The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-31
ATTENDING pREsBYTERIEs. &C.

ATTENDING PRESBYTER1ESs @C'
The pleasant miscellany of our correspondent
rs. L. c." about Removing to a New Charge
is closed with the present number. 1t ends IN a
somewhat gay strain for grave Presbyterian ell
der, and writing to young Presbyterian pastor
but is not of less worth on that account ms
matter of expecting recreation in attending Presoy
teries, &C. what are we to think OF 1t? A WORD
or two may be allowed from one who looks back
with pleasure to the fact that during the twenty
five years he was settled PASTOR he was not pre-
vented from attending any OF the stated meetings.
of his Presbytery-except once, and then by SICK
ness. During the thirty-six years OF his connec
ton with the SYNOD of Virginia, it has been his
privilege to be present at all its meetings 10 be
absent from such assemblies is to be looked upon
as a matter for regret, on three accounts;
l. The ordination VOWS OF ministers land OF Ell,
ders also bind them to be faithful In this as well
as other things. A minister Is not more truly
preacher than he is a ruler. Yet is 1t not fact
that some who would feel much distressed In con-
science about lightly missing any important en-
gagement to preach, seem to think almost nothing
about being absent again and again, and Tor rea-
sons that would not satisfy others, from the stated
meetings of Church judicatories? There Is utterly
fault among them in this respect. what Woulu
the Church soon come to- so far Its interests are
entrusted to Presbyteries and Synods If the views
of all others were as badly dislocated as theirs?
,. As to the recreation. No one not born OF
bred under the most gloomy ascetcism could make
objection to this as one of the objects In going to
such places. Most of our brethren are shut up
nearly all the year within their own congregations
These meetings are pretty much the only times
in which they can see the face of brother minis
ter at all. Is it any wonder that the social part
of the man yearns for exercise, when so many OLD
friends meet, when each has so much to tell and
to hear? If pleasant anecdote' is started, espe-
cially should it relate to one of themselves, or II
some keen but not unkind stroke OF repartee Is
given and returned, who could have the heart to
forbid full flow of enjoyment, whether by preach
err or elder by the host or by his guests In point
of fact it is found that these times of gathering
together are times of much social pleasure amongst
all denominations of Christians-and we think
very properly Our very religion takes the turn
of our nature, and becomes social also. Some OF
the happiest hours we have known, Ct this enjoy
ment, have been in journeys to and from these
conversations, as well as at them, in company with
IS. L. c." and Others The very mention leads
in memory over many mountain and valley In
the good days of horseback travel-the most social
mode Of journeying in the world
But after all, we beg leave to say that the word
fun does not exactly describe the prevalent
type of feeling belonging to these occasions. 1t Is
we think, rather too strong a word-toO nearly as
ISOLATED with the idea of trolic. Admitting that
the social element sometimes becomes too pre-
dominant, that the flow is too exuberant, our ex-
perence has been that it has, upon the whole, not
degenerated into undue levity-that the converse
ton has turned over and back again from gay
to grave-from lively to severe''-thus minister
ing grace to the nearer" We feel sure that our
friend IS, L. c." would agree to this statement,
and that while very properly advising his young
brother not to miss the good health to be derived
from attending upon such delightful occasions OF
recreation, it was not his intention to intimate
that the indulgence was inconsistent with what
was edifying-for in that case he would rather
have recommended him to be absent, He will,
however, allow US these remarks, in the desire to
guard his meaning-as we take it-against any
misapprehension.
3. But another reason for being present at those
meetings, whenever practicable, is the fact that
they have often been times Of great religious profit
The social-when guarded by watchful, prayer
full heart, is not inconsistent with spiritual enjoy
ment. No one better than IS. L. c." can go
back with us in the recollection of scenes which
are memorable in many Of our churches.
"0ur sweet communion, solemn VOWS,
Our hymns of love and praise"
the many occasions in which the sermon seemed
so truly a Icing cord, so manifestly preached
with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven"
when such large numbers were awakened and con.
verted to God; when the whole Church seemed to
be revived and strengthened; when brotherly love
so much abounded, and when the parting hour
was so much like the day On which the disciples
heard at Betheny the last words Of the ascending
Master on his way to glory, and worshipping him
returned to Jerusalem with great joy" Days
like these, now passed into history, were often
given to our fathers in connection with such meet
ings. They loved to be there-they took very long
and wearisome journeys to get there. Such days
have been within the memory of brethren now
living Let us bless God for them-for their mum.
Der and for their power-for the good they did for
many now in heaven, and for many now on their
way to heaven. And while we shall be faithful in
attending these assemblies of the Church, in ODE
dience to ordination vows, and partly too as a
means of delightful, healthful recreation, these
will not be inconsistent with the higher holier de-
sire of him who in the earlier DAYS of the Church
so longed for the courts of the Lord whittier the
tribes went up, and whose prayer to God we may,
at this distant age, make so entirely our own
- That zee mag see thy po'oer and thy glory,
zoe haze seen thee az the sanctuary"