The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-04-13
From the Presbyterian and Index.
Churches in South Florida.
GA1NEsv11JE FLA, March 2S,


At the fall meeting of the Presbytery of Florida,
Committee was appointed to make presbyteria
visit-the custom of this body throughout its
bounds-to the church at Pilatka, and then to
proceed to Mellonvile, for the purpose of organ
Using Presbyterian church there, should the way
be open.
OF that Committee, the Rev. Messrs. T. L. De-
Vaux Chairman, and w. j. Mccormick, appeared
at both places, and discharged the duties assigned
| them. At Pilatka, although we were there only
during the week days, en- route to the Upper ST.
Johns or Welaka River the congregation met us
with happy countenances and glad hearts, ready
to hear all that God should say to them through
us. In fact they turned out as If it were Sabbath
Having no pastor as yet, but anxious to get one
and at this present time engaged in erecting COM
Portable manse for whoever God may send to them
we found them eager to have the gospel preached
unto them.
| An elder elect, ldge Gillis-and deacon elect
| MIR. Silowsky-Y e ordained by us in due FORM
and installed as .cers in that church. On a
prayerful review os aurch matters, the Committee
were enabled to such counsel as, under God
tended to the me perfect harmony Of his dear
children there.
| Having thus shed our mission at Palatka,
we fastened oIa 1on7lile so as to be there on
|
might here tursi aside as a tourist and draw a
picture of the beautiful st. John s-a name surely
| of Episcopal or Psoal originals it winds through
narrow defles and then suddenly expands into al.
most little oceans, such as Lakes George, Monroe,
and Harvey; but [ have taken up my pen to mar
rate strictly church matters, and hence [ forbear
On our arrival at Mellonville, we found friends
and conveyances to take us and onr party across
into the interior, some two miles, to the Aaha
| GhoaN fl no nIan nov fnrn HnnC
kept by that urbane gentleman, Major NJ R..
Marks, the eldest son of our late good Brother
Marks, OF Georgia
There host of friends good Presbyterians to
the manner born such as the entire Marks family,
the Bruces, the Whtners, the Caldwells, and many
others, gave us not only cordial but princely
welcome.
Indeed it was delightful to see that large hearted
man, main host of this house, extemporizing seats
and comfortable pulpit in one of the spacious
rooms of his elegant hotel for divine service De-
ightful also was it to see the community around
Silver Lake turning out to I'LL those seats, and right
heartily as we thought, to enjoy the spiritual re-
| past spread out in that banqueting ball.
| For three days we endeavored to break unto
them there the bread of life On Saturday, after
an appropriate discourse by the chairman, on what
constitutes true church of Christ, the Committee
proceeded to receive certificates Of dismission for
twenty souls to enter this new organisation.
| The Messrs. Whitner, sons of the late Col Whit
ner, of Tallahassee, Dr. Bruce, of Americas, Ca,
and Dr. Caldwell, of Greensboro, n Carolina, were
unanimously elected ruling elders. Another Mr..
Whtner, eldest son of the late Judge Whitner, of
Anderson, S. c., and Major Marks, were in like
manner elected deacons. On Sabbath, Immediately
after singing and the baptism of children, these
officers were soemnly set apart, in the presence Of
large assembly, to their high calling in that infant
church. Then followed the action sermon and the
peculiarly touching sacrament of the Lords Sup.
| per.
Several visitors of the Law family, from Darling.
ton S. c., were providentialy there, to participate
in all these solemnties with that church away down
in our Florida wilds
Thus this congregation, strong even now, not
simply in numbers, but in the sterling worth of its
members. started upon career of usefulness,
which, we trust, will rebound abundantly to God S
glory in the eternal salvation of many, very many,
precious souls.
They are devising also liberal things, as we, the
| Committee, can personally testify, and as is seen
in their unitbd determination to build at once a
sanctuary I'M which to worship the God Of their
fathers. Inlthls and all other efforts Of similar
character whH1h they may yet make, we wish them
most hearty God-speed The Rev. T. +. Mon.-
gomery, of the Atlanta Presbytery Georgia, hav-
ing settled but few miles distant, may be induced
to preach occasionally for them, Notwithstanding
lis age and infrmities.
| There, however, is an open aye, wide field, in
connexion with adjacent missionary points, for a
young energetic and devoted servant of our com
mon Master, in which to gather souls instrumental
| ly, into his fold.
We write what we know-what we heard from
anxious lips and read on the countenance of almost
every person we met-when we say that that whole
region and East Florida in general is ripe for the
reaper's sickle. Wherever one interested in the
enlargement OF Zion may 60, the Macedonian cry
of old is heard, Come over and help u.s..
Would that men with the spirit of Jesus about
and within them could be induced to throw them.
selves into these highways and hedges. "How long,
| 0 Lord, how long!" PRESENTER.