The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-10-07
:, tReported for The nispatch. !
EuSt Hanover pgeslsysegys
FIRST DAY

FIRST IL.
East Hanover Presbytery held its stated
fall meeting In Bethany Church, in Charles
City county, beginning October 9th, at u
The opening sermon was preached by the
Moderator, Rev. d. G. Irwin, and was lis
tened to by an attentive congregation. Mr..
Irwin had preached TO the congregation the
night before.
There were present at the opening of the
SessionSthefollowing ministers: Rev. Theaod.
Irwin, Rev. w. A. Campbell, Rev. Il. II.
Rutherford, Rev. james p. Smith, Rev. F.
NJ. Woods. and Rev. James a. Waddell, the
pastor Of this church, and the following
ruling elders: 4. f. Lester, of the Second
Church, Petersburg; Judge Peter P. Bate,
Of Tabb-strcct Church Judge John NJ.
tferndon, Of Fredericksburg DR.. Samuel
P. Christian, of Clivet, md Isaac q. Chris
tan, Esq, Of Bethany. The absence of all
the Richmond members, and some others,
was greatly regretted blythe Presbytery and
the congregation.
After the calling of the roll, Rev. f. NJ.
Woods was elected Moderator, and the
Hon. John VI. Herndon temporary clerk.
The usual standing committees were ap-
pointed and announced by the Moderator.
At the suggestion OF the Committee on
Devotional Exercises, Presbytery resolved
to begin its sessions every morning ut 81
O'Clock, and continue its business till IL !;
then take recess for public worship and for
refreshments, and resume its business at 3
p. NJ. and continue till IN.
Reports from the churches were called
for, and narratives of the state of religion
from each church represented AZ this meet
ing were read, and some were accompanied
by verbal statements. The papers. read
were put into the hands of q committee to
prepare a narrative for the Synod. The
churches not represented by either pastor
or elder, all failed to send up reports. The
reports presented showed a healthful state
of piety i'll most Of the churches. This was
especially true of the Nottoway church, the
churches Of Petersburg, Fredericksburg,
end HARDWOOD, and the little church of
Bethany, at which the P~resbytery meets.
A few churches were reported in q dis
couraging condition.
Reports from the churches on systematic
benevolence were read and committed.
Rev. Dr.. Baird sent an excuse for absence
from this meeting, which was sustained as
satisfactory.
1t was determined to hold the spring
meeting of the Presbytery in Portsmouth.
The time of the meeting is yet to be fixed.
Reports from ministers appointed to per-
form missionary work were called for.
Dr.. Pryor, Mr.. Miller, and Mr.. Irwin,
made reports. During some interesting
statements made by Mfr. Irwin with regard
to the prospects of our Church ut Hampton
and at Williamsburg. the hour for ADJOURN
ment arrived, and the subject was post
poned till tomorrow.
The ladies Of tie congregation had pro.
vided a bountiful repast in the grove,
which was partaken of by the members of
the Presbytery and the congregation during
the recess after the morning sermon.
The Rev. DR.. Pryor preached at night to
q good congregation. The solemn sermon
made impressions which, it is hoped, may
be lasting.
The pleasant weatherand goodmoonlight
give ns favorable an opportunity for night
preaching as could be had in the country.
The church building in which the Pres.
hytery meets is n pretty specimen of ar
chitecture for q county church. Its modest
beauty is the admiration of all. 1t was
erected mainly through the untiring exer-
tons Of that good man, the late John n.
Gordon, formerly of Richmond. His death
just before lie had hoped to greet the
P~resbyterv in this church, for which he
had labored, has cast Il gloom over the com
munity, and has deprived the P~resbytery
Of u pleasure that was anticipated of meet.
ing here with this aged servant Of God
But he has gone to his rest and his reward