The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-10-27

The event was LED 1t 6taun Spring churcb
cssaShfngt county . on Saturday. Octobe,
18th. After prayer By Rey. Thomas Brown
Eof Abingdon, and tlfe singing or the Tooth
Psalm to the tune Of Old Hundred, Rev. 81
M. White, pastor Of Glade Spring church, pro
|lceededto read the original call and the name.
Of the signerS. Nearly all Of the large con
course filing the church could recognize il
these names one or more of their an
cestors. 1t was followed by d brief bnl
clear account of that part Of Parson Cum
mipgs's field and "a short account of oil Che
pastors from him TO the present incum
bent. At the close of this the pastor
introduced the orator Of the day, Rev. h. NJ
Smith, D. D., of Union Seminary, Prince
Edward. For two hours DR.. Smith held
the large congregation enchanted. We will
mot attempt TO give even IN outline Of his
address, as we hope 1t may be published In
order that its value may be known by others,
He stated that these churches were founded
some years before the first Episcopal bishop
came to this country, or before Or. Coke
came to Baltimore with authority to set Up
independent Methodist churches. He also
read extracts from the FIVE memorials Of
Hanover 'Presbytery to the Legislature OF
Virginia protesting against the assessment
to be levied on the people. These memorials
were presented between the years 1775 and
1874, during all Of which time Rev. Charles
Cummings was q member Of that Presbytery
of Hanover. In fact, it was we'll known
that Dir. Cummings was q jealous Wing,
and as equally Jealous defender of the rights
of his Church. -s .,g,. ..sa s-a- 80. /. =.
At the conclusion Of DR.. Smiths address
the audience dispersed in groups and par
took of q large and elegant collation. spread
by the people Of the neighborhood, who are
noted for their hospitality and kindness. 1t
was estimated by some that there were as
many as LOGO persons present though that
most possibly is an overestinlate. The young
ladies had decorated the church very pEettily
fcstoons of cvergreens ran round the walls
and galleries. Over the pulpit in large letters
was: Father Cummings, 1LI3, century,
1878 :" on one side was . EThe church OF
the living God - on the other, " The pillar
and ground Of The truth" ,..r..-.,-.-,ss
After dinner the congregation reassembletl
and were addressed by Rev. J. D. Thomas
on "The Genius of Presbyterianism,' in
which he spoke of its doctrine. worship, and
polity, and claimed that in all points it was
a system suited to all classes of mankind.
The services Of the day were concluded by
Rev. l.. Il. Barrett, of Abingdon, who read
from Foote'S "Sketcbes of Virginia" some
account of Mr.. Cummings, his history, his
habits, his abilities. After which he held
up before the congregation the old Comics
sion of Faith belonging to and used by
Father Cummings, and asked that the vows
taken on this diamond wedding day of these
churches he in accordance with Gods WORD
as expounded By this old book OF then
fathers. Thus closed Il most delightful and
we hope profitable day to al who were
present.
On Sabbath, after IN excellent sermon by
Dr.. Smith, there was joint communion OIL
the churches of Glade Spring and Sinking
Spring. In the Afternoon sermon was reaC
from the original manuscript of Mr.. Cum
mings. The manuscript was somewhat
mutlated and discolorcd, but so excellent
was the handwriting that one could easily
read every word. 1t had written on it.
"Prcached in Lancaster, Va, 1906 show
ing that it was one hundred and seven years
old. 1t was an excellent sermon, filled with
fine thoughts, and expressed III good Ole
Addi<ouian English, and it had fine etfec
on the audience. The text was John Kill, 70
and the sermon was OH the character anC
blesSedness of Christians. 1t was as though
the voice of the dead were heard urging
to holiness, and speaking as from expert
encc of the happiness OF those who I" sinai
be with Jesus where He Is"
We may state here that Abingdon PreSby
terry Oh Friday the 18th, after careful ok
animation, received under its care as can
didatc for the ministry Il young colored man
John II. Harris. He is Il young man o
more than ordinary intelligence, modesty
and piety. b.