The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-08-03
lie visited the "log college,, of William Ten

ed his views and sentiments, and, indeed, Il
fame and eloqucnce carried such weight Til
other ministers began to itincrate. In tn
way that great and good man Whitefield, II
, umphantly, if not defiantly, broke open I'll
door for unsound and unauthorized teacher
The revival which followed his work, created
fervour in the hearts of many which carrie
them beyond the bounds of propriety, and s.
them in opposition to those who held ten
clously to what they considered scripture
Hence arose the two parties known as the Of
and new sides. On these and OH other grount
y division resulted in l74l, but the discort
were harronized and the church united
l7oS After the union, Prcsbyterisn III VI
gnia grew more rapidly, Notwithstanding til
intolerant laws, and the many difficulties
was forced to encounter.
The speaker then paid an eloquent tribute t
the logic, learning and charat ter Of Rev. Sam
Davies, and passing Oil to the period OF the rex
olution he said that in this great allderi akin
the church had been, as it always was OH tn
side of freedom. just Il few " cks before til
first blood was SIZED the synod met III Phlld
delplla. There stood Witherspoon who la
represented the State OF his adoption six year
in Congress, his worthy allies. Cooper, Rod
gers and McWhorter who shared the counsel
of Washington OH the memorable day til
American troops crossed the Delaware. Thes
were the type of men that c imposed the syn
| Cd, and the Pre- .byteran church stool side D.
side with Congress, aud cNerted lis inf lenc
| i'll the same direction, and when the tocsin o
war sounded. its members were found III thu
| front ranks. As example OF how the wor
thies OF the church welded their Influence, th
| speaker quoted the words OF the Rev. Dr.
| Witherspcon. delivered in Congress. Refer
ring to the Declaration of l,idepedcnce,he said
"Ihat noble Instrument, Which secures I'M
| mortality to its author, sIould be subscribed
this very morning By every pen i'll the house
He who will not respond to its accents anO
strain every nerve 10 carry into effect its pro-
visions, Is unworthy the name OF freeman
Although these gray hairs must descend mt
the sepulchrr, would infinitely rather they
should descend thither by the hand Il the pub
lie eXecutloner, than desert at TINS crisis tile
sacred cause of my country" Sozealous were
the members Of the church that any house in
which was found /; bible and Davlu's psalms
in metre. was supposed, us matter Of coilr. (,
to be tenanted 10y rebels, and to sing ''old
Rouse" was almost rs criminal as to have lev
eled a loaded gun Ut Il British grenatlier.
At the close of the war it Was rlnored that
the Presbytery would seek ali alliance with tie
States, and this ruInor was credited for the
reason that so many Of its ministers had ken
active part during the revolution, that it was
supposed anything they desired would not be
denied. But in 1871, the synod adopted
minute defining the position OF the church :
''The synod do solemnly and publicly declare
that they ever have and still do, renounce and
abhor the principles of intolerance, and we do
believe that every peaceable member of society
ought to be protected in the full and free exer-
else of his religion This same principle Of
tolerance has ever been one of the prominent
characteristics of the church, and at no time
has it ever ruftlsed to accord to those who may
differ with it, the broadcast charity.
In 1856 the church was divided into four
synods with view to forming a general as
sembly, viz: New York, New jersey. Phila-
delphla, and Virginia and the Carolinas, con-
.alhIag IN all sixteen presbyteries. At this
lline the Hanover Presbytery Was divided in
order to form the Lexington Presbytery, and
mus Tue PresbyteIy with which we stand con-
ilec1ea came into existence just in time to take
It's seat IN the first general assembly which
met at Philadelphia in 1889. At this yery time
the hrst General Congress was then in session in
NC" York, so that the Presbyterian church as
now constituted and the U. S. Government
started in their careers at the same time, and
olc OF the first acts of the general synod
was TO address letter to Gen'l Washington
expressing their admiration, love and esteem
ZOE himself personally, congratulating him on
Inc result OF the war and encouraging him in
the discharge OF the duties which devolved
upon him.
one OF the great objects which occupied the
attention OF the assembly was missionary
work. In this, Virginia was eminently sue
;essfnl. great revival at Hampden Sidney
rev into the ministry many brilliant students
ma the rank OF the synod being greatly en-
ars ed, the circle of its influence and opera |
lions Wild ned, and skepticisn. intlelity, and |
ne demoralizlng effects Of the war We're speed |
ly removed.
After referring to the great educational |
works which the church had accomplished, the |
peaSer concluded And now instead of |
i struggling for a bare footing Oh the shores OF !
he Atlantic, it is gloriocsy stretching out its |
giants arms over the broa,l land. In this short |
evltw we have had many occasion well fitted |
o draw from our hearts the words Of the text, |
Hitherto the Lord hath helped u.s. for with
mighty hand has Jehova eveled the way for
ne onward march OF the Presbyterian Church.
AT the close Of his sermon Mr.. Simpson am
bounced, that on the last Sunday in August,
re would follow the course of the church
trough the last seventy years. He also am
lounced that on next Sunday night, the sub
ect ri his sermon would be the PHILOSOPHY
f Prayer.''