The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-15

Second Presbyterian Church. Lynchburg Last
Sunday morning. after reading the l25th and 10th
Psalms, Rev. T. w. Hooper made the following
remarks, which at our request he has transcribed
Five years ago to-day, stood In this pulpit fol
the first time as the pastor OF this church, and be
fore the regular services, have thought it would
be we'll to call your attention to the following
changes which have taken place during these years
At that time we had four elders; now we have
eight. Three of those who were descons then have
since been ordained as elders. We now have SIX
deacons one having died u.ing the last year, q
man beloved and hencred 'fef hs heaest iistegriIF
and sterling worth. by all who knew him, (Dr. q.
Fl, Steptoe.) He is the only officer we have lost,
and his memory is precious At that time we
added $50; and deducting those we have lost by
death and removal, we now have 232 Only one
has been suspended, and we have never had COM
munion without some additions. The Sabbath
School was then small handful Now it numbers
about 100, including three Bible classes, all OF
which are most interesting and instructive, ar
while the school is smaller than it ought to be,
there are but few in it, II years OF age, who
are not members of the church. This after all, is
the test of good school, and Of faithful, prayerfu
teaching.
During these five years over 81 500 has been ex.
pended on the church building, parsonage has
has been raised from 81, 200 to 81 $780, and the use
of the parsonage. Adding the regular contribu-
tons to benevolent objects, not less than $3 600
have been paid into the treasury of the Lord from
the voluntary contributions of the people 80 \.
Perfect harmony has pervaded the session and
the church. We have never bad divided vote in
the session, and if there has been any discord in
the church, am not aware fit. As to your per-
sonal kindness to me, | cannot trust myself to
speak. For God alone knows how grateful have
Away; felt for your constant forbeararce, your
brotherly announcement. and your numberless
other acts of kindness With these sweet memo
ries, let us thank God and take courage. -
LynchJwg Paper. 44.
Lynchburgh, va-The First Presbyterian church
vas reopened on August %. after it had been
closed two months. The congregation needed
more room; and this was gained by grading the
galleries SO that seats in them are as comfortable
as those on the foor The floors are carpeted,
srd the pews cushioned. The large lecture room
is also reitted The entire cost of the repairs is
$1,000
shslbyville. Ky.-The Presbyterian church has
given a unanimous call to the Rev. s. H Neel, Of
Oxford, Miss, and strong hopes are entertained Of
his acceptance.
The Religious Herald says of parsonages: "A
good parsonage will greatly assist church 10 OBJ.
tanning pastor. 1t will be an important part of
his salary, whose payment will be sure. 1t f5rs
to him and his family home; and, it it is neat.
comfortable, and inviting, it is no mean fer and
must have its weight 10 deciding the question OF
accepting the pastorate. A parsonage will aid
church in retaining pastor. The parsonage be
comes the home of the minister aud bis family
They feel delight in it, little less than if they
held it in fee simple They aim to make it com.
Portable. 1t is soon adorned with vines, and
shrubs, and shade trees. The members Of the
church, having an interest in it, take pleasure in
improving and bcautifyirg it, ard adding to is
c On eliencies. Its occupants have 10 hone
feeling which they could never experience in
rented house. Soon it becomes associated with
events joyous and sad hopeful and trying, the
faithfulnees of friends and the goodness of God,
which cause the hearts OF all to cleave to it as the
dearest spot on earth. A pastor will not leave
such home through mere 6ckleness, or to avoid
some slight inconvenience" I
Methodist Church South Rev. DR.. McFerrin
makes the following statement: Ig
I'm my impromptu add ess at Round Lake, my
memory was little at fault in reference to the
number of coored people in our Church in the
Really, we had as the General Minutes will show,
III 1857 members, 81, 9O9 practitioners making
total of POI 766. At that date (lS6O) our Church
numbered white members. asa 2O3 and SO 933
537,l3 The war over, we
umbered, in 1866, according to the Minutes,
fl9 404 white Misunderstanding abolished the
practice Of returning practitioners IS $40 COL
bred members.
This was fearful decrease. The colored mem
oers who remained with us were subsequently
transferred to the Colored Methodist Episcopal
Church in America so that now we have very
ew colored members in our Church, 663 still |
,ear showed white membership of COG 1914 which |
s net gain since 1866 of 277 800. In these esti
mates | do not include the Indian members. The
rear 1874 was prosperous, and increased our min
sters and membership Sc. l65. So that now we
lave total of ministers and members including
indians and colored, 7l2. 1885,"