The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-04-26
Reported for ss Dispatch.
LEXINGTON Phi ssTTERY.
THIRD DAY.

~ LEXINGTON, April 90.
The Preshstery this morning received the
narratives Of the state of religion from the
different churches, some of them being in
writing and others verbal statements. These
generally showed considerable degree Of
prosperity In the churches, but without any
Rev. R. c. Walker, chairman Of the Coin
mtttee of Domestic .Missiene, presented
long report and series OF resolutions. This
work is ehlarRihg upon the hands of the
committee. In Rockingham, Highland,
Pendleton, Randolph, and Barbour coun-
ties there Is q demand for Presbyterian
preaching beyond what Is now enioyed, and
need of aid In sustaining feeble churches.
The disbursements Of the committee are at
she rate OF about $1,000 year, and thus
Iar the contributions Of the churches have
enabled them to meet all their pledges but
more funds could be very probably used.
seven church buildings are, Under way, or
additional ministers are greatly needed.
This report was listened to with great In
terest, and all seemed to appreciate the I'm.
usual prosperity and promise Of the mis-
sionary work of Presbytery.
The evangelist Of Presbytery, Rev. T. d.
Bell, read his report; detailing his labors
at Broadway Depot and Id the mountains.
The Broadway fcia was considered go inn
portant That Presbytery agreed to aid ibe-
rally in sustaining Mr.. Bell at that point.
Several appropriations were voted to aid
churches In supporting their ministers:
The church at Mcdowell, Highland
Rev. F. N. Swoope, a. licentiate Of Presby-
terry, with some assistance in sustaining
him, which request was granted.
Rev. Messrs. Ewing and Murray were
appointed to fill vacancies in the Domestic
Missionary Committee, and Rev. e. g. Wal
ker made its regular chairman.
Rev. Mr.. See presented the report Of the
Committee on Education. -Four candidates
for the ministry under tho care OF the Pres
bytery are aided from the education funds.
There is SOME danger Of the funds falling
short, and the churches which have eontri-
buted nothing this year were urged to at
tend to this important interest. A new
Committee on Education was formed, con-
sisting Of Rev. Mr.. Pratt, DIR. Kirkpatrick,
Colonel Preston, Professor Campbell, and
Rev. s. Brown.
At night the new Book Of Church Order
was further examined and discussed. A
number of amendments were proposed,
and few of them were adopted. After
10 o'clock the Presbytery adjournedto to.
morrow morning. ID.
FOURTH DAY.
LEXINGTON, SATURDAY, April g..
This morning, after the Introductory SER
vices. various reports prepared for the
General Assembly were presented and ap-
proved.
BY the statistical report it appears that
this body consists of thirty-four ministers,
and has under its care forty churches.
The Narrative on the State Of Religion
was read by Rev. D. Is. Ewing. 1t gives an
encouraging view of the churches in the
attendance upon the means Of grace, dis
charge Of pecuniary obligations, beneicence,
and Sabbath-school instruction. No revl-
walls in the popular sense of this term have
occurred; but in every church there have
been additions on profession OF faith, vary
ing from three to twenty.
The proposed overture for the division OF
| the Synod of Virginia was referred TO the
| Presbytery at its next regular meeting. An
overture was ordered to be sent TO the
General Assembly requesting that body to
consider the eXpediency of diScontlnulng
the publication in full of the reports of the
standing committees Of the Assembly, and,
instead, of publishing an abstract Of these
reports in the appendix to the minutes OF
| the Assembly, and Of distributing these
minutes gratuitously to all the ministers
and vacant churches.
a report on Foreign Missions was pre-
sented by Rev. Z. D. Jupkin. Upwards OF
one thousand dollars has been contributed
to this object the past year. 1t was resolved
| that his Presbytery undertake to give full
| support to one of the foreign missionaries
Rev. NJ. Hale Huston, of China, who is
member Of this Presbytery.
The report on reciprocal duties OF pas,
| tors and Deople showed that the salaries oil
the ministers, with very few exceptions,
had been paid in full.
DR.. kirkpatrick, Dr.. VIM. S. White, and
Rev. Mr.. Pratt, were appointed a tempo
rary committee to examine candidates FOL
the ministry on languages.
The consideration Of the new Book Of
Church Order was resumed, and occupied
the remainder Of the day. Considerable
| omissions and amendments were ordered.
After protracted night session, spent il
the consideration of this Book, the Presby
terry adjourned to meet in the Augusta
church on the 18th of next month. D.