The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-23

and heard that he could not refrain from
giving some accounts. He tells how the vast
hall of Palazo Cavagnis was crowded to ex-
cess with people belonging to every station
in life. The audience listened with the
deepest attention, and often gave signs of
assent to what was said by the preacher
After the meeting, groups of people, who
had evidently attended our meetings for the
first time, might have been seen earnestly
discussing the subject of lecture, namely,
The Bible the only rule of faith and man
ners-and showing that they had been con-
vinced by what they had heard.
In the months of July and August, visi-
ted almost all our stations, and especially
those in Sicily. 1 was pleased with what I
saw at Palermo and Catania, but ] was filled
with admiration at the work which is going
on at Messina. The evangelist who has che
charge of that station had just arrived from
Catania,, where he had labored for year.
I found him in the midst of from two hun
dred and fifty to three hundred attentive
listeners, who showed much zeal and interest
in the gospel. But will they persevere !?
Such was the question we were considering,
when letter from our evangelist brought
us solemn and touching response. He had
Just lost by Group his elder child-a boy of
two and half years of age-and he writes
to US: "In the midst of so great affliction,
God has been pleased to strengthen me by
means of many excellent brethren of the
Church. From first to last they have come
to weep with their pastor while he wept. [
thank God that l know how really good they
are, not only in joy, but also in adversely.
How without the gospel, which teaches us
and enables us to feel that we are all one
body and one family, could 1 have found in
this country, where God has cast my lot,
men who have brought to me such strong
consolation, and have given proof that to
them the Bible is not mere dead letter."
This event and some others have increased
the number of the members of this interest
ing congregation. Another letter which I
have just received supplies proofs of this
1t says: 81 have just finished the series of
meetings for the instruction of those cate
chumens who wish to partake of the Lords
Supper. 1 invited these new brethren to
visit me, in order to be examined in the
essential doctrines of the evangelical reli-
gion. Thirty-eight or thirty nine who were
on the roll came for this examination, but
only fifteen twelve men and three women)
were accepted. | do not think, however,
that many of those whom l have rejected
will abandon us; for all took what | said to
them in good paRt, since 1, only postponed
their admission until they were better ac-
quainted with the truths necessary to saliva
ton, and had given up certain habits which
are unbecoming Christians A goodly num-
Der of persons have already given their
names as desirouS of being enrolled in the
next class for catechumens. Among these |
am glad to say are considerable number of
women. Some time ago wrote to you that
few of these attend our meetings, but this
defect is being remedied; for during the last
four Sundays I have counted between forty
and fifty at our morning services. For the
church of Messina the second of this month
was indeed good day-a day blessed of
God. On that day the new communicates
we're publicly admitted, and the Lords Sup
per celebrated. AS early as ten o'clock all
the seats were occupied, and had to teach
the Sunday school before more than onehun-
dred and fifty persons. AT eleven o'clock
there was not even standing room FOR anoth-
er person. The service continued for two
hours, but not a single person moved till the
conclusion, nor did any one show the slight
est weariness; on the contrary, on looking at
their watches at the end, each seemed sur
prised that the time had passed so quickly.
May God bless the preaching of the word to
those who heard it. We shall soon have a
fourishing church in this city"
Allow me now to give you some statistics.
We have at present thirty stations, where
we employ twenty one ministers, sixteen lay
evangelists, fifty eight teachers of schools
in all ninety-fve agents. The expenses con-
nected with these amount to five thousand
pounds sterling. We have closed the year
1869 with deficit of fourteen thousand
francs five hundred and sixty pounds ster-
lng.) During all that year we have had
many anxetieS in connexion with our funds,
because we are fully aware of the different
claims there are on the liberality of our
friends; but seeing the blessings with which
the Lord has crowned our feeble efforts, and
the peculiar and solemn circumstances in
which we are placed, We could not refrain
from going forward, trusting the assistance
of God. We have in our Theological Sem
mary fourteen students, who are giving great
satisfaction,
Believe me, my dear sir,
Sincerely and faithfully yours,
j. P. REvEL.