davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
Baptist.

The following letter from Rev. Mr.. SpurgeOn to
the Examiner will be read with general interest
1t explains his relation to the Evangelical Alliance
and to the Cose-Communion Question:
"My Dear Sir,-I observe in your paper a state
ment that my attendance at the New York Evan;
gecal Alliance meeting was not improbable, and
| have observed in other papers remarks to the
same effect Will you, Their fore, to save many
correspondents further trouble in requesting me to
preach lecture, etc., kindly give publicity to one
or two words from me? | never had even the
remotest intention of being present at the aforesaid
meeting and in no form or fashion led a single
person to imagine that [ should be there. My
health is most precarlous, and my home labor is
incessant. | am chained to the oar L cannot leave
home, not even to see the thousands OF beloved
and honored brethren in America, with whom my
heart is warmly united Moreover, if could over
come these difficulties, [ should still be unable to
attend an Evangelical Alliance meeting; not be-
cause | would not, but because they have thrust
me out prviy and uncondemned, and | cannot re
turn to the society unless it repudiateS the deed.
The Secretary wrote me, requesting me to with
draw on account of my sermon on Baptismal Re
generation, and more especially certain remarks in
it upon the evangelical clergy. Of course did at
once withdraw. [ have been told by members OF
its Council that the letter was unofficial, and that
am under the ban of the Evangelical Alliance, and
should not venture to appear at any gathering con-
nected with it, lest my freedom of speech should
again be distasteful. There should be an Evangeli-
cal union wide enough even to tolerate such an
offender as | am, for | trust am one of Christs,
and its meetings should be so arranged as not to
occasion difficulties with those holding your views
upon communion There could be no objection to
those persons holding united communion service
who might choose to do so but there can be no
great benefit in such a service being officially ar
ranged by the society However, [ have no right
to give advice as am not allowed to be sharer
in the matter.
Permit me to assure Baptist friends in America
that | am not at all the enemy of their strict tel.
owship which they seem to think me to be. If
they would let me follow my own convictions OF
duty they would not find me interfering with them:
do not think you are right, but [ set very small
store by the question: and have neither written
nor spoken on the point, as though it we're one
great end of my existence to fight with the strict
brethren. wish we all had more light, more life,
and more love- If | found myself erring against
either of these three principles in joining in COM
munion with my brethren, should be alarmed,
but l do not find it So That however, you will
probably set down to my deficiency in the first,
which will be the kndest Interpretation. Wishing
success to all brethren laboring for Christ, am,
dear sir, yours truly q. ID. STURGEON.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
For THE CENTEAI PRESBYTERIAN.
Beautiful Country--New Village-New Church
-Evangelistic Labor-Encouraging Pros
BROADWAY, Rockingham Co., Va,

BROADWAY, Rockingham Co., Va,
February, 1870.
This is one of the most beautiful parts of the
beautiful Shenandoah Valley. 1t is at the juno
ton of Linvils Greek and the North Branch of
the Shenandoah River, on the railroad, fourteen
miles north of Harrsonburg. -Four miles west is
the mouth of Brooks Gap, through which con-
siderable trade reaches this point from Pendleton
and Hardy counties
A village has been laid out here, number of
lots solo, and some built upon, including a hotel
and two stores The country around is thickly
settled and we'll improved.
On an elevated bluff of the creek, just above
the railroad, is stone building, unfinished but
beginning to look like church. This is the Broad
way Presbyterian church,
This building is one of the results of the evan
gelstic labors of the Lexington Presbytery. 1t is
an effort to extend Presbyteranism to the extreme
northern limit Of the Presbytery, and to fill up
the gap in our line of Valley churches which ex-
lists between Harrisonburg and Woodstock. The
boundary of Shenandoah county is a few miles
north of this, and that is in Winchester Presby.
UeTy. 1naU DOuy IL uOW DeSlOWluS HOIe ldDOr
upon its part of this vacant field, aud it is to be
hoped that these cooperating efforts will not close
until every family in these two counties is within
reach Of Presbyterian church.
There is as yet no church organization at this
place, but one will be formed before many weeks ;
for a small flock can now be collected here. There
is, in this vicinity, an abundance of material
to operate upon. The only preaching in the
neighbOrhood is by the German Thinkers and
Menonites, who are opposed to an educated
ministry and prepared sermo ns. Many in the COM
munity are anxious to have more religious instruc-
ton, and the truth preached in school houses and
private dwellings is already producing some good
fruit. Everything seems to indicate that, by the
Divine blessing, a good congregation may here be
established.
A week or two of moderately favorable weather,
will put the church in a condition to be used
The usual difficulty, want of funds has delayed its
progress The neighborhood has done well, con-
sidering how few Presbyterians there in it, and
we have had some generous donations from
abroad but considerable sum is still needed to
complete the building Il. D. B.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
Hon. Alexander H. Stephens.

A letter from this Christian statesman has just
been published in the Macon, Georgia, Telegraph,
addressed to some personal friend OF Mr.. Ste
phens, who had written to him sympathizing
in his severe and protracted suferings, He has
been for many years COMMUNICATE IN the Presby
terrain church, and this letter breathes such an
humble trust in a crucifed Redeemer that it will
be gratifying to large number OF his friends and
admirers. Mr.. S. says:
81 am now little better than | have been-I
am able to sit up, read and write little: Dut can
not wall N even stand without assistance.
"Pleasa accept my thanks for the interest you
manifest in my well;being both physical and spr-
itual BE assured | am perfectly resigned to the
will of God in all my Affections. endeaVor, with
the patience OF JOB, to bear whatever awaits me
under His dispensation; and with full faith IN
His mercy, through the atoning mediation OF the
Redeemer; and also further, with firm belief
that 'all things work together for the good OF
those who love Cod and put their trust in Him;
ga leading object with me for years, indeed
from early youth, has been so to live-so to con-
duct myself in all things-sO to discharge, by the
assistance of Divine grace, all the duties OF this
probationary term-as to be ready to leave this
sphere of existence for another, brighter, and a
better one. whenever the summons for my depart
ure may come. This world, however much | may
have been engaged in It's active during my
dav has never had any real at. or me.
have # is true. taken a deep hem, but
at ali times more from a sens n from
any other consideration.
II now feel deep interes on
/ in our State, and in reply
subject, all | can say IS
8 - prbhc an@ %
GOd IN MS
| become of this countl.
90 can say no more nc ~,
thanks for your letter, and bes
wishes now and forever.
"Yours truly
ALEXANDER .PHENs.'
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
CENTRAL PRESB I E r A N {.

processes of the work of conversion seem to be
here indicated, one that of preparation and in
struction, so that the body may be prepared for
the breath of life; the other is the actual change
from inert matter to a living man. Our work may
be for many years that of preparation, causing this
people to understand the nature OF that truth
which we would have them believe, and exempll-
flying its effects upon the character But such work
is rot in vain. One of our Virginia pastors called
my attention recently to practical exemphtlcaton
of this in the fact that there are recorded in Scrip
ture very few conversions of those who had not
previously been instructed in the doctrines of the
Bible. We may for many years have to act the
part of the first prophesy but if we act it faith
fully, and the whole church of God be instant in
prayer, the time for the vivifying influences. OF
Ezekies second prOphesyiGg will surely come.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
! CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Worldly Wisdom.

1t is strange how far the wisdom of this world
drives us from God; it seems almost impossible to
be great man and Christian, remember an
incident of my childhood which made a lasting
impression on my mind. l was boarding in the
family OF Mr.. H., lawyer, who had widespread
reputation in his profession.
One night some gentlemen came in and there
were lengthy debates on politics and other sub
jects. Mrs H., who was present seemed very
proud of the reasorings and wisdom of her hus'
band, but she was called out, and after she left the
turned on the attributes of God, and
he who had been so wise in all other matters bold
ly confessed his ignorance here. left the room,
and found Mrs. H. in her chamber. l had not
been there long before he entered and sat by the
fire, silent and thoughtful-presently he asked,
" Lou, tell me something of God, is he omniscient
as we'll as omnipresent?" She looked grieved at
his ignorance but answered all of his questions in
a subdued and grave tone, quoting Scripture to
prove what she said Once she exclaimed, "Oh
husband how can you labor so hard for the meat
which satisfeth not and know so little on this i'm
portant subject?" "Ah, Lou, the cares of this
world choke out all other thoughts" was his re-
ply 1t was a scene which | have never forgotten.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
i or a Letter from Rev. &. B. pratt.

| am glad to be able to report our mission pros
poets as much brighter than ever before. Though
my congregation is not large, 1t is large for Bar
ranquilla, and larger than ever BEFORE and what is
better is that it is less huctuating-there being at
least twenty-five persons whom | expect always to
see. My Sabbath School Bible class numbers six
eight, or ten men, in addition to my boys; and the
difficulty about getting teachers for native classes
OF which | last wrote you, appears in Gods good
providence so far resolved that | announced last
Sunday that parents having children for the school
might bring them with them, as | hoped soon to
be able to form as many classes as are necessary.
One of these teachers is young Canadian, den
fist, who now attends church regularly. The
others, will, [ suppose, be natives. Last Sunday
two young ladies whether residents or visitors in
the city do not yet know accompanied Miss NJ.
G. and her niece, and there being teacher late,
one of them cheerfully consented to do what she
could in teaching the little children. So our faith
is strengthened that the Lord will raise up teach
ers and whatever else is needed whenever they are
needed.
announced last Sunday that at the request of
some friends, [ would, after the first January,
preach in the morning in English at 81 o'clock,
and in Spanish at P. NJ. Our mission, or at
least its representative is evidently gaining favor
with the foreigners; and it may be that this sec
ond experiment of English preaching will succeed
better than before In case it does not, | will,
after few months of fair experiment, substitute
Spanish for English again, and have two Spanish
services.
My friend G. tells me that there is great revo-
luton in popular sentiment going on under the
surface of things, of which have only seen few
of the first fruits that what with the tracts, what
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
Letter from Rev. DR.. G. Kingsbury.
PINE RIDGE, CHoCTAw NATION,

PINE RIDGE, CHocTAw NATION,
December 18th, 1869.
Your kind letter came to hand by the last mail.
We ought to be very thankful for the deep inter-
est, which, amid all your other pressing labors,
manifest for the welfare of the Choctaw Mis-
hall be prepared to welcome Mr.. Cotton, if
es with wife or without one. What we
a man who can endure hardness as good
of Jesus Christ. and who can visit the diff
meeting places, preach to the people, and
ordinances.
Gotten come 7 bcne we may have
sdom given US to assigl him his field
II be most successfully en-
destitute and desolated
ve agency that we wish
IS it can be made availa
le one to superintend
The Missionary
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

p1y Notwithstanding Central Pres
bytsrian is now the only Presbyterian paper
published within the bounds of the Synod OF
Virginia. Having a far larger circulation
throughout its churches than any other, 1t
offers a valuable medium for advertising
While carefully excluding all of an Objec-
tionable character, it willinsert others suited
to the nature of the paper, upon reasonable
terms. See published rates on 4th page.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE. February, 1870 Philadel-
phia: j. B. Lippincott & Co, Contents:
Episodes in an Obscure Life; knowledge is
Peace Seed time and Harvest; On the Miracles
of Our Lord Dealings with Samaritans; Cues
tons that are Always Turning Up; The Struggle
in Ferrara; How to Study the Old Testament ;
The Fallen Leaf; Notes from Tubingen; The
Italians in London; The Companions of St. Paul;
The Incarnation; Supplement-Notes for Readers
out of the Way.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

witt ons and the comments freely made
the THAT with the disgraceful lives OF the
Re- .sts, the people are more and more
fayo sposed towards Professionalism
of ing it is the only Christianity He
say me- because they cannot dress as well
as some because they are busy on Sun
da ONE because they are ashamed to be seen in
daylight going to the chapel, are hindered from
doing so but that as sooD as begin night service.
will see rapid instead Of steady increase, and
that in short time will not have seats for my
hearers and that when they get in the way Of al
tending at night they will as freely attend by day.
Sotbe it. in God good time; for the work is his.
now find it about as easy to preach without notes
in Spanish as in English, and it gives me very
great advantage. The Lord make his own work
to prow!-The MSsionarH
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

THE GLoRIEs OF MARY is a little tract issued
by the New School Presbyterian Publication Com
mittee of Philadelphia, and written by Rev. j. S.
Lamar containing extracts from ''the Italian Of
81, Alphonsls LtquOrii" in connection with pas
sages from the sacred Scriptures 1t shows how
opposed in its spirit and teachings Romanism is
to the word of God.
From the same Committee we have the Pro
TEsTANT CATEcHIsM, the Leading Errors of the
Church of Rome exposed and refuted From the
tenth Dublin edition.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

Communications all other papers we
sometimes have plentiful lack, and at other times
a good supply. This latter is our good fortune
just now, and the kind friends who sent them will
understand that they shall find place shortly
Let not this, however, be construed into hint that
many more are not needed. There is always an
advantage in having variety from which an as
sortment may be made up.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

Death of the Rev. Il. c. Carter-We have re-
ceiyed letter from the Rev. A. W. Castor, Of
Dalton Ca, from which we learn that the Rev.
Fl. C. Carter died on the 3Oth ult He had been
in very feeble health for number Of years. and
in his letters to us during the last few months, he
frequently expressed the conviction that he would
soon be called away from earth.
Mr. CASTOR says:
The Rev. H. c. Carter died suddenly on the
night of the 30th ut., at the house of a friend
near Calhoun, Ga. He was stricken down by an
attack of his old disease. Though seemingly in
better health than usual for few days before his
death. he had been declining for nearly year.
But the Holy Spirit strengthened the inner man;
and with wonderful rapidity fastened his prepare
ton for eternity. Every day he seemed to become
more heavenly minded, talked more of Christ and
heaven, and with greater earnestness commended
his Saviour to all around him. "-Resbyterian and
hader
Natchez church-The pastor of this church,
Rev. DIR. Stratton, on last Sabbath, according 10
custom. preached his annual sermon His text
was Cor. iv: 49, from which be enforced on va
rious grounds, the obligation to look not at the
things which are seen and temporal but. at {,
things which are unseen and eternal. ln u
statistical statements at the conclusion OF has
course, he reported the general condition Of
church as. highly prosperous. The numbe
communicates on the roll is 3O3. Nine me-
have died during the year past The humble
ded within the same time are twenty-five. Il
two persons have been baptized. The COL
tons of the church to religious and beneyole
iects amount to 81 ,9S2.
The Sabbath School consists OF 27S SCH.
- eta shirty-four classes. Seven hupd
- - 2
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

Coon WORDS. February 1870. j. B. Lippin.
colt & Co., Publishers, us and III Market
street, Philadelphia. Contents:
l. CARING. 2. Very Far Away. 8. Our Work
ing People, and How They Live. 4. Halfhours
in the Temple Church. s. The Two Margarets
A New Poem. 6. Devoted Lives. 7. To Lima
Oswald s. A Visit to the Country of the Vau-
dois. 9. A Conversation and a Story. 10. In
the Himalayas. II. Dorothy Fox
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL OF VIRGINIA. Or.
gan of the Educational Association. February,
1870 Richmond, Va: Educational Publishing
House, I'LL Main street. Contents:
l. A Word or Two on Comparative Syntax. 2,
Southern School History of the United States g..
The Sacredness of Teachers Calling. f. Gen
eral Lee and Marcus Aurelius. 5. The name of
Tense. 6. Fallacy as to useful knowledge.
I. Lost Preterites s. Educational Intelligence.
9. Our Miscellany. TO- Notes and Queries. IL.
Book Notices.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
WEEKLY COLLECTIONS.
ALEXANDRIA,, VA.

My Dear Sir,-In answer to your request in re-
gard to weekly collections report that the Sec
ond Church, Alexandria, has followed this plan for
about three years, with most satisfactory results
Our average collection during the period named
has been about $40 per Sabbath. Under the old
method of passing round the boxes, we received
about Sc per Sabbath. Our plan is this: We
have boxes placed opposite the entrance doors OF
the church, and expect each member to drop into
the boxes his or her contribution, with name and
amount written upon the envelope, Those mem
bers who neglect to contribute are called upon by
a com ittee-(appOinted by our Church Mission
airy Won Monday or Tuesday, and thus
pt without blanks on the treasurer
ittee at first had considerable
comparatively
= .laa is the best.
54rs truly, E. P. WILMER.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

CENTRAL TRUNK LINE TO THE WEST. A
Statement Showing the Superiority of the Chesa
peake and Ohio Railroad as Short, Constant and
Economical Line of Communication between the
Atlantic Seaboard Cities, and those of the Ohio
and Mississippi Valleys and Pacific Coast. With
an Account of the Present Condition and Prospects
of the Enterprise. January, 1870
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
MEL CHURCH, PRESBYTERY OF LEX
vNfnunN

.stor, Rev, VIM. Pinkerton, states that
the, We adopted the plan of weekly cOntribu-
tons, taking the gospel rule, as each was pros
pered, requesting each to settle'the question for
himself "How much owest thou unto my
Lord?" 1--WE put it along with the prayers and
the preaching, &C., as bona6de part Of worship.
eve request each one. to give from love to the
Saviour, into the treasury of the Lord, as means
of grace"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

FARMERS GAZETTE and Industrial Index for
February 81 per annum. Address s. Bassett
French, Richmond, Va.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

PALMER & TURPIN's Garden Calendar for 1870
Designed to Furnish Brief Directions for the Cul
tivation and Management of the Garden, Con
tanning Select Lists of Seeds.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

THE MORNING WATCH; A Monthly for Sun
day School Teachers and Young Christians. Feb
ruary, 1870
THE ] SowER; A Sunday School and
Family January, 1870.
M QE SYNOD OF TEXAS Houston,
II
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09

Rev. H. B. Roses Post Office address is changed
from Abingdon to Clear Branch Va,
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-06-03

A FLORIDA YOUTH HANDLES POISONOUS
REPTILES WITH IMPUNITY.-Fort the Dehehe
of the outside world we have to put on re-
cord the fact that in our island city there
lives youth who in himself is one among
the great phenomena of the age. Listen,
and be the judge yourself: lie cah nanu.e
snakes, scorpions, centipedes, or Wnat not,
with perfect IMMUNITY. He makes pets ana
pIay-iellows Of the larger kind Of rattie-
snakes, twisting them around him, ana dal-
living with their forked tongues ana thelr
ten or twelve rattles! He actually has car,
ried SCORPIONS i'm his bosom, and WaspS ana
hornets in his sleeves and pockets, without
receiving bite or sting. In the loneliness OF
the grove or forest, or i'll any secluded
place infested with snakes, he can ny lew
talismanic words call around him any num-
Der of snakes, whom he can charm into per-
feet obedience to all his mandates. He can
pick them up and lay them down at any
given place, and at his bidding they Will re-
main there until his return, after an alb
scnce sometimes of hours. He can take "a
rat or mouse and so manipulate it-so put
that inexplicable tyrant spell upon lt-that
it at once becomes mute suppliant for
favor, is quiescent, and may be tumbled
about at pleasure. The young magician
AYERS that This miraculous power is given
him by spirits-whethcr good OF evil, he
knows not. We could relate many incl
dents in this connection illustrative of our
little friends necromatic faculty OF SUBJ
DUNG the reptile creation, but the fore
going must sufice.-Kcy West Dispatch.