The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-04-25

we SsSiNi OUTSIDE O. Their own cangregg-
ions Respectively is {. :less TOO low.
Ecf. Alexander Maryl. Rev. G. II, On.
MGR, ana kuhng Elder n. ralley, were mn.
pointed q committee to prepare pastoral
se'scr TO the churches of the rcsbytery on
inc SUBJECT of infant baptism. and report ia
the next stated meeting.
An interesting discussion arose on Friday
morning in favor Of foreign missions upon =
resolution introduced by Rev. Mr.. Atkinson
winch wasadopted, inStructng ;hc churches
% mold concerts Of prayer once month, or
30 often as practicable, for The cause of for.
ciSn missions and if Necessary in order to
10 this. to devote one o: the weekly PRAYER
''i'e'''ES each month TO this object taking
up 4 collection for the cause ut each Of such
meetings; and cnjoining upon ministers to
l,reacil once year on the subject. reporting
the'r hoeiity Iii this respect at every spring
meeting.
The report Of the Committee of Missions
read by Rev. II. 4. Brown, showed what
was doing within the bounds of the Presby.
terry towards the supply and support Of our
weaker churches. Rev. John NJ. Cochran
had since the first Of December been supply
ing. rs an evangelist, our vacant churches in
charlotte. Mcckicnhurg, and L,incnb,lrs. and
MI. Mosclcy, Of Montgomery Prcshytcry,
was supplying Leesyille; 80 that. with but
The exception Of one or two of the very
weakest OF our churches, al were enjoying
the stated means Of grace at least once a
month. The churches, too. were responding
promptly To the call for the means Of SUP.
porting the nge!ist-twcnty out OF the
tWcnfN-three from whom quotas were cX-
pected having made payment.
b'lt the favorable aspect Of things changed
before the close Of the meeting. Rev. Mr..
Cochran, feeling ii to be his duty to return TO
texas. resigned his appointment as evangel-
~, aliu was dismissed to the Prcshvtcry of
BiaZoS--thc resignation to take effect the 1st
OF June, at the expiration Of six months
service. This will again leave five of our
churches vacant. They will look to the pre-
sent graduating class OF Union Seminary for
one or more to supply them.
The report further showed that rs vet this
year. though the period for Tic collection has
i'aSsvd, but eighteen Of the thirty-two
churches Of the Prcshytcry have contributed
To the cause of SuStentation (home MISSIONS
of which number thirteen have somewhat
increased their contributions as compared
With last year. and 1--WE have given less; the
aggregate decrease in the amount given by
the eighteen being furty-Scvcn dollars.
In view of this and Of the fact that Il num-
Der OF he regularly laboring ministers of the
prcsbytery are receiving salaries inadequate
- tlieir wants. and 50 fur below the General
ASSeinblF's nlFntnsan', on motion OF Rev.
Alexander Martin Il committee was appoint
ed consisting of Mr. Martin, DR.. Peck, Rev.
II. 4. Brown. and Ruling Elders n. Iulley
and W. ". Henry, to report at the next
stated meeting some plan 10 secure if posi-
IL. SpIp tn m
sllstentation.
Rev. +. \. Whaley. from the Committee
OH Publication, reported that eighteen
churches lntd during the past year contrl-
butrd Ia this cause Sl2S.N2. Their col
portcnr lir. Dupnyl had during last sum
ner'S colir-c vacation sold Si4t.l3 worth OF
books.
Dr. Alexander. from the Committee Of
Education. reported that the PrcSbytcry had
under its care five candidates for the minis
Try. Two Of these will enter the Theolog-
al Seminary next session: the other three
will still Re in their acadcm!crli course. The
committee bore emphatic testimony rs 10 the
diligence and exemplary cI!araclcrand worth
o. these candidates.
Including Il special Gift from the ladies of
Danrilc church Of 800, there had bccn
given the lNSt year for the education of our
candidates Tie sum OF St52.DS 10y twenty
churches.
The committees of visitation appointed
last ;all Il minister and III elder EACH 70 visit
the chUrrnc: in Gc!!ail Of >;lStcntation were
called upon to report. II WAS found thai
nearly al! had attended to the duty, and at
least IN 4 number Of instances, Ni:>t favor
able results. Those who bad i.oi set tilled
their appointments were directed 10 do so.
Among :hr most Interesting matters be-
fore tie preshytery were lie examinations
ana lirc.l>lrc ots Mr. John :. Watkins, OF
Spring Hill church, Halifax. These cXalnina-
tons were sustained with much more than
ordinary ability and exhibition of ripe
scholarship. Immediately upon his licensurc
call for Mr.. Watkins's pastoral services was
presented from Roanoke church. Charlotte
county. iIr. Watkins holds the call for con-
<ileralion, il Icing hut lrr tlIIcc-!ollrtlls Oh
his time.
Tjir Prc>!Nttry adjourned on Saturday
afternoon, after passing y Vote 81 thanks to
the congregation ald community Tor thcii
generous and cordial hospitality, 10 meet at
Cub Creek church on the "Wednesday yIe,
!ht fourth Sabbath al May. ii | y. H., and
viii! the understanding that when il adlouril>
| thence, it will be to meet ut LccSyille, Camp,
| bell county, on the Saturday before the Isl
| sabbath OF June.
The enjoyment Of the meeting was inter:
ruptrd on Thursday and Saturday by heavy
rains. Saturday forenoon was lovely, and a
large audience assembled. The coup r@il OF
the congregation was striking. Rev. Alex
andcr Martin preached in his usua! style Of
earnest argument and fervcnt appeal. Tho
attention was close and serious, and it cannot
| tI,.. 81 IL,
hearts, although the gay and lively scene
| which cnsucd upon the diSm!sSion, us Is toe
common in village and country churches
was painful to one who felt the solennity
ard Importance OF tie message delivered
Besides the excellent dorlrina! sermon by The
Moderator at the opening, We had the plea
sure of listening to most spiritual and ed
| fvn@ discourse by Rev. Mr.. WakGp, from
| The text 80 me to live il Christi and tC
one OF Rev. Mr.. Wharey's characteristic sci:
mons, from EsthcI's words, = And so will
| 90 in unto the king, which is not according
to the law: and if perish perish.'
The writer could not stay TO enjoy thu
| preaching and other interesting services o.
| Saturday night and Sabbath, having to III
his own pulpit.
Thus closed busy but very pleasant meet
ing. The only drawback was that the re
| ports and the free conversation on the STATE
of religion, while exhibiting some prosperous
and encouraging features, showed no moro
cheering proofs OF spirituality and growth IL
| the churches. Bnt one church, that OF Hal
! Creek, reported any large number OF attdl
| lions on examination or profession OF lulth
More than half the churches reported nc
| such additions. In this condition Of thing>
Il suggestion made that a day of humiliation
| and ia>t;ng should be appointed would doubt.
les lave been cordially entertained and
adopted. But the rain that came on during