The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-08-02

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been undisturbed by any jar or discord, bu
has been marked by perfect harmony an(
even an increased affection between pastor
and people, may long continue, and that Goo
may preserve the health and strength of Hi
servant, that for many years to come ht
may go in and out before this people, break
ing to them the bread of life. The present
membership of the church comprises more
than three hundred communicants. The
whole number since its organization reaches
very nearly twelve hundred. In the congre
CATION there are now one hundred and TWEEN
ty.one families.
There are two Sabbath Schools in connec
ton with the First church, the Church Schoo
proper, established in 1917, numbering now
officers, and teachers and scholars, two hun
dred and nine, with an average attendance
of about one hundred and twenty-five. The
Mission School at the head of Old St., in
connection with the First church was estab
lished in 1888. A School somewhat distinct
from this, holding its sessions in the same
place, on Sabbath afternoons, was organized
in 1860 by its present Superintendent, Mr.,
R. NJ. Dunlop, who is also Superintendent
of the morning School. This School has
now an average attendance of one hundred
and twenty-five scholars, including in the
calculation the attendance of every Sabbath
in the year, even the most inclement. AT
its anniversary celebration, held the second
Sabbath in July, thirty. one scholars received
prizes, of whom, it is worthy of mention,
twenty-three had not been absent single
Sabbath in three years, four had been ab-
sent only once, the remaining four, only
twice. One of the number had been pre-
sent both morning and afternoon every Sab
bath for four years. The building which
this School had occupied from its organiza-
ton was taken by the Confederates during
the last year of the war, first for an ordnance
depot and then for hospital; afterwards by
the Federals, for guard house. 1t was left
in very dilapidated condition, but was re-
paired and refurnished, in 1867, by Mr..
Dunlop, at his own expense. This building
was removed in 1870, and its site is now
adorned with handsome structure, large
and commodious, of the Italian style Of
architecture, which is an ornament to that
portion of the city in which it stands. 1t
cost $500.
The Second church was established in
1858, by colony from the First church,
The enterprise was not only approved by
the parent church, but originate
pastor, Rev. DR.. Van Zandt, who ~
the hearty cooperation, both of the elders
and private members, who gave success to
the effort by the substantial aid which they
rendered in the purchase of the building
which had been occupied by the congrega-
ton in connection with what was commonly
known as the New School Church. The
church was constituted with twenty-five
members. There are now one hundred and
twenty-five members. The Rev. John Mil
Ter, its last pastor, resigned his pastoral
charge on the first OF June last, and the
pulpit of the church is now vacant. Mr..
Miller greatly endeared himself to the peo-
pie of his charge during his stay among
them. His announcement that he desired
them to unite with him in application to the
Presbytery for the dissolution of the paste
raj relation was received by them with sur
prise and regret, and they acceded to his re.
quest with great reluctance. There are in
connection with this church also two Schools,
with about two hundred and fifty scholars.
A chapel was erected on Dunlop Street in
1850 by certain members of theFirst church,
and large and fourishing Sabbath School
was conducted there under the superinten-
dency of Mr.. A. s. Shafer, and by the late
Mr. John Stevenson, whose memory is still
cherished in the church and in this whole
community, as valuable citizen, an honored
and useful officer in the church, the unob
trusive and efficient friend of the poor. Al
the beginning of the war Dunlop st. chape
became the property of the Second church
A Sunday School was conducted in it, with
little interruption, until 1867, when d larger
and better building became necessity
The old building was removed to a mission
station near Poplar Lawn, and new build
ing erected on more eligible lot on Wash
ington St., at cost of about 81, 500. Here
the School numbered at first one hundred
and forty scholars, but recently Sabbath
Schools have been opened in the neighbor
hood by other denominations, so that the
number of scholars has been reduced tt
about one-half. Now morning School O.
seventy-fve scholars, well oficered, and al
afternoon school of nearly the same number
are kept up. The house is opened ever!
Sunday night and Friday night for religious
worship, conducted mainly by elders of tn
Second church. We omitted to say in tn
proper place that religious services are con
Quoted by the Superintendent of the Sab
bath School in the chapel at the head of Olc
ST., every Thursday night. X.
In REPLY to young lady leaving town
because some things in it were not Away