection with the white popula-
tion, may be brought again under the infu-
ence Of the preached Word. But it is hoped
that the measures now in contemplation by
the Presbytery will secure that desirable
end.
THE PASTORAL WORK.
The work of pastoral visitation, of cate
chetical instruction, and of conducting and
supervising the Sunday Schools and Bible
classes has been performed, we are disposed
to hope, with more than usual diligence by
the teaching and ruling elders, the overseers
of the flock of God. The ruling elders have
in few instances, taken up the duty of pas.
toral visitation and spiritual oversight of the
flock, which they have generally neglected
hitherto.
INCREASE OF THE CHURCH.
There has not been large addition to the
membership of the Church in our bounds
during the last year. In some churches, the
number of communicates has not been in
creased. The accessions from the world
have been comparatively few. AS officers
and private members of the Church, we
greatly need the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
We need to feel more fully and deeply the
obligation and the Importance of entire con.
secration to God, and of self-denying labors
in His service, and sense of our entire de-
pendance upon Him.
HINDRANcEs.
There are outward obstacles to the growth
of the Church, which can only be removed
by her Divine Head. But going forth to
the Masters work, she may well say, "Who
art thou, O great mountain before Zerub.
babel thou shalt become plain" Much
more do we need the special power of God
to overcome the obstacles within her the bo.
som of the Church; the covetousness of the
professed people of God; the want of ap.
probation of the ministrations of the Word;
the violation of the Sabbath and the love of
the world. The robbery of God, and the
neglect of the divine institutions and ordi-
nances, on the part of His people, have
caused Him to hide His face. Our hope
and our help alone is in the forgiving mer-
cy of Him whom we have offended. Nav
He quicken us that we may call upon His
name, and draw us that we may run after
Him. 1t becomes us as Presbytery, to
offer to our Heavenly Father the earnest
petition of the Psalmist, "Wilt thou not re-
vive us again, that thy people may rejoice
in thee "