The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-09-04

us earn, -'iace this Church is IN Its
infancy, .eut which will develope
healthily strong manhood.
While iilar thoughts are passing
through my stor, the Rev. DR.. Donald
Fraser, ente in full Presbyterian dress
black gowi Is. Perhaps you know al
ready that 4 Presbyterian ministers Tor
rather United resbyterians, for in Canada
they follow t. j CUSTOMS, are unlike all
others In this REL Every where else-n Scot
land France, S erland, Holland, Germany,
etc.-you see ,hc .byterian minister in the pull
pit as l now saw e., with gown aud Oands. L
am not suggetir lat we should introduce the
custom-I NJ re ention the fact as it exists
You are aware personal dislike of uniforms
of every kind connection with the Church,
whether in the ] of single breasted coats drab
cloth, or silk, cravatS, broad brimmed hats,
or dress coats; | think the whole question OF
man millinery Of very little importance.
The opening sices did not differ much from
ours except ne congregation stood up to sing,
which was v, I'll, and sat down to pray, which
was not so vi )r. f., after reading verse or
two directed ugng to begin with the fourth
verse-on loo sthe end saw there were four
teen Reme ring all | had heard said OF
drawing Scot singing, | began to wonder when
they would q rough. But now | had an agreea'
BILE surprise, wished all our Seminary students
and not fes our ministers had been present
to take less Dr. f. continued standing while
the preocnto Sc in front Of the pulpit, and with
him a grou i young women on one side and
young men he other, to aid in leading the sing
ing. They ;an to sing with great spirit IN quick
time, and D. (. united in the singing and beat
time vigorou while he looked and made encour-
aging sigus the various parts OF the congrega-
ton. After we're heartily participating, DIR. +.
sat down; the singing went on in the same
style; aud the close of the eleven verses, the
congregatif sat down exhilarated and elevated by
the act of -dial worship they had engaged in
No matter ,ow much any one might object to
choirs, thei sas no room for objection here-you
could not yaak of praisng Goo by proxy or by
committee for all sang; you could not say it was
snare Of he devil, entcing the young people to
get behine he congregation and behind curtain
where tbs may chatter and giggle during the rest
OF the &c, and attempt to show how we'll they
can sing en- the hymn is announced, and receive
the stent miration Of the congregation, for this
choir occt led the first seats between the pulpit
and the st Of the worshippers.
DIR. ser is o Scotchman, but he has trained
himse 5 speak in the regular L'ndon style
Seme es a Scotch pronounced word would slip
out, bu the Londoa b glish would be at once sub
stituted. His sermon sas on the Real Presence,
showing lat the true doctrine is on this much
abused subject, remarking that the best way to
confute error is to teach the truth. will not de-
scribe his sermon farther than by saying that his
manner is familiar and earnest: he often uses COL
loquial ext ressions with happy effect; and re-
mark made to me the other day could not be ap-
piled to hin, that 1.-THE last speaker could not be
a minister, because all his illustrations were drawn
from every day life.
The only thing noteworthy in the rest of the SER
vices was the repeating OF the Lords Prayer by
the congregation audibly in concert In giving
the notices of meetings during the week, DR.. f.
departed from ordinary usages by asking all who
had no particular business there to stay away from
one of them, as there would be house full with.
out them!"