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

favor.
Bowling Green, Ky.-A very interesting and en-
couragIng work of grace has been going on in the
First Presbyterian Church of this city. Rev. j
Il. Du Bose of Glasgow had just recovered from
long and serious illness but was able to preach fol-
fourteen days to large congregations, He write:
to the Christian Observer:
ut may not be amiss to say word about thi.
church and the meeting lst clos 3D. As regards
the church, there is mucu to say in Its praise
They possess good deal OF intellectual cultivation
and Southerner finds that sort of refinement which
makes him feel at home very soon.
But above this, there is very manifest zeal and
spirituality, which is their chief excellence. There
are also cody people, who are deeply interested
ln the welfare OF Zlon The results OF our recen
meeting, which are most encouraging, seem to have
been but the answer to their earnest prayers before
sent up to God. For some time past there has
been apparenta growing interest In that church.
The pastor, Rev. r. X. Smoot, informs me thai
he had received, since first of January, eight mem.
bers on profession Of faith, prior to our meeting.
The increase OF the congregation and other lndica
lions OF spiritual interest induced him to CON-
mence series OF meetings. He accordingly be-
gan by holding prayar meetings, and after several
days, L joined him, and we began services twice q
day, which continued Tor twelve days. The hearts
OF the people, thus prepared, were ready to re.
ceive the word gladly and it took root in thell
hearts, and We trust brought forth fruit unto the
Lord. Twenty seven were received before the close
OF the meeting, and several more will unite with
that church. A lew will unite with other denomi
nations.
The meeting itself was after the old Presbyte
ran style, With no noise or confusion; no mourn
er s bench; nor any of the modern machinery used
to get up revlvals. We relied only on the presen-
tatlon of Gods truth, and on prayer for che Spirit
TO apply that truth. We have the cheering evil
deDce that those prayers were heard, and that tue
Spirit descended with power. The church is
greatly revived, and their hands strengthened
They have gathered in good deal OF solid mate
rial-persons of intelligence and heads of families,
who have hitherto been worldly, are now the hum
bic disciples of our beloved Saviour. The pastor
of the church has reason to thank God and take
courage. he has a strong hold upon the atfec-
tons of his people, They are very united aud
harmonious, and the word as preached by him, is
owned and blessed OF God to the upbulidlng OF
Zion. May the Lord grant us more such meetings
IN this Green River County"
Petersburg, Va.-The religious interest in the
churches az Petersburg still continues Fifteen
we're added to the membership of the Second
church recently fourteen OF wnom were received
on profession Of iaIth Since the first OF June last,
when the Rev. George L. Petrle entered upon his
labors In that field, thirty persons have been re.
ceived into the church on profession of faith in
Christ. We rejoice In the, success which has at.
tended the labOrs OF our young brother In his new
field, and trust that there are still richer blessings
In store for him and the favored people of his
charge. IS. Presbyterian.
Proposed Mission to Western Mexioo.-The Exc.
lon h..ua fIu
Of letters from brethren and others in western
Texas urging them to occupy Brownsville, on the
Rio Grande with the view of making it the base
of missionary operations in western Mexico. The
proposition Is regarded with favor, and measures
are under contemplation for carrying it into effect
Ii is at least proposed to explore the ground with
reference to this object. Mexico many portions
of it, at least, seems 70 be in very favorable con-
diton for the reception of the gospel and at few
points where the gospel is now being preached the
happiest results are taking place. Western Mexico
with single point excepted is entirely unoccupied
by Protestant missionaries; 1t is Immediately on
our Church frontier and there are various and
weighty reasons why we should try to occupy it as
speedily as possible. MiSSionary
Rev. F. o. Koelle, pastor of the Second German
church, N Orleans, writing to the Southern Pres
byterian, says
II am very glad to let you know that we had
last Sabbath very pleasant day for our congrega-
ton. We received five grown persons on profess
sion OF their faith as members In our church. On
our roll we have at present one hundred members
The church was organized with twenty-five men,
bers in the month of May. 1868. 1t would be very
pleasant for US to have all those persons as active
church members, but since that time four died and
twenty-seven have taken their letters OF dismission
nj fhnrn IN of fhn OH hull
being moved six years ago, half mile to the pre-
sent place, corner Claiborne and st. Bernard
streets From the other membership of sixty-nine
there are only httyslX regular mem bers now. This
is very small number tor the work of ten years,
but without looking on it, we know and are certain
that the Lord has given to US his blessing and We
therefore, praise him for all his grace and mercy.
The church members stand now more unitedly TO
gether--and do what is in their power to do. All
feel happy that We are again united with the same
Presbytery by which Our church was organised.
And we hope this new union will strengthen US
more and more By the grace Of our Lord Jesus
Christ
Holly Springs, Miss-The elders and deacons of
the church, OF which the Rev. j. N. Craig is pas
tor, have issued church circular for the encour-
agement Of its members The ordinances of the
church have all been regularly administered during
the year. The number of members lost by death
and removal about equals the number received into
the church. Total membership / Ia. Collections
we're taken for five of the schemes Of the Chnrch |
1T large. The total amount raised for all purposes
vas little less than 50 700, being an increase of
54OO that of the previous year, and Of $1,000
over the amount raised year before last. The
amount contributed during the past year is an
average of about $265O to each member living
gthin reach Of the regular administration of the
ordinances. The financial condition of the church
S better now than at any time during its past his.
ory, and good hope is entertained of decided
.dvance during the next fiscal year.
Louisville, Ky.-Five members we're received into
he Second Presbyterian church on last Sabbath,
April 5th.) The Park mission school, on the
anne day, took up a collection of $3.50 for the
ollege at Campinas; probably the largest sum
contributed by any of our Sunday Schools on the
lay appointed for the collection.