The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-03-27

UedlcaC0n.-lle hlaOama street ITeSOyterlar
Church, Memphis, under the care of Rev. j. o.
Stedman, D. d., was dedicated to the service o.
Almighty God on Sabbath afternoon last, at {
o'clock. The house was crowded to OVERLOOKING
by an intelligent and attentive audience, represen
tatives from all the Presbyterian churches in the
city, and Others The ministers of the severa
Presbyterian churches were all present. except one
who was necessarily prevented attending by being
called away to funeral The Introductory prayer
was made by Rev. 4. NJ Richardson of the Third
Church, the Sermon preached by Rev. j. N.
.Waddel, D. d., of the University of Mississippi.
The formal Dedication of the church by Rev. DR..
Stedman, and the Dedicatory Prayer by Rev. A.
H. Kerr d. d. The cost of building with the
entire furniture and the lot is about Sl3, 000 1t
is three and half years since the church was or
ganized. The Sabbath School has numbered from
ninety to one hundred fifty. Twelve adults have
been baptized and forty-six infants. Upwards of
one hundred members have been received by GER
tifcate and profession of faith. For pastors sup.
port benevolent objects and expenses, IS 900 have
been raised The children and teachers Of the
Sabbath School alone contributed nearly $500 to-
wards the erection of the building, and there now
remains debt of about 81 700. The exercises on
the day of Dedication were altogether pleasant.
The pastor acknowledged donations from several
individuals, Of communion service, pulpit chairs
and carpets and other articles Of convenience and
ort.-NemphiS Presbyterian.
Texas-Line of the Central Railroad-The Calves
ton church is the largest in Texas. Its member
ship is about two hundred and thirty. The house
of worship has become too small for the growing
congregation, and even for the Sabbath School.
So the pastor, the Rev. R. + Bunting, d. d., and
his people, have entered with zeal and determine
ton on the important work of building church
that will meet the wants of the large and rapidly
growing congregation.
There is no town of any size on Inc railroad be-
tween Galveston and Houston. These seem to be
twin sisters, and are stimulating each other by a
healthy but not bitter emulation. Both are very
thriving cities, and there seems to be bright
future before each. La Houston we have our next
largest church. The membership is considerably
over hundred. They have new pastor, Rev.
j. j. Read, and the work of the Lord is prosper
ing i'll his hands He seems to have the idea that
the members Of the church should be peculiar
people, jealous of good works" They have just
paid heavy nstalment on their church debt, and
propose to pay it all off this year. Notwthstand
ing this they came nobly to the rescue of Austin
College, and agreed to raise 81 % per member.
SO you see our people have heavy work to do, but
they are in working humor. The greatest trouble
here is that so many OF our churches are without
pastors to instruct them and take the lead.
Hampstead is our next point on the railroad.
They have recently built new church, have a
membership of about forty and good prospect
for the future under the passionate Of Rev. DR..
Shaw.
Navasota comes next on the line, and is still with
out a pastor, though earnest and liberal in their
efforts to secure one. They only number twenty
two members; but there is fine prospect for rapid
growth if a pastor could be secured to live with
them. They can secure house for the first year.
and will build neat house of worship at once, if
they can get a pastor to lead them. They have
good preaching once a month"; but they want
pastor. They are liberal and earnest people, and
have expressed themselves freely to US.
Bryan comes next. They only have some thirty
five members, but better field for reaping har-
vest do not know. They have no pastor, but
have lust put up one of the Deatest churches that
ever saw. 1t is a perfect beauty and surely the
large and eager audience | preached to twice on
the Sd inst, will not be long without pastor
They have been sadly disappointed twice lately in
getting pastor, but are still hopeful and deter.
mined.
Rev. Dr. Hutchinson is at present supplying the
church at Calvert which numbers about twenty
five, and has no church building. They are not
trying to build as yet,
Corscana is supplied by Rev. Fl. MOsely-is
growing and important point, with forty five
members. They are building good mouse.
Dallas is place Of great Importance, with only