The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-16
Presbyterian Emigration of Virginia.

The SOuthSide Kagiaian, Of March 9th, pub
lished at Christansvie, Mecklenburg county, gives
an interesting statement concerning movement
for settling colony of United Presbyterans in
that place, and on Staunton river. They come, we
believe, mostly from Pennsylvania, and will proba,
bly, grow into Hourishing church. For the infor
nation of some of our readers it may be proper to
state that they belong to Presbyterian church re
Gently formed by the union of two branches OF
what were called Seceders-hence the name United
ReSJyterianS We abridge the account given by
the Krgiaidn.
scarcely year ago was the correspondence
| begun which induced the Rev. James \. Ashen
hust, after thorough inspection of the lands Of
| Mecklenburg, to decide that here was the best
place for the starting Of the Southern efforts Of the
United Presbyterian Church.
Week by week, we have been chronicling sales
of farms to United Presbyterians, and the cry is,
Still they come" Evidently We have in ouI
midst the beginning Of great and important
movement, the full results OF which future genera
tons will realize. A peaceable law abiding, God
| fearing, Blbleloying people are coming among us.
Such citizens are thrice welcome. Their presence
IN Virginia is pledge of Christian progress and
an augury of the good time coming Tor Virginia.
600 of land IN Mecklenburg and Charlotte coun
Ties. They quietly but firmly adhere TO the faith
OF their fathers, ana pzrrue the even tenor OF
their way, loved and respected by all who know
them. They are OF the old Cromwelian Ironsldes,
who feared God and kept their powder dry, and
while they are devout in religion, they work early
and late In the development OF the lands they have
purchased
The United PresbyterianS are satisfied Their
he'll I no pIe nfh lie H.e
has, in the Northern press Of the denomination,
testified nobly on behalf OF Virginia. A man of
stern steadiastness to principle, but rare Catho
llcity, MIR. AshenhuSt 5 success is viewed with fra
ternal gratitude by the members OF other churches
In assoclating with such man, there is no room,
as there is no cause for jealousy. The value OF
the honest, unbiased opinions in favor Of Mecklen.
burg, given publicly by Mr.. Ashenhust, is simply
lncalculable.
Scarcely need we say that we are not United
PreSbyterans Perhaps we ought to be ashamed
TO ada that, until the establishment of the u. p
colonies, we knew but little of the U. P Church
Occupying, however, position of impartial OBJ
serVatlon we desire deliberately to record our
viction that If the whole State were filed with
United Presbyterian settlers 1t would be well for
the State. 1t we We're asked to point out the great
est, most powerful and most successful agency ope
rating for the restoration OF the prosperity OF Vr
glnia, we should say, 'colonlzed immigration as
carried out by the United Presbyterians. They
have marched over our borders with the compact
ness and drill of an army OF soldiers; they have
so TO speak, pitched their tents IN our midst, with
guards well posted, and retreat or failure in this
peaceful invasion is impossible. The United Pres.
Oyterians have come to stay. They nave chosen
homes for themselves their children and their
grand Children and they mean 10 WHO the solid re
ward Of industry and perseverance,