The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-04-14

church 81 sheY have kept up the Sabbath
school throughout the winter In flourish:
ing condition.
Oliget New Kent county,: DE-. Samuel
p. Christian, elder, read the narrative frDm
his church. This Ia one OF the smallest o.
the churches Id the Presbytery. There were
three additions. Besides the labors OF the
evangelist, Rav. f. w. Lewis, who breaches
for them once or twice month, they were
encouraged aud strengthened BY visit rem
Rev. Mr.. Woods, Of Norfolk, who held pro-
sracted services. 81
4 Petersburg Second church: B. r. Lester,
elder, read the narrative from this church
During last spring they enjoyed season o.
revival, and now sgain rejoicing 10 the spe'
speelsl presence Of the Spirit. Daily services
are at present held in this church. The &C
cessions during the year have been largel
than ever In the history of the church. INT
Sabbath schools are efficiently conducted
and the members of the church are doing
faithful service.
Portsmouth Rev. j. NJ. Rose, pastor, reat
the narrative. Whilst there have been bn
few additions during the year the presen
condition OF the church ia more hopeful
Some have recently protested faith in Christ
and Others are iDquiring. the way of life
The lIberality Of the people has been con
spicuous. Whilst many have had their In
comes greatly reduced the church has no
fallen back In its benevolent work. r,n
PoHhatan church: Major Willis j. Dance
resd the narrative. This church has beer
for several years withouta pastor, but haC
the services of Mr.. Alfred E. Grover, 8 stu
dent of Union Theological Seminary, during
his last vacation. Whilst the church has
made but little progress they are satisfied
that it has not retrograded. Ir., f=.
Richmond First church: b. L. Brooke
elder, read the narrative. This church re.
ports decided improvement in all the de-
partrents Of its work. For months past
there has been more than usual religious
interest, Forty.seven have been added TO
the communion of the church. The contri-
buttons have been larger than heretofore.
II is thought the contributions to foreign
missions will be double what they have been.
Additional elders and deacons have been
elected. There has been marked improve.
ment in congregational singing.
Richmond Second church: Rev. DR..
Hogc. pastor, read the narrative. The last
wear has been the hsppest In the history OF
this church, there having been progress in
all that contributes to life and efficiency.
The contributions to benevolent objects have
increased; the Ladies' Benevolent Society
has done efficient work; quiet religious in
terest has peryaded the congregation
the year; there have been sew
snty-three additions to the communion !;
there are $50 children in the Sabbath schools;
the contributions In almost every particular
have exceeded those reported last year.
Judge Ould made some additional remarks
with regard to the congregation, and spoke
of the encouraging condition Of their enter.
prise for building mission chapel.
Richmond Third Church The Rev. W.
II. Scott, pastor, read the narrative. This
church has had the services of its present
pastor only few months, but Is now In
more encouraging state than it has been for
years past. The congregation continues to
increase. There have been more than the
usual number added to the communion, and
the enterprise for the erection of new
church building is fairly under way.
Tabb>Street, Petersburg P. S. Seabury,
elder, read the narrative: There has been
good degree of religious interest throughout
the year: there have been ffty-eight add.
tious to the communion OF the church, most
ly on examination. Additional elders and
deacons were chosen, and there has been
marked zeal and activity in all departments
Of church work. ri 50 81.
This completes the roll of the churches.
A few had no report and no representation.
REMARKS OF DIR. PRYOR.
After hymn had been sung} Dr.. Pryor
said he supposed he had been appointed to
make some general remarks because he was
the Oldest minister in the Presbytery. For
forty -four wears he had been hearing these
reports, aud he had been greatly encouraged
by what had just been reported, especially
from some of the city churches. He had
never heard more gratifying reports. God
seems, he thought, now to be opening to
our ministers, aud he hoped to others, too,
wider fields of usefulness than ever before.
he trusted in higher sense than the polti.
cal this would be centennial! year. This is
nov the spring of the year and the Presby.
terry has before Il q year for labor.
He sfsctionately urged upon the young
brethren active work. Although now sew
enty.one years old he preached more than
an average Of every other day. he present.
ed earnestly the fact that we are dependent
upon the power of the spirit Of God in our
work of extending the Redeemer's kingdom.
Where we have few ministers, as is the
case in most counties in this Presbytery,
MoRa SHOULD BIB DoNH By MINISTER'S,
in going from point to point and preaching
ss they bad opportunity. He enforced this
by some interesting and touching incidents
connected with his OWE mini sterial labors,
that had EXTENDED through period of forty.
four wears. He closed with wish that all
the members Of the Presbytery might receive
baptism OF the Holy Ghost.
The Moderator expressed the gratitude Of
the Presbytery that the life Of this venerable
father had been spared to labor SO long and
Sc, abundsntly, and then gave out hymn o!
thanksgiving - -. = #sa
"Come thou fount Of every blessing"
After the singing of this hymn, the.
RBy. DR. HoGE,
who had been appointed to make some re.
marks, said: s.f So"
he could we'll understand the emotion OF
gratitude and sacred, joy with which the
venerable brother has made the announce.
ment that after attending the meetings of the
Presbytery for more than forty years be had
never been present at one which gave him
more, hope for the future OF our Church.
Dr.. Pryor ha, feelingly alluded to the near.
ness Of the time OF his departure from bis
work on earth ;,but when the day shall come
In the words of the hymn we have just fin.
ished singing. -..t.r fa
when by Gods good pleasure .,.s-:
Safely he arrives at home ~
will be sad day to those of us who may
survive him to miss his words of counsel and
the "reminiscences Of life SO full of expert
ence and abundant labors. -. .,..,,..s,.,.
DR.. Hoge said he gave his full approval tc
one remark OF DR.. Pryor, that the secret Of
ministerial success was the earnest preaching
Of the simple doctrines of grace In entire de
pendance on the Holy Spirit to make the