The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-11-15
geligiuns Smtslligenfs.
FROM THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Notes From Lynchburg.

Monday evening, the 9th inst, congregational
meeting was held in the Second Presbyterian
church. A communication from the pastor, Rev.
r. w. Hooper, d. D., was read, which informed
the congregation that, after prayerful considera-
ton, he had decided it was his duty to accept the
call recently made to him by the First Presbyte-
ran church of Selma, Ala The paper referred in
appropriate and touching terms to the tenderness
of the pastoral relation, the kindness uniformly
shown to him and his family by the Church, and
the sorrow it cost him to part with the people OF
his charge By a unanimous vote the congrega-
ton agreed to unite with their pastor in petition
to Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation
which has existed SO pleasantly for six years. This
action of the church was based upon the conviction
that no obstacle ought to be placed in the way Of
their pastor when he was seeking to do the will OF
the Lord. 1t was not in accordance with their
Wishes but taken solely as an act of submission to
the will of the Head of the Church. A paper was
then unanimously adopted expressing the feelings
of the congregation at the thought of the coming
separation. 1t was highly creditable to both par
ties. The Presbytery of Montgomery is called to
meet in Lynchburg on the 18th inst, to consider
this case, and also request from Rev. Roger
Martin to be transferred to the Presbytery of Or
ange He has been invited to take charge of the
church in Lexington, N. @.
The first Sunday of this month was the fourth
anniversary of the passionate Of Rev w. 7. Hall
in the First Presbyterian church. He stated the
following encouraging facts to his people at the
morning service. The net gain in the member
ship of the church during the four years has been
one hundred and thirty. Besides the regular con-
tributions of the church. the following sums had
been raised for special objects, in the first year.
ST. 900 fol- an organ in the second year, ST. 200 to
build chapel; in the third year, $1,000 to repair
the church. He then stated there was q balance
due on this last item, which he hoped would be
raised at once. This was done, and the church
is free from debt
On the evening of the same Sabbath the two
Presbyterian congregations met at the First church
to hear an address on Foreign Missions by Rev.
M. H. Houston After the address collection
was taken for the cause. This was an occasion of
great interest to the churches. 1t was the general
sentiment that Mr. Houston discourse was the
most interesting missionary address ever heard in
this city. 1t is fortunate that such man is en-
gagged to advocate this great cause before our
churches. We feel that visit from him will greatly
assist any church in coming up to the pledge made
by the Synod of Virginia at the late meeting in
Norfolk.
On the following afternoon there was mass
meeting Of the children Mr. Houston was as sue.
cessful in talking to them as he had been on the
previous day when addressing the grown people,
Some of the little ones had come expecting to con.
tribute. No collection was TAKEN however; and
it was affecting to see them go up to the mission
ary of their own notion, and hand him their con-
tributions