davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

pie, whose situation we have described above. We
would ask them. whether they do not fear those
words spoken by God If thou forbear to deliver
them that are drawn unto death, and those that
are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, behold, we
knew it rot; doth not He that pondereth the heart
consider IT'D And He that keepeth thy soul, doth
not He know it? And shall not He render to
every man according to his works. We would ask
them whether they see nothing glorious and at
tractive in the example of Him who gave up all
his riches, and left the joys Of Fathers home
that lie might bring salvation to men. And final
ly, We would ask how any man can persuade him-
self that he has zeal for God when he can see
many thousands OF his fellow men grooming under
the tyranny OF the great usurper, and yet make
not an Effort to assert the rights and honor OF Hun
who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King
Of kings and Lord Of lords
Believing, therefore, that not only the glory Of
God and the eternal interests of beughted men,
but also the true life and blessedness of our own
people are involved in this matter, we desire to lay
these facts before our churches, humby praying
that He who has laid on us his commands, may
also give us grace faithfully to perform them.
In bonds OF Christian love- believe US,
Very truly, yours
(Signedl ] L STUART,
HELM
NJ. Ii. HoUsToN
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
For rHz CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Court-Days- Sabbath Work.

A number of the ordinary terms Of the County
Courts in Virginia commence on Monday. This
fact, in the minds of good and true men, imposed
a seeming necessity on them of spending part OF
the Sabbath day in travelling to or in preparing bu-
siness for the Courts. Not unfrequently, elders OF
the Church and private members are seen travel
ling to the Courts on Sunday This is especially
true of lawyers, their clients, and others who at
tend on County Courts By many of these per
sous, this occurrence Of the Court days is fell
to be a serious inconvenience. A father and head
of family tells his children to remember the Sab
bath day to keep it holy, aud then rides through a
neighbOring congregation and is seen on the public
high way, travelling during much of the. Sabbath
day to Court.
The County Judges have the authority, by law,
to change the day Of commencing the terms OF
their Courts A change of the day will greatly
accommodate many, who feel the present arrange
ment to be grievance and inconvenience. There
is no occasion now to 60 to the Legislature to ask
the change in the day. Seeing the reasonabenes'
of the proposed alteration of the Court day,
and that a change would subject the people to nc
serious inconvenience, some Of the judges, in the
mountain counties especially Judges Lyle, il
Montgomery, and Merritt, of Floyd, and probabl,
others, now commence their terms on Tuesday
in place of Monday.
Why cannot the same be done all Orer the State
If respectful aud proper application is made tC
other Judges it is believed that they viii readily
spoud savorabiy 10 -thr afJPfiI5ati0u Tor the pro
\ posed change The result will be- that many t
Christian lawyer, who now unwillingly finds him
self on Gods day on the public highway or at ;
Court House tavern, will be found at his owl
house of worship or with his family, and allowed
to enjoy Sabbath day of rest at home, in quie
and profitable home duties and pleasures. Wh'
will move in this matter? viii yOu reader?
ALEPH.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
a Working Church.

1t was from the depths of His great love that
the Saviour commanded His disciples to be wit
nesses for Him. Ii associated the servant in his
daily toll with the unseen but beloved Master 10
His glory. The work was not needed for the mere
fact Of its accomplishment, but that, working
Nth Christ, the allotted task might more nearly
approach the great example; the discipline thrown
into daily companionshp with the teacher. grew
more like Him. The Church is only the family OF
Christ " Xe are my brethren;;' = He is the Ell
der Brother. p" Then every member should share
in the family toll the family JOYS and sorrows Oar
separate churches are only branches of the one
great family of the redeemed, bound by an indis
soluble tie OF relationship to The glorious Head
So our family work should not be ftluly taken
hold Of aud laid down at pleasure, as Que or an
other member grows ukewarm or weary; nor
should 1t even be seized upon eagerly by few
earnest, loving souls in each church, who are will
ing to spend. and be spent for Christ There must
surely be detect in the family love where this is
permitted. The thoughtleSs or Indifferent brother
or sister can have little love for the Head of the
family.,or Tor his weary fellow servant when he
stands looking id,y-ou whTle the exhausted laborer
droops under the burden and heat Of the day
Can he indeed prove his relationship at all?
" Hereby zoe k"ow that zee hare passed from death
unto life because zee l0Ue the 6rettrea.'
And on the other hand, tn sc gracious. eager
spirits who, from love and zeal Tor Christ, lay hold
Of every plan which VII. enhance His glory should
pause in their earnest pursuit. and give tender
thought to the slumbers in the church whose
lamps are burning dimly, and their oil near the
point of exhaustion. They should rouse them
from their sleep, from their GOODNESS and soth.
and help them, il it may be to trim their lamps, ="
lest happily when the bridegroom cometh, these
beloved ones meet Him in sorrow and shame "A
Working Church" is church 10 which the aciv
ties of all the members are developed aud directed.
The needs of our age are so great the burden laid
upon the church is so heavy and so urgent that it
has become absolutely necessary for her members
to devise good systems Of work Ii our individual
churches are to become the centres Of light and
strength, they should he so in every community
Organization" vializ.d by prayer is 10 the
Church as we'll as in the world, the business. Z"
And it must be, in each church or organization, of
work which will reach every man, woman. and
child connected with it. Our most successful
churches will be found to be those which have
most entirely recognized this fact-that every
member of church and congregation is a neceS-
Sary part Of the whole. Such church is power
an organized host armed and equipped Tor the con-
test to which the Captain of our salvation calls
upon his servants to follow him. until the battle
with sin and Satan shall end in the glories Of his
triumphant reign. - Presbyterian
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
North Mississinni PresbYterY. South

North Mississippi Presbytery. The South
eya Presbyterian of November 30th, contains a
letter to Rev. DR.. Woodrow from Rev. James
NaylOr in relation to the paper recently adopted
BY his Presbytery touching the General Assembly
and Rev. Mr. Cater. Having published that
paper, we are requested by the respected brother
who writes this letter to give it also place. We
think the object he has in view will be substantial
~ gained, By presenting briefly the most important
statements in his communication and In the ed-
tOria remarks Of DR.. Woodrow which accompany
it.
From these it appears that the Rev. Messrs. j.
n Craig D. G. Doak Fl. H. Paine, James Nay
Tor, aud J. A. Sloan, were not present during any
part of the meeting. Rev, Angus johnson and
Rev. g. P. Richardson had obtained leave Of
absence before the paper vas adopted, Further,
there was a minority report presented by the Rev.
A. II. Caldwell, and the paper was opposed by at
least one other member present So that out Of
the sixteen ministers on the roll nine, at least, are
not connected with the adoption of the paper
among whom are "some of the Oldest and most
judcious ministers belonging to the body; and not
more than half Of the churches we're represented. "
Mr.. Nayor very courteOusly but decidedly dis
sents from the act of his Presbytery, which he
thinks was "unwise and unjust; and says he has
never known it to depart so far before from all
the rules of ecclesiastical proceedings"
After various remarks on this matter he con-
cludes as follows:
II am compelled to dissent entirely from the
recent action Of my Presbytery for the following
reasons:
/ It can have only the unhappy effect Of re-
o,epipg r eontreversv .ssheh ~ bea sopod fe1
paSSeo away on the floor OF the Assembly, and
therefore is not of the things which make fol
peace.
1t virtually arraigns and condemns without
trial, two absent brethren, ministers in high stand
ing in our Church; charging them with grave mis-
demeanOTs and thus violates all rules of prOprlety
as well as principles of our Church government.
3. The premises which the Presbytery sets forth
as an apology for its present action, viz the pub
LEGATION by DE-. Woodrow of speech different from
that uttered on the floor of the Assembly, ana
therefore unjust to their commissioner snow shown
/ BY iudiSputabe testimony to be untrue, and the
/ Presbytery should have paused long enough tC
/ learn whether such premises we're true or false.
] | dissent from the action of my Presbytery
because it endorses the course Of commissioner
Rev. Il. Cater in his recently developed controversy
with some of the officers and committees Of the
Church, which, from the beginning, | have con
Scientiously disapproved, and do yet dlsapprove.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
Baptism and Regeneration.

The Protestant Churchman contains a letter from
the Rev. B B. Leacock, rector of the church of
the Epiphany, New York, in which he resigns bis
pastoral charge, and withdraws from his ministry
in the Episcopal church. He says:
Among these other interpretations, [of the
Baptismal Offices, adopted what is known as
1.-THE charitable theory" and so entered upon my
ministry. Absorbed with my work, gave little
haed to the change that was gradually taking place
WItnn the lsst lev years, however. nave been
compelled with great reluctance to recOgnz 70 the
fact that the now so-caIled sacramentarlan parry,
have completely revolutionized the teaching of the
Church and that by means of their doctrine con
corning the ministry and the sacraments, they are
rapidly carrying u back to the errors and supers
tons of an age prior to the Reformation. Moved
by this conviction, [ have gone into careful con-
sideration Of the language and structure of these
BaptiSmal Offices and am now fully convinced that
taken in their literal and grammatical sense they do
sustain, either in whole or in part the views that
the sacramentaran party have so successfully built
up upon them. La my judgment they clearly
teach that the subject in baptism, whether infant,
or adult, undergoes moral and spiritual change
by the JOINT and mysterious operations of water and
the Holy Ghost; that their language will not
bear the explanations that have been put upon it
and that consequently the Church" or Z" Angli
can" party, the party that is now all powerful,
have these Offices on their side Believing how.
ever that this doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration
cannot be proven by Holy Scripture, but that it is
repugnant thereto, aud believing further that
these Offices, taken in their liberal Specification, do
teach this doctrine, | feel constrained by my al
egiance to the Lord Jesus, and His word, no
longer to continue their USE
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
ffaune With
have Bg6n


sxpossd We shall notice only these:
!. o. the score Of wit its merits are Of
the loves. order. The dulless people in So
ciety are often the most addicted to these
attempts at making sport. But surely to
become expert in creating laugh by hunt,
ing up an unexpected contrast between the
solemn words Of the Bible and some droll
often some I9og idea, is an employment IN
worthy Of a man Of sense. It is essentially
vulgar, and should subject all addicted to il
to the charge Of az breeding If the charac
ter Of O gentleman or wit can still be claimed
it certainly wiz not be BY appealing to thi;
ungenteel practice.
?. 1t is an indignity cast upon the word
Of God, and through it upon its holy author
"Eyery word Of God is pure, intended tc
influence the heart aud conduct. at has,
SAYS Sir William Jones, God for its author,
salvation for its end, and truth without any
mixture Of error for It's matter" Who then
can claim The liberty Of bringing any part
Of it into an unhallowed contact with low Oh
ludicrOus scenes? It is an insult to the God
Of the Biole, and should be frowued upon by
all Who reverence his name, and that holy
word by which chiefly it is made known to
Us. No man would allow others to Jest with
the dying words of his father. They are
too sacred and solemn; but not less so than
the words Of our Heavenly Father.
5. The effect upon those who indulge il
the practice referred to, viii be most uuhap
Pr. It leads to irre7erence for sacred Scrip
ture. We ere TO no small extent creatures
Of the circumstances besetting US. And il
We have heard a comic song or vulgar tale
connected with text Of the Bible, such is
the power Of association that we can never
hear the text afterwards without being al
most compelled to think Of the Jest. We
once heard distinguished and very piOus
minister Of the gospel say, that an auecdott
was related in his presence many years be-
fore, which was ludicrOusly connected with
very precious text Of Scripture, and that
he would give a great deal if it had never
reached bis ears; f5r he could never read OIL
hear tia, passage without having bis mind
infested with the association. Certainly il
may be expected that he who is much given
to this kind of false wit viii come at length,
as the reward Of his iniquity, to have a large
portion Of Holy Scripture spotted over by
his uncleaa fancy.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
&rliaioas 9ntellioeute.
FROM THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Lexington Presbytarv

Held an adjourned meeting at Rocky Spring, on
November 22nd
The pastoral relation was dissolved between Rev.
J. II. II. WiDfree and Stony Rur church. and a
committee consisting of Rav Dr. Handy. Rev. p
Fletcher and Rev D B. Ewing was appointed to
install him pastor Of Rocky Spring church, for one
half of his time.
The Rev. r p Kennedy applied for dissolu-
ton Of the pastoral relations existing between him
self and the churches of Windy Coce and Warm
Springs. Mr. Kennedy reasons Tor the request
we're stated. aud the congregations heard
through their commissioner, Mr.. James Lyle, ell
der from Windy Cove-for the reasons assigned by
Mr.. Kennedy, they gave their consent and the rela-
tons were dissolved.
1t was ordered that the papers adopted by the
churches be entered on records of Presbytery, and
copies of the same furnished Mr. Kennedy, AID
the Stated Clerk furnish him testimonials of our
high appreciation Of his ministerial and Christian
character, and that be be dismissed from our body
Brother Kennedy has been called to a church 10
New Castle Pre,bytery. Delaware
Presbytery adjourned to meet at Stanton, on
the 20th of December at IL o'clock A. NJ.
r G. WALKER
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
TIE ONLY HOPE.

When the late Duke Of Kent was about
to die he manifested great anxiety concern
ing the salvation Of his soul There are
often those wbo having themselves no right
experience Of the malady of sin, are ready
to heal the troubled cOnscienees Of Others
with a false peace. Some one tried in this
instance to calm his fears BY reminding him
that his station in lie was eminently digni-
fed, and that his course Of life also had been
elevated and upright. But the awakened
soul Of a sinner knows not a voice like this.
He hushed his miserable comforter by the
remark, 'No, remember that if am saved,
it's not as a Prince, but as a sinner"
God IS no resPocser Of persons, and at the
10 Cross therieh and the poor meet
common nature, a
redemptiou /;
Gem SUI An
se original cOrrup-
We Ike sheep have gone astray."
:. aesd alike the same regeneration to give
them lie, the same precious blood to cleanse
taem, the sane robe Of righteousness to
cover them. Au the riches aud glory Of
earth are as nothing before God, and utterly
powerless to help a troubled spirit to obtain
that peace for which i, longs. Let US never
forget that our salvation is wholly of the
grace purchased by Jesus our Saviour, to
the exclusion of all other merits, and ap-
Piled by the holy Spirit, to the exclusion of
all other power. As i, is freely offered to
all, and upon the same terms, 50 it must De
accepted in one and the same way by every
human being. Il is a salvation from san,
and therefore for sinners; salvation for
tbs life and for q dying hour and the world
beyond the grave. Happy are they who
embrace j, Roe, that it may be with them
then.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
EYANGGLlsTLc LABoRs.
PrasbYtery of Western Texas

Met at Indianoa, October 5h and was opened
with a sermon by the Moderator. Rev. r. NJ
Loughridge, fom Isa xii ! l..
Ministers present we're, j. NJ. Wilson, j. NJ.
Connolly Robert Mccoy, VIM. Hall, Robert NJ
Longhrldge j. d Porter and w. g. Biar.
Ruling elders present, 8
Rev. Robert Mccoy was chosen Moderator and
Rev. Wm. Hall, Temporary Clerk.
Ministers being called on to report as to their
fidelity in wishing and administering the ordinances
10 vacant churches, according 10 appoint ment oil
Presbytery, three reported compliance in full, and
two noncompliance for reasons which we're sus-
tanned by Presbytery
Rev. j. NJ Connolly, the Commissioner to the
last General Assembly reported that he had at
teaded the Assembly, and had endeavored TO do
hi duty as one Ut the representatives oil this Pres
bytery.
Rev. WIN. Hall, having Signifed TO Presbytery
his acceptance of the call of the church of Indan
OLA Tor his pastoral services, was duly installed a.
the pastor of that church.
The narrative states that "the spirit of Chris
tian benevoence is growing among our members.
Ebey manifest a commendable liberality in sup
porting the Gospel. and the benevolent institu-
tons OF the Church.
During the past three or four years, our Presby
terry has had an Evangelist ia the field Through
this agency. five or six churches have been added
to our humber One OF these is selt.suStaiDing
and very recently has called, and had pastor 10
stalled over it; the only regular pastorare 10 our
bounds Some Of the other new churches have
stated supplies; Others present interesting fields OF
labor; able TO give fair support 10 MINISTER, end
are loudly caililg Tor some one to break to them
the bread Of hf,
Oar destitute churches have been visited. en-.
couraged kept from dissolution, and directed and
aided ia getting regular stated ministry. Our
scattered membership has been hunted up, the or
dinances have been administered to them, and they
preserved from the depressing thought, that no
one cured for their SOrfS which has driven SO many
Of our members into either churches.
We are happy to report to Synod, that the Head
of the Church, has heard our prayers for help,
and has sent into our bounds three brethren with
the prospect of others, to occupy our large and
destitute field
Presbytery adjourned to meet at San Antonio
on Thursday, April Is h, 1872 at II z. NJ.
r. NJ LoUGHRIDGE S. Clerk.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

The STUDENTS History OF THE MIDDLE AGEs.-
View OF the State of EUROPE during the Middle
Ages. By Henry Hslam, LII D., K. A. S
Incorporating in the text the authors latest re
searches, with additions from recent writers, anC
adapted to the use of students, By VIM. Smith
ID c. l., LTD. New York: Harper Brothers
limo. PIP 7OS.
Dr. Smith has made a valuable addition to tn,
Students library in this new edition of Hallam''
history. There is some abridgment but nothing i'm
porlant has been omitted, and numerous text notes
Of Mr. Hallam have been added.
For sale by Bates & Co., Richmond.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
Recent Intelligence from the December No of the
Missionary.

Mr. A. II. Erwin. a member Of Sugar Greek
church, near Charlotte, n q. sailed in the steam
er Henry Chauncy from New York for Barrauquil.
la. on the 18th ult He goes out to establish a
school in connection with the Mission at B4rran
quilla, and is commented to the prayerful remem.
brance of God people
We have letters from China to the 10Th of Dc.
tober. The letter addressed to the Church by the
Mission, in behalf OF popuIous region of China
that has yet enjoyed the blessings Of the gos-
pei, deserves the serious and prayerful considera
ton Of all Gods people, and We commend it espe-
cialy to the attention Of such of our young men
as have their attention turned 70 the foreign field
Some of the facts contained in this communica
ton are at variance with the generally received
Impressions estaer excessive righteousness OF the
country; but even if these opinions are correct.
the population Of China is very great, and the
work to be done in imparting to them the blessings
Of the gospel is sufficiently great to tax the encr.
gies aud resources OF the whole Church. Mr.
Houston at the date of the letter above referred
10 was on his way to Yokohama, but expected to
be absent from his laborS 10 Hanchou only few
weeks. He speaks of there being two hundred or
more Japanese passengers on board the steamer
with himself, among whom were several princes
travelling with their families.
A letter from the Rev. Stephen Foreman gives
an encouraging view of the progress Of the gospel
among the Cherokees. Another letter from the
Rev. II. Baentine, Of Novegiber 7th, shows that
be is not without tokens of the divine favor in
other and more remote corner of the same field.
From the Choctaw countrywe have no intelligence
later than the 10Th October. The school at Spen
Ger was not going on as satisfactorily "a could be
desired, from the fact that none but temporary
teachers as yet could be had. Hopes are enter
tained however, that one or more teachers will
soon be found to engage permanently in the work
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
The Extraordinarr ordinationo seems

The Extraordinary Ordination" seems to
have stirred some of cur brethren considerably
Our correspondent I'd L.. presents another arti
Gle, which is entitled on every account to much
weight upon the point to which it applies. Another
article on the same subject from w, NJ. 7. is re
ceived, and viii be given next week. The subject
is very important one, and it is our purpose to
give it. as far as possible, distinct statement, and
10 offer such remarks as lie in our mind, touching
the true points at issue
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

Rev. H H Halves This brother has re
moved to Farmville Va, This present Post Office
address, and was installed pastor OF that church
on the 18th of November. The Rev. DR.. b. NJ
Smith, presided at the installation services
preached the sermon, aud propounded the consti
tutiona questions, and added much to the interest
OF the OCCASION. Ga the succeeding Sabbath there
we're four additions to the Farmve church.
AppOmattOx County, Va Consolidation being the
order Of the day, the Union and Appomattox
Court House churches have united On the 18th
ult., very pleasant communion took place at
Union, and our excellent brother LeybuIn aud his
elders were refreshed by an addition to their church.
Charlotte, va.-The enterprising and liberal pur-
chaser OF the Sylvan Hill property in Charlotte,
proposes to give and sell lots at the new village
near the Mill and on the Railway: and the Presby
terians oil Rev. Ii. A. Brown congregation propose
building church on the lot generously given them
at this new town. There's lie in the old land
yet
The Post Office address of the Rev j. E Dubose,
iormeh It Florida has been changed from Frank.
lin to Glasgow, Ky.