The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-06

SCOTTSVILLE, VA, NOV. Zith.
This is an ancient home OF Presbyterianism =
The venerable Dr. White, of Lexington, exercised
his early ministry in this place. and here also th'
scholarly DR. Ross, recently deceased in Baltimore
once preached The Last settled pastor of thi
church was Rev. j. H. Fitzgerald, lately returned
to this vicinity. from Kentucky, with impaired
health.
The progress of internal improvements has no
improved Scottsville, but has reduced it from
bustling trading town, to quiet country village
Being the most northern point OF the James Rive
canal, it once received much of the northern
freight which now goes over the railroads passing
through Charlottesville.
The church here has of course suffered from tbt
dimiuution of trade and population as we'll as from
the more general calamities Of the war. For more
than two years it has enjoyed little regular preach
ing and almost no pastoral care. Indeed the vii
lage, with its three evangelical churches, has no
been supplied with any preaching, many Sabbath
in the year.
The evangelist provided by West Hanover Pres
bytery to labor in this section of their bounds
began here the first of last month, MONTH.
Sabbath service, and weekly Wednesday nigh
lecture. A few weeks ago, the services OF Sa
Ornamental meeting were continued for week
chiefly at night; during which some serious i'm
pressiOns appeared to be made.
Yesterday was a day of much interest to Thu
church. The house was well filed aud for th'
first time in two years all of the elders we're pre-
sent Three persons were received into the church
upon examination, and publicly protested Christ
In large and furnishing church this would bt
esteemed an iDgathering scarcely worth naming
out in a snail and declining church it is decidedly
encouraging. especially as sign that the tide il
turning from ebb to food
In the afternoon. the experiment of sermon t.
the Sabbath School children was tried, and will
decided success so far the attendance and atten
ton was concerned. Many of Gods people fell
that it was good day, regretting much that sucf
a Sabbath service was not possible more than oHct
a month.
The Sabbath previous, in the Maysville church
Buckingham Court House, another reduced church
supplied by the evangelist one member was re
ceived on examination, affording a crumb Of en-
couragement to that discouraged congregation.
Next week a meeting, under the same ministry
will be begun in Howardsville, on the Jane,
River, twelve miles above this. This is an out
station of the Scottsvie church, where there il
room and encouragement for effort to advance the
Kingdom of Christ as presented by Presbyterian
ism.
West Hanover Presbytery, which for some years
past has been undergoing process OF depletion
is beginning to look up little. Within little more
than month it has aided FIVE to its roll Of min
listers 1t has installed pastors over five of it'
churches. placed in the hands of sixth cal
from the church he is serving, and supplied three
of its vacancies by the labors of an evangelist
If the iberality of the churches will only sustain
the efforts of the Missionary Committee, thi,
day-break may usher in brighter day for Wes
Hanover. L. ID. Is.