The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-02-17
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
RICHMOND.

A special meeting of the Presbytery of Mont
gomery was held in Lynchburg, on Wednesday,
the 10th instant, at which the pastoral relation be-
tween the Rev, Thos. L. Preston and the church
of Salem was dissolved, with view to his accept
ing the call recently given to become the pastor of
the LIST Presbyterian Church in Richmond.
1t is less than year ago, if we remember, when
Mr. Preston was installed as pastor of the church
in Salem. His ministry there, highly acceptable
to all classes, and an influence for good uncom-
My rapid in its growth, gave promise OF pecu
cuar usefulness for the future. That excellent
church again, and so soon made vacant, is entl-
tied to the sympathy of its sister churches, and to
their prayers that He who watches over them all
and "walketh in the midst of the golden candle
sticks may take care of this flock as one precious
in his sight, and that another pastor equally &C
ceptable and useful may be speedily given to them
by the Supreme Head of the Church.
Mr.. Preston having signifed his purpose to &C.
cept the call to Richmond which was put into his
hands by the Presbytery, is expected to begin his
ministry here in two or three weeks The position
to which he comes is one of great Importance and
responsibility. We know assuredly that it is not
one he has sought in the slightest degree, for the
invitation found him happy and contented in the
field where be was. Recognising in this unex,
pected opening a new claim of duty, he was ready
in submission to the will of his Presbytery, to say
II will go in the strength of the Lord God. !"
1t is time of peculiar interest.when young
minister of Christ is brought into relations in many
respects new and untried All who know we'll thi:
beloved brother las we have from his childhood,
feel assured he enters upon this wide sphere Of
service with pervading desire and purpose to dc
his whole duty, and to stand complete in all the
will of God -
1t is but short time since the LIST Church here
was called to part with pastor endeared to then
by the ties of twenty years duration, and strength
ened by union of uncommon harmony. Nov
that new ties are to be formed, happy will it be- i
they seek new JUNCTION from the Holy One, anC
under deeper impressions than ever of their high
calling in Christ Jesus, devote themselves with
hearty and magnanimous spirit to the work o.
building up their church in its most holy faith
When church is called to give up beloved pas
tor, yet parting in Christian love- it is spectacle
beautiful even amid the tears through which it il
beheld There is hardly another of equal inter
est in the whole life of church, unless it may b.
to witness the fidelity to Christ, and the noblenes
of spirit with which they gather around another
man of God, who comes to go in and out before
them, and speak to them ''all the words of thi.
life " That this Decentralization may be as happy
and honored, and useful as those which have gone
before it, and that all may feel how high the glory
of the Redeemer the unity and prosperity of hi
Church, rise above all earthly or personal consid
.erations, and that they may long be of one heart
and of one mind, striving together for the faitt
of the Gospel, will be the sincere prayer of many
who are "Zions friends and theirs"