The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-09
Rev. DR.. Moore.

The letter found below will be read especially
in Virginia, with feelings of tender sympathy
The prayers of our people will be mingled with
those of our brethren in Nashville, that their be-
loved pastor may be soon restored to them and to
the whole Church in full health; and that in the
meantime the same comforts of the Gospel which
he has ministered to others, may abound in his
own heart.
PASTORAL LETTER FROM REV. DIR. MOORE To HIS
CONGREGATION.
NASHVILLE May It, 1869.
My Dear People | had hoped that by this time
| would have been able to lead you in your holy
services as have done in days gone by, but God
has otherwise ordered, and with sorrowtul heart
| submit 1t is indeed a sore trial to me to be
deprived of the privilege Of preaching to you and
to have all my plans for labor in the church ar
rested, Just when | felt most eager to carry them
on But | know that it is all right. Perhaps
God means to halow the early part Of my paSto
rate with the baptism of sorrow, that our hearts
may be knit together in the tenderness of sympa-
thy. Perhaps He means to teach both of us to
cease from man and rely only on him and to test
our real love to his Church. | know not what the
purpose may be, but know that it is right Ihope
that by the use OF proper rest and remedies | NAV
be more vigorous than before, and able to do for
YOU what is in my heart. But, meanwhile. my
thoughts are so much with you that | long to
speak to you by letter as | can not face to face
desire to testify to the grace of God in the sick
room and hours of wakefulness and suffering, and
to say to you that He giveth songs in the night
| desire to aseribe my recovery thus far to the
prayers that have gone up for me, not only here
but elsewhere as loving and faithful hearts have
wreStled for my life and | trust that the prayer
of faith has raised me up in answer to them.
desire to testify that only Jesus can sustain suf
ferer, and to beg you all to cling to him with a
fond and more elaSping trust. And now, dear
brethren, let me beg of you from my sick room to
make up for my lack of service by your increased
zeal. Rally round the dear old church in It's sea-
son of trial. Perhaps He who walks among the
golden candlesticks has taken yours away for a
time, to see whether you loved Jesus more than
you did his unworthy minister. Oh, show him,
that, much as you love the under-shepherd, you
love the Chief Shepherd more. Do not wander
away from your own walks. Do not allow the
lambs to stray A blessing is here, if you will
come in frame to seek it. Stand by your noble
church, and God will bless you for it. 1t needs
your aid now, in this suspension of your regular
pastoral services; and yet, if you improve it, God
may richly reward you for your work of patience
and love.
Now, dear brethren, allow me to thank you for
your kindness to me, not only in the countless in
dividual acts but in your large hearted and liberal
plans for my restoration. God bless you for it.
Indeed, can truly say that much as | have suf-
fered, have been more than compensated in the
last few weeks by the kindness that has been shown
me, not only here, but from distant cities whence
words and offers of love have poured in upon me
until they melted me to tears Oh, there is a
weight and reality in Christian love to have caused
oil . fO rbn LIMO hot ba -
little
Finally, dear brethren, commend you to God
and the word of his grace until we meet again. |
will remember you always in my prayers; remem-
Der me. May we soon meet in the earthly sane.
uary to praise him who healeth all urdiseases;"
or if this be denied, all meet in that bright land
far away where the inhabitants shall no more say,
" | am sick.
Your loving pastor, I. V. MOORE.