The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-10-23

has come to Virginia to do the same. He
has bought property In Richmond and In.
tends to make that his future home aud the
foundation Of his work In the State.
NARRATIVE.
Rev. Alexander Martin, from the Com.
mittec on Narratives, made report calling
attention to the work of Bible classes, that
the cause of Sunday schools has receive d
increased attention, coiored people have
been preached to, and the number of can
tlidates for the ministry has greatly in
creased. There Ii much cause for thanking
ard little TO discourage us in the reports
which have been handed to the committee.
PREACHING TO CHILDREN.
Rev. G. S. NJ. Soc offered the following
:" Rcsofucd, That this Synod commend to
tnc careful and earnest attention of lis min
listers the question Of preaching to the chill
dren rs one worthy Of diligent and prayer
ful consideration"
In enforcing his resolution, Mr.. See gaye
account of what had been done for the chill
dren. and much yet remained to be DONE
Much Of the preaching is beyond the capa-
city Of children. and they must think, when
they hear it, that this preaching is not for
them.
DR.. John Lcyhurn warmly seconded the
resolution, considering ii rs Of the very first
drcn. The Rev. DIR. Tyne, OF New York,
considers his great success largely duo to
his habit OF preaching TO children, which
dc does about once II month. It Is of far
greater importance than the question Of
ecclesiastical discrimination.
Rev. r. Mcllwaine said it was of the
greatest Importance to preach 10 children,
but when, how, and where to do it is the
question. There were those present who
= cF,.l To- Il l.
would be glad to hear from some of them
on the subject.
Or. Hogc said that cNhortations OH this
subject would bc out OF place in this Synod.
In regard TO the practical workings of
preaching tn children in the cities, there
were several ways in which it was done.
He cited the examples of eminent minis
tcrs who had expressed themselves warmly
in favor OF this subject. 1t was his custom
TO 20 often into his Sunday school and talk
| to them, and also TO preach to them
| once every three months, and every induce
meut was offered to them to attend these
meetings.
| In his sermons to them he always avoided
| mirthtul anecdotes or expressions calcu-
| lated 10 create laugh, always selecting
practical subjects and enforcing them in
| p;siu aud simple language. He had bis
largest congregations when be preached to
| thu chill iren, and ID no service Of his church
| are hi- people more interested than in these
sermons to the children. His reward for
| This labor has heen great,
Rev. alexander Martin thought that It 4
pastor ever expected TO reach the hearts Of
! The children il must be III preaching directly
| to them. 1t will thus bring before them
| the gre 1t truths OF the Bible. IF his SER
mems are all within The reach of the chill
dren they are not always to the editcation
! OF the adults. and therefore he often
preached directly 10 them.
Rev. T.. II. Rutherford said that it has
| been his habit once & month TO preach to
| The children. and The richest results Of his
ministry wcic 10 be found in that circum-
tstancc. He told them in plain aud simple
| strains the story OF the cross. Very re-
Gently three little boys came to bis house
ii : O'clock atnight, is they said, I" 10 talk
TO him about religion" No part of bis
ministry had been more spiritually proii'a-
| bic 10 him thGn talking to the children.
| The resolution vas then unanimously
adopted A; after which the synod adjourned
until OK this morning.